My wife and I attended the second day showing for the performance of The Speakeasy at the Box Car Theatre. It was a wonderful Christmas gift from my wife. The performance is very interactive and unique in that it draws the audience into the illicit behavior of the 1920 era's backroom saloons (think of Great Gatsby etc). You will be notified via text to arrive at a certain place and time with a secret password. Once you find your contact at that location you exchange information and given a location and another password to enter the establishment. This is where the fun begins. The outside of the place has something to be desired of but that is part of the whole appeal. You knock on the door and give the person the password to enter. Once inside the "performances" take place in several locations. The main "stage" has a combination of singing and dancing, as well as, vaudeville acts from that era. The second part of the location contains a "hidden" casino with a roulette, craps, and blackjack tables. The back of the place has a small room which you can view events happening in the changing room and a bar/performance/sitting area in the back. Performers will be interacting in front of you and all around you. It's a wonderful idea and great concept. We reserved a table in the front and watched a show with some wonderful singing, dance numbers, and comedy routines. You may not recognize most of the songs from that time but as the night progresses you will eventually find a few nuggets that you will easily recall hearing from an old movie or television show. I enjoyed listening to all of them and especially enjoyed the rendition of "We have no Banana's Today." I don't believe you could even create or sing that song today as it would offend just about the whole ethnic makeup of SF but the tongue and cheek performance was absolutely marvelous! We then moved to the back where we went to the "casino" room. I blew everything on black and when the ball landed on red we made our way to the back room. The back contains a small stage with a piano, bar, and sitting room. In the sitting room actors will be having conversations with each other and events will be taking place that creates the whole atmosphere of the speakeasy. Keep in mind that so much is happening around you that you can not possibly see and experience everything. That's part of the appeal of the show is that each person sees things differently and not everybody catches the whole storyline. I will not give too much away other than it was a wonderful evening and something I would highly recommend to others. I would suggest coming to the show in period attire as it helps create the mood of what you are about to see and experience. The performance is about a time and place long forgotten but part of our American History. It is presented in way that draws you into that era of dancing girls, booze and all. read more

Went to the popup Nightmare on Franklin St. (wrote a separate review just for the popup). Please see my review NightmareSF- also on yelp. Rather than duplicate that I will summarize- Not One Person who attend from my group enjoyed it and would not return again to another performance. read more

CLUE Jan 12 thru Feb 2011 - THE BOXCAR winter 11 show CLUE: Directors Peter Matthews & Nick A. Olivero have a brilliant show - sure to sell out - so buy up all these goldstar seats if you can find any.. this is truly a charm to sit above the amazing wiz of a CLUE GAME Board designed by co director Olivero . his vision of hosting the game watcher above the set is epic .. as if we are part of a Harry Potter broom fight ,, we are instead a sit a top of a game of CLUE. The adapted script moves fast and is very fun mixing in many of the key lines from the film and more. A great cast of SF locals better players all move at the speed of this game plan - The Butler brilliantly played by Brian Martin - holds the game board together with the most script tied to his role. Sarah Savage, Linnea George-Kupferand, Justin Liszanke keep the game rolling with some very funny comic timing linked to the many roles that Adam Simpson is cast as his every role true to the game and killings. J. Conrad Frank the queen on he board spins his skirt as the dice is tossed and is hilarious as the bodies fly. Besides the dead dummies as they pile up, the true star of this play is the set. The audience is lifted above the game board to see the whole 90 min event unfold - its a great night of Black box theatre in SF - not to be missed and is most likely sold out ,, I hope you get to see it. CLUE is the best .. V read more

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ABIGAIL DREARY playing now thru August 6th -review forwarded from Charles Kruger at SF Bay Theatre Examiner -he gives 5 out of 5 stars http://www.examiner.com/theater-in-san-francisco/abigail-dreary-is-a-haunting-hoot-with-an-authentic-emotional-core-review read more

