What’s Going On This Weekend In San Francisco

Snowy Siberia meets the American songbook in this poignant and imaginative cabaret, as actress-singer Beth Wilmurt and her band come to Berkeley's Aurora Theatre Company for a rousing evening of theat... [more+]

Snowy Siberia meets the American songbook in this poignant and imaginative cabaret, as actress-singer Beth Wilmurt and her band come to Berkeley's Aurora Theatre Company for a rousing evening of theatrical songs inspired by Anton Chekhov's Russians, viewed through a contemporary American lens. Wilmurt has been exploring Chekhov's character Olga since she played the role in "Yes, Yes to Moscow", a dance-theater piece based on Chekhov's "Three Sisters". Now, she's developed this musical performance exploring the enigmatic character's mind and imagination. The Bay Area News Group called it "the perfect holiday elixir for drama junkies addicted to the pleasurable pangs of existential yearning." [less-]

Winner of the Tony and the Olivier Awards for Best Musical, "Crazy For You" has wowed audiences on Broadway, the West End and around the world, reclaiming the Gershwin songs into the perfect book musi... [more+]

Winner of the Tony and the Olivier Awards for Best Musical, "Crazy For You" has wowed audiences on Broadway, the West End and around the world, reclaiming the Gershwin songs into the perfect book musical. The show-stopping production will be an intimate version of the large-scale musical featuring the original Tony-winning choreography of Susan Stroman, recreated by Bay Area Musicals' Founder & Artistic Director, Matthew McCoy, who will also direct. A zany rich-boy-meets-hometown-girl romantic comedy, "Crazy For You" tells the story of young New York banker Bobby Child, who is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a rundown theatre. In Deadrock, Bobby falls for spunky Polly Baker, the theater owner's daughter. But Polly takes an instant dislike to the city slicker, so Bobby vows -- through cunning, razzmatazz and a hilarious case of mistaken identity -- to win Polly's heart and save the theater. Filled with memorable Gershwin tunes like "I Got Rhythm," "Naughty Baby," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "Embraceable You," "But Not for Me," "Nice Work if You Can Get It" and "Someone to Watch Over Me," this show can be enjoyed at San Francisco's Alcazar Theatre. [less-]

The Golden Gate Men’s Chorus presents its annual holiday concert, "Jingle All the Way!" Come experience a three decades-long tradition of one of San Francisco’s finest male choral ensembles as the... [more+]

The Golden Gate Men’s Chorus presents its annual holiday concert, "Jingle All the Way!" Come experience a three decades-long tradition of one of San Francisco’s finest male choral ensembles as they celebrate with shimmering winter anthems, joyful carols, and sentimental holiday classics. Fresh off a first place win at the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod festival in Wales, the Golden Gate Men’s Chorus is raising the bar yet again this holiday season. They’ll feature intricate pieces by Bach and Monteverdi, spirited renditions of Christmas classics by the King’s Singers, and tender favorites like Bing Crosby’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” [less-]

Come see the Punch Line's weekly SF Comedy Showcase, held every Sunday for over 30 years. San Francisco has a rich and vibrant comedy scene, and this weekly show has launched the careers of such comed... [more+]

Come see the Punch Line's weekly SF Comedy Showcase, held every Sunday for over 30 years. San Francisco has a rich and vibrant comedy scene, and this weekly show has launched the careers of such comedians as Patton Oswalt, Margaret Cho and Arj Barker, as well as the current flock of rising stars such as W. Kamau Bell and Moshe Kasher. Laugh at a lineup of the Bay Area's top stand-up comics, many of whom have appeared on late-night television, Comedy Central and other esteemed television outlets. [less-]

Blue & Gold Fleet's "Escape From the Rock" Cruise is an exciting 90-minute excursion that takes you around the perimeter of Alcatraz to view the island from every angle. As the ship sails, passengers ... [more+]

Blue & Gold Fleet's "Escape From the Rock" Cruise is an exciting 90-minute excursion that takes you around the perimeter of Alcatraz to view the island from every angle. As the ship sails, passengers are treated to a presentation complete with sound effects and chilling tales of inmates Al Capone and Billy Cook, not to mention Clyde Johnson's daring escape attempt. This historical yet entertaining boat trip does not stop at the island of Alcatraz itself, but it does evoke the days when this iconic maximum-security prison was the most feared institution in the American penal system. [less-]

Sugarplums won't be the only dancing visions you dream of this holiday season after you see Smuin Contemporary Ballet's "The Christmas Ballet". Snow-kissed dancers clad all in white glide onstage, gra... [more+]

Sugarplums won't be the only dancing visions you dream of this holiday season after you see Smuin Contemporary Ballet's "The Christmas Ballet". Snow-kissed dancers clad all in white glide onstage, gracefully pirouetting, before a little funk enters the picture, and they tap out staccato rhythms and swing to jazz, revving up into a fun-filled second act. That's when the red-costumed dancers take over, letting loose with a collection of fresh, fantastical numbers, inspired by great tunes like "White Christmas," "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and the perennial favorite "Santa Baby." This Bay Area nontraditional holiday tradition at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater will enchant and delight and is sure to make for sweet dreams that'll sweep you into the New Year. [less-]

