Curran Theatre : ACL in San Francisco

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 7:51pm

Hello. I'm anxiously awaiting my upcoming trip to SF to see the July 26th perf of ACL at the Curran Theatre. Has anyone had the chance to see a show at that venue? What is it like? Any info about the area surrounding the theatre, since I'm staying at a hotel right across the street from the Curran. Ah can't wait!
from Roman in Austin, Texas

[Wildcard]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 7:58pm

The Curran is a very beautiful theater. It's large to handle huge productions but small enough that it still feels intimate (compared to the Orpheum). It is also in a good location compared to the other theaters. It is near Union Square so there are lots of good restaurants, shops, and galleries.

[whiskedaway]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 7:58pm

which hotel are you staying at? i stayed at a hotel right across the street from the theater. the hotel was terrible, i cant remember the name but if its the same hotel you might wanna reconsider.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 8:06pm

I'm staying at the Union Square Plaza Hotel. (If I can survive the Gates Hotel or the Edwardian in the Tenderloin, then I can handle anything.) (wink) from Roman in Austin, Texas

[joanna2]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 8:08pm

I saw Lestat there. The theater is beautiful!
As for hotels, I stayed directly across the street at the Union Square Plaza Hotel. It wasn't bad at all. I mean, the room wasn't fantastic (it's probably only a 2 or 3 star hotel) but it was defintely worth it...inexpensive and CLOSE! Plus, you're really close to the cable car and trolley lines.

[whiskedaway]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 8:10pm

okay good, that was not the one i stayed at. mine was called "the stone" or something that has to do with a rock, lol.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 8:15pm

I've seen tons of shows at the Curran. The area is not the cleanest, but it's extremely busy and touristy so quite safe.

I recommend the King of Thai Noodle, which is next to Quizno's (both on Geary), and Lori's Diner is pretty good, too.

You'll be near a nice Borders and lots of galleries and shopping.

Be sure to also see Spelling Bee, if you can fit it in!

Updated On: 7/19/06 at 08:15 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:13pm

Nice thought... but I'm also seeing "Beach Blanket Babylon." This is my fourth trip to the City By The Bay. I'll try the stage door at the Curran and see how it goes. Roman in Austin, Texas...

[4cygnets]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:22pm

How are the rear balcony seats? Do they feel too far away, or too high?

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:24pm

I also saw Lestat there and it is GORGEOUS. I wish I could see A Chorus Line there, but no time and no money.

As for restaurants, Scala's Bistro is about three blocks away, next to that weird Sir Francis Drake hotel. When we saw Lestat, my boyfriend and I stayed at the Westin St Francis - great building, lousy service!

There's also a 24/7 diner on the corner of Geary (thanks Lizzie!) that's good, but they don't have biscuits and gravy. What diner doesn't have biscuits and gravy?

From what I remember, the stage door is at the end of this ally. My boyfriend and I waited on the sidewalk, closer to the street instead of going into the dark scary part.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:42pm

There's also a 24/7 diner on the corner of Geary (thanks Lizzie!) that's good, but they don't have biscuits and gravy. What diner doesn't have biscuits and gravy?

That's the Pinecrest Diner. They have good pie. :) (Never gone there for dinner, though.)

How are the rear balcony seats? Do they feel too far away, or too high?

They're really not bad. They're very high but you're almost sloped forward, or so it feels. I saw Lestat twice from the back row of the balcony, and although you're far, it doesn't feel as far as it actually is. And the sound is pretty crisp from up there.

From what I remember, the stage door is at the end of this ally. My boyfriend and I waited on the sidewalk, closer to the street instead of going into the dark scary part.

The only thing scary about the alley is the extremely cranky bouncer who looks like Rasputin.

Updated On: 7/19/06 at 09:42 PM

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:49pm

I think I remember him, but we had to change and by the time we got back, we missed everyone but Jim Stanek. Oh well.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:48pm

Check out the movie, "All About Eve". The Curran theatre was used for that film.


http://www.sanfran.com/archives/view_story/377/

http://www.filminamerica.com/Movies/AllAboutEve/

Updated On: 7/19/06 at 10:48 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:52pm

I'm so jealous of you all. I wish I had the money to plan a trip to San Fran just to see a show or two - how cool.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:52pm

I did not know that! That's my second favorite movie of all time!! (first: Wizard of Oz.)...from roman in austin, texas

[Mike3]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:06pm

I've seen lots of shows at the Curran; in fact, it's the first place I ever saw A CHORUS LINE. It's my favorite theatre in San Francisco.

There's a great Mexican tapas restaurant right across the street (438 Geary) called Colibri - great food.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 3:43am

went to see Lestat in SF too, stayed at the Hotel Diva, not bad and it's directly across the street. Reasonable price and great location for the Curran

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 5:18am

I'm never staying at the Westin again. The service sucks! And the people are mean. The nicest guy we met was the valet driver and he only wanted hist tip.

EAT AT SCALA'S!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 9:33pm

Scala's is very good. :) So is Postrio.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 9:37pm

i can't wait till the reviews come in for this show :)

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 12:22am

I've seen several shows at the Curran. Its a great theatre. Very well constructed and intricate designs. The stage handles the shows very well and is one of the better locations for a theatre in San Francisco as opposed to the Golden Gate and the Orpheum (Golden Gate being the worst location). I remember in a show I saw, I sat in Orchestra ROW C and I couldn't see the actors when they kneeled down upstage. Though I don't believe any actors will be kneeling in this production. Yea that sounds like a good idea that Lizzy suggested about seeing SPELLING BEE, its relatively close to the Curran. I am hopefully going to see SPELLING BEE the same day I see A CHORUS LINE.
Updated On: 7/21/06 at 12:22 AM

[Mirth]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 1:10am

Does anyone know if/when there will be a press preview of the SF production of a Chorus Line? Will it be reviewed after it opens on Sunday 7/23? Like many of you, I saw it at the Curran in 1976(?) several times-- with some of the original cast.
It was the perfect sized theatre for the production. A little unsure about the whole revival thing, but I already have tickets!
Thanks to all for the info. on this message board.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 1:16am

Actually, be really really careful in the Tenderloin. At night, it's really not that safe. Certainly, it rivals the Times Square of the '70s.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 1:27am

It's the Golden Gate that's the scary location. The Orpheum is second scariest but the Curran is not in a bad location.

[MyMeredithMonster]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 1:33am

Agreed Jimny! (sorry slightly off-topic) One of the first shows I saw when I moved to SF was Little Shop which was playing at the Golden Gate. My friend and I got turned around after it got out and found ourselves in a very bad part of town. Of course, that was October 2004 so I'm glad to say I know better now.