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Theatre News for San Francisco Bay

Posted by:	Richard Connema 04:03 pm EDT 10/20/13

— New Conservatory Theatre Center is proud to present the 2003 Tony Award-Winner for Best Musical, Avenue Q, with Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. The show will run December 6, 2013 – January 12, 2014 and will take place at New Conservatory Theatre Center (Decker Theatre); Wednesday- Saturday at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $25 - $45 and are available at nctcsf.org. Avenue Q is the Tony Award-winning, laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Once there, he meets Kate (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie (the internet sexpert), Lucy the Slut (need we say more?), and other colorful types who help Princeton finally discover his purpose in life! Caution: Features full puppet nudity. Viewer discretion is advised. Composer and Lyricist Robert Lopez’s first two Broadway musicals, Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon, have both been critical and commercial smash hits and Best Musical Tony Award winners. He shared Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Book for The Book of Mormon. He also shared a Tony for Best Original Score and a Grammy nomination for Avenue Q. With wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez, he co-wrote Finding Nemo: The Musical (playing at Walt Disney World since 2006), the Broadway-bound original musical Up Here and songs for Winnie the Pooh (Disney feature animation, 2011). He shared two Emmy Awards for his music for The Wonder Pets and an Emmy nomination for the Scrubs musical episode. ######################## AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER USHERS IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH A CHRISTMAS CAROL Bay Area veteran actor James Carpenter returns as Ebenezer Scrooge; legendary Bay Area actor Ken Ruta reprises his role as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. A record number of A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program and Young Conservatory students round out the cast! December 6–28, 2013 — Featuring a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, the Bay Area’s favorite holiday tradition returns with American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)’s celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Now in its 37th year, this version of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Paul Walsh and Carey Perloff, stays true to the heart of Dickens’s timeless story of redemption and brings a playful sensibility to his rich language. A Christmas Carol runs December 6–28, 2013, at A.C.T.’s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Press night is Wednesday, December 11 at 7 p.m. VIP seating is available for all performances. VIP ticket holders enjoy the best seats in the house and complimentary drinks during intermission. Tickets (ranging in price from $20–$95), are available by calling the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org. Groups of 15 or more save up to 50% and enjoy free tickets for group leaders. For group sales, call 415.439.2373. Hailed as “the best Christmas Carol ever!” by KCBS Radio’s Jan Wahl, A Christmas Carol is a cornerstone ############################## POTTED POTTER The Unauthorized Harry Experience A Parody by Dan and Jeff Comes to San Francisco After a Hugely Successful World Tour Including United States & West End. All Seven Harry Potter Books in 70 Hilarious Minutes Official opening on December 3rd, 2013 At Marines’ Memorial Theatre6 Days Only!Through December 8th, 2013 ############################# A.C.T. Honors Graduates Harry Hamlin, Heidi Armbruster, Peter Freidrich at Conservatory Awards Luncheon Ceremony also to honor A.C.T. Conservatory donors Joan W. Sadler and Wells Fargo The star-studded event will take place Monday, October 28, 2013 —American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2013–14 Conservatory Awards, which recognizes and honors outstanding alumni of A.C.T.’s award-winning actor training program and pays tribute to donors and organizations who have provided significant support to the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) Program Scholarship Fund. The third annual Conservatory Awards luncheon raises necessary funding for M.F.A. Program scholarships while celebrating A.C.T.’s accomplishments with award winners and current M.F.A. Program students. The winners of the five awards to be presented are Emmy Award–nominated actor and A.C.T. M.F.A. Program honorary graduate Harry Hamlin, who receives The Edward Hastings Career Achievement Award; actress of stage and screen Heidi Armbruster, who receives The Rising Star Award; actor