Funny, innovative comedy that doesn't punch down. This community is incredibly welcoming and kind…read moreand most importantly funny as hell. So many talented comedians come through here!

I absolutely love KML! The reason I decided to try out for this sketch acting class is because they…read more(unlike SO many other theater groups) actually provided accessibility with ASL interpreters for the entire class for me and another deaf friend of mine. It was a really fun experience, and you really see sketch shows under a new light. My teachers were Nicole and Gabby, and they were very accessible, friendly, and easy-going. I felt encouraged by them to constantly challenge myself, even when I didn't feel totally confident. I am now planning on taking the second sketch class next month. I really can't wait. I loved working with my classmates on the skits and learning things like line delivery, character development, and plenty more. Hat's off to KML!

Eagerly looking forward to an entertaining evening by the masterly band of chic freaks and geeks I…read morescurried up the wooden stairs of the quaint and charming theatre that is the "Climate Theatre" a good 30 minutes before the published show time. The show was an intimate affair between performers and audience as they practically rubbed shoulders over the course of the show in the charming & cozy ambiance of the auditorium. Without giving away the story or any of the not-too-infrequent risqué humor, I will attempt to describe the evening of melodious tunes, mesmerizing voices, heart stopping performances, and smouldering beauties. As we all know, the story is predicated on a young naïve girl who stumbles upon a family of other-worldy beings on her way to a party. Talula (Alissa), the matron of the freaks, endearingly labeled as one that shares an acronym with a Mommy In Love (with) Falafels, took the stage with a seasoned vocal that manifested itself from the get go that screamed "I am the first lady here". The songstress's vibrato was impeccable and seemed to suggest years and years of operatic singing (not that I am an expert in such matters). The buxom Madame Laveaux, played by the bodacious beauty Nicole, is a captivating presence that cannot easily be ignored (nay, make that "never"). And Lordy, when she accentuates those God-given bountiful curves wrapped by a diaphanous viel that do nothing to hide those lovely limbs, clean thoughts are the last thing on my mind (Lord, forgive me my trespasses!). As with most singers, the high vocal note is expected and delivered but Nicole's low in the second half that plumbed the depths of the frequency range was eye-brow raising impressive. And of course, we now have the bumbling and innocent Ann, the *ahem* Virgin, whose merry naïve ways happen to be the catalyst that is the reason for this story's existence. Played by the versatile Alison, it was indeed an eyeopener as she went from a naïve waif to a red-hot vivacious vixen that makes one wonder if she was indeed the same giggling girl at the start of the story. Our very own Luke the gay cannibal playing himself, save for the cannibalism, wowed the crowed with an inspiring, funny performance backed ably by his powerful vocal chords that filled the room from wall to wall. His odd humanitarianism and zig-zag attributes that disallow him from eating kitty-cats can only be understood from watching the show. (Now pardon me for this is the part where I get a little sketchy as I was busy ...ummm... critiquing the luscious ladies of the stage that my memory doesn't serve me quite as well) The schizophrenic psychopathic Jekyll&Hyde, played by Sam, was a study in contradiction, switching between amiable party host to not-so-amiable personalities. In one of his many avatars was an oblique humorous reference to Mikado that, I am afraid, escaped a majority of the audience. The imposing Edward ("Cullens"?) literally stood above the rest of the cast with his imposing stature helped in no small part by the ridiculously pale visage as befits any self-respecting, luxury-coffin-dwelling vampire. After the highly entertaining performance, I had a little chit-chat with Sean, the Musical-Director, who revealed that the script was somewhat close to it's final form only about 3 weeks before the premiere! I guess the old habits of cramming for the exams in the last minute never really dies --- they merely resurface in various forms that can leave even Jekyll & Hyde scratching their bi-polar heads in absolute bewilderment. In conclusion, I admit my 5-star rating may have been slightly biased by the fact that I know the Composer. For the complete stranger, you might want to expect a 4-star performance as nothing is worse than arriving with an unrealistic sky-high expectation that leaves you wanting for more. Now Hurry along and catch it before it's limited run closes on October 31st.

In reality, i should have gotten "first to review" since i was the first one to see the show, but…read morealas, Umesh beat me to it. (flips the bird) The Witching Hour blew me away. I knew the show was going to be good, but i wasnt expecting it to be amazing. The singing, the acting, the dark sense of humor all kept me laughing and entertained the whole way through. I could have used a little more blood and gore, but thats just the sadist in me. Everyone did an excellent job with their characters but i was completely smitten with Alissa Deeter (Talula). I was attracted to her take charge, dominating character. Love. Her. Im not big on musicals. I honestly have always had a hard time sitting through them. Beach Blanket Babylon?....good but a snore. (I literally fell asleep) The Witching Hour definitely made me a fan. Well, i should say that it made me a fan of, not musicals in general, but of The Miscreants of Cabaret. The way they interact with the crowd makes you feel like you're part of it and getting a private viewing. Im looking forward to their next show. Trust me when i say i didnt give this show 5 stars just because Luke is one of my favorite people. I said to Luke "if your show blows, dont cry when i give you a 1 star review." I dont sugar coat shit for anyone. Luckily the show was fantastic and the Climate Theater, although small, gave it a nice intimate feel. Get ready Broadway, Luke is coming for ya and he's going to blow you (no pun intended) away! (side not: Luke, now that i know you have an amazing voice, be prepared to serenade me when you jump out of my bday cake)