Theater of Yugen brings "A Noh Christmas Carol" back to San Francisco in a beloved adaptation that combines the traditional Japanese theater forms of noh, kyogen, kabuki, and the avant-garde dance for... [more+]

Theater of Yugen brings "A Noh Christmas Carol" back to San Francisco in a beloved adaptation that combines the traditional Japanese theater forms of noh, kyogen, kabuki, and the avant-garde dance form butoh to retell the Dickens classic. The story is transposed to early Meiji-era Japan, where Ebezo Sukurooji (Ebenezer Scrooge) receives a visit from his deceased business partner Jakube Mashima (Jacob Marley) warning him to change his miserly ways or be doomed to linger forever as a hungry ghost. The miraculous interventions of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-To-Come take Sukurooji on a wondrous journey through time and memory to remind him of a life beyond business and profit. [less-]

A Bay Area holiday family tradition, the California Revels are back with their 33rd annual Christmas show at the Scottish Rite Theater in Oakland -- where this year's theme reveals the "Ancient Myster... [more+]

A Bay Area holiday family tradition, the California Revels are back with their 33rd annual Christmas show at the Scottish Rite Theater in Oakland -- where this year's theme reveals the "Ancient Mysteries of Andalusian Spain." Through song, dance, poetry and song, the Revels tell the story of an unlikely trio -- a young Moorish woman, a Sephardic Jew and a Castilian scullery maid -- who're on a quest through time to find La Convivencia, an era in which Muslim, Jews and Christians lived in tolerance and peace. As always, the local chorus of adults, teens and kids add to the enchantment, along with performances by regular favorites and newcomers as well. [less-]

Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble gives "The Biggest Gift" to kids and parents again this year with their annual production of the holiday mystery musical. When none of the usual Christmas wish letters ma... [more+]

Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble gives "The Biggest Gift" to kids and parents again this year with their annual production of the holiday mystery musical. When none of the usual Christmas wish letters make it to the North Pole, Santa thinks the world's children have forgotten all about him -- so he cancels Christmas! Now it's up to Tucker the Elf and the toys themselves to figure out what happened and get Santa back in his sleigh. Complete with audience participation, this fun seasonal show at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek is perfect for all ages. [less-]

Famed local historical figure Countess Lola Montez -- aka Rick Shelton -- leads this entertaining and informative three-hour walking tour of San Francisco, focusing on the Gold Rush era of the 1850s a... [more+]

Famed local historical figure Countess Lola Montez -- aka Rick Shelton -- leads this entertaining and informative three-hour walking tour of San Francisco, focusing on the Gold Rush era of the 1850s and beyond. Montez herself was an Irish actress and mistress of the King of Bavaria and composer Franz Liszt, who became a popular "Spanish" dance queen in mid-19th century San Francisco. She'll take you by some of her favorite haunts, tell you stories of the Barbary Coast and let you in on plenty of other little known town secrets, in this one-of-a-kind drag performance-excursion. [less-]

A.C.T.'s acclaimed, music-infused adaptation of Dickens' beloved tale returns in a sumptuous production that's become one of the Bay Area's favorite holiday traditions. A large, lively cast tells the ... [more+]

A.C.T.'s acclaimed, music-infused adaptation of Dickens' beloved tale returns in a sumptuous production that's become one of the Bay Area's favorite holiday traditions. A large, lively cast tells the story of lonely old miser Ebenezer Scrooge, a bah-humbuggy sort who's shown a second chance by four ghosts who visit him one spooky and sleepless Christmas Eve. A classic story of redemption and forgiveness, "A Christmas Carol" captures the true spirit and magic of the holiday season, especially in this imaginative version written by A.C.T.'s artistic director emeritus Carey Perloff and alumnus Paul Walsh. [less-]

Aries Spears made a name for himself as one of "MADtv"'s longest-serving original cast members. Known for his easy-going vibe and candid bits about race and culture, Spears has made frequent guest app... [more+]

Aries Spears made a name for himself as one of "MADtv"'s longest-serving original cast members. Known for his easy-going vibe and candid bits about race and culture, Spears has made frequent guest appearances on a number of national talk shows. He got his stand-up start at the early age of 14 and landed a role in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" a few years later. He's since starred in his own Comedy Central and Showtime specials and has consistently cracked up audiences with uncanny Bill Cosby, Redd Foxx and Eddie Murphy impersonations. See him live at Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco. [less-]

The American Civil War is underway, and four sisters must hold the family together. A timeless testament to the endurance of family, the power of love, and what it means to stay true to oneself.... [more+]

The American Civil War is underway, and four sisters must hold the family together. A timeless testament to the endurance of family, the power of love, and what it means to stay true to oneself. [less-]

While trying to navigate the currents of the Pacific, an Arab-American woman and her nephew, who has enlisted in the military, dive into the murky waters of family, identity and politics in Golden Thr... [more+]

