MAY 2012 I Your Guide to the Best Theatre, Music, Dance and More in the Bay Area!
[THE ARTISTS]
BEST COAST TOM JUDSON [THE SHOWS]
A RAISIN IN THE SUN CINDERELLA DES VOIX DIRECTOR’S CUT! THE MUSIC MAN THE ODYSSEY
+
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
+
LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE ON SCREEN
[THE COVER]
BARBARA
COOK
Coming Out Swingin’
ALSO: DAILY EVENTS + MUSIC & COMEDY CLUB LISTINGS + VENUE DIRECTORIES + MORE
select Mondays at 7:30PM
May 1 - 6
May 8 - 13
2-tiMe graMMy-noMinee the tOMMY IGOe VAlerIe sIMPsON MAUreeN MCGOVerN a triBute to nick ashford BIG BAND dangling conversations
live at the rrazz rooM!
May 16 - 20
Peter Asher
a Musical MeMoir of the 60s and Beyond featuring the Music of Peter and gordon
May 18 - 20
ClAIrDee & her Quartet soulo-ist
May 21 & 22
VerONICA KlAUs
“after dark” featuring the taMMy hall trio
May 29 - June 10 12 shows only!
BArBArA COOK a rrazz rooM May 23 - 26 soul train nights
the DrAMAtICs
very sPecial concert event!
sMooth soul & Quiet storM! featuring lJ reynolds
222 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Grand Piano courtesy of Baldwin
800-380-3095 • www.TheRrazzRoom.com
editor ROBERT SOKOL editor@baystages.com
THE STAGES BALLET | Cinderella.......................................................................... 5 MUSIC | Tom Judson....................................................................... 7 FESTIVAL | SF International Arts Festival...................................... 9 IMPROV | Director’s Cut!...............................................................11 PLAY | A Raisin in the Sun.............................................................13 CLASSIC | The Odyssey................................................................17 CINEMA | La Fille Mal Gardée......................................................19 MUSIC | Best Coast........................................................................21 MUSICAL | The Music Man...........................................................23 FRENCH | Des Voix...Found in Translation...................................25 CABARET | Barbara Cook..............................................................27 BACK I Behind the Scenes with
...............................28
Copyright © 2010-2012 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 calendar editor KAREN MARQUISS daily@baystages.com contributing writers Grier Cooper Nicole Gluckstern ml heath margot manburg daphne o’neal Robert Sokol JIM van buskirk elizabeth warnimont barry willis contributing photographer STEVEN UNDERHILL cover image barbara cook
image: mike martin - london All other photos are provided by the artists or venues. Photography credits are noted when provided.
image: davidallenstudio.com (zorba - michael stevenson, stephanie rhoads)
advertising sales MALIA ANDERSON RON WILLIS 415.552.8040 advertise@baystages.com Writers and photographers may submit work samples to editor@baystages.com. Publicists may send press releases and promotional materials to:
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BAYSTAGES 780 sutter street, sf, ca 94109 p: 415.552.8040 | f: 415.869.3700 PDF reprints of individual articles are available upon request.
ZORBA May 2 to 20 Eureka Theatre 215 Jackson Street, SF $20 to $50 | 415.255.8207 42ndstmoon.org
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MAY 2012 |
|1
REVOLVING
Ruth Gerson appears at Club Fox in Redwood City (5/11)
James McCartney at Café Du Nord in San Francisco (5/30)
330 RITCH SOMA, SF 330ritch.com/ | 415.541.9574 AMNESIA Mission, SF amnesiathebar.com | 415.970.0012 ASHKENAZ Berkeley ashkenaz.com | 510.525.5054 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 BRICK & Mortar MUSIC HALL Mission, SF brickandmortarmusic.com | 415.800.8782 Café du Nord Upper Market, SF cafedunord.com | 415.861.5016 Café ROYALE Tenderloin, SF caferoyale-sf.com | 415.441.4099 club fox Redwood City clubfoxrwc.com | 650.369.7770 DNA LOUNGE SOMA, SF dnalounge.com | 415.626.1409 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 Oakland thefoxoakland.com | 800.745.3000 Freight & Salvage Berkeley freightandsalvage.org | 510.644.2020 George’s NIGHTCLUB San Rafael georgesnightclub.com | 415.226.0262 Great American Music Hall Tenderloin, SF slimspresents.com | 415.255.0333 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 jazzschool Berkeley jazzschool.com | 510.845.5373 Johnny Foley’s Union Square, SF johnnyfoleys.com | 415.954.0777 MAKE-OUT ROOM Mission, SF makeoutroom.com | 415.647.2888 MEZZANINE SOMA, SF mezzaninesf.com | 415.625.8880 MILK BAR Haight, SF milksf.com | 415.387.6455 napa valley opera house Napa nvoh.com | 707.226.7372 NEW PARISH Oakland thenewparish.com | 510.444.7474
OAKLAND METRO OPERAHOUSE Oakland oaklandmetro.org | 510.763.1146 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 | 415.861.2012 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 SILO’S Napa silosnapa.com | 707.251.5833 Slim’s SOMA, SF slimspresents.com | 415.255.0333 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
These venues feature a rapidly changing roster of artists. We advise calling or checking the websites for the latest performance information including minimums and age limits (if any). Please contact daily@baystages.com with additions or corrections.
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| MAY 2012
images: mj kim (james mccartney), courtesy photos (joshua paige, ruth gerson)
Country singer Joshua Paige plays Silo’s in Napa (5/18)
view from the editor Some folks don’t believe in coincidence. They say there are no accidents. Okay. I’ll say I found it very coincidental to discover not one, not two, but three simultaneous productions of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd being performed in the same weekend last month. Needless to say, I couldn’t resist. Like most folks, I love a “rilly big shoo” with bells, whistles and great production values. I’m also a big fan of “small” theatre - the sort of productions that don’t have hundreds or even tens of thousands of dollars behind them. I sincerely believe that solid training and innate talent allows writers, actors, directors and designers to create good work. After our feature last month on Almost Maine at Napa Valley College I’ve been thinking about arts education in the Bay Area. So was the fact that my three Sweeneys were all being done at educational institutions - Napa Valley College again, plus Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Berkeley - another coincidence? Couldn’t tell you, but I’m glad I went. Each production had its pleasures and its challenges. What was most exciting, however, was to see the next generation of theatre people - performers, technicians, musicians - celebrating and engaging in this critical part of our cultural identity. The perfoming arts may be “the fabulous invalid” as some like to say, but - as evidenced by my musical marathon - here in the Bay Area we are growing some wonderful caretakers. So speaking of coincidence, should I draw a dotted line from my opening paragraphs to our cover featuring Barbara Cook, one of today’s leading interpreters of Sondheim’s music? Her two week engagement is a rare treat and you are exhorted to not miss her. If there is no coincidence. is it all part of some master plan that Barbara should land in the Bay Area just in time for the 99th edition of the Mountain Play to present The Music Man, the show that won her a Tony Award over five decades ago? Makes you wonder.
Attending three tales of Sweeney Todd in one weekend - with Sarah Passemar and Jonah Kaufman at Santa Rosa Junior College; Michael Bulatao and Suzi Gilbert at Napa Valley College; and Christina Wright and Alex Bonte at UC Berkeley.
What is no coincidence is that every month there is abundance in the arts here in the Bay Area and we at BAYSTAGES will help you find it - whether you fancy modern dance from Finland, environmental performance on Angel Island, saying parlez-vous to new French playwrights or spending the night watching a tuxedoed adult film star tickling his ivories.
images: via media image: name
Here’s to the lusty month of May!
ROBERT SOKOL, editor MAY 2012
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CLOSING SHOWS
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 and ongoing shows are not included in the listings that follow.
The Government Inspector goes off the case at Bus Barn Stage. 5 | Government Inspector
Bus Barn Stage | Los Altos Hills $28-$32 | 650.941.0551 busbarn.org Officials of a provincial Russian town mistake a penniless rogue for an undercover inspector. (Ends 5/5) 5 | Thunder Above, Deeps Below
Bindlestiff Studio | SF $20-$25 | 800.838.3006 bindlestiffstudio.org Dramatic comedy that follows three homeless adults in their efforts to find a better way of life. 5 | Sweeney Todd
Burbank Auditorium | SR $18 | 707.527.4343 santarosa.edutheatrearts Santa Rosa JC Theatre Arts presents Sondheim’s musical thriller about the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. 6 | Spring Awakening
Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $17-$35 | 925.943.7469 centerrep.org Spring Awakening tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality.
6 | Arsenic and Old Lace
Fetterly Playhouse | Vallejo $12-$15 | 707.649.1053 bayareastage.org This classic Joseph Kesselring play is a clever combination of the farcical and the macabre! California Theatre | San Jose $51-$101 | 408.437.4450 operasj.org Opera San Jose presents Gounod based upon Goethe’s legendary story. 6 | Red, White and Tuna
California Conservatory Theatre $22-$25 | 510.632.8850 cct-sl.org The third installment of the Tuna, Texas comedy series by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard.
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| MAY 2012
1 | Alfredo Rodriguez
2 | Escovedo and Friends
1 | Girl in a Coma
2 | Overkill
1 | Iron Comic
2 | Renaissance Music
1 | Maureen McGovern
2 | French Connection
1 | Pure Imagination
2 | Tom Judson Show
1 | Queens of Boogie Woogie
2 | Ty Segall, White Fence
1 | Yukon Blonde
2 | Zorba
2 | Baroque Delights:
3 | Baroque Delights:
Yoshi’s | SF $18.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Cuban pianist and composer debuting his new album, Sounds of Space.
Independent | SF $15.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com Girl in a Coma with Pinata Protest and Sara Radle. Punch Line San Francisco | SF $17.50 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com A live game show where five comedians write a routine from suggested topics. Rrazz Room | SF $35-$45 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Grammy-nominated recording artist premieres her new show. (Ends 5/6)
St. Matthew’s Church | San Mateo $20.00 | 415.668.4462 ggmc.org Golden Gate Men’s Chorus under the direction of Joseph Piazza. Yoshi’s | Oakland $16.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Starring Lady Bianca, Doña Oxford, Sue Palmer & Wendy DeWitt. Café Du Nord | SF $10.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Yukon Blonde plus The Wild Kindness and Together, We Can Rule The Galaxy. Davies Symphony Hall | SF $15.00-$135.00 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org SF Symphony led by Baroque specialist Jane Glover. (Ends 5/5)
Yoshi’s | Oakland $12-$18 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Juan Excovedo and friends play rhythm and blues, pop and Latin jazz. Regency Ballroom | SF $27.50-$65.00 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com Overkill with God Forbid, Suidakra, and Diamond Plate. Hertz Hall | Berkeley FREE | 510.642.9988 events.berkeley.edu Perfect Fifth is an a cappella choir specializing in medieval music.
