The Escher String Quartet does indeed take its name from the famed Dutch artist, as a tribute to the way he integrates singular elements into a cohesive whole. One of the few chamber ensembles to be a... [more+]

The Escher String Quartet does indeed take its name from the famed Dutch artist, as a tribute to the way he integrates singular elements into a cohesive whole. One of the few chamber ensembles to be awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Escher brings their namesake's idea to life through their "beautiful blend of individuality and accord" ("BBC Music Magazine"), performing at major venues and storied music festivals in the U.S. and abroad and releasing several successful albums. They'll be joined at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto by cellist Jean-Michel Fonteneau for a performance of Schubert's Cello Quintet in C Major and more. [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-]

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-]

One of the biggest bands in prog rock history and a true pioneer of the genre, YES gets back on the road to celebrate its golden anniversary with the "#YES50" tour. Expect to hear some of the band's m... [more+]

One of the biggest bands in prog rock history and a true pioneer of the genre, YES gets back on the road to celebrate its golden anniversary with the "#YES50" tour. Expect to hear some of the band's most-loved songs during this showcase at the City National Civic in San Jose and a reworking of some tracks that had been "lost" to time. Join founding member Tony Kaye and the rest of YES on this musical journey 50 years in the making. [less-]

This glam rock musical phenomenon surrounds a transgendered East German rock singer named Hedwig and her band, The Angry Inch. Through an electrifying rock score by Stephen Trask and a wickedly hilari... [more+]

This glam rock musical phenomenon surrounds a transgendered East German rock singer named Hedwig and her band, The Angry Inch. Through an electrifying rock score by Stephen Trask 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. She explains her journey to America, her tumultuous relationship with rock star Tommy Gnosis and her rise to Z-list fame. The infamous musical began its life Off-Broadway, starring book writer John Cameron Mitchell, and went on to gain a cult following through hundreds of subsequent productions in the U.S. and abroad. In 2014, "Hedwig" made its Tony Award-winning Broadway debut. "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" now jabs a stiletto through the heart of San Jose at The Stage. [less-]

Magic is in the air as a colorful collection of players tells us the story of Pippin. This acclaimed Tony Award-winning delight takes us on a journey with the titular character as he tries to discover... [more+]

Magic is in the air as a colorful collection of players tells us the story of Pippin. This acclaimed Tony Award-winning delight takes us on a journey with the titular character as he tries to discover the meaning in his own life, as well as the world at large. Filled with timeless music by Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked"), "Pippin" is a whimsical reminder that the simplest aspects of our lives are often the most important. This magical, musical fairy tale that is just as entertaining and thought-provoking as when it debuted 40 years ago. Get swept away in Los Altos Stage Company's fanciful, moving production of "Pippin" when it descends on the Bus Barn Theater. [less-]

Called "smart, splashy and wonderfully funny" by the "Los Angeles Times", a contemporary comedy explodes into a musical fantasia in the first collaboration between two of America's great theater artis... [more+]

Called "smart, splashy and wonderfully funny" by the "Los Angeles Times", a contemporary comedy explodes into a musical fantasia in the first collaboration between two of America's great theater artists. Tony Award winners David Henry Hwang ("M. Butterfly, Flower Drum Song") and Jeanine Tesori ("Fun Home") created this provocative new play with a musical that rewinds our recent political history and plays it back through a Chinese lens. A Chinese executive in America circa 2016 falls in love with a kindhearted U.S. leader, as the power balance between their two countries starts to shift and a new world order is on the horizon. Inspired by the West's often ridiculously inauthentic portrayals of Asia, "Soft Power" overflows with all the romance and laughter of the golden age of Broadway -- and all the cultural confusions -- and turns them into a "form-busting examination of the American dream" ("Entertainment Weekly"). "The Hollywood Reporter" says Hwang and Tesori have come up with "the most creatively ambitious new musical of the year," and it's coming to the Curran in San Francisco following its world premiere at the Ahmanson in L.A. [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-]

With the 1950s Red Scare in full swing, the House Un-American Activities Committee attacks "subversion" in the arts. When a romance blossoms between a rising comic and a firebrand actress, they face b... [more+]

With the 1950s Red Scare in full swing, the House Un-American Activities Committee attacks "subversion" in the arts. When a romance blossoms between a rising comic and a firebrand actress, they face being blacklisted along with their friends and fellow artists. Will they lose their careers or betray each other and be branded forever as "Finks"? Based on the true story of comedian/actor Jack Gilford, this stunning comic drama is written by his son. Watch it all unfold in TheatreWorks' production at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. [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-]

A noted radio personality and egotistical tyrant, Sheridan Whiteside slips and falls on the steps of the Stanley family residence. He's forced to spend several weeks of recuperation, wreaking havoc an... [more+]

A noted radio personality and egotistical tyrant, Sheridan Whiteside slips and falls on the steps of the Stanley family residence. He's forced to spend several weeks of recuperation, wreaking havoc and mischief on the lives of everyone he comes in contact with. Join the Stanleys as ex-convicts are invited to meals, transatlantic calls bring a $784 phone bill, penguins take residence in the library, an octopus moves into the cellar, 10,000 cockroaches take over the kitchen ... and then there's the mysterious mummy case. Palo Alto Players is thrilled to welcome back the Gunn High School community and local star James Shelby as Sheridan to present this great American classic on the Lucie Stern stage. [less-]

