It's everyone's favorite boy-meets-girl, plant-eats-world love story: "Little Shop of Horrors". Take a musical journey through the streets of Skid Row to a struggling flower shop where a blood-thirsty... [more+]

It's everyone's favorite boy-meets-girl, plant-eats-world love story: "Little Shop of Horrors". Take a musical journey through the streets of Skid Row to a struggling flower shop where a blood-thirsty plant from another world eagerly awaits its next victim. Full of delightfully demented humor, this long-running Off-Broadway musical comedy is based on Roger Corman's B-movie and was later turned into a Broadway show and an Academy Award-nominated film starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin. Now you can enjoy a night of bloody good fun with doo-wop inspired songs like "Skid Row," "Somewhere That's Green," "Feed Me" and "Suddenly, Seymour" when Ray of Light Theatre, the company who brought you "Heathers: The Musical" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", stages this hugely entertaining show at the Victoria in San Francisco. [less-]

What happens when your dream becomes bigger than you imagined? In "Seared", a new work at the San Francisco Playhouse, a chef's eight-table restaurant is the talk of New York City. With more money, ho... [more+]

What happens when your dream becomes bigger than you imagined? In "Seared", a new work at the San Francisco Playhouse, a chef's eight-table restaurant is the talk of New York City. With more money, however, comes more problems, and his investor decides it's time to cash in. The battle between art and commerce ensues, and you'll see it unfold as caramelized onions and sizzling garlic fry up in the onstage kitchen. [less-]

Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey -- otherwise known as Mr. Big -- are back on the road and ready to rock San Francisco. The band responsible for such hits as "To Be With You," "... [more+]

Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey -- otherwise known as Mr. Big -- are back on the road and ready to rock San Francisco. The band responsible for such hits as "To Be With You," "Just Take My Heart" and "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind," Mr. Big formed in 1988 and skyrocketed to international rock stardom for their tight musicianship and vocal harmonies. Blending power ballads with heavy metal shredders, the band hit platinum status with albums like "Lean Into It", and landed "Billboard"'s No. 1 single in 15 different countries. Don't miss your chance to see them live at The Regency Ballroom. [less-]

Step back into the romantic age of letter-writing via "Dear Master", an elegantly orchestrated play following the 13 years of letter exchange between legendary 19th-century French novelists Amantine-L... [more+]

Step back into the romantic age of letter-writing via "Dear Master", an elegantly orchestrated play following the 13 years of letter exchange between legendary 19th-century French novelists Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin, better known as George Sand, and Gustave Flaubert. Their powerful friendship was fueled through "productive discussions" of fierce, opposing arguments revolving around politics, art and the literary world of their time. A shimmering glimpse into the brilliant psyches of Flaubert, the literary realist pioneer, and the iconoclast Sand, who protested the social restrictions of women by adopting male dress for a period, "Dear Master" offers further insight into a world of political turmoil and deeply-held passions. The play also won the Bay Area Critics Circle Award for Best Script in 1991. Watch the unlikely friendship of these intellectual writers come to life at the Aurora Theatre Company in downtown Berkeley. [less-]

Restaurants serve appetizer platters and microbrews offer craft beer flights -- so why can't comedy shows offer a smorgasbord of stand-up, improv and sketch comedy, all wrapped in one hilarious show? ... [more+]

Restaurants serve appetizer platters and microbrews offer craft beer flights -- so why can't comedy shows offer a smorgasbord of stand-up, improv and sketch comedy, all wrapped in one hilarious show? Each week, Endgames Improv's popular "Inside Baseball" showcases top talent from local rising comedy stars and established faves who've appeared on NPR, Vice, and Comedy Central. Whether you're looking for stand-up, improv or sketch, there's something for every comedy lover at this weekly show, located at Stage Werx in the heart of the historic Mission District in San Francisco. [less-]

Written in 1935 during the rise of fascism in Europe, Sinclair Lewis' darkly satirical "It Can't Happen Here" follows the ascent of a demagogue who becomes president of the United States by promising ... [more+]

Written in 1935 during the rise of fascism in Europe, Sinclair Lewis' darkly satirical "It Can't Happen Here" follows the ascent of a demagogue who becomes president of the United States by promising to return the country to greatness. Witnessing the new president's authoritarian tyranny from the sidelines is a liberal, middle-class newspaper editor from Vermont who's caught in the chaos of social upheaval. Sound familiar? Called "a message to thinking Americans" upon its publication, Berkeley Rep give this eerily prescient book a new adaptation at Roda Theatre, just in time for election season. [less-]

For the best live music entertainment, head to Goldenvoice's Social Hall SF in the Regency Ballroom building. Having recently undergone extensive renovation, the intimate space accommodates up to 600 ... [more+]

