Ah, long walks on the beach. The crash of the waves. The feel of the sand between your toes. The giant talking lizards -- wait, that one’s not normal … unless you exist in the world of Edward Albe... [more+]

Ah, long walks on the beach. The crash of the waves. The feel of the sand between your toes. The giant talking lizards -- wait, that one’s not normal … unless you exist in the world of Edward Albee's Pulitzer-winning play "Seascape". Leave it to the writer of "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf" to come up with such a bold premise, and then use it as a springboard for an insightful, funny look at the times of big change in life, and the fear that can come along with them. In her A.C.T. debut, artistic director Pam MacKinnon continues her career-long exploration of this icon of American theater, bringing Albee back to the Geary Theater for the first time in a decade. Don’t miss it. [less-]

"Beach Blanket Babylon", San Francisco's hilarious pop culture musical revue, is the perfect night out with friends. Celebrating more than 16,000 performances and seen by more than six million people ... [more+]

"Beach Blanket Babylon", San Francisco's hilarious pop culture musical revue, is the perfect night out with friends. Celebrating more than 16,000 performances and seen by more than six million people from around the world, this internationally acclaimed production continues to delight audiences at Club Fugazi in San Francisco's North Beach district with its spectacular costumes and outrageously gigantic hats. Entering their 45th year, "Beach Blanket Babylon" follows Snow White as she takes a fast-paced journey around the world in search of her "Prince Charming." Along the way she encounters a star-studded, ever-changing lineup of hilarious political and pop culture characters, including Donald and Melania Trump, Kim Jong-un, Taylor Swift, Colin Kaepernick, Wonder Woman, Sarah Huckabee, Vladimir Putin, Ivanka Trump and Jared, Lady Gaga, Prince, Barack and Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Harvey Weinstein, Bernie Sanders, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Oprah, Prince Harry and Meghan, and the Golden State Warriors. [less-]

Conductor Joshua Gersen and the San Francisco Symphony provide live accompaniment to a big-screen showing of Steven Spielberg's sci-fi masterpiece "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" -- the acclaimed... [more+]

Conductor Joshua Gersen and the San Francisco Symphony provide live accompaniment to a big-screen showing of Steven Spielberg's sci-fi masterpiece "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" -- the acclaimed classic that also happens to include the most famous five musical notes in filmdom. John Williams' iconic, two-time Grammy-winning score comes complete with a tonal phrase that the scientists in the film develop to communicate with aliens -- and which went on to become a hit disco song in real life. [less-]

For nearly 20 years, playwright Lauren Yee’s father Larry has been a driving force in the Yee Family Association, a seemingly obsolescent Chinese American men’s club formed 150 years ago in the wa... [more+]

For nearly 20 years, playwright Lauren Yee’s father Larry has been a driving force in the Yee Family Association, a seemingly obsolescent Chinese American men’s club formed 150 years ago in the wake of the Gold Rush. But when her father goes missing, Lauren must plunge into the rabbit hole of San Francisco Chinatown and confront a world both foreign and familiar. At once bitingly hilarious and heartbreakingly honest, "King of the Yees" is an epic joyride across cultural, national and familial borders that explores what it truly means to be a Yee. Don’t miss the Bay Area premiere of this cultural comedy at the San Francisco Playhouse. [less-]

"A hymn to free and happy Man, to his mighty powers, his pure and noble spirit" -- that's how Sergei Prokofiev described his Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major. Composed at lightning speed during the end ... [more+]

"A hymn to free and happy Man, to his mighty powers, his pure and noble spirit" -- that's how Sergei Prokofiev described his Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major. Composed at lightning speed during the end of World War II, the symphony -- his first in nearly a decade and a half -- is an orchestral ode to triumph over adversity. Brooding, volcanic and ultimately cathartic, Prokofiev’s Fifth landed the composer on the cover of "Time" in 1945 and has been an audience favorite since its debut. Now you can experience it live, performed by the world-class San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall. The concert explodes out of the gate with R. Strauss' "Don Juan", and features "spellbinding" ("The Atlanta Journal-Constitution") cellist Johannes Moser playing music by California composer Andrew Norman. [less-]

Multiple Grammy-winning violinist Gil Shaham brings his warm tone, flawless technique and engaging stage presence to San Francisco's Davies Symphony Hall for an intimate recital. Under the baton of co... [more+]

