JUNE 2012 I Your Guide to the Best Theatre, Music, Dance and More in the Bay Area!
[THE ARTISTS]
TRINI LÓPEZ IDINA MENZEL JAY MOHR [THE SHOWS]
JOE GOODE PERFORMANCE GROUP PYGMALION SAVAGE JAZZ DANCE COMPANY VOCA PEOPLE WHEELHOUSE
+
SUMMER SHAKESPEARE
[THE COVER]
MARY POPPINS
The Supernanny Lands in San Jose
ALSO: DAILY EVENTS + MUSIC & COMEDY CLUB LISTINGS + VENUE DIRECTORIES + MORE
MAy 31 - June 3
PrePAre to Be thunDerstruck! AustrALiA’s
THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER
June 9 & 10
DEANA MARTIN An evening With DeAnA
June 4 & 5
KATYA SMIRNOFF-SKYY the gyPsy in My souL
June 11, 18, 25
THE TOMMY IGOE BIG BAND this Aint your DADDy’s Big BAnD
June 19 & 20 tony noMinee, MAc Winner, theAtre WorLD AWArD Winner
SHARON MCNIGHT
June 21 - 24 three-tiMe grAMMy Winner
JON SECADA
“Men oF note!” songs FroM “Living” MALe songWriters
222 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
June 7 - 10
SONY HOLLAND
& her ALL stAr BAnD “WeLcoMe BAck to sF concerts!”
June 12 - 17 one Week onLy! stePPin’ out Live With
BEN VEREEN
June 26 - JuLy 1 “Mr. LA BAMBA” the LegenDAry
TRINI LOPEZ Grand Piano courtesy of Baldwin
800-380-3095 • www.TheRrazzRoom.com
editor ROBERT SOKOL editor@baystages.com
THE STAGES SHAKESPEARE | Amid Summer Nights....................................... 5 DANCE | Dances for Oakland.......................................................... 7 MUSICAL | Mary Poppins............................................................... 9 PLAY | Pygmalion...........................................................................11 ALIEN | Voca People.......................................................................13 MUSICAL | Wheelhouse................................................................17 MUSIC | Idina Menzel.....................................................................19 DANCE | When We Fall Apart........................................................21 STANDUP | Jay Mohr....................................................................23 LATINO | Trini Lopez.......................................................................25 RECORDING | Traveling Tunes.....................................................27 BACK I Behind the Scenes with
...............................28
image: michael david rose photography (larissa archer, caitlin evenson, susan shay, sophia lapaglia, karina wolf)
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.
5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE June 15 to July 28 Phoenix Theater 414 Mason Street, SF $20 to $38 | 415.336.3522 tidestheatre.org
publisher RON WILLIS publisher@baystages.com design VIA MEDIA design@viamedia.net contributing writers GRIER COOPER CHRIS RENÉ WILL SCHMID ROBERT SOKOL LEE WALKER elizabeth warnimont contributing photographers STEVEN UNDERHILL DAVID WILSON cover image MARY POPPINS Rachel Wallace & Case Dillard image: deen van meer All other photos are provided by the artists or venues. Photography credits are noted when provided.
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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JUNE 2012 |
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REVOLVING
Graffiti6 appears with Yuna at Café Du Nord. (6/20)
Keane lands at the Fox Theatre in Oakland. (6/30)
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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| JUNE 2012
images: alex lake (keane), all others - courtesy photos (anne walsh, graffiti6)
Napa Valley Jazz Society presents Anne Walsh at Silo’s. (6/3)
view from the editor Back in 1998, long before I ever imagined something called BAYSTAGES, I took a chance on a show at a little theatre company that produced “lost” musicals. They caught the attention of the Sondhead in me because they were mounting the rarely seen Do I Hear A Waltz? In the talented cast was a scene-stealing urchin who made connections for many of the other characters. Fast forward to 2012 and 42nd Street Moon is embarking on its 20th anniversary season and the urchin is now a heartthrob (still) named Darren Criss, who steals into the homes of America every week on Glee. (Also in Waltz were artists quite recently on BAYSTAGES pages including Caroline Altman, Arwen Anderson, Kelly Ground, Greg MacKellan, Dyan McBride and Steve Rhyne.) Two years ago, when BAYSTAGES was a serious idea, I took a chance on a show by a small theatre company in a 49-seat space in San Francisco’s skid row area South of Market. In the cast was a scenestealing youth who made connections (sometimes while naked) with many of the other characters one of which was a girl, the other a horse.
Faster forward to 2012 and Boxcar Theatre just completed an ambitious, four-month repertory season of Sam Shepard in concurrent locations. Bobby Conte Thornton, Boxcar’s Alan Strang in Equus, has since been crowned Bay Area Cabaret’s 2011 Teen Idol and last month he opened for Tony-winner Laura Benanti at the legendary Venetian Room. I don’t think we’ll have to wait a decade before this talented young man (not yet 21!) is stealing into homes across America as a star of stage, screen or concert hall. There’s no moral to this story. Just pure pleasure in seeing talent nurtured and growing. Summer is upon us which means visitors, travel and Shakespeare, oh my! It’s time for Bard and concerts under the stars, plus all the usual and plentiful offerings of theatre, music, dance and more throughout the Bay Area. Whether it’s in our pages or on our website, here’s hoping you find something that’s truly supercalifragilisticexpialidocious to entertain you this month!
ROBERT SOKOL, editor
image: via media
Bobby Conte Thornton, who made a cameo in our June 2011 issue, seems happy after blowing the roof off a six-song set at the Venetian Room in the Fairmont Hotel last month at Bay Area Cabaret.
JUNE 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. KEY: LF-Lafayette, MV-Mountain View, PA-Palo Alto, RC-Redwood City, SF-San Francisco, SJ-San Jose, SR-Santa Rosa, SU-Sunnvale, WC-Walnut Creek.
Bill Irwin in Beckett’s Endgame at American Conservatory Theater. 2 | The Exonerated
Brava Theatre | San Francisco $18-$23 | 800.380.3095 teatrovagon.org The true stories of six wrongfully convicted survivors of death row in their own words. 2 | Curtains
142 Throckmorton | Mill Valley $18-$30 | 415.383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.org Marin Youth Performers presents the musical murder mystery. 3 | Thanks for Playing
Retro Dome | San Jose $44 | 408.404.7711 theretrodome.com World premiere from the creators of The MeshugaNutcracker! 3 | Endgame & Play
American Conservatory Theater | SF $25-$110 | 415.749.2228 act-sf.org Tony Award winner Bill Irwin stars in Beckett’s iconic dark comedy. 3 | Slices 2012
Pear Theatre | Mountain View $10-$30 | 650.254.1148 thepear.org Ninth season of original short plays by members of the Pear Playwrights Guild. 3 | The Understudy
8 | Show Choir!
Creativity Museum Theater | SF $20.50 | 415.749.2228 act-sf.org ACT’s Young Conservatory presents this part mockumentary, part song-anddance extravaganza.
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| JUNE 2012
Mel Mello Center | Half Moon Bay $20-$30 | 650.569.3266 coastalrep.com (Ends 6/23) 1 | Annie Bacon
1 | Jerry Jeff Walker
Uptown Theatre | Napa $32 | 707.259.0123 uptowntheatrenapa.com Texas singer/songwriter with guest Django Walker.
Café Du Nord | SF $10 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With Adios Amigo, Al Lover & The Haters and My Second Surprise.
1 | Leighton Meester
1 | Billy Martin & Wil Blades
1 | Lips Together, Teeth Apart
Great American Music Hall | SF $18-$20 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With On the Spot Trio.
1 | Benefit the Bothwell
Bankhead Theater | Livermore $20 | 925.373.6800 mylvpac.com Folk and blues icon Barbara Dane, plus Big Cat and the Hipnotics, benefiting the Bothwell Arts Center. 1 | Brenna Whitaler
Slim’s | SF $21 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Dana Williams.
New Conservatory Theatre Center | SF $25-$45 | 415.861.8972 nctcsf.org San Francisco premiere of Terrence McNally’s play about two straight couples on Fire Island. (Ends 7/1) 1 | Magic of the Hands
EXIT Theatre | SF $15 | 800.838.3006 Ryan Horsfall, 2012 SF Magic Champion, and David Gerard, mind-reader, together at the EXIT. (Ends 6/2)
Yoshi’s | SF $12-$18 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Cabaret artist celebrating great American classic songs.
1 | Mogwai
1 | Caifanes
1 | The Real Nasty
Fox Theater | Oakland $50-$65 | 800.745.3000 thefoxoakland.com Alternative rock band from Mexico has reunited.
Café Du Nord | SF $10 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With Grand Nationals and Guella.