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $10.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Ronchin Jazz Band from France, Jazz@7 and the Napa Valley College Jazz Ensemble. New Conservatory Theatre Center | SF $31-$41 | 415.861.8972 nctcsf.org Cabaret with anecdotes mixed into an eclectic array of songs. (Ends 5/12) Independent | SF $10.00-$12.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com Ty Segall with White Fence, Shannon and the Clams, and The Mallard.
Eureka Theatre | SF $20-$50 | 415.255.8207 42ndstmoon.org Kander and Ebb’s enthusiastic musical celebration of Greece. (Ends 5/20) Davies Symphony Hall | SF $15.00-$140.00 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org Handel’s Water Music and Bach’s Brandenberg Concertos. (Ends 5/5)
image: courtesy photo (the inspector general)
6 | Faust
ABBREVIATIONS: MV-Mill Valley, LF-Lafayette, PA-Palo Alto, RC-Redwood City, SF-San Francisco, SJ-San Jose, SR-Santa Rosa, SU-Sunnvale, WC-Walnut Creek.
by grier cooper Ballet San Jose has had its share of guest dancers making star appearances, but none has generated the level of excitement as the announcement of ABT’s Sascha Radetsky dancing the role of Prince Charming in Ben Stevenson’s production of Cinderella. Born in Santa Cruz, Radetsky received an invitation to join the prestigious Russian Bolshoi Academy when he was 15 years old and became a national heartthrob when he appeared as Charlie in the movie Center Stage (2000).
ballet
cinderella
classic story gets to the pointe
Radetsky’s Prince Charming has truly met his match in Cinderella, danced by Alexsandra Meijer, who has been hailed by critics as “exquisite in every way.” The ballet promises all of the classic elements of ugly stepsisters (played by men, for a little cross-dressing humor), an elaborate masquerade and Cinderella’s arrival at the ball in a horse-drawn carriage, set to music by Prokofiev. “The step sisters are absolutely hilarious,” says Meijer. “My favorite part of the production is, in fact, the magic. As with all fairy tales there is a level of enchantment that makes this story special like no other. It is wonderful to return to your childhood imagination and suspend your disbelief... and isn’t it every girl’s dream to wear the slippers and meet Prince Charming?”
image: chris hardy (cinderella - alexsandra meijer)
Meijer remembers having Cinderella read to her as a bedtime story when she was young and she feels that the story is still very relevant today. “I think that everyone can remember a time in their lives when they felt oppressed,” she explains. “Cinderella lives in misery among the ashes, put there by her evil stepmother and stepsisters, but she never loses sight of her inner confidence. The idea that one can work hard while faced with adversity and still remain kind-hearted and generous is a concept that gives us hope for a better tomorrow.” cinderella May 4 to 6 San Jose Center 225 Almaden Boulevard, SJ $20 to $100 | 408.288.2800 balletsj.org
MAY 2012 |
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CLOSING SHOWS
DAILY 3 | Best of PlayGround
3 | Trace Bundy
3 | Down to This
4 | Bill Champlin
3 | Katie Herzig
4 | Chicken Scratch
3 | Kenny Washington
4 | Cinderella
3 | Kevin Avery
4 | David Sedaris
3 | Lowrider Band
4 | Dianne Reeves
Phoenix Theatre | SF $10-$20 | 415.322.8738 un-scripted.com Un-scripted Theater blends scripted and unscripted work exposing the electric heart of live theater.
3 | Maysoon Zayid
4 | John Santos SEXTET
12 | One Acts Festival
3 | Snow White
Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $14 | 925.943.7469 lesherartscenter.org Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble present the classic tale. (Ends 5/6)
4 | Lambchop
Boxcar Playhouse | SF $25-$45 | No Number Available Back for its eleventh year, the festival features ten new plays produced by ten local companies. 12 | The Gin Game
3 | Steep Canyon Rangers
4 | Lowrider Band
3 | The Producers
4 | MarchForth Band
Thick House | SF $25-$40 | 415.992.6677 playground-sf.org 16th annual celebration of new works by Bay Area theatre artists. (Ends 5/27) EXIT Stage Left | SF $12-$20 | 415.913.7272 sleepwalkerstheatre.com Adam Chanzit’s play about a .38 special and a game of chance. (Ends 5/26)
Andrew Humann in Spring Awakening at Center REP in Walnut Creek. 6 | The Good Doctor
New Conservatory Theatre Center | SF $10-$15 | 415.861.8972 nctcsf.org NCTC’s Teen Performance Ensemble presents Neil Simon’s comedy. 6 | Don Quixote
War Memorial Opera House | SF $20-$285 | 415.865.2000 sfballet.org SF Ballet brings out new scenery and costumes for this three-act story ballet. 6 | Little Shop of Horrors
Cinnabar Theater | Petaluma $12 | 707.763.8920 cinnabartheater.org Cinnabar Young Rep presents Ashman and Menkin’s hysterical musical.
12 | Act One, Scene Two
George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $12.00-$15.00 | 415.226.0262 georgesnightclub.com New Orleans native Kenny Washington sings jazz, blues and gospel. Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Kevin Avery with Jason Wheeler and Dave Thomason. Yoshi’s | Oakland $22.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Latin, rhythm and blues, rock, funk, contemporary jazz and Jamaican reggae. Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $20.00 | 415.928.4320 cobbscomedyclub.com Maysoon Zayid with Sammy K Obeid and Khaled the Comic.
Mystic Theatre | Petaluma $21.00 | 707.765.2121 mystictheatre.com Steep Canyon Rangers plus Carrie Rodriguez.
Hillbarn Theatre | Foster City $32 | 650.349.6411 hillbarntheatre.org Mel Brook’s musical about a pair of scheming producers. (Ends 5/27)
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142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley $23-$35 | 415.383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.org A rare special solo, acoustic performance. With Tim Cain. EXIT Theatre | SF $10-$15 | 800.838.3006 theexit.org Improv group returns to the Exit with their show Vote for Chicken. (Ends 5/12) San Jose Center | San Jose $20-$100 | 408.288.2800 balletsj.org Ballet San Jose presents Sascha Radetsky and Prokofiev. (Ends 5/6) Uptown Theatre | Napa $49.00-$59.00 | 707.259.0123 uptowntheatrenapa.com Humorist and bestselling author of Naked offers a night of wit and humor. Zellerbach Hall | Berkeley $20.00-$65.00 | 510.642.9988 calperformances.org Reeves performs unique jazz, improvisation, and rhythm and blues. George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $15.00-$25.00 | 415.226.0262 georgesnightclub.com Five-time Grammy nominee Santos and Sextet perform Afro-Latin arrangements. Great American Music Hall | SF $20.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Alternative country band Lambchop performs original works. Yoshi’s | Oakland $22.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Blend of Latin, rhythm and blues, rock, funk, contemporary jazz and reggae. Independent | SF $20.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com MarchForth Marching Band performs with Diego’s Umbrella.
image: jeff collister (spring awakening - andrew humann)
Diablo Actors’ Ensemble Theatre | WC $10-$25 | 866.811.4111 diabloactors.com Pulitzer-winning play about two inhabitants of a nursing home who play gin & learn about each other.
Independent | SF $13.00-$15.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com KFOG presents Katie Herzig with Andrew Belle.
Swedish American Hall | SF $17.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Acoustic Ninja Trace Bundy performs acoustic guitar.
by jim van buskirk “A throwback to the traditional, classic cabaret show you’d expect to see in a New York supper club in the 1940s” is how Tom Judson describes The Tom Judson Show, coming to New Conservatory Theatre Center this month. “I come out in a vintage tuxedo, sit down at the piano, and start singing wonderful songs.”
MUSIC
TOM JUDSON
celebrating lesser-known songs
As a singer, musician and actor, Judson appeared in Cabaret on Broadway, in the national tour of 42nd Street, and in many Off-Broadway and regional productions, including his acclaimed one-man show Canned Ham. Most recently the smart, talented and handsome performer accompanied drag chanteuse Varla Jean Merman in Provincetown and elsewhere. Because Judson has composed original music for Off-Broadway, film and television, as well as for performers Ann Magnuson, Lisa Kron and Charles Busch, it is a bit of a surprise to learn that this show includes only a couple of Judson’s own songs. “My m.o. is choosing obscure material from well known sources,” he says proudly. “They are all really good songs, but generally lesser-known.” Though there are a few personal reminscences, his patter is mostly about the music: why he chose the song, where it’s from, and why it’s so obscure. “People are surprised by how well I play the piano,” Judson modestly confesses to a frequently heard comment. After each performance, Judson will read from “Laid Bare,” his recently published collection of essays and magazine columns, which include anecdotes from his successful career as “Gus Mattox,” an award-winning adult film star.
image: courtesy photo
“It’s a terrific experience,” he says about performing his show across the country. Remembering his last San Francisco appearance was on a float for gay adult entertainment vendor Colt in the 2006 Pride parade, Judson is eagerly looking forward to this gig. “I’m having a wonderful time because I can relax and know the audience is going to enjoy it.” the tom judson show May 2 to 12 New Conservatory Theatre Center 25 Van Ness Avenue, SF $28 | 415.861.8972 nctcsf.org
MAY 2012 |
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CLOSING SHOWS
DAILY 4 | Luther & Siddhartha
5 | Amy and Freddy
4 | Napa Valley Jazz
5 | Johnny Otis Show
4 | Mission Peak Brass
5 | The Trespassers
4 | Return to Planet Z
5 | VEONA: Voices of Life
4 | Stone City Band
5 | Zepparella
4 | Sarah Colonna
6 | Academy Orchestra
Julia Morgan Center | Berkeley $17-$35 | 510.845.8542 berkeleyplayhouse.org Berkeley Playhouse presents a musical adaptation of the classic “Ugly Duckling” fairy tale.
