The cast of Knockoff Broadway put on such an entertaining performance at All Out Comedy Theater…read morethis past Saturday. The theater room didn't open till a few minutes before the listed show time. But they had a lovely lobby for waiting, full of color and character. And basic snacks and drinks were sold on site (chips, pocky, soda, beer, etc.). The show started about 12 minutes late and lasted exactly one hour (8:12-9:12pm). This was your typical improv show with talented individuals acting out their creative ideas on the spot, but with a unique element which made it different from the many improv events I've been to... the cast breaking into song on stage during various parts of the story. Everything was improvised, even the awesome tunes played by three musicians on the drums, keyboard, and electric guitar. Audience suggestions were taken in the beginning, three ideas total narrowed to one via votes by applause. The theme of the night (and title of the knockoff musical) ended up being "Landfill". The performance had the crowd bursting with laughter at scenes including skunks falling in love to a doo-wop number and a wannabe artist turning poop into beauty (a sculpture made of poop lumps), as well as lessons and reminders that "the world can be a dump but it doesn't have to be!" The performers were hilarious, the music and made-up lyrics were fun, and the show overall was lighthearted and enjoyable. And since it's improv, it's never the same experience. So it's worth coming back to see Knockoff Broadway's quirky musicals again and again, or to check out one of the many other shows featured at this venue, like puppets, magic, and mental health comedy.

What's still left of our old San Francidco: quirky, creative, fabulous, and inexpensive…read more Community talent at its best, and always a warm welcome. Just go. You won't expect what's in store for you.

i attended san f theater for over 40years during that time i experienced stage works written by…read morenyc playwright larry myers which were the best ever bay area theater i believe myers won the firsrt usa fringe fests with his "sexual gravity" & "gene tierney move next door" or "keith haring s my idol" myers is "off broadways wittiest and most prolific playwright according to ny daily news " wayman wong he wrote so many i forget which awards were for which plays as he had other nominations.

I really had no idea there was a theater here even though I've walked by the building often. It's…read moreno bigger than a junior high school auditorium, but it definitely worked for the Theater Rhinoceros production of "Marry Me a Little". Sondheim aficionados will recognize the title as the song that was cut from the original production of "Company" but put back into the revival four years ago as the Act I closer. Loved the song when Raul Esparza sang it in the Broadway revival as an anthem of emotional liberation. Loved the song when the avuncular Bill Fahrner sang it almost matter-of-factly in this intimate staging. Intimate is the key word as there was only one other performer, Caleb Haven Draper, and a talented pianist, Dave Dubrosky. No dialogue, just a series of Sondheim trunk songs (i.e., songs that were dropped from shows before they made it to Broadway) that form a simple storyline of a couple going through the full arc of a relationship. Only this time it's a same-sex couple in the throes of Prop 8. It barely works, but the Sondheim touch really lends wit and gravitas to a show that lasts only 70 minutes. If you're a fan of his music, try to catch it before it leaves. If not, there are upcoming shows that fit the dimensions of this small venue. It's good to know local theater is still alive and breathing in San Francisco.

Apparently, not too many people know about this venue.That may be a reason why it is called Eureka…read moreTheatre Company...Once you see a show at this theatre - you might be tempted to say" Eureka!"... I had a free ticket for "A Very Happy Fella" and I really enjoyed the musical. There is only one deficiency - their seats are beyond uncomfortable, especially if you are tall... There is plenty of street parking around the venue. Overall, it was a good experience...

Came here to watch "Schick Machine", a musical and theatrical performance by percussionist Steven…read moreSchick, composed by Paul Dresher. The show was interesting and unique, and impressive with its use and interpretation of sound. And with this show being all about sound, the sound quality at Z Space lived up to the task. The arts studio is a quite beautiful community space and theater for a range of artists. The inside of the auditorium wasn't the most updated (seating, flooring, etc), but it had a bit of character, and it worked for the event we attended. There are nice touches throughout the venue, such as stained glass windows, and the lobby is seemingly more modern and inviting, especially before or after a show. Free parking was available a block away on a Sunday afternoon. And the staff was friendly and helpful, at the ticket counter, bar, and inside the auditorium for the event I attended.

When I bring my friends to Z Space, I know for certain that we'll all have a great experience. It…read moredoesn't matter what we see there--whether it's music, dance, a straight up play or anything in-between. It's always intelligent, thought-provoking, funny and way worth the price of admission. Great vibe, great bar, great funky cool space. GO TO Z! you won't regret it.

Cute little theatre. Not a bad seat in the house!…read more Enjoyed the show and a glass of wine for $5. They were also selling other drinks and cookies. Would come again!

A tiny little playhouse situated within a church, I expected a lot more out of the production and…read morevenue itself when I attended a performance there recently. You enter through a metal side gate and open a large door, and you find yourself in the "lobby," which consists of a tiny room with a counter that doubles are the box office and concessions stand. If you're early, you need to awkwardly wait until they open the large doors to the theatre space. Once inside, you'll find that it's a *tiny* one-room theatre with seating literally feet away from the actors. Hey, don't get me wrong. I've been in tiny one-room theatres before, but nothing to this extent. The seats were 2/3 full, so that should have been my first clue about the performance : ( It was dismal, and I couldn't wait to get out of there! I'll see a small production any day, just not here.

