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San Francisco Theater
The Orpheum Theater consistently debuts performances by national touring companies of successful Broadway shows. Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Rent and The Lion King have all made San Francisco's flagship Orpheum Theater their home. Actors Theater of San Francisco The Actors Theater of San Francisco was formed in 1989 by a collective of writers, directors and actors who wished to stage quality ensemble pieces dealing with the human condition. The reparatory that resulted has debuted works by Eric Bogosian and David Mamet, while constantly exploring the classic plays of Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee and Arthur Miller. American Conservatory Theater American Conservatory Theater(A.C.T.) is San Francisco's flagship theater and boasts a national reputation. Going to the newly restored, post-earthquake Geary Theater between Taylor and Mason is a grand affair and can easily be a dress-up occasion on a Friday or Saturday night. The American Conservatory Theater does British comedies extremely well, but the acting is pretty white bread. This is great San Francisco theater to impress the folks with. Good seats are expensive, parking is a drag, but performance art patrons really get the theater experience. The American Conservatory Theater seats 1000. Buriel Clay Theater The Buriel Clay Theater is perhaps best know for its long-running productions of Viva Variety, a cabaret-like comic ensemble piece that reinvents itself each year. Like San Francisco itself, the Buriel Clay is a mix of the eclectic, the queer and the downright hilarious. Curran Theater The Curran Theater has a long history of staging successful runs of Broadway powerhouse touring companies. Perhaps the best stage outside of New York to catch chart-toppers like Phantom of the Opera (which opened to packed houses for years before moving on to the Orpheum Theater) and experimental works like the Pulitzer Prize-winning Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks. Eureka Theater Recently revived and refurbished, the Eureka Theater concentrates on drama and discovery. In its original incarnation, Bay Area audiences were introduced to Angels in America by Tony Kushner, as well as the works of David Mamet, Dario Fo and Anna Deavere Smith. With the renovation finally complete, the theater crowd has ecstatically embraced it again. EXIT Theater The experimental EXIT Theater in San Francisco has a bohemian flare, often serving as a launching board for successful, larger productions. Unlike many San Francisco theaters, the EXIT is neither stuffy nor staid, and has more in common with the annual San Francisco Fringe Festival than it does Phantom of the Opera. Herbst Theater Performances at the Herbst Theater, located within walking distance of San Francisco City Hall, the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Symphony, have some stiff competition. Undaunted, the theater lures first-class classical musicians in search of a more personal performance space.
A crossroads for San Francisco's performance art and one of the oldest alternative art spaces in San Francisco, Intersection for the Arts is a community-based showcase for new and experimental works of literature, music, theater and more.
Magic Theater, around for nearly three decades, is dedicated to new plays and got its reputation from producing Sam Shepard's premieres, namely True West, Fool for Love and Buried Child, all of which are now in the canon of American post-modern dramatic literature. The Magic still puts up some intriguing new works, but it's always good advice to read the reviews before calling the box office. Also, the Magic has a beautiful view from Fort Mason of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay, free parking in a big lot, although the theater is relatively inaccessible by public transport. The Magic has two theaters: North is a proscenium, South is a Thrust. Marines Memorial Theater Few San Francisco theater venues have as rich a history as the Marines Memorial Theater in downtown San Francisco. As the sometime home for the renowned Actors Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), the Marines Memorial Theater has housed cutting-edge productions, including the debut of Tony Kushner's Angels in America. Imogene Coca, Sir Ian McKellen, Charlene Tilton, David McCallum and Cyd Charisse have all graced the stage, as have the most reputable reparatory companies in the San Francisco Bay area. New Conservatory Theater Center A small San Francisco theater near the San Francisco Opera and boasting a company that turns out first-rate productions. Off-Market Theater & Studio A new San Francisco theater just South of Market--don't mind the somewhat sordid stretch of SoMa, its surface degradation actually weeds out the mewly and fills nearby (pre- and post-theater) bars like Anu and Arrow with iconoclasts and adventurers. Off-Market's two spaces are ideal for smaller casts, improv acts, stand-up comedy and acoustic music groups.
The 1000-seat Palace of Fine Arts Theater lends itself to larger than life performing art pieces with a greater touch of accessibility than some of the more obscure San Francisco venues. From children's musicals to jazz exhibitions and film retrospectives, one never knows what's going on behind the buildings gorgeous French facade; one just knows it'll be worth stopping in. Post Street Theater Refurbished as a playhouse for the whimsically avant-garde, the Post Street Theater was originally built as as lodge and meeting hall for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Now a 729-seat theater, the Post Street Theater of San Francisco (PSTOSF) has premiered hit after hit, including Steve Martin's Picasso At The Lapin Agile, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, Forever Tango, Dame Edna: The Royal Tour and Lily Tomlin's The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. Theater Rhinocero Theater Rhinoceros is the West Coast's premiere gay and lesbian theater, and, though it's in a sleazy (albeit colorful) part of town, the Rhino is very accessible (a block from 16th St. BART station) and their new artistic director, John Fisher, is bringing plays that address life in San Francisco and the whole spectrum of sexual orientation instead of just breaking sexuality down into men's and women's categories. The Rhino is a true San Francisco treat, and de rigueur pilgrimage for the queer set, but the productions are worthwhile for the straight set as well, simply because the humanistic plays are often heart-warming. The Theatre Rhinoceros rents their downstairs studio to other groups who put on some bare bones, if worthwhile, drama. The Theater Rhinoceros seats 117 and the studio seats 54. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater Like the inter-cultural Center which houses the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts Theater, the nine-year-old newbie space in the Metreon complex is dedicated to bringing the best in the performing arts to the Bay Area. While its wide array productions makes it difficult to pigeon hole, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater boasts a terrific history of modern dancers and neo-classical musicians. Go from San Francisco Theater to San Francisco Entertainment
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