San Francisco Opera is back, and with a Season Package, you can be there throughout the 2018/19 season to witness some of the world's most popular operas at the War Memorial Opera House. The perfect o... [more+]

San Francisco Opera is back, and with a Season Package, you can be there throughout the 2018/19 season to witness some of the world's most popular operas at the War Memorial Opera House. The perfect opener for the season, "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci" return after 15 years in a double feature chock-full of scandalous passion. A free-spirited diva takes a stand against a corrupt police chief in a monumental new production of Puccini's "Tosca". Jake Heggie's reinvention of Frank Capra's holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life" will put you in the spirit of the season. Handel's masterpiece "Orlando" is reimagined in a WWII military hospital, adding modern psychological weight to this tale of love and madness. Bizet's groundbreaking "Carmen" brings 19th-century Seville to vibrant life through its seductive title character. Take advantage of this Season Package and experience San Francisco Opera's lavish productions of these iconic operas. [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-]

San Francisco's acclaimed New Conservatory Theatre Center offers a jam-packed 2018-19 season full of regional premieres, and you can choose any three upcoming productions with this special package. Se... [more+]

San Francisco's acclaimed New Conservatory Theatre Center offers a jam-packed 2018-19 season full of regional premieres, and you can choose any three upcoming productions with this special package. Selections include "Red Scare on Sunset", about 1950s Hollywood and the Cold War and "Cardboard Piano", which looks at global LGBTQI human rights. Then for the holidays, its the Tony-winning musical "Avenue Q", back by popular demand. In January, you can catch "Late Company", a family drama that looks at bullying in the digital age. Or see the relatable and hilarious play "Steve", named one of the top 10 in 2015 by "The New York Times", or "The Gentleman Caller", a story about Tennessee Williams and William Inge and the secrets waiting behind closed doors. The season ends with the smash Off-Broadway musical "The View UpStairs", which will transport you to 1970s French Quarter of New Orleans. [less-]

The uproarious drag send-up of HBO's beloved series "Sex and the City" hits the Oasis stage with two new episodes. Relive your favorite moments during this loving tribute to the iconic show, which fin... [more+]

The uproarious drag send-up of HBO's beloved series "Sex and the City" hits the Oasis stage with two new episodes. Relive your favorite moments during this loving tribute to the iconic show, which finds four "young women" in search of the perfect relationship while looking gorgeous and knocking back plenty of cosmopolitans. The show features four of San Francisco's most fabulous drag stars: D'Arcy Drollinger, Sue Casa, Lady Bear and Steven LeMay playing homage to Carrie and the gang. Darren Star (creator of the HBO show) described this version as "funnier than it was on TV," so you can expect some Big Apple-sized laughs. [less-]

It's the fabulous '60s -- and Effie, Lorrell and Deena are young, determined and talented. They've got a dream to be the next big girl group on the radio, no matter the cost. When they're discovered a... [more+]

It's the fabulous '60s -- and Effie, Lorrell and Deena are young, determined and talented. They've got a dream to be the next big girl group on the radio, no matter the cost. When they're discovered at a local talent show by a ruthless manager with his own agenda for fame, they're propelled into a world where dreams do come true ... and where success can tear apart even the strongest of relationships. Detailing the epic rise of a Motown-like super-group from obscurity to stardom, the story of two lifelong friends takes center stage in this legendary and soulful musical journey that explores the rewards of shooting for the stars, and the costs of valuing success over family. Enjoy "Dreamgirls" on the stage of the Berkeley Playhouse. [less-]

This glam rock musical phenomenon follows a transgendered East German rock singer named Hedwig and her band, The Angry Inch. Through an electrifying rock score and a wickedly hilarious book by John Ca... [more+]

This glam rock musical phenomenon follows a transgendered East German rock singer named Hedwig and her band, The Angry Inch. Through an electrifying rock score and a wickedly hilarious book by John Cameron Mitchell, Hedwig enchants her audience with the gritty details of her life. She recalls growing up in East Berlin as a "girly boy" named Hansel who undergoes a botched sex-change operation after falling in love with an American G.I. Come along as she journeys to America, has a tumultuous relationship with rock star Tommy Gnosis and rises to Z-list fame. The notorious musical began its life off-Broadway, before gaining a cult following through hundreds of subsequent productions around the world. In 2014, "Hedwig" made its Tony Award-winning Broadway debut. "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" now jabs a stiletto through the heart of San Francisco at the Victoria Theatre. [less-]

Settle into San Francisco's Phoenix Theatre for a rousing celebration of one of Broadway's greatest composers, Stephen Sondheim. Twelve diverse and talented performers sing a superb selection of songs... [more+]

Settle into San Francisco's Phoenix Theatre for a rousing celebration of one of Broadway's greatest composers, Stephen Sondheim. Twelve diverse and talented performers sing a superb selection of songs from Sondheim's repertoire including favorites from "Company", "Sweeney Todd", "Into the Woods", "Follies", "Sunday in the Park With George", "A Little Night Music", "West Side Story", "Gypsy" and more. Don't miss this dynamic musical revue filled with heart, harmony and beautiful music. [less-]