Multiple Grammy-winning violinist Gil Shaham brings his warm tone, flawless technique and engaging stage presence to San Francisco's Davies Symphony Hall for an intimate recital. Under the baton of conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, Shaham joins forces with the San Francisco Symphony to perform an exhilarating program that includes an all-new, world premiere work by Steve Mackey and Prokofiev's romantic Violin Concerto No. 1. Then the concert reaches its magnificent finale with Tchaikovsky's classic Symphony No. 4. [less-]

French-Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin is famed for bringing his impeccable performance skills to the established classical repertoire. But he's also known for spotlighting the exciting new music... [more+]

French-Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin is famed for bringing his impeccable performance skills to the established classical repertoire. But he's also known for spotlighting the exciting new music of the 19th-21st centuries in concert and on disc, for which he's received nine Grammy nominations. “Admired for his monstrously brilliant technique and his questing, deep-thinking approach” ("The New Yorker"), Hamelin comes to Davies Symphony Hall with one of his signature era-spanning programs, which includes works by Bach, Schumann, Chopin, Weissenberg and Castelnuovo-Tedesco. [less-]

This Tony-nominated true story pits British TV talk-show host David Frost against disgraced former President Richard Nixon in a battle of wits and wills. Desperate to regain his standing as a serious ... [more+]

This Tony-nominated true story pits British TV talk-show host David Frost against disgraced former President Richard Nixon in a battle of wits and wills. Desperate to regain his standing as a serious journalist, Frost seeks to elicit a detailed explanation and apology from the Watergate-plagued Nixon, while the ever-political president pursues his own on-air agenda. This fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the famous 1977 series of interviews was written by Peter Morgan ("The Crown, The Queen") and turned into an Academy Award-nominated drama by Morgan and director Ron Howard. "Frost/Nixon" comes to the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, courtesy of TheatreWorks. [less-]

Critically acclaimed conductor Daniel Harding and the San Francisco Symphony take on the intoxicating Romanticism of Schumann in an evening of orchestral bliss. Witness a spectacular showcase of the c... [more+]

Critically acclaimed conductor Daniel Harding and the San Francisco Symphony take on the intoxicating Romanticism of Schumann in an evening of orchestral bliss. Witness a spectacular showcase of the composer’s dynamic prowess, from the stormy drama of the overture to his medieval opera, Genoveva, to his enchanting fantasia-like Piano Concerto in A minor, performed by acclaimed German pianist Lars Vogt. [less-]

Larger-than-life New York politicians are all the rage now, so this 42nd Street Moon production of one of the most acclaimed bio-musicals in Broadway history is sure to be both wildly entertaining and... [more+]

Larger-than-life New York politicians are all the rage now, so this 42nd Street Moon production of one of the most acclaimed bio-musicals in Broadway history is sure to be both wildly entertaining and thought-provoking. The mayor of New York City from 1934 to 1945, Fiorello H. La Guardia was a charismatic publicity hound considered by many to be one of the greatest mayors in American history (in fact, there's a good chance you've flown into his namesake airport if you've visited NYC). He successfully rose from a crusading lawyer to Congress to running the Big Apple, fighting the corrupt forces of Tammany Hall while never losing his upbeat spirit or pledge to help those less fortunate. Now, the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical celebrating his life fills the Gateway Theatre in San Francisco with exuberant singing and dancing to the tunes of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick -- famous for their collaboration on "Fiddler on the Roof". [less-]

Leonidas Kavakos -- a "stunning violinist" ("The Boston Globe") who "combines utter mastery ... with rich sound and searching musicianship" ("The New York Times") -- makes his way to Davies Symphony H... [more+]

Leonidas Kavakos -- a "stunning violinist" ("The Boston Globe") who "combines utter mastery ... with rich sound and searching musicianship" ("The New York Times") -- makes his way to Davies Symphony Hall. Lush melodies, turbulent colors and energetic rhythms give way to an exuberant program that'll showcase Kavakos' full virtuosic prowess. The program features Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 4, Prokofiev’s Violin Sonata No. 1, Bartók’s Rhapsody No. 1 for Violin and Enescu’s Sonata No. 3 in A minor. [less-]

Lizz Winstead has built an amazing career on her hilarious responses to world events. As co-creator and head writer for Comedy Central's "The Daily Show", Winstead forever changed the way people get t... [more+]

