Author: Ciara Caya

The full cast and creative team for the West Coast premiere of The Headlands has been revealed by American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.).  The Obie Award-winning play by Bay Area playwright Christopher Chen, will be performed at the Toni Rembe Theater February 9–March 5, 2023. The Headlands will be directed by Tony Award winner and A.C.T. Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon.

For true crime fan Henry Wong, his father’s unexplained death is the ultimate cold case. But as he digs into the SFPD evidence, he’s haunted by the myths and misdirections of his own family history. How did his parents really meet? What’s behind the detective’s warnings about the case? And what is hidden in the Marin Headlands?

“I am thrilled beyond measure to be bringing The Headlands to A.C.T., and to be working with Pam MacKinnon to bring it to life,” adds Chen. “The Headlands is my love letter to San Francisco, the city I spent my entire life in—from birth, up to right now. To share this play with my hometown—a place I feel so deeply in my bones—will be one of the most personally meaningful moments of my career.”

The creative team for The Headlands includes Pam MacKinnon (Director), Alexander V. Nichols (Scenic & Projection Designer), Lydia Tanji (Costume Designer), Wen-Ling Liao (Lighting Designer), Leah Gelpe (Sound Designer), Byron Au Yong (Composer), Ben Chau-Chiu (Assistant Director), and Natalie Greene (Intimacy Coach). 

The cast includes Keiko Shimosato Carreiro (Pat/Older Leena), Sam Jackson (Jess), Charles Shaw Robinson (Walter/Detective), Erin Mei-Ling Stuart (Leena), Jomar Tagatac (Tom), Phil Wong (Henry), and Johnny M. Wu (George).

Tickets for The Headlands are now available.

Seattle Men’s Chorus is providing a livestream of their holiday show on December 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Seattle Men’s Chorus continues their holiday performance tradition this December. However, this year there is something new—Seattle Men’s Chorus will provide a livestream of “Holiday Fa-la-la-liday.” This show includes holiday favorites, nostalgia, carols, and much more.

The livestream will be on Friday, December 23 at 7:30 p.m. There are two ticket options available: single view tickets are $25 and a group or household ticket is $50. Tickets are available now.

Celebrate the holiday season with the San Francisco Symphony. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, an adult-themed variety show, or a classic celebration of holiday music, San Francisco Symphony has something for you. Check out all their holiday offerings below.

Cool Yule Christmas

Travel back in time to a bygone era as the San Francisco Symphony lights up the stage with songs made legendary by history’s most unforgettable crooners: Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Featuring the show-stopping talents of Broadway vocalist Capathia Jenkins, acclaimed jazz singer and pianist Tony DeSare, hear these artists lend their rich voices to a timeless selection of classic holiday hits and jazz standards.

December 13

Holiday Gaiety

’Tis the season to be merry and gay! Co-emceed by conductor Edwin Outwater and drag sensation Peaches Christ, this adult-themed holiday variety show guarantees an evening of festive fun and fabulous flair. Hear holiday hits played by the SF Symphony, and be regaled by a star-studded lineup of iconic guests, delectable vocalists, and drag queens galore!

December 15

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Join us at Davies Symphony Hall for a magical movie experience and family-friendly holiday treat: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Directed by Ron Howard with music by James Horner, this vibrant 2000 adaptation brings Dr. Seuss’ beloved children’s tale to life, with plenty of laughs for audiences of all ages. 

December 16–17

Holiday Brass

Feel the power and precision of the SF Symphony brass section as they fill Davies Symphony Hall with a festive mix of classical and popular holiday favorites.

December 20

Elf in Concert

This holiday season relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf™ in Concert! Rated: PG

December 21–22

A Merry-Achi Christmas

Led by the incomparable José Hernández, Mariachi Sol de Mexico® returns to Davies Symphony Hall for a festive musical tribute to Mexico’s Christmas traditions. Experience a multicultural celebration as the ensemble sings and plays holiday favorites from both Mexico and America in a vibrant performance you won’t want to miss.