We came by to the Theater of Yugen for a performance of Sorya (satirical Kyogen shorts) "Everything…read moreold is new again!" and loved it. We had both never seen Kyogen before and loved that in a quick hour performance, we got a solid sense of it and understood what the pieces were about (it's all done in English!) We especially appreciated that the cadence, rhythm, and intonation of what was spoken was altered to fit what it probably sounded like in Japanese. In the end you get a performance you can actually understand while still feeling like you're seeing a traditional Japanese show. In addition, we thought it was great that one of the performers came mid-show to introduce us to the different characters and costumes so that we had an even deeper understanding of what we were seeing. Overall, well recommended.

On Saturday I had the privilege to have tickets to a morning and afternoon seating of The Cycle…read morePlays. They were intense, funny, emotional and interesting. All I can really say is that they were all stunning performances. The music was so creative. My dearest friend was one of one of the set builders and they did this amazing bamboo structure. I highly recommend checking out one of their performances. Get out and get cultured!

"Is this really happening?!" Those were the only words I could eek out of my gaping mouth during…read morelast Friday's living room performance at the Vespertine Circus. Okay, I also managed to say "I'll have the $2 white wine, good sir!" But really, that's about it. There were mesmerizing musicians, an astonishing aerial acrobat and her hooping partner. There were couches and a hodgepodge of chairs filled with the artists friends and family and some random Facebook stalkers like us. But the most surprising attraction had to be the bar in back, serving $2 wine, beer, and soda. *Rub eyes in dream-like stupor.* Like the others have noted, this is an eerily magical place, concealed behind residential walls. Part Alice in Wonderland, part Burning Man, part Dark Carnival...yet approachable enough for average folks like you and me. The shows are $10-15 sliding scale at the door, and while the venue itself may not appear to merit such a cover, the sheer novelty and unexpectedness of everything that ensues is worth the cha-ching, in my opinion.

There are many reasons to fear and loathe Facebook. Sit at any bar, eavesdrop on any bus…read moreconversation, and woo any self-aware youngin' with a lit degree, and you'll hear a litany of FB complaints, usually coming straight from the mouth of your's truly about the inanity of self-promotion and narcissism. But when I step back from talking about my status in the third person or rapidly de-tagging myself from pictures that I don't want my mom to see, I appreciate how useful it has been in finding some cool events. Cue the Vespertine Circus, which I circuitously found when I saw an event listing for audiafauna, one of my favorite local acts. Not knowing what to expect, nor caring much, since my beloved band was performing, I came with little to no expectations, just being a groupie and rounding up some friends for a night out. Literally located in someone's living room, with barnyard lighting and some scattered cushions, this is a very comfy venue. The circus itself is not the corndog/creppy clown carnavale that I envisioned. There are contortionists, lovers, advanced hoopers, and what I came for-music and dancing. My heart was won by the ginger with an improvised violin/trumpet contraption, who's in a band from Seattle called Impossible Bird, another serendipitous music find that's put an extra hop in my step. Come support this amazing endeavor-such a heartwarming atmosphere, and if you're missing your weekend night boozin', drink assured that there's some cheap wine, though I opted for the cheap alcoholic-free ginger beer. After being intoxicated by the good vibes this place is percolating, you won't need anything else.

Upgrading to 5 stars for Urge for Going by Mona Mansour. Fine acting and directing of a fine script…read moreabout a teenage girl who wants to escape the Lebanese camps for Palestinians and attend college. This is definitely a drama, but has quite a bit of humor. If you're worried about agit prop or knee-jerk political views, don't be (I don't think Golden Thread even considers that kind of theatre). The characters do have political opinions (and often disagree with each other), but the story is the heart of the play. I would consider seeing this a second time during the run. Someone came with a young kid and it's about a teenager, so it might be okay with a kid who enjoys theatre, maybe 14 or over. Be aware there is some language and blood effects.

I've enjoyed every single reading, production, and show that I've gone to at Golden Thread. I've…read moreattended many of their productions in the last 5 years. The theaters they choose, as well as their partnerships, are also definitely fitting. I would wholeheartedly recommend their shows to visitors and Bay area residents alike.

