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Came by with my friend to see A Streetcar Named Desire recently. This is a different theater experience because we were seated at the Orchestra row BB which is the very first row directly below the stage. Front and center. We were instructed by staff to keep the little walk area clear at all times as the actors may be running around. No stage sets in this performance. Super immersive in that I felt like we (the audience) is also in this play. There were also audience members seated on stage commingling with the actors. Nondescript yet powerful stage presence when performing. I felt like I was back in school in theater class (Thanks General Ed!) with enhanced effects setting the mood--music, sounds, and lighting. So close to the actors that I can see the tiny droplets of saliva spraying out when they cry out in a powerful scene. The vivid expressions on their faces... The actors don't always stay on the stage, they go to the side, the back, off stage into the audience area. Sometimes elsewhere unseen but we can hear them. Immersive as if we were on the streets with them in the middle of the night by the rumbling streetcars in NOLA. Wonderful theater experience in this beautiful building. Looking forward to the next experience.
Get Your Act Together The ACT is one of The City's many old, historical sites, as this old (ca..1910) building islisted in the National Register of Historic Places. We came here to enjoy a play for my birthday, as the original screenplay "Kim's Convenience" was showing there--and I love that show! It's still on until the 19th of October, so if you can make it I highly recommend it. The Good: *Arrive early to grab a drink in the lounge *Friendly bartenders and staff *Great sound as the actors voices carried very well *Gorgeous theater The Meh: *It's SF, so you know parking will always be an issue. The Ugly: *The chairs weren't built for people taller than 5'10"... So when you're 6'5" 468lbs, then you know what my issue was. Conclusion: Fantastic place to watch a play, as long as you're one of "the shorts, " as us tall folk like to refer to you in one of our secret weekly meetings. But, I've said too much already... 0_o
Came here with my friends to see the Paranormal Activity play! The play itself was amazing! We had seats in the balcony and for the most part were able to see everything without issues, I just wish the volume on the actors' mics had been a bit louder. There are a couple bars however my friends got margaritas that were from poured from a can so I don't think everything is made by the bartenders. I very much appreciated that you get a discount on parking with your theater ticket stub at the Mason O'Farrell garage, just be prepaid to wait in line since everyone that is leaving the theater is leaving the garage at the same time to. Overall I liked this venue and would definitely be back to see another show!
Our first time ever at this venue and seeing this show. First the venue. Very easy to find . Park in the garage right behind the theater. The greeters and ticket takers were very kind and ushers were lovely. Food, drink and bathroom is downstairs . Not sure if there is any upstairs. Very small merch booth. I wish the box office was open during showtimes. Theater itself is small but high with balcony and mezzanine. Seats are standard size and sound was good. Now for the show. AMAZING!!! My family and I watch a lot of horror and have seen the paranormal activity franchise of films and We loved it so much ! I have never actually felt a shiver run up my spine till this show. We were lucky to get matinee tickets with a Q&A after which was really fun. We loved the show so much we immediately bought tickets to see it one more time and bring more people for the following weekend. Second show was even better than the first and we got the same remarkable cast! We will definitely be back to this venue.
This is a beautiful theater. It was our first time at this particular one. The bar staff were friendly and the drinks at the sky bar were great. The seats in the theater were comfortable if a little cramped and the views were great. We sat in the orchestra section and had unobstructed views of the entire stage.
Came to watch Paranormal Activity and had a blast! Such an entertaining show. We parked at the Mason O'Farrell parking garage, they reduced parking price to $15 with proof of ACT ticket purchase.
We came on Saturday for the 8pm show of Paranormal Activity. The location is a little sketchybut hey, it's San Francisco. We arrived right before 8pm and had front row balcony seats. Overall, I'd give the show about 3.5 stars. The plot felt a bit predictable, but if you enjoy jump scares, there were a few good ones in the first act. Personally, I thought the second act was much stronger and more engaging than the first. The theater itself is pretty run down. My seat was oddly bouncy, and it was very hot inside, which made it slightly uncomfortable. As for the show, there were quite a few cheesy "dad jokes" and a lot of dialogue. I was hoping for more paranormal moments happening in different areas of the theater, but most of the action felt focused on one side of the stage. Overall, I think it's worth experiencing if you're into this genre. It's here until mid-March. If paranormal plays aren't really your thing, you might want to save your money for something else.