Celebrate 50 years of laid-back L.A. soul with Brenton Wood and his special guests. Wood's charming and unexpected turn-of-phrase, combined with his catchy, upbeat style made his smooth, uptown soul i... [more+]

Celebrate 50 years of laid-back L.A. soul with Brenton Wood and his special guests. Wood's charming and unexpected turn-of-phrase, combined with his catchy, upbeat style made his smooth, uptown soul into a series of hits, including "The Oogum Boogum Song," "Gimme Little Sign," and of course, "Me and You." He's bringing these classics out on the road with friends Barbara Mason, MC Magic, Midnight Star and more. [less-]

This smash-hit political thriller tells the true and widely unknown story of how Norwegian diplomat Mona Juul, and her husband, social scientist Terje Rød-Larsen, planned and orchestrated top-secret ... [more+]

This smash-hit political thriller tells the true and widely unknown story of how Norwegian diplomat Mona Juul, and her husband, social scientist Terje Rød-Larsen, planned and orchestrated top-secret meetings between the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, culminating in the historic 1993 Oslo Accords. Through back-channel talks, unlikely friendships and quiet heroics, common ground between the Israeli and Palestinian envoys is carefully unearthed. "Oslo" is a deeply personal story set against a complex historical canvas, a story about the individuals behind world history and their all too human ambitions. See it at Marin Theatre Company in Mill Valley. [less-]

Before there was "Hamilton", there was "In the Heights". The brilliance of Lin-Manuel Miranda's new vision of American musical theater -- in all its blow-the-top-off-expectations exuberance -- is spec... [more+]

Before there was "Hamilton", there was "In the Heights". The brilliance of Lin-Manuel Miranda's new vision of American musical theater -- in all its blow-the-top-off-expectations exuberance -- is spectacularly realized in both shows. Like "Hamilton", "In the Heights"' style is ostensibly hip-hop, but characters sing and dance to a wide variety of musical styles and moods. Energetic and infectious, the show tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York's Washington Heights neighborhood -- a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It's a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. "In the Heights" is the winner of the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. Enjoy this high-energy production at Oakland's Woodminster Amphitheater. [less-]

With over 30 million YouTube fans worldwide, San Francisco's Voices of Music is the most popular early music ensemble in the United States by a wide margin, and one of the most popular ensembles in an... [more+]

With over 30 million YouTube fans worldwide, San Francisco's Voices of Music is the most popular early music ensemble in the United States by a wide margin, and one of the most popular ensembles in any genre of classical music, in the world. Performed in beautiful cathedrals around the Bay Area, their authentic interpretations of virtuoso baroque concertos are an especially vibrant treat for the ears, as the small, tight-knit group present beguiling and even playful arrangements for violins, cellos, organ and other instruments. Interpreting works by masters ranging from Vivaldi to Bach, this spectacularly talented group of musicians will transport you to another time. [less-]

Word for Word's 25th anniversary show features stories by two of America's favorite authors, Tobias Wolff and George Saunders. Wolff's "Deep Kiss" perfectly captures yearning adolescence: This is Joe ... [more+]

Word for Word's 25th anniversary show features stories by two of America's favorite authors, Tobias Wolff and George Saunders. Wolff's "Deep Kiss" perfectly captures yearning adolescence: This is Joe Reed's story of his first love which nearly breaks him, yet resonates well into his middle age. In Saunders' "Victory Lap", three young people are thrust toward a critical life moment, suddenly and unexpectedly converging at a single point in space and time. Humor develops into great menace, with a soul-saving ending. Joel Mullennix and Delia MacDougall direct these stories as they're brought to life on the Z Space stage in San Francisco. [less-]

Sherri Shepherd is in the coveted inner circle of pop culture in America. For seven years, she was a co-host on "The View", for which she received multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations, winning in 2... [more+]

Sherri Shepherd is in the coveted inner circle of pop culture in America. For seven years, she was a co-host on "The View", for which she received multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations, winning in 2009 for Outstanding Talk Show Host. In 2012, she competed as a celebrity contestant on the 14th season of "Dancing With the Stars". She's also appeared on television sit-coms and in hit movies, starred in Broadway shows and authored best-selling books. Through it all, her wit and comedic timing took center stage and her return to her stand-up roots has had audiences clamoring for more. See her live when she comes to Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco. [less-]

Combining great Japanese cuisine and live music, Yoshi's Oakland has quickly become one of the world's most respected venues for jazz, rock, blues and more. What started as a small sushi bar has bloss... [more+]

Combining great Japanese cuisine and live music, Yoshi's Oakland has quickly become one of the world's most respected venues for jazz, rock, blues and more. What started as a small sushi bar has blossomed into an award-winning live performance venue with a state-of-the-art sound system and design, occupying 17,000 square feet in the heart of Oakland's Jack London Square. Yoshi's Oakland has hosted such legendary jazz greats as Betty Carter, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, Harry Connick Jr., Oscar Peterson and hundreds of others, and has also expanded its focus to present a variety of musical genres -- and even popular comedians. [less-]

