"Grease" is the word, and the musical you've gotta see when it comes to Berkeley Playhouse. Always a crowd-pleasing favorite, "Grease" follows the '50s romance of innocent ingenue Sandy and bad-boy gr... [more+]

"Grease" is the word, and the musical you've gotta see when it comes to Berkeley Playhouse. Always a crowd-pleasing favorite, "Grease" follows the '50s romance of innocent ingenue Sandy and bad-boy greaser Danny as they enter their senior year. Danny believes their hot summer fling is over...until Sandy unexpectedly enrolls at Rydell High. The hit 1978 movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John quickly became a musical phenomenon with catchy sing-along tunes like "Summer Nights," "You're the One That I Want," "We Go Together" and "Greased Lightning." Join the Pink Ladies, the T-Birds and the rest of the gang and experience all the fun of this all-American classic. [less-]

This American classic follows the impassioned journey of two remarkable women as they explore and embrace the choices before them. For 20-year-old Annie Sullivan it was to take or reject the assignmen... [more+]

This American classic follows the impassioned journey of two remarkable women as they explore and embrace the choices before them. For 20-year-old Annie Sullivan it was to take or reject the assignment to tutor a blind, deaf, spoiled, and wild child. For Helen Keller, the choice was to stay in her dark and silent world or embrace the opportunity to break open the world she knew. "The Miracle Worker" reveals the power of commitment and strength when the choice is made to reach beyond the understandable and tangible. Annie Sullivan embarked on a journey that would change the life of her charge, Helen Keller, who would, in turn, change the lives of others for generations. This is their story. We all know the ending to this inspiring story, but it's watching the story unfold that will leave us all deeply encouraged and emboldened to embrace the choices life presents us each. Don't miss "The Miracle Worker" when it comes to the Altarena Playhouse in Alameda. [less-]

Amy and Ester are teammates on a suburban Florida high school swim team. Ester is aiming for a scholarship; Amy just wants to get through an unwanted pregnancy. "The New York Times" hailed Ruby Rae Sp... [more+]

Amy and Ester are teammates on a suburban Florida high school swim team. Ester is aiming for a scholarship; Amy just wants to get through an unwanted pregnancy. "The New York Times" hailed Ruby Rae Spiegel's "Dry Land" as "tender, caustic, funny and harrowing ... Ms. Spiegel demonstrates an uncanny gift for presenting the unavoidable messiness of being young." Enjoy this Shotgun Players production of "Dry Land" at Berkeley's Ashby Stage. [less-]

In the summer of '69, America is on the brink of change. In the cities, crowds are protesting the Vietnam War; In the skies, Apollo 11 is speeding towards the first moon landing; And at a Catskills re... [more+]

In the summer of '69, America is on the brink of change. In the cities, crowds are protesting the Vietnam War; In the skies, Apollo 11 is speeding towards the first moon landing; And at a Catskills resort near Woodstock, NY, Jewish housewife Pearl Kantrowitz is busy balancing her rebellious teenage daughter, her overworked television repairman husband, and her daily mahjong game. But when Pearl meets a free-thinking traveling salesman, she undergoes a unique transformation -- awakening a newfound spirit of exploration and sexuality. Based on the celebrated film of the same name, this world premiere theatrical adaptation of "A Walk on the Moon" can be enjoyed at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater. [less-]

With their successful blend of improvised comedy and song continuing to entertain the semi-masses on a weekly basis, the Secret Improv Society's popular theatrical shows are not so clandestine anymore... [more+]

With their successful blend of improvised comedy and song continuing to entertain the semi-masses on a weekly basis, the Secret Improv Society's popular theatrical shows are not so clandestine anymore. A bunch of San Francisco's best improvisers, comedians and musicians often come out to play with the sharp-witted regular cast, too. It all results in a fast-paced, high-energy revue, featuring plenty of audience input and interaction. Volunteers can even join the fun onstage. No two shows are ever identical, so repeat visits to this Shelton Theater laugh fest are strongly suggested. [less-]

A frustrated sales rep and a stubborn CFO go head-to-head in "Commission Impossible", a compelling new work that details in three scenes the story of a transaction gone wrong. Who, exactly, is at faul... [more+]

A frustrated sales rep and a stubborn CFO go head-to-head in "Commission Impossible", a compelling new work that details in three scenes the story of a transaction gone wrong. Who, exactly, is at fault, can the deal be saved, and at what cost are the questions raised in this two-man showcase, which you can see at Phoenix Theatre in San Francisco. [less-]

"Dry Powder" goes behind the boardroom at a large private equity firm to take a darkly humorous look at the giant clashing egos that play fast and loose with our financial system. The company finds it... [more+]