December 23

Harry Connick, Jr. and His Band

A familiar face on stage and screen and one of the most beloved artists of our time, Harry Connick, Jr. has been thrilling audiences around the world for decades with his definitive take on Christmas classics, along with his own originals and fan favorites. This holiday season, join this Grammy-winning performer and his band for a festive Christmas Eve at Davies Symphony Hall.

December 24

New Year’s Eve With Seth MacFarlane

Before the clock strikes midnight, kick off your New Year’s Eve festivities with Seth MacFarlane and the San Francisco Symphony! The Academy Award and Grammy-nominated singer, actor, and director brings classic, crooning vocals and cool pizzazz to a “big band” era performance of jazz standards and holiday hits at Davies Symphony Hall.

December 31

We’ve rounded up a few of the accessible performances happening in the San Francisco Bay Area in December 2022. These performances include ASL interpretation, open captioning, audio description, and sensory friendly. Check out the event calendar for more information.

We’ve rounded up a few of the accessible performances happening in Seattle in December 2022. These performances include ASL interpretation, open captioning, audio description, and sensory friendly. Check out the event calendar for more information.

Check out the production photos of the West Coast premiere of Wuthering Heights now playing at Berkeley Repertory Theatre through January 1, 2023.

“Acclaimed director Emma Rice (The Wild Bride, Tristan & Yseult, Romantics Anonymous) and her new company Wise Children make a triumphant return to Berkeley Rep with her latest wildly imaginative theatrical experience. Rescued from the Liverpool docks as a child, Heathcliff is adopted by the Earnshaws and taken to live at Wuthering Heights. He finds a kindred spirit in Catherine Earnshaw and a fierce love ignites. When forced apart, a brutal chain of events is unleashed. Emma Rice reimagines Emily Brontë’s gothic masterpiece with live music, dance, passion, hope, and a dash of impish irreverence, creating an intoxicating revenge tragedy for today.”

We’ve rounded up a few of the accessible performances happening in the San Francisco Bay Area this November and December 2022. These performances include ASL interpretation, open captioning, audio description, and sensory friendly. Check out the event calendar for more information.

We’ve rounded up a few of the accessible performances happening in Seattle in November 2022. These performances include ASL interpretation, open captioning, audio description, and sensory friendly. Check out the event calendar for more information.

California Shakespeare Theater invites their patrons and members of the community to attend one of three different events where they can discuss all things Cal Shakes.

The new executive director of Cal Shakes, Clive Worsley, is reaching out to the community in the hopes of creating a conversation surrounding the future of the theatre. “Through our recent survey we felt an unprecedented outpouring of support, read a lot of questions and some genuine concerns about the transition,” Worsley shared in an email invitation. “I know it all comes from a place of love and concern about your Cal Shakes. So, I feel it’s important to continue this conversation with you, in person.”   

These events come during a transitional period for the arts organization. In addition to a new executive director, the position itself is brand new. This change was prompted by the departure of Managing Director Sarah Williams. “It is with deep respect and admiration for this venerable organization that I take my leave after three years shepherding it through some of its greatest challenges and opportunities,” said Williams. “I’m honored to have had the opportunity to partner with the visionary Eric Ting, to have worked alongside a dedicated Board of Directors, and to have been a small part of Cal Shakes long and storied history.”

There will be an in-person listening circle on November 5 at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will also be two digital listening circles. The first is on November 12 at 10 a.m and the second is on November 15 at 6:30 p.m.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB1116 on September 29, creating the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. This fund would help performing arts organizations pay staff and artists by reimbursing them for payroll costs. This fund would assist arts organizations in compensating their workers in a way that they deserve, helping to keep more artists in the Bay Area and California.

“The creative arts industry was amongst the hardest hit by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the governor said in a signing statement. “I am proud of the economic and cultural contributions that our arts workers provide to California, and support industry-led efforts to improve their ability to succeed and continue to enhance our communities. Without community arts organizations, many of our small and disadvantaged communities may not have access to the arts.”

The fund still needs financial backing. Advocates are hopeful that funding will be established by next summer.