Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [171]
ZinZany Dinner Party
Hungry for dinner and a damned good time? It ain’t cheap, but Teatro ZinZanni is a rollicking ride of food, whimsy, drama, and song within a stunningly elegant 1926 spiegeltent on the Embarcadero. Part musical theater and part comedy show, the 3-hour dinner theater includes a surprisingly decent five-course meal served by dozens of performers who weave both the audience and astounding physical acts (think Cirque du Soleil) into their wacky and playful world. Anyone in need of a night of lighthearted laughter should definitely book a table here. Shows are held Wednesday through Sunday and tickets are $123 to $147 including dinner. The tent is located at Pier 29 on the Embarcadero at Battery Street. Call 415/438-2668 or see www.zinzanni.org for more details.
Dance
In addition to the highly regarded local dance companies such as ODC, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, and Smuin Ballet, top traveling troupes like the Joffrey Ballet and American Ballet Theatre make regular appearances in San Francisco. Primary modern dance spaces include Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. ( 415/978-2787; www.ybca.org); the Cowell Theater, at Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard at Buchanan Street ( 415/345-7575; www.fortmason.org); and the ODC Theatre, 3153 17th St., at Shotwell Street in the Mission District ( 415/863-9834; www.odcdance.org). Tickets cost $15 to $25. Check the local papers for schedules or contact the theater box offices for more information.
San Francisco Ballet Founded in 1933, the San Francisco Ballet is the oldest professional ballet company in the United States and is regarded as one of the country’s finest. It performs an eclectic repertoire of full-length neoclassical and contemporary ballets. The Repertory Season generally runs February through May; the company performs the Nutcracker in December. The San Francisco Ballet Orchestra accompanies most performances. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. (at Grove St.). 415/865-2000 for tickets and information. www.sfballet.org. Tickets $20–$205.
Lads-a-leaping at the San Francisco Ballet.
COMEDY & CABARET
BATS Improv ★ Combining improvisation with competition, BATS performs hilarious improvisational tournaments in which teams of actors compete against each other in scenes, songs, and games, based on suggestions from the audience. There are also long-form shows throughout the year with improvisations of movies, musicals, and even Shakespeare; audience members supply suggestions for titles and plot points, and characters and dialogue are then made up and performed immediately onstage. Main Company shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm; student performance ensemble shows are Sundays at 7pm. Reservations and discount tickets available through their website. Remaining tickets are sold at the box office the night of the show. Performing at Bayfront Theatre at the Fort Mason Center, Building B no. 350, 3rd floor. 415/474-6776.www.improv.org. Tickets $5–$15.
Beach Blanket Babylon ★★ A San Francisco tradition, Beach Blanket Babylon evolved from Steve Silver’s Rent-a-Freak service—a group of “party guests” extraordinaire who hired themselves out as a “cast of characters” complete with fabulous costumes and sets, props, and gags. After their act caught on, it moved into the Savoy-Tivoli, a North Beach bar. By 1974, the audience had grown too large for the facility, and Beach Blanket has been at the 400-seat Club Fugazi ever since. The show is a comedic musical send-up that is best known for outrageous costumes and oversize headdresses. It’s been playing for over 30 years, and almost every performance sells out. The show is updated often enough that locals still attend. Those 20 and under are welcome at both Sunday matinees (2 and 5pm), when no alcohol is served; photo ID is required for evening performances. Write for weekend tickets at least 3 weeks in advance, or get them through their website or by calling their box office. Note: Only a handful of tickets per show are assigned seating; all other tickets are within