Garden of Memory is a one-of-a-kind annual walk-thru concert at Chapel of the Chimes, presented by…read moreNew Music Bay Area, which apparently sells out of tickets each year. We arrived early this past Saturday, so street parking was available right in front. The small entry line went quickly at opening time, and once we stepped inside, we were enchanted by the maze-like setting inside, the most beautiful maze I've ever encountered. Colorful gardens with vibrant flowers and greenery, sculptures and fountains, winding pathways and staircases and hidden nooks, where music and artists of all kinds could be found in the most unexpected places on three different levels. Mainly ethereal melodies could be heard throughout, soundscapes, shamanistic and experimental music, a little bit of pop but no recognizable genre. An opportunity for the audience to connect with the beauty of the instruments being played. There were indeed a wide range of instruments utilized during the event, both traditional and uncommon, including the marimba, synthesizer, cocktail drum kit, tuba, xylophone, native recorder, hurdy gurdy, ocarina (death whistle), violin, cello, tambourine, shakers, french horn, melodica, accordian, japanese mouth organ (made of bamboo pipes), harp, bass, saxophone (quartet), dueling digital pianos, kelp horns, pine cones played with a violin bow, and even a parrot perched in an enclosure with a microphone near its beak. A few more that stood out to me were Edward Schocker with resonant glass sounds from cylinder containers filled with water, the mesmerizing performance of Pamela Z. creating engaging tunes with the theramin, vocals, and looping, and the work of sound alchemist, Laura Inserra, in the Garden of Eternal Wisdom, which was personally enjoyable and inspiring. There were a few food trucks out front with outdoor seating and tables set up, so we grabbed some dinner while at the event, a steak quesadilla from La Casita Del Guero and a lamb gyro from Halal Bites. Bracelets allowed for in-and-out flexibility, so guests could eat dinner off site and return, too. Restrooms were available inside the building as well as porta potties outside. I have nothing but good things to say about this place and our experience. It was delightful and therapeutic, and I'm pretty sure my musician bf got more than he expected out of his time here, a dream for instrumentalists and music lovers alike.

Awesome show!!!! Love all the cirque shows I've seen. Must see them when they come to town. Wish…read moreseats were a bit cheaper. I live shows are always a little interactive with the audience.

This was my first time seeing a Cirque du Soleil show and it certainly did not disappoint. I…read moreattended with my husband and my two children. I often worry when taking my kids to live shows if they will stay interested. They sat with their mouths gaping in awe and when intermission came all they wanted was the show to resume. There so many talented actors, acrobats, jugglers, clowns, etc that you never had a dull moment. Not to mention the incredible musicians and beautiful story line that went along with the show. There were so many times that while someone was performing I found myself holding my breath in awe. It is a show of beauty, wonder, amazement and music. I would recommend anyone to go see it and I want to go back. There are wonderful outdoor amenities so if you have to use a restroom no worries...the porta potties flush and don't smell!

More than 20 years ago, I worked as a stagehand and also attended a couple of shows in this…read moretheatre. I really enjoyed the location and found the house to be comfortable and intimate. But it's been more than 20 years, so I don't know the current situation.

Beautiful Theater on San Francisco Pier Across From Alcatraz…read more SITREP I was lucky to catch the exceptional, the eclectic, the very eccentric dark musical-dance production "SHADOW DANCE" at the Cowell Theater, and .... *MIND BLOWN* ARIELLAH DARKER STILL www.ariellah.com The yearly production of Shadow Dance is the creative brain child of Ariellah Darker Still, a talented and mystical fusion belly-dancer based in Oakland, California. Taught by the legendery belly dancer Rachel Brice (a collaborator with the industrial rock Nine Inch Nails), Ariellah has carved a niche into the belly dancing realm that traverses into even darker realms still of Dark mystical arts, the fears that convulse the human mind, and the angelic & demonic figures that warp our spiritual dimensions. SHADOWDANCE This mystic view of our earthly dimension is interpreted by her and her collaborators by the artistic expressions of DANCE and MUSIC. SHADOWDANCE is culmination these wondrous & haunting expressions and is a showcase of all these talented performance artists. COWELL THEATER The expansive realm of the Cowell Theater is a perfect venue for Shadow Dance. The spacious stage is a wonderful playground for all the performers. * Aerial artists on silk fabric to Suspension artists chained to piercings on penetrating their back, all rely on the dependable cables extending from the ceiling of the stage's heights; * Various configurations of different dance troupes find more than ample space on which to dance on this suspended stage; SEATING Very traditional old-school theater-style seats. Flip-up. People have to squeeze by forcing you to stand up. No cup holders. Not roomy. Primitive. In this day & age of amphitheater-style seating, or reclining seating in the IMAX and/or XD theaters, the seating here is at most very basic. LAVATORY Very contemporary and modern. There are two different bathrooms, very roomy, complete with many stalls - both unisex, shared by all. PARKING Limited and Pricy. You need to pay for your spots. We saw tow trucks towing cars away that did not pay obviously pay for their spots at the machines. THE LOWDOWN A very solid theater for enjoying a great performance. Just know the rules for everything else having to do with this theater.