4 | Steep Canyon Rangers
6 | American Philharmonic
19 | Marga Gomez: Not Getting Any Younger
4 | Thanks for Playing
6 | Marvin Hamlisch
4 | Toh Kay
6 | Beethoven & Bridge
5 | Alexander Quartet
6 | Brandenburg Concertos
Yoshi’s | SF $16.00-$18.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Martin Luther McCoy with special guest Joi Gilliam, plus Siddartha. Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $10.00-$15.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Festival showcases high school bands from Napa, St. Helena and beyond. Delia McDougall has a moment in Anatol at Aurora Theatre. 13 | Anatol
Aurora Theatre | Berkeley $34-$44 | 510.843.4822 auroratheatre.org A gadabout living for pleasure in late 19th-century Vienna, Anatol seeks the perfect lover. 13 | Oleanna
Berkeley City Club | Berkeley $15-$25 | 800.838.3006 theatrefirst.com TheatreFIRST celebrates the 20th anniversary of David Mamet’s Oleanna. Directed by Michael Storm. 13 | The Marvelous Wonderettes
6th Street Playhouse | SR $28-$35 | 707.523.4185 6thstreetplayhouse.com A musical trip down memory lane. 13 | Lucky Duck
20 | The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $12-$20 | 510.296.4433 bactheatre.org In this comedic send-up of a courtroom trial, the wolf gives his version of what befell the three pigs.
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Julia Morgan Center | Berkeley $15.00-$20.00 | 510.845.8542 berkeleyplayhouse.org Planet Z sequel, featuring 17 teens in a concert of ‘80s rock hits. Yoshi’s | SF $26.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Funk rock celebrating the music of the late Rick James. Punch Line San Francisco | SF $22.50 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Writer and roundtable regular on hit late night talk show Chelsea Lately. Slim’s | SF $21.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Steep Canyon Rangers plus Carrie Rodriguez.
Retro Dome | San Jose $44 | 408.404.7711 theretrodome.com World premiere of The Game Show Show. (Ends 6/3)
Swedish American Hall | SF $13.50 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Toh Kay (Tomas of Streetlight Manifesto) with Dan Potthast and Sycamore Smith. Herbst Theatre | SF $25-$48 | 415.392.4400 performances.org Schubert’s String Quartet in C Major with guest artist David Requiro, cello.
Yoshi’s | Oakland $20.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com A celebration of Johnny Otis, the Godfather of rhythm and blues.
Great American Music Hall | SF $15.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com The Trespassers plus Windy Hill plus Faux Renwah plus Melody Walker. Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $15.00-$35.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Multicultural children’s choir in a new show of a cappella vocals. Slim’s | SF $16.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Led Zeppelin tribute band Zepparella plus Pockit plus California Wildebeest. Calvary Presbyterian Church | SF $15.00-$25.00 | 415.506.7139 sfacademyorchestra.org Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante and Tchaikovsky Variations. Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $20-$30 | 707.546.3600 wellsfargocenterarts.org Presenting Emperor and King, with music by Beethoven and Saint-Saëns. Kanbar Hall | SF $72.00-$85.00 | 415.292.1200 jccsf.orgarts An evening with award-winning movie and Broadway composer. Marin Center | San Rafael $29.00-$70.00 | 415.499.6800 marinsymphony.org Golden Gate Opus celebrates the 75th anniversary of the bridge. (Ends 5/8) Herbst Theatre | SF $34.00-$44.00 | 415.392.4400 chambermusicsf.org Archetti plays all six Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach.
image: david allen (anatol - delia mcdougall)
Marsh | Berkeley $15-$50 | 415.282.3055 themarsh.org Award-winning Gomez’s new one woman show, a comedy about lies, vanity and the good old days.
Smith Center | Fremont $8.00-$15.00 | 510.659.6031 scboxoffice.ohlone.edu Gershwin’s “Summertime,” “New York, New York,” “Lil’ Darlin’” and more.
Rrazz Room | SF $25 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com SF debut to support the release of their newest album, We Get Along.
by grier cooper Every year San Francisco hosts large spectacles – think Bay to Breakers and Oracle World – but an often-overlooked aspect is that the city’s cultural infrastructure is rich enough to equal that of any major state capital. The San Francisco International Arts Festival (SFIAF) aims to give the arts their due by putting them in the spotlight. This annual event gathers a global community of dance, music, and theater artists and audiences, featuring works by Bay Area talent and groundbreaking artists from around the world.
Other program highlights include The Carpetbag Brigade, a blend of theater, acrobatic stiltwalking, butoh dance and contact improvisation; and Raíces Profundas from Cuba, displaying the dynamic history of Cuba’s music and dance genres. The exposure to these international artists offering different perspectives and worldviews is what makes SFIAF unique. As one critic put it, “We are all grappling with the same issue of living in the world and seeking, if not answers, at least new ways to look at the problem.”
San Francisco International Arts Festival May 2 to 20 Various Venues $16 to $55 | 415.771.6900 sfiaf.org
image: sakari viika
Finland’s Susanna Leinonen Company brings Chinese Objects, a plunge into the world of the subconscious through movement enhanced by an original score of digitally manipulated industrial music and clever lighting. “I like to seek unique moments which are between dream and reality,” says Leonin. Her work is often influenced by dreams and nightmares, movies and relationships. “As a dancer I enjoy developing myself with pure movement and enjoy the sensation of moving with different dynamics and styles.” The company formed in 2001 and was chosen to be included in a Ministry of Education cultural export program. The award-winning, classically-trained choreographer is known for the unique style of movement language that earned her the Finland Prize and Dance Work
of the Year awards. Her work has been shown in 17 countries thus far but she is particularly enthusiastic about coming to San Francisco.
FESTIVAL
CHINESE OBJECTS
found at the san francisco international arts festival
MAY 2012 |
|9
ONGOING SHOWS
DAILY 6 | Jason Reeves
7 | Damir
6 | Kenny Garrett Quartet
7 | Drake
6 | Kids Rock Benefit
7 | Quartet San Francisco
6 | Lloyd Gregory
7 | Tommy Igoe Big Band
6 | Michael Nelson
7 | The Wombats
6 | Noertker’s Moxie
8 | Carina Round
6 | Return to Planet Z
8 | Josef Anolin
6 | Honors Concert
8 | Peter Serkin, Piano
7 | New Music Project
8 | Robert Cray Band
7 | Communion
8 | SF State Wind Ensemble
Café Du Nord | SF $10.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Jason Reeves with Amber Rubarth and Andy Kong.
Secret Improv Society keeps it unscripted weekly at the Shelton. Beach BlanKet Babylon
Club Fugazi I SF $25-$130 I 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 bigcityimprov.com Four years running. Every scene is based upon audience suggestions. PETER MORRISON
Marrakech Magic Theater I SF $38 I 877.624.4264 sanfranciscomagictheater.com Morrison demonstrates sleight-of-hand magic and feats of mentalism. PARTY OF TWO
Shelton Theatre I SF $27-$29 I 800.838.3006 partyof2themusical.com Follow two self-sufficient types from their meeting through their relationship. Secret Improv Society
Shelton Theater I SF $15 I 866.468.3399 sheltontheater.com Creating characters, stories, and songs on the spot from audience suggestions. Shopping! The Musical
SUNDAY’S A DRAG
Starlight Room | SF $44.95 | 415.395.8595 harrydenton.com Drag entertainment abounds in Harry Denton’s newly refurbished boite.
George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $45.00-$65.00 | 415.226.0262 georgesnightclub.com The Little Kids Rock Band in a benefit for music education. Yoshi’s | Oakland $16.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Classic jazz guitarist with smooth, soulful and melodic style. Rrazz Room | SF $25 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com He was introduced to music in the Church of Christ where there are no instruments. Musicians’ Union Hall | SF $8.00-$10.00 | 415.905.4425 noertker.com SIMM New Music Series presents Noertker’s composition Birds.
Julia Morgan Center | Berkeley $15.00-$20.00 | 510.845.8542 berkeleyplayhouse.org Berkeley Playhouse TeenStage featuring 17 teens in a concert of ‘80s rock hits. Old First Church | SF $14.00-$17.00 | 415.474.1608 oldfirstconcerts.org Outstanding performances from the SF Conservatory Chamber Music Program. Hertz Hall | Berkeley $5.00-$15.00 | 510.642.9988 music.berkeley.edu New music by UC Berkeley graduate student composers.
Café Du Nord | SF $10.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Featuring Skinny Singers plus John Fullbright, Breathe Owl Breathe, & more.
10 |
| MAY 2012
Sleep Train Pavilion | Concord $35.75-$99.75 | 800.745.3000 livenation.com Drake with Waka Flocka, French Montana and 2 Chainz. Yoshi’s | Oakland $40.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Grammy nominated group in a benefit for Crowden Music Center. Rrazz Room | SF $25.00 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Diverse drummer and his Big Band, featuring 15 Bay Area musicians. Great American Music Hall | SF $16.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Live 105 Presents: The Wombats plus Static Jacks plus The Neighborhood. Café Du Nord | SF $10.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Carina Round is an adventurous English rocker reminiscent of Patti Smith. Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Josef Anolin with Edwin Li, Bryan Moore, Chris Riggins, Dave Thomason. Hertz Hall | Berkeley $30.00-$60.00 | 510.642.9988 calperformances.org Cal Performances presents works by Wolpe, Takemitsu, Beethoven & more. Yoshi’s | Oakland $40.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Five-time Grammy award winning, singer, songwriter and guitarist.
San Francisco State University | SF FREE | 415.338.2467 creativearts.sfsu.edu Playing music from Vaughan Williams and The Lord of the Rings.
image: courtesy photo (secret improv society)
Shelton Theater I SF $27-$29 I 800.838.3006 sheltontheater.com An original musical revue about everyone’s favorite pastime.
Yoshi’s | SF $18.00-$22 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Featuring multi-Grammy nominee alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett . (Ends 5/7)
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF FREE | 415.954.0777 johnnyfoleys.com Singer-guitarist Damir Stosic performs romantic ballads to contemporary rock.
improv and marshmallows
by elizabeth warnimont Actor and co-founder of BATS Improv Rebecca Stockley says Director’s Cut! - the fast-paced show in which directors compete for winning scenes - is her favorite improv comedy format. “We enjoy challenging each other. At first we weren’t very good at it,” she confesses. “The directors really wanted to win, and the actors really wanted to show off.” That was 15 years ago. Now, she says, it’s all about the moment. “If you’re relaxed, you see the potential in that moment. If you’re stressed, you won’t see it.”