1 | Gold Coast Players
Spindrift Theatre | Pacifica $10-$20 | 650.359.8002 pacificaspindriftplayers.com Romantic comedy won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize. (Ends 6/24)
Old First Church | SF $17 | 415.474.1608 oldfirstconcerts.org “Spanish Strings” with pieces by Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Turina, Albéniz. 1 | Into the Woods
Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $26 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org Roustabout’s apprentice program presents Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant take on classic fairy tales. (Ends 6/3)
Regency Ballroom | SF $25-$27 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com With Chad VanGaalen.
1 | You Can’t Take It With You
2 | ‘80s Night
Café Du Nord | SF $10 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With The Started-Its, Worth Taking, Glass Gavel and Posole.
image: kevin berne (endgame - bill irwin)
San Jose Repertory Theatre $29-$74 | 408.367.7255 sjrep.com The west coast premiere of Pulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck’s play.
1 | Almost Maine
bountiful barding
by will schmid June brings the start of summer and for many theatregoers summer means the return of Shakespeare under stars. While the lure of a northwest passage to Ashland is ever present, one need not forge an Oregon trail for truly bountiful Barding. North, South, and East Bay venues, plus San Francisco city settings, provide ample tests of Will al fresco that won’t leave you wanting. By the time you read this California Shakespeare Theatre (calshakes.org) in Orinda will have launched The Tempest (through June 24) with Jonathan Moscone at the helm for James Carpenter, Catherine Castellanos, Emily Kitchens, Nicholas Pelczar and, pictured below, Erica Chong Shuch as Ariel and Michael Winters as Prospero. Liesl Tommy directs Hamlet in September. If you can’t wait that long for a dose of Danish melancholy, visit Livermore Shakespeare Festival (livermoreshakes.org) for Hamlet in July and August, in repertory with The Merry Wives of Windsor.
To the south, Shady Shakespeare Theater Company (shadyshakes.org) presents King Lear in Saratoga in July and August. The 2012 Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival (festivaltheatreensemble.org) includes Two Gentlemen of Verona and Romeo and Juliet in July/August, with performances in Sunnyvale all this month. San Francisco Shakespeare Company (sfshakes.org) re-engages Craig Marker for a tour of Henry V that launches in Pleasanton at the end this month and visits Cupertino and Redwood City in July and August before settling into San Francisco’s Park Presidio in September.
Finally, for those in San Francisco willing to four-wall their Will, Ninjaz of Drama are indoors at the Phoenix Theater (phoenixtheatresf.org) near Union Square with Othello, the Moor of Venice through June 9; and Starving Artists Shakespeare Company is staging A Midsummer Night’s Dream at StageWerx (stagewerx.org) in the Mission in July.
image: kevin berne (the tempest - erika chong shuch, michael winters)
In the North Bay, Marin Shakespeare Company pairs the Platagenet history of King John with a Hawaiian-infused tiki torch romp of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in July and August. The Curtain Theatre (curtaintheatre.org) makes Much Ado About Nothing in Old Mill Park in Mill Valley. Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park (510-8728539) celebrates a Twelfth Night in Hanns Park Amphitheater in late July and then moves to
John Muir Amphitheater in Martinez in early August. Twelfth Night also runs in late July in Veteran’s Park for Shakespeare Napa Valley (shakespearenapavalley.org)
SHAKESPEARE
AMID SUMMER NIGHTS
JUNE 2012 |
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CLOSING SHOWS
DAILY 2 | Adam Carolla
Uptown Theatre | Napa $40 | 707.259.0123 uptowntheatrenapa.com Comedian brings his tales to Napa. 2 | C. J. Chenier
Heather Gordon in Born Yesterday at Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma. 9 | Guys and Dolls
Saratoga Civic Theater $26-$42 | 408.266.4734 southbaymt.com Delightfully funny musical fable of gambling men and the women who long to tame them. 10 | Born Yesterday
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. 10 | The Knight of the Burning Pestle
Foothill College | Los Altos Hills $8-$16 | 800.380.3095 foothill.edu Foothill College Theatre Arts Department presents this bawdy 17th-century comic mash-up. 16 | The Clean House
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. 17 | In the Next Room
Yoshi’s | SF $20-$24 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com With the Red Hot Louisiana Band. 2 | Cantabella Chorus
Bankhead Theater | Livermore $15-$25 | 925.373.6800 mylvpac.com Celebrating 20 years of choral singing, presenting their show The Pure, The Bright, The Beautiful. 2 | Chanticleer
Mission Dolores Basilica | SF $20-$44 | 415.392.4400 chanticleer.org Part of a concert tour performing in California missions from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. 2 | Ernest Ranglin
Great American Music Hall | SF $20-$24 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Vinyl, Ernest Ranglin, DJ Dukey. 2 | Flower & McLaren
Freight & Salvage | Berkeley $22.50-$24.50 | 510.644.2020 thefreight.org Two of Celtic Americana’s creative and accomplished artists. 2 | Gypsy Soul
Firehouse Arts Center | Pleasanton $14-$22 | 925.931.4848 firehousearts.org Acoustic rock duo bring their soulful music to the Firehouse. 2 | Horse Feathers
17 | Night of the Iguana
2 | Margaret Cho
Ross Valley Players | Ross $17-$25 | 415.456.9555 rossvalleyplayers.com Tennessee Williams’ tale of the search for redemption in a Mexican jungle. 17 | The Music Man
Cushing Amphitheatre | MV $15-$40 | 415.383.1100 mountainplay.org Tony Award winning musical featuring songs like “76 Trombones” and “(Ya Got) Trouble in River City.”
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Independent | SF $12-$14 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Death Songs and Garrett Pierce. Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $45-$65 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org Wells Fargo Center brings Ms. Cho to the stage in honor of Pride Month. 2 | Til the Casket Drops
Slim’s | SF $15 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com Featuring Grieves & Budo, with Sol and So Timeless.
Craneway Pavilion | Richmond $36 | 510.642.9988 calperfs.berkeley.edu Cal Performances presents the Voice of Kabul, Rubab virtuoso Ustad Farida Mahwash and Homayoun Sakhi. 2 | Yaelisa & Flamencos
Mildred Owen Hall | Pacifica $20 | 650.355.188 pacificaperformances.org Flamenco superstar and her dance troupe.
3 | MUSIC OF THE AMERICAS
Tamalpais Valley Center | MV FREE | 415.383.0930 millvalleyphilharmonic.org Orchestral music of Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, and Argentina including a world premiere guitar concerto. 3 | Dana Carvey
142 Throckmorton Theatre | MV $75-$150 | 415.383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.org A night of comedy and music benefiting Blue Star Music Camps. 3 | G.B.H.
Independent | SF $20 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Far From Finished and Attitude Adjustment. 3 | Geraldine Walther
SF Conservatory of Music | SF $39-$48 | 415.392.4400 chambermusicsf.org Formerly principal violist with the SF Symphony and now with the Takacs Quartet, performing with friends.
3 | Patsy Cline Tribute
Firehouse Arts Center | Pleasanton $15-$25 | 925.931.4848 firehousearts.org Returning to the Firehouse with the After Midnight Band. 3 | Napa Valley Ballet
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $20 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Presenting Le Grand Cirque de Ballet. 3 | Pasion Habanera
Yoshi’s | SF $12 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Traditional salon music from Cuba, evoking melodies one might hear from a terrace in Old Havana.
image: eric chazankin (born yesterday - heather gordon)
City Lights Theater | San Jose $28-$35 | 408.295.4200 cltc.org Sarah Ruhl’s very funny work, subtitled The Vibrator Play.
2 | Voices of Afghanistan
savage jazz dance company by grier cooper
“I love working, breathing and living in Oakland...and I want to spread that around,” says Reginald Ray-Savage, Artistic Director for Savage Jazz Dance Company. Dances For Oakland, their 20th anniversary program, will feature three world premieres and a special guest appearance by Menlowe Ballet, led by Artistic Director Michael Lowe. “I have a mad respect for Michael Lowe, an Asian-American dancer with the Oakland Ballet for close to 30 years, continues Ray-Savage. “We are two competitive people. We laugh and we love the rich history of dance. We try to outdo one another. If both companies are giving it up, the audience wins.”