This location is actually the Toni Rembe Theater (formerly the Geary Theater) and is the main home to the American Conservatory Theater which is why you will see multiple listings on Yelp for the ACT. The location is great; right in the heart of the Theater district. I came here last weekend to see a performance and all the surrounding theaters were packed and there was an electric vibe in the air. Obviousl this area gets incredibly busy, so be ready for non-existent parking or, to use public transit or to walk at least a dozen blocks before you call your rideshare to come and pick you up. The theater is small and intimate and it has this gorgeous gilded and very historical feel to it. Because of that, the seats are incredibly tiny and uncomfortable. If you are a larger person like me, you have to remind yourself multiple times throughout the show that people just weren't this big when they built the theater. I despise when people come on to a review a theater and their whole review is about the one particular performance that they saw. I will say that the few productions I have seen here have been very good, but that is mostly a reflection on the writers and actors themselves. Overall, it's worth it to put up with the, let's call it "coziness" of the theater here because if anything the performance are made better by the community.
Had a great time seeing "Kim's Convenience" here, plus they had a special Q&A session the day I went! Nice theater, easy process to get in, and yay to supporting diverse shows!
I took my daughter to watch, a version of The Christmas Carol story called, Why Not Christmas Carol. The show was different. Even with the knowledge of the actual story, the show was certainly unique. My daughter was a lot confused by the story. We found nearby parking around the corner and were able to arrive early enough before the show to walk around Union Square and see the giant christmas tree, the skating rink and all the decorations. The theater was nice. I have been before, so I was a familiar with it's layout. The staff are always friendly and it was nice to see the theater with the holiday decorations.
Been starting to attend this theater more recently this season, had been here for Cursed Child, Hippest Trip, and Lehman Trilogy. Beautiful building that's easily accessible from Powell BART. Box office being few doors down for easy pick up. It's definitely smaller than Golden Gate and Orpheum where most of the Broadway on tours happened. Good and bad, the seats in the back will never be too far from the stage but the seating area can be tight for some. Definitely need some stretches during the intermissions. Seems like it's beginning to pick up good shows in its seasons, with Hippest Trip being pre-Broadway, Lehman Trilogy being on world tour, A Strange Loop (Tony's best musical) was touring not too long ago. It seems like they have more play heavy shows than musicals, but definitely getting a good mix nowadays. The theater does allow drinks in the theater, they do carry a lot of the Golden Rule canned cocktails. Not much selection for the snacks, so having a dinner beforehand would be best. The theater is closer to Union Square than Golden Gate Theater, so there are more walking distance eateries around. What I remembered the most was watching Cursed Child and the staffs had an outfit change during Act 2. It's a nice touch to the whole theater experience.
We had the most enjoyable evening seeing the "Hippest Trip- Soul Train" performance here. The theatre is gorgeous inside and the staff are friendly and efficient. We pre-ordered our cocktails before the show- at intermission our drink were waiting for us! Beats standing in a long line for sure. By the way, I highly recommend catching this outstanding musical.
I've always loved live theatre and this place is great! Been coming here forever. Annually for the Christmas Carol and most recently for the Wizard of Oz (definitely not your traditional version, maybe a unique San Francisco take might be a better description, lol). There's always something fun and creative going on here to see. The layout is nice too and the restrooms are well kept. Honestly, I used to go the Orpheum and the Golden Gate theaters on the regular, but I just don't feel safe there anymore. I mean it's bad. Day or night. I'd still suggest keeping your antennas on alert in Union Square these days, especially at night here. But still way preferred for safety reasons over the other two theaters I once loved. Oh, they run specials here frequently too for free drinks. Support local live theatres.