While trying to navigate the currents of the Pacific, an Arab-American woman and her nephew, who has enlisted in the military, dive into the murky waters of family, identity and politics in Golden Thread Productions' "We Swim, We Talk, We Go to War". Adventurous and playful, this world premiere play takes the form of a literal conversation on stage, and expands into a nuanced dialogue about what it means to be American, Arab and Arab-American at our current moment in time. Lebanese-American writer Mona Mansour returns with her fourth production -- the most ambitious and personal to date. The play offers its audience an opportunity to examine America’s relationship with its military, as well as its growing Middle Eastern immigrant population. It blurs the lines between “us” and “them,” and presents a provocative exploration of the tragic and indelible ripples of war. Evren Odcikin directs. [less-]

If you’re going on an international quest of historical and personal importance, you’ll need help. For your translator, you probably don’t want a guy with hilariously mangled English and hopeles... [more+]

If you’re going on an international quest of historical and personal importance, you’ll need help. For your translator, you probably don’t want a guy with hilariously mangled English and hopelessly dated pop-culture references. His “blind” grandfather and flatulent dog named Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. probably won’t be much help either. But that’s the motley crew Jonathan, a young Jewish American, finds himself relying on in "Everything is Illuminated", the “riveting [and] masterful” ("Broadway World") adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer’s acclaimed novel. Follow Jonathan as he travels to the Ukraine and sets out with this quirky fellowship in search of the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Equally funny and poignant, this modern favorite makes its Bay Area premiere from Aurora Theatre Company. [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-]

Nestled in the heart of Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences boasts some pretty impressive credentials: This San Francisco landmark is the only place on Earth that houses an aquarium, ... [more+]

Nestled in the heart of Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences boasts some pretty impressive credentials: This San Francisco landmark is the only place on Earth that houses an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum, all under one living roof. Your general admission pass lets you get up close and personal with hundreds of free-flying tropical birds and butterflies inside the four-story living rainforest and gives you access to the award-winning, galaxy-spanning digital shows in the Morrison Planetarium. Animal-lovers can feast their eyes on an albino alligator, a colony of feisty African penguins, and more than 38,000 other live animals in the Steinhart Aquarium. In the new exhibit, "Giants of Land and Sea", you can explore Northern California's natural wonders through a variety of experiences: Feel your way through an immersive fog room, keep your balance in an earthquake simulator, virtually ascend to the top of a towering redwood, and see a variety of specimens and fossils. You can learn about everything from meteors to minerals to mankind's evolution ... and that's all "before" you make your way up to the rolling hills and fields on the rooftop. [less-]

3Girls Theatre transforms San Francisco’s Z Below into the intimate, down-home east Texas Crossroads Bar for "Southern Lights", an all-new revival of Lee Brady’s beloved country music romance. Bri... [more+]

3Girls Theatre transforms San Francisco’s Z Below into the intimate, down-home east Texas Crossroads Bar for "Southern Lights", an all-new revival of Lee Brady’s beloved country music romance. Bring your friends and family and raise a glass to the story of Callie and Lonn, whose passionate teenage love affair was shattered by the very public tragedy of Callie’s parents, country music legend Cash Callendar and his much-wronged wife, LouAnne. This musical is a country song -- about true love, success, betrayal, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune -- and the joys and perils of a classically doomed romance. An evening of surprises, passion and fireworks! Directed by Andrea Gordon, with musical direction by Robert Beifu, "Southern Lights" stars Megan Wicks and Cameron La Brie. [less-]

After five award-winning solo shows, an off-Broadway run, appearances on "The Tonight Show", Netflix, Amazon Prime, NBC and elsewhere, Don Reed lets loose with his latest one-man comedy-variety show, ... [more+]

After five award-winning solo shows, an off-Broadway run, appearances on "The Tonight Show", Netflix, Amazon Prime, NBC and elsewhere, Don Reed lets loose with his latest one-man comedy-variety show, complete with irreverent sketches, edgy stand-up, short films and music. From original characters to celeb impressions, Reed does it all, and he's a regular at the Marsh, where he's staged hit shows like "Can You Dig It?, East 14th" and "The '80s", among many more. Catch his latest at the Berkeley stage. [less-]

Sized up with Mary's own magical measuring tape, the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical "Mary Poppins" would definitely be "Practically Perfect in Every Way." Based on P.L. Travers' stories and the... [more+]

Sized up with Mary's own magical measuring tape, the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical "Mary Poppins" would definitely be "Practically Perfect in Every Way." Based on P.L. Travers' stories and the classic Disney film, this high-flying musical extravaganza lands at San Francisco Playhouse, complete with spoonfuls of imagination, heart and whimsy. You and your family will be swept away by such iconic tunes as "Step in Time," "Chim Chim Cher-ee" and, of course, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," as young Jane and Michael learn valuable life lessons from their unconventional nanny and the lovable jack-of-all-trades Bert. This holiday season, be sure not to miss the magic of "Mary Poppins," who teaches us that "anything can happen if you let it." [less-]