BAYSTAGES | 2011.12 - December

DECEMBER 2011 | Celebrating Live Performing Arts in SF and Beyond!

[THE PERFORMERS]

SALLY STRUTHERS

= HELP IS ON THE WAY

IGGY POP = THE WARFIELD

[THE SHOWS]

SNOWING AT DELPHI

= DREAMWEAVERS

THE WILD BRIDE = BERKELEY REP

THE SECRET GARDEN = THEATREWORKS

[THE LATEST]

MARIANNE FAITHFULL CHITA RIVERA

+

THE NUTCRACKER SMUIN BALLET [THE COVER]

Spend a Celtic Yuletide with

MICHAEL LONDRA = MARINES’ MEMORIAL THEATRE

ALSO: THE GOLDEN GIRLS | SCROOGE! | CINDERELLA | IGGY POP | STEPHEN SONDHEIM

December 1-4 oCtoBER 31 - NovEMBER 2

california tHE FaBUloUs...Soul

for The holiDayS

MAUDE MAGGART

MARLENA SHAW NovEMBER & her Trio6

EvERYBodY’s doiN’ it

FAITH WINTHROP December 7 FaitH!” “Ya Gotta HavE ...MARIA iN soNG, spiRit, aNd sass.

MULDAUR chriSTmaS7aT- 9The oaSiS NovEMBER

CARLY OZARD December 9 - 11

December 5

NovEMBER 3 - 6 IN HARMONY RAPPIN’ B.O.O.B.S.

RACHELLE FERRELL Up ClosE & pERsoNal

STarring leanne borgheSi, JeSSica coker anD Soila hugheS

December 6

KATYA SMIRNOFF-SKYY

a holiDay SPecTacular

December 8 - 11

NovEMBER 10 - 13

LONI LOVE aN iNtiMatE

soMEtHiNG WoNdERFUl?

“america’S EvENiNG SiSTer” WitH Tour

NovEMBER 13 & 14 PeTer michael eScoVeDo

December 12

of TV’S PETE ESCOVEDO laTin JaZZ orcheSTra STar chelSea laTely OTTMAR feaTuring Juan &

2010 NiGHtliFE aWaRd – oUtstaNdiNG dUo

ERIC COMSTOCK & BARBARA FASANO December 13 - 18

FRANC RUSS LORENSON “asD’AMBROSIO loNG as i’M siNGiNG”: tHE MUsiC oF BoBBY daRiN NovEMBER 15

chriSTmaS in new york

NovEMBER 19 & 20

DecemberHOLLAND 20 & 21 SONY

SHARON McNIGHT

TwiSTeD xmaS: a DruiD’S View of The holiDayS

NovEMBER 21 - 23

December 22 & 23 VERONICA KLAUS KIM NALLEY &

“aFtER daRk” FEatURiNG tHE taMMY Hall tRio

TAMMY HALL

& SPecial gueSTS “a goSPel chriSTmaS”

NovEMBER 25 - 27 December 25

SUZANNE The fabulouS WESTENHOEFER BUD E. LUV aMERiCa’s FavoRitE lEsBiaN “sEMi sWEEt”

LIEBERT

SixTh annual chriSTmaS in San franciSco wiTh

RUSS LORENSON

anD frienDS

NovEMBER 16 - 20

GRaMMY DecemberaWaRd 18 & 19WiNNiNG voCalist/piaNist CONNIE CHAMPAGNE

DIANE SCHUUR “dEEdlEs”

aS JuDy garlanD “haVe yourSelf a merry liTTle chriSTmaS”

December 27 - January 1 (2 ShowS on nye!!!)

KIM NALLEY & HOUSTON PERSON NovEMBER 25 - 27 a Soulful JaZZ new year

HolidaY CHEERs WitH

DEANA MARTIN HoNoRiNG HER FatHER dEaN MaRtiN

annual chriSTmaS SPecTacular

222 222Mason MasonStreet, Street,San SanFrancisco, Francisco,CA CA 94102 94102

GrandPiano Pianocourtesy courtesyofofBaldwin Baldwin Grand

800-380-3095 800-380-3095 • www.TheRrazzRoom.com www.TheRrazzRoom.com

editor ROBERT SOKOL editor@baystages.com

THE STAGES DANCE | Smuin Ballet................................................................... 5 MUSICAL | The Secret Garden.................................................... 9 PLAY | The Wild Bride.................................................................11 HOLIDAY | Michael Londra in Celtic Yuletide...........................13 DANCE | The Nutcracker.............................................................17 BENEFIT | Sally Struthers in Help is on the Way for the Holidays X....21 PLAY | Snowing at Delphi...........................................................23 COMEDY | The Golden Girls......................................................27 BACK | Behind the Scenes with

.............................28

Copyright Š 2011 by Caselli Partners LLC. All rights reserved. Printed in California.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any form without written permission is prohibited.

BAYSTAGES is published monthly by VIA MEDIA, a division of Caselli Partners LLC. All content not attributed to an author is compiled by BAYSTAGES staff from press releases and other sources. No guarantee is given for the validity of this data.

Information is subject to change without notice.

publisher RON WILLIS publisher@baystages.com design VIA MEDIA design@viamedia.net contributing writers GRIER COOPER NICOLE DIAL ML HEATH JAMES J. SIEGEL ROBERT SOKOL ELIZABETH WARNIMONT Writers may submit resumes and samples to editor@baystages.com for consideration.

contributing photographers STEVEN UNDERHILL DAVID WILSON cover image MICHAEL LONDRA

image: dominic az bonuccelli All other photos are provided by the artists or venues and credits are noted where provided.

advertising sales RON WILLIS 415.552.8040 advertise@baystages.com distribution JUAN RAMIREZ If you need additional copies or would like to become a distribution point for BAYSTAGES please call our office.

PDF copies of individual articles are available upon request. Press releases and promotional materials may be sent to:

thisjustin@baystages.com

image: craig schwartz (bring it on - gregory nahey)

or mailed to:

BAYSTAGES 780 sutter street SF, ca 94109 p: 415.552.8040 f: 415.869.3700

bring it on December 14 to January 7 Orpheum Theatre 1192 Market Street, SF $31 to $200 | 888.746.1799 shnsf.com

DECEMBER 2011 |

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REVOLVING These venues book a frequently changing roster of artists. Call or check the websites for the latest performance information including minimums and age limits (if any).

Salvador Santana at Club Fox (12/9)

MUSIC VENUES

142 THROCKMORTON Mill Valley 142throckmortontheatre.org | 415.383.9600 BIMBO’S 365 CLUB North Beach, SF bimbos365club.com | 415.474.0365 BISCUITS & BLUES Union Square, SF biscuitsandblues.com | 415.292.2583 BLANK CLUB San Jose theblankclub.com | 408.292.5265 BLISS BAR Noe Valley, SF blissbarsf.com | 415.826.6200 Bottom of the Hill Potrero Hill, SF bottomofthehill.com | 415.621.4455 Café du Nord Upper Market, SF cafedunord.com | 415.861.5016 ELBO ROOM Mission, SF elbo.com | 415.552.7788 EL RIO Mission, SF elriosf.com | 415.282.3325 FILLMORE Fillmore, SF thefillmore.com | 415.346.6000 FOX THEATRE & CLUB FOX Redwood City foxrwc.com | 650-369-7770 Freight & Salvage Berkeley freightandsalvage.org | 510.644.2020 George’s NIGHTCLUB San Rafael georgesnightclub.com | 415.226.0262 Great American Music Hall Tenderloin, SF gamh.com | 888.233.0449

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| DECEMBER 2011

Hemlock Tavern Polk Gulch, SF hemlocktavern.com | No Calls HOTEL UTAH SALOON SOMA, SF hotelutah.com | 415.546.6300 Independent Alamo Square, SF theindependentsf.com | 415.771.1421 Johnny Foley’s Union Square, SF johnnyfoleys.com | 415.954.0777 MEZZANINE SOMA, SF mezzaninesf.com | 415.625.8880 napa valley opera house Napa nvoh.com | 707.226.7372 NEW PARISH Oakland thenewparish.com | 510.444.7474 Rancho Nicasio Marin ranchonicasio.com | 415.662.2219 Regency Ballroom Civic Center, SF theregencyballroom.com | 800.745.3000 Rickshaw Stop Civic Center, SF rickshawstop.com | 415.861.2011 ROCKIT ROOM Richmond, SF rock-it-room.com | 415.387.6343 RRAZZ ROOM Union Square, SF therrazzroom.com | 415. 394.1189 SAVANNAH JAZZ Mission, SF savannajazz.com | 415.624.4549 SHATTUCK DOWN LOW Berkeley shattuckdownlow.com | 510.455.4735 Slim’s SOMA, SF slims-sf.com | No Calls STARRY PLOUGH Berkeley starryploughpub.com | 510.841.1424 THEE PARKSIDE Potrero Hill, SF theeparkside.com | 415.252.1330 UPTOWN THEATRE Napa uptowntheatrenapa.com | 707.259.0123 WARFIELD Downtown, SF thewarfieldtheatre.com | 800.745.3000 YOSHI’S Oakland + Fillmore, SF yoshis.com | 510-238-9200 + 415.655.5600

COMEDY & IMPROV BATS IMPROV Marina, SF improv.org | 415.474.6776 BIG CITY IMPROV Union Square, SF sheltontheater.com | 415.433.1227 BLUE BLANKET IMPROV Half Moon Bay blueblanketimprov.com | 650.726.0770 BUNJO’S COMEDY LOUNGE Dublin bunjoscomedy.com | 925.264.4413 COBB’S COMEDY CLUB North Beach, SF cobbscomedyclub.com | 415.928.4320 COMEDY OFF BROADWAY Oakland coboak.com | 510.214.2626 COMEDYSportz San Jose comedysportzsanjose.com DARK ROOM Mission, SF darkroomsf.com | 415.401.7987 ENDGAMES IMPROV Union Square, SF endgamesimprov.com ENSO Half Moon Bay ensohmb.com | 650.726.1409 HARVEY’S FUNNY TUESDAYS Castro, SF harveyssf.com | 415.431.4278 IMPROV San Jose improv.com | 408.280.7475 MADE UP THEATRE Fremont madeuptheatre.com | 510.573.3633 PUNCHLINE Embarcadero, SF punchlinecomedyclub.com | 415.397.7573 ROOSTER T. FEATHERS Sunnyvale roostertfeathers.com | 408.736.0921 SECRET IMPROV SOCIETY Union Square, SF improvsociety.com STONE SOUP IMPROV Oakland stonesoupimprov.com | 510.380.6808

..............................................................

Contact daily@baystages.com with additions or corrections.

view from the editor It’s the most wonderful time of the year. At least that’s what the song tells us. It can also be the most hectic, the most stressful, the most expensive time of the year for some.

