Best 2015 Spring Theater Productions In San Francisco
Max Understood (credit: michaelrasbury.org)
From April through June, San Francisco theater-goers are anticipating a diverse spring, sprinkled with world premieres, a couple of Broadway blockbusters and a brand new A.C.T.-owned theater opening on Market Street.
Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 345-7500
www.michaelrasbury.org
Dates: April 15-26, 2015
In association with the Paul Dresher Ensemble, a world premiere focuses on the life of a seven-year-old boy with autism. The musical, written by Bay Area actor Nancy Carlin in association with off-Broadway composer Michael Rasbury and staged by David Schweizer, was named "Outstanding New Musical" at the 2009 New York Musical Theater Festival. The debut takes place at the newly renovated Cowell Theater during National Autism Awareness Month.
"The Book Of Mormon" (credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
'The Book of Mormon'
SHN Orpheum Theatre
1192 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(988) 746-1799
www.shnsf.com
Dates: April 15 through June 7, 2015
Four years after its first performance on Broadway, the Best Musical of 2012 is back. The hottest tickets in town will likely be for "The Book of Mormon," as the religious satire musical sensation returns for a third time to San Francisco. The creators of "South Park" and "Avenue Q" have come up with "the best musical of this century," says Ben Brantley of the New York Times. The nine-time Tony Award winner, including "Best Musical," opens with the delightful door-ringing "Hello" number.
San Francisco Playhouse
450 Post St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 677-9596
www.sfplayhouse.org
Dates: May 12 through June 27, 2015
"Dedicated to bringing innovative and professional live theatre to the San Francisco Bay Area," the non-profit, trendsetting S.F. Playhouse brings a world premiere by playwright Robert Dresser to the stage for late spring. The 199-seat theater provides an intimate venue for the production "about two executives locked in an existential struggle against an impossible deadline," as its author describes the work in his bio.
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)
405 Geary St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 749-2228
www.act-sf.org
Dates: May 20 through June 14, 2015
San Francisco salutes Stephen Sondheim. Fans may be in agreement with this show's original 1973 Clive Barnes review in the New York Times, labeling the musical, "heady, civilized, sophisticated and enchanting" with "breathtaking lyrics" by Hugh Wheeler. The Wall Street Journal concurred, writing, "No score of Sondheim's is as buoyant and thoroughgoing an example of musical comedy." The Tony Award winner of Best Musical returns to the San Francisco stage to close out the A.C.T season with its ever-popular "Send in the Clowns" number.
The Strand
1127 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 749-2228
www.act-sf.org
Dates: TBA
Three years after the building near Civic Center was purchased by the American Conservatory Theatre and one year after the announcement was made regarding its opening production, a date in May is anticipated for the opening curtain. The new 285-seat theater promises to be an exciting space for groundbreaking new works beginning this spring. "Love and Information," by renowned English playwright Caryl Churchill, is a look at our virtual lives in the era of big data and connectivity. Onstage, 15 actors portray hundreds of characters in 57 scenes unfolding in a "thought-churning, deeply poignant new play," said Ben Brantley in the New York Times.