Lizz Winstead has built an amazing career on her hilarious responses to world events. As co-creator and head writer for Comedy Central's "The Daily Show", Winstead forever changed the way people get their news. The co-founder of Air America Radio paved the way for such personalities as Al Franken and Marc Maron, all while hosting her own show, "Unfiltered", sharing the mic every morning with Rachel Maddow and hip-hop legend Chuck D. Winstead's been recognized by "The New York Times, The Washington Post", and "Entertainment Weekly"'s 100 most Creative People issue to name just a few accolades. For this SF Sketchfest set at Cobb's Comedy Club, she's joined by comic Laurie Kilmartin. A former staff writer for "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" who currently writes for TBS's "Conan", Kilmartin has performed her hilarious observational stand-up about dating, motherhood and more on "Jimmy Kimmel Live", "The Today Show", Comedy Central, VH1 and Showtime. In 2010 she was a finalist on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and later co-authored the best-selling book "Sh*tty Mom", inspired by her experiences as a single mother. Don't miss these two hilarious women when they share the stage in San Francisco. [less-]

This multi-award-winning musical follows a scarred woman who embarks on a cross-country bus trip to be healed by a minister ... discovering the true meaning of beauty along the way. Winner of the Dram... [more+]

This multi-award-winning musical follows a scarred woman who embarks on a cross-country bus trip to be healed by a minister ... discovering the true meaning of beauty along the way. Winner of the Drama Critics' Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical when it premiered Off-Broadway in 1997, and then on to a Tony-nominated Broadway debut in 2014 with a revised version, "Violet" is a moving musical featuring show-stopping anthems, ranging from American-roots to folk to gospel. With a score from Tony-winning composer Jeanine Tesori ("Caroline, or Change; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Shrek; Fun Home") and book and lyrics by the acclaimed Brian Crawley ("A Little Princess"), "Violet" is inspired by the short story, "The Ugliest Pilgrim" by Doris Betts, astounding critics and audiences alike in two separate decades. As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward axe blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved, she's traveling across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle – the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful. Although she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those scars that are lying deeper than her skin. This will be an intimate rendition on a show rarely done. A "not to be missed" theatrical event for Bay Area theater scene. [less-]

"Lost In Z Space!" is a lightspeed adventure through time and the cosmos with the Darling Misfits! Join Kat Robichaud and the Darling Misfits as they take on your favorite science fiction movies and T... [more+]

"Lost In Z Space!" is a lightspeed adventure through time and the cosmos with the Darling Misfits! Join Kat Robichaud and the Darling Misfits as they take on your favorite science fiction movies and TV shows. An intimate musical variety show for all of you space cadets. This Valentines, watch out for facehuggers and keep your heart in your chest, as the Misfits battle monsters and hook up with aliens, while boldly going where no man, woman or little furry creature from Alpha Centauri has gone before. Step out on the star deck and witness Barbarella soaring through the aether. She'll make you so hot and bothered you will want to call The Doctor! And when all else fails, Major Tom saves the day in this non-stop adventure at Z Space in San Francisco. [less-]

"ShowStoppers: An Evening With Garland & Minnelli" is a multi-media concert celebrating the careers of two legendary superstars, Judy Garland and Liza Minelli. The show recreates Garland's iconic 1964... [more+]

"ShowStoppers: An Evening With Garland & Minnelli" is a multi-media concert celebrating the careers of two legendary superstars, Judy Garland and Liza Minelli. The show recreates Garland's iconic 1964 television series as well as highlights some of Minelli's repertoire from her Radio City Music Hall appearances. Highlighted with personal anecdotes, "ShowStoppers" delivers that moment when you catch yourself saying "I can't believe it … " Logan's illustrious career spans four decades from his start with the "Jewel Box Review" at Miami Beach's La Ronde Superstar Theatre in the renowned Fontainbleau Hotel. He has toured extensively across the United States, Canada and was a cast member of the first impressionist/impersonator companies to perform in The People's Republic Of China. Now you can see him live at Oasis in San Francisco. As a featured cast member of "An Evening At La Cage", he opened with the famed show at Bally's Atlantic City and at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, and continued on to perform with the San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami companies, as well as participating in multiple national tours. Mr. Walker extensively studies the celebrities he chooses to portray. He strives to emulate everything from speech pattern and their walk, to hand gestures and bows. His illusions have been called simply amazing and uncanny. His television credits include "Hunter", "To Tell The Truth", "Entertainment Tonight", "Leeza Gibbons Show" and many others. Included in his film credits are "Don't Tell Mom's the Babysitter's Dead" starring Christina Applegate. [less-]