Boxcar Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

As far as venues go, Boxcar Theatre is 3-Stars For the play we saw last weekend, CLUE, I'd say a BIG 4 STARS (but since this is a review about the theatre, we must stick w/ A-OK) The tickets I purchased online showed us sitting all together but the layout when we got there was different, so 1 of our party had to sit all by themselves - BOO! The stage setup is def original & well put together, I'll give them that. We're all up on a platform looking down on the stage so it's like you're looking at Clue, the board game But it also meant that I couldn't see anything the actors did on "my side" of the wall. Some people in the audience said they'd been back multiple times to "see" the whole thing...hmmm. Also, there were huge columns in the middle of the East & West sides of the stage so views were obstructed even further.....I was sitting right up against 1 of these columns *** Be sure to sit on the North or South side of the stage & you'll be better off in terms of no columns *** The theatre itself was sweltering hot - the actors were sweating profusely & I was no different - wear flimsy layers!! Last complaint - they wouldn't allow anyone in to their seats until 10pm (the show started at 10). Equate this to the whole sold out crowd standing practically shoulder to shoulder in the teeny lobby, trying to move about to get to the restrooms or bar - very cramped! The Play itself was a very clever rendition, taking the best parts of "Clue", the movie & combining it with the "limitations" of the board game. There was also a shout out to "Murder By Death" which is always a favorite. In any case, the actors were completely into their roles & the Clue-movie actors who they were spoofing should have been highly complimented by the tribute. Now I want to see the movie again so I can appreciate the Play even more. Overall, a campy, comical, whodunit conundrum read more

Review #600 During its last week in production, I took my sister to see Boxcar Theatre's take on 'Clue.' Tickets were $35 each (I missed the discounted Goldstar tix) & worth every dollar. Located in an alleyway off of seedy 6th street, I had my bf chauffeur us to & from the show. I loved the unique set up: you climb a flight of stairs to take your seat (there are about 49 chairs lining the perimeter of the stage) & look down at a living, breathing rendition of the boardgame. Each section of the stage is a 'room' (library, kitchen, conservatory, etc) that the actors manage to squeeze themselves into, almost on top of one another. If you've seen the movie, the play & the actors were right on the money. There were references to bad acting & even worse editing. And just like in the movie, all three endings were revealed. Decent acting, super intimate venue & clever use of a tight space. Being several feet in the air was such a different, fun way to enjoy a show. Theater on a small stage does not get any funner than this. Plus, gotta love the wallet-friendly ticket prices. Five stars for the overall experience, four stars for the theater & acting. There was a crowded concession stand selling drinks like 'Professor Plum Wine' & 'Ms White Russian.' Cute detail! read more

I'm absolutely addicted to interactive theatre experiences and bought a plane ticket up to SF specifically for Boxcar Theatre's Speakeasy production. I already wrote a review on that specific Yelp page but also wanted to share my praise amongst the other Boxcar reviews here. While The Speakeasy is shutting its doors soon, I truly hope that Boxcar will be attempting another show like it in the future. SF needs more of these unique events and your production in particular left me incredibly impressed, having enjoyed a quality night of immersive entertainment and talented company. I took my sister, who had few expectations, and she said it set the bar for all her future nightlife experiences in San Francisco. The authenticity of the experience, from the perturbed, yellow-accessorized staff doling out instructions, to the strong, almost unpalatable bathtub gin drinks, to the cheesy cabaret acts, was above and beyond what I expected from such independent theatre. Before attempts at comparisons are made, let me clarify that Boxcar's Speakeasy is a much smaller and more intimate production than say, Temple Studios' shows like Speak No More. It's also doing things a bit differently. You aren't a masked figure. Characters can see you. Though it might be inspired, the Speakeasy is not trying to be anything else at all, and I applaud that. I also want to include my acknowledgement for the after-party. Without it, I would not have been able to appreciate that more than 80 people contribute to making The Speakeasy happen every night. Not to mention how cordial, friendly, and gracious all the actors were when relishing the opportunity to casually mill around. Sipping off-menu cocktails and learning my way around a craps table made for a fantastic finish to an unforgettable night. -- Now I do have a few suggestions to the production team should they decide to apply this concept elsewhere in the future (which I would jump at the opportunity to support): 1) Slow motion during particular soliloquies was a nice touch. However, not all actors were doing their part to maintain this effect, and it was lost to more than a few people. The bartender (and casino dealers, etc) should also be affected. This can be timed so he's speaking with a particular character before another's monologue starts up. If he's taking an order or conversing with a patron, have another actor interrupt the exchange and get his attention. 2) What you need for the next production are speakers linked with microphones on the actors. Definitely get a good sound engineer. That way, their voices penetrate into the room and are audible to even the casual listener. Even after putting a spotlight on the characters and gathering the audience's attention, lots of dialogue was lost to the crowd many times. For me in the lounge area, even while seated on the chaise, it was difficult to deliberately listen to the conversation happening at the bistro table directly adjacent. 3) Lastly, I know that many of you have clown and improv schooling. Still, given the direct face-to-face interaction, this is the type of show that requires an actor to be on their toes all night. And a few of you need to work on how to gracefully flub lines. When you respond to a verbal stumble by correcting yourself, you draw the more discerning patrons out of this carefully constructed fairytale. Don't worry about repeating your lines the same every time. It's about effectively getting your character's point across. Sell that, and you're set. read more