DANCE
dances for oakland
Dance Magazine called SJDC “the most layered, sophisticated jazz dance company in these Western climes,” and a recent review stated: “Fluid energy is a hallmark of Savage’s jazz vernacular.” Savage strives to reflect the very fundamental nature of jazz in his choreography - experimentation built on a foundation of artistry and skill. “The job of every artist is to keep finding inspiration. I love for people to by excited by dance and the physicality of it. When you get right down to it, it’s a very physical art form, sensual and exciting in its own simplicity,” he says.
image: mark kitaoka (damon mahoney)
Set to a richly diverse musical backdrop, Dances For Oakland offers multiple lenses through which to view the city, from electronica in Postfabric: Attack/Transition by sound artist Alva Noto, to Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten for Strings and One Bell by Arvo Pärt. “I want to stretch the meaning of the word jazz. I’m constantly looking for music that expands people’s concept of what jazz can be or could be,” says Ray-Savage, “and no matter what music I use, I choreograph leaving room for improvisation and space for the magic to happen.” DANCES FOR OAKLAND Through June 3 Laney College Theatre 900 Fallon Street, Oakland $10 | 800.838.3006 savagejazz.org
JUNE 2012 |
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CLOSING SHOWS
DAILY 3 | Philharmonia Baroque
First Congregational Church | Berkeley $25-$50 | 510.642.9988 philharmonia.org McGegan and Labelle Recital, presenting “Beethoven Songs & Haydn Trios.” 3 | Teseo by Handel
Marines’ Memorial Theatre | SF $39 | 415.771.6900 marineclub.com Pocket Opera presents Handel’s operatic tale of the sorceress Medea’s second attempt at love. 3 | The Rocket Summer
Rod Gnapp in A Behanding in Spokane at SF Playhouse. 17 | 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. 17 | Wonderful World
Dragon Theatre | Palo Alto $$16-$$30 | 800.838.3006 dragonproductions.net Max has a serious in-law problem in this play by Richard Dresser. 23 | Xanadu
Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $40-$47 | 925.943.7469 centerrep.org Based on the legendary cult film with Olivia Newton-John and packed with her chart-topping hits! 23 | 9 to 5: The Musical
25 | The Great Divide
4 | Crystal Fighters
Independent | SF $13-$15 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com Sharing the stage with Is Tropical and guests Blackout Make Out. 4 | Curtis Salgado
Yoshi’s | Oakland $20 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Soulful blues vocalist & harmonica player.
5 | The News
SOMArts Cultural Center | SF $5 | 415.863.1414 somarts.org Experimental Queer Performance 5 | Van Halen
HP Pavilion At San Jose | SJ $49.50-$149.50 | 877.435.9849 hppavilion.com With Kool & the Gang. 5 | VOCA PEOPLE
Marines’ Memorial Theatre | SF $35-$75 | 415.771.6900 marineclub.com Musical theatre event combines vocal sounds, a cappella singing, comedy and the art of beat box. (Ends 6/17) 6 | Bloody Andrew Jackson
4 | Katya Smirnoff-Skyy
6 | Brendan Benson
4 | The Duke Spirit
6 | CocoRosie
Rrazz Room | SF $25 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Presenting her latest cabaret romp, The Gypsy in my Soul. (Ends 6/5) Slim’s | SF $18 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Hacienda.
30 | Behanding In Spokane
Fox Theater | Oakland $25 | 800.745.3000 thefoxoakland.com Stoner rock band with guests Oxbox and Kowloon Walled City.
| JUNE 2012
Yoshi’s | SF $22 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com 30th anniversary tour of Vital Information.
Yoshi’s | SF $15-$20 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Featuring Legally Blynd.
5 | Juan Perro
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5 | Steve Smith
San Jose Stage Company | SJ $33-$45 | 408.283.7142 sjstage.com Musical theatre take on America’s first political maverick and 7th President. (Ends 7/29)
4 | Jubu
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. SF Playhouse | San Francisco $20-$70 | 415.677.9596 sfplayhouse.org Regional premiere of the play Oscarwinning writer Martin McDonagh.
Yoshi’s | Oakland $15 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Horn-driven funk & soul, with an open dance floor.
Slim’s | SF $26 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com Formerly Radio Futura. 5 | Sleep
Independent | SF $18 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Young Hines and The Howling Brothers. Regency Ballroom | SF $23-$25 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com With Tez and The Rajasthan Roots and Sissy Nobby. 6 | Dan Hicks & Hot Licks
Yoshi’s | Oakland $28 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Hicks’ latest project is “The Kollege of Musical Knowledge.” (Ends 6/7)
6 | Left Coast Chamber
142 Throckmorton Theatre | MV $25 | 415.383.9600
142throckmortontheatre.org Presenting “Delicacies for Diverse Ensembles.”
image: jessica palopoli (a behandng in spokane - rod gnapp)
Willows Theatre | Concord $28-$36 | 925.798.1300 willowstheatre.com Dolly Parton’s musical based upon the hit film about three office workers and their tyrannical boss.
Slim’s | SF $15-$17 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With The Scene Aesthetic and States.
5 | Soul Power
by lee walker There’s something about Mary. Mary Poppins, that is. She’s been entertaining folks, particularly young girls, ever since Australian actress and novelist Pamela Lyndon (P.L.) Travers brought the original supernanny to life in 1934. Rachel Wallace, who is headlining the national tour making its Bay Area premiere in San Jose this month, counts herself in. “I was one of those little girls through and through,” says Wallace. “Even more than a little girl who grew up with The Sound of Music and any Barbra Streisand film I could get my hands on. It was absolutely Mary Poppins.”
MUSICAL
MARY POPPINS
the supernanny lands in san jose
She’s referring to both the books and the hugely successful 1964 Disney film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, of which author Travers did not approve, causing her to withhold the rights to any future adaptations of her work. Enter producer Cameron Mackintosh, who negotiated terms with the near-centenarian Travers before her death in 1996 to allow the project to be developed for the stage. A decade later the show opened to great success in London and is now on Broadway, on tour and has been seen in Australia and around Europe. “Our production is really a beautiful marriage of the stories and characters you meet in the book and the parts of the movie you love,” says Wallace, “but still with new journeys for the characters and new characters that you don’t meet in the film.”
image: deen van meer (mary poppins - rachel wallace)
Wallace started in the tour’s ensemble almost two years ago. She understudied the lead and officially picked up her umbrella and carpetbag last fall. It was love at first flight. “My philosophy is to find out what you like most about the character you’re playing. That’s your in and Julian Fellowes, who wrote the book for the musical, has written this incredibly funny, smart, quick Mary Poppins and I’m really just madly in love with that part of her.” MARY POPPINS Through June 10 San Jose Center for the Performing Arts 255 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose $25 to $79 | 866.395.2929 broadwaysanjose.com
JUNE 2012 |
|9
ONGOING SHOWS
DAILY 6 | Early November
Slim’s | SF $20 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With The Wonder Years, The Swellers and Young Statues. 6 | Thomas Mapfumo
Yoshi’s | SF $22 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com With Blacks Unlimited.
6 | Wheelhouse
Brian Copeland is sitting out The Waiting Period at The Marsh. 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
The WAITING PERIOD
The Marsh | SF $25-$50 | 415.282.3055 themarsh.org A show about waiting out the time to buy an gun and possibly use it.
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| JUNE 2012
7 | Advance Base
Café Du Nord | SF $10-$12 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With Nicholas Krgovich and David & Joanna. 7 | JD McPherson
Great American Music Hall | SF $21 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com 7 | Mickey Avalon
Slim’s | SF $26 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Millionaires and Dirt.
Independent | SF $20 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Laura Warshauer.
8 | Buffalo Rome
Bankhead Theater | Livermore $30-$40 | 925.373.6800 mylvpac.com Country/rock band comes to Livermore. 8 | Christopher Cross
Yoshi’s | SF $35-$40 | yoshis.com With hits including “Ride like the Wind,” and “Arthur’s Theme.” (Ends 6/9) 8 | City of Angels
Hastings Studio | SF $10 | 415.749.2228 act-sf.org Musical set in ‘40s Hollywood. (Ends 6/16) 8 | Clearwater Revisited
Mountain Winery | Saratoga $49.50-$99.50 | 888.929.7849 concerts.mountainwinery.com Retro jams at Mountain Winery. 8 | Face to Face
Slim’s | SF $20 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With The Downtown Struts. 8 | Power of the Dorkside
7 | Rick Derringer
Yoshi’s | SF $26 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Rock-n-roll at Yoshi’s.
EXIT Theatre | SF $15 | 800.838.3006 theexit.org A one-man show written and performed by Dr. Pete Ludovice. (Ends 6/9)
7 | Robert Moses’ Kin
8 | Esterházy Quartet
ODC Theater | SF $25 | 415.863.9834 odctheater.org Presenting the BY Series, a new choreographic commissioning project. (Ends 6/17)
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church | Berkeley $28 | 510.642.9988 newesterhazy.org Presenting their program “Haydn in America — The Moravian Heritage.”
7 | Sony Holland
8 | Rick Braun
Rrazz Room | SF $35 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Vocalist returns to San Francisco with her all star band, including husband Jerry Holland. (Ends 6/10) 8 | Bach Soloists
First Congregational Church | Berkeley $20-$50 | 510.642.9988 americanbach.org Presenting “A Tribute to Laurette Goldberg.”