and Shakespeare Iraq drama teacher Peter Friedrich, who receives the Contribution to the Field Award; Joan W. Sadler, who receive The Benefactor Award; and Wells Fargo, which receives The Champion Award. The star-studded event will take place Monday, October 28, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. in the Veranda Ballroom at San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel. Tickets and table sponsorships are now available. For information about the event, visit http://www.act-sf.org/conservatoryawards, or contact Luz Perez, Director of Special Events, at 415.439.2470 or lperez@act-sf.org. Says Melissa Smith, Conservatory Director at A.C.T.: “A.C.T. is a multi-faceted artistic and educational community, and the awards this year reflect the range and reach of our training as well as the dreams and ambitions of those we train and those who support that training. Harry, Heidi and Peter have distinguished themselves in television and film, onstage and in the educational realm, respectively, with Peter going the extra mile to teach for a number of years in Iraq. Joan Sadler has been involved with A.C.T. since its earliest days – as a trustee and board chair, providing financial support to many MFA projects through the years. Much of what we do would not be possible without the sustained support of Wells Fargo. We're tremendously proud of the accomplishments of our graduates and deeply grateful for the largesse of our benefactors. It's an honor and a pleasure to celebrate these stars at the annual award luncheon.” ############################### CUTTING BALL THEATER HIDDEN CLASSICS READING SERIES “THE NATURAL RELATIONS” November 3, 2013 Cutting Ball Theater presents the first installment of this season’s Hidden Classics Reading Series, THE NATURAL RELATIONS and other plays, by Brazilian playwright Qorpo Santo, in new translations by Cutting Ball resident playwright Andrew Saito. Regarded in his day as insane, Santo’s plays were rediscovered by intellectuals in the 1960s. Although still largely overlooked by the western theatrical community, this 19th century Brazilian playwright is thought by many to have written the first Absurdist plays, anticipating works by Beckett, Jarry, Genet and Ionesco. Satio’s translations represent the first time these plays will be presented in English. Andrew Saito and Rem Myers co-direct THE NATURAL RELATIONS, featuring Donald Currie, Gwyneth Richards, Marilet Matínez, Maura Halloran and Leah Anderson. This season, Cutting Ball’s Hidden Classics Reading Series celebrates a variety of works ranging from the ancient Mayans to the ancient Greeks, the Elizabethans to French avant-garde, and Brazilian experimentalism. The series offers a profound look at some of the most adventurous authors to write for the stage in a program that continues to be one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets. WHEN: Sunday, November 3, 2013, 1pm WHERE: The Cutting Ball Theater in Residence at EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor St., San Francisco TICKETS: Readings free and open to the public. For more information, visit cuttingball.com or call 415-525-1205 CUTTING BALL THEATER HIDDEN CLASSICS READING SERIES “ANTIGONE” November 10, 2013 Cutting Ball Theater presents the second installment of this season’s Hidden Classics Reading Series, ANTIGONE, directed by Paige Rogers. In this seminal Greek play by Sophocles, Antigone defies the royal edict sent out by her uncle, Creon, not to bury the body of her brother, Polynices. Exploring the struggle between the individual and the state, this elegant tragedy about tyrannical power and civil disobedience is considered to be Sophocles’ masterpiece and has become synonymous with political protest. ANTIGONE features Madeline H.D. Brown as Antigone and includes Galen Murphy-Hoffman, Sierra Stephens, Courtney Walsh, Jason W. Wong, Tamar Cohn, Marjorie Crump-Shears, Greg Jung, and Brian Thomas. This season, Cutting Ball’s Hidden Classics Reading Series celebrates a variety of works ranging from the ancient Mayans to the ancient Greeks, the Elizabethans to French avant-garde, and Brazilian experimentalism. The series offers a profound look at some of the most adventurous authors to write for the stage in a program that continues to be one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets. WHEN: Sunday, November 10, 2013, 1pm WHERE: The Cutting Ball Theater in Residence at EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor St., San Francisco TICKETS: Readings free and open to the public. For more information, visit cuttingball.com or call 415-525-1205 ####################### PlayGround opens 20th season of Monday Night PlayGround with Barbara Oliver Tribute October 21 at Berkeley