Live shows gradually returning to the Bay Area — here’s a look
Craving live entertainment? There are some shows going on and more on the horizon, as Bay Area counties gradually relax COVID-19 restrictions. Here’s a partial roundup of what’s on the docket. Keep in mind that all dates and performances are subject to change, depending on how vaccinations and other pandemic factors play out.
OAKLAND THEATER PROJECT >> The company (formerly Ubuntu Theater Project) has kicked off a season of drive-in-style performances slated to run into midDecember. On the schedule are “The Waste Land,” based on the T.S. Eliot play, through May 16; “Begin the Beguine: A Quartet of One Acts,” May 28-July 3; a world premiere show “The Dream Life of Malcolm X,” by John Wilkins, William Hodgson and Dawn L. Troupe, July 23-Aug. 29; Dave Malloy’s musical “Ghost Quartet,” Sept. 17-Oct. 24; and a world premiere by company associate artistic director Lisa Ramirez, “sAiNt jOaN (burn/burn/burn),” Nov. 12-Dec. 19. Tickets are $25-$50; www.oaklandtheaterproject.com.
CALIFORNIA SHAKESPEARE THEATER >> The summer stage company’s “Season of Shared Light” at the Bruns Amphitheatre in Orinda has one production planned for the 2021 season, Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale.” Dates and prices are to be announced. Meanwhile, the company will make the amphitheater available to other arts groups. Look for updates at calshakes.org.
WEST EDGE OPERA >> The East Bay Company is slated to stage its annual summer West Edge Festival July 24-Aug. 8 at Cal Shakes’ Bruns Amphitheatre in Orinda. Productions include “Katya Kabanova,” an early 20th-century work by Leos Janacek; “Elizabeth Cree,” a new work by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell; and “Eliogabalo,” an opera composed by Francesco Cavalli in the 17th century but never performed until 1999. Tickets go on sale May 1; www.westedgeopera.org.
BROADWAY SAN JOSE >> The company plans to return to live theater in the fall, with the blockbuster “Hamilton” (Oct. 13-31)
leading the way. Other shows scheduled for the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts are “Hairspray” (Nov. 23-28), Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (Jan. 18-23), “Tootsie” (April 19-24, 2022), “Dear Evan Hansen” (June 18-19, 2022), and “1776.” Season ticket packages run $280-$1,500 and go on sale May 3; broadwaysanjose.com.
THEATREWORKS SILICON VALLEY >> The Palo Alto company is tentatively planning to return to live shows with “Lizard Boy: A New Musical” (scheduled for Oct. 6-31). You can catch a sneak peek at the show 5 p.m. Saturday during the company’s New Works Festi
val Online. That fest runs Friday through May 15. More information is at www.theatreworks.org.
TOMMY T’S COMEDY CLUB >> The Pleasanton venue has reopened for live indoor shows, with limited capacity and COVID-19 precautions in effect. Scheduled performers include Brandon Leake (7:30 p.m. today); Hannibal Thompson (Friday-Sunday); Jeffrey Curry (April 28); DeRay Davis (April 30-May 2); Tony Roberts (May 7-9); Godfrey (May 1416) and many more. Tickets and schedule available at www.tommyts.com/pleasanton.
SAN JOSE IMPROV >>
The club is
scheduled to host such acts as Frankie Quinones (May 7-8); El Norteno (May 14-15) and Christianee Porter, aka The Christi Show (June 3). Tickets and more information at improv.com/sanjose.
“IMMERSIVE VAN GOGH” >> It’s not a performance, per se, but this touring exhibit featuring huge images of Vincent van Gogh’s iconic works beamed through a large performance space remains one of the hottest tickets in town. It runs through Sept. 6 at SVN West, Market Street and South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. Timedentry tickets start at $39.99$49.99 ($24.99 for children 16 or younger). Go to vangoghsf.com.