This is a really small venue for theatre near Civic Center and in SOMA. I went here to see Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind created by Greg Allen and written, directed, and performed by the SF Neo-Futurists. In this theatre performance, the players attempt to perform 30 skits in 60 minutes. The audience shouts out a number between 1-30 to choose a skit. They prepare the skits before they play them. It was entertaining and kept you on your feet. The Neo-Futurists remind me of a college improv group and the venue reminds me of a small DIY college theatre. I do enjoy this kind of stuff and I'd check out what Boxcar Theatre puts on again. read more

I saw Rhino this weekend on closing night at Boxcar, and it was a fantastic evening. They probably shouldn't let the director address the audience before the show, because I became wary when he described the show he wrote/adapted as an "experiential experience," but I ended up loving it, but this isn't a review of the play, it's a review of the playhouse. The black box space is small and intimate, the staff with whom we interacted were friendly, and the experiential value of the experience is high for the price of a ticket. read more

BRAVO!! We could not ask for a better venue to watch an adaptation of Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends! Friends and I have been looking forward to catching the show for weeks and we even went to check out Shel's books from the library in preparation for the play. We arrived 10 minutes after the show started and although we were trapped outside, a lovely lady opened the door for us and we snuck inside. The sheer act of doing so made me feel young again, as if I was sneaking into an R-rated movie, and I loved every minute of it! Even reciting Shel Silverstein poems outside while we were anxiously awaiting to be let in was fun! Overall, the cast was amazing, the music on point and the venue was extremely intimate. I can't wait to go back and watch another play. In the meantime, I'll just have to continue reciting poems from the book in my head... There is a place where the sidewalk ends And before the street begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind. Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black And the dark street winds and bends. Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And watch where the chalk-white arrows go To the place where the sidewalk ends. Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go, For the children, they mark, and the children, they know The place where the sidewalk ends. read more

For an absolutely UNIQUE and amazing experience, the current show "Little Shop of Horrors" is not to be missed!! This updated production masterfully incorporates the venue, the street outside (yes!), antique motorcycles and cars into the production - and I haven't given anything really big away!! The acting, music and above all --- beyond-creative staging--- are all something you will not forget for a long, long time. Bring your kids, your friends, relatives - everyone you know for a night of fun, romance, hilarity and just plain ENTERTAINMENT! The show has just been extended to July 8th (2011). Hurry and get your tickets!! P.S. Make sure you READ the local newspaper they hand you when you arrive at the theater. You'll see why! read more

Like many of the other reviewers, I fell in love with this theater through a performance of Clue. The cast was amazing. We sat about ten feet above the stage and watched the performance from above. The innovative outside the box performance I have been to in a long time. read more

Don't be fooled by this bite-sized theater--this little guy packs a serious punch! This was my second time attending one of their productions, the first being Where the Sidewalk Ends (a childhood favorite taken to an unexpectedly adult level) and this time, Rent Boy Ave (a raw and intensely honest play about drugs, selling sex, sexuality, and deviance). Your experience even starts before the show. Such an interactive cast. I'm not sure what they do for each showing, but let's just say they got me good...I don't want to spoil it for any of you who plan on attending...so just go. I bet you'll fall in love. Or be awe-struck. Damn, just another reason I love this city. read more