I was able to see Kim's Convenience on the second to last day of its run and really enjoyed the show. There were no interruptions during the performance, and even though my orchestra seats were toward the back, I still had a great view of the stage. I arrived right before the show started, so I did not get much time to look around beforehand. After the performance, I went downstairs and saw that refreshments and snacks were available. The staff was friendly and helpful. I highly recommend taking public transportation if you can. If you decide to drive, you may get lucky and find street parking. We used the nine floor parking garage on Mason Street, which worked out well for us. read more
Recently saw "Hamnet" here and enjoyed myself. The play itself was great, but I couldn't hear or understand some of the dialogue. This is not a criticism of the theater; I think I'm losing some of my hearing! It's a good thing I read the book only a couple of weeks before seeing the play, so I didn't miss anything. The set up of theater itself was a bit inconvenient. I was seated in the mezzanine on the far left and had there been people in all the rows when I arrived, I would've had to squeeze through everyone in a row to get to my seat; there's no walking aisle going down to the seats on the far ends. I guess I'd never noticed this before; I usually sit in the orchestra. Also, in the upstairs lobby, there was only seating on one side, so if you were seated on the opposite side and got there early, you'd have to sit outside the opposite door to where your seat is. The seats themselves were pretty much standard for theaters. Some people have complained about the neighborhood, but I find that part of the city to be fine. I've never had any problems there and it's not sketchy at all. Just don't stray too far! read more
6 months ago
I absolutely loooveeee paranormal activity stuff! Ever since I was little I love spooky stuff! Definitely loveee scary movies that's always been my thing. I heard they were conducting a play out in the city for a limited time. My bby and I decided to go on a date out to the city and go watch a play together for the first time. I've been to a couple of plays before but this was my baby's first time seeing a play. I super excited to show him how much fun it is and how different it is in person vs over a screen. No food is allowed inside the theater but can eat your snack in the lobby before entering. Drinks are allowed inside but no recording or taking pictures during the play. It keeps the element of surprise for others to experience for themselves and not be ruined. Which I totally understand, plus the play is soo good you don't even think about your phone. The play was 2 hours long and halfway through they give a 15 break for you to use the bathroom or get something to drink. I absolutely loved the play and this theater! Super vintage and has so much original structure. I will definitely be coming back to watch more plays! read more
Came by with my friend to see A Streetcar Named Desire recently. This is a different theater experience because we were seated at the Orchestra row BB which is the very first row directly below the stage. Front and center. We were instructed by staff to keep the little walk area clear at all times as the actors may be running around. No stage sets in this performance. Super immersive in that I felt like we (the audience) is also in this play. There were also audience members seated on stage commingling with the actors. Nondescript yet powerful stage presence when performing. I felt like I was back in school in theater class (Thanks General Ed!) with enhanced effects setting the mood--music, sounds, and lighting. So close to the actors that I can see the tiny droplets of saliva spraying out when they cry out in a powerful scene. The vivid expressions on their faces... The actors don't always stay on the stage, they go to the side, the back, off stage into the audience area. Sometimes elsewhere unseen but we can hear them. Immersive as if we were on the streets with them in the middle of the night by the rumbling streetcars in NOLA. Wonderful theater experience in this beautiful building. Looking forward to the next experience. read more
Get Your Act Together The ACT is one of The City's many old, historical sites, as this old (ca..1910) building islisted in the National Register of Historic Places. We came here to enjoy a play for my birthday, as the original screenplay "Kim's Convenience" was showing there--and I love that show! It's still on until the 19th of October, so if you can make it I highly recommend it. The Good: *Arrive early to grab a drink in the lounge *Friendly bartenders and staff *Great sound as the actors voices carried very well *Gorgeous theater The Meh: *It's SF, so you know parking will always be an issue. The Ugly: *The chairs weren't built for people taller than 5'10"... So when you're 6'5" 468lbs, then you know what my issue was. Conclusion: Fantastic place to watch a play, as long as you're one of "the shorts, " as us tall folk like to refer to you in one of our secret weekly meetings. But, I've said too much already... 0_o read more
