Beach Blanket Babylon
Catch the Theatrical Revue!
The Bay Area in general, and San Francisco in particular, have reputations for welcoming those with alternative points of view, as well as alternative lifestyles. Examples of this generous attitude are easy to find, from streets fairs to clubs and bars to festivals to experimental theater and many more. If you’re in the mood for a fun, somewhat campy and uniquely San Francisco type of experience, you may want to check out Beach Blanket Babylon, the longest running revue in theater history. This musical and theatrical revue is pretty much guaranteed to shock, delight and perhaps even appall you in equal measure, but you are also guaranteed to laugh until your eyes weep and your sides ache.
The San Francisco Chronicle has called Beach Blanket Babylon “a constant cascade of showstoppers,” and with good reason. Ostensibly a simple tale about Snow White seeking her Prince Charming, there is nothing simple about the ever-changing songs, dance numbers, pop culture references and performances that challenge attendees’ sense of humor and sense of propriety. The performers are all gifted singers, dancers, comedians and improvisers capable of turning a glitch or gaffe into an impromptu punch line or kick line, so you can definitely expect the unexpected from this show.
Performances are held Wednesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., and matinees on Sundays at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., at the Club Fugazi, located at 678 Green Street, between Columbus Avenue and Powell Street in the city’s North Beach neighborhood. Tickets range from $25 to $130, depending on the time of performance and how willing you are to get close to the stage (be warned: it’s not uncommon for a cast member to engage a member of the audience and integrate them and their reaction into the show.)
There is ample paid parking at and near the venue and many good places to grab a bite and a drink or two before or after the show. So if you’d like to have a great time and an unforgettable experience while you’re in town or entertaining guests from outside the Bay Area, spend an afternoon or evening attending this one-of-a-kind musical and theatrical revue. You’ll also be supporting several local charities such as the High School for Performing Arts, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Northern California Cancer Center, the AIDS Memorial Grove and many others.