Saw "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" here. I can't say enough what a great production this is - I thought it might get a little confusing with 8 Hedwigs, but it really feels very natural, almost like the show was meant to be staged this way. If you're even thinking of seeing this show, stop thinking about it - and go. It's a great night out and a terrific piece of live theater. The night I went there was a short cabaret after the show - it was a great little bonus. read more

We got off bart, had dinner, then walked down a very sketchy, scary street to this theatre that is tucked around the corner, in a street that looks like an alley. But the theatre was awesome. We went to see Hedwig and the angry inch last night. The man at the booth who took our names and told us where to sit ( who also happens to be the director) was awesome. Funny, and lively and just bring everyone together so he can explain there ordering routine. Speaking of ordering, it's a little funky. You are given a menu and a piece of paper where you write down what you want at what stage of the night you want it so that they can have it ready for you when the time comes. A little odd but it worked. Before the show started a man was walking around the crowd with a bottle of Jim Bean and giving free "shots" to anyone who checked in. The shots being he holds the bottle above your head and pours it into your mouth. I ordered a Niko which the director suggested. It was good and was strong on liqour. Terri had a sugar daddy which is basically diabetes in a glass, but so good. We also had an atrocity, also good. The show was freaking amazing, but I don't think I would return to that venue for ANYTHING, just because of the neighborhood. read more

What a treat! Its cozy and intimate. I really enjoyed the layout of being lofted aboved the stage and wrapped around. You can see the entire audience... Of (40?) But being high above the stage means you're closer to the lights. And it is hoottt! No body said theater was comfortable ! Wear light clothes and get a drink from the bar. The cast and crew really know what they're doing! I wasn't just amused, I was truly entertained. The stage set up was fantastic. Perfect for this show! I haven't been able to stop thinking about it and told everyone I know to check it out before it's over. I'll be back next week! read more

Rocky Horror Picture Show @ the Box Car Theatre -Opening Night was amazing!! Stellar performances by all-"Out of the ball park" singing..Fun, fun, fun!!! **Extra standing ovation for Joceyln Pickett (as Magenta), as well as Ms. Janet and Dr. Frankenfurther. Go! Now!! ("Let's do the time warp againnnnnnn......) Delightful club read more

This was my first time coming to Boxcar, but I absolutely adored it's small, intimate nature. I've been looking for a theater like this for awhile, and who would have thought this gem would be conveniently hiding right near downtown. As cliche as it might sound in a review, The Mark Ten's Fantastic Parade was definitely Fantastic! A play about music, what more could you want? 60s Rock music that is. As a huge fan of the Beatles, I really enjoyed it. Thanks Boxcar :) read more

I just went to the production of Romeo and Julien. An adaptation of Romeo and Juliet - but with 2 male leads. They took the original play and cut it in 1/2 focusing primarily on the 2 leads. I thought it worked great. The show flowed a quicker pace and worked well for the quaint theater. The box car is a cute little theater off market. I thought the space was great and open. The only complaint I have about the theater was that it was a little warm. read more

Saw 'Clue' here the other day and it was a lot of fun. I see a lot of theater and have definite opinions regarding the theaters in which shows are performed. I am interested to see other productions and what they do with more traditional staging. I'll check back once I see one! $12 dollar buckets of beer that you can bring into the house. YES!!!! The seedy Tenderloin location is just the worst but somehow the suspense of not knowing whether you will get assaulted on route just adds to excitement! LOL. read more