San Francisco is where a copywriter named Phyllis Diller first stepped out onto the stand-up stage (and stayed there for an astonishing 87 weeks). San Francisco is also where a high school dropout nam... [more+]

San Francisco is where a copywriter named Phyllis Diller first stepped out onto the stand-up stage (and stayed there for an astonishing 87 weeks). San Francisco is also where a high school dropout named Margaret Cho started doing open mics, and where Robin Williams discovered an ex-IHOP waitress named Paula Poundstone, and ... See the pattern? The gender revolution that led to the current renaissance of American comedy started here and continues still, as recent rising stars Ali Wong and Emily Heller prove. Now "Really Funny Comedians (Who Happen to Be Women)" sweeps into Cobb's Comedy Club to introduce you to the next crop of brilliant up-and-coming female comedians. [less-]

"The Resting Place" is a provocative and intense look at an American family in a cloudburst of crisis. Filled with raw humor, piercing darkness and fierce love, this new play from Ashlin Halfnight add... [more+]

"The Resting Place" is a provocative and intense look at an American family in a cloudburst of crisis. Filled with raw humor, piercing darkness and fierce love, this new play from Ashlin Halfnight addresses familial obligation, guilt and our own complacency and culpability in wrongdoing, asking: How do we reconcile our love for someone with the knowledge of their horrifying transgression? Catch the world premiere of "The Resting Place" at San Francisco's Magic Theatre. [less-]

If you love Donald Trump, you'll hate "Things You Shouldn't Say"! Produced by Boxcar Theatre, this outrageous musical tells the remarkable true story of four friends from San Francisco who had a life-... [more+]

If you love Donald Trump, you'll hate "Things You Shouldn't Say"! Produced by Boxcar Theatre, this outrageous musical tells the remarkable true story of four friends from San Francisco who had a life-changing epiphany at a Bette Midler concert that led to them to form The Kinsey Sicks, in an effort to find joy during the darkest days of the AIDS crisis. Now that the era of Trumpism is upon us, these four are sharing their hilarious, inspiring and at times heartbreaking tale, all while showing that hatred and deceit can be fought with humor and heart. It's an unforgettable new musical exploring Trumpism, racism, AIDS, extreme macramé, oblong vegetables and, of course, Bette Midler. Join America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet as they celebrate 25 years of laughter, integrity and heroically high hair at Marines' Memorial Theatre. [less-]

Tom Lehrer epitomized the era of satirical humor in the 1950s and 1960s, writing songs which were wickedly naughty yet not x-rated by today's standards in any way. What is most amazing about Lehrer's ... [more+]

Tom Lehrer epitomized the era of satirical humor in the 1950s and 1960s, writing songs which were wickedly naughty yet not x-rated by today's standards in any way. What is most amazing about Lehrer's music is how timeless it has remained, dealing with subjects such as religion, love and nuclear weapons without in any way dating the material. Turned into a musical revue by the producing genius behind "Cats" and "Phantom of the Opera", Cameron Macintosh, "Tomfoolery" still is one of the most bitingly hilarious two hours of music you will ever hear. A cast of three men and two women will sing and act out Tom's music and send you home from San Francisco's Shelton Theater with a smile on your face and at least a couple of thoughts rattling around in your brain. Tom may have decided to retire from songwriting (as is rumored) "when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize," but his humor remains as a legacy for all of us today. [less-]

A PBS favorite and an Emmy winner for his specials "Nights of Fire" and "Strings of Passion", flamenco guitarist Benise brings his smoking hot 2018 show "Fuego!" to the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in ... [more+]

A PBS favorite and an Emmy winner for his specials "Nights of Fire" and "Strings of Passion", flamenco guitarist Benise brings his smoking hot 2018 show "Fuego!" to the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco. From elaborately choreographed dance numbers to live music from a full band, Benise celebrates the Spanish spirit with a true entertainment spectacular that burns up the stage with all the passion and artistry of nuevo flamenco. This romantic, exotic musical adventure is designed to appeal to all ages and cultures, paying homage to European, American and Caribbean sounds as well. [less-]

From the top-quality live musical guests to its exceptional Southern cuisine, Biscuits & Blues is the perfect San Francisco spot to enjoy a night of down-home entertainment nearly every night of the w... [more+]

From the top-quality live musical guests to its exceptional Southern cuisine, Biscuits & Blues is the perfect San Francisco spot to enjoy a night of down-home entertainment nearly every night of the week. Located in the heart of the theater district, this intimate venue hosts the best regional and national blues and jazz acts in a comfortable, close-up setting that's open to all ages. Voted America's No. 1 blues nightclub by The Blues Foundation and the Bay Area Blues Society, it's also known for serving up some of the best fried chicken in the entire region, not to mention California wines, microbrews and specialty cocktails. [less-]