Came here with my friends to see the Paranormal Activity play! The play itself was amazing! We had seats in the balcony and for the most part were able to see everything without issues, I just wish the volume on the actors' mics had been a bit louder. There are a couple bars however my friends got margaritas that were from poured from a can so I don't think everything is made by the bartenders. I very much appreciated that you get a discount on parking with your theater ticket stub at the Mason O'Farrell garage, just be prepaid to wait in line since everyone that is leaving the theater is leaving the garage at the same time to. Overall I liked this venue and would definitely be back to see another show! read more
Our first time ever at this venue and seeing this show. First the venue. Very easy to find . Park in the garage right behind the theater. The greeters and ticket takers were very kind and ushers were lovely. Food, drink and bathroom is downstairs . Not sure if there is any upstairs. Very small merch booth. I wish the box office was open during showtimes. Theater itself is small but high with balcony and mezzanine. Seats are standard size and sound was good. Now for the show. AMAZING!!! My family and I watch a lot of horror and have seen the paranormal activity franchise of films and We loved it so much ! I have never actually felt a shiver run up my spine till this show. We were lucky to get matinee tickets with a Q&A after which was really fun. We loved the show so much we immediately bought tickets to see it one more time and bring more people for the following weekend. Second show was even better than the first and we got the same remarkable cast! We will definitely be back to this venue. read more
This is a beautiful theater. It was our first time at this particular one. The bar staff were friendly and the drinks at the sky bar were great. The seats in the theater were comfortable if a little cramped and the views were great. We sat in the orchestra section and had unobstructed views of the entire stage. read more
7 months ago
Came to watch Paranormal Activity and had a blast! Such an entertaining show. We parked at the Mason O'Farrell parking garage, they reduced parking price to $15 with proof of ACT ticket purchase. read more
7 months ago
We came on Saturday for the 8pm show of Paranormal Activity. The location is a little sketchybut hey, it's San Francisco. We arrived right before 8pm and had front row balcony seats. Overall, I'd give the show about 3.5 stars. The plot felt a bit predictable, but if you enjoy jump scares, there were a few good ones in the first act. Personally, I thought the second act was much stronger and more engaging than the first. The theater itself is pretty run down. My seat was oddly bouncy, and it was very hot inside, which made it slightly uncomfortable. As for the show, there were quite a few cheesy "dad jokes" and a lot of dialogue. I was hoping for more paranormal moments happening in different areas of the theater, but most of the action felt focused on one side of the stage. Overall, I think it's worth experiencing if you're into this genre. It's here until mid-March. If paranormal plays aren't really your thing, you might want to save your money for something else. read more
This location is actually the Toni Rembe Theater (formerly the Geary Theater) and is the main home to the American Conservatory Theater which is why you will see multiple listings on Yelp for the ACT. The location is great; right in the heart of the Theater district. I came here last weekend to see a performance and all the surrounding theaters were packed and there was an electric vibe in the air. Obviousl this area gets incredibly busy, so be ready for non-existent parking or, to use public transit or to walk at least a dozen blocks before you call your rideshare to come and pick you up. The theater is small and intimate and it has this gorgeous gilded and very historical feel to it. Because of that, the seats are incredibly tiny and uncomfortable. If you are a larger person like me, you have to remind yourself multiple times throughout the show that people just weren't this big when they built the theater. I despise when people come on to a review a theater and their whole review is about the one particular performance that they saw. I will say that the few productions I have seen here have been very good, but that is mostly a reflection on the writers and actors themselves. Overall, it's worth it to put up with the, let's call it "coziness" of the theater here because if anything the performance are made better by the community. read more
2 years ago
I took my daughter to watch, a version of The Christmas Carol story called, Why Not Christmas Carol. The show was different. Even with the knowledge of the actual story, the show was certainly unique. My daughter was a lot confused by the story. We found nearby parking around the corner and were able to arrive early enough before the show to walk around Union Square and see the giant christmas tree, the skating rink and all the decorations. The theater was nice. I have been before, so I was a familiar with it's layout. The staff are always friendly and it was nice to see the theater with the holiday decorations. read more