“This is probably one of the most interactive shows we do,” says artistic director Kasey Klemm. “The director might freeze something and turn to the audience and say, ‘should she say yes to him?’ or ‘what’s in that envelope he just gave her?’ It’s all in the audience’s hands.” director’s cut! May 4 to 25 Bayfront Theatre Building B, Fort Mason Center, SF $17 to $20 | 415.474.6776 improv.org
image: ben long
Four or five actors each get a total of 13 minutes to direct, assigning scenes to the others and freezing, cutting or otherwise spontaneously directing the action. Stockley finds it relaxing to be on the actor side of the game, since the success of the scene doesn’t depend on her - it’s all up to the director. “The outcome doesn’t really rest on you. When you get a direction, you just do it.” The first few scenes are usually three or four minutes long, but by the end of the show they’re often as short as 10 or 20 seconds, as each actor approaches his or her maximum allotted time. “Every once in a while the audience rewards that 10 seconds,” says Stockley.
On the other hand, if the audience decides a scene is a flop, the offending director must draw a punishment. He may have to shout out the window an apology for his abysmal failure - or he might just have to strut back and forth on the stage while the audience throws marshmallows at him, like a duck in a shooting gallery. “You want to give the director a moment of getting over the failure,” she smiles.
IMPROV
director’s cut!
MAY 2012 |
| 11
STILL STANDING (UP)
DAILY 8 | The Jezabels
10 | Stan Erhart Band
9 | Brian Bergeron
10 | The Dead Milkmen
9 | Dmitri Matheny Group
10 | The Understudy
9 | Four Bitchin’ Babes
11 | Goapele
9 | Keiko Matsui
11 | Hills to Hollers
9 | Ted Alexandro
11 | Joel Fan, Piano
10 | Alma Colorada
11 | Lavay Smith
10 | Corey Holcomb
11 | Legally Blonde
10 | Hills to Hollers
11 | Riders in the Sky
10 | Mary Halvorson Trio
11 | Savoy
Independent | SF $12.00-$14.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com KALX presentation with Imagine Dragons & Benjamin Franciso Leftwich. Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF FREE | 415.954.0777 johnnyfoleys.com Folk-rock acoustic singer-songwriter performs folk-rock and alt-country.
Jill Bourque is the funny grrrl at Tommy T’s on Tuesdays. COMEDY PALOOZA
50 Mason Social House | SF FREE | 415.433.5050 50masonsocialhouse.com Bringing the funny back and hosted by 411 comedy on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. HARVEY’S FUNNY TUESDAYS
Harvey’s | SF FREE | 415.431.4278 harveyssf.com Ronn Vigh and a roster of LGBT-friendly comics on Tuesdays at 9:00 pm. MARK PITTA & FRIENDS
142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley $15-$20 | 415. 383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.com National headliner from SF comedy scene hosts Tuesday at 8:00 pm. SFCC UNDERGROUND
Purple Onion | SF $7 | 800.838.3006 tommyts.com/showroom SF Comedy College on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 pm. TUESDAYS ARE JILLARIOUS
Tommy T’s Showroom | SF $10 | 415.346.5597 tommyts.com/showroom Founder of How We First Met hosts a night of stand-up Tuesdays at 7:30 pm.
Yoshi’s | Oakland $16.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Premiering Crime Scenes, inspired by espionage and underworld movie music.
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $20.00-$25.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Performing original songs and stories with comedic commentary on everyday life. Yoshi’s | SF $18.00-$24 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Japanese born pianist, composer and producer. (Ends 5/10) Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00-$21.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Comic has performed on Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and others. EXIT Theatre | SF $15-$25 | 800.838.3006 divafest.info DIVAfest: a Spanish/Basque family of WWII resistance fighters. (Ends 5/26) Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $20.00-$25.00 | 415.928.4320 cobbscomedyclub.com What it means to be ghetto and what it takes to be a player. (Ends 5/13)
Yoshi’s | Oakland $12.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Guitarist and composer with bassist John Hébert and drummer Ches Smith.
12 |
| MAY 2012
Slim’s | SF $23.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com 1980s punk rock band The Dead Milkmen plus Terry Malts.
San Jose Repertory Theatre | San Jose $29-$74 | 408.367.7255 sjrep.com West coast premiere of play by Pulitzernominee Theresa Rebeck. (Ends 6/3). Yoshi’s | SF $35.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Oakland’s homegrown neo-soul and jazz songwriter. (Ends 5/13) Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $18.00-$22.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Featuring Linda Tillery, Laurie Lewis and Barbara Higbie. Old First Church | SF $14.00-$17.00 | 415.474.1608 oldfirstconcerts.org Eclectic repertoire, including Rachmaninov, Gershwin and new music. Uptown Theatre | Napa $25.00 | 707.259.0123 uptowntheatrenapa.com With her Red Hot Skillet Lickers plus Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums. Spreckels Center | Rohnert Park $20-$26 | 707.588.3400 spreckelsonline.com North Bay premiere of musical based on the Reese Witherspoon film. (Ends 5/20) Yoshi’s | Oakland $23.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Two time Grammy award winners offer Comedy and Western entertainment. Great American Music Hall | SF $14.00-$16.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com A live electronic music hybrid band playing club hits and remixes.
image: lisa keating (jill bourque)
142 Throckmorton Theatre | Mill Valley $20-$30 | 415.383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.org New vocal trio of Laurie Lewis, Linda Tillery and Barbara Higbie.
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF FREE | 415.954.0777 johnnyfoleys.com A mix of soulful rock roots, including blues, R&B, rock, soul-jazz and originals.
the push and pull of family bonds by margot manburg
“In my mother’s house, there’s still God” quips Benethea, the youngest of the Younger brood in Lorraine Hansbury’s Tony-nominated classic, A Raisin in the Sun. That attitude sums up the intrinsic tough love and surging need to depart from it that courses through the Younger family in the African-American Shakespeare Company’s production of Raisin. When insurance money from the late Papa Younger divides the family along personal goals, each one considers what is best for the family and for themselves.
The strength of the family’s love, rippling at the heart of this play, sets the characters at odds with one another when they hit those invisible and paradoxically supportive and constrictive ropes. “These characters pull in different directions to find their individuality, but they’re still connected by this love they’ve been brought up with,” says Callender, expanding on what keeps this play familyfocused. “No matter how upset Walter Lee or anyone gets, no one raises a hand to another. This deep, disciplined love is there no matter what. It binds and splinters everyone in this family, in this play.” a raisin in the sun May 12 to 27 Buriel Clay Theater 762 Fulton Street, SF $10 to $35 | 800.838.3006 african-americanshakes.org
image: l. peter callendar (a raisin in the sun - todd risby, siaira harris)
Written and set in the 1950s, the tale of the Younger family transcends racial and period attitudes to focus on dreams, and the strength of a family’s love. “It’s no longer the plight of the black family but all families, especially those of single parents,” says director L. Peter Callender. “Mama is trying to keep her kids on the straight and narrow. It’s about what it means to protect your kids while giving them giving them the best advantage.”
Mama wants a larger house for them to share while her son Walter Lee wants to invest in a start-up liquor shop as a way to support the family. Contention arises over not just the money, but in certain characters’ efforts to rediscover or release the past in order to move forward.
play
a raisin in the sun
MAY 2012 |
| 13
SAN FRANCISCO VENUES
DAILY 11 | Souvenir
12 | Sergey Khachatryan
11 | Ted Alexandro
12 | Springtime Melodies
11 | The Exonerated
12 | Sublime to Silly
11 | Wil Blades & Friends
12 | Ted Alexandro
12 | A Raisin in the Sun
12 | The 85’s
12 | Asylum 2012
12 | The Odyssey
12 | AXIS Dance
13 | Ballet Flamenco
12 | Laura Benanti
13 | Ramsey Lewis
12 | Ramsey Lewis
13 | Stan Erhart Band
12 | Santa Rosa Symphony
14 | Damir
6th Street Playhouse | Santa Rosa $15-$25 | 707.523.4185 6thstreetplayhouse.com A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins. (Ends 5/27)
Andy Cohen is Bravo’s Man of Moxie at the Castro Theatre. (5/16)
14 |
| MAY 2012
Brava Theatre | SF $18-$23 | 800.380.3095 teatrovagon.org 6 wrongfully convicted survivors of death row in their own words. (Ends 6/2) Piedmont Piano Company | Oakland $15.00 | 510.547.8188 jazzorganfellowship.org The Jazz Organ Fellowship presents organist Wil Blades and his organ combo. Buriel Clay Theater | SF $10-$35 | 800.838.3006 african-americanshakes.org Play about a black family on Chicago’s South Side in the 50s. (Ends 5/27)
Pacifica Spindrift Theatre | Pacifica $7 | 650.359.8002 pacificaspindriftplayers.com Improv comedy has been presenting this show at Spindrift for over 20 years. Marines’ Memorial Theatre | SF $16.00-$25.00 | 415.771.6900 sfiaf.org In collaboration with London based choreographer Marc Brew. (Ends 5/13) Venetian Room | SF $40.00-$45.00 | 415.392.4400 bayareacabaret.org Tony Award Winner Laura Benanti makes her Bay Area Cabaret debut. Yoshi’s | Oakland $35.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com 3- time Grammy winner and jazz legend extends his Sun Goddess Tour. Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $10-$65 | 707.546.8742 santarosasymphony.com Conductor Bruno Ferrandis with his brother Jean, featured flute soloist. (Ends 5/20)
St. Dominic’s Church | SF $5.00-$15.00 | 415.861.7464 springtimemelodies.eventbrite.com SF Boys Chorus Training Chorus School presents Springtime Melodies. Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $10.00-$25.00 | 925.943.7469 lesherartscenter.org Contra Costa Wind Symphony performs music ranging from Rachmaninoff to Godzilla. Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00-$21.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Comic has performed on Letterman, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel, and others. George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $15.00 | 415.226.0262 georgesnightclub.com Performing high energy renditions of classic pop and rock songs from the 80s. Angel Island State Park $40-$76 | 415.547.0189 weplayers.org An all-day, island-wide performance based on Homer’s Odyssey. (Ends 7/1) Pena Pachamama | SF $24.00-$49.95 | 800.838.3006 carolinalugo.com Carolina Lugo, Carole Acuna and their company of dancers. (Ends 5/26) Yoshi’s | Oakland $35.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Three time Grammy award winner and jazz keyboard legend. Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF FREE | 415.954.0777 johnnyfoleys.com A mix of rock roots, including rhythm and blues, soul-jazz and originals. Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF FREE | 415.954.0777 johnnyfoleys.com Singer-guitarist Damir Stosic performs romantic ballads to contemporary rock.