It is a time of traditions, some ancient and sacred, others silly or sentimental. In the performing arts, holiday season traditions revolve around telling certain key stories through music, movement and words. Because the stories are told year after year, some creative artists seek ways to invigorate and refresh the stories while others honor the discipline of an established form.

As a result, there’s usually something for everyone like classical Nutcrackers, whimsical Nutcrackers, jazz Nutcrackers, Jewish Nutcrackers or even one where you dance along. Just don’t feel like a nut but still want some movement? Try a velveteen bunny hop or Cinderella’s ball. Feeling more literary? You can have your Ebenezer Scrooge scary, singing or possibly both. Ditto your Grinch. From screen to stage, you can discover It’s a Wonderful Life or start dreaming of a White Christmas. Of course there’s always caroling, whether it’s Celtic, a capella camp or showing off how you handle your Handel!

As we move from giving thanks to giving and giving and giving (and hopefully back to giving thanks again) consider giving to and through the performing arts. Benefits are ever present, raising needed funds for health concerns, social justice and disaster relief.

Arts organizations can use some relief themselves.

One simple way to support our creative community is to give the gift of live entertainment. A subscription for a pair of tickets to a theatre season, concert series or dance company not only checks someone off your naughty-or-nice list, but it gives the venue or organization the ability to plan ahead, knowing it already has at least some of the support necessary to achieve its goals. It could even be the gift that gives back if you’re invited to see the show!

Here’s wishing you and yours a happy, safe, sane holiday season! We have some exciting things planned for in 2012! See you then!

ROBERT SOKOL, editor

image: via media

Spending a little light reading time with Justin Gillman, Steve Salzman, Jeffrey Hoffman, Seth Thygesen, J. Conrad Frank and director F. Allan Sawyer on the set of The Temperamentals at New Conservatory Theatre Center. The intriguing play

by Jon Marans about the early days of the LGBT civil rights movement continues through December 18, 2011.

DECEMBER DECEMBER2011 2011| |

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ONGOING SHOWS ABSOLUTELY SAN FRANCISCO Alcove Theatre | SF $32-$50 | 415.922.8168 absolutelysanfrancisco.com

One-woman musical dramedy about life, love and the SF experience.

Beach BlanKet Babylon Club Fugazi | SF $25-$130 | 415.421.4222 beachblanketbabylon.com

Long-running revue skewering news and culture with songs and big hats.

Big City Improv Shelton Theater | SF $20 | 866.468.3399 sheltontheater.com

Every scene is based on suggestions shouted out by the audience.

Magic at The Rex The Rex Hotel | SF $25 | 415.273.9790 magicattherex.com

In this intimate cocktail lounge setting you will be up close and personal with every flick of the wrist and wave of a hand.

PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT SF Playhouse $40-$50 | 415.677.9596

DAILY The following listings are compiled from submissions to the baystages. com database and are subject to change without notice. Please be sure to verify performance times and dates when making your ticket purchases.

Shows with multiple performances are listed below as of their first public performance, with the final performance date noted in the description.

CLOSING SHOWS are listed separately in the sidebar columns with the date of the final scheduled performance noted before the title. ONGOING SHOWS offering regularly scheduled performance throughout the month are also listed separately in the sidebar columns. Closing/ongoing shows are not in the listings that follow.

01 | A Christmas Special

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $25-$68 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org

01 | Frank Solivan

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

01 | Hover Space

01 | GLIDE Holiday Jam

printzdance.org

thewarfieldtheatre.com

Z Space | SF $22-$25 | 800.838.3006 01 | The Best Time of Year

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $25-$68 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org

01 | The Secret Garden

Lucie Stern Theater | Palo Alto

Warfield | SF $65.00-$250.00 | 888.929.7849 01 | God’s Plot

Ashby Stage | Berkeley $18-$27 | 510.841.6500

shotgunplayers.org

01 | Jeffrey Ross

Ralph Bates is a Korean War hero facing problems with his in-laws. A Tennessee Williams comedy?.

$19-$72 | 650.463.1960

Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $20.50-$23.50 | 800.745.3000

01 | Three Sisters

Eureka Theatre | SF $20-$50 | 415.255.8207

01 | Ladies In Waiting

PETER MORRISON Marrakech Magic Theater | SF $38 | 877.624.4264

42ndstmoon.org

horrorunspeakable.com

Morrison demonstrates sleight-ofhand magic and feats of mentalism.

01 | Afrolicious

sfplayhouse.org

sanfranciscomagictheater.com

Secret Improv Society Shelton Theater | SF $15 | 866.468.3399 sheltontheater.com

Creating characters, stories, and songs on the spot from audience suggestions.

Shopping! The Musical Shelton Theater | SF $27-$29 | 800.838.3006 sheltontheater.com

An original musical revue about everyone’s favorite pastime.

SUNDAY’S A DRAG Starlight Room | SF $44.95 | 415.395.8595 harrydenton.com

Drag entertainment abounds in Harry Denton’s newly refurbished boite.

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| DECEMBER 2011

theatreworks.org

Elbo Room | SF $8.00-$10.00 | 415.552.7788 elbo.com

01 | Boom Bip

Rickshaw Stop | SF $12.00 | 415.861.2011 rickshawstop.com

01 | Dr. Strangelove Live

Dark Room | SF $20 | No Calls

darkroomsf.com 01 | Eddie Palmieri Salsa

Yoshi’s | SF $22-$35 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com

01 | Felipe Esparza

Punch Line San Francisco | SF $16-$23 | 800.745.3000 punchlinecomedyclub.com

cobbscomedyclub.com

EXIT Stage Left | SF $20.00 | 800.838.3006

01 | Left Coast Chamber Ensemble

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley $25.00 | 415.383.9600

142throckmortontheatre.org 01 | Lutan Fyah

Rockit Room | SF $15.00-$20.00 | No Calls rock-it-room.com

01 | Marlena Shaw Trio

Rrazz Room | SF $35-$40 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com

01 | Mommy Queerest

Bindlestiff Studio | SF $15-$25 | 800.838.3006 bindlestiffstudio.org 01 | Nils

Yoshi’s | Oakland

$15.00 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

by grier cooper

dance

SMUIN BALLET

just a little jingle bell rock and roll You won’t find tutus or nutcrackers in Michael Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet, but this holiday dance showcase entertains in every sense of the word, moving from more traditional, classical music and choreography towards a jazzy, Broadway-style finale. “I tell people The Christmas Ballet is like a Thanksgiving meal - you’ve got your turkey, your gravy, your stuffing and all the fixings,” says choreographer Amy Seiwert, who first joined Smuin Ballet as a dancer in 1999. She enjoys her role as a choreographer because “you get to have opinions about the overall big picture. You get to sculpt the experience that the viewer is having.” Seiwert’s new female solo will be part of this year’s lineup. “I made sure that it went with the rest of the meal, so I wasn’t adding something like a plate of jalapeño poppers.”

says Seiwert. “He does it with an energy and vitality. He’s an incredibly generous, warm performer.”

Performed in two acts, The Christmas Ballet begins with the twelve short dances of “A Classical Christmas.” The curtain opens to women in white unitards and pointe shoes performing Balanchinestyle choreography to music such as Bach and traditional choral hymns. However, Smuin’s program quickly moves the classical purity towards the more fun and casual “Cool Christmas,” which includes a smoking Jamaican Santa Claus, Hawaiian bathing beauties, and Irish jigs in “The Bells of Dublin,” featuring Shannon Hurlburt’s show-stopping tap solo.

“Shannon has done this tap solo hundreds of times, but every time I see him do it I am absolutely floored,”

SMUIN BALLET December 7 to 11 Mountain View Center For the Performing Arts 500 Castro Street, Mountain View $52 to $65 | 650.903.6000

Act II’s other musical selections include holiday favorites like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” There’s even a taste of Sugar Plum Fairy-ness in “Sugar Rum Cherry.” However, her brief stint is quickly overshadowed by six leggy dancers in short red skirts working a sultry Chicago-style number. The performance closes with salsa dancers in a jazzy “Feliz Navidad,” and a “White Christmas” piece with a special surprise for the audience. From start to finish, The Christmas Ballet is the gift that keeps on giving

image: david allen

December 14 to 24 Novellus Theater, Yerba Buena Center 701 Mission Street, San Francisco $32 to $68 | 415.978.2787 smuinballet.org

DECEMBER 2011 |

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CLOSING SHOWS 04 | Stones In His Pockets Dragon Theatre | Palo Alto $16-$30 | 800.838.3006 dragonproductions.net 04 | Annie Julia Morgan Center | Berkeley $17-$35 | 510.845.8542 berkeleyplayhouse.org 04 | Annapurna Magic Theatre | SF $20-$60 | 800.380.3095 magictheatre.org 04 | Carmen War Memorial Opera House | SF $26-$330 | 415.864.3330 sfopera.com 04 | Language Rooms Thick House | SF $20-$28 | 800.838.3006 goldenthread.org 04 | SexRev CounterPulse | SF $10-$25 | 800.838.3006 therhino.org 04 | White Christmas Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $44 | 925.943.7469 diablotheatre.org 09 | Savage in Limbo Actors Theatre of San Francisco $38 | 415.345.1287 actorstheatresf.org 10 | Blue Blanket Improv Wine Bar | Half Moon Bay $10 | 800.838.3006 blueblanketimprov.com 10 | RAMBO: Missing Years Marsh - Berkeley | Berkeley $15-$50 | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org 10 | My Fair Lady Burbank Auditorium | Santa Rosa $18 | 707.527.4343 santarosa.edutheatrearts 11 | To Kill a Mockingbird Ross Valley Players | Ross $25 | 800.838.3006 rossvalleyplayers.com 11 | Fela!

Curran Theatre | SF $50-$400 | 888.746.1799 shnsf.com 11 | Gamma Rays...

Gough Street Playhouse | SF $32 | 510.207.5774 custommade.org

OY VEY IN A MANGER! December 17 | 8:00 pm Herbst Theatre 401 Van Ness Avenue, SF $25 to $35 | 415.392.4400 kinseysicks.com

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| DECEMBER 2011

DAILY 01 | ohGr

Bottom of the Hill | SF $20.00 | No Calls bottomofthehill.com

01 | Will Rogers Follies

Hillbarn Theatre | Foster City $32 | 650.349.6411

hillbarntheatre.org

01 | Priscilla Ahn

01 | White Christmas

slimspresents.com

$26 | 800.838.3006

Slim’s | SF $15.00-$17.00 | 888.233.0449 01 | Reggie Steele

Improv Comedy Club | SJ $10.00 | 408.280.7475 improv.com

01 | Sadiki Fuller

Rooster T. Feathers | Sunnyvale $12-$18 | 408.736.0921

roostertfeathers.com 01 | Scrooge!

