San Francisco: Theater
The majority of the theaters in downtown's Theater District are not especially innovative, but tickets are reasonably inexpensive - up to $20 a seat - and there's usually good availability. The TIX Bay Area ticket booth in Union Square (Tues-Thurs 11am-6pm, Fri & Sat 11am-7pm; tel 415/433-7827) regularly has day-of-performance tickets for half price and full-price advance sales. It's also an outlet for Ticketmaster and sells Muni tickets.American Conservatory Theater Geary Theater, 415 Geary St tel 415/749-2228. The Tony award-winning ACT puts on eight major plays each season in the city's best serious theater venue.
Beach Blanket Babylon Club Fugazi, 678 Green St tel 415/421-4222. This legendary musical spoof, filled with celebrity impersonations and towering hats, has been running since 1974. Highly recommended, but remember to book in advance.
Exit Theatre 156 Eddy St tel 415/673-3847. Avant-garde and experimental, the Exit is the place to go when you've wearied of the Broadway retreads.
Golden Gate Theater 1 Taylor St tel 415/551-2000. San Francisco's most elegant theater (in its least elegant neighborhood), with marble flooring, rococo ceilings and gilt trimmings. A pity the program doesn't live up to the surroundings - generally a mainstream diet of touring musicals.
Lorraine Hansberry Theater 620 Sutter St tel 415/474-8800. The mainstay of African-American theater in San Francisco. Traditional theater as well as contemporary political pieces and jazz/blues musical revues.
The Magic Theater Fort Mason Center, Building D tel 415/441-8001. Specializes in contemporary American playwrights and emerging new talent: Sam Shepard premieres his work here.
Theatre Rhinoceros 2926 16th St tel 415/861-5079. San Francisco's leading gay theater group. Lighter, humorous productions, as well as those that confront gay issues.
Theatre on the Square 450 Post St tel 415/433-9500. Converted Gothic theater with drama, musicals, comedy and mainstream theater pieces. San Francisco's main fringe venue.
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