Yoshi’s | Oakland $25-$35 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Jazz trumpeter and vocalist. (Ends 6/10) 8 | Spring Awakening
Altarena Playhouse | Alameda $22 | 510.523.1553 altarena.org Indie-rock retelling of 1892 play. (Ends 7/15) 8 | Tornado Rider
Great American Music Hall | SF $13 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Kill Moi, Sporting Life.
image: joan marcus (brian copeland)
Shelton Theater I SF $27-$29 I 800.838.3006 sheltontheater.com An original musical revue about everyone’s favorite pastime.
Mountain View Center | MV $29-$49 | 650.463.1960 theatreworks.org World premiere of GrooveLily’s ode to the road. (Ends 7/1)
8 | Bob Schneider
by elizabeth warnimont
PLAY
PYGMALION
exploring the power of language There are those who might see George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion as a bit of a chestnut, but Clive Worsley, Artistic Director at Town Hall Theater in Lafayette, offers that “sometimes there’s a good reason why plays are still around.” Worsley remains intrigued about the timeless message of the story. “We tend to assume much about a person just by the way they speak. Not only where they come from, but something about their very character. We assume they may not be a person of heart or intelligence or compassion.”
moral character than Henry Higgins. He is quick to assume that because she speaks this lower class language, she must be of a lower level of intelligence and humanity.” This attitude is exemplified in an exchange between Higgins and his housekeeper. Mrs. Pearce admonishes, “Well, the matter is, sir, that you can’t take a girl up like that as if you were picking up a pebble on the beach,” to which Higgins coolly replies, “Why not?”
In the play, the basis of the musical My Fair Lady, Eliza Doolittle is a Cockney-speaking flower seller Professor Henry Higgins selects for a languagecaste experiment. As the experiment, and the play progress, Eliza discovers a new world for herself through attention to language and manners.
Accurate dialect is central to the plot so Town Hall brought in dialect coach Rebecca Castelli. The company also faced the challenge of “how to make all these locations appear on our tiny stage” says Markam, who was happy to recruit Martin Flynn for the task. The actors are doing beautifully with the dialects, he says, “but I think the audience is going to be just as impressed by the set.”
“In the early 20th Century, when Shaw is writing and when the play takes place, there were chances for change, especially for women, that had never really been possible before,” says director Dennis Markam. He notes that “with the younger characters, you see this abandoning of blind obedience to this sort of structure that has been a part of their culture for almost 100 years.”
image: stu selland (pygmalion - ginny wehrmeister, clive worsley)
“What we learn at the end of this play,” says Worsley, “is that Eliza is a person of much stronger
Pygmalion Through June 23 Town Hall Theatre 3535 School Street, Lafayette $12.50 to $29.50 | 925.283.1557 thtc.org
JUNE 2012 |
| 11
STILL STANDING (UP)
DAILY 8 | Whiskerman
9 | Roger Glenn
9 | Asleep At The Wheel
9 | Renaissance Voices
9 | Bow Wow
9 | Shelby Ash
Café Du Nord | SF $10 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With Guy Fox, Tumbleweed Wanderers and Steve Taylor. Bankhead Theater | Livermore $39-$62 | 925.373.6800 mylvpac.com Grammy award-winning western swing band.
Samson Koletkar is half of Minorities Stand Up at StageWerx. 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.
Regency Ballroom | SF $29.99-$32 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com 9 | Cut Loose Band
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com 9 | Deana Martin
Harvey’s | SF FREE | 415.431.4278 harveyssf.com Ronn Vigh and a roster of LGBT-friendly comics on Tuesdays at 9:00 pm.
Rrazz Room | SF $40-$45 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com A tribute to the music of Dean Martin’s daughter’s adopted family, from Sinatra to Garland. (Ends 6/10)
HELLA GAY COMEDY
9 | Donavon Frankenreiter
HARVEY’S FUNNY TUESDAYS
Deco Lounge | SF $20 | 415.346.3025 decosf.com LGBT comedy variety show that changes its theme every month.
Independent | SF $21 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Goodnight Texas.
MARK PITTA & FRIENDS
Herbst Theatre | SF $25-$65 | 866.920.5299 sfjazz.org Solo jazz piano recital by Havana-born artist Rubalcaba.
142 Throckmorton | MV $15-$20 | 415. 383.9600 sfcomedycollege.com National headliner from SF comedy scene hosts Tuesday at 8:00 pm.
9 | Gonzalo Rubalcaba
9 | Idina Menzel
Mildred Owen Hall | Pacifica $20 | 650.355.188 pacificaperformances.org Latin jazz presented by Pacifica Performances. St. John’s Presbyterian | Berkeley $35 | 800.838.3006 sfrv.org Presenting their program “Concert from the Court of Kangxi.” Great American Music Hall | SF $13-$15 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With The Dirty Hand Family Band, The Famous, The Shants, The Rogers, Hot Pink Feathers. 10 | Fabiana Passoni
Yoshi’s | SF $16 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Brazilian jazz vocalist and her band.
10 | Ole Blue Eyes is Back
Lesher Center | Walnut Creek $45 | 925.943.7469 lesherartscenter.org Jonathan Poretz and his “Modern Swingin’ Salute” to Frank Sinatra. 10 | Patrick Watson
Great American Music Hall | SF $16-$19 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Cat Martino. 10 | Ray Wylie Hubbard
Café Du Nord | SF $17-$20 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With Elliot Randall.
MINORITIES STAND UP
Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $39-$85 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org Tony Award-winning actress, singer and songwriter brings her new show to Santa Rosa.
10 | Symphony Parnassus
StageWerx | SF $10-$15 | At The Door stagewerx.org Edwin Li & Samson Koletkar blast away at stereotypes every 3rd Wednesday. SFCC UNDERGROUND
9 | Karla Bonoff
10 | Tinariwen
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.
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| JUNE 2012
Firehouse Arts Center | Pleasanton $20-$30 | 925.931.4848 firehousearts.org Singer/songwriter comes to the Firehouse. 9 | Playhouse Jamboree
6th Street Playhouse | Santa Rosa $60 | 707.523.4185 6thstreetplayhouse.com Benefit for 6th Street Playhouse, featuring The Shannon Ride Band.
Herbst Theatre | SF $30-$70 | 866.920.5299 sfjazz.org SF Jazz presents African trance-music band made up on Tuareg nomads exiled from their native Mali. 10 | Unknown Hinson
Independent | SF $18-$20 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com Raucous, theatrical and over-the-top country crooner.
image: courtesy photo (samson koletkar)
Purple Onion | SF $7 | 800.838.3006 tommyts.com/showroom SF Comedy College on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 pm.
Conservatory of Music | SF $22 | 800.838.3006 symphonyparnassus.org Presenting a program of Sahba Aminikia, Schumann and Jean Sibelius.
becoming instrumental by robert sokol
What’s a nice Jewish boy like composer-arranger Shai Fishman doing with a bunch of a cappella singing aliens called Voca People? Having a blast! Born in Israel, Fishman was already living in the U.S. when Lior Kalfo approached him about the idea of putting together a show exploring a cappella singing. Fishman quickly suggested adding a beatbox spin.
image: r leon sokoletski
“An a cappella show implies that you go for the standard like, for example, Take Six or Swingle Singers - wonderful groups that I knew before. So I say, ‘We’ve got to invent something new here.’ It can’t be about five or six people doing barbershop.” They came up with the concept of a group of traveling aliens who cannot speak, but communicate through music instead. It was a challenge made to order for Fishman, who plays seven instruments and has composed film scores and original musicals. “It’s not a defect,” says Fishman of the lack of dialogue, “it’s an affect actually, because then I could create a language for them to allow them to both communicate and be musical at the same time.” World domination was always part of the Voca plan and it plays out in the song selections. “For this to be an international show, for a grandpa in Japan and for a kid in Turkey to know these songs I really
ALIEN
VOCA PEOPLE
had no choice. It had to be Beatles. It had to be Michael Jackson. At the same time, there’s a certain challenge when doing Beatles, because you’re going to be doing something that’s been done to death, and done to death well.” Another challenge was finding performers who can vocalize to very unique arrangements, master the challenge of emulating instruments, and blend into the overall concept. “They have to have that understanding of what an arrangement is because more often that not they’re not going to sing the music line they know. They have to have an understanding of what’s funk, what’s classical, what’s jazz, what’s pop, and be able to sing accordingly. They have to be able to sing well outside the range of their natural voice. Vocal athletes are what I look for, and the willingness to be ridiculous on stage.” Voca People June 5 to 17 Marines’ Memorial Theatre 609 Sutter Street, SF $49 to $75 | 415.771.6900 marinesmemorialtheatre.com
JUNE 2012 |
| 13
DAILY 11 | Priester’s Cue
13 | Citizen Rhythm
11 | Tommy Igoe Band
13 | David Grisman
Yoshi’s | SF $18 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Trombone legend Dr. Julian Priester’s quartet. Rrazz Room | SF $25 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Drummer Igoe leads 15 of the Bay Area’s finest musicians weekly live at the Rrazz Room. (Ends 8/27) 12 | American Idiot
Orpheum Theatre | SF $31-$200 | 888.746.1799 shnsf.com Green Day’s Broadway musical returns to the Bay Area. (Ends 7/8) 12 | Ben Vereen
Rrazz Room | SF $45-$50 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com “Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen” at the Rrazz. (Ends 6/17) 12 | Here We Go Magic
Independent | SF $13-$15 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Harriet.