Town Hall Theatre | Lafayette $12.00-$32.00 | 925.283.1557

townhalltheatre.com

01 | Siddhartha

Café Du Nord | SF $10.00 | 866.468.3399 cafedunord.com

01 | Story of Nutcracker

Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $20-$33 | 925.943.7469

lesherartscenter.org 01 | Tesla

Fillmore | SF $35.00 | 415.346.6000 thefillmore.com

01 | The Golden Girls Victoria Theatre | SF

$25 | 877.435.9849 trannyshack.com

Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa roustabout-theater.org 02 | Almost, Maine

6th Street Playhouse | Santa Rosa $10-$25 | 707.523.4185

6thstreetplayhouse.com 02 | Mass in B minor

Herbst Theatre | SF $25-$100 | 415.392.4400 philharmonia.org

02 | Beady Eye

Regency Ballroom | SF $40.00-$52.00 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com 02 | Beady Eye

Warfield | SF $40.00-$52.00 | 888.929.7849 thewarfieldtheatre.com 02 | Bobby Lee

Improv Comedy Club | SJ $22 | 408.280.7475 improv.com

02 | Caminos Flamencos

Marines’ Memorial Theatre | SF $35-$75 | 415.771.6900 marineclub.com

02 | Cinderella

African American Art Complex | SF $10-$30 | 800.838.3006 african-americanshakes.org

02 | Lalah Hathaway

CLOSING SHOWS

$26-$30 | 510.238.9200

11 | Velveteen Rabbit YBCA - Novellus Theater | SF $15-$45 | 415.978.2787 odcdance.org 16 | Confessions Alcove Theater | SF $5-$15 | 888.541.9753 endgamesimprov.com 17 | Not Getting Any Younger Marsh | SF $15-$50 | 415.641.0235 themarsh.org 17 | Working for the Mouse EXIT Theatre | SF $20-$22 | 800.838.3006 theexit.org 18 | Totem AT&T Park | SF $38.50-$360 | 800.450.1480 cirquedusoleil.com 18 | The Temperamentals New Conservatory Theatre | SF $25-$36 | 415.861.8972 nctcsf.org 18 | The Soldier’s Tale Aurora Theatre | Berkeley $10-$55 | 510.843.4822 auroratheatre.org 18 | Santaland Diaries City Lights Theater | SJ $25-$35 | 800.380.3095 cltc.org 18 | Every Christmas Story San Jose Stage Company $20-$45 | 800.380.3095 sjstage.com 18 | The Glass Menagerie Marin Theatre Company | MV $35-$55 | 415.388.5208 marintheatre.org 21 | A Tale of Two Genres SF Playhouse | SF $25 | 800.380.3095 un-scripted.com 27 | A Christmas Story 6th Street Playhouse | Santa Rosa $15-$32 | 707.523.4185 6thstreetplayhouse.com 30 | A Christmas Carol Mel Mello Center | Half Moon Bay $18-$30 | 800.380.3095 coastalrep.com

Yoshi’s | Oakland yoshis.com

02 | Crawler

02 | Last Five Years

rock-it-room.com

poormansplayers.com

Rockit Room | SF $5.00 | No Calls 02 | Danzón

Zellerbach Hall | Berkeley

Boxcar Playhouse | SF $20-$30 | 800.838.3006 02 | Line Between

$30-$86 | 510.642.9988

ODC Theater | SF $17-$30 | 415.863.9834

02 | Duran Duran Duran

02 | Los Lobos

slimspresents.com

thefillmore.com

calperformances.org

Slim’s | SF $14.00 | 888.233.0449

odctheater.org

Fillmore | SF $42.50 | 415.346.6000

02 | FORKING II Stage Werx 446 | SF

02 | Maria Muldaur

pianofight.com

freightandsalvage.org

$17-$35 | 917.363.9646

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $22.50-$24.50 | 510.644.2020

02 | It’s A Wonderful Life

02 | Monkey

tabardtheatre.org

theblankclub.com

Theatre on San Pedro Square | SJ $29-$35 | 800.838.3006 02 | J.F.A.

Thee Parkside | SF $10.00 | 415.252.1330 theeparkside.com

02 | Jane Birkin

Regency Ballroom | SF $35.00-$47.00 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com

02 | Kronos Quartet

Blank Club | SJ $8.00 | 866.468.3399 02 | New West Guitar Group

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley $20.00-$23.00 | 415.383.9600

142throckmortontheatre.org 02 | Save KUSF Benefit

Rockit Room | SF $10.00 | No Calls rock-it-room.com

Glaser Center | Santa Rosa

02 | Scrooge!

redwoodarts.org

$15-$18 | 888.541.9753

$30 | 800.838.3006

Bay Terrace Theater | Vallejo bayareastage.org

31 | on the air Teatro ZinZanni | SF $117-$195 | 415.438.2668 love.zinzanni.org

After more than a decade TZ is taking down the spiegeltent to make way for the America’s Cup. We hope it won’t be long before Madame ZinZanni sets up shop in San Francisco again!

DECEMBER 2011 |

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SPOTLIGHT

DAILY 02 | Shana Morrison

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $10.00-$15.00 | 800.380.3095

Retro Dome | SJ $38.50 | 408.404.7711

02 | Solo Flamenco

03 | Very Merry Mystery!

marinesmemorialtheatre.com

improv.com

georgesnightclub.com

Marines’ Memorial Theatre | SF $20-$75 | 415.771.6900

MARIANNE FAITHFULL December 12 & 13 | 8:00 pm Yoshi’s 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland $35 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Marianne Faithfull’s long and distinguished career has seen her emerge as one of the most original female singer-songwriters the UK has produced. Utterly unsentimental yet somehow affectionate, Marianne possesses that rare ability to transform any lyric into something compelling and utterly personal.

02 | Charlie Brown!

theretrodome.com

Bayfront Theater | SF $17-$20 | 800.380.3095

02 | Susaye Green

03 | Frederica von Stade

cadillachotel.org

sfopera.com

Cadillac Hotel | SF FREE | No Calls

Herbst Theatre | SF $100-$500 | 415.864.3330

02 | Tarzan

03 | Common Kings

cmtsj.org

rock-it-room.com

Montgomery Theatre | SJ $30 | 408.792.4111 02 | Dardy Family Movies...

New People’s Cinema | SF $15 | 415.561.5000 sffs.org

Rockit Room | SF $25.00-$30.00 | No Calls

03 | Cris Williamson

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $22.50-$24.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

02 | The Hot Toddies

03 | Dead To Me

bottomofthehill.com

theeparkside.com

Bottom of the Hill | SF $6.00 | No Calls 02 | The Mumlers

Rickshaw Stop | SF $10.00-$12.00 | 415.861.2011 rickshawstop.com

02 | The Nutcracker

Fox Theatre | Redwood City

Thee Parkside | SF $10.00 | 415.252.1330 03 | Deborah Winters

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley $23.00-$35.00 | 415.383.9600

142throckmortontheatre.org 03 | Digital Tape Machine

$18.00-$39.00 | 650.369.7770

Slim’s | SF $15.00 | 888.233.0449

02 | The Old Firm Casuals

03 | Dom Kennedy

hemlocktavern.com

theregencyballroom.com

foxrwc.com

Hemlock Tavern | SF $10.00 | No Calls

slimspresents.com

Regency Ballroom | SF $18.00-$22.00 | 888.929.7849

PETER AND THe wOLF December 10 to 11 Davies Symphony Hall 201 Van Ness Avenue, SF $15 to $57 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org

02 | The Snowman

03 | Life Gone Viral

sfsymphony.org

themarsh.org

Broadway legend Chita Rivera returns to San Francisco and joins the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra as special guest narrator for this charming holiday tale. Sergei Prokofiev wrote the music and text in just four days in 1936 as a commission to introduce children to classical compositions.

He combined narration with various instruments to act out specific roles in his tale of a boy who does battle with a terroristic wolf.

$25-$30 | 925.798.1300

Warfield | SF $25.00-$39.50 | 888.929.7849

02 | Willy Wonka

03 | Linda Kosut

8|

| DECEMBER 2011

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $27-$57 | 415.864.6000 02 | Winter Wonderettes

Campbell Theatre | Martinez willowstheatre.org

Marsh | SF $15-$50 | 415.641.0235

03 | Jake Shimabukuro

thewarfieldtheatre.com

$12 | 707.763.8920

Savanna Jazz | SF $10 | 415.624.4549

02 | Xanadu

03 | Papercuts

nctcsf.org

rickshawstop.com

Cinnabar Theater | Petaluma cinnabartheater.org

New Conservatory Theatre | SF $25-$45 | 415.861.8972

savannajazz.com

Rickshaw Stop | SF $10.00-$12.00 | 415.861.2011

by jim van buskirk

The new TheatreWorks production of the musical The Secret Garden marks the centenary of the publication of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel, a classic of English children’s literature.

image: tracy martin

This Tony-winning adaptation by Pulitzer-winning author/lyricist Marsha Norman and Grammywinning composer Lucy Simon is directed by Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley. While a perfect choice for the holidays, this wonderfully dark musical is not only for children.

Everything centers around Mary Lennox, the tenyear old orphan who has been sent from India to live with her grief-stricken, widowed uncle Archibald Craven (Joe Cassidy). The gloomy gothic mansion is pervaded by a beautiful ghost. The housekeeper Martha (Courtney Stokes) offers advice about how to deal with rival brother Neville Craven (Noel Anthony), while grounds keeper Ben (Daniel Olson) and Martha’s brother Dickon (Alex Brightman) demonstrate the magic of a mysterious garden to Mary, who in turn shares it with Colin Craven (Andrew Apy).

Playing the pivotal character of Mary is 11-yearold Angelina Wahler, who is “super excited” to be

musical

THE SECRET GARDEN

finding the meaning of family and love

performing her first professional role in a major musical. She auditioned, was called back twice, and then thrilled to learn she had “nailed it” and gotten the part. Angelina says that she’s similar to Mary in that she too can sometimes be grouchy, like when she has to get up really early, but not all the time, and stresses “I’m not as sour as Mary is.”

She is excited to be “able to express different emotions” and is “looking forward to showing everyone what I can do.” Having performed in recordings and television, Angelina finds stage work “so much more powerful.” Her main challenge is “getting her accent down” and she is busy working with a dialogue coach. She’s reading the novel right now to get even greater insight into her character and declares that this is “definitely a good experience.”