With this trio of all-star stand-up comics -- Guy Branum, Sean Cullen and Alice Wetterlund -- SF Sketchfest offers anyone looking for laughs an irresistible night out at Cobb’s Comedy Club. You may ... [more+]

With this trio of all-star stand-up comics -- Guy Branum, Sean Cullen and Alice Wetterlund -- SF Sketchfest offers anyone looking for laughs an irresistible night out at Cobb’s Comedy Club. You may recognize Branum as the host of truTV’s "Talk Show the Game Show" or perhaps as the staff writer and panelist on E!'s "Chelsea Lately" (where he was known colloquially as the "Staff Homosexual"). You might have also heard his whip-smart takes on pop culture in the podcast "Pop Rocket". Basically, Branum's been around the block and has proven himself funny every step of the way. Wildly unpredictable yet supremely confident, Cullen has brought his unrivaled blend of characters, accents and absurdist observations to "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", CBS' "The Late Late Show" and specials on Comedy Central and beyond. He was a finalist on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and as an actor, starred in the Canadian production of Mel Brooks' "The Producers", among other TV and film roles. Wetterlund's laid-back energy is belied by a fierce and uncompromising wit that gives her poster-ready aphorisms and throwaway insights a sharp edge. It's not for nothing that Wetterlund was named a "New Face for 2013" at Montreal's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and has appeared on "New Girl", HBO's "Silicon Valley" and "Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates". [less-]

Behind a secret door near the intersection of North Beach and Chinatown lies a dimly lit subterranean realm teeming with colorful characters and overlapping storylines. This is "The Speakeasy", an int... [more+]

Behind a secret door near the intersection of North Beach and Chinatown lies a dimly lit subterranean realm teeming with colorful characters and overlapping storylines. This is "The Speakeasy", an interactive theatrical experience that'll transport you to a 1920s San Francisco watering hole full of bootleggers, bouncers, war veterans and barflies. As you wander throughout the multi-room environment, sipping cocktails, playing casino games, or simply observing, you'll stumble across all manner of conversations and interactions as a complex narrative web unfolds. The experience is always fresh, and there's a new theme for 2019: "Age of Scofflaws". [less-]

In his one-man autobiographical play, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson takes us on a journey from his days as a young poet through the completion of his acclaimed "American Century" cyc... [more+]

In his one-man autobiographical play, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson takes us on a journey from his days as a young poet through the completion of his acclaimed "American Century" cycle. Beautifully raw, poignant and humorous, "How I Learned What I Learned" gives audiences a detailed look at the man behind some of the most celebrated plays of the 20th century. See Marin Theatre Company's production in Mill Valley. [less-]

It's time to take this week's sensational news stories and put them to good use: comedy. At "SF Tonight", you'll be provided with newspapers, magazines and scissors, or you can bring your favorite sto... [more+]

It's time to take this week's sensational news stories and put them to good use: comedy. At "SF Tonight", you'll be provided with newspapers, magazines and scissors, or you can bring your favorite stories from the week's news -- hard-hitting journalism (is there still such a thing?) or the latest popular thread on Facebook -- and the talented improvisers at EndGames Improv will turn those stories into a one-of-a-kind show that may not exactly be educational, but will definitely be entertaining. You might even be surprised by a special guest. So don't let the news get you down. Spend your Saturday night with the cast of "SF Tonight" at Stage Werx in San Francisco. [less-]

Come see where the theater pros go to play on their night off. This year marks "Monday Night PlayGround"'s 25th season and the return of the PlayGround Equity Company. PlayGround, the Bay Area's leadi... [more+]

Come see where the theater pros go to play on their night off. This year marks "Monday Night PlayGround"'s 25th season and the return of the PlayGround Equity Company. PlayGround, the Bay Area's leading playwright incubator, identifies a select group of the Bay Area's best emerging professional playwrights and asks them to submit original 10-page plays -- all on a pre-determined single topic. From those submissions, six short works are chosen for staged readings to be performed by leading local directors and actors each month. Pre-show discussions provide further insight into the chosen topic, the writers' processes and more. Priority General Admission tickets allow you to enter first when the theater doors open. [less-]