12 | Jazz Voices of Poetry
Yoshi’s | SF $20 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Clairdee, Nicolas Bearde & Shanna Carlson performing music set to Frost, Whitman and other poetry. 12 | Pierre Bensusan
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $20 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org French-Algerian guitarist, singer and composer. 12 | Rhapsody of Fire
“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.” - Ed Attanasio, Northside San Francisco
Thu Fri and Sat at 8pm thru Aug 18
The Alcove Theater 414 Mason Street, 5th Floor San Francisco
For tickets go to www.absolutelysanfrancisco.com or telephone 1.415.992.8168 Ask about our “premium” seats! seats
14 |
| JUNE 2012
Slim’s | SF $27 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Voyager. 12 | Thrice
Regency Ballroom | SF $21.50-$25 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com With Animals As Leaders and O’Brother. 13 | Action Bronson
Independent | SF $15-$17 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com Rapper from Flushing, Queens.
Yoshi’s | Oakland $13-$16 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com CD Release party for Terrence Brewer’s band. 142 Throckmorton Theatre | MV $26-$36 | 415.383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.org Mandolin virtuoso is joined by guitarist Frank Vignola. 13 | Terry Savastano
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com 13 | The Iron Maidens
Yoshi’s | SF $22 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com All-female tribute to Iron Maiden.
14 | Maria Muldaur
142 Throckmorton Theatre | MV $15 | 415.383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.org Paul Liberatore in conversation with vocalist Muldaur. 14 | Aceyalone
Yoshi’s | SF $15-$20 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Of Freestyle Fellowship, performing with live band and open dance floor. 14 | Boney James
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $50-$55 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Smooth jazz artist comes to Napa. 14 | Carolyn Wonderland
Yoshi’s | Oakland $16-$20 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Austin-based blues guitarist.
14 | Japandroids
Independent | SF $15 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Cadence Weapon.
14 | John Lawton Trio
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com 14 | One Direction
Paramount Theatre | Oakland $29.50-$59.50 | 800.745.3000 paramounttheatre.com British “boy band” brings it to the gorgeous Paramount Theatre.
14 | Scheherazade Stone
15 | The Oy of Sex
14 | Stephanie Mills
15 | The Producers
Amnesia | SF $5 | 866.920.5299 sfjazz.org SF Jazz presents Stone performing the songs of Gil Scott-Heron.
Yoshi’s | SF $60 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Playing her hits: “Never Knew Love Like this Before” & “Home” (Ends 6/17) 14 | Beauty Queen of Leenane
EXIT Studio | SF $25 | Online Tickets Only theexit.org Alicia Dattner’s “romantic” comedy. (Ends 6/30) 6th Street Playhouse | Santa Rosa $28-$35 | 707.523.4185 6thstreetplayhouse.com Based on the hilarious 1968 film by Mel Brooks, this outrageous musical won a record 12 Tony Awards. (Ends 7/15)
Olinder Theatre | SJ $20 | 408.288.7820 northsidetheatre.com An Irish black comedy by Martin McDonagh about two isolated and lonely women in Western Ireland. (Ends 7/8)
15 | Ray Charles Project
15 | Another Night In Treme
Slim’s | SF $16 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Avalanche City.
Paramount Theatre | Oakland $25-$75 | 800.745.3000 paramounttheatre.com New Orleans music legends and stars of the blockbuster HBO series Treme.
142 Throckmorton Theatre | MV $18-$28 | 415.383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.org Dwayne Pate, Dave Mathews, Kenny Washington and Kevin Hayes.
15 | Walk Off the Earth
16 | Jon Anderson
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $40-$45 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org The creative artist and vocalist behind the successful band Yes.
15 | Monophonics
16 | Lyrics Born
Great American Music Hall | SF $15-$17 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Fanny Franklin.
Independent | SF $25 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Bayonics and Adam Mansbach.
15 | Roberto Carlos
16 | Manring & DeGrassi
HP Pavilion At San Jose | SJ $42-$82 | 800.745.3000 hppavilion.com Grammy Award-winning Brazilian singer and composer.
Mildred Owen Hall | Pacifica $20 | 650.355.188 pacificaperformances.org Pacifica Performances present this show as part of their guitar series.
15 | Salomania
16 | Motion City Soundtrack
Aurora Theatre | Berkeley $38 | 510.843.4822 auroratheatre.org Award-winning Bay Area auteur Mark Jackson’s newest play. (Ends 7/22)
Slim’s | SF $20-$22 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With The Henry Clay People and The Front Bottoms.
15 | The Company Men
16 | Spectrum Road
Yoshi’s | SF $15-$20 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Sharp choreography & contemporary interpretations of classic & current hits.
Palace of Fine Arts Theater | SF $25-$65 | 866.920.5299 sfjazz.org Jack Bruce, Vernon Reid, John Medeski and Cindy Blackman.
15 | The Mother Hips
16 | The Cribs
15 | Bay Area Heat
Independent | SF $25 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com Will include playing all of the songs from their album “Back to the Grotto.”
Great American Music Hall | SF $21 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Devin.
JUNE 2012 |
| 15
DAILY 16 | The Tall Shadows
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com 16 | Top Shelf
Rrazz Room | SF $25-$30 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com A narrated journey from the early days of doo-wop and Motown. (Ends 7/17) 17 | Celso Piña
18 | Damir
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com 18 | Monday Night Live!
San Jose Stage Company | SJ $60-$100 | 408.283.7142 sjstage.com The Stage’s 19th annual benefit - an evening of live sketch comedy taking aim at local luminaries.
17 | Christian McBride
18 | NickelbaCk
17 | Kate Miller-Heidke
Café Du Nord | SF $12-$15 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With Sylvie Lewis.
17 | Kenny Loggins
Mountain Winery | Saratoga $35-$95 | 888.929.7849 concerts.mountainwinery.com With Blue Sky Riders. 17 | Kitty Margolis
Oshman Family JCC | Palo Alto $22-$25 | 650.223.8618 paloaltojcc.org Stanford Jazz Festival presents jazz vocalist Margolis. 17 | Matthew Martin
Rrazz Room | SF $30 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Hollywood royalty will be conjured in a tribute to their careers. 17 | Mayer Hawthorne
Uptown Theatre | Napa $28 | 707.259.0123 uptowntheatrenapa.com With Allen Stone & Harlan. 17 | Suzi Gilbert
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $20 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Napa Valley vocalist is accompanied by pianist Mike Greensill. 17 | Terry Savastano
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com
| JUNE 2012
Café Du Nord | SF $10 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With Escalator Hill and Magnolia Keys.
Independent | SF $18-$22 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com Mexican singer, composer and accordionist. Herbst Theatre | SF $25-$60 | 866.920.5299 sfjazz.org Presented by SF Jazz.
16 |
18 | Buck Wild
HP Pavilion At San Jose | SJ $62-$86.50 | 800.745.3000 nickelback.com With Bush, Seether and My Darkest Days. 18 | Mathematics of Change
Ashby Stage | Berkeley $20 | 510.841.6500 shotgunplayers.org Shotgun Cabaret presents their third of three shows by Josh Kornbluth. 18 | Ticket to the Moon
Alcazar Theatre | SF $100 | 415.255.8207 42ndstmoon.org A benefit celebrating the 20th anniversary of 42nd Street Moon. Drinks and silent auction at 5:30. 19 | Federico Aubele
Yoshi’s | Oakland $20 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Argentinian acoustic guitarist & songwriter. 19 | Indigo Girls
Mountain Winery | Saratoga $35-$49.50 | 888.929.7849 concerts.mountainwinery.com With a full band, and guests The Shadowboxers. 19 | Jon Anderson
Bankhead Theater | Livermore $29-$51 | 925.373.6800 mylvpac.com Lead vocalist and creative force behind the success of popular progressive rock band Yes. 19 | Rhett Miller
Independent | SF $20 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With The Spring Standards.
gilding the groovelily by chri rené
Take three wildly talented, emerging musicians, make two of them a couple, toss them in an RV they drive from gig to gig to gig to gig, shake, rock and roll vigorously and you just might come up with Wheelhouse, the new musical by GrooveLily making its world premiere at TheatreWorks. It’s a crazy story and rich story telling is what Artistic Director Robert Kelley says is at the fulcrum of GrooveLily’s music. It’s also what makes it so theatrical. This is the fourth collaboration between parties. Previous efforts like Striking 12 - an adaptation of The Little Match Girl, or re-imagining the fairy tale in Sleeping Beauty Wakes, have been fairly whimsical. Wheelhouse is as close to autobiographical as you can get and according to violinist Valerie Vigoda figuring out just how much to tell was a challenge. “It was something that was really at the forefront of our minds when the events in question occurred in 2001 and 2002,” says Vigoda, who is married to the group’s keyboardist, San Francisco native Brendan Millburn. Drummer Gene Lewin is the GrooveLily’s third member. All three share vocal duties and in addition to collaborating on the music, lyrics and book for this show.
before, and weren’t really sure, we were a little skittish and nervous about the idea of doing something autobiographical, and delving into our own stories. There’s a danger of being a little to precious with yourself. Navel-gazing. We just didn’t want to go there. We wanted to make sure that anything we would put out into the world would be something people would relate to and people would care about and not just be about our own narrow experience.”
