Budman

Going to San Fran over Memorial Day weekend. Is Beach Blanked Babylon worth seeing one evening?

I've been to their web site, and tickets are available for the evening shows, but say you must be 21 years or older to see the evening performance but not the matinee. What gives? I'm no prude, but for my wife's sake, I don't know what to expect -- something that might be embarrassing?

Patrick

Probably the raciest scene is the one with the chorus guys dressed as "Gay Paree" French poodles. As they dance standing fully upright their costumes show that they are clearly male poodles. It is very, very funny.

I've seen the show a number of times and it is a whole lot of fun. It's familiar popular music with a silly theme of Snow White traveling the world to find true love. There is some political humor here and there -- I'm sure there has to now be an Osama or a Saddam in there somewhere, for example. A few years ago "Monica Lewinsky" appeared in her stained blue dress. The show is also tied together with some outrageous costumes particularly big hats or headpieces -- and the finale, well, you'll just have to wait and see.

Patrick

Hmmm. I forgot about the part where Snow White wants a rich doctor, but her godmother thinks she wants a witch doctor and gives her one. Once again there is some major male anatomy humor that involves a banana. Maybe that is really the raciest part.

travelisfun

I saw it a few years ago with my mother, cousin, and aunt and I don't remember being mortified at seeing anything with my mother sitting next to me, so it can't be that racy. We really enjoyed the show--a fun night of entertainment!

calnative

I saw it once a couple of years ago. It was not bad, however it is something you should not go out of your way to see.

Budman

calnative, OK so I shouldn't pay the $100 to see it??

What else besides dinner should we do on a Fri/Sat nite?

kimh

Oh, calnative, i don't agree at all! I would definitely go out of my way to see it again. Both my husband and I really enjoyed it, but I guess it depends on your taste. It is very campy and bawdy, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it!

Patrick

Out of my way to see it? Well I live in Florida so I doubt I'd fly all the way out from here to SF just for the show, but if I were anywhere west of Kansas, then YES, probably!!! I love the show. No, it ain't Broadway, but as a major theatre person, I can't think of another show anywhere where I have as much fun and laugh as hard!!!

Livesincali

I agree with calnative, it was really not worth the price. Overhyped and overrated. I'd rather do something else with my $100.

Sabrina

I just saw the show in San Francisco and I would certainly go out of my way to see it. It is a hoot, ever so much fun. I had tried on numberous trips to S. F. to get tickets. Glad I got them well in advance. I would see it again.

Sabrina

Sorry, I meant numerous times. The show has been playing there for 29 years. Others must have enjoyed it also, or it would not have lasted this long.

kam

Well, I'll be the third person to say that Beach Blanket Babylon was not that great of a show. People kept telling me that it was something that I should see, so I finally did. For the life of me I cannot figure out why some people like it so much.

calnative

Budman; You might want to catch a show at the Improv Comedy Club. Lot more laughs there than at BBB. By the way, I think that Kam has hit the nail on the head. The incessant promotion of BBB sounds like advertising from the SF visitos bureau.

Budman

calnative, that sounds like fun. Got a link? We did Second City in Las Vegas and really loved it.

Patrick

I'm not being hostile here, please note. But what do I know? I'm one of those people who see nothing wrong with Union Square compared to other big city centers, which has also made me be compared to a visitor's bureau.

And all shows are a matter of taste. I realize not everyone will like BBB. Its too loud for some, too corny, or too "old fashioned". Not everyone likes Mama Mia -- or Phantom of the Opera -- or an improv comedy show. You need to read descriptions of shows and compare them to your own established taste to see if you think you will like them -- and even then sometimes you will miss.

Seamus

BBB is hilarious but not degrading, intelligent but not elitist, risque or even bawdy but not offensive, and performed with great talent and skill. Scripts are regularly (if not continuously) updated and the show is quite au courant. There's a reason tickets are hard to obtain - it's good!

andy

Budman-

If you can get tickets ,THEN GO!!
It is one of the funniest shows that I have ever seen!!! You will laugh gut wrenching laughs--

It changes continually to take on the politcal flavor of the moment and pokes fun at everyone!! SO SO SO SO funny!!

Would I fly to SFO JUST to see it=NO
IF I were going to BE in SFO, would I see it---DEFINITELY YES YES YES!!!

You need to get there early as seating is first come first served..HEAD UPSTAIRS to the Mezzanine and try to get the first seats in the front overlooking the stage- THAT way you do not have to look over other people's heads--- WE LOVED it! !!!!!!

My husband was cracking up and I was laughing even more than him--so yes, if your wife has any sense of humor, she will love it!

calnative

Budman,

Here are a couple of links. I thought that there was an Improv Coemdy Club in San Francisco, but it turns out that the only one in Northern California is in San Jose. If you do not want to go down there, then the Punch Line in San Francisco is also a good alternative, I have also include the link to that one as well. Check out the show line-up for both places. If you think you would prefer the Improv, you could just take Caltrain to the San Jose Diridon stop and its a 5 minute cab ride to the Improv from there or a 15 minute walk. The Improv is downtown so there are amny excellent restaurants in the area. Let me know if you need more information.

I also went to Second City when I was in Chicago and thought it was great. If you like Second City, you'll also have a great time at the Imrov or Punch Line.

Just a word of warning, the SF visitors bureau booster will probably come back with an accusation saying that I am trying to "steer" you to San Jose, which is one of there favorite advertising tactics to make sure they have a "captive" audience.


http://www.punchlinecomedyclub.com/

http://www.symfonee.com/Improv/SanJose/home/Index.aspx

mauiinjuly

Definitely, go to this show! You can't miss with Beach Blanket Babylon. It is very funny, a tiny bit bawdy, known for it's great headdresses. I think the under 21 rule is a liquor license issue since it is a nightclub type environment. I doubt that they change the show much on Sunday afternoons...well maybe the banana thing, but it would probably go over most kids heads anyway.
Last time I was there we managed to get some of the few seats that are reserved, upstairs, on the side. We really enjoyed those seats since it was winter and we did not want to risk standing outside for a long time waiting for seats, possibly in rain and wind. Order your tickets way in advance, it's always a sell out.

SAB

I agree that BBB may no longer be a show for many hip under 30's types --it was when it first started as fresh and outrageous as say SNL was-- but it is not as cutting edge as it was (and neither is SNL). Comedy styles change. That comment aside it is funny and many visitors I have taken to see it enjoy it very much. It is a matter of taste as I believe Patrick or another poster stated. I will admit that most of the people I have taken to see it are over 30. I hope this helps you somewhat. BTW this post is not meant to imply, infer, or otherwise suggest that BBB is a show for old people. Just trying to give some perspective.