image: courtesy photo (andy cohen)
alcove theatre Union Square thealcovetheater.com I 415.383.9600 bill graham auditorium Civic Center apeconcerts.com I No Number Available castro theatre Castro castrotheatre.com I 415.621.6120 exit theatre Tenderloin theexit.org I 415.673.3847 FORT MASON CEnTER Marina fortmason.org I 415.345.7500 herbst theatre Civic Center sfwmpac.org I 415.392.4400 louise m. davies hall Civic Center sfsymphony.org I 415.864.6000 marines’ memorial Union Square marinesmemorialtheatre.org I 415.771.6900 masonic auditorium Nob Hill masonicauditorium.com I 800.745.3000 odc theatre Mission odctheater.org I 415.978.2787 palace of fine arts Marina palaceoffinearts.org I 415.567.6642 shelton theatre Union Square sheltontheater.org I 415.882.9100 stage werx Mission stagewerx.org I No Number Available victoria theatre Mission victoriatheatre.org I 415.863.7576 war memorial opera Civic Center sfwmpac.org I 415.392.4400 yerba buena center SoMa ybca.org I 415.978.2787
Punch Line San Francisco | `SF $15.00-$21.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com He has performed on Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and others.
Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $46.00 | 925.943.7469 chambermusicsf.org Chamber Music SF presents violinist performing Beethoven and Bach.
BAY AREA VENUES 14 | Herman Dune
16 | Katharine Hanrahan
15 | Behanding In Spokane
16 | Marga Gomez
15 | Chicano Comedy
16 | Mo Mandel
Independent | SF $12.00-$14.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com Herman Dune with The Sam Chase and DJ Britt Govea. SF Playhouse | SF $20-$70 | 415.677.9596 sfplayhouse.org Regional premiere by playwright, Martin McDonagh. (Ends 6/30) Punch Line San Francisco | SF $17.50 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Features Dustin Ybarra, Dillon Garcia, and Big Al Gonzales.
George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $10.00-$15.00 | 415.226.0262 georgesnightclub.com With Shazia Mirza, Karinda Dobbins, Amy Miller and Lydia Popovich. Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00-$21.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Mo Mandel has appeared on Chelsea Lately, NBC’s Free Agents, and others.
15 | Johnny Winter
16 | Peter Asher
15 | R5 & Ross Lynch
17 | Emily Wells
16 | Big Tree
17 | Ane Brun
16 | Creed
17 | BoDeans
16 | Dos Four
17 | Brad Mehldau Trio
16 | Hip Kids Chorus
17 | In the Next Room
16 | Jane Monheit
17 | Lavay Smith
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $30.00-$35.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Guitarist and singer Johnny Winter performs classic blues and rock. Slim’s | SF $15.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Family band R5 featuring Ross Lynch from Austin and Ally. Café Du Nord | SF $10.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Big Tree plus Kapowski and Bells. Warfield | SF $45.00-$72.00 | 888.929.7849 thewarfield.com Creed performing Human Clay in its entirety, with Eve to Adam. Yoshi’s | Oakland $14.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com A fusion of reggae, urban, hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and rap from Cuba.
image: jennifer paschal (pamela rose)
Davies Symphony Hall | SF $22.00-$39.00 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org Tilson Thomas conducting works by Beethoven, Mahler and Schnitke.
Yoshi’s | SF $20.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Inspire Music presents HipKids Chorus and VOICES Performance Ensembles. YBCA - Forum Theatre | SF $50 | 866.920.5299 sfjazz.org SFJAZZ presents rising Jazz superstar as part of their Spring series.
Rrazz Room | SF $40-$45 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com English guitarist, singer, artist manager, and record producer. (Ends 5/20) Swedish American Hall | SF $15.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com An Evening with Emily Wells and The Portland Cello Project. Great American Music Hall | SF $14.00-$16.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Ane Brun plus Gemma Ray. Independent | SF $25.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com BoDeans plus Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. Napa Valley College | Napa $25.00-$30.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Pianist Mehldau, drummer Ballard and bassist Grenadier play original jazz. City Lights Theater | San Jose $28-$35 | 408.295.4200 cltc.org Sarah Ruhl’s very funny play, subtitled The Vibrator Play. (Ends 6/17) Yoshi’s | Oakland $15.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Lavay Smith and her 10-piece Bigger Band play Billie Holiday and others.
Pamela Rose performs at the El Campanil in Antioch. (5/12) 142 Throckmorton Mill Valley 142throckmortontheatre.org I 415.383.9600 CAL PERFORMANCES Berkeley calperfs.berkeley.edu I 510.642.9988 EL CAMPANIL THEATRE Antioch elcampaniltheatre.com I 408.864.8816 FIREHOUSE arts center Pleasanton firehousearts.org I 925.931.4848 flint CENTER Cupertino flintcenter.com I 408.864.8816 FOX THEATRE Redwood City foxrwc.com I 650-369-7770 LESHER CENTER Walnut Creek lesherartscenter.org I 925.943.7469 marin CENTER San Rafael marincenter.org I 415.473.6800 mountain view CENTER Mountain View mvcpa.com I 650.903.6000 PARAMOUNT THEATRE Oakland paramounttheatre.com I 800.745.3000 SAN JOSE CENTER San Jose sanjose.org I 408.792.4111 SPRECKELS ARTS CENTER Rohnert Park spreckelsonline.com I 707.588.3400 STANFORD LIVELY ARTS Palo Alto livelyarts.stanford.edu I 650.725.2787 wells fargo center Santa Rosa wellsfargocenterarts.org I 707.546.3600
MAY 2012 |
| 15
COMEDY & IMPROV
DAILY 17 | Nicolas Bearde
18 | Sleepy Sun
17 | Night of the Iguana
18 | Slipping
18 | Armitage Gone! Dance
18 | Smuin Ballet
18 | Black Comedy
18 | Tainted Love
18 | Clairdee
18 | The Avengers
18 | DIva or Die Burlesque
18 | The Holdup
18 | Do That Voodoo
18 | Xanadu
18 | Mizuka Kano
19 | Alice in Wonderland
18 | Cello Project
19 | Greg Lake
18 | Pride and Joy
19 | Barber of Seville
George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $16.00-$20.00 | 415.226.0262 georgesnightclub.com Jazz recording artist and songwriter blends genres of jazz, soul and blues.
Erik Griffin hits the Improv (5/10-13)
16 |
| MAY 2012
YBCA - Novellus Theater | SF $15-$50.00 | 415.978.2787 http:ybca.org Punk Karole Armitage and her company’s dynamic choreography. (Ends 5/19) Yoshi’s | Oakland $30-$40 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Hosted by Don DC Curry, featuring over 60 of stand-up comedians. (Ends 5/20) Rrazz Room | SF $30-$35 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Great American Songbook and contemporary classics. (Ends 5/20) EXIT Café | SF $10 | 800.838.3006 divafest.info Modern burlesque presented as part of DIVAfest 2012. (Ends 5/25)
Paramount Theatre | Oakland $20.00-$70.00 | 800.745.3000 oebs.org Soloists Daniel Bernard Roumain, Taylor Egisti and Paula West. Old First Church | SF $14.00-$17.00 | 415.474.1608 oldfirstconcerts.org Prize-winning pianist Kano dedicates this program to Debussy and Schumann. Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $20-$30 | 707.546.3600 https:portlandcelloproject.com A repertoire numbering over 800 pieces of music. Uptown Theatre | Napa $20.00 | 707.259.0123 uptowntheatrenapa.com Dance Show with timeless pop and soul music in a high-style show.
New Conservatory Theatre Center | SF $25-$36 | 415.861.8972 nctcsf.org Story of a gay high schooler who loses his father to a violent death. (Ends 7/1) Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $54-$67 | 415.556.5000 smuinballet.org Series includes Ma Cong, plus Swipe and a Smuin work. (Ends 5/19) Bimbo’s 365 Club | SF $23 | 877.435.9849 bimbos365club.com Party band brings back the music of the 80s. (Ends 5/19) Café Du Nord | SF $15.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com The Avengers plus Erase Errata and Carletta Sue Kay. Great American Music Hall | SF $15.00-$18.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com The Holdup plus Wooster plus Young Science plus DJ Aaron Axelsen. Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $40-$47 | 925.943.7469 centerrep.org Based on the legendary cult film with Olivia Newton-John! (Ends 6/23) Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $23.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Napa Regional Dance Company performs Alice in Wonderland. Regency Ballroom | SF $40.00-$60.00 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com The legendary voice of King Crimson and ELP. Martinez Junior High School $45.00 | 999.999.9999 mtzo.com Martinez Opera Contra Costa presents Rossini’s Barber of Seville. (Ends 5/20)
image: courtesy photo (erik griffin)
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 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 SAN FRANCISCO COMEDY CELLAR Union Square, SF sfcomedycellar.jigsy.com | 415.345.8222 SECRET IMPROV SOCIETY Union Square, SF improvsociety.com STONE SOUP IMPROV Berkeley stonesoupimprov.com | 510.380.6808
The Barn Theatre | Ross $25 | 415.456.9555 rossvalleyplayers.com Tennessee Williams’ taut play set on the Mexican coast. (Ends 6/17)
Independent | SF $13.00-$15.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com Sleepy Sun album release show with DJ Britt Govea.
by nicole gluckstern It took Odysseus ten whole years to make it back home from the Trojan War, and it’s been twelve years since WE Players Artistic Director Ava Roy first began staging Shakespeare out-of-doors on her Stanford campus. That both journeys should have collided someday was perhaps inevitable, given Odysseus’ heroic tenacity and WE Players penchant for large-scale classicism. Their most ambitious project to date, an all-day, chooseyour-own-adventure staging of The Odyssey on Angel Island State Park, is due to set sail, taking over the island and repurposing its many historic military sites to evoke the timeless nature of Odysseus, his conflict-fueled voyage and his troubled homecoming. Part walking tour of the island’s many natural and historic attractions and part participatory reenactment of Odysseus and his iconic tribulations, the show begins at 10:30 am at Ayala Cove, where the ferry from Pier 41 will disgorge its load of eager sightseers, daytrippers, and WE Players audience members.