MUSICAL
WHEELHOUSE
Vigoda is completely sure about the importance of the relationship with Kelley, as everyone calls him, and the whole TheatreWorks family. “I don’t think I can overstate how important that has been. It really feels like an artistic home for us.” wheelhouse June 6 to July 1 Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts 500 Castro Street, Mountain View $19 to $69 | 650.463.1960 theatreworks.org
image: mark kitaoka (wheelhouse - brendan millburn, valerie vigoda, gene lewin)
“We really started writing songs about it not that long after it all happened. One of the reasons that it took us so long is because it felt like it was going to be a slightly different tone from what we had done
JUNE 2012 |
| 17
SAN FRANCISCO VENUES
DAILY 19 | Sharon McNight
Rrazz Room | SF $30 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Presenting her tribute to living male songwriters Men of Note. (Ends 6/20) 19 | Solwave
Café Du Nord | SF $10 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With Dangermaker and Hello Monster. Alice Gosti in Walking Distance Dance at ODC Theatre (6/29-7/1)
18 |
| JUNE 2012
Independent | SF $20 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist. 21 | Gunshy
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com 21 | Indigo Girls
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com
Uptown Theatre | Napa $50 | 707.259.0123 uptowntheatrenapa.com Grammy-winning folk-rock duo with The Shadowboxers in Napa.
20 | Brian Bergeron
21 | Jon Secada
19 | Stan Erhart Band
Johnny Foley’s Irish House | SF Free | 415.954.0777 JohnnyFoleys.com 20 | Glen Campbell
Mountain Winery | Saratoga $35-$75 | 888.929.7849 concerts.mountainwinery.com Country legend in his Goodbye Tour. 20 | Graffiti6
Café Du Nord | SF $15 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com With Yuna.
20 | Indigo Girls
Slim’s | SF $31 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With full band and guests The Shadowboxers. 20 | Jonathan Coulton
Great American Music Hall | SF $29 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With full band, and guest John Roderick, of The Long Winters. 20 | The Cookers
Yoshi’s | Oakland $20-$25 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com David Weiss, Craig Handy, George Cables and more. (Ends 6/21) 20 | The Parlotones
Independent | SF $12-$14 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Ryan Star and The Silent Comedy. 20 | Scottsboro Boys
American Conservatory Theater | SF $20-$110 | 415.749.2228 act-sf.org Bay Area Premiere of Kander and Ebb’s daring final musical. (Ends 7/15)
Rrazz Room | SF $45 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Three-time Grammy-winning singer/ songwriter brings his talent to the Rrazz Room. (Ends 6/24) 21 | Lisa Hannigan
Great American Music Hall | SF $26 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com 21 | Peppino D’Agostino
142 Throckmorton Theatre | MV $20-$30 | 415.383.9600 142throckmortontheatre.org Guitarist is joined by harpist and violinist Carlos Reyes. 21 | Rose Royce
Yoshi’s | SF $20-$30 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Legendary group still going strong after 29 years. 22 | Azucar con Aché
Yoshi’s | Oakland $20 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Multicultural salsa & Latin-jazz ensemble of Bay Area women.
22 | Bill W. and Dr. Bob
San Jose Repertory Theatre | SJ $23-$57 | 408.367.7255 sjrep.com Quick-witted and honest docu-drama follows the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and their wives. (Ends 7/15) 22 | Cabaret
Napa Valley Opera House | Napa $35-$40 | 707.226.7372 nvoh.org Napa Valley Broadway Playhouse presents Kander and Ebb’s musical masterpiece. (Ends 7/1)
image: tim summers (alice gosti)
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
20 | Van Hunt
doing something for good by robert sokol
After starring in two of the biggest musical phenomena of the last 20 years, Idina Menzel is going footloose and fancy-free. More specifically bare-footloose and at the symphony, which is the concept behind her recent CD, DVD and the concert tour that brings her to the Bay Area. From the bohemian rhapsody of Jonathan Larson’s Rent to the feel-good girl power of Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked, Menzel may be single-handedly responsible for making Broadway cool for young people. She certainly became a green goddess to musically intrigued teen and ‘tween girls in her Tonywinning turn as the not so wicked witch Elphaba and she’s committed herself to giving back to them through her non-profit A Broader Way.
IDINA MENZEL June 7 | 8:00 pm Davies Symphony Hall 201 Van Ness Avenue, SF $69.50 to $125 | 415.864.6000 apeconcerts.com June 9 | 8:00 pm Wells Fargo Center for the Arts 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa $20 to $85 | 707.527.7006 wellsfargocenterarts.org
image: robin wong (idina menzel)
“It’s a foundation that brings the arts to inner-city kids. Right now it’s ten days up in the Berkshire Mountains. Last year we brought about 30 girls up there, and they have forts, and music and dance and acting. At the end of the ten days they come back to Manhattan and put on a concert for their family and friends, and what makes it stand out from other performing arts camps with a concert is that they have to co-author the book. Last year was our inaugural summer. It was very successful. We’re bringing back all the girls this year and I’m very excited about it.”
Menzel continues to channel her own creativity as well. “I have a couple of new songs that I’ve been working on with different writers, so I’ll probably try them out. I’ve kind of enjoyed working on an album that’s not a songwriter’s album,“ she says, referring to this year’s Barefoot at the Symphony. “It was the most rewarding album I ever made, because I did it in the night at each performance in Toronto, and there you have it, for better or worse. It’s probably the most in the moment it could possibly be.”
MUSIC
IDINA MENZEL
JUNE 2012 |
| 19
BAY AREA VENUES
DAILY 22 | Céu
Herbst Theatre | SF $30-$70 | 866.920.5299 sfjazz.org SF Jazz presents Native-Brazilian vocalist. 22 | Connie Champagne
Rrazz Room | SF $30 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Judy Garland: After Dark features the intimate side of the Garland songbook. 22 | Glen Campbell
Joan Ryan in Two’s Company at the Firehouse Arts Center. (6/10)
20 |
| JUNE 2012
22 | Muriel Anderson
142 Throckmorton Theatre | MV $20-$30 | 800.380.3095 142throckmortontheatre.org With special guest bassist Ken Millerand Jeff Titus on harp guitar. 22 | Rahsaan Patterson
Yoshi’s | SF $22-$26 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com
22 | Last Ambassadors
Café Du Nord | SF $10 | 415.861.5016 cafedunord.com CD release concert, with Cash Pony and 3 Ring Simian. 22 | The Retroz
Slim’s | SF $14-$16 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Funkery and The Raya Zion Collective. 22 | Theesatisfaction
Independent | SF $12-$14 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com THEESatisfaction are Stasia Irons and Catherine Harris-White. 23 | Amy & Freddy
Rrazz Room | SF $25 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Comedy duo who have appeared on every RSVP cruise for 10 years. 23 | Bells Are Ringing
Saratoga Civic Theater | Saratoga $18-$33 | 800.838.3006 wvlo.org “The Party’s Over” and “Just In Time” are hits from this classic. (Ends 7/21)
Uptown Theatre | Napa $28 | 707.259.0123 uptowntheatrenapa.com All-Maori reggae band from Hamilton, New Zealand, with J Boog, plus FIJI. 23 | Larry Coryell
Yoshi’s | Oakland $20-$25 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Live taping of a documentary on guitar master Larry Coryell. (Ends 6/24) 23 | Lynn Ruth Miller
Mildred Owen Hall | Pacifica $20 | 650.355.188 pacificaperformances.org Miller hosts Larry Bubble Brown, Michael Meehan and Steve Pearl. 23 | May’n
Yoshi’s | SF $40-$100 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Japanese vocalist brings her show to Yoshi’s for a matinee performance. 23 | Pat Martino Trio
Yoshi’s | SF $20-$25 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Pat Martino on guitar, Pat Bianchi on organ and Carmen Intorre Jr. on drums. 23 | Sarah Silverman
Mountain Winery | Saratoga $49.50-$89.50 | 888.929.7849 concerts.mountainwinery.com Comedian and satirist brings her wit to Saratoga. 23 | Scissor Sisters
Fox Theater | Oakland $39.50 | 800.745.3000 thefoxoakland.com They’re back - bringing their infectious pop/rock/dance grooves to the Fox in Oakland. 23 | The Gondoliers
Montgomery Theatre | SJ $26-$36 | 800.838.3006 lyrictheatre.org Lyric Theatre presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s musical romp about royalty and love. (Ends 7/1) 24 | Amaral
Independent | SF $18-$20 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com Spanish folk, pop, rock band bring their summer U.S. tour.
image: courtesy photo (joan ryan)
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
Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $40-$55 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org Country music icon in his final tour.