For the best live music entertainment, head to Goldenvoice's Social Hall SF in the Regency Ballroom building. Having recently undergone extensive renovation, the intimate space accommodates up to 600 and hosts electronic club nights, comedy events, rock concerts and more. Upgrades include a state-of-the-art sound system, a concert stage, and a 40-foot wooden bar where you can order a variety of specialty cocktails. From indie-rock to jazz, electronic to hip-hop, the venue's calendar is fast filling with great shows -- most of which are open to all ages. Score your tickets now to an upcoming show or three. [less-]

Winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Play, Mike Bartlett's "King Charles III" explores the people underneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of Britain's democracy and the conscience of its m... [more+]

Winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Play, Mike Bartlett's "King Charles III" explores the people underneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of Britain's democracy and the conscience of its most famous family. This modern-day riff on Shakespearean political drama, which was a sold-out hit on both Broadway and in London's West End, has been hailed as "fresh, thrilling and fearlessly comic" ("Entertainment Weekly") and "flat-out brilliant!" ("The New York Times"). Set shortly after the death of the Queen, the story centers on Prince Charles, who after a lifetime of waiting, is finally made king, only to face an ethical dilemma over a bill limiting the freedom of the press. See this exciting production of "King Charles III" now at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater. [less-]

Bay Area native Jacob Sirof brings his edgy, nerdy stand-up comedy to the Punch Line Comedy Club in San Francisco. With jokes that range from the "joys" of unplanned pregnancy to his purchase of oppor... [more+]

Bay Area native Jacob Sirof brings his edgy, nerdy stand-up comedy to the Punch Line Comedy Club in San Francisco. With jokes that range from the "joys" of unplanned pregnancy to his purchase of opportunistic hurricane memorabilia, Sirof has appeared on Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham" and HBO's "Down and Dirty with Jim Norton" along with "Last Comic Standing". Kaseem Bentley has appeared on Viceland, NBC SeeSo. KQED, and Rooftop Comedy, and was named one of SF Weekly's Comics To Watch. [less-]

Known for their unique blend of dance and aerial arts, Flyaway Productions brings their latest site-specific show, "Grace and Delia are Gone", to the Firehouse at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture.... [more+]

Known for their unique blend of dance and aerial arts, Flyaway Productions brings their latest site-specific show, "Grace and Delia are Gone", to the Firehouse at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. Now in their 20th season of socially conscious, female-centric works, the San Francisco-based troupe draws on the tradition of murder ballads to explore violence against women. Carla Kihlstedt, of genre-blending chamber ensemble Tin Hat, composed the original score for the piece, which takes the audience through various places in and around the venue for a one-of-a-kind experience. [less-]

The voice of today's generation -- the Arthur Miller of the Millennials -- young playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney penned this play that's been hailed by the "Chicago Tribune" as "the greatest piece of... [more+]

The voice of today's generation -- the Arthur Miller of the Millennials -- young playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney penned this play that's been hailed by the "Chicago Tribune" as "the greatest piece of writing by an American playwright under 30 in a generation or more." West African folklore takes a trip to Louisiana's bayou in "The Brothers Size", as the recently paroled Oshoosi Size returns home, hoping for a fresh start working in his brother Ogun's repair shop. But when the charming and sinister Elegba enters the picture, the situation's delicate stability is threatened and fraternal ties are tested. A stirring score, flights of poetry and West African mythology give wings to this soulful and celebratory work. Make your way to San Francisco's Eureka Theater for this Theatre Rhinoceros production of "The Brothers Size". [less-]

Some plays can be summed up in an image, others a phrase, but only one masterpiece can be summarized with a scream: "Stelllaaa!!!" That masterpiece, of course, is none other than Tennessee Williams' "... [more+]

Some plays can be summed up in an image, others a phrase, but only one masterpiece can be summarized with a scream: "Stelllaaa!!!" That masterpiece, of course, is none other than Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire". Set during a steamy summer in New Orleans' French Quarter, a vulnerable Blanche DuBois seeks shelter at the apartment of her pregnant sister, Stella, and Stella's husband, Stanley. Fragile Blanche and brutish, temperamental Stanley immediately clash, and tensions further escalate when the two are left alone together after Stella heads to the hospital to give birth. Experience this American classic now at San Francisco's Shelton Theater. [less-]

In "Dance Series 01", Smuin Contemporary American Ballet graces the stage of the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco to dazzle you with an exciting program filled with cutting-edge dance work... [more+]

In "Dance Series 01", Smuin Contemporary American Ballet graces the stage of the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco to dazzle you with an exciting program filled with cutting-edge dance works and stunning artistry. The evening begins with Michael Smuin's stirring and powerful "Stabat Mater". Hailed as "one of the most beautiful ballets of the choreographer's career," ("San Francisco Chronicle"), the piece's emotional response to the events of 9/11 evokes a timeless message of hope and love amidst challenges. The program also features a world premiere from Garret Ammon and Stanton Welch's "Indigo", which depicts the tumultuous relationship of four couples set to the score of Antonio Vivaldi. [less-]