THE SECRET GARDEN December 1 to 31 Lucie Stern Theatre 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto $19 to $72 | 650.463.1960 theatreworks.org DECEMBER 2011 |

|9

SPOTLIGHT

DAILY 03 | Ragazzi Chorus

First Congregational | Palo Alto $10-$25 | 650.342.8785

Herbst Theatre | SF $15 | 415.392.4400

03 | Shannon & The Clams

04 | Lucky Jesus

elriosf.com

theeparkside.com

ragazzi.org

El Rio | SF $8.00 | No Calls

DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS December 21 to 31 Golden Gate Theatre 1 Taylor Street, SF $25 to $85 | 888.746.1799 shnsf.com Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from holiday loving Whos. The musical features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated series and elaborate sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations.

cafedunord.com

theindependentsf.com

03 | The Rave-Ups

04 | Mournful Congregation

Hemlock Tavern | SF $10.00 | No Calls

03 | The Weakerthans

04 | Peter Murphy

theindependentsf.com

thefillmore.com

georgesnightclub.com

Independent | SF $17.00 | 415.771.1421

hemlocktavern.com

Fillmore | SF $29.50 | 415.346.6000

03 | Tijuana Panthers

04 | Ragazzi Chorus

bottomofthehill.com

oldfirstconcerts.org

Bottom of the Hill | SF $10.00 | No Calls

Old First Church | SF $14-$17 | 415.474.1608

03 | Yo! Majesty

04 | Remember When

hemlocktavern.com

$15-$25 | 415.251.1027

Hemlock Tavern | SF $8.00 | No Calls

04 | Deck the Hall

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $36-$50 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org

04 | Four of a Kind

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley

| DECEMBER 2011

Independent | SF $20.00 | 415.771.1421

$15.00-$20.00 | 800.380.3095

George’s Nightclub | SR

slimspresents.com

10 |

Thee Parkside | SF $5.00 | 415.252.1330

04 | Marco Benevento

Café Du Nord | SF $12.00 | 866.468.3399

Great American Music Hall | SF $16.00 | 415.885.0750

Mark Foehringer Dance Project|SF presents its third annual holiday production of Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets, an affordable, fun and zany rendition of this popular holiday tradition and a unique version of the classic ballet with a contemporary twist.

sfperformances.org

03 | Entrance Band

04 | Cass McCombs

Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets December 1 to 23 Children’s Creativity Museum 221 Fourth Street, SF $18 to $35 | 800.838.3006 mfdpsf.org

04 | Le Jazz Hot

$12.00-$15.00 | 415.383.9600

142throckmortontheatre.org 04 | Iggy & Stooges

Warfield | SF $45.00-$47.00 | 888.929.7849 thewarfieldtheatre.com 04 | Jazz Quartet

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

04 | Kitka: Wintersongs

St. Bede’s Church | Palo Alto $15-$32 | 800.838.3006

kitka.org

Homeward Bound Fresh Starts Building | Novato porchlight.net

04 | Black Heart Procession

Bottom of the Hill | SF $15.00 | No Calls bottomofthehill.com

05 | Help is on the Way Marines’ Memorial Theatre | SF

$40-$60 | 415.273.1620 reaf.org

05 | Jazz Nutcracker

Yoshi’s | SF $20.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com

05 | Jazzschool Concert

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $10.50-$12.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

05 | Rappin’ B.O.O.B.S.

Rrazz Room | SF $45 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com 05 | The Frail

Elbo Room | SF $5.00 | 415.552.7788 elbo.com

by nicole dial After a successful run in London, Kneehigh Theatre’s The Wild Bride makes its American debut at Berkeley Rep this winter. This grown up fairy tale fuses bluesy elements of the Great Depression, the Brothers Grimm and American folk music to explore themes of heartbreak and hope as characters search for a happily ever after.

This devilish tale is filled with flavors of contemporary blues scores along with traditional folk and Eastern European music to underscore the narrative. The show also draws inspiration from Robert Johnson, an American musician who is rumored to have sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads.

“This is what happens when a father mistakenly sells his daughter to the devil,” says director Emma Rice, describing a rich world in which the main character is played by three women. “Each woman represents a different stage in her life and brings completely different qualities to the table. As we are all capable of all things, these three women represent what it is to be innocent, betrayed, feral, strong and generous.

The men however, are altogether a more dodgy bunch with a devil, that speaks for himself, a silly father whose greed gets in the way of his judgment and the prince, who has his very own journey from boyhood to manhood.”

Kneehigh has already enjoyed a successful run with their work Brief Encounter in the Bay Area and on Broadway. “Kneehigh are thrilled to be asked to return to the Bay Area. We found the audiences in the Bay Area are generous and fun-loving. They seem to really understand Kneehigh and our aesthetic,” said Rice. “Let the fun begin.”

The wild bride December 2 to January 1 Berkeley Repertory Theatre 2025 Addison Street, Berkeley $14 to $50 | 510.647.2949 berkeleyrep.org

image: steve tanner

Set at the crossroad between tragedy and humor, performers move between clowning, dance and drama to create a provocative story for audiences.

play

THE WILD BRIDE

exploring heartbreak and hope

DECEMBER 2011 |

| 11

SPOTLIGHT

DAILY 05 | The Sea and Cake

07 | Jonathan Richman

slimspresents.com

slimspresents.com

Great American Music Hall | SF $21.00 | 415.885.0750 05 | Themes

07 | Maria Muldaur

cafedunord.com

therrazzroom.com

Café Du Nord | SF $12.00-$15.00 | 866.468.3399 06 | Anna Calvi

scrooge!

December 3 to 18 Town Hall Theatre 3535 School Street, Lafayette $25 to $32 | 925.283.1557 townhalltheatre.com “I do not make myself merry at Christmas, I cannot afford to make idle people merry.” So says Ebenezer Scrooge. Well, actually so sings Ebenezer Scrooge in this eponymous musical with a book score by Leslie Bricusse. Songs include “I Hate People, ”Make the Most of This World” and “Thank You Very Much,” which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Song, along with the score, in the original 1970 film version.

Great American Music Hall | SF $17.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com

$12.00 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

theindependentsf.com

06 | Dave Burleigh

Rooster T. Feathers | Sunnyvale

Independent | SF $12.00-$14.00 | 415.771.1421 07 | MJs Brass Boppers

$12-$15 | 408.736.0921

Elbo Room | SF $7.00 | 415.552.7788

06 | Ha Ha Heathens

07 | Robert Duchaine

punchlinecomedyclub.com

punchlinecomedyclub.com

roostertfeathers.com

Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00 | 800.745.3000 06 | Jeffrey Lewis

Rickshaw Stop | SF $10.00 | 415.861.2011

therrazzroom.com

06 | Kenny Werner Quintet

Yoshi’s | SF $16.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com

06 | Lost Lander

| DECEMBER 2011

Yoshi’s | Oakland

elbo.com

$30 | 800.380.3095

12 |

07 | Meshugga Beach Party

07 | Michal Menert

Elbo Room | SF $6.00 | 415.552.7788

06 | Katya’s Holiday Rrazz Room | SF

This timeless tale is re-set on the bayous of Louisiana, featuring a dazzling masquerade ball.

Cinderella, a young, beautiful dreamer, toils away as a lowly scullery maid for her evil stepmother and (oddly masculine) stepsisters.

With a little bit of magic, Cinderella finds her Prince Charming and learns that anything is possible, even miracles.

Rrazz Room | SF $35 | 800.380.3095

06 | Broken Cities

rickshawstop.com

CINDERELLA December 2 to 18 Buriel Clay Theatre 762 Fulton Street, SF $10 to $35 | 800.838.3006 african-americanshakes.org

Great American Music Hall | SF $16.00 | 415.885.0750

Bottom of the Hill | SF $8.00 | No Calls bottomofthehill.com

06 | Sarah Allner

El Rio | SF FREE.00 | No Calls elriosf.com

07 | Ash Reiter

El Rio | SF $5.00-$10.00 | No Calls elriosf.com

07 | Casy & Brian

Hemlock Tavern | SF $5.00 | No Calls hemlocktavern.com

elbo.com

Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00 | 800.745.3000 07 | Christmas Ballet

Mountain View Center

$52-$65 | 415.556.5000 ext: 3

smuinballet.org

07 | Garden of Blue Chairs

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley $10.00-$20.00 | 415.383.9600

142throckmortontheatre.org 08 | A Christmas Carol

Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $41 | 925.943.7469

centerrep.org

08 | Christian McBride

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley $75.00-$125.00 | 415.383.9600

142throckmortontheatre.org 08 | Bobby Slayton

Punch Line San Francisco | SF $18.50-$25 | 800.745.3000 punchlinecomedyclub.com 08 | Esa-Pekka Salonen Davies Symphony Hall | SF

$35-$140 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org

08 | Ganglians

Independent | SF $12.00-$14.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com

celebrating a celtic yuletide by robert sokol

There’s a song that tells of smiling Irish eyes and the lilt of Irish laughter. It could well have been written about Michael Londra, the affable tenor who exudes a warmth and quick wit that surely could steal the heart of the unsuspecting. Londra is bringing a bit of Old Eire to San Francisco with Celtic Yuletide.

“One of the best things about Ireland is that it honors its musical traditions. It’s a very revered aspect of our lives” says Londra, “but we’re not exclusive. We love to blend in other things, and you’ll see this in our band here. I have traditional pipes and fiddles and bodhráns, but I’ve also got a string section.” Seeing a puzzled look, he explains a bodhrán is the traditional Irish drum.

Londra has been singing all his life, but it is only since he took up residence in Chicago that he has been pursuing a musical career. He’s also quick to clarify that while he is Irish and he is a tenor, he’s not content to be pigeon-holed as just a traditional Irish tenor.

Like its headliner, Celtic Yuletide will also be solidly in the middle of the expected and the less well-known aspects of traditional Irish holiday entertainment. Londra spent several years touring with Riverdance and he will be joined on stage by a world-class company of step-dancers lead by Owen Barrington.

Since it’s a Christmas show, there will definitely be traditional carols like “Silent Night” (“Oiche Ciuin”) and “The Wexford Carol,” named for Londra’s hometown. There will also be modern music including “Beyond the Star,” his latest songwriting hit. “There’s very much an American feel to the evening even though it’s very much an Irish night.”

CELTIC YULETIDE December 13 to January 1 Marines’ Memorial Theatre 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco $55 to $100 | 415.771.6900 marinesmemorialtheatre.com

image: dominic az bonuccelli

“I’d be a terrible traditional singer,” he laughs.