Been starting to attend this theater more recently this season, had been here for Cursed Child, Hippest Trip, and Lehman Trilogy. Beautiful building that's easily accessible from Powell BART. Box office being few doors down for easy pick up. It's definitely smaller than Golden Gate and Orpheum where most of the Broadway on tours happened. Good and bad, the seats in the back will never be too far from the stage but the seating area can be tight for some. Definitely need some stretches during the intermissions. Seems like it's beginning to pick up good shows in its seasons, with Hippest Trip being pre-Broadway, Lehman Trilogy being on world tour, A Strange Loop (Tony's best musical) was touring not too long ago. It seems like they have more play heavy shows than musicals, but definitely getting a good mix nowadays. The theater does allow drinks in the theater, they do carry a lot of the Golden Rule canned cocktails. Not much selection for the snacks, so having a dinner beforehand would be best. The theater is closer to Union Square than Golden Gate Theater, so there are more walking distance eateries around. What I remembered the most was watching Cursed Child and the staffs had an outfit change during Act 2. It's a nice touch to the whole theater experience. read more
7 months ago
We had the most enjoyable evening seeing the "Hippest Trip- Soul Train" performance here. The theatre is gorgeous inside and the staff are friendly and efficient. We pre-ordered our cocktails before the show- at intermission our drink were waiting for us! Beats standing in a long line for sure. By the way, I highly recommend catching this outstanding musical. read more
I've always loved live theatre and this place is great! Been coming here forever. Annually for the Christmas Carol and most recently for the Wizard of Oz (definitely not your traditional version, maybe a unique San Francisco take might be a better description, lol). There's always something fun and creative going on here to see. The layout is nice too and the restrooms are well kept. Honestly, I used to go the Orpheum and the Golden Gate theaters on the regular, but I just don't feel safe there anymore. I mean it's bad. Day or night. I'd still suggest keeping your antennas on alert in Union Square these days, especially at night here. But still way preferred for safety reasons over the other two theaters I once loved. Oh, they run specials here frequently too for free drinks. Support local live theatres. read more
3 years ago
Seen a few shows here. My recent show was Wizard of Oz. Paid $58 online for 2 tickets after fees. What a deal! Tickets were emailed but if you can't find them you can pick them up at will call, just next door. Bring your ID. Restrooms are located in the basement and top level. For the show we sat in Mezzanine section C. It was to the side so we did loose a bit of a view but not so bad. To be honest I didn't know what to expect of this show but thoroughly enjoyed it. It was the Wizard of Oz, but a different rendition of it. You have to see it for yourself. The actor playing Dorothy has an amazing voice and everyone acted well. Even got the audience involved, by helping Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road. Seats were not the most comfortable, especially if you have long legs. However choosing aisle seats helped. During intermission you can go get some fresh air or drinks at the bar. read more
2 years ago
Beautifully ornate, good ole fashioned theater in downtown San Francisco. All of the staff were so extra helpful and friendly all over the venue. The bar downstairs was a 3/5 but the bartenders were super friendly. I highly recommend catching a show in this gorgeous theater! read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
So beyond disappointed to what I witnessed today (Sat. 6/3/23). I paid close to $70 (one ticket) for a matinee show on the balcony and received a bootleg, knock-off, and low-budget version of the "Wizard of Oz". It was EXTREMELY disappointing to say the least. First, the seats were complete crap. They were very cramped and had no leg room whatsoever. My back hurt for the hour I was there (I had to walk out and leave even before the intermission). When the show began, I was in disbelief because of how lousy the stage was and the props that went with it. There seemed to be NO effort in this production at all. For Toto, a hairless and freakish looking chihuahua puppet was used. The character of Dorothy never wore her famous blue plaid dress, but instead was wearing a Batman shirt, checkered vans with blue socks, and brown pants (WHAT????). For the twister scene, Little Tikes playhouses were used as props. The cast was even changing their costumes ON STAGE. Like what????? It was unbelievably unprofessional and very misleading in the advertising. I thought I was walking into a beloved and classic production and instead I just wasted my money and time. I DO NOT recommend wasting your resources on this place whatsoever. Learn from my mistake and visit the Orpheum, or better yet, Broadway in New York City. read more
