San Francisco Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: A RED CAROL at Z Space
by Steve Murray - December 17, 2024

What did our critic think of A RED CAROL at Z Space?...

Review: A WHYNOT CHRISTMAS CAROL at American Conservatory Theatre
by Steve Murray - December 13, 2024

What did our critic think of A WHYNOT CHRISTMAS CAROL at American Conservatory Theatre?...

Review: DEEP INSIDE TONIGHT! THE KINSEY SICKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR At New Conservatory Theatre Center
by Steve Murray - December 13, 2024

What did our critic think of DEEP INSIDE TONIGHT! THE KINSEY SICKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR at New Conservatory Theatre Center?...

Review: MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
by Steve Murray - December 11, 2024

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly might be my favorite secular Holiday offering – a shining jewel that follows the Bennet sisters of Jane Austin fame attempt at a cheery Xmas week mired by romantic foibles reminiscent of a good Shakespeare play. Award-winning playwright Lauren Gunderson developed t...

Review: THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISODES at Curran Theatre
by Steve Murray - December 08, 2024

What did our critic think of THE GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE: THE CHRISTMAS EPISODES at Curran Theatre?...

Review: SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN'S CHORUS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR 2024 at Sydney Goldstein Theater
by Steve Murray - December 07, 2024

What did our critic think of SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN'S CHORUS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR 2024 at Sydney Goldstein Theater?...

Review: WAITRESS at SF Playhouse
by Steve Murray - November 30, 2024

What did our critic think of WAITRESS at SF Playhouse?...

Review: GHOST QUARTET at Oakland Theater Project
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - November 07, 2024

History, spooky stories, and a quest are all woven together with hypnotic melodies and intoxicating harmonies. GHOST QUARTET by Oakland Theater Project is unlike any other show. This song cycle takes the audience on a journey through lands and stories and time with bits of familiar things as guides....

Review: LUCIE ARNAZ: I GOT THE JOB!- SONGS FROM MY MUSICAL PAST at Feinstein's At The Nikko
by Steve Murray - October 31, 2024

A sold out two-night engagement at Feinstein’s at the Nikko was a testament to the enduring draw power of veteran actor/director/song stylist Lucie Arnaz. Those in attendance were treated to a reprise of her well-crafted, autobiographical concert performed and recorded live at the Purple Room in Pal...

Review: PETER PAN at Golden Gate Theatre
by Steve Murray - October 30, 2024

Peter Pan flies into the Golden Gate Theatre with its fantastical message of the joys of childhood, innocence, and freedom. For over 70 years J.M. Barrie’s story has been told and retold, becoming a beloved childhood adventure. This newly imagined production plays on that familiarity and will bring ...

Review: THE THANKSGIVING PLAY at Altarena Playhouse
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - October 27, 2024

Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, and football. Or at least that is the way that most Americans experience it. In recent years, a few have stepped back to challenge the simplicity of the holiday, the edited history of its origin, and the lack of authentic Native voices in the story. Playwrigh...

Review: EMOJILAND at 3Below Theaters, San Jose
by Paul Bolton - October 28, 2024

New Musical Theater show EMOJILAND at 3Below Theaters in San Jose packs a heartfelt message into a colorful and entertaining high energy show. Cast of well known favorite emoji's are brought to vivid life by a talented cache of local actors....

Review: CLUE - LIVE ON STAGE! at Curran Theatre
by Steve Murray - October 23, 2024

Not in the mood for more election drama or Mideast War horror? Then this current  production of Clue - Live on Stage! might  be the remedy. With lightning flashes and an ominous score, a mysterious dinner party at Boddy Manor begins with the arrival of an assortment of guests familiar to a...

Review: BEN JONES - TEMPTATION at Feinstein's At The Nikko
by Steve Murray - October 21, 2024

Ben Jones, award-winning singer, comedian, storyteller, and actor returned to the intimate Feinstein’s at the Nikko for an extremely successful two-run engagement displaying his considerable talents. If you haven’t seen Ben Jones, make it a must. He has that unique skill that makes a great entertain...

Review: WAIT UNTIL DARK at Hillbarn Theatre
by Steve Murray - October 19, 2024

What did our critic think of WAIT UNTIL DARK at Hillbarn Theatre? Read the review. ...

Review: KING JAMES at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
by Steve Murray - October 14, 2024

Coach John Wooden said “Sports don’t build character, they reveal it” and this applies to fans as well, evidenced wonderfully in TheatreWorks 54th season opener King James, award-winning Rajiv Joseph’s two-hander perspective on fandom and its effect on the relationship between two bros. See what our...

Review: CHOIR BOY at Shotgun Players
by Steve Murray - October 04, 2024

What did BroadwayWorld's critic think of CHOIR BOY at Shotgun Players? Read the review and learn about the production. ...

Review: RIDE THE CYCLONE at New Conservatory Theatre Center
by Steve Murray - October 03, 2024

What did our critic think of RIDE THE CYCLONE at New Conservatory Theatre Center? ...

Review: CHOIR BOY at Shotgun Players
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - September 29, 2024

Words seem like such an ordinary way to express such an extraordinary experience like CHOIR BOY by Shotgun Players. With a powerful story, soulful music, and purposeful choreography, CHOIR BOY captivates from start to finish. This mesmerizing show grapples with tough topics, not only on the surface ...

Review: THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at SF Playhouse
by Steve Murray - September 28, 2024

What did our critic think of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at SF Playhouse in San Francisco. ...

Review: GOD OF CARNAGE at Masquers Playhouse
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - September 17, 2024

GOD OF CARNAGE at Masquers Playhouse brings conflict and human nature to the forefront and shines a light on our tendencies to attack and our capacity to empathize and connect. With arguments evolving from couple against couple to husbands against wives, the show takes you on a rollercoaster of verb...

Review: ARSENIC AND OLD LACE at Center Rep
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - September 16, 2024

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE delivers the laughs in grand style at Center Rep. Director Matt M. Morrow puts a fresh spin on an old classic and breathes new life into it. In a show that is full of great one liners and subtle bits, Center Rep has added layers of physical comedy and technical accents. What is ...

Review: THE PROM at Berkeley Playhouse
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - September 09, 2024

THE PROM at Berkeley Playhouse sparkles with energy, sequins, and high-octane choreography. With its message of inclusivity and tolerance, the show highlights the continued struggles of LBGTQ+ youth. Come for the dancing, and stay for the story. And just like in high school, THE PROM is a night you ...

Review: THE NIGHT ALIVE at Altarena Playhouse
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - September 07, 2024

THE NIGHT ALIVE is brimming with tension, humor, and talent. With characters that are rich in nuance but light on acuity, the show winds its way through rough waters. With more heart than wit to see them through, they grapple with big problems and hard circumstances with every moment adding to your ...

Review: ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE at Hillbarn Theatre
by Steve Murray - August 26, 2024

Bay Area musical icon Melissa Wolfklain delivers another bravura performance as country star Patsy Cline in Ted Swindley’s nostalgic jukebox musical play. Based on a true story of Cline’s friendship with a Houston super fan named Louise Seger, played with ebullient joy by Kimberley Donovan, the stor...