Curran Theatre : ACL in San Francisco — Page 2

I know that Geary Street, where the Curran is located is not bad, but if you take two steps in the wrong direction, you're sunk.

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I saw Elaine Stritch there.

The Prescott Hotel is close and pretty. 4 Diamond Hotel!!!!

That season they almost Sweet Charity with marisa tomei and Flower Drum Song. HA!

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I didn't know that the Curran was damaged. I thought it was the theatre next door where ACT performs. I know they were closed for a long time to fix that place over but I don't remember the Curran being closed. Anyway, I could be wrong since I don't remember everything.

Sadly, The Gap has taken over the Woolworth site.

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Walgreen's has taken over the tacky souvenir business. They are like Starbucks around here. They are everywhere.

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The wharf and Alcatraz are a big tourist draw. I don't think that very many San Francisans go there. I stay away from that area unless I have people visiting from out of town. Even then, if they are repeat visitors, I usually send them on their own and tell them I will meet them after they are finished touring the wharf.

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The Curran was also closed for backstage renovations a few months when Phantom finally left.

Out of the 3 big theatre's in San Francisco, the Curran and Orpheum are the safest. The Orpheum is over a public transportation hub, so there are always a lot of people around. The Curran is near Union Square, and has little town clusters no matter which way you walk, so there are always people. The Golden Gate is a bit iffy, but I've never had a problem walking. I always hear these horror stories, but I've never been bothered while walking by myself, day or night.

For me, the Golden Gate is the best theatre in the City (I am seeing Rent there on Tuesday). Then again, I am a real sucker for Vaudeville :) That theatre can literally make me tear up at times. It is so awesome to think that many of Vaudeville's top performers played there, and the moment you step foot into the building, everything is exactly the way it was back in 1922.

I am seeing A Chorus Line on August 1st (The final preview). I would absolutely love to see Spelling Bee the same day, but I'm in musical theatre conservatory that afternoon, and I hate to miss a day unless I abolutely have to. In fact, my friend and I will have to leave about half an hour-45 minutes early, as AMT is 45 minutes away from the SF theatre district (without traffic), and traffic will be horrendous, and I wanna be sure to get there when they open. I was real lucky ... bought the tickets about a month ago, and being disabled pays off, as I scored seats in row B (After requesting several other dates, only to be informed that all good orchestra tix wre sold out).

So, anyway, hope that a number of people on this board can make it to a performance here before it heads back to New York ... especially if you have never been to the San Francisco theatre district; it is "well" worth it ... liiterally looks and feels like this coast's Broadway.

And if you happen to run into a young, attractive guy pushing around a blue walker, feel free to say hi

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Updated On: 7/23/06 at 12:16 AM

http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/review/868154

Buzz9 was always my favorite place to eat when I was down there. It's within walking distance (if I am thinking of the correct theatre).

I'm bumping this thread from almost 5 years ago --

Any updates on the Curran theatre itself, its vicinity, and nearby restaurants? I presume that since it is in the Union Square area that it is a busy place.

I have tickets for the Hugh Jackman show which is due at the Curran for the first two weeks of May.

Thanks.

The Curran is fine. Go eat at the Thai place across the street. You'll be fine.

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Make sure you wear insoles in your shoes. It helps to endure all the walking up and walking down on the streets of San Franciso. It's a cardio workout everytime you walk the hilly streets of downtown SF. RC in Austin, Texas

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Updated On: 4/1/11 at 06:22 PM

It's been a few years, but I used to love the Grand Cafe, in the Monaco Hotel, half a block west of the Curran, on the corner of Geary and Taylor.

I saw the orignal touring company of ACL at the Curran in 1976 (featuring Donna McKechnie, Sammy Williams, and Priscilla Lopez). As Carol Channing used to say in her cutain speech, NOTHING about the Curran ever changes, even the same dust is still there.

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