23 | Katchafire
joe goode performance group by grier cooper
When We Fall Apart, choreographer Joe Goode’s newest work, uses symbols of house and body to explore the definition of “home” and the myth of stability that constantly eludes us. Using personal stories solicited from his audience and the public, the piece explores Universal themes of life choices, dreams and expectations with the humor and honesty that one would expect from Joe Goode Performance Group (JGPG). “This is real, it’s not made up... it’s not fiction,” says Goode. “We all tend to have a lot of the same issues...everyone’s experienced disappointment. It feels a little bit more like inviting people to sit with their own drama.” Architect Cass Calder Smith, known for his high-profile restaurant designs in New York and San Francisco, sets the stage with a fragile and collapsible version of the archetypal Suburban home. The piece also features live, original music by Ben Joudvalkis.
Goode stresses that the magic of JGPG is truly a collaborative effort. “For me as an artist who wants to make work that’s catalytic...that’s what I do in the process as well. I try to set up an environment where people can make really interesting decisions and choices and improvise and play and get in trouble and that’s about facilitation of a lot of talented people...I don’t make this work by myself; it really is very collaborative. They are creating it with me; they are standing beside me in the ideas and contributing ideas of their own and that’s what makes it work.” When We Fall Apart June 14 to 30 Z Space 450 Alabama Street, SF $25 to $35 | 415.626.0453 zspace.org
image: rj muna (jessica swanson, alexander zendzian)
JGPG uses their innovative form of dance theater, a blend of text, voice and movement to create a transformational experience. “We sing, we tell stories, we dance. There are so many points of entry to seduce the viewer to coming in and having an experience with us. For me, that’s what it’s all about. I’m always looking for that magic carpet ride - for myself, for the performers - but also for my community,” Goode explains. “If it’s not
transformational – where we get transported to a place where we can see ourselves in some new way – then it’s really not worth doing for me.”
DANCE
WHEN WE FALL APART
JUNE 2012 |
| 21
COMEDY & IMPROV
DAILY 24 | B-52s
Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $45-$55 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org Bringing their 35th anniversary tour to Santa Rosa. 24 | Harp Currents
Kumail Nanjiani brings the laughs at the Improv in San Jose (6/21-24)
22 |
| JUNE 2012
Regency Ballroom | SF $29.50-$45 | 888.929.7849 theregencyballroom.com Touring Queen tribute show.
26 | WHAT I WANT FESTIVAL
Old First Church | SF $17 | 415.474.1608 oldfirstconcerts.org Presenting new works for harp by Bay Area composers.
SOMArts Cultural Center | SF $20 | 415.863.1414 somarts.org Performance festival about queer desire redefines relationships between intimacy and performance. (Ends 6/29)
24 | J. Geils & Friends
26 | Trace Adkins
24 | Norma
26 | Trini Lopez
Yoshi’s | SF $25-$30 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Featuring Jeff Pitchell and Gerry Beaudoin.
Marines’ Memorial Theatre | SF $39 | 415.771.6900 marineclub.com English translation of Bellini’s story of love, betrayal and friendship. 24 | Pat Martino Trio
Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $45-$55 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org Bringing his Songs & Stories Tour to Wells Fargo Center. Rrazz Room | SF $40-$45 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Legendary recording star with numerous hits in the ‘60s, including “La Bamba” comes to the Rrazz. (Ends 7/1) 27 | k.d. lang
Filoli | Woodside $60 | 650.364.8300 filoli.org Jazz at Filoli presents guitarist Martino with organist Pat Bianchi and drummer Carmen Intorre Jr.
Montalvo Arts Center | Saratoga $43.50-$153 | 408.961.5858 montalvoarts.org And her band The Siss Boom Bang, with guests Milk Carton Kids.
25 | 2:54
27 | Nachito Herrera Trio
25 | Get The Blessing
27 | Dukes of September
25 | Jimmy Cobb
28 | Buddy Holly Tribute
Independent | SF $12 | 877.435.9849 theindependentsf.com With Widowspeak. Yoshi’s | Oakland $16 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Portishead bassist & Goldfrapp drummer’s post-rock jazz quartet.
Yoshi’s | SF $18-$30 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com With their show Recreating Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue. (Ends 6/26) 26 | B-52s
Mountain Winery | Saratoga $45-$125 | 888.929.7849 concerts.mountainwinery.com With Squeeze. 26 | Junius Courtney Band
Yoshi’s | Oakland $12-$20 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Featuring Denise Perrier, with a tribute to Ray Charles.
Yoshi’s | SF $15-$20 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com Cuban jazz pianist and his trio.
Wells Fargo Center | Santa Rosa $90.50-$140.50 | 707.546.3600 tickets.wellsfargocenterarts.org Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs as the Dukes of September. California Theatre | SJ $75-$100 | 408.283.7142 sjstage.com Concert to benefit San Jose Stage, celebrating the music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and more. (Ends 7/1) 28 | Chuchito Valdes
Yoshi’s | SF $12-$18 | 415.655.5600 yoshis.com And his Latin Jazz Band.
28 | George Komsky
Oshman Family JCC | Palo Alto $20-$25 | 650.223.8618 paloaltojcc.org Bay Area native tenor features opera arias by Donizetti, Rossini and more.
image: courtesy photo (kumail nanjiani)
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
26 | Queen Extravaganza
by robert sokol Whoever coined the phrase “less is more” clearly did not know Jon Ferguson Mohr, better known as Jay Mohr, and that the television and film actor, the standup comic, the author, the comedy competition emcee, the talk show host, the radio commentator, and now, the podcast maven, has rarely met a gig he didn’t like. “A lot of it is just not wanting to leave money on the table,” he says with refreshing candor. “If I can get an advance to write a book, I’m going to figure out a way to write a book. That’s just being honest. I could give you the stock answer, but I don’t give a stock show.”
STANDUP
JAY MOHR
attack of the pod(cast) people
That doesn’t mean he won’t take stock of his career. “People will ask why I chose a part and I don’t know how to kindly tell them, I auditioned and got it. I’m not a guy that can pick and choose. I’m kind of hovering in this showbiz middle class for the better part of two decades. I don’t have a pile of scripts where I say, ‘That’s the pile I don’t like. This is the pile that I’m considering.’ It’s just, whoever will have me, I’m gonna go. I’m like a Hessian during the Revolutionary War.” Mohr landed his first television series in 1992, opposite Jerry O’Connell and future Oscar-winner Hilary Swank. Demurs aside, he’s worked pretty steadily since and true to his stated philosophy, he seems always ready to explore his options.
image: courtesy source photo (jay mohr), composite by via media
Lately that’s his podcast series Mohr Stories, a longform chat fest with guests that interest him. It’s a free download on iTunes, so one might be tempted to quote Jerry Maguire, one of Mohr’s films, and say: “Show me the money!” He can, sort of. “I knew that Mark Marin had an enormous podcast. I knew Joe Rogan had an enormous podcast. It took me a while to realize that they were playing larger rooms because of those podcasts.” There are other benefits. “I have always loved, loved, loved stand-up comedy. To be able now to sit across from somebody I respect and admire, and have spent a great deal of time laughing with, and to be able to break down comedy to an elemental level with that person, has been truly enlightening.” JAY MOHR June 21 to 24 Cobb’s Comedy Club 915 Columbus Avenue, SF $25 to $30 | 415.928.4320 cobbscomedy.com
JUNE 2012 |
| 23
JUST THE TICKET!
DAILY 28 | Lawrence Beamen
Yoshi’s | Oakland $25-$30 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com A tribute to Barry White.
WHO’S ON (THE) FIRST?