I visited the Boxcar Theatre this past Friday night to see their production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and it was SO much fun! I got discounted tickets through Goldstar.com (which I recommend doing because their normal ticket prices seemed a bit high to me) and when I got to the theatre with my 3 friends, they upgraded us to 4 seats right by the stage, even though the discount tickets are supposed to be seated upstairs in the balcony! SUPER nice of them. We were literally RIGHT in the action, lol, I even got pulled up onto the stage for a minute, hahaha. Here are my pros and cons for the Boxcar Theatre: PROS: - AWESOME production! - Very friendly staff (friendly to the point where they will sit on your lap and pour a free shot of whiskey down your throat if you want them to ... hahaha) - Fun photo ops before the show - Yummy drinks that fit the theme of the show (*non-alcoholic) - Intimate seating arrangement so you're right in the midst of the excitement! CONS: - Sketchy area ... I walked there by myself to meet up with my friends and I was a bit scared at times, lol - They don't have a liquor license so can't sell alcoholic drinks :( They will allow you to bring in your own alcohol to drink, which my friends and I did, but what they didn't tell us was that if you decide to bring alcohol, you have to pay them a $4 "service charge." We found out after we had already brought in our alcohol, so it was annoying to have to pay that. I mean ... what service charge? It's not like they went to the liquor store and bought it for us! But whatever, it was just a minor hiccup in an otherwise awesome experience. All in all my friends and I had a great time and I wholeheartedly recommend going to check out their ongoing production of Hedwig! read more

When you read about being seated in the "Hay Loft", you don't think it's really a rickety wooden loft with a bale of hay...you think it's some sort of high-brow metaphor for raised seats in the rear. Actually, you climb this ladder to a structure worthy of a backyard tree house with cushions and a real bale of hay! Super cool and has a great view. The whole house is very intimate and affords excellent views. Not many seats at all. Great little bar with beers, wine, and jack & coke that they let you take into the theater. Their production of Equus was the most powerful play I've ever seen. If the rest of their repertoire is this good, I'll be a regular. Only negative is that they have 1, 1-person bathroom, so there can be quite a line. Go check out this great theater company! read more

We saw Hedwig last night and it Rocked. The. House. Wow! The performance was epic. They managed to use every inch (get it?) of the theater to bring the house down. Do not miss this show! The theater itself is very intimate, so it's like having the cast perform for you and your date, group, etc. The servers bring the drinks to you- how awesome is that? We can't wait to go back...maybe even to see Hedwig again!! read more

Saw Where the Sidewalk Ends. Cute play. Dragged a little in the second act. Actors and music where great, though. *Extremely* small venue. We opted for the $32 (but only paid $16 on Goldstar!), tier 1 tickets, and since there were only 4 rows, getting the half priced tier 3 tickets wouldn't have made a difference. Probably would have actually preferred tier 3, as we were in the first row, center. Though, the you may be banished to bar stools with tier 3. That would be pretty uncomfortable for 2 hours. The concession sells beer, wine, water and some chips, cookies and candy. The venue itself isn't in the best location, either. We cabbed there, and when the play let out around 10pm, we ran to Howard versus walking up 6th to Market. read more

Last night was my first time at Boxcar Theatre, and it was amazing! I loved the intimate space. it is intimate, adaptable and well organized. I have been meaning to see something at Boxcar for a while now, as it gets great reviews and has the reputation of innovative and interesting theatre. I saw Equus last night, which is not for the faint of heart. This production was powerful. The use of space throughout the performance was superb! The acting was wonderful, the movement and sound work of the ensemble was exhilarating! It was good storytelling overall! We had great seats on the side of the thrust stage, but next time I am interested in sitting in the hayloft. Literally- there is an awesome area that is a hayloft, climb the ladder and sit up there like kids! They sell beer, wine, kombucha, cookies and all the normal concessions stuff. Although not right next to any restaurants or bars- 2-3 blocks around you can find some decent ones. Practically, it is easy to get to as it is only a few blocks from Powell Street BART and MUNI, and though it is on Natoma Street in SOMA, it feel like a way less shady area than ACT, Cutting Ball or the Orpheum. Go Boxcar! Go! read more

Great venue for a great show. The Variety Society films their San Francisco Comedy Show out of the Boxcar Theatre. It's great. You get to walk in, look at a couple photographs and artwork hanging inside from various contributors to the Theatre. Boxcar Theatre hosts great shows. The Variety Society films there once a month and they'e show is always looking for audience members and sponsors. www.thevarietysociety.com Thanks Boxcar! read more

