San Francisco Theatres: Major Houses

A.C.T. (Geary Theater)

415 Geary Street (at Mason Street) (415) 749-2228 Official Website, Current Calendar & Ticket Sales: A.C.T.

The American Conservatory Theater’s main stage is a thrilling spot to take in productions that originated in the Bay Area, as well as ones that sprung from the Great White Way. This legendary, 1.024-seat beaux arts theater was built in 1910, and has been home to the A.C.T. acting company since former director Bill Ball moved the company here from Pittsburgh, PA. in 1965. The Geary Theater was nearly destroyed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and the extensive damage caused to the theater caused the venue to shutter its doors for a whopping seven years. Upon reopening in 1996 after a multi-million dollar facelift, the venue re-assumed its position as the theater in San Francisco to take in classics by Tennessee Williams and Tom Stoppard, as well as daring musical productions like “The Black Rider,” a collaboration between Tom Waits, William S. Burroughs, and Robert Wilson.

San Francisco Theatres: Curran Theatre

445 Geary Street (at Mason Street) (415) 551-2000 Official Website, Current Calendar & Ticket Sales: Best of Broadway

The opulent Curran Theatre operates through the esteemed “Best of Broadway” series, which brings smash hit musicals and dramatic works from Broadway straight to San Francisco. It lies on a stretch of Geary Street that could be actually be described as the city’s “mini” answer to Broadway—the always bustling Geary Theater lies next door, and the Golden Gate Theatre and Theatre on the Square are each just a few blocks away. The Curran has been in operation since 1922, and has the miraculous distinction of being described by Bay Area theatergoers as both a roomy space and an intimate one—there are two tiers of seating, each of which are astonishingly close to the stage. Once you’re in your seat, be sure to marvel at the arched, gilded-in-gold ceiling and works of art that hang from the walls. “All About Eve” fans take note—the Curran is the theatre where many of the Oscar-winning film’s interior stage shots were filmed.

Golden Gate Theatre

1 Taylor Street (at 6th Street and Golden Gate Avenue) (415) 512-7770 Official Website, Current Calendar & Ticket Sales: Best of Broadway

Utterly gigantic beaux-arts theatre can hold 2,426 people, making it the perfect spot for smash hit Broadway shows like “Hairspray” and Billy Crystal’s “700 Sundays” to set up shop. This legendary San Francisco performance space has been in almost continuous operation since opening its doors in 1920, and has seen the likes of Frank Sinatra, The Marx Brothers, and Carmen Miranda dazzle its audiences. One of the most remarkable attributes of the Golden Gate is the fact that there doesn’t seem to be a bad seat in the house—I’ve twice seen productions here, and both times I was seated in the back on the main floor, and in the back of the balcony. On both of these occasions, I was able to see the action on stage with crystal clarity. The Golden Gate lies on one of the grimiest and most dangerous corners in all of San Francisco, so if you’re taking in a show there, be aware of your surroundings and belongings.

San Francisco Theatres: The Orpheum Theatre

1192 Market Street (at 8th Street) and Hyde Street) (415) 551-2000 Official Website, Current Calendar & Ticket Sales: Best of Broadway

This highly popular San Francisco theatre—one of the city’s jewel historical landmarks—has seen itself reinvented many times since its incarnation in 1926, beginning as a vaudeville house, then as host of musical variety shows in the 1950s, to Cinerama movie theater (!), then back to live theatrical productions by the late 1960’s. The Spanish-themed palace holds mythical images from the country’s rich folklore along its walls, and the interior of the actual theater is illuminated from above by twinkling replicas of the sun and stars (when gazing up to take in the lights, be sure to also study the tiled lions circling the ceiling). While many of San Francisco’s theatres are compact and narrow, the Orpheum is wide and expansive, offering two tiers of seating in addition to the main floor. While Market Street used to be one of San Francisco’s most illustrious and posh streets, it has fallen on hard times in recent years, and is now a rather dangerous place to be once the sun goes down. If you’re attending a performance at the Orpheum, keep an eye out for your personal safety.