A FINALE WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE Merola’s newest generation of opera artists brings plenty of promise to the War Memorial Opera House The Merola Opera Program’s 2026 Summer Festival came to…
THE HIGH PRICE OF HIGH RETURNS A smart, timely dark comedy asks what happens when the pursuit of profit starts costing more than money Bay Area theatergoers need to act fast to see San Franc…
SACRIFICE WITHOUT SENTIMENT Alicia Mason delivers a fearless performance in a modern tragedy that refuses easy sympathy Gary Owen‘s Iphigenia in Splott transplants Euripides’ Iphigenia i…
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A PAY TOILET This irreverent musical entertains while refusing to let its audience off the hook After more than 25 years of producing fun, hip musicals all …
GOOD MORNING, SAN FRANCISCO The songs, the dancing, and the joy remain impossible to resist The summer’s most fun musical has arrived at the San Francisco Playhouse: Hairspray is here, and…
PRESS BUTTON. REGRET LATER. Word for Word pairs two visions of the future with mixed results Z Space, known for developing original and experimental theater, is also home to Word for Word, a…
YOU LEARN… OR YOU DON’T The songs still hit hard, but the family drama built around them feels overly familiar More often than not, as a critic, I like to go into a show cold, without ma…
CLIMATE OF CONFUSION Bess Wohl’s Hollywood satire delivers ideas more successfully than laughs Nowadays everyone is aware of the climate crisis. We know about recycling, composting, and dr…
SPECIAL DELIVERY A charming Bollywood-inspired musical serves up romance, music, and a feast for the eyes From its first moments, Berkeley Rep’s new musical The Lunchbox wins you over. The…
BITE MARKS AND BATTLE CRIES Kate Hamill’s revisionist take offers a few fresh ideas, but Dracula remains the real attraction Since its publication in 1897, Bram Stoker’s gothic horror no…
FIGARO TO THE RESCUE Rossini’s evergreen comedy launches San Francisco Opera’s summer season with charm and style The summer season of San Francisco Opera is officially underway, and t…
SAY CHEESE—AND PASS THE TRAUMA Sharr White’s adaptation of Larry Sultan’s memoir turns one California family into a deeply recognizable portrait of memory, regret, and love Now making …
WE ARE WHAT WE ARE Theatre Rhinoceros turns its intimate Castro venue into a joyous explosion of feathers, farce, and fierce self-acceptance Since 1977, Theatre Rhinoceros has produced theat…
TO GRIEVE OR NOT TO GRIEVE American Conservatory Theater presents Hamnet, the stage adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s historical novel, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti (Life of Pi) and dire…
SO FETCH… AND SURPRISINGLY SHARP Ray of Light launches its new stage with a high-energy crowd-pleaser that actually lands It’s an ambitious way to christen a new home: take on a title ev…
PANDORA GOES DIGITAL A visually striking ballet where myth, machines, and modern anxiety collide San Francisco Ballet closes out its 2025–2026 season with Mere Mortals, a contemporary ball…
PRIVILEGE, PRESSURE, AND GROWING UP A timely coming-of-age story about identity, class, and consequence Even in troubled times, California is still seen by many as the land of opportunity—…
A SCOTTISH FANTASY TAKES FLIGHT A Romantic ballet classic that still enchants This month, San Francisco Ballet is performing the Danish Romantic classic La Sylphide. This revival was first p…
A MODERN TRAGEDY IN PLAIN SIGHT Albee's shocking premise unfolds with the inevitability of Greek drama Playwright Edward Albee remains one of the most incisive chroniclers of American family…
FAMILY, FEAR, AND FINDING A VOICE Neil Simon's coming-of-age drama blends humor and heartbreak in an intimate, character-driven production Now playing at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the…
HOOPS, HOPE, AND HARD TRUTHS Candrice Jones's coming-of-age sports drama scores with energy, authenticity, and ensemble fire San Francisco Playhouse has a strong track record with ensemble-d…
OLD HOLLYWOOD, QUEER LONELINESS, AND A LEGEND'S FINAL ACT A well-acted and atmospheric production brings James Whale's twilight years to vivid life Jason M. Blackwell, Donald Currie, Francin…
Few musicals capture the intimacy of music-making quite like Once, and Berkeley Playhouse's new production reminds us why the show became a Broadway sensation in 2012, winning eight Tony Awa…
A POSTWAR MORAL RECKONING INSIDE A FAMILY HOME Arthur Miller's classic still asks uncomfortable questions about responsibility and denial Jimmy Smits Berkeley Repertory Theatre is revivin…
A.C.T. EMBRACES HORROR WITH A STYLISH, SUSPENSEFUL STAGE ADAPTATION A slow-burn ghost story elevated by design, atmosphere, and committed performances A.C.T. continues its 2025/26 season by …