“I was trained classically and I’m able to marry that to my Irish roots, but I was always getting in trouble with my classical teachers for being caught in the pubs singing folk music and I was never really able to fit into the folk music scene

because of my training. So I’m somewhere in the middle.”

concert

MICHAEL LONDRA

DECEMBER 2011 |

| 13

DAILY 08 | John Waite

08 | The Jealous Sound

yoshis.com

bottomofthehill.com

Yoshi’s | SF $30.00 | 415.655.5600 08 | José James Band

08 | Trampled by Turtles

yoshis.com

slimspresents.com

Yoshi’s | SF $18.00 | 415.655.5600

09 | Very Jerry Christmas

$15-$20 | 510.238.9200

$10.00 | 800.380.3095

yoshis.com

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael georgesnightclub.com

08 | Loni Love

09 | Ben Bailey

therrazzroom.com

cobbscomedyclub.com

Rrazz Room | SF $25 | 800.380.3095

Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $20-$25 | 800.745.3000

08 | Mike E. Winfield

09 | Blame Sally

$12-$18 | 408.736.0921

$26.50-$28.50 | 510.644.2020

Rooster T. Feathers | Sunnyvale roostertfeathers.com

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley freightandsalvage.org

08 | Recovering Commies

09 | Bombino

cobbscomedyclub.com

mezzaninesf.com

Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $15.00 | 800.745.3000

Mezzanine | SF $17.00 | No Calls

08 | Rex Navarrete

09 | Dragon Smoke

improv.com

theindependentsf.com

Improv Comedy Club | SJ $16-$18 | 408.280.7475 08 | Salsa E Sabor

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael

Independent | SF $30.00 | 415.771.1421

09 | Elizabeth Cook

$10.00-$15.00 | 800.380.3095

Slim’s | SF $15.00 | 888.233.0449

08 | Scout Nibblet

09 | Erykah Badu

hemlocktavern.com

thewarfieldtheatre.com

georgesnightclub.com

Hemlock Tavern | SF $10.00 | No Calls

slimspresents.com

Warfield | SF $49.50-$75.00 | 888.929.7849

08 | Sierra Hull

09 | Kitka: Wintersongs

$20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020

$15-$25 | 800.838.3006

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley freightandsalvage.org

08 | Stephen Kellogg

Slim’s | SF $17.00 | 888.233.0449 slimspresents.com

St. Paul’s Church | Oakland stpaulsoakland.org

09 | Mike Stern

Yoshi’s | Oakland

$20-$26 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

08 | Tenderloin XMAS Hustler

09 | Modestep

tenderloinxmashustler.com

theregencyballroom.com

Phoenix Theatre | SF $20-$25 | 800.838.3006

Regency Ballroom | SF $20.00-$22.00 | 888.929.7849

08 | The Frail

09 | Other Lives

rickshawstop.com

cafedunord.com

Rickshaw Stop | SF $10.00-$12.00 | 415.861.2011

| DECEMBER 2011

Great American Music Hall | SF $21.00 | 415.885.0750

08 | Lavay Smith

Yoshi’s | Oakland

14 |

Bottom of the Hill | SF $12.00 | No Calls

Café Du Nord | SF $12.00 | 866.468.3399

09 | Raise the Youth

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley

10 | Eric McFadden

$60.00 | 415.383.9600

Café Du Nord | SF $12.00 | 866.468.3399

09 | Saviours

10 | Grayceon

elbo.com

elriosf.com

142throckmortontheatre.org

Elbo Room | SF $10.00-$13.00 | 415.552.7788 09 | SF State Gospel

Yoshi’s | SF $25 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com

cafedunord.com

El Rio | SF $8.00 | No Calls

10 | Handel’s “Messiah”

Zellerbach Hall | Berkeley $30-$86 | 510.642.9988

philharmonia.org

09 | Sweet Chariot

10 | Hiroshima

hemlocktavern.com

yoshis.com

Hemlock Tavern | SF $7.00 | No Calls

09 | Teddy Thompsom

Swedish American Hall | SF $18.00-$20.00 | 866.468.3399 cafedunord.com

09 | The Chop Tops

Blank Club | SJ $10.00 | 866.468.3399 theblankclub.com

09 | The Donkeys

Bottom of the Hill | SF $10.00 | No Calls bottomofthehill.com

Yoshi’s | SF $30 | 415.655.5600

10 | House Jacks

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

10 | Kitka: Wintersongs

Dance Palace | Point Reyes $26-$28 | 415.663.1075

dancepalace.org

10 | La Magie de Noel

Napa Valley Opera House $25.00 | 707.226.7372

nvoh.org

09 | Witchaven

10 | Megan Slankard

theeparkside.com

cafedunord.com

Thee Parkside | SF $5.00 | 415.252.1330 10 | Christmas Chanticleer

Christ the Light | Oakland

Swedish American Hall | SF $15.00-$20.00 | 866.468.3399 10 | Peter and the Wolf

$27-$54 | 415.392.4400

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $31-$57 | 415.864.6000

10 | A.M.H.A.D

10 | Rock ‘n Roll Cinderella

rock-it-room.com

nctcsf.org

chanticleer.org

Rockit Room | SF $7.00 | No Calls 10 | Andre Nickatina

Regency Ballroom | SF $28.00-$30.00 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com

10 | Blue Blanket Improv

Wine Bar | Half Moon Bay

sfsymphony.org

New Conservatory Theatre | SF $10-$15 | 415.861.8972 10 | Salvador Santana

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $12.00-$15.00 | 800.380.3095

georgesnightclub.com

10 | Songwriter Saturdays

$10.00 | 800.838.3006

EXIT Theatre | SF FREE | No Calls

10 | Eduardo Fernandez

10 | Tennis

marinesmemorialtheatre.com

bottomofthehill.com

blueblanketimprov.com

Marines’ Memorial | SF $30-$45 | 415.771.6900

10 | Emil of Lönneberga

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $15-$20 | 510.296.4433

bactheatre.org

theexit.org

Bottom of the Hill | SF $12.00 | No Calls 10 | The Nutcracker

San Jose Center | SJ $30-$100 | 408.288.2800 balletsj.org

DECEMBER 2011 |

| 15

SPOTLIGHT

DAILY 10 | The Nutcracker

11 | Kitchen Fire

cityballetschool.org

theeparkside.com

Palace of Fine Arts | SF $20-$35 | 415.392.4400

10 | The Trophy Fire

11 | Kitka: Wintersongs

slimspresents.com

saintgregorys.org

Slim’s | SF $12.00 | 888.233.0449 10 | The Wailers

Uptown Theatre | Napa THE LAST FIVE YEARS December 2 to 18 Boxcar Playhouse 505 Natoma Street, SF $20 to $35 | 800.838.3006 poormansplayers.com The story of Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hyatt, a struggling actress, from their first date to the day of their divorce. Told exclusively through song, Jamie’s story unfolds from the day the two meet, while Cathy’s version begins at the day he leaves her. Lauren Spencer (above) and Aleph Ayin sing the score by Tony winner Jason Robert Brown.

10 | Trainwreck Riders

11 | Ragazzi Chorus

uptowntheatrenapa.com

Hemlock Tavern | SF $8.00 | No Calls hemlocktavern.com 10 | Tycho

Independent | SF $20.00 | 415.771.1421

theindependentsf.com

St. Matthew’s Church | SM $10-$25 | 650.342.8785

ragazzi.org

11 | SoVoSó

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org 11 | Stacey Kent

odctheater.org

bayareacabaret.org

$15 | 415.863.9834

Venetian Room | SF $40-$45 | 415.392.4400

11 | Christmas Chanticleer

11 | The Cave Singer

$27-$54 | 415.392.4400

Great American Music Hall | SF $15.00 | 415.885.0750

11 | Baroque for Holidays

12 | Comedy at El Rio

slimspresents.com

$50.00 | 707.226.7372

El Rio | SF $7-$20 | 800.838.3006

11 | Chamber Music

12 | Dean Delray

sfsymphony.org

punchlinecomedyclub.com

nvoh.org

Legion of Honor | SF $49 | 415.864.6000

11 | Charlie Hunter

Independent | SF $20.00 | 415.771.1421

theindependentsf.com

koshercomedy.com

Punch Line San Francisco $15.00 | 800.745.3000 12 | Marianne Faithfull

Yoshi’s | Oakland $35 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

11 | Dance-Along Nutcracker

12 | RUSS LORENSON

DanceAlongNutcracker.org

therrazzroom.com

YBCA - Forum Theatre | SF $25 | 415.978.2787

Rrazz Room | SF $30 | 800.380.3095

11 | Daniel Hart

12 | Snoop Dog & Wiz Khalifa

hemlocktavern.com

thewarfieldtheatre.com

Hemlock Tavern | SF $6.00 | No Calls

Warfield | SF $46.00-$48.00 | 888.929.7849

11 | Folds in the Sea

12 | Squid, Inc.

$18.00-$21.00 | 415.383.9600

$8.50-$10.52 | 510.644.2020

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley 142throckmortontheatre.org

| DECEMBER 2011

therrazzroom.com

10 | Wild Rumpus ODC Theater | SF

Napa Valley Opera House

16 |

11 | Pete Escovedo

Rrazz Room | SF $37.50-$40 | 800.380.3095

chanticleer.org

Line Between resides betwixt waking and sleeping, the liminal place where the rules of one reality dissolve into the other.

Watch as cultural icons are twisted inside out, unearthing the likes of Edith Piaf, Johnny Cash and more through the exquisite physicality of Shinichi Iova-Koga and Dohee Lee.

St. Gregory of Nyssa | SF $15-$25 | 800.838.3006

$42.00 | 800.745.3000

St. Vincent de Paul | Petaluma

Line between December 2 to 4 ODC Theater 3153 17th Street, SF $17 to $30 | 415.863.9834 odctheater.org

Thee Parkside | SF FREE.00 | 415.252.1330

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley freightandsalvage.org

a family affair on stage and off by grier cooper

The holiday season in the dance world wouldn’t be complete without The Nutcracker, but with so many Nutcrackers and so little time how is one to choose? Ballet San Jose’s production by Dennis Nahat promises a version that is all grown-up. Although it follows the original story more closely than most, there is no “Land of the Sweets” in the second act. Instead, Maria and her prince are active participants instead of seated spectators, journeying from country to country on a giant white snowbird, learning the dances of each country, sampling foods, and meeting kings, emperors and sultans.

dance

The NUTCRACKEr

The production first opened in 1986, with Apple Computer’s founder Steve (‘The Woz’) Wozniak appearing as the Chestnut Vendor in Act I, Scene I. This year, ballerina Karen Gabay celebrates her 32nd consecutive season dancing the role of Maria. How does she keep things fresh year after year?

“By looking for new nuances, phrasing and character motivations each time that I dance my roles. The way I approach each role I dance now is completely different than when I first danced them since I am continually growing and maturing as a person...”

Sometimes there are surprises. One year, as Gabay was dancing the romantic pas de deux with her prince, “his buttons on the front of his jacket got hooked into the hooks on the back of my dress.

Finally, he had to pull us apart by ripping the button off. It took about three tries before we were free, which was pretty comical to us on stage.”