_ C L U E _ This was fun. If you like Clue at all, be it the game or the movie, this will be a blast. Seats are suspended high up near the ceiling (watch your head for pipes!) So you're looking down at the stage/game board before the show has started and noticing the designated rooms, lounge, library, conservatory, kitchen, ballroom, billiard room and think, but in the first scene takes place in the Study, they're not ALL going to fit in there!? Oh yes they did.. and without missing a beat of dialogue. Some actors were better than others, but all tried their darnedest Although Clue is fun for all ages, the cheap $4 Mrs. White Russians are for big kids only. (They let you bring them in the theater too;) Tickets were sold out on the night we went and were $25 (although I recently saw them for 17 something on Goldstar.. boo) We watched the movie the night before so we went in prepared, it definitely helped. A thoughtful and creative experience indeed. Get a clue and check it out read more

This is truly a unique experience. The theater is small and intimate, and they really make magic with the room they have to work with. All of the acting I've seen is professional quality at the very least and everyone is completely into their characters at all times. Most of the shows incorporate audience interaction with clever sets that work around the limited space. It's really something so different that it's unexplainable and needs to be experienced by everyone. Go see a show - you will not be disappointed. read more

Small theatre was great to see the rock show Hedwig! Seating is tight (unlike Hedwig), but it's ok. Stage is just 2 steps up. So cozy that perfomers just walk between the patrons and sing...and maybe involve you. BTW, large booty patrons might not be that comfortable in those chairs. Service was fine although the scenario was this: they say there are 3 service rounds during the show, and give you an order form for you to tell them what you want ahead of time...and they bring drinks periodically during the show. We felt a bit forced into ordering 3 drinks each although I don't think there is a minimum. The specialty drinks were matched to items in the show, which was fun. Full bar was offered. Credit cards are fine. I didn't have food but the smell of frying oil was strong. they needed to pump up the AC a bit...it got warm quickly when the show began and my friends were uncomfortable. Its on an alley near 6th/Mission that is filled with homeless but we had no problems or even solicitations...just be prepared to see some unfortunate souls. My rating: 4 stars! read more

is this the cutest theater you've ever seen or what?!?! saw the ad for Clue on 7x7 and decided to check it out! The play is very cute and the stage design is awesome! The way everything was set and the scenes were very creative! the theater is relatively new in remodel... i guess what they call "suspended" seats... the only grip about it is that since you are above the stage... you can't see the stage design on the side you sit on... so you kinda miss out on some aspects... but definitely a unique concept to me... but becareful if youre takin the kiddies here because as of now, they only have two wires to keep you from falling onto the stage... and the gaps are quite wide if you have a small child with you seats are very limited... so it's a very cozy small theater feel, which I really like... by all means, i think it's a place worth checking out! read more

Just saw Abigail Dreary last night at Boxcar and thoroughly enjoyed every minute! The cast were brilliant in their roles and I was in suspense the entire time. The actress that played Abigail was 100% believable as a ghost and was intriguing. The sounds and lightening were perfect and kept me captivated. GREAT job Michelle! Looking forward to more from Ianiro Productions. read more

Last night was our first visit to the Boxcar. We went to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I loved the movie so I felt they had big shoes to fill. I have to say that I loved this production more!! First of all, while the theater is located off of the scary part of 6th street, don't let that keep you away. It's NOT that scary...well-worth the trek. Once inside, we found the staff to be fun and the theater intimate....great layout. Oh, and they have CHEAP drinks (PBR and a whisky shot for $5 or $4 imported beer and wine!) and a great ordering system so that you order drinks in advance and never miss or interrupt the show. The accoustics were fab, as well as the costumes and the band.... This production of Hedwig had eight different Hedwigs -- men and women -- and every one of them rocked. The lead Hedwig was amazing. After reading the positive reviews of the other productions at this theater, I'll definitely be back! read more

What fun. This is why I moved to SF. Where else can you drink beer and do jello shots while driving around the city streets? Boarding the bus I was met by Sarah who says she's so glad I could come but she didn't get my RSVP to her wedding and did I wanted fish or chicken at the reception. Hmmm.... took a while but being in numerous Rocky Horror Picture Show, I got the idea that this is going to be an audience participation. Seeing that my rational brain needed to be shut down and my creative process needed to be heighten I agreed with my fellow audience who had deep pockets and was willing to share his bounty of red jello cups. The audience, some were just sitting and watching and others reacted. This must be a high of the unexpected for the actors who had to follow script and communicate the illusion to us fellow passengers. There was a girl whose birthday was today, Greg from Palo Alto with deep pockets (whom I bought a beer), Dr Doom and his friend Tool (being named because the Dr bought his ticket) and many others. The party and dance music started and the drama unfolded and we were a part of it all. The scene out side was part of the theater, some I understood the symbolic nature of and some it took awhile... like why was Tiffany B. dancing around a mannequin with Sarah? Driving around the streets of SF with theater drama is why I moved here. It took lots of creativity and guts to pull this off and make it fun and a total artistic experience. I give this show, the actors, the audience, the bus driver, all 5 out of 5 Yelp stars! Someone, give me the cliff notes version of this play please! read more

