Theater

Violinist Tessa Lark opens Cal Performances at Home in a concert from Merkin Hall in New York City. (Courtesy Ras Dia)

Cal Performances moves from stage to screen

Fall streaming series showcases classical, jazz, multimedia virtuosos

Violinist Tessa Lark opens Cal Performances at Home in a concert from Merkin Hall in New York City. (Courtesy Ras Dia)
We Players’ 2018 production of “Caesar Maximus” in Golden Gate Park is the basis of an effective new film the inventive troupe is streaming. (Courtesy Lauren Matley)

We Players take ‘Caesar’ from outdoor stage to screen

Marsh streams solo shows, with commentary

We Players’ 2018 production of “Caesar Maximus” in Golden Gate Park is the basis of an effective new film the inventive troupe is streaming. (Courtesy Lauren Matley)
Lisa Geduldig, left, and Arline Geduldig appear in “Lockdown Comedy” online on Aug. 20. Courtesy Wanda Altidor

Kung Pao Kosher creator introduces ‘Lockdown Comedy’

Lisa Geduldig and her mom stream standup, with guests, from Florida

Lisa Geduldig, left, and Arline Geduldig appear in “Lockdown Comedy” online on Aug. 20. Courtesy Wanda Altidor
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s 2020 Free Shakespeare at Home production of ”King Lear” features, from left, Yohana Ansari-Thomas, Phil Lowery and Jessica Powell in the title role. (Courtesy San Francisco Shakespeare Festival)

Streams go wild, from ‘King Lear’ to ‘Three’s Company’

‘Quack,’ ‘Paris Effect’ also worth checking out

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s 2020 Free Shakespeare at Home production of ”King Lear” features, from left, Yohana Ansari-Thomas, Phil Lowery and Jessica Powell in the title role. (Courtesy San Francisco Shakespeare Festival)
Regina Monique is excellent as a student who challenges her history professor in Shotgun Players’ timely “The Niceties” online in its final performances July 17-18. (Courtesy Jayme Catalano)

Shotgun Players’ ‘Niceties’ perfect for these times

SF Playhouse Zoomlets take audiences behind the scenes

Regina Monique is excellent as a student who challenges her history professor in Shotgun Players’ timely “The Niceties” online in its final performances July 17-18. (Courtesy Jayme Catalano)
Lloyd Suh’s “Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” is among the short works in Play at Home, which offers dozens of short scripts for theater lovers to read. (Courtesy Play at Home)

Check out Play at Home, Mime Troupe, Summer Briefs

Radio serials, new short scripts, and more

Lloyd Suh’s “Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” is among the short works in Play at Home, which offers dozens of short scripts for theater lovers to read. (Courtesy Play at Home)
DisneyPlus screens a specially-created film version of “Hamilton,” featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, left, and Leslie Odom Jr., captured from a 2016 performance on Broadway. (Courtesy DisneyPlus)

Affordable, accessible ‘Hamilton’ streams July 3

B’way hit screens on film, captured live from 2016 with original cast

DisneyPlus screens a specially-created film version of “Hamilton,” featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, left, and Leslie Odom Jr., captured from a 2016 performance on Broadway. (Courtesy DisneyPlus)
Magician David Hirata, who presented the engaging “A Box Without a Bottom” at the Marsh, successfully reprises it online. (Courtesy Daniel D. Baumer) Magician David Hirata, who presented the engaging “A Box Without a Bottom” at the Marsh, successfully reprises it online. (Courtesy Daniel D. Baumer)

SF Playhouse hosts Zoomlets, David Hirata does magic

If being a fly on the (digital) wall at a first rehearsal…

Magician David Hirata, who presented the engaging “A Box Without a Bottom” at the Marsh, successfully reprises it online. (Courtesy Daniel D. Baumer) Magician David Hirata, who presented the engaging “A Box Without a Bottom” at the Marsh, successfully reprises it online. (Courtesy Daniel D. Baumer)
Relentless gay rights and public health activist Larry Kramer was an acclaimed theater and screenwriter as well. (Courtesy HBO)

Larry Kramer’s persistence opened doors, achieved lasting results

Feisty advocate-writer left indelible impact on SF, the world

Relentless gay rights and public health activist Larry Kramer was an acclaimed theater and screenwriter as well. (Courtesy HBO)
Stage-and-screen writer, director and actor Colman Domingo appears in African-American Shakespeare Company’s first online talk back on June 20. (Courtesy Liebmen Entertainment)