"Dry Powder" goes behind the boardroom at a large private equity firm to take a darkly humorous look at the giant clashing egos that play fast and loose with our financial system. The company finds itself facing a PR nightmare after its president presides over massive layoffs at a national retailer and then throws himself a lavish engagement party all in the same week. Seth, another partner at the firm, comes up with a genius plan to beat the bad headlines: Invest big in an all-American luggage manufacturer to show that they're champions of the little guy. But Seth's rival and uber-captialist Jenny wants to squeeze the suitcase company for all its worth. The Bay Area premiere of this "lacerating ... nuanced" and "extraordinarily timely" ("Time Out New York") off-Broadway comedy comes to Berkeley's Aurora Theatre Company. [less-]

BATS Improv -- named the Bay Area's Best Theater Company by the "San Francisco Chronicle", Best Comedy Troupe by "SF Weekly" and Best First Date Spot by the "San Francisco Bay Guardian" -- presents a ... [more+]

BATS Improv -- named the Bay Area's Best Theater Company by the "San Francisco Chronicle", Best Comedy Troupe by "SF Weekly" and Best First Date Spot by the "San Francisco Bay Guardian" -- presents a variety show full of comedy fun, including head-to-head improv battles, long-form murder mysteries, musicals and more. Located at Bayfront Theater in the Marina District, every BATS show is one of a kind, using audience suggestions for a unique mix of improv comedy and theater that's never the same show twice. [less-]

Theatre Rhinoceros wants to address something in the room ... in both their dialogue and their literal quarters. This proudly queer theater group thus brings you "Darebnb", a play coming to Spark Arts... [more+]

Theatre Rhinoceros wants to address something in the room ... in both their dialogue and their literal quarters. This proudly queer theater group thus brings you "Darebnb", a play coming to Spark Arts. In this piece, the group addresses a few "rhinos" in the room, a slightly twisted view at our current space issues with one focus in particular that's plaguing the city. What will your review be? Let's hope you're okay with a few less amenities than usual at this production in San Francisco. [less-]

Antidepressants and psychotherapy did nothing to help Adam Strauss deal with his debilitating obsessive-compulsive disorder, so after reading a scientific study showing that hallucinogenic mushrooms m... [more+]

Antidepressants and psychotherapy did nothing to help Adam Strauss deal with his debilitating obsessive-compulsive disorder, so after reading a scientific study showing that hallucinogenic mushrooms may cure OCD, Adam set out on a psychopharmacological journey of his own. "The Mushroom Cure" earned great acclaim when it debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the laughs kept coming when it played at New York's International Fringe Festival, where it won the "Overall Excellence Award for Solo Performance." "The Mushroom Cure" was hailed by "The New York Times", who declared the show "mines a great deal of laughter from disabling pain." After an extended off-Broadway run, "The Mushroom Cure" now comes to The Marsh Berkeley. [less-]

"ShortLived", one of the nation's largest audience-judged theater competitions, returns with 48 short plays over nine weeks and $5,000 on the line for the winning team. Now "you" get to decide which p... [more+]

"ShortLived", one of the nation's largest audience-judged theater competitions, returns with 48 short plays over nine weeks and $5,000 on the line for the winning team. Now "you" get to decide which playwright ultimately succeeds in winning the grand prize. Each of the first eight weeks of competition feature six short plays per week, ranging from dramatic plays, comedic sketches, devised work, musicals, movement-based pieces or solo acts. Your vote is key in determining who's the ultimate champion at San Francisco's PianoFight. [less-]

Sometimes motivational speakers are more hilarious than they are helpful -- just take a look at comedian Ross Everett's "Stop Stopping the Unstoppable". Join Everett's super "inspirational" life coach... [more+]

Sometimes motivational speakers are more hilarious than they are helpful -- just take a look at comedian Ross Everett's "Stop Stopping the Unstoppable". Join Everett's super "inspirational" life coach alter-ego Dale Thorhammer as he takes you down the road of personal development -- and you can bet that this road is paved with plenty of silly mantras, nonsensical advice and non-stop jokes. It may not be a real motivational seminar, but this show will definitely give you something to think about "and" laugh at! [less-]

Universally acclaimed stage and screen veteran Len Cariou gives full voice to an idea that he has harbored since his first prophetic Broadway season of "Henry V" and "Applause". Combining his two grea... [more+]

Universally acclaimed stage and screen veteran Len Cariou gives full voice to an idea that he has harbored since his first prophetic Broadway season of "Henry V" and "Applause". Combining his two great loves --Shakespeare and American musical comedy -- into one rich and diverse tapestry, Cariou's "Broadway & the Bard" outfits trenchant classical soliloquies and sonnets with inventive musical pairings from beloved writers on the Great White Way. The result is an 80-minute melding of superb soliloquy and memorable song by a one-of-a-kind master actor of exquisite vintage in what the Bard might refer to as "a most rare vision." You can see this unique and entertaining melding of genres at the Lesher Center for the Arts near San Francisco. [less-]

Josh Blue has overcome cerebral palsy to forge a career as a stand-up comic. The winner of 2006's edition of TV's "Last Comic Standing", Blue has also appeared on "Mind of Mencia", and headlines clubs... [more+]

