Performance

Life is a cabaret for Cumming

Alan Cumming makes his San Francisco debut with his own cabaret act, "I Bought a Blue Car Today," at the Castro Theatre.

One career with many jobs

David Alan Grier's career began on the stage and has covered nearly every aspect of show-biz, including his latest outlet: standup comedy.

A collective effort

Workers of the world, unite! The S.F. Mime Troupe has a pertinent theatrical message for American workers. Read the review.

Dance series gets 'sexy'

Choreographer and series curator Jesse Hewit explores identity and desire in the context of culture and politics.

'Frankenstein' rises again

Mel Brooks follows up his hugely successful musical adaptation of "The Producers" with "Young Frankenstein."

Staging a second career

Charlie Varon has a distinguished second career developing and directing solos with Dan Hoyle.

'Blackbird': a performance piece

Welcoming the audience to "America's only queer speakeasy funeral parlor," Sean Eisen brings to life flaming figures of the past.

At her best with a live audience

As if continuing her mother's vaudeville background, Liza Minnelli is known for pulling out every stop onstage.

The Dude in iambic

The Screwheads' "Much Ado About Lebrowski" is a vigorous remix of the Coen brothers' film, mashed up Elizabethan comedy-of-errors style.

Comically probing look

TheatreWorks' "Auctioning the Ainsleys" lacks some enchanting intensity, but it's a buoyant ride.

Penetrating wit

Timothy Near keeps the action entertaining and the timing sharp in "Mrs. Warren's Profession" at California Shakespeare Theater.

Bad taste knows no bounds

The Kinsey Sicks at the Rrazz Room belt out a show that is raunchy, over the top and, for much of the way,  fun.

'Posibilidad' aplenty

The S.F. Mime Troupe's "Posibilidad, or Death of the Worker" was funny and politically engaged, and funny about being politically engaged. 

No dramatic depth

"Beijing, California" at Thick House is a noble effort in fostering new work, but a half-baked result.

Benefits from collaboration

Dancers perform in several rooms of the Old Mint in the site-specific tour de force "Traveling Light" by the Joe Goode Performance Group.

Showcasing fancy footwork

The envy of ethnic and dance communities, the S.F. Ethnic Dance Festival features performers from 37 Bay Area companies.

Short and lofty

"Tribes/Dominion" is an engaging collaboration between writer-choreographer Sara Shelton Mann and director-designer David Szlasa.

Familiar 'Butterfly' takes flight

Festival Opera has taken a suitably traditional approach to the beloved piece.