San Francisco Shows Questions?- Page 2
San Francisco Shows Questions?
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#25
Posted: 1/9/08 at 10:34amIs the Orpheum Theater still open for shows?
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#26
Posted: 1/9/08 at 10:39amIts just had 'Ave Q'!
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#27
Posted: 1/9/08 at 11:09am
>Its just had 'Ave Q'!
And Color Purple after that.
I heard Xanadu will go to San Diego (La Jolla). I saw the Wiz in La Jolla and wasn't impressed. They made the yellow brick road in the audience section (imagine Starlight Express type set). So if it played in SF, they will go either Orpheum or GG b/c of the theatre size.
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#28
Posted: 1/9/08 at 11:12amI saw a very cold production of 'Saturday Night Fever' at the Orpheum. Im sure its great for some shows but i think the best and most beautiful in San Francisco is the Curran. The Golden gate i find a very large barn of a place that would be helped greatly if they changed the color scheme and did a bit of refurbishment to what could be a grand theatre.
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#29
Posted: 1/9/08 at 2:14pmThe Golden Gate has a lot of potential, not helped by the gold lamé walls.
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#30
Posted: 1/9/08 at 3:41pm
Few Questions:
Your San Francisco Gay Pride 2008 is Jun. 28 (Sat) & Jun 29 (Sun) per internet.
1. What is the big gay day ... is it Saturday Or Sunday? I mean the parade..
2. I cannot see if there's show playing on the Orpheum on these dates (6/29 to 7/2)
Anyone knows if there's something playing at that theater or Is there a TOUR to the theater? (like FOX Theater Tour in Atlanta)
I am thinking of going 6/28 to 7/3 (4 full days) I cannot do more than 4 days.. I get bored...Well I wanna visit the National Park where they had those big big red wood trees -Red Wood National Park?
3. Is there a gay neighborhood in San Francisco to stay (like Chelsea in NYC & Southend in Boston) I hope that not a silly question....cuz gay= SF... but nowadays?
In Summary : I want to be there on Gay Pride, see a show at Orpheum Theater, see the Beach Blanket show , go to Redwood National Park....
Thanks for any input...
J*
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#31
Posted: 1/9/08 at 3:44pmWell, the "traditionally gay" neighborhood of SF would be the Castro.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#32
Posted: 1/9/08 at 3:51pm
Don't count on the Wiz. Look for a replacement show.
Then areas around then GG and Orpheum are not bad. Only bad for those who think they are bad and feel they could be a victim. SNH has security out infront of both of these theatres. If some street person calling you names is too scary for someone, not only stay away from the GG, but the city as well.
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#33
Posted: 1/9/08 at 3:56pm
What do you mean by "bad" area?
A) as in.... there's a lot of undesirables hanging outside/ rough crowd?
B)there's a lot of X stores around the area.... there's drug dealing going on the street? (like downtown Providence, RI- dont know if it still the same? )
C ) people would bother you and beg for money (like Port authority/bus terminal in NYC)
J*
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#34
Posted: 1/9/08 at 3:58pm
In my experience, the area near the Orpheum and Golden Gate isn't great, but it's not a hell hole, either. There are some very aggressive homeless people, some of whom appear to have mental problems, and if you are walking to the GG, there are X shops and whatnot.
It's an area to pay attention to your surroundings more carefully, basically.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/21/06
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#35
Posted: 1/9/08 at 4:02pm
"1. What is the big gay day ... is it Saturday Or Sunday? I mean the parade.. "
Sunday is the parade and festivities. But the whole weekend is certainly very festive.
"2. I cannot see if there's show playing on the Orpheum on these dates (6/29 to 7/2)
Anyone knows if there's something playing at that theater or Is there a TOUR to the theater?"
There is usually a show playing in one of the theatres at any given time. No, not always. But usually within a few weeks of each other. I don't think there are tours, though.
"I am thinking of going 6/28 to 7/3 (4 full days) I cannot do more than 4 days.. I get bored...Well I wanna visit the National Park where they had those big big red wood trees -Red Wood National Park?"
Um, sure. You can do that. But you'll need to rent a car, as they aren't too close.
"3. Is there a gay neighborhood in San Francisco to stay (like Chelsea in NYC & Southend in Boston) I hope that not a silly question....cuz gay= SF... but nowadays?"
The gay neighborhood is the Castro. It doesn't however, have that many hotels. I think there are two, and a bed and breakfast. That said, the city is very, very small and if you stay downtown like the majority of those who descend that week, you'll have no trouble finding your way to the Castro.
