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 |
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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 |
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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
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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!