But it is the magic of The Nutcracker that brings audiences back again and again. Gabay’s favorite moment happens when “I fall asleep in the chair by the fire. The mice start to come out and you can hear the audience giggle and whisper while the music builds. The “magic” of The Nutcracker begins!” This year promises to be extra-magical for Gabay. “I have a nine-year old daughter who is one of the mice. During certain performances when I dance the role of the Maria, she is out there on the stage with me. Although I am concentrating on what I am doing during the ‘battle’ scene, I can’t help but smile to myself knowing that we are sharing the stage together.”

image: courtesy photo

the nutcracker San Jose Center for the Performing Arts 255 Almaden, San Jose $20 to $100 | 408.288.2800 balletsj.org

DECEMBER 2011 |

| 17

SPOTLIGHT

DAILY 12 | Tantrum of the Opera

Martuni’s | SF $7 | No Calls

12 | The Grouch

Fillmore | SF $25.00 | 415.346.6000 thefillmore.com

12 | Women of Jazz

Yoshi’s | SF $12.00-$16.00 | 415.655.5600 KUNG PAO KOSHER COMEDY December 23 to 25 New Asia Restaurant 772 Pacific Avenue, SF $42 to $62 | 925.275.9005 koshercomedy.com What could be more San Francisco than Jewish humor at a dinner show in a Chinese restaurant at Christmas? Lisa Geduldig has been asking the same question for 19 years now. Special guest Elayne Boosler joins Geduldig, Avi Liberman (above), and Jeff Applebaum.

yoshis.com

13 | Bombshell Betty

Elbo Room | SF $10.00 | 415.552.7788 elbo.com

13 | Celtic Yuletide

Marines’ Memorial | SF $55-$100 | 415.771.6900

marinesmemorialtheatre.com 13 | Colors of Christmas

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $36-$86 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org

13 | Dave Burleigh

Napa Valley Opera House $18.00 | 707.226.7372

nvoh.org

13 | Franc D’Ambrosio

Rrazz Room | SF $30-$40 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com

13 | Jesse Sykes

IGGY AND THE STOOGES December 4 & 6 | 8:00 pm The Warfield 982 Market Street, SF $45 | 415.345.0900 thewarfieldtheatre.com “I play hard, and I love my revenge.” So bragged ‘Godfather of Punk’ Iggy Pop in 1979, only a few years into a solo career after the flame-out of his infamous but influential group The Stooges.

Since then, Pop’s career has built upon the Stooges’ template of such classic albums as 1970’s Funhouse and 1973’s Raw Power. That revenge has surely tasted even sweeter since 2003, when Pop and original Stooges Ron and Scott Asheton (with Mike Watt on bass) reconvened to ecstatic acclaim at that year’s Coachella Festival.

- ML Heath

18 |

| DECEMBER 2011

Bottom of the Hill | SF $12.00 | No Calls

14 | Brandi Carlile

Slim’s | SF $32.00 | 888.233.0449 slimspresents.com

14 | Bring It On

Orpheum Theatre | SF $31-$200 | 888.746.1799 shnsf.com

14 | Chris Porter

Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15-$21 | 800.745.3000 punchlinecomedyclub.com 14 | Christmas Jug Band

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $22.50-$24.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org 14 | Digitalism

Mezzanine | SF $20.00 | No Calls mezzaninesf.com

14 | Interstellar Grains

Elbo Room | SF $5.00 | 415.552.7788 elbo.com

14 | JAY-Z • Kanye West

HP Pavilion At San Jose | SJ $106.50-$247 | 800.745.3000 hppavilion.com

14 | Larry Goldings Organ Trio

Yoshi’s | Oakland

$15.00 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

bottomofthehill.com

14 | New Century Chamber Orchestra

13 | Larry and His Flask

$30.00-$35.00 | 707.226.7372

Thee Parkside | SF $8.00 | 415.252.1330 theeparkside.com

Napa Valley Opera House nvoh.org

14 | Night Genes

13 | Skystone

Hemlock Tavern | SF $6.00 | No Calls

hemlocktavern.com

14 | Scratch Acid

Hemlock Tavern | SF $6.00 | No Calls

hemlocktavern.com

13 | The Kooks

Fillmore | SF $25.00 | 415.346.6000

thefillmore.com

14 | Christmas Ballet

Fillmore | SF $28.50 | 415.346.6000

thefillmore.com

13 | Zhangster

YBCA - Novellus Theater | SF $31-$68 | 415.556.5000 ext: 3

punchlinecomedyclub.com

14 | Mighty Diamonds

Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00 | 800.745.3000

smuinballet.org

Independent | SF $18.00 | 415.771.1421

theindependentsf.com

14 | Tuck & Patti

15 | Dazzling Strangers

yoshis.com

bottomofthehill.com

Yoshi’s | SF $20-$24 | 415.655.5600 14 | Will Durst

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael

Bottom of the Hill | SF $10.00 | No Calls

15 | Jewish Nutcracker

$10.00-$15.00 | 800.380.3095

ODC Theater | SF $25 | 415.863.9834

15 | Andrew Norelli

15 | The Klezmatics

$12-$18 | 408.736.0921

$26.50-$28.50 | 510.644.2020

georgesnightclub.com

Rooster T. Feathers | Sunnyvale roostertfeathers.com

odctheater.org

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley freightandsalvage.org

15 | Baths

15 | Voxel

slimspresents.com

elriosf.com

Slim’s | SF $15.00 | 888.233.0449 15 | Blasted Canyons

Thee Parkside | SF $7.00 | 415.252.1330 theeparkside.com

15 | Christmas Jug Band

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael

El Rio | SF $5.00 | No Calls 15 | Windham Hill

Yoshi’s | Oakland

$20.00 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

15 | Zhangster

$20.00-$25.00 | 800.380.3095

Improv Comedy Club | SJ $15.00 | 408.280.7475

15 | Dinosaur Jr

16 | Black Label Society

thefillmore.com

theregencyballroom.com

georgesnightclub.com

Fillmore | SF $32.50 | 415.346.6000

15 | Galvanize GAFTA

Warfield | SF $60.00-$1,000.00 | 888.929.7849 thewarfieldtheatre.com 15 | Joey Medina

Fox Theatre | Redwood City

improv.com

Regency Ballroom | SF $29.50-$32.00 | 888.929.7849

$30.00-$40.00 | 800.745.3000

uptowntheatrenapa.com

16 | Canadian Brass

15 | Love Inks

16 | Cruciamentum

hemlocktavern.com

elbo.com

yoshis.com

Elbo Room | SF $10.00 | 415.552.7788

15 | Mark Romyn

16 | D.R.I.

theexit.org

slimspresents.com

EXIT Café | SF FREE | No Calls

Slim’s | SF $17.00 | 888.233.0449

15 | Nat Keefe

16 | Handel’s Messiah

theindependentsf.com

sfsymphony.org

Independent | SF $20.00-$35.00 | 415.771.1421

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $30-$125 | 415.864.6000

15 | Oh Land

16 | Her Space Holiday

rickshawstop.com

bottomofthehill.com

Rickshaw Stop | SF $12.00 | 415.861.2011 15 | Rhys Darby

Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $20-$24 | 800.745.3000 cobbscomedyclub.com

John Oliver is a writer and correspondent for “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.” He joined the show in 2006 and at the time of this writing is yet to be fired. As a writer he has been nominated for both Emmys and Writers Guild Awards and he won the Breakout Award at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen.

Uptown Theatre | Napa

Yoshi’s | SF $40 | 415.655.5600

Hemlock Tavern | SF $8.00 | No Calls

JOHN OLIVeR December 27 to 31 Cobb’s Comedy Club 915 Columbus Avenue, SF $35 | 415.928.4320 cobbscomedyclub.com

16 | Brandi Carlile

$15.00-$27.50 | 650.369.7770

foxrwc.com

SPOTLIGHT

Bottom of the Hill | SF $12.00 | No Calls 16 | Mo’Fone

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

THE KLEZMATICS December 15 | 8:00 pm Freight & Salvage 2020 Addison, Berkeley $26.50 to $28.50 | 510. 644.2020 thefreight.org During the quarter-century since their formation in New York City, The Klezmatics have stood at the forefront of a popular revival of klezmer music - the traditional secular music of the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe that, in its earliest incarnations, flourished mainly at celebratory occasions.

The current lineup includes three founders - Lorin Sklamberg, Frank London, and Paul Morrissett, alongside longtime members Matt Darriau and Lisa Gutkin.

DECEMBER 2011 |

| 19

SPOTLIGHT

DAILY 16 | Ozomatli

Fillmore | SF $26.50 | 415.346.6000 thefillmore.com

16 | Phantom Kicks

Hemlock Tavern | SF $7.00 | No Calls hemlocktavern.com 16 | SambaDá

THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES December 1 to 18 Hillbarn Theatre 1285 East Hillsdale, Foster City $32 | 650.349.6411 hillbarntheatre.org The life of “America’s Favorite Son,” Will Rogers, comes alive on stage in this Tony-winning show with a score

by Cy Coleman. The curtain rises on a Ziegfeld Follies-style tribute to the man whose newspaper column, radio shows, and motion pictures cheered up a nation facing the Great Depression. Featuring gorgeous costumes, dazzling dancing showgirls, plus a few rope tricks.

Independent | SF $15.00 | 415.771.1421

theindependentsf.com 16 | Sista Monica Parker

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael

| DECEMBER 2011

nvoh.org

17 | In the Spirit of Lennon

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $15.00-$17.00 | 800.380.3095

georgesnightclub.com

17 | José-Luis Orozco

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $8.50-$10.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org 17 | Lagwagon

16 | Spyro Gyra

17 | Madball

Yoshi’s | Oakland

slimspresents.com

$25 | 510.238.9200

Thee Parkside | SF $15.00 | 415.252.1330

16 | The Beltones

17 | Narada Michael Walden

yoshis.com

Thee Parkside | SF $8.00 | 415.252.1330 theeparkside.com

theeparkside.com

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley $75.00-$125.00 | 415.383.9600

142throckmortontheatre.org

16 | The Growlers

17 | Non Stop Bhangra

theblankclub.com

rickshawstop.com

Rickshaw Stop | SF $10.00-$20.00 | 415.861.2011

16 | The Knux

17 | Oy Vey in a Manger!

cafedunord.com

kinseysicks.com

Herbst Theatre | SF $25-$35 | 415.392.4400

16 | The Pharcyde

17 | Ozokidz

yoshis.com

thefillmore.com

Yoshi’s | SF $30.00 | 415.655.5600

20 |

$25.00-$35.00 | 707.226.7372

Slim’s | SF $20.00 | 888.233.0449

georgesnightclub.com

Café Du Nord | SF $10.00-$12.00 | 866.468.3399

Love is lost, found and confounded in this charming, quirky comedy featuring a collection of twocharacter vignettes exploring mysteries of the heart in the mythical town of Almost, Maine.

Things aren’t what they seem in this midwinter night’s dream. Northern lights dance in the starry sky above and residents of Almost get caught in a magical flurry as they fall in and out of love.