Provided with “survival kits” with all the information needed to make their way from site to site, audiences will then embark on their own miniature odyssey, a three-to-four mile self-guided, mostly paved trek around the island (there is a tram option for certain performances), following in the footsteps of Odysseus and his stalwart band of homesick companions. Light refreshments will also be provided, though packing snacks is advised.
CLASSIC
the odyssey
taking a path less traveled
In Roy’s opinion, Angel Island is the perfect locale to explore a tale as steeped with militarism, estrangement, homecoming, and home-seeking as is The Odyssey. “In addition to its immigration history, Angel Island…served as a processing center and staging ground for troops going to and from a number of wars throughout the 20th century,” she explains. “Journeying changes people and changes their homes, whether they are immigrants, soldiers, or just everyday folk exposed to new places, people and ideas. We’re trying to raise questions about what it means to return to home unrecognized and unrecognizable.”
image: tracy martin (the odyssey - caroline parsons)
The Odyssey May 12 to July 1 Angel Island $40 to $75 | 415.547.0189 weplayers.org
MAY 2012 |
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JUST THE TICKET!
DAILY 19 | Brothers Comatose
20 | Vinocour & Oh
19 | The Sun Kings
20 | Pansy Division
Great American Music Hall | SF $15.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Brothers Comatose plus Sioux City Kid plus Tiny Television. George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $17.00-$20.00 | 415.226.0262 georgesnightclub.com The Sun Kings are Northern California’s premier Beatles tribute band. Laura Benanti tix are at City Box Office for Bay Area Cabaret in SF. (5/12) ONLINE/PHONE SALES Brown Paper Tickets brownpapertickets.com I 800.838.3006 City Box Office cityboxoffice.com I 415.392.4400 EventBrite eventbrite.com I 888.541.9753 InTicketing inticketing.com I 866.558.4253 SJTix sjtix.com I 408.792.4111 StubHub stubhub.com I 415.222.8400 TicketFly ticketfly.com I 877.435.9849 TicketMaster ticketmaster.com I 800.745.3000 TicketWeb ticketweb.com I 866.468.3399
DISCOUNT SALES TixBayArea.COM Online and walk-up same-day, halfprice tickets for theatre, music, dance and more. Full-price advance tickets also available. UNION SQUARE 350 Powell Street Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Goldstar.COM Free and discounted performance and event tickets. Registration required.
.............................................. The vendors listed are legitimate, licensed ticket sellers. Please exercise caution when purchasing tickets form second-hand vendors.
18 |
| MAY 2012
Slim’s | SF $15.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com This Charming Band: Tribute to the Smiths / Morrissey with For the Masses and Spellbound. 19 | Treasures
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $18.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Napa Regional Dance Company offers its Spring Showcase: Treasures. 20 | American Me
Café Du Nord | SF $12.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Pansy Division plus Swann Danger. 20 | Comedy Showcase
Punch Line San Francisco | SF $12.50 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Weekly SF Comedy Showcase, held very Sunday for over 30 years. 20 | The Keys to Heaven
Cutting Ball at EXIT | SF FREE | 415.525.1205 cuttingball.com Hidden Classics series concludes with a celebration of August Strindberg’s centennial. 21 | Josh Kornbluth
Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com A collaboration of the best up and coming comedians in the Bay Area.
Ashby Stage | Berkeley $20.00 | 510.841.6500 shotgunplayers.org Shotgun Cabaret brings Josh Kornbluth to the Ashby Stage to perform Haiku Tunnel.
20 | Eleazar Rodriguez
21 | Mads TollinG
Firehouse Arts Center | Pleasanton $20 | 925.931.4848 firehousearts.org Livermore Valley Opera presents internationally acclaimed tenor and other world class singers. 20 | Eric Hutchinson
Slim’s | SF $16.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Folk and pop singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson with Graffiti6. 20 | Flight to Mars
Independent | SF $20.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com UFO tribute band Flight To Mars with Feat, Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, Vendetta Red and Hydrophonic. 20 | Jack HannA
Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $35 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org Take a trip to the wild side with America’s favorite zookeeper!
Yoshi’s | SF $14.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Mads Tolling, violinist, violist, composer and two time Grammy Award Winner. 21 | Veronica Klaus
Rrazz Room | SF $30 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Named Best Chanteuse by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. (Ends 5/22) 22 | Café Theatre Comedy: Marc Yaffee
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $15.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Comedian Marc Yaffee with opener Adam Stone. 22 | Dum Dum Girls
Slim’s | SF $17.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Dum Dum Girls plus Tamaryn.
image: courtesy photo (laura benanti)
FISHERMAN’S WHARF 2800 Leavenworth Street Thursday to Saturday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
19 | This Charming Band
Old First Church | SF $14.00-$17.00 | 415.474.1608 oldfirstconcerts.org SF Symphony violist Jonathan Vinocour and pianist June Choi Oh in concert.
classical arts in emerging pictures
image: tristam kenton (la fille mal gardée - roberta marquez, gary avis, philip mosely, ludovic ondiviella)
by daphne o’neal
Imagine routinely taking in opera and ballet at the world’s greatest houses. De rigueur for the jet-setting few perhaps, but such a lifestyle remains firmly in the realm of fantasy for the rest of us. Enter Emerging Pictures. The nine-year-old New York City-based company digitally delivers opera and ballet performances from Europe’s great theaters to a network of cinemas throughout the U.S. including live HD simulcasts from such sites as the Royal Opera House in London, the Paris Opera, Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre and Teatro alla Scala in Milan. On May 16, the Royal Ballet streams live into Oakland’s magnificent Grand Lake Theater. Frederick Ashton’s definitive production of La Fille Mal Gardee, one of the oldest ballets (circa 1793) currently in repertory anywhere. Rarely performed in its entirety stateside, Fille is a frothy comic romance in which two young lovers facing parental opposition ultimately win the day. The Covent Garden production stars lauded principals Roberta Marquez and Steven McRae. The original provider of live Metropolitan Opera programming, Emerging Pictures seized an opportunity five years ago to marry cutting-edge technology to unique, high-quality, and heretofore unavailable content.
CINEMA
La Fille Mal Gardée
Christiana Little, “so we looked to Europe, the birthplace of opera and ballet, to find content from these fantastic artistic institutions.” Armed with Netflix-like server technology that allowed for ease of distribution to any number of presenters, the company approached movie palaces, art houses and museums across the country to offer its Opera in Cinema and Ballet in Cinema programming. An sidelight of the programming is that the “100% green” digital technology leaves no carbon footprint. It’s refreshingly uncomplicated for theater operators. Like streaming online, says Little, “It’s as easy as hitting ‘play’ for the venues.” Happily for North Bay dance lovers, Summerfield Cinemas, Santa Rosa, is also presenting the live La Fille Mal Gardee simulcast and, along with the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, will screen the recorded version of the performance on May 20 and 29. San Jose’s Camera 3 Cinema offers the recorded production July 8 and 10. BALLET IN CINEMA Live Stream May 16 Various Venues $14 to $20 | emergingpictures.com
“We saw there was a hunger for arts programming in the United States,” states Director of Marketing MAY 2012 |
| 19
SPOTLIGHT
DAILY 22 | Fear Factory
Regency Ballroom | SF $25.00-$27.00 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com With Shadows Fall, The Devastated, The Browning, and Legacy of Disorder. 22 | Frankie Quinones
1 | MAUREEN MCGOVERN
Rrazz Room | SF $35-$45| 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Celebration of the second half of the 20th Century Songbook. Ends 5/6.
23 | The Real McKenzies
23 | Aloha Hawaii Live!
24 | Con Brio
23 | Ash Reiter, Idea The Artist
24 | Freedy Johnston
Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $39-$79 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org Showcasing Hawaiian and Pacific Islander artists in a Las Vegas-like show.
23 | Eric Muhler Trio
Yoshi’s | SF $22.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Eric Muhler Trio with dancers Zoe Muhler and Matthew Wicket and flutist Dr. Susan Day. 23 | James Farm
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $30.00-$35.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Acoustic jazz quartet featuring Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks, Matt Penman, and Eric Harland. 23 | Mark Lanegan Band
Great American Music Hall | SF $25.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Mark Lanegan Band plus Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss. 23 | Nick Griffin
Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00-$21.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Griffin makes regular appearances on David Letterman, Conan and Comedy Central 11 | GOAPELE
Yoshi’s | SF $26-$35 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com The jazz singer makes her big screen debut this fall in Sparkle. Ends 5/13.
20 |
| MAY 2012
23 | Smuin Ballet
Mountain View Center $52-$65 | 415.556.5000 smuinballet.org Spring series includes World Premiere by choreographer Ma Cong, plus Swipe and a Michael Smuin work. (Ends 5/27)
Slim’s | SF $17.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Scottish punk band The Real McKenzies plus Civet. Great American Music Hall | SF $15.00-$18.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Con Brio plus Marcus Cohen and the Congress. Café Du Nord | SF $15.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Freedy Johnston plus The Lonesome Heroes. 24 | God of Carnage
Marin Theatre Company | MV $15-$55 | 415.388.5208 marintheatre.org Tony-winning comedy. Middle class manners be damned when two couples meet about their fighting kids. (Ends 6/17) 24 | Hilary Hahn Plays Prokofiev
Davies Symphony Hall | SF $15.00-$140.00 | 415.864.6000 sfsymphony.org Violinist Hillary Hahn and maestro Osmo Vanska perform with the San Francisco Symphony. (Ends 5/27) 24 | Marco Benevento
Yoshi’s | Oakland $10.00-$20.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Acoustic piano artist who employs pedals, amplifiers, circuit bent toys and sundry effects. 24 | Merle Haggard
Warfield | SF $45.00-$200.00 | 888.929.7849 thewarfield.com No description provided. 24 | Star Slinger
Slim’s | SF $16.00-$18.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Star Slinger plus The Hood Internet plus Chrissy Murderbot plus DJ Dials.
images: jeremy daniel (million dollar quartet), all others - courtesy photos (maureen mcgovern, goapele)
Broadway San Jose | SJ $20-$75 | 408.792.4111 broadwaysanjose.com An Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins evening. Ends 5/13.