I hope some of that helped.
Oh, and the Orhpheum and Golden Gate aren't that bad. I live close to them. Just think Broadway before Guiliani. Not pretty, nor corporate, but you'll be fine.
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#36
Posted: 1/9/08 at 4:06pm
thank god! they clean up 42nd St in NYC... I wonder how is it in the 70's?
same story in Boston- they clean up Downtown Crossing where some of the theaters are located like...The Opera House and the Paramount Theater (still close..but will re-open soon) some of my friends who were like 10-20 yrs older than me ...told me that there were a tons of bathouses and X stores there.. its all gone now....
Is it that the musical THE LIFE is about Times Square? I missed that musical soo much..
btw- I start going to Broadway in the 90's soo I have no idea of what it used to be?
J*
Updated On: 1/9/08 at 04:06 PM
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#37
Posted: 1/9/08 at 4:06pm
Are you sure you want to go to the Redwood National Forest because that's all the way up near the Oregon border. I'm guessing you don't want to go that far. If that's the case then you want to go to Muir Woods, they still have redwood trees there.
Updated On: 1/9/08 at 04:06 PM
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#38
Posted: 1/9/08 at 4:08pmyup.. I mean Muir Woods.... my bad.. I am not going to Oregon... just California...
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#39
Posted: 1/9/08 at 4:17pm
You may also want to check out the New Conservatory Theatre. They do excellent work geared toward gay pride.
Also, most of the shows that go into the SHN theatres are tours, though they are slowly expanding into a venue for concerts and large local productions. Hence, they are not a non-profit as most regional theatres are. (ie. ACT).
http://www.nctcsf.org/index.html
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#40
Posted: 1/9/08 at 5:23pm
What large local productions are going to the GG, Cuuran or Orpheum?
The Opera and ACT used them for one time performances years and years ago.
I do not know of any groups using the theatres expect national tours.
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#41
Posted: 1/9/08 at 9:04pm
It's the design of the neighborhoods around the GG and Orpheum that make them ominous to some. You probably won't be around there much so don't worry. Catch a bus or Cab if you want to go up to the Castro from downtown. The Castro will be fun, no matter when you choose to visit. They love tourist! You can safely walk up Market St. from the Orpheum, even at night. It is the side streets that could be a problem but only if you are the type of tourist who is paranoid or rude to the bums. They are chatty but if you kindly decline everything or hand over a buck, they scatter and go about their business.
I'm afraid though, it is just too soon to say what will be playing at SHN. They don't even know how they are going to fit everything together yet. Hopefully we will know soon.
No matter what, you will find stuff to do. Every bar and club in the Castro will be having Parties. The Radio Stations will be hosting stuff to draw a crowd. Anywhere in the Downtown SF area will be a good enough place to stay. Look for specials at your favorite Hotels since it is busy but don't wait too long to book a room, unless you just like to gamble and see if you can find a decent room during one of the busiest times of the year out here!
Just start with the map and look around Union Square. A lot on Geary St. is fine but a little more out of the way. I prefer Hotels on the Union Square side of the Market but a few hanging just off of Market St. aren't too bad. There aren't really any in the GG area so that won't be a problem for you. If you can find anything reasonable around Church St. that would be ideal but count on it being really busy and crowded. If you need to breath some, you are better off near ACT and Curran, as far as Hotels go.
You might look for tours to Muir Woods. It isn't too far from San Francisco, just across the GG Bridge but it is a big tourist attraction. Even if you rent a car, you need to get there early since it is popular on nice days. They close off parking when it gets full and you could get stuck with a good hike to get anywhere scenic. The Golden Gate Transit might go there too but I'd call them, make sure they aren't running any weird schedules at that time of the year. It would still probably leave you with a hike but it's nice before the fog hits it. Often after 3pm. It's different every year.
Go to Golden Gate Park. You will feel terrible if you skip it. It is beautiful, has a lot of wonderful attraction,very wooded, like the Japanese Tea Garden where they shot some of "Memoirs of a Geisha", Great Museums and there is skating on Sundays in a part of it. Volley Ball Games everywhere! It will take you to Ocean Beach. When the weather is good, it's crowded but a great place for a Picnic.
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Mr. Tuttle- They are expanding their options to now include other types of performances. They had Anita Baker put on a performance not long ago. Conan did a show from one of SHN theaters but I expect more concerts. Hopefully it will attract more commercial performances though I wouldn't expect it to be those we find at the Warfield. More Theatre oriented or probably for the "easy listening" crowd? They just made this association so I guess they are still holding out their hands, looking for traveling Broadway Performers doing solo work who can't get a stint at the Opera Houses perhaps?
