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Sandy May 31st, 2002 09:40 AM

Theatre in San Francisco
 
My husband and I are visiting San Francisco in early July and would like to attend a theatre production or musical event. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

Sheila May 31st, 2002 11:21 AM

We loved Beach Blanket Babylon at Club Fugazi in North Beach. They have a website. It was very funny and entertaining.

Grasshopper May 31st, 2002 02:09 PM

Teatro ZinZanni. It's fabulous.<BR>www.teatrozinzanni.org

Susan May 31st, 2002 03:01 PM

LOOOVVVEEEED Teatro Zinzani! Dinner and performance, pricey but totally worth it!

kam May 31st, 2002 03:07 PM

Don't know what's currently at the Orpheum, but know that the accoustics aren't great so you need to get the priciest tickets. Go to www.sfgate.com

Bill Jun 1st, 2002 05:28 PM

Have to agree with the previous recommendations. All in all, the big travelling Broadway shows are very hit and miss - usually miss. These roadshows are so scaled down in some instances that the shows are very disappointing. Sunset Boulevard with Petula Clark (last season) was hideous!<BR><BR>Beach Blanket is a San Fransicso tradition that is continuously updated to remain sarcastically current. While I haven't yet made it to Teatro Zinzanni - I've heard nothing but raves from those who have attended!

Patrick Jun 1st, 2002 08:05 PM

Sunset Boulevard with Petula Clark??? Surely you are making that up -- one of the funniest concepts I've ever heard of. And was this dinner theatre? What's next? Man of LaMancha with Regis Philbin??<BR> <BR>Don't miss Beach Blanket Babylon!!

Jenny Jun 2nd, 2002 04:17 PM

Anyone know if there's a chance at getting tickets to any of these (particularly Beach Blanket Babylon) at the half-price ticket booth? I used to buy tickets there years ago. <BR><BR>Off the subject to Sandy, I'm moving to Pensacola in the fall and noticed your uwf address. Any theater life around there to recommend? Thanks.

Patrick Jun 2nd, 2002 07:39 PM

I've never known Beach Blanket Babylon to be available at the half price booth -- or even at full price at the box office last minute. Just reserve your tickets and go!!<BR>But I have had good luck at the half-price booth under Union Square for other shows -- and unlike New York, there was no line to wait in!

Faina Jun 3rd, 2002 02:09 PM

sfgate.com is a good site<BR><BR>Check out theatrebayarea.org for theater information. it's also has same day 1/2 price ticket list updated at 11 am.

belle Jun 3rd, 2002 05:05 PM

what is Zinzanni theatre? more thancurious to know.<BR><BR>thanks!!

kam Jun 3rd, 2002 05:21 PM

Teatro Zinzanni is a bit like Cirque du Soleil. It's a circus type performance which includes a dinner---acrobats etc. We haven't seen it yet, but many friends here are raving about it. Beach Blanket Babylon is a SF institution which satires current events in this city and elsewhere and features performers in giant hat sculptures. No dinner but a bar service. Children admitted to limited performances because of the licensing laws, not because of content---musical and great fun. Reminds you of early Second City stuff in Chicago. I think Les Mis is currently at the Curran theatre and Mamma Mia is coming back to the Orpheum. At some point Robert Goulet will be in South Pacific :~( I would book ahead a BBB and have dinner in North Beach beforehand or see Teatro Zinzanni. Our Broadway shows are not too terrific in SF. Oh, there is also a free SFS concert in the park on some date in the summer---you could probably find the info at sfgate.com It's a lovely place to take a picnic. Don't count on great fireworks---they are often fogged out.

Grasshopper Jun 3rd, 2002 07:12 PM

Teatro Zinzanni is more theater than circus but the entertainers are talented clowns, acrobats and arial artists as well as singers, dancers and dinner servers! It's in a classic fiberglass "tent", very plush and ornate. "Contessa ZinZanni" (who is currently played by Joan Baez) welcomes you to her "jewel box" and calls the guests her jewels. There is a thin thread of story and entertainment occurs around and between courses.<BR><BR>It is $105 per person (the 5 course meal is included) except on Sat. when it's $135 per person. I can't wait to take more friends. It was a really fun 4 hours. <BR><BR>And when we walked out into the balmy evening, Coit Tower was fully lit on the hill and it was so beautiful.

Jenny Jun 4th, 2002 05:04 AM

Thanks for the tips!


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