Repertory Theatre Six 10-Minute Plays on the Topic: “THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH” – Ready for a Wild(er) Time? PlayGround announced the selected plays and playwrights this morning for the Monday Night PlayGround season opener and tribute to the late Barbara Oliver, taking place at 8pm, Monday, October 21 at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. In cooperation with the Oliver family and reflecting Barbara’s passion for the works of Thorton Wilder, PlayGround announced the topic (“THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH”) last Friday and PlayGround writers had just four days to prepare their original short scripts. Tickets and discount season subscriptions can be purchased online at http://playground-sf.org/boxoffice. The selected plays and playwrights are: Writing Retreat by Patricia Cotter, directed by Joy Carlin Mr. Wong's Goes to Washington by Ruben Grijalva, directed by Jim Kleinmann Young Ones Pull Through by Leah Halper, directed by Ginny Reed Tragedy: A Comedy by Colin Johnson, directed by Sorin Oliver Blown by Martha Soukup, directed by Susi Damilano God and Absurdity by Tom Swift, directed by Rebecca Ennals ############################ SMUIN BALLET PRESENTS XXmas: THE CHRISTMAS BALLET, 2013 EDITION FEATURING WORLD PREMIERES BY AMY SEIWERT AND ROBERT DEKKERS In Walnut Creek, Livermore, Carmel, Mountain View, and San Francisco – The Bay Area’s hottest holiday ticket gets a 20th Anniversary Season kick with XXmas: The Christmas Ballet, 2013 Edition, making its sassy return with a perfect gift for audience members of all ages. An ever-changing carousel of mischief and elegance, this enormously popular holiday celebration offers something for everyone, from ballet, tap, and swing to a wealth of other dances drawn from holiday traditions from around the world. This year XXmas: The Christmas Ballet will include new choreography from Smuin’s acclaimed Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert and Post:Ballet Artistic Director Robert Dekkers. XXmas: The Christmas Ballet will tour the Bay Area, beginning with shows in Walnut Creek (November 22-23), continuing in Livermore (November 29-30), Carmel (December 6-7), and Mountain View (December 11-15), and finishing up with its annual holiday run at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco (December 18-28). Single tickets ($25-$65) are available by calling the individual venues or visiting www.smuinballet.org San Francisco venues only, other venues $49-$65 XXmas: The Christmas Ballet has a diverse set of seasonal offerings that satisfies all tastes. The Classical first half of the evening features white-clad dancers performing holiday favorites, including Amy Seiwert’s playful “Sleigh Ride” and Michael Smuin’s lively “Wassail,” as well as a world premiere from Robert Dekkers, set to “Carol of the Bells.” Named “25 To Watch” by DANCE Magazine in 2011 and hailed as a “mad genius” by the Huffington Post, Robert Dekkers is founder and artistic director of Post:Ballet. Collaborating with eclectic artists to present work that is “anything but risk averse” (San Francisco Chronicle), Dekkers has created over a dozen new works for Post:Ballet since he founded the company in 2009. His choreography has been presented at venues including the San Francisco International Arts Festival, the Tanzsommer Festival (Vienna), the Ballet Builders Showcase (New York City), Against the Grain Festival (Seattle), and West Wave Festival (San Francisco). The Cool second half of XXmas: The Christmas Ballet features a red hot costume change, with dancers performing a modern mash-up of numbers including “Jingle Bells Mambo” from San Francisco choreographer Val Caniparoli; a flirty “Santa Baby;” and the return of tap favorite “Bells of Dublin.” Cool Christmas also boasts a world premiere from Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert, set to Kay Starr’s “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Stuhr Remix).” A former Smuin dancer, Seiwert has been choreographing since 1999 and has won numerous awards and critical accolades. Bay Area Reporter declares her to be “the most talented and prolific young choreographer working from a ballet base around here” and the San Francisco Chronicle has called her “sharply innovative” and “one of the country’s most exciting young dance makers.” Her ############################# CONNIE CHAMPAGNE BRINGS HER ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW, HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS – AN EVENING WITH CONNIE CHAMPAGNE AS JUDY GARLAND TO FEINSTEIN’S AT THE NIKKO FOR ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY! WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 ▪ 8 P.M. – Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are