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Came here last night to watch a Christmas Carol. First, it wasn't sold out, so we were able to get tickets day of, but it was still pretty packed when we got in. Staff was very helpful in our purchase, and when we were in the building they were just as helpful. We had balcony seats, so seating was a bit tight. Meaning, you will touch elbows with whomever you're sitting next to. However, almost every seat in the house will give you a good view of the show. As for the show itself? Top notch. The actors brought their A games in, especially the actor who played scrooge. He received a standing ovation at the ending and had to tell people to stop, because it they were constantly clapping. It's a very cool theater, and the if you have a chance, come and watch a Christmas Carol. It was phenomenal. . read more
The theatuh, the theatuh...oh how I love the theatuh! You don't believe me?....Ever see my Broadway show list, "The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd"? ...http://www.yelp.com/list_details?list_id=vWRaUTnBn_477wme0hAfQA ...oh yeah, I'm a frickin' Stage Door Johnny. We're really lucky to have the American Conservatory Theater here in San Francisco. Denzel went to the graduate program here, so did Annette Bening and Nicolas Cage. I don't go to local theater as often as I would like, but when I do, I am usually enthralled. This place is really nice and tall with beautifully gilded features and ornate designs. It packs about 1,500 seats, and "packed" is the key word as the seats were not made for the all-you-can-eat matinee polyester crowd with their stretch marks. Not much legroom either, even for my squatty gams. This evening, I saw the 30th Anniversary revival of Sam Shepard's play "Curse of the Starving Class". Lots of powerful moments alternating between brutalizing drama and black comedy, especially in the first half. Sputters toward the end of a marathon 2 1/2 hours with self-indulgent sermonizing. But a great cast triumphs, especially Jack Willis as Weston, the fearsomely drunken father; the familiar Pamela Reed as his weary, wishful wife Ella; and a raging turn by Nicole Lowrance as feisty daughter Emma. Well worth seeing, as is everything else they have this season and any other season. Second balcony nosebleed seats only cost $12.50 on sale. It ain't so bad up there. read more
First up, I am a Christmas Carol freak. Every year, I watch each of the major film versions. My favorite is the 1938 version starring Reginald Owen. I also watch a number of the Christmas Carol inspired knock-offs (Scrooged, Ebbie, A Carol Christmas, etc..). I just can't get enough of Scrooge and his troupe of ghosts.. However, seeing it alive is so much more fantastic than watching any of the movies. I love it. The performance was wonderful. For anyone who is really into Christmas, I would whole-heatedly suggest attending and ramping up your holiday spirit to the next level. The ghosts were all incredible. Marley totally rocked it. Mr Scrooge was very believable. It really is a great way to experience one of Christmas' best stories. It is a beautiful venue. Like some others, the seating is tight for me. I am relatively tall. But hey, that's a slight inconvenience to spend an evening taking in a truly enjoyable performance. read more
4 years ago
My first experience of watching a play here was great! I booked tickets for the "Thousand Splendid Suns" and the play did not disappoint I booked the tickets for Balcony, and for a play like this, it was real good value for money, I got the tickets for around ~$25 for Saturday evening( booked same day). Balcony is probably on the topmost floor, but you are able to have a pretty good viewing angle to the show. The actors, the performances, everything was amazing I only wish Balcony had more comfortable seats( I know the lower levels with more expensive tickets definitely have them read more
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More info about American Conservatory Theater
415 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Union Square, Tenderloin
Directions
(415) 749-2228
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Visit Website
http://www.act-sf.org
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Ask the Community - American Conservatory Theater
The email the theater sent says you can bring your beverage into the theater. I am assuming they mean the beverages you purchase from them. Most theaters do not allow outside food or beverages. Can anyone confirm this?
Any restaurant recommendations nearby? Closest Bart station?
The closest BART station is Powell. Just a few blocks away. There are several casual and upscale restaurants nearby. I'm going there this Sunday and we are having dinner at Corzetti, lan Italian place less than a block away.
Whats the dress code?
There is no dress code. One could dress up or dress casually, as one wishes.
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