At an Oklahoma farmhouse, the Weston's alcoholic patriarch has gone missing. The family gathers hoping for good news, but instead find themselves coming to grips with old closeted skeletons and fester... [more+]

At an Oklahoma farmhouse, the Weston's alcoholic patriarch has gone missing. The family gathers hoping for good news, but instead find themselves coming to grips with old closeted skeletons and festering wounds that resurface. Populated with tour-de-force characters such as Violet, the prescription drug-addicted, chain-smoking, acid-tongued family matriarch, "August: Osage County" by Tracy Letts is a black comedy that has the mesmerizing effect of watching a deliciously choreographed train wreck of epic proportions. This wickedly funny portrait of a truly American family held a spot on "Entertainment Weekly"'s "best-of" list for the decade, described by the magazine as "a lightning-fast jolt of pure theatrical electricity." Don't miss the play that won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a Tony Award for Best Play -- see it at the Marin Theatre Company in Mill Valley. [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-]

It might be called "Baloney", but only USDA prime-certified beefcakes will be on stage during San Francisco's sole all-male revue. Upon its triumphant return to Oasis, "Baloney" is sweatier, sexier an... [more+]

It might be called "Baloney", but only USDA prime-certified beefcakes will be on stage during San Francisco's sole all-male revue. Upon its triumphant return to Oasis, "Baloney" is sweatier, sexier and (amazingly) even more scantily clad. Inspired by classic male erotica -- from '50s pulp to '70s shag to '80s cocaine chic and beyond -- "Baloney" is an immersive cabaret experience where fantasies play out right before your eyes. As its debut show quickly sold-out, buy tickets now to see boys behaving badly in this production choreographed by Rory Davis and directed by Michael Phillis. [less-]

San Francisco Fringe Fest favorite Sebastian Boswell III hosts a weekly show featuring an ever-changing lineup of the Bay Area's finest mentalists and magicians at the Shelton Theater, just a block fr... [more+]

San Francisco Fringe Fest favorite Sebastian Boswell III hosts a weekly show featuring an ever-changing lineup of the Bay Area's finest mentalists and magicians at the Shelton Theater, just a block from iconic Union Square. A master storyteller, Boswell is known for his onstage style and razor-sharp wit, which he puts to excellent use as he performs odd physical feats and amazing demonstrations on the power of the human mind, which may or may not include telepathy, clairvoyance, telekinesis and "timeless feats of yogis and mystics." This sophisticated evening of entertainment also boasts a full cash bar. Featured performers include up-close expert Adam Sachs. [less-]

You work hard for the money -- and no one knows this better than the Naked Empire Bouffon Company, who's pulling out all the stops to treat you with two outrageous satires in two hours. Filled to the ... [more+]

You work hard for the money -- and no one knows this better than the Naked Empire Bouffon Company, who's pulling out all the stops to treat you with two outrageous satires in two hours. Filled to the brim with razor-sharp wit and cutting-edge comedy, "Do What You Love" and "You F**king Earned It" explore the virtues of the typical hard-working American, while also providing unabashed commentary on the absurdity of class, economic privilege and imperialism. Described by the "SF Bay Guardian" as the "best romp with your inner psychopath," these plays feature an interactive blend of slapstick comedy, original jingles, puppets and ridiculous costumes. Don't miss this hilarious and biting production when "Do What You Love" and "You F**king Earned It" come to San Francisco's PianoFight. [less-]

Get your one-liners, jokes and stories to tell your friends at The Purple Onion at Kells. With a new underground location just down the street from its original spot, this cozy club has a full bar and... [more+]

Get your one-liners, jokes and stories to tell your friends at The Purple Onion at Kells. With a new underground location just down the street from its original spot, this cozy club has a full bar and speakeasy charm that's sure to set the stage for an entertaining night. The Purple Onion at Kells has live stand-up and sketch comedy acts Wednesday through Saturday. Its a historical gem that opened in the 1950s, where it hosted legends like Bob Newhart, Woody Allen and Richard Pryor -- and later, modern comedic icons like Robin Williams, Zach Galifianakis and Todd Barry. Located in the Financial District of San Francisco, it's just a short walk away from the waterfront of the Embarcadero, so you can grab a hearty bowl of clam chowder at the Ferry Building and catch iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. [less-]

Politicians and comedians have long been on opposite sides of the fence, but Tom Ammiano is both! The California State Assembly member has been a standup comic since 1980, dishing on the fervent gover... [more+]

Politicians and comedians have long been on opposite sides of the fence, but Tom Ammiano is both! The California State Assembly member has been a standup comic since 1980, dishing on the fervent government officials, combative colleagues and polarized voters he constantly clashes with. You'll get a glimpse from an insider into the weird, wacky world of Sacramento politics. As a San Francisco teacher, school board president and openly gay politician, Ammiano has served his community and garnered lots of fascinating tales and insights for his show "Mincing Words" at The Marsh San Francisco MainStage Theater. [less-]