Beach Blanket Babylon ?
 

My husband are traveling in June and I have been told this is a must see. Have you been? What did you think?

If you emjoy musical comedy/cabaret, it makes for a fun night. I'd certainly say there's nothibg like it anywhere else. It's constantly evolving, very topical, and quite hilarious. The hats (often literally larger thanthe performers) are a sight to behold. They have a web site with details (and an idea of what those hats are like). I don't know that I'd do it if you have a very limited time in SF and will have trouble fitting in all you'd like to do, but otherwise why not go for it.

I agree with above post, if you have limited time spend time seeing the outdoor sights of SF, a gorgeous place. But if you have the time- <BR>BBB is a terrific show, we saw it 7 or 8 years ago, very entertaining. We saw the Sunday afternoon show, the only show in which children are allowed. <BR>Outrageous costumes, inventive staging, funny songs, skits, very enjoyable.

Been several times--one of our favorite places for out of town guests. Have an early dinner before in North Beach in the Washington Square area. Moose's is probably the best. It's a SF institution--hope you enjoy it.

I have seen it several times and loved it each time!

Saw it first on a biz trip in the '80s and again when I took a friend in the late '90s. I can't imagine it would be disappointing. Great fun for the money and well-produced (and I am a theatre professional.) <BR> <BR>I agree that you should dine in North Beach, but, touristy as it may appear, The Stinking Rose, a garlic restaurant, has never disappointed. There are many other choices for dining in North Beach, but this one is theatrical enough to make it an all around show-biz evening. If you're staying in Union Square, cab to the hotel and dinner, then walk back through Chinatown. Even if the shops are closing, it's fun to windowshop and watch the flow of humanity.

Yes, you must dine in North Beach, but I believe the Stinking Rose thinks that garlic is the only thing you have to put in a dish to make it taste good. Don't get me wrong, I'm a garlic freak, but I like a little more flavor in my meals. If you do go there, you have to get the bagna calda appetizer, or you can make it yourself: 1 1/2 cups garlic cloves, 1 1/2 cups extra vergin olive oil, 2 oz. butter 1 can (2 oz.) anchovies. Put ingredients in covered casserole and cook at 275 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Serve with bread. <BR>I recommend North Beach Restaurant or Cafe Sport. Have fun.

I'll respectfully and modestly dissent from the above posts. BBB is OK, but I found it campy. I think my tastes in theatre are a little more severe. I think if you are used to serious, hard-core theatre, you may not like it so much as others do. So put yourself in the right frame of mind or perhaps see something else.

Dear "maybe": <BR>Lighten up! (And use your real name--or are you ashamed of it?) <BR>

Dear John: <BR> <BR>Maybe "respectfully and modestly" disagreed. What is wrong with that. As far as real names are concerned, mine is not real either. Reason, because I received some unwanted EMails and was not particularly pleased with them. Caught one person (IP Address gives you away if you are not smart). Your answer should be about BBB not what others have to say about it unless YOU want to modestly and respectfully disagree.

John, <BR> <BR>What's the problem, dude? Everyone else who responded loved BBB, and I was surprised to read that. So I thought I'd gently give Sandy another perspective, and I didn't use my real name (although I usually do) because I didn't want the BBB crowd to get the talons out and shred my skin from my bones. <BR> <BR>Good grief! All it takes now to get flamed is withholding your real name. You no longer even have to be rude or obnoxious to get insulted. Simply having a different opinion or not sharing my birthname with John seems to be sufficient. <BR> <BR>I feel soiled now.

Well, just to make it clear to Sandy, the whole point of BBB is to be campy. But many of us who love "serious}" theater find it a hoot (and some don't).

Absolutely, separate BBB from serious theatre. But, there are those of us who can enjoy both! BBB is a San Francisco thing--if you want a part of the zany SF culture, you will want to see it. This is not serious theatre, but it might make you laugh, and that's a good thing! By the way, the last meal we had at the North Beach Restaurant was very disappointing. In the past it was quite good. Rather than the Stinking Rose, I would choose Washington Sq. Bar and Grill, but the better meals can be had at Moose's and Rose Pistola or even the old Fior D'Italia for an old fashioned Italian meal. I promise you an entertaining night out that you wouldn't find elsewhere---I don't promise you great, serious theatre!

Thanks everyone for the information about BBB. I am convinced that we do want to see it, but I will be in the light entertainment state of mind. I have enjoyed your "other comments" and hope that I do not have to be concerned about using my real name. I am new at this and would never have thought about using a different name.

Absolutely go. I've seen BBB at least four times over the last (gulp) 25 years and have loved it each time. The last time was last August with friends from college, two of whom had never seen it before. They never stopped laughing. It is campy, but that's the whole point. Also, there are two shows on the weekends and if you go to the early 7 pm show you can eat after.