Napa Valley Opera House

$15.00 | 800.380.3095

Blank Club | SJ $10.00 | 866.468.3399

ALMOST MAINE December 2 to 18 6th Street Playhouse 52 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa $10 to $25 | 707.523.4185 6thstreetplayhouse.com

17 | Drummer Boy

Fillmore | SF $10.00 | 415.346.6000

16 | Wayne Brady

17 | Pinback

improv.com

bottomofthehill.com

Improv Comedy Club | SJ $30 | 408.280.7475

Bottom of the Hill | SF $18.00-$20.00 | No Calls

16 | Windham Hill

17 | Pomegranates & Figs

$16.00-$20.00 | 707.226.7372

$22.50-$24.50 | 510.644.2020

Napa Valley Opera House | Napa nvoh.org

17 | Christmas Chanticleer

St. Ignatius Church | SF $27-$54 | 415.392.4400 chanticleer.org

17 | Comedians of Chelsea

Regency Ballroom | SF $34.00-$49.00 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley freightandsalvage.org

17 | Blind Boys of Alabama

Uptown Theatre | Napa $40.00 | 800.745.3000

uptowntheatrenapa.com 18 | Alexa Weber Morales

Yoshi’s | Oakland

$15.00 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

by robert sokol It’s been 40 years since Sally Struthers made her first appearance – and television history - as Gloria Stivic, Archie Bunker’s married-to-the meathead daughter on the landmark series All in the Family.

Since then she has had a rich continuing career of film, television and stage appearances.

Struthers enjoys being in San Francisco. “Every time I was in love with someone we’d go to San Francisco for the weekend,” she recalls, “and I spent a month there at the Golden Gate touring with Grease. I lived on Nob Hill in the same building with the twin ladies who dress alike.”

benefit

SALLY STRUTHERS

making sure that help is on the way

She’s coming back to be part of the ensemble of Help is On the Way For the Holidays benefiting the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation. She’s also always willing to spend time with her good friend David Galligan, a former San Franciscan now based in Los Angeles, who will direct this benefit as he has so many others for literally decades in both cities. “If I could get him to marry me, I would be Sally Galligan. I love him more than the sun and the moon and the stars.”

Scheduled to join Struthers are Bonnie Franklin, La Toya London, David Burnham, Broadway Dreamgirl Sheryl Lee Ralph and genuine Supreme Mary Wilson. Local artists are also prominently featured and include Alexandra Kaprelian, Amanda King, Paula West, Wesla Whitfield and Samantha Samuels.

image: courtesy photo

Long known as an advocate for children, Struthers stresses the importance of educating – or perhaps re-educating - young adults about AIDS. “The new generation doesn’t know what a scourge AIDS was here,” she says. “The numbers are rising again. It’s important to bring about awareness of the disease and awareness of the people who need help because they have the disease.” heLp is on the way for the holidays December 5 | 7:30 pm Marines’ Memorial Theatre 609 Sutter Street, SF $40 to $100 | 415.273.1620 richmondermet.org

DECEMBER 2011 |

| 21

JUST PUBLISHED

DAILY 18 | Animal Eyes

20 | Caspa

hemlocktavern.com

mezzaninesf.com

Hemlock Tavern | SF $6.00 | No Calls 18 | Connie Champagne

20 | G-Side

therrazzroom.com

theindependentsf.com

Rrazz Room | SF $32.50 | 800.380.3095

18 | Freestyle Fellowship

STEPHEN SONDHEIM Look, I Made A Hat Christmas has come early for fans of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Following up on his enormously successful Finishing the Hat - one of the New York Times 10 Best Books of 2010 - Broadway’s de facto musical patriarch gathers his words from 1981 to 2011. The book includes the lyrics, along with excluded songs and early drafts, of the Pulitzer Prize winning Sunday in the Park with George, plus Into the Woods, Assassins and Passion.

Covered in detail for a full chapter is the evolution of Wise Guys into Bounce and finally into Road Show.

In addition to his stage work, there are songs for film (Reds, Dick Tracy) and television projects (Kukla, Fran and Ollie), contributions to other shows (Candide, The Mad Show), unproduced works or unused songs (A Pray By Blecht, Illya Darling) and specialty lyrics written for friends.

Mezzanine | SF $20.00 | No Calls

Slim’s | SF $21.00 | 888.233.0449 slimspresents.com

18 | Happy Birthday Frank!

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley

Independent | SF $15.00 | 415.771.1421

20 | Junius Courtney Band

Yoshi’s | Oakland

$10-$14 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

20 | Sharon McNight

$25.00-$35.00 | 415.383.9600

Rrazz Room | SF $30 | 800.380.3095

18 | Jim Campilongo Trio

20 | Tracy Shedd

yoshis.com

hemlocktavern.com

142throckmortontheatre.org

Yoshi’s | SF $18.00 | 415.655.5600

therrazzroom.com

Hemlock Tavern | SF $7.00 | No Calls

18 | Just One Angel

21 | Bob Seeger

$24.50-$26.50 | 510.644.2020

$84.50-$111 | 800.745.3000

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley freightandsalvage.org

Oracle Arena | Oakland bobseger.com

18 | Mariachi Sol de México

21 | Brian Smith

sfsymphony.org

hemlocktavern.com

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $30-$68 | 415.864.6000

Hemlock Tavern | SF $6.00 | No Calls

18 | Marissa Nadler

21 | California Honeydrops

cafedunord.com

elbo.com

Café Du Nord | SF $12.00-$14.00 | 866.468.3399

Elbo Room | SF $8.00 | 415.552.7788

As with the first volume, this one has a lengthy subtitle: ...with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany. Missing are the words Assessments, of which there are many - mostly about the merits of other, mostly deceased practitioners of the art of theatre song writing - and Apologies, of which there is one olive branch extended to Nathan Lane who, upon re-reading his previous book, Sondheim feels he did not treat respectfully with regard to their work on the revival of The Frogs.

18 | Verbal Abuse

Both the lyrics and Sondheim’s annotations will provide grounds for study and fodder for endless online debates among musical theatre aficionados. A slip-cased set of both volumes, called “The Hat Box” is available for order online. (randomhouse.com)

$20 | No Calls

Independent | SF $13.00 | 415.771.1421

20 | Brian McKnight

21 | Two Things in One

22 |

| DECEMBER 2011

Thee Parkside | SF $8.00 | 415.252.1330 theeparkside.com

18 | Kelly Park

Savanna Jazz | SF $5.00 | 415.624.4549 savannajazz.com

21 | the Grinch

Golden Gate Theatre | SF

$25-$85 | 888.746.1799 shnsf.com

21 | Freight Holiday Revue

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

19 | Natasha Miller

21 | Shuteye Unison

yoshis.com

theblankclub.com

Yoshi’s | SF $16.00 | 415.655.5600

19 | Winter’s Night

Julia Morgan Center | Berkeley opus-q.org

Yoshi’s | SF $45-$50 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com

Blank Club | SJ FREE.00 | 866.468.3399

21 | The Growlers

theindependentsf.com

Yoshi’s | Oakland

$15.00-$18.00 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

by elizabeth warnimont

Nick and Sara are hosting a Christmas dinner for a few of their close friends. Since their last get-together, two of the forty-somethings have entered into a romantic relationship and another has apparently gotten involved with a young pregnant woman.

The folks at Dreamweavers Theatre and Lucky Penny Productions have joined forces to bring Catherine Butterfield’s Snowing at Delphi to the Dreamweavers stage in Napa. Lucky Penny co-founder Barry Martin directs this funny and emotional story of self-examination and renewed joie de vivre.

The hosts, Nick and Sarah, fled Manhattan after Nick received scathing reviews for a play he was in and decided he wanted to quit acting for good “which is a kind of classic actor behavior,” says Martin. Their friends have resigned themselves to their discontented lives.

image: courtesy photo

“Then into this environment comes this younger, nine-months-pregnant woman whom none of them knows.” As the young woman begins to tell her own tragic story, says Martin, “it turns out to be something very different from what anybody is expecting.”

Lucky Penny co-founder Taylor Bartolucci is Brenda, the incisive young stranger who challenges the group’s perspectives and jolts them out of their cynical complacency. She seems to be more in touch

play

SNOWING AT DELPHI

self-examination and renewal over dinner

with who she really is, despite having had a very difficult life, than these other people who are not only older and more educated, but have had every advantage all through their lives.

According to Martin, one of the most amusing characters in the play is Allan (Tice Allison), a victim of unrequited love and the author of a bleak manuscript on the death of romanticism. “He’s terrifically entertaining and really growing this Allan character beyond my imagination,” Martin enthuses, “having fun with this sensitive, new-age man which is the complete opposite of [Allison’s] actual personality.”

Martin says that “Snowing at Delphi” is only the first of what the two theatre companies hope to be many future collaborations. “I think that’s where theatre in the North Bay is going,” Ross confirms.

“We’re starting to see a lot of collaboration between companies, which I heartily endorse.” snowing at delphi December 2 to December 18 Dreamweavers Theatre 1637 Imola Avenue, Napa $10 to $20 | 707.255.5483 dreamweaverstheatre.org

DECEMBER 2011 |

| 23

JUST RELEASED

DAILY 22 | ‘Twas the Night

23 | American Me Comedy

sfsymphony.org

improv.com

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $30-$68 | 415.864.6000 22 | A Christmas Carol

142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley FOLLIES Broadway Revival Cast

Two-disk set of Sondheim revival stars Bernadette Peters. (psclassics.com)

Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $20.00 | 800.745.3000

22 | Christmas Chanticleer

23 | Glider

142throckmortontheatre.org

Café Du Nord | SF $10.00-$15.00 | 866.468.3399

22 | Alan Havey

23 | Infected Mushroom

improv.com

thefillmore.com

chanticleer.org

cobbscomedyclub.com

koshercomedy.com

23 | Eddie Neon

$35.00 | 707.226.7372

$10.00-$15.00 | 800.380.3095

Napa Valley Opera House nvoh.org

theregencyballroom.com

theblankclub.com

Blank Club | SJ $10.00 | 866.468.3399

22 | Hanin Elias

23 | Plastic Fauxno Band

hemlocktavern.com

slimspresents.com

Slim’s | SF $26.00 | 888.233.0449

22 | Home for Holidays

23 | Tony! Toni! Toné!