Yoshi’s | Oakland $15.00 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Oakland’s Tara Linda delivers jazzy blues, Latin torch and more.
Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Frankie Quinones offers a one-man variety show, transforming from one character to another.
Café Du Nord | SF $10.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Ash Reiter, Idea The Artist plus Jeremy Rourke.
8 | MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
23 | Tara Linda and The Rumor Mill
pacific pop
by ml heath Though their name may or may not have been inspired by a certain Jim Morrison lyric, the music of Southern California trio Best Coast succeeds in conveying a far cheerier experience - though every bit as Pacific-flavored - than anything found in The Doors’ fabled canon.
MUSIC
best coast
Best Coast’s debut CD, Crazy For You, was one of the genuine musical surprises of 2010. Lead singer/ guitarist Bethany Cosentino is front and center with a singing style both effortless and yearning, favorably comparable to Lesley Gore and other suburban teenqueen ‘60s pop stars. Cosentino also possesses estimable melodic chops, evoking numerous points on the tapestry of Southern California pop music history, yet remaining uniquely her own. Assisted by multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno, Cosentino casts Best Coast’s songs within a timelessly tuneful pop dynamic: chugging along like a Ramonespowered train one moment, only to surge and drone with the best of ‘90s UK shoegazer bands (Ride, My Bloody Valentine) the next. Best Coast’s stop this month at Oakland’s Fox Theater is but one on their first world tour, one which will take them to summer gigs at the Isle of Wight and an Atlantic City festival curated by Metallica. Their much-anticipated sophomore CD, The Only Place, with renowned producer Jon Brion, is also being released this month. Comparing the two, Cosentino says, Crazy For You - with songs referencing pet cats and stoner slackerdom- “sounds like a young girl whining about her life. The new album comes across more as a young woman growing up.”
image: david black
Best Coast’s music has even drawn the attention of Drew Barrymore, who framed songs from the debut within a 10-minute Romeo and Juliet-themed video she directed, starring Chloe Moretz of Kick-Ass and MTV teen-sitcom star Tyler Posey. In addition, Cosentino is launching a women’s clothing line for Urban Outfitters, which she describes as “if Stevie Nicks and Cher from Clueless had a baby and they took her to a séance.” best coast May 19 | 8:00 p.m. Fox Theater 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland $25 | 510.548.3010 thefoxoakland.com
MAY 2012 |
| 21
SPOTLIGHT
DAILY 24 | The Clean House
25 | Curtains
24 | Tracy Morgan
25 | House of Floyd
Bus Barn Theater | Los Altos Hills $28-$32 | 650.941.0551 busbarn.org A Brazilan housekeeper named Matilde would rather come up with the perfect joke than clean the house (Ends 6/16)
18 | ARMITAGE GONE! DANCE
YBCA - Novellus Theatre | SF $35-$50 | 415.978.2787 sfperformances.org A dance of daring and elegance by Karole Armitage. Ends 5/19.
Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $43.50 | 415.928.4320 cobbscomedyclub.com Star of NBC’s 30 Rock, Morgan also appears in films and TGS with Tracy Jordan. 24 | We Are Serenades
Independent | SF $14.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com Filter presents We Are Serenades
25 | 9 to 5: The Musical
25 | Alison Krause
Firehouse Arts Center | Pleasanton $38-$48 | 925.931.4848 firehousearts.org Pop/Rock band is back together and presents their tour Better Than Ever!
25 | Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Craneway Pavilion | Richmond $35-$250 | 510.215.6000 craneway.com Swing kings celebrate the new Rosie the Riveter Visitor Center. Optional drinks & dinner at 5pm. Union Square | SF $0 | 415.800.7943 pushdance.org Push Dance Company and Union Square Live present the world premiere from Raissa Simpson. (Ends 5/28) 25 | Born Yesterday
Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $20 | 415.928.4320 cobbscomedyclub.com McDonald enjoyed an unprecedented ten-year run on Mad TV.
22 |
| MAY 2012
Yoshi’s | Oakland $26.00-$30 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Acoustic jazz quartet featuring Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks, Matt Penman, and Eric Harland. (Ends 5/27) 25 | Mishka Anuhea
25 | Bitter Melon
31 | Michael McDonald
25 | James Farm
Cinnabar Theater | Petaluma $15-$25 | 707.763.8920 cinnabartheater.org Garson Kanin’s 1946 Broadway romantic comedy and political satire, directed by Sheri Lee Miller. (Ends 6/10) 25 | Cass McCombs Band
Great American Music Hall | SF $16.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Cass McCombs Band plus Michael Hurley.
Independent | SF $16.00-$18.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com Mishka Anuhea with Micah Brown 25 | Pablo Cruise
25 | Pavel Urkiza & John Santos
Brava Theatre | SF $20-$25 | 800.380.3095 brava.org Cuban singer-songwriter Urkiza and Bay Area percussionist John Santos offer a pre-Carnaval concert. 25 | The Cheeseballs
George’s Nightclub | San Rafael $10.00-$15.00 | 415.226.0262 georgesnightclub.com Dance hits blending 1980s pop hits, 1970s disco and funk, rock ‘n’ roll, hiphop and more. 25 | The Great Divide
Ashby Stage | Berkeley $22-$28 | 510.841.6500 shotgunplayers.org A contemporary drama inspired by Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People pitting life against livelihood. (Ends 6/25) 25 | Tommy Castro
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $18.00-$22.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Blues guitarist Tommy Castro fuses blues, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll.
images: julieta cervantes (amitage gone! dance), courtesy photos (ºpabloc cruise, michael mcdonald)
Firehouse Art Center | Pleasanton $38-$48 | 925.931.4848 firehousearts.org The hit-happy pop/rock band of the ‘70s and ‘80s has reconvened.
Slim’s | SF $21.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com House of Floyd is San Francisco’s Pink Floyd tribute band.
Willows Theatre | Concord $28-$36 | 925.798.1300 willowstheatre.com Dolly Parton’s fun musical based upon the hit film about 3 office workers and their tyrannical boss. (Ends 6/23)
Mountain Winery | Saratoga $55.00-$125.00 | 888.929.7849 mountainwinery.com Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas. 25 | PABLO CRUISE
142 Throckmorton Theatre | MV $18-$30 | 415.383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.org 142 Throckmorton’s Marin Youth Performers presents a musical murder mystery. (Ends 6/2)
on top of the hill
by barry willis
image: ed smith (the music man - susan zelinsky, robert moorhead)
When Professor Harold Hill hits the whistlestop town of River City, it will be his third visit to the Sidney B. Cushing Amphitheater on Mount Tamalpais - and the Mountain Play’s 99th anniversary. The Music Man is being helmed by James Dunn. It’s his 30th time directing the annual event and he claims it will be his last - at least outdoors. Dunn will continue to direct indoor productions. Based on playwright Meredith Willson’s own Iowa hometown, the beloved show is arguably one of the greatest pieces of Americana ever written. It won six Tony Awards, including the surprise upset of receiving the Best Musical award over West Side Story, and solidified already-strong careers for Barbara Cook and Robert Preston with Tonys. The 1962 film version with Preston and Shirley Jones was an Oscar nominee and a Golden Globe winner for Best Picture. Mountain Play newcomer Robert Moorhead plays the eminent Prof. Hill and is described as having “the chops to play big,” by cast member Robert Wilson (Constable Locke). “Outdoor shows demand that performers communicate with the far reaches of the audience,” Wilson notes. “Especially in a venue like Mt. Tamalpais,
musical
the music man
where the upper seats are far from the stage.” Playing big is an ability shared by Susan Zelinsky, who brings her vocal talents to the role of Marian Paroo, River City’s guardian of culture and Prof. Hill’s nearly unattainable love interest. Director Dunn’s Mountain Play productions are famous for dramatic openings - a horse-drawn stagecoach rolling into a prairie village in Oklahoma; a flower-festooned VW bus disgorging a tribe of tie-dyed hippies in Hair. How he might get a 1912 passenger train to the top of Mt. Tamalpais is a matter of speculation, but anything is possible. That element of the unknown also extends to Bay Area weather, which could be sweltering, freezing or both, so come prepared. the music man May 20 to June 17 Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre 801 Panoramic Highway, Mill Valley $15 to $40 | 415.383.1100 mountainplay.org
MAY 2012 |
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DAILY 26 | Blisses B
Café Du Nord | SF $10.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Blisses B plus Dad’s LP’s , Cassandra Farrar and the Left Brains and Tawnee Kendall. 26 | Brainfeeder Artists
design publications websites
415.552.8040 780 sutter street san francisco, ca 94109
www.viamedia.net a division of Caselli Partners LLC
Yoshi’s | SF $15.00-$20.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Samiyam, MONO/POLY, Ryat, Mast and more in the lounge. 26 | Drawn to the Music
27 | SF Comedy Showcase
Punch Line San Francisco | SF $12.50 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Weekly SF Comedy Showcase, held very Sunday for over 30 years. 27 | Tracy Morgan
Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $43.50 | 415.928.4320 cobbscomedyclub.com Star of NBC’s 30 Rock, Morgan also appears in films and TGS with Tracy Jordan.
26 | George Lopez
28 | The Roots
Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $55-$65 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org One of America’s funniest comedians brings his hilarious wit to Santa Rosa for two nights. (Ends 5/27) Slim’s | SF $22.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Louisiana’s blues roots export Tab Benoit plus Jimmy Leslie and the Flow. 26 | Wish Upon a Star
Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill $12-$25 | 800.838.3006 peterpanfoundation.org Peter Pan Foundation presents a musical to benefit Children’s Hospital in Oakland. (Ends 5/28) 27 | Hugh Laurie
Great American Music Hall | SF $36.00 | 415.885.0750 slimspresents.com Hugh Laurie performs music from his debut album Let Them Talk, with The Copper Bottom Band. 27 | Joan Osborne
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $40.00-$45.00 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Grammy-nominated singer songwriter offers vintage blues, rhythm and blues, and soul music. 27 | John McLaughlin
Café Du Nord | SF $15.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Indiana-born pianist and songwriter Jon McLaughlin performs.
| MAY 2012
Yoshi’s | SF $18.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Rebeca Mauleon 50th Birthday Celebration.