28 | Paula Poundstone
Osher Marin JCC | San Rafael $25-$80 | 415.444.8000 marinjcc.org Comedian brings her razor-sharp wit and spontaneity to Marin. Get Geraldine Walther chamber music tix at City Box Office. (6/3) 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.
FISHERMAN’S WHARF 2800 Leavenworth Street Thursday 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 from second-hand vendors.
24 |
| JUNE 2012
Great American Music Hall | SF $14 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With And So I Watch You From Afar and Deafheaven. 29 | Justin Townes Earle
Great American Music Hall | SF $21 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com With Tristen.
29 | McCoo & Davis Jr.
Yoshi’s | Oakland $35-$40 | 510.238.9200 yoshis.com Grammy Award winning R&B duo. (Ends 7/1) 29 | The Fab Four
Mountain Winery | Saratoga $27.50-$47.50 | 888.929.7849 concerts.mountainwinery.com Beatles tribute band. 29 | Waiting...
Larkspur Hotel | SF $39-$75 | 800.838.3006 WaitingSF.com Eat, drink and laugh your ass off! Tonya Foster stars as Mia in the hilarious new comedy. (Ends 8/5) 30 | Kafana Balkan
Great American Music Hall | SF $15 | 415.255.0333 slimspresents.com Featuring Brass Menazeri. With Fishtank Ensemble. 30 | Keane
Fox Theater | Oakland $39.50 | 800.745.3000 thefoxoakland.com British pop band share the stage with guests the Mystery Jets. 30 | Molly’s Revenge
Mildred Owen Hall | Pacifica $20 | 650.355.188 pacificaperformances.org Acoustic Celtic band presented by Pacifica Performances.
James LaBrie and Dream Theater give July a rocking start. PEGGY STERN QUINTET
Douglas Beach House | Half Moon Bay $35 | 650.726.2020 bachddsoc.org Latin-infused jazz presented by the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society. LEGENDS OF WAIKIKI
Fox Theatre | Redwood City $30-$32 | 650.369.7770 foxrwc.com Marlene Sai and the sounds of the hit radio program Hawaii Calls. SISTA PARKER
Los Gatos Civic Center Free | 408.354.1155 lgmip.com Monica Parker is a singer-songwriter of contemporary blues and gospel music. DREAM THEATER
Warfield | SF $49.50-$65 | 415.421.8497 dreamtheater.net American progressive metal band formed in 1985 features vocalist James LaBrie. ROCKSTAR MAYHEM FESTIVAL
Shoreline Amphitheatre | MV $48-$387 | 650.967.3000 rockstarmayhemfest.com Slipknot, Slayer, Anthrax, The Devil Wears Prada, As I Lay Dying, and more. jonathan poretz
Rrazz Room | SF $30 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com Celebrating the very best from the Dean Martin songbook.
images: courtesy photos (geraldine walther, james la brie)
UNION SQUARE 350 Powell Street Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
28 | Russian Circles
living la vida lopez! by lee walker
If not for the example and determination of his teenage immigrant parents to forge a better life in the United States, Trinidad López III might never have known the international sensation he achieved in the ‘60s that became the foundation for his still-active career as Trini Lopez. Lopez remembers growing up in Texas of the 1940s and 1950s. “In those days, people were very prejudiced. I was born and raised in a black and Mexican ghetto in Dallas and in those days they treated the Mexicanos as bad as the blacks. I grew up having to sit in the back of the bus. I couldn’t date Anglo girls. It was really, really bad.”
LATINO
TRINI LOPEZ
The family was poor, but “once in a while my father would have a couple of bucks and he would take us to a truck stop. In those days there were no Denny’s but there were truck stops and my father would take us to go and get a hamburger. Me and my sisters, and my brother Jesse, and would you believe they would turn us away? That they wouldn’t serve us?” Those hardships forged in Lopez a desire to achieve a better life not just for himself but for his whole family. His accomplishments and the path to achieving them are a hybrid of the quintessential immigrant story of hard work and perseverance coupled with a touch of showbiz luck in the form of a chance encounter with Buddy Holly and patronage from Frank Sinatra. The latter connection garnered Lopez a recording contract on Sinatra’s own Reprise Records label. His debut effort was a live set called Trini Lopez at PJ’s, made in the Hollywood nightclub where he’d been working. “By the grace of God, my album took off like fire, man. It was on the charts for two-and-a-half years. My first album! My very first album,” he says as amazed as if it were yesterday. The recording was indeed a career maker and gave him lifelong hits like “If I Had a Hammer” and “La Bamba.” As soon as his fortunes improved, Lopez was true to his promise. “I got my father and mother, my sisters, all of them, out of the ghetto and I put them in a beautiful house. Ever since then I’ve bought them a lot of homes and many Cadillacs,” he laughs.
image: courtesy photo (trini lopez)
Trini Lopez June 26 to July 1 The Rrazz Room 222 Mason Street, SF $40 to $45 | 800.380.3095 therrazzroom.com
JUNE 2012 |
| 25
ans omedi e Castro! C y l d th y Frien art of y & Ga In The He a G y l Week
PM
@ 9 Y A D S TUE 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
PORGY AND BESS Broadway Revival Cast
ONCE Original Broadway Cast
NEWSIES Original Broadway Cast
GHOST Original Cast
TRACIE BENNETT Songs from End of the Rainbow
BONNIE & CLYDE Original Broadway Cast
SWEENEY TODD London Revival Cast
LYSISTRATA JONES Original Broadway Cast
SWEET LITTLE DEVIL Studio Cast
THE ROAD TO QATAR Original Off-Broadway Cast
Oscar-winning Irish film is now on stage. (masterworksbroadway.com)
Garland classics by star of the bioplay. (masterworksbroadway.com)
The basketball & sex Greek comedy musical. (broadwayrecords.com)
Bay Area chanteuse croons tunes with the Tammy Hall Quartet. (cdbaby.com)
Disney’s newest film-to-stage adaptation. (sh-k-boom.com)
Short-lived Frank Wildhorn & Don Black score. (broadwayrecords.com)
Premiere recording of a rare GershwinDeSylva score. (psclassics.com)
Audra McDonald headlines revised Gershwin classic. (psclassics.com)
London cast has now transferred to Broadway. (ghostthemusical.com)
Michael Ball in acclaimed revival of Sondheim. (firstnightrecords.com)
A selection of traveling tunes for the daily commute or that early summer road trip. Just rip ‘em and ride!
VERONICA KLAUS Something Cool
EP of Nick Jonas songs from his Broadway debut. (broadwayrecords.com)
recording
HOW TO SUCCEED... Broadway Revival Cast
True tale of two gay Jews writing an Arab state musical. (jayrecords.com)
JUNE 2012 |
| 27
BACK The cast of Anything Goes at the Willows Theatre
Laura Benanti at the Venetian Room
image: via media
image: via media
Arnel Pineda of Journey at the Castro Theatre
Maureen McGovern at the Rrazz Room
Brian Stokes Mitchell at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
image: steven underhill
image: via media
image: via media
Dan Ashley and Deborah Del Mastro at the Willows Theatre
Jane Lynch at the St. Francis Hotel
The cast of Hot Greeks and Dr. Tim Seelig (right) at Hypnodrome
image: via media
image: steven underhill
image: david wilson
Shai Fishman at Marines’ Memorial Theatre
The cast of Buffalo’ed at San Jose Stage Company
image: via media
image: via media
5 $3 AS LITY W I LO AB DIRECT FROM NEW YORK AS VAIL S A T E IT CK MITED LIMITED ENGAGEMENT STARTS JUNE LI
A Musical Hit That
5TH
Is Out Of This World
"Simply Great, a Knockout!"
- NEW YORK TIMES
“SIMPLY GREAT, A KNOCKOUT!”
- NEW YORK TIMES
20 Million Hits on YouTube
www.MarinesMemorialTheatre.com • 415-771-6900 MARINES’ MEMORIAL THEATRE History. The Arts. Film. Events
609 Sutter St. (Corner of Mason & Sutter - 2 blocks off Union Sq.)
made by Guido Rus www.de-rus.nl
AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEAT ER BEGI N
p re s e nts
21 S JUNE
DIRECT FROM BROADWAY! Experience the final musical by the acclaimed team behind the hits Chicago and Cabaret, staged by the legendary Susan Stroman (The Producers)
“STUNNING!
THE BEST NEW MUSICAL OF THE YEAR”
L to R: Shavey Brown, Jared Joseph, and Clifton Duncan. Photo by Henry DiRocco.
Entertainment Weekly
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY JOHN KANDER AND FRED EBB BOOK BY DAVID THOMPSON DIRECTION AND CHOREOGRAPHY BY SUSAN STROMAN ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER JEFF WHITING
ACT-SF.ORG 415.749.2228
Groups of 10+, call 415.439.2473.
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SEASON PARTNERS