A very small theatre with very BIG surprises! A friend and I came to see the adaptation of Where the Sidewalk Ends and we were whisked away by the sheer creativity, imagination, playfulness and subtle thought-provoking messages integrated into the storyline. It was whimsical and magical and far exceeded our expectations. The acting was both powerful and engaging and I ran the entire gamut of emotions from start to finish. We both agreed it was one of the best performances either of us have ever seen. I had never heard of Boxcar Playhouse before looking up this event, but they have me setting new standards for live theatre and I look forward to coming back to this venue for future shows. Bravo, Boxcar! Bravo! read more

I've seen a few shows at Boxcar Theatre now. All the performances I've seen have been wonderful! The cast does an amazing job of engaging the audience! I've had so much fun going there and experiencing the shows - and it truly is an experience. I definitely recommend checking out Boxcar! If you have a chance, go see Headwig and the Angry Inch while it is there! I fell in love with the cast at the last show and the director is genius! Very well put together - a total art piece from the moment you walk in. Also try a Sugar Daddy martini! read more

Scary, Creepy and FUN! Well written and a great cast! This new thriller will have you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next.! Just read the review in the S.F. Examiner and couldn't agree more! A must see! Bring a friend to grab on to! read more

Awesome San Francisco. Hedwig was the best show I've seen in the city. Bring an open mind and if you don't want to be part of the show choose seats at the back or in the mezzanine, read more

I saw Abigial Dreary and the cast was fabulous! I can't imagine a better performance even if it was on Broadway. This is a well written play. read more

WOW, Is this the show with that Dana Lau chick? May have to check it out.......she's kinda hot too and with a bit of talent! RIght on...man! read more

Let me guess - before seeing an incredible show there, you'd never heard of Boxcar Theatre either? Tell me about it. But you know about it now, and what an awesome space it is! I scored two cheap tickets to Hedwig & The Angry Inch on Goldstar, springing of course for floor seats with the hope that one of us might receive The Carwash! No such luck, but we still had great seats (which isn't tough in such a small venue) and were treated to one seriously fun and entertaining show. The cast and theater staff obviously love it there and get into the full spirit of their show - wardrobe was amazing, body parts were on glorious display, and I'm not sure I've EVER seen so many wigs under one roof! 8 Hedwigs (4 male, 4 female) and a strong supporting cast put on a seriously special show - you will love it! I was also extremely impressed by one particular attention to detail - our table, while fun and cozy, was buried in a corner underneath an outcropping, and when a portion of the show took place above us, our view was 99% obstructed. Sure enough, one of the lady Hedwigs appeared in front of us and took us through an amazing photo album to highlight all the moments in the dialogue we could hear the actors exchange. Not only did we not miss a thing, we got an extra unique experience! Their 3 rounds drink system is ingenious, allowing you to order all your drinks before showtime where they will be periodically brought out to you - no distractions during the show from the staff at all. 6 drinks (4 alcoholic, 2 not) totalled $28 - what a deal! I sampled the Sugar Daddy, which was very accurately described by the host/director as '"diabetes in a glass" - sugary bright blue cocktail, blue sugar rim, and a candy-covered toothpick for garnish! Next up was Atrocity, which was fruity boozey fun, then water to wash it down - my BF also benefited from my Yelp check-in by earning a free shot of whiskey poured right into his mouth! The Boxcar's neighborhood is SUPER grody - travel in packs, avoid eye contact, and it's all good. I look forward to hearing more about their shows, thank you for a fun and unique Friday night at the theatah! read more