I love that the SFCO offers admission-free performances for the public. The concert I attended this…read morepast Monday night was a special engagement that required a small fee, Classical at the Freight: Mozart's Birthday Celebration, an annual affair held in Berkeley. It's not an official SFCO event, rather it's considered a community partnership, according to the SFCO website. Just a handful of remarkable musicians from the SFCO showcasing their talents on the cello, violin, viola (Ben Simon musical director), with special guest Robert Schwartz on the piano. It had a casual feel and somewhat playful vibe, a couple musicians dressed in costume and wigs as Mozart celebrating his 269th bday (his actual bday 1/27/1756). And a Mozart trivia challenge in between sets (a sort of intermission), where I learned that Mozart had a pet starling... a songbird. The SFCO all-star musicians played the unique sounds of Mozart, including what Ben Simon described as a drunken trio, playing the strings with accents in the wrong places, during the first set. The second half of the show was exhilarating, more up tempo, with Robert Schwartz's performance on the piano incredible as he created such beautiful music along with the other musicians on stage. I enjoyed my time, and can't wait to see what the SFCO has to offer for the rest of 2025, and of course, I look forward to more Classicals at the Freight.

Another chance to see FREE live orchestra music in SF, Berkeley, & Palo Alto. We went on Monday,…read moreDec. 29, 2008 to see Leading Ladies New year's Celebration Concert at the Herbst Theater. We heard: Georg Frederic Handel Water Music Suite No. 2 in D Major (1717) - nice. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violin Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Major, K. 207 (1775) - Robin Sharp, violinist. Very nice. Valerie Coleman Concertino for Piano & Chamber Orchestra (2007) - Gwendolyn Mok, pianist. I loved her playing, very modern piece. Intermission - found out there's bathrooms up in the center of the Balcony. Franz Josef Haydn Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor (Farewell) (1772) - nice. George Gershwin - Five classic songs. Amanda King, jazz singer sang 5 songs: Our love is here to stay, can't take that away, slap that bass, someone to watch/Embraceable you; S'Wonderful. Wow! That was really good. Her voice is Great! You can still see the show in Berkeley - Dec 31, 2008 or Palo Alto- Jan 1, 2009! FREE show, though they want donations or you can join as a member for $50/yr. Tip: Pre-concert talk 30 min before the show. I haven't seen that yet, might be good. Website: http://www.sfchamberorchestra.org/

When I was a child, I loved it when someone would read aloud to me, taking on the voices of the…read morecharacters, and narrating the story with the appropriate emotion and meaningful pauses. Word For Word takes this concept one step further. They choose a story and act out the entire thing, without omitting any bit of writing or changing it to suit their interpretation. So every "he said, with a look of disdain" is spoken, usually by the character. I have such a love and respect for writers and great writing, and I find this genre of theater a very nice tribute to an author. It's fun to see how this theater company finds ways to interpret the prose, having to entertain an audience while staying true to the written word Last week I went to see "Strangers We Know" at the Magic Theater in Fort Mason. This was a performance of 2 short stories: "Mlle. Dias de Corta by Mavis Gallant, and "Which is More Than I Can Say About Some People" by Lorrie Moore. While I didn't care for the Gallant piece, it was due to my not liking the writing rather than the performance. The Lorrie Moore piece was very good - the acting and choreography were well-done, and I enjoyed it very much. Last year, Kirsten F and I went to see the Daniel Handler stories "4 Adverbs" which was very lively and entertaining. I would think it would be such a treat for a living author to see his or her work performed in this way. Word For Word has been in around since 1993, and selects works that range from classic to contemporary. Some of the featured writers have been Rudyard Kipling, Edgar Allen Poe, Eudora Welty, Dorothy Parker, John Stinebeck, and Michael Chabon. They have been around since 1993 and seem to have a small but dedicated following. If you want to see an original concept that marries literature and theater, performed in an intimate setting by a very dedicated company, check out Word For Word. They are part of Z-Space Studio, which you can read about on the website http://www.zspace.org/

I saw "The Necklace" and "A Jury of Her Peers." I'd seen The Necklace before, and also read it in…read more9th grade. It wasn't that thrilling (more heartbreaking, than anything else), but Word For Word made it come alive! Word for Word is the most entertaining kind of play; you hear all the lines, as well as the stage directions and the descriptions of the actors' emotions, (such as, "He moved to the left; he wore an expression of wistfulness with a touch of frustration" -- and then the actor expresses the described action). The actors are incredibly skilled and talented, and, having someone narrate, makes it feel as if you're reading the play, as well as viewing it at the same time, and adds a bit of humor to otherwise serious plays. Word for Word Performing Arts Company is in a class of its own. Truly an incredible experience. They're often shown in Z Space in SF, which is an intimate theatre (read: great!), or in Europe. You don't have to enjoy plays to enjoy Word for Word!

I caught "A Game" at BOA this year, and it knocked my socks off. And it takes a lot to knock my…read moresocks off. Incredible performances, sensitive direction, and a real emphasis on story - which, honestly, is hard to find these days. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they come up with next...

I love this theater! I've only see two productions so far, but I would totally go so far as to…read moresay it's some of the best acting and storytelling I've ever seen in the Bay Area. I love it when theaters drive home the point that you can do so much with so little -- you don't need a fancy set or bells and whistles when you have great storytellers. I totally am chomping at the bit to see future shows.