Anything I hope so that they can upgrade the GG! It is such a shame to see it's lights dark.
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#42
Posted: 1/9/08 at 9:09pm
Thanks guys!
Yeah- I will definitely go to Golden Gate Park... for photo ops...
This is my 1st time in San Fran and I am very excited.... Were renting a car, posssible with GPS system .. so we should be all set... I know California is not walkable like New York or Boston 
I am ready to book my trip... but I really NEED to know , if there's a show going on at Orpheum Theater bec. I saw the Spanish Cathedral design and I am soo fascinated with it...
I guess.. Gay Pride is not my priority for now.. but probably the Orpheum Theater...
BTW- Can you guys recommend any REGIONAL Theater that I should check ?
Thanks again. 
J*
Updated On: 1/9/08 at 09:09 PM
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#43
Posted: 1/9/08 at 9:13pm
It's seems like a habit of SHN to announce what shows are going into what theater when it gets close to the run. It will probably be a while before they announce anything.
Updated On: 1/9/08 at 09:13 PM
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#44
Posted: 1/9/08 at 9:19pm
I'm kind of surprised we already know Spring Awakening is going to be at the Curran.
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#45
Posted: 1/9/08 at 9:27pm
I'm kind of surprised we already know Spring Awakening is going to be at the Curran.
Me too. Must have been part of the deal to get the tour to launch in SF. Too bad though. If it was at the Orpheum, then some fans would be able to get fresh spinach, or any other vegtable, on Wed and Sat.
It might have been mentioned but 'Tis A Pity She's A Whore will be playing at ACT during the time you plan on going. And you don't mind going across the bay, you can check out Berkeley Rep, but I'm not sure if they will have a show during that time.
Updated On: 1/9/08 at 09:27 PM
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#46
Posted: 1/9/08 at 9:56pm
Yeah Jay, California as a state is not really walkable, but San Francisco is just as walkable as Boston or Nyc, if not more. It's 7 miles by 7 miles long, for f's sake. I live right on the edge of Golden Gate Park, and it takes me about an hour and 10 minutes to walk down to the embarcadero (the other end of the city). About the same amount of time it takes to walk 60 blocks in Nyc.
If you want to stay in an exclusively gay bed and breakfast, check out the Parker Guest House on the edge of Noe Valley. It's really close to downtown but it's still nice and quiet because it's in a residential area. Supposedly it's just the most fabulous gay inn in the universe. www.parkerguesthouse.com. The Castro doesn't really have anywhere to stay, so you may as well stay somewhere downtown.
Muir Woods is beautiful, and you should really consider doing a day trip to Napa and Sonoma counties (Wine Country) as well. Even if you're not an alcoholic, it's still a gorgeous area and it's a great drive from the city. The Niebaum-Coppola Winery is so much fun to visit, they even have a mini museum full of memorabilia from Coppola's movies. Going across the bay to Berkeley is also a nice day trip, it's one of my favorite campus towns in the country, lots of great restaurants, bakeries, bookstores, vintage clothes shops, etc. And the Berkeley Rep Theatre always has something good running.
Oh and I almost forgot, you'll most likely be here during the first Tuesday of the month in July. And every first Tuesday of the month the museums are free admission. Check out the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park (two steps away from the Japanese Tea Garden), it just opened like a year and a half ago and the architecture is amazing. The Palace of The Legion of Honor has a great sculpture collection (and parts of the movie 'Vertigo' where filmed there), and the SFMOMA downtown is also great and has a pretty impressive collection.
4 days isn't enough, stay at least 6. Trust me, if you don't you'll wish you did. :p
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#47
Posted: 1/9/08 at 10:00pm
SF is extremely walkable; just be prepared for hills. My mom grew up in SF and moved to the 'burbs in her early 20s -- and refuses to drive in SF if she can help it.
The little shops in the Castro are a lot of fun!
I know there is a walking theatre tour of SF (I found info on it accidentally the other day) but I can't find it again. It involved meeting at Yerba Buena in the late morning. Can anyone else recall details?
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#48
Posted: 1/9/08 at 10:12pm
Lizzie, is this the tour you're talking about.
http://www.sfcityguides.org/desc.html?tour=81
re: San Francisco Shows Questions?#49
Posted: 1/9/08 at 10:12pmYES. That would be it!
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