Josh Blue has overcome cerebral palsy to forge a career as a stand-up comic. The winner of 2006's edition of TV's "Last Comic Standing", Blue has also appeared on "Mind of Mencia", and headlines clubs and theaters across the nation, including the Punch Line. He's constantly evolving his stand-up routine and improvisational skills so no two shows are ever alike. When he's not cracking jokes Blue is a member of the U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team. He competed in the 2004 games in Athens. [less-]

Celebrated Latino playwright Octavio Solis takes you on a journey to the fictional modern-day border town of La Plancha, Texas, where Don Quixote ("Sesame Street"'s Emilio Delgado) loses himself in st... [more+]

Celebrated Latino playwright Octavio Solis takes you on a journey to the fictional modern-day border town of La Plancha, Texas, where Don Quixote ("Sesame Street"'s Emilio Delgado) loses himself in stories of chivalrous escapades and embarks on a quest of imagination, adventure and Tejano music. Casting himself as a larger-than-life knight-errant, he recruits a hapless but trusty sidekick in his search for lost love. As the community wrestles with containing Quixote's fantasies, his family and friends discover the joys and perils of being the hero of your own story. Catch the world premiere of "Quixote Nuevo", adapted from "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes, at the Cal Shakes Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda. [less-]

While studying the mating rituals of insects, a pair of scientists at a natural history museum find themselves trapped by their own complex web of past relationships and itching to find a way out, in ... [more+]

While studying the mating rituals of insects, a pair of scientists at a natural history museum find themselves trapped by their own complex web of past relationships and itching to find a way out, in "An Entomologist's Love Story". The "Mountain View Voice" describes Melissa Ross' rom-com as an "edgy, comedic work about love in modern times," and it's already the recipient of the prestigious Edgerton New Play award. Catch this world-premiere production at the San Francisco Playhouse. [less-]

From the author of "Eureka Day", "Good. Better. Best. Bested." is a one-night journey down the Las Vegas strip, an interwoven story of bachelorettes, magicians, street performers, gamblers and tourist... [more+]

From the author of "Eureka Day", "Good. Better. Best. Bested." is a one-night journey down the Las Vegas strip, an interwoven story of bachelorettes, magicians, street performers, gamblers and tourists. As the nighttime festivities get under way, an earth-shattering event happens half a world away. In the midst of this tragedy and the chaos it unleashes, the characters must reckon with how much to let it disturb their good time. See this world premiere of Jonathan Spector's "Good. Better. Best. Bested." at Custom Made Theatre in San Francisco. [less-]

When Matt and Luisa fall in love against the wishes of their feuding families, a modern-day "Romeo and Juliet" unfolds, with plenty of comedy, drama and music, along with a healthy dose of moonlight a... [more+]

When Matt and Luisa fall in love against the wishes of their feuding families, a modern-day "Romeo and Juliet" unfolds, with plenty of comedy, drama and music, along with a healthy dose of moonlight and magic. Featuring the beloved songs "Try to Remember," "They Were You" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain," the original off-Broadway run of the timeless musical "The Fantasticks" lasted an astonishing 42 years, followed by another long off-Broadway run from 2006 through 2017. See why audiences all over the world continue to be charmed when this fantastical musical hits the stage of San Francisco's Shelton Theater courtesy of Landmark Musical Theatre. [less-]

Tony Kushner's Tony and Pulitzer-winning masterpiece finally arrives at Berkeley Rep in its entirety, directed by artistic director Tony Taccone in his 20th anniversary season at the Rep. This is some... [more+]

Tony Kushner's Tony and Pulitzer-winning masterpiece finally arrives at Berkeley Rep in its entirety, directed by artistic director Tony Taccone in his 20th anniversary season at the Rep. This is something of a homecoming for the play, as Taccone was the artistic director at the Eureka Theater, who originally commissioned and staged this epic dramatic saga in the early 1990s. After its premiere at Eureka, the play went on to become one of the defining theatrical events of the 1990s. The fierce and astounding two-part drama is at once an epic exploration of American politics and gay identity, and a personal story of love and loyalty. In today's sociopolitical climate, Kushner's universal message of compassion and inclusion makes "Angels in America" as timely as ever. [less-]

Fasten your seatbelts, because Theatre Rhinoceros' smash hit from last season, the fun-filled musical "Priscilla Queen of the Desert", is rolling back into San Francisco's Gateway Theatre for an encor... [more+]

Fasten your seatbelts, because Theatre Rhinoceros' smash hit from last season, the fun-filled musical "Priscilla Queen of the Desert", is rolling back into San Francisco's Gateway Theatre for an encore run. Based on the popular cult film, this high-energy musical adventure follows three disco drag queens aboard a battered old bus on a road trip through the Australian Outback. The journey becomes a touching, life-changing experience as the three companions search for and find love, friendship and acceptance. This hilarious, heartwarming and critically acclaimed production features dazzling costumes as well as a virtual hit parade of dance and sing-along favorites, including "It's Raining Men," "I Love the Nightlife" and "I Will Survive." [less-]