Shiloh Covenant Church | Windsor $15 | 707.235.2233 A cabaret-style performance of different songs from animated feature films and cartoons! (Ends 5/27)
26 | Tab Benoit
24 |
27 | Rebeca Mauleon
Regency Ballroom | SF $50.00-$75.00 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com No description provided. 29 | Active Child
Independent | SF $15.00 | 415.771.1421 theindependentsf.com Active Child with Lord Huron. 29 | Dry the River
Café Du Nord | SF $10.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com London’s five-piece band Dry the River. 29 | Hari Kondabolu
Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com New York City native Hari Kondabolu has appeared on Comedy Central and Jimmy Kimmel Live. 29 | Hugh Laurie
Uptown Theatre | Napa $50.00 | 707.259.0123 uptowntheatrenapa.com Hugh Laurie on piano and vocals, celebrating New Orleans blues from his album Let Them Talk. 30 | Isabelle Faust, Violin
Herbst Theatre | SF $38.00-$60.00 | 415.392.4400 sfperformances.org Isabelle Faust performs Beethoven violin sonatas with pianist Alexander Meinikov.
voulez-vous translate avec moi? by nicole gluckstern
How many productions of The Misanthrope or Art do we have to sit through before it occurs to us that surely the French must have a wealth of new plays out there that we have yet to discover? Anglophone theatre-makers and enthusiasts both, confined to the conventional by a little hurdling block of linguistic disparity, are missing out on a brave new world of theatrical innovation, a world that Playwrights Foundation intends to introduce us to with Des Voix...Found in Translation.
image: cedric baudu
A festival of contemporary French plays that might not have otherwise been translated into English, this ambitious project is drawing from some of the best translation talents in the Bay Area, not to mention all-star turns from Carey Perloff (A.C.T.), Rob Melrose (Cutting Ball Theater), and Playwright Foundation’s Amy Mueller, who will direct staged readings of the three plays written by Marion Aubert, Nathalie Fillion, and Samuel Gallet. “The project was really inspired by the two Cultural Attaches at the French Consulate General here in San Francisco, who are both ‘theater guys’,” says Mueller. “They love the theater and wanted to find a way to expose contemporary French playwrights to the San Francisco community. The format for the collaboration was inspired in part by the way
french
Des Voix...Found in Translation
our sister organization (New York’s The Lark Play Development Lab) has developed their international programs and exchanges, especially the U.S./ Mexico Playwrights Exchange.” Selected by Mueller and the Consulate’s Ivan Bertoux, along with the assistance of a pool of Bay Area Francophiles with an affinity for the stage and the language both, the three plays range stylistically from Fillion’s Out There, described as a “Chekhovian family drama,” to Communiqué N°10, a post-epochalyptic portrait of futuristic rebellion, by Gallet. Most excitingly three plays from important, emerging American playwrights, Marcus Gardley, Rajiv Joseph, and Liz Duffy Adams, will be receiving the same treatment in Paris in 2013, and all six playwrights will be collaborating together this year for the Litquake-sponsored Bal Littéraire: A New Play Night Club on May 25. des voix May 25 to 27 Z Space 450 Florida, SF $15 to $75 | 800.838.3006 desvoixfestival.com
MAY 2012 |
| 25
JUST RELEASED
DAILY 30 | James McCartney
Café Du Nord | SF $17.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com British singer-songwriter James McCartney performs with full band on his North American Tour. 30 | Pygmalion
terese genecco Live From The Iridium NYC Swinging tunes from a Rat Pack afficianado. (teresegenecco.com)
Town Hall Theatre | Lafayette $26.50-$29.50 | 800.380.3095 thtc.org George Bernard Shaw’s classic tale about linguist Henry Higgins and his project Eliza Doolittle. (Ends 6/23) 30 | The Tempest
Bruns Memorial Amphitheater | Orinda $35-$71 | 510.548.9666 calshakes.org Jonathan Moscone directs a highlytheatrical, dance-filled, family-friendly new production. (Ends 6/24)
31 | The Water is Clear and Still
Z Space | SF $25.00 | 800.838.3006 zspace.org Liss Fain Dance presents a World Premiere featuring short stories by Jamaica Kincaid. 31 | Will Durst
Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00-$21.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Political satirist Durst has been nominated for five Emmys and seven Standup of the Year awards.
WHO’S ON (THE) FIRST?
30 | Will Durst
KATHY KOSINS To The Ladies of Cool
Celebrating jazzy sisters like Julie London and others. (kathykosins.com)
Punch Line San Francisco | SF $15.00-$21.00 | 415.281.9242 punchlinecomedyclub.com Political satirist Durst has been nominated for five Emmys and seven Standup of the Year awards. 31 | 100 Saints You Should Know
Thick House | SF $20-$30 | 800.838.3006 therhino.org Kate Fodor’s powerful play about family love, homosexuality and adolescence. (Ends 6/17) 31 | Cash’d Out:
Live recording for fans of Anthony Warlow. (anniethemusical.com.au)
31 | Daughtry
Warfield | SF $34.50-$54.50 | 888.929.7849 thewarfield.com Daughtry with Safetysuit and Mike Sanchez. 31 | Michael McDonald
Cobb’s Comedy Club | SF $20.00 | 415.928.4320 cobbscomedyclub.com A veteran of Mad TV and writer/director on ABC’s Cougar Town. 31 | Paige and the Thousand
MEREDITH BRAUN Someone Else’s Story
Airy UK soprano sings her favorite showtunes. (stagedoorrecords.com)
26 |
| MAY 2012
Café Du Nord | SF $12.00 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com Paige and the Thousand perform original compositions of Lindsay Paige Garfield.
THE BEACH BOYS
Greek Theatre | Berkeley $45-$125 | 415.421.8497 calperfs.berkeley.edu Pricey VIP meet-and-greet packages can be had for this 50th anniversary tour. Motown madness
Angelica’s Bistro | Redwood City $20-$25 | 650.365.3226 angelicasbistro.com A spectacular tribute to old school, doo-wop and classic soul. SUGARLAND
Shoreline Amphitheatre | MV $29.50-$64 | 650.967.4040 livenation.com To hear Jennifer Nettles tell it, it’s a brand new day in Sugarland. MENLO BRASS QUINTET
Menlo Park Presbyterian Church FREE | 650.364.8413 menlobrass.com One of the Bay Area’s finest quintets, renowned for outstanding musicianship.
image: courtesy photo (sugarland - jennifer nettles, kristian bush)
ANNIE Australian Cast Recording
Yoshi’s | SF $18.00 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Johnny Cash tribute band Cash’d Out.
Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush aka Sugarland usher in June at the Shoreline.
coming out swingin’ by robert sokol
It’s a literally swinging time for Barbara Cook as she takes her half-century vocal career in an intriguing new direction. The celebrated performer was the toast of 1950s and ‘60s Broadway with Candide, The Music Man and She Loves Me. After a fallow period in the early ‘70s, she emerged sober and singing better than ever. She’s been cabaret royalty ever since, burnishing the American Songbook and displaying a special affinity for Sondheim.
image: denise winters
Now she’s up to something new. “It’s a real departure for me to be jazzin’ and swingin’ and bluesin’ but it seemed to work,” she says of the show she just completed at Feinstein’s in New York. “I learned a bunch of new songs,” she says, “and I’m bringing them to San Francisco.” Cook chooses her material carefully. “There are some really beautiful songs that just don’t say something that I want to say. Don McLean’s ‘Vincent’ comes most easily to mind. In it he talks about how awful the world is, that it treated him badly and so on. I don’t believe that, so I can’t really sing that. It’s a gorgeous song, but I just don’t believe what it says.” When she does believe a lyric, Cook is noted for finding it’s essence, for stripping it down to its simplest truth. “I don’t do that knowingly,” she says.”I think it’s just something I’ve come to over the years.”
cabaret
barbara cook
She was concerned about the reception her new show would receive. “It’s a big departure for me and I was so afraid people would wonder what the hell is she doing and fer chrissake get back to Sondheim and Rodgers and Hammerstein.” She needn’t have worried. The reviews were raves. Though this is her Rrazz Room debut, at 84, Cook has played most other venues you might name from intimate boites to being the first female pop singer ever presented by the Metropolitan Opera. Last December she received the Kennedy Center Honors in the company of Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma, Sonny Rollins and Meryl Streep. “That was so exciting,” she says. “Still is. One thing I came away with is how extradinarily beautiful Michelle Obama is. I always thought she was a nice looking lady, but in person she just looks so healthy. She really glows.” BARBARA COOK May 29 to June 10 The Rrazz Room 222 Mason Street, SF $50 to $60 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com
MAY 2012 |
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BACK The cast of 42nd Street Moon’s production of Sugar at the Eureka Theatre
Debbie Reynolds at the Marin Center
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Erica Richardson of Hairspray at Broadway by the Bay
Gene Bencomo, Annmarie Martin, Nicole Helfer, and Robert Lopez of Sunset Blvd. at CCMT
Bill Irwin in the Garret at A.C.T.
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The cast of Hamlet at their final performance at City Lights Theatre Company
Marc Huestis and Miss Coco Peru at the Victoria Theatre
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image: steven underhill
Gregory Harrison, Linda Purl and Rex Reed at the JCC of San Francisco
The cast of Titus Andronicus at Impact Theatre
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dians Come the Castro! y l d n e ri of Gay F Heart Gay & In The y l k e We
PM
9 AY @ D S E TU EVERY
uests each week! Featuring Ronn Vigh & special g
* 1 Drink Minimum 路 Full bar & menu available during the show For the Weekly schedule & More Info: become a fan of "Harveys Funny Tuesdays" on Facebook! HarveysSF.com
500 Castro St, (@ 18th) 路 415431.HARV
The Spring Program An exciting and eclectic program that combines Smuin dancers’ athleticism with provocative choreography! Swipe by Val Caniparoli Set to an edgy classical/fusion remix Through World Premiere by Ma Cong Featuring music by renowned composer Ryuichi Sakamoto Symphony of Psalms by Michael Smuin Elegant and breathtaking, danced to Stravinsky’s powerful score
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts May 1 - 6 Lesher Center for the Arts May 18 - 19 Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts May 23 - 27 smuinballet.org 415 912 1899