excited to welcome home San Francisco's own, legendary, award-winning, extraordinary performer Connie Champagne to Feinstein’s at the Nikko for one performance only – Wednesday, December 18 at 8 p.m. Making her Feinstein’s at the Nikko debut, Connie Champagne will present her annual holiday show, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – An Evening with Connie Champagne as Judy Garland. Renowned for her uncanny ability to channel the sound and spirit of Garland, Champagne will perform carols and classics made famous by the stage and screen icon, along with some of the unexpected and often wacky gems Champagne is famed for creating. The concert will also feature a crack back-up combo led by Barry Lloyd on piano and 18 year-old prodigy Alex Szotak on drums, as well as some very special guests, like the one who's rumored to be flying in from the North Pole just for this show. Come home for Christmas in San Francisco with Judy Garland – and as Judy herself might say —“There's no place like home!” Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein’s at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein’s at the Nikko by Executive Chef Philippe Striffeler, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom. Tickets for Connie Champagne range in price from $25-$35 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com ########################## TONY AWARD WINNER LACHANZE BRINGS HER ACCLAIMED SHOW \LOVE HANGOVER: LACHANZE SINGS DIANA ROSS TO FEINSTEIN’S AT THE NIKKO FOR TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY ▪ DECEMBER 20 & 21, 2013 ▪ – Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein announced today that Tony Award winner LaChanze will bring her acclaimed show Love Hangover: LaChanze Sings Diana Ross to Feinstein’s at the Nikko for two performance only – Friday, December 20 at 8 p.m and Saturday, December 21 at 7 p.m. In a salute of a woman who broke barriers and challenged stereotypes throughout her legendary career, Love Hangover will feature such legendary songs as “Love Hangover,” “Do You Know Where You’re Goin’ To?,” “Endless Love,” “Good Morning, Heartache” and more! Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein’s at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein’s at the Nikko by Executive Chef Philippe Striffeler, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom. Tickets for LaChanze range in price from $30-$50 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com. ############################## THE COUNTESS KATYA SMIRNOFF-SKYY – SAN FRANCISCO’S FAVORITE RUSSIAN REDHEAD – BRINGS HER HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR TO FEINSTEIN’S AT THE NIKKO FOR ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY! ▪ Thursday, December 19 ▪ – Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are thrilled to welcome The Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, San Francisco’s favorite Russian redhead, to Feinstein’s at the Nikko for one performance only – Thursday, December 19 at 8 p.m. Hailed as the best Drag Act by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Katya will present her holiday spectacular sure to make your yuletide gay! Delighting audiences with a fun-filled evening of belting, banter, and ball gowns to bolster holiday spirit(s), Katya will perform songs ranging from classic holiday fair, to popera and disco. There is something for everyone in this heartwarming and brilliantly funny journey through Katya's holiday misadventures. Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein’s at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein’s at the Nikko by Executive Chef Philippe Striffeler, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom. Tickets for The Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy range in price from $25-$35 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com. ########################### Evelyn Jean Pine’s New Play on Bill Gates and the Birth of the Digital Age Extended through November 10 – Altair productions, The Aluminous Collective and PlayGround – the producers of FIRST, Evelyn Jean Pine’s new play about 20-year-old Harvard drop-out Bill Gates (played by Jeremy Kahn) and the very first personal computer conference – have announced that the play has been extended. The world premiere production, directed by Michael French, will run at Stage Werx until November 10. For tickets, visit http://playground-sf.tix.com. Audiences and critics alike have been drawn to Pine’s intimate portraits of the extraordinary people and events that led to the personal computer revolution. “Jeremy Kahn, however, steals the show as the righteously adamant Gates whose take on right and wrong is as binary as the code he