Local theaters unite for Black Lives Matter

Stage-screen star Colman Domingo appears in new AASC online talk-back

Stage-and-screen writer, director and actor Colman Domingo appears in African-American Shakespeare Company’s first online talk back on June 20. (Courtesy Liebmen Entertainment)
Set and costume designer Robert Perdziola discusses choices he made in American Conservatory Theater’s production of “Rhinoceros” — actor David Breitbarth is pictured — in the company’s online “Takes on a Scene” presentation. (Courtesy Kevin Berne)

From ‘Rhinoceros’ to Chekhov and Black Lives Matter

Theater classics go online, troupes take viewers behind the scenes

Set and costume designer Robert Perdziola discusses choices he made in American Conservatory Theater’s production of “Rhinoceros” — actor David Breitbarth is pictured — in the company’s online “Takes on a Scene” presentation. (Courtesy Kevin Berne)
Linda Amayo-Hassan’s “La Vida Lobo” — the 2019 premiere is pictured – is among the myriad works in PlayGround Zoom Fest; billed as the nation’s largest digital new play festival and presented by the renowned Bay Area theater development lab, it runs through June 14. (Courtesy Mellophoto.com)

PlayGround celebrates 25 years with big Zoom Fest

Local theaters expand online activity with plentiful offerings

Linda Amayo-Hassan’s “La Vida Lobo” — the 2019 premiere is pictured – is among the myriad works in PlayGround Zoom Fest; billed as the nation’s largest digital new play festival and presented by the renowned Bay Area theater development lab, it runs through June 14. (Courtesy Mellophoto.com)
Comedian Margo Gomez’s May 7 appearance on “Stephanie’s MarshStream,” an online show presented by Marsh co-founder Stephanie Weisman, can be seen on YouTube. (Courtesy Fabian Echevarria)

Podcasts, performances from Marsh, SF Playhouse, Magic and more

Theaters cleverly transition from stage to small screen

Comedian Margo Gomez’s May 7 appearance on “Stephanie’s MarshStream,” an online show presented by Marsh co-founder Stephanie Weisman, can be seen on YouTube. (Courtesy Fabian Echevarria)
Pianist Max Chanowitz appeared in PianoFight’s new Virtual Venue show on Facebook on March 20. (Courtesy photo)

The fight isn’t over for this San Francisco venue

PianoFight finds new ways to keep the show going

Pianist Max Chanowitz appeared in PianoFight’s new Virtual Venue show on Facebook on March 20. (Courtesy photo)
Winchester Mystery House is offering online tours of the haunted mansion during California’s shelter-in-place orders. (Courtesy Winchester Mystery House)

Attractions, theaters, galleries serve up virtual diversions

Winchestery Mystery House, arts groups move to video, online gatherings

Winchester Mystery House is offering online tours of the haunted mansion during California’s shelter-in-place orders. (Courtesy Winchester Mystery House)
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is offering the opportunity to view its production of “School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play” online. (Courtesy Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre)

Local arts groups stream canceled productions

Berkeley Rep, ACT selling tickets to see recorded shows

Berkeley Repertory Theatre is offering the opportunity to view its production of “School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play” online. (Courtesy Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre)
“The Book of Mormon” tour will not play in San Francisco in April. (Courtesy Julieta Cervantes)

San Francisco run of ‘Book of Mormon’ canceled

Broadway SF shuts ‘Hamilton’ through April 30

“The Book of Mormon” tour will not play in San Francisco in April. (Courtesy Julieta Cervantes)
Swiss mime troupe Mummenschanz’s surreal show “you & me” will be live streamed from the Hammer Theatre Center in San Jose on Monday and Tuesday. Courtesy Marco Hartmann/Mummenschanz

Most shows not going on in Bay Area and beyond

Some local troupes offering live-streaming alternatives

Swiss mime troupe Mummenschanz’s surreal show “you & me” will be live streamed from the Hammer Theatre Center in San Jose on Monday and Tuesday. Courtesy Marco Hartmann/Mummenschanz
Dawn Ursula, center is excellent as the title character American Conservatory Theater’s “Toni Stone.” Performances have been canceled, but ticket holders will have the opportunity to view a recording. (Courtesy Kevin Berne)

‘Toni Stone’ tells story of little-known baseball hero

ACT to provide recording of show to ticketholders

Dawn Ursula, center is excellent as the title character American Conservatory Theater’s “Toni Stone.” Performances have been canceled, but ticket holders will have the opportunity to view a recording. (Courtesy Kevin Berne)
Julia K Harriman and Julius Thomas III are starring in the “Hamilton” national tour at the Orpheum. (Courtesy Joan Marcus)

BroadwaySF cancels ‘Hamilton,’ ‘Last Ship’ through March 25

Presenter will continue to ‘monitor the situation closely’

  • Mar 11, 2020
Julia K Harriman and Julius Thomas III are starring in the “Hamilton” national tour at the Orpheum. (Courtesy Joan Marcus)