Ah, the American musical. One of the most iconic artforms to come out of this country, it has benefitted from a thriving existence since its conception out of European operetta. Since then, it has been alive and strong for over 100 years, entertaining audiences of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the country.
However, most people have come to associate musicals with the East Coast because of their association with Broadway, New York City, and surrounding areas. What if we were to tell you that the West Coast also has a thriving musicals scene that rivals the opposite coast? In fact, not only does it have a musical scene, but it’s constantly expanding and adding new companies and shows to its repertoire.
To help you keep track specifically of shows within the Bay Area, we’ve compiled a list of our top 3 favorite shows to see this summer in San Francisco:
#1. The Fantasticks at Landmark Musical Theater
One of the most iconic shows in the tradition, The Fantasticks has enchanted audiences for decades. There’s definitely a reason why this show has earned its title as the longest-running musical to ever grace the stage; it ran 42 years in its initial Off-Broadway run, being one of the most notable plays to truly stand the test of time as far as showbiz is concerned.
The story is based on Edmond Rostand’s novel The Romancers (Les Romanesques) and follows the story of two fathers who spend the show deceiving their children by fighting in hopes that they’ll fall in love with each other. The original novel was already a parody of sorts of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, so the idea of familial quarrel as a basis for love is already at play here. And, with an incredibly whimsical soundtrack featuring music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones, it’s sure to be a hit on the West Coast!
The Fantasticks plays at Landmark Musical Theater through June 23rd. Purchase tickets here.
#2. Sunday in the Park with George at the San Francisco Playhouse
It’s no secret that the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim have changed not only the art form of the musical but also mainstream America’s perception of what makes a successful song. In the second half of the 20th century, Sondheim’s impact was felt strongly, with perhaps his biggest success being his musical Sunday in the Park with George. Itself a collaboration with playwright James Lapine, the show would go on to win the 1985 Pulitzer Drama Prize, an incredibly rare honor for a musical to receive.
The story is based on the life of painter Georges Seurat and deals with existential themes like the purpose of art, satisfaction, and the importance of being remembered. Through its running time, it experiments with different musical forms, combining experimental, minimalist textures with classic opera recitative structures to form a truly compelling work of music.
Sunday in the Park with George opens at the San Francisco Playhouse on July 5th, running through September 8th, and will surely be this summer’s highlight performance for those looking for a more mature show to see. You can buy tickets here.
#3. Tinderella at the Custom Made Theatre Company
Musicals don’t always have to be traditional—Tinderella, a new rock/pop show, knows this well; Tinderella is a very clever look into the aspects of modern dating that may enrich one’s life just as easily as it might instill worry or become a burden. its inventive score by Christian B. Schmidt, when paired with lyrics by Weston Scott and a book by Rose Oser, has been a surefire success for a show just making its way on the Bay Area scene.
Tinderella runs through May 26th, so buy your tickets while they’re still available!
Stay tuned for after summer, though…
Planning to be in SF after the summer? We’re happy to say that there are many productions also going on during the formal 2018/2019 season as well! The Bay Area Musicals company recently announced its upcoming fourth season to great reception, hosting a solid variety of different flavors that are sure to have something for everybody!
Their 2018/2019 season will be including:
Crazy For You: with songs by the influential Gershwin brothers, Crazy For You is a certified classic and has won a slew of awards (including the Tony and Olivier awards for Best Musical) on top of becoming canonized as one of the more notable romantic comedies. Adapted from the 1930 Gershwin brothers show Girl Crazy, Ken Ludwig’s book ties the songs together as they have never been before, creating an engaging love story between people in show business during the early 20th century.
Violet: the Musical: After having been originally developed at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Conference in 1994, Violet would go on to open Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in 1997 and receive critical acclaim and even winning the Drama Critics’ Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical. Beginning at a Greyhound station, the show follows Violet Karl as she enters the unknown to discover who she is and make peace with the world during a tumultuous time in the US.
Hairspray: One of the most notable shows in the latter half of the 20th century, Hairspray was an unlikely contender to be a classic. From its premise, a musical based off of a Divine movie did not seem like something that would reach national success, but it quickly rose up the ranks by telling a compelling story of a young dancer as she aspires to be famous and reconciles her moral beliefs with what is going on in the US at the time, in the midst of segregation and racism. The music by Marc Shaiman, along with the lyrics by Scott Wittman is filled with catchy hooks, danceable rhythms, and wonderful melodies!
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this list and keep it in mind for the next time you’re planning to see a musical in the Bay Area!