In "I Hate Hamlet", a young and successful television actor relocates to New York, where he rents a marvelous, gothic apartment. With his television career in limbo, the actor is offered the opportuni... [more+]

In "I Hate Hamlet", a young and successful television actor relocates to New York, where he rents a marvelous, gothic apartment. With his television career in limbo, the actor is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage, but there's one problem: he hates Hamlet! His dilemma deepens with the entrance of John Barrymore's ghost, who arrives intoxicated and in full costume to the apartment that once was his. The contrast between the two actors leads to a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, duty, television, and yes, the apartment. "Village Voice" calls "I Hate Hamlet" "...fast-mouthed and funny...It has the old-fashioned Broadway virtues of brightness without pretensions and sentimentality without morals." See it at Olinder Theatre in San Jose. [less-]

Mountain View's Pear Theatre concludes their 16th season with a rare foray into musical theater. Noël Coward's "Oh, Coward!" is a witty two-act musical revue featuring a talented cast of four perform... [more+]

Mountain View's Pear Theatre concludes their 16th season with a rare foray into musical theater. Noël Coward's "Oh, Coward!" is a witty two-act musical revue featuring a talented cast of four performing songs based around the following themes: England, family album, travel, theatre, love and women. The songs and sketches are devised by Roderick Cook with music and lyrics by Coward. The show originally ran off-Broadway in 1972, in London in 1975 and on Broadway in 1986. [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 will 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. Never the same thing twice, "The Speakeasy" is a meta-theatrical event you'll want to see again and again. [less-]

Carmen Lynch was recently listed on Splitsider's "2016's Best Late Night Sets" for her appearance on Conan. She has also performed twice on The Late Show with David Letterman, as well as The Late Show... [more+]

Carmen Lynch was recently listed on Splitsider's "2016's Best Late Night Sets" for her appearance on Conan. She has also performed twice on The Late Show with David Letterman, as well as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, @midnight, Inside Amy Schumer, and The Good Wife. She most recently starred in a short film directed by Chloë Sevigny. Carmen has also performed for the troops in Iraq and Kuwait, and continues to tour in Spanish-speaking countries doing standup in Spanish. When she isn't on the road Carmen can usually be found at The Comedy Cellar in NYC and The Comedy Store in LA. Check out her comedy CD "Dance Like You Don't Need the Money" available on carmenlynch.com. [less-]

There have been a lot of iconic rock drummers over the years -- Ringo, John Bonham, Ginger Baker -- but only one has inspired a Muppet: Keith Moon. The notorious "animal" keeping the beat (when he was... [more+]

There have been a lot of iconic rock drummers over the years -- Ringo, John Bonham, Ginger Baker -- but only one has inspired a Muppet: Keith Moon. The notorious "animal" keeping the beat (when he wasn't trashing his set or hotel room) for The Who, Moon somehow managed to be as famous for his drumming chops as his antics. Now, this rock legend comes alive in the acclaimed one-man show "Keith Moon: The Real Me" by Mick Berry. With help from Moon's daughter and bandmates, Berry reveals the man behind the legend, from his early life to fame and the excesses that led to his tragic death. Featuring a live band performing hits by The Who, Berry brings his rockin' show to 3Below Theatres in San Jose. [less-]

Similar to "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", this fast-paced short-form improv show plays a series of improvised games and scenes based on audience suggestions. Laugh Track City is a great opportunity for t... [more+]

Similar to "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", this fast-paced short-form improv show plays a series of improvised games and scenes based on audience suggestions. Laugh Track City is a great opportunity for the cast and audience alike to have a fun and hilarious time at Made Up Theatre. [less-]

Birthday party thank-you notes and summer-camp postcards blossom into a poignant 50-year friendship in A.R. Gurney's Pulitzer Prize-nominated drama "Love Letters". After a brief romance as teenagers, ... [more+]

Birthday party thank-you notes and summer-camp postcards blossom into a poignant 50-year friendship in A.R. Gurney's Pulitzer Prize-nominated drama "Love Letters". After a brief romance as teenagers, Andrew and Melissa go their separate ways yet continue to write each other as one goes on to become a U.S. senator and the other struggles to pursue her dream of being an artist. A quietly powerful meditation on life, love, victory and defeat ensues in this Tabard Theatre Company play coming to San Jose's Theatre on San Pedro Square. [less-]

Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, "Guys and Dolls" is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler, Nathan Detroit, tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authori... [more+]

Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, "Guys and Dolls" is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler, Nathan Detroit, tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they've been engaged for fourteen years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, and Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown, as a result. "Guys and Dolls" takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong. Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, "Guys and Dolls" opened on Broadway in 1950, received rave reviews from critics, and won a bevy of awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desks and Oliviers. Now it takes the stage of the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. [less-]

Improv is comedy without a net, where daredevil performers depend not only on the audience for suggestions, but also on their fellow performers for support and Lady Luck for inspiration. Done right, i... [more+]

Improv is comedy without a net, where daredevil performers depend not only on the audience for suggestions, but also on their fellow performers for support and Lady Luck for inspiration. Done right, it's not just hilarious -- it's astonishing. The American Improv Theatre (AIT) Players do it right. Come laugh and marvel as the Players spin entire scenes from suggestions. The show begins with some silly, quick-moving improv games (Think "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"). Then the Players raise the stakes with longer, more connected scenes so good they seem scripted. But they're not: Everything that happens at Black Cat Licorice Theater is discovered in the moment. [less-]