$12-$18 | 408.736.0921

$26 | 510.238.9200

roostertfeathers.com 22 | Hot Club of SF

Yoshi’s | Oakland yoshis.com

24 | Clairdee’s Christmas

$14.00 | 510.238.9200

Yoshi’s | SF $20.00 | 415.655.5600

22 | Kim Nalley • Tammy Hall

25 | Bud E. Luv

therrazzroom.com

therrazzroom.com

Yoshi’s | Oakland

yoshis.com

Rrazz Room | SF $25 | 800.380.3095

22 | Salsa Thursday

26 | David Grisman

$15.00 | 800.380.3095

$32.50-$34.50 | 510.644.2020

22 | The Coverlettes

26 | Jerry Lawson

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael georgesnightclub.com

| DECEMBER 2011

georgesnightclub.com

23 | The Limousines

Rrazz Room | SF $35 | 800.380.3095

24 |

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael

22 | Dir En Grey

yoshis.com

Elegant new score by Maury Yeston of Nine and Titanic. (psclassics.com)

New Asia Restaurant | SF $42-$62 | 925.275.9005

22 | David Benoit

Rooster T. Feathers | Sunnyvale

DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY Original Off-Broadway Cast

Fillmore | SF $35.00 | 415.346.6000

23 | Kung Pao Comedy

Hemlock Tavern | SF $8.00 | No Calls

Reissue of long out-of-print musical of the hit film. (ghostlightrecords.com)

cafedunord.com

22 | Big Ass Comedy Show

Regency Ballroom | SF $29.50-$32.00 | 888.929.7849

FOOTLOOSE Broadway Revival Cast

cobbscomedyclub.com

$27-$54 | 415.392.4400

Mission Santa Clara | SC

Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $15.00 | 800.745.3000

The Will Ferrell comedy set to music by Sklar/Beguelin. (ghostlightrecords.com)

23 | Filipino Kingz Comedy

$18-$21 | 415.383.9600

Improv Comedy Club | SJ $12.00 | 408.280.7475

ELF Original Broadway Cast

Improv Comedy Club | SJ $12.00 | 408.280.7475

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley freightandsalvage.org

Yoshi’s | SF $30.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com

27 | Big Fat Year End Show

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley

29 | Greg Proops

$20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020

Punch Line San Francisco | SF $20-$50 | 800.745.3000

27 | Cats

29 | Leftover Salmon

broadwaysanjose.com

slimspresents.com

freightandsalvage.org

San Jose Center | SJ $20-$82 | 408.792.4111

27 | Doug Benson

Punch Line San Francisco | SF $22.50 | 800.745.3000 punchlinecomedyclub.com

punchlinecomedyclub.com

Great American Music Hall | SF $29.00 | 415.885.0750 29 | Lisa Landry

Rooster T. Feathers | Sunnyvale $12-$50 | 408.736.0921

roostertfeathers.com

27 | Grand Lodge

29 | Maceo Parker

hemlocktavern.com

yoshis.com

Hemlock Tavern | SF $6.00 | No Calls

Yoshi’s | SF $25-$100 | 415.655.5600

27 | John Oliver

29 | Malice Cooper

cobbscomedyclub.com

bottomofthehill.com

Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $35-$60 | 800.745.3000

Bottom of the Hill | SF $8.00 | No Calls

27 | Kim Nalley

29 | Maz Jobrani

therrazzroom.com

improv.com

Rrazz Room | SF $30-$150 | 800.380.3095

29 | Tig Notaro

yoshis.com

hemlocktavern.com

28 | Antsy McLain

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley

29 | Zongo Junction

$20.50-$22.50 | 510.644.2020 28 | Cracker

30 | Foibles

theindependentsf.com

hemlocktavern.com

Independent | SF $25.00-$27.00 | 415.771.1421 28 | Doe Eye

Bottom of the Hill | SF $8.00 | No Calls bottomofthehill.com

slimspresents.com

Hemlock Tavern | SF $6.00 | No Calls 30 | John Santos Sextet

georgesnightclub.com

hemlocktavern.com

mezzaninesf.com

Regency Ballroom | SF $87.00-$200.00 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com 29 | Avicii

Warfield | SF $45.00-$57.50 | 888.929.7849 thewarfieldtheatre.com

29 | Brian Culbertson

Yoshi’s | Oakland

$35-$100 | 510.238.9200

yoshis.com

The Broadway actress wraps her languid vocals around tunes by Kate Bush, Paul Simon, Andrew LLoyd Webber, Rufus Wainwright, Jimmy Webb and more. Gil Goldstein arranges some uniques takes on known songs. Brian D’Arcy James guests on the title track. (ghostlightrecords.com)

$16.00-$25.00 | 800.380.3095 30 | Portlandia

28 | Woody Allen

ANASTASIA BARZEE The Dimming of the Day

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael

28 | Down Dirty Shake

Hemlock Tavern | SF $6.00 | No Calls

Alice may not live here anymore, but Lavin digs deep into her musical theatre roots for an eclectic mix of a dozen standards and showtunes.

It’s a jazzy set with arrangements by Billy Stritch (ghostlightrecords.com)

Hemlock Tavern | SF $12.00 | No Calls

Slim’s | SF $15.00 | 888.233.0449

freightandsalvage.org

LINDA LAVIN Possibilities

Improv Comedy Club | SJ $22-$25 | 408.280.7475

27 | Matthew Sweet

Yoshi’s | SF $26 | 415.655.5600

JUST RELEASED

Mezzanine | SF $20.00 | No Calls

30 | Sandy & Richard Riccardi

6th Street Playhouse | SR $20-$50 | 707.523.4185

6thstreetplayhouse.com 30 | Vienna Teng

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $28.50-$32.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

31 | BATS’ New Year’s Eve

Bayfront Theater | SF $30.00-$40.00 | 800.380.3095 improv.org

MELISSA ErrICO Legrand Affair

Though dedicated to the music of French composer Michel Legrand, this disc might be subtitled “With A Bouquet of Bergman” since ten of its tracks have lyrics by Alan and Marilyn. Actress/singer Errico spent six years on the project and the arrangements are all by Legrand. (ghostlightrecords.com) DECEMBER 2011 |

| 25

Left your heart in San Francisco? Get it back at..

DAILY 31 | Bobb Saggeth

Elbo Room | SF $15.00-$20.00 | 415.552.7788 elbo.com

31 | High Country

Freight & Salvage | Berkeley

The Alcove Theater 414 Mason Street, 5th Floor San Francisco

For tickets go to www.absolutelysanfrancisco.com or telephone 1.415.992.8168

HEADSHOTS | PORTRAITS | EVENTS

georgesnightclub.com 31 | Primus

31 | Kreayshawn

31 | Tedeschi Trucks

theregencyballroom.com

thewarfieldtheatre.com

31 | Lenny Williams

Thu and Sat at 8pm, Sun at 4pm - Open Run

$35.00-$40.00 | 800.380.3095

Great American Music Hall | SF $65.00 | 415.885.0750

Regency Ballroom | SF $35.00-$38.00 | 888.929.7849

- Ed Attanasio, Northside San Francisco

George’s Nightclub | San Rafael

$26.50-$28.50 | 510.644.2020

freightandsalvage.org

“You will laugh and cry.. A show this nuanced, this layered – and this much fun, Absolutely San Francisco is a show to see again and again.”

31 | Petty Theft

Fox Theatre | Redwood City

slimspresents.com

Warfield | SF $55.00-$82.00 | 888.929.7849 31 | The Slip

$57.50-$100.00 | 650.369.7770

Café Du Nord | SF $50.00 | 866.468.3399

31 | Maz Jobrani NYE

31 | The Velvet Teen

improv.com

bottomofthehill.com

foxrwc.com

Improv Comedy Club | SJ $65 | 408.280.7475

cafedunord.com

Bottom of the Hill | SF $15.00-$17.00 | No Calls

31 | New Years at Bimbo’s

31 | Trombone Shorty

bimbos365club.com

thefillmore.com

Bimbo’s 365 Club | SF $65.00 | 877.435.9849

Fillmore | SF $59.50 | 415.346.6000

31 | NYE Masquerade Ball

31 | Wax Idols

sfsymphony.org

hemlocktavern.com

Davies Symphony Hall | SF $115-$195 | 415.864.6000

Hemlock Tavern | SF $10.00 | No Calls

31 | Ozomatli

Uptown Theatre | Napa

$75.00-$85.00 | 800.745.3000

uptowntheatrenapa.com

steven underhill | .com

415.370.7152 PHOTOGRAPHY 26 |

| DECEMBER 2011

design • publications • websites 415.552.8040 780 sutter street, san francisco, ca 94109

www.viamedia.net a division of Caselli Partners LLC

being a friend year after year by james j. siegel

The girls are back! Heklina, Cookie Dough, Pollo Del Mar and Matthew Martin are busting out the shoulder pads and donning their best ‘80s fashions to once again play everyone’s favorite cheesecakeloving ladies in The Golden Girls: The Christmas Episodes. “It’s a ritual of sorts,” says Martin, who plays the oversexed Blanche Devereaux and is director of this year’s episodes.

Now in its sixth year, the live version has moved to a larger venue at the Victoria Theater, while the original episodes still run on cable, remaining popular due to the smart writing that has appealed to everyone.

The concept for the live show is simple. The “girls” perform two faithful adaptations of favorite episodes, right down to the theme song. Vintage commercials are even played during scene changes to further help the audience feel they are back in the 1980s.

For Martin, the shows have been a great way to collaborate with performers he’s crossed artistic paths with over the years. Taking the stage with Heklina, Cookie Dough and Pollo Del Mar each year is “like working with family.”

The golden girls December 1 to 23 The Victoria Theatre 2961 16th Street, SF $25 to $30 trannyshack.com

image: jose guzman colon

This year’s episodes are “Isn’t It Romantic,” the one where Dorothy’s lesbian friend falls in love with Rose; and “Sister of the Bride,” in which Blanche’s gay brother announces he’s marrying his boyfriend.

Martin said some performances take on a life of their own, with audience members dressing up as characters and even saying the lines along with the actors. “They know (the lines) are coming,” he said. “It’s like the audience is another character.”

comedy

THE GOLDEN GIRLS

DECEMBER 2011 |

| 27

BACK The cast of The Rocky Horror Show at the Altarena Playhouse

Don Reed in The Kipling Hotel at The Marsh

image: via media

image: via media

Shaynee Rainbolt and Terese Genecco celebrated the late Russ Garcia at Yoshi’s

Bennett Fisher, Joshua Schell, Caitlyn Louchard, Derek Fischer, Paul Gerrior, Jessica Jade Rudholm, Gwyneth Richards and Carla Pauli at Cutting Ball

image: via media

image: via media

Bruce Vilanch and Jai Rodriguez at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre

The cast of Broadway By The Year at Broadway By The Bay at the Fox Theatre

Trevor Allen in Working For the Mouse at the EXIT

image: steven underhill

image: via media

image: via media

Russell Blackwood, Thomas Jane and Eddie Muller at the Hypnodrome

Patrizio Buanne at the Great American Music Hall

Judith Miller, Halsey Varady, Jef Valentine and Lydia Lyons in Cabaret at The Stage

image: david wilson

image: via media

image: via media

THEATRE DANCE DANCE MUSIC TOURS THEATRE DANCEMUSIC MUSIC TOU THEATRE TOURS

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This year, cheat on the Nutcracker.

The Christmas Ballet Join me at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts...I’ve saved your seats.

Now you can start your holiday fun!

Santa’s Sweets • Dec 17 2 pm Take photos with Santa & Smuin dancers

Toys for Tots • Dec 18 7 pm Bring a new unwrapped toy and receive 25% off your ticket

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Novellus Theater • Dec 14 – 24 415 556 5000 smuinballet.org It snows in every show!