loves,” writes Rhonda Shrader. Woody Weingarten, writing for Marinscope, says, “It’s an episodic feast of words and ideas – for geeks, freaks, nerds and eggheads.” And not just for geeks either! Kate Irwin of The Daily Californian writes, “the play remains accessible and enjoyable to those without any technological or historical background. FIRST tingles with dramatic irony… solid acting from a small but engaging cast.” Originally commissioned and developed by the new play incubator PlayGround, the world premiere co-production continues Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through November 10 at Stage Werx, 446 Valencia Street in San Francisco. Tickets are $25 for General Admission and $35 for Premium Seating and can be purchased online at http://playground-sf.tix.com. For more information, visit http://firsttheplay.com. ################################ WILL DURST’S“BOOMERAGING: FROM LSD TO OMG” EXTENDS THROUGH DECEMBER 17 AT THE MARSH SAN FRANCISCO – The Marsh announces that Will Durst’s hit one-man show, BOOMERAGING: FROM LSD TO OMG will extend its run at The Marsh San Francisco through December 17, 2013. A tribute to the joys, achievements, and looming terrors that accompany being a member of the Baby Boom Generation, this rollicking show assesses that group’s vibrant role in today’s youth-obsessed society. Durst’s hilarious romp celebrates Boomers for refusing to grow old in the face of changing times, gravity, and the reflection that greets them daily in the mirror. BOOMERAGING: FROM LSD TO OMG continues at The Marsh San Francisco now through December 17, with shows on Tuesdays at 8pm. For tickets, the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055 between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. ############################# BERKELEY REP ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD LEADERSHIP TO GUIDE THEATRE Former McGraw-Hill executive Thalia Dorwick appointed board president for 2013-14 season – Today Berkeley Repertory Theatre announces its 2013-14 board of trustees, a team of exemplary leaders and art advocates from the Bay Area’s leading organizations and companies who will steer the Theatre through its 46th season. At its annual board of trustees meeting, the board elected author and retired McGraw-Hill executive Thalia Dorwick as its president, welcomed new and returning members, and reaffirmed its commitment to Berkeley Rep’s mission to produce and present ambitious and innovative theatre. “The Theatre’s continued success is due, in large part, to our board of trustees, who are among the Bay Area’s best, most thoughtful individuals,” says Susan Medak, managing director of Berkeley Rep. “We’re thrilled to have Thalia Dorwick, a true champion of the Theatre, as president for the upcoming term. We are also pleased to welcome new members to the board and to welcome back a few past trustees who will return to our board after some time away. We are eager to see where their passion and expertise will take us as we move toward the next exciting chapter of Berkeley Rep’s history.” The officers of Berkeley Rep’s board, elected to one-year terms, are as follows: ● President: Thalia Dorwick, retired editor in chief, McGraw-Hill Higher Education ● Vice President: Helen Meyer, president, Meyer Sound ● Vice President: Jill Fugaro, retired founder and CEO, Murlin Apparel Group, Inc. ● Secretary: Scott Haber, partner, Latham & Watkins LLP ● Treasurer: Emily Shanks, small businesses regional executive, Bank of America ● Chair of the Trustees Committee: Roger A. Strauch, chairman, The Roda Group ● Chair of the Audit Committee: William T. Espey, vice president, private banking at Union Bank Two new members have joined the board for the upcoming season: ● Leonard X Rosenberg, attorney/partner, Mayer Brown LLP ● Bruce ######################### INTERNATIONAL SINGING SENSATION MARIO FRANGOULIS RESCHEDULES SAN FRANCISCO DEBUT New performance date Friday, April 4, 2014 at Nourse Theatre – Due to unforeseen circumstances, the San Francisco debut of world-renowned powerhouse tenor Mario Frangoulis, has been rescheduled from Friday, November 8, 2013 to Friday, April 4, 2014 at Nourse Theatre (275 Hayes Street, San Francisco). Frangoulis has rescheduled his entire North American visit, including two other one-night-only performances in Chicago and New York. Tickets already purchased for the San Francisco date will be honored on the new performance date. If ticket purchasers are unable to attend the concert on the new show date, refunds will be available at point of purchase. Tickets purchased through the City Box Office may inquire online at cityboxoffice.com or by phone at (415)392-4400 ########################.

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