James Carpenter News

Now in its fourth year Illuminate SF Festival of Light shines a light on 35 dramatic, eco-friendly light art installations - nine more than last year and more than four times the number of the inaugural celebration in 2013 - accessible by public transport and free for all. From Thanksgiving 2016 through New Year's Day 2017, art lovers are invited to embrace the power of light and tour San Francisco's art installations by a diverse range of local and world renowned light artists. Illuminate SF Festival of Light, presented by the San Francisco Travel Association, has grown to include intimate artist talks, museum tours and a myriad of other light art activations across the city.

Featuring a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, the Bay Area's favorite holiday tradition returns with American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)'s celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Now in its 40th year, this version of A Christmas Carol-adapted by Paul Walsh and Carey Perloff-stays true to the heart of Dickens's timeless story of redemption and brings a playful sensibility to his rich language. A Christmas Carol runs November 25-December 24, 2016 at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). 

California Shakespeare Theater's 25th anniversary season at the Bruns Amphitheater concludes with Artistic Director Eric Ting's company debut with Shakespeare's Othello, from September 14 through October 9. For tickets and information, contact the Cal Shakes Box Office at 510.548.9666 or visit www.calshakes.org

California Shakespeare Theater marks the beginning of its 25th season at the glorious Bruns Amphitheater with Shakespeare's sassiest battle royale, Much Ado About Nothing, in a newly-minted adaptation by Kenneth Lin and Jackson Gay, with additional text by Lin, and directed by Gay in her Cal Shakes debut. Much Ado About Nothing plays from May 25 through June 19; for tickets and information, contact the Cal Shakes Box Office at 510.548.9666 or visit www.calshakes.org

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) announces the return of SMoCA Lounge with a roster of stand-up programming giving the lively community space a comic twist. It's still about language, but this time, guests will be laughing and crying at the funny and excruciating moments of our human existence.

Berkeley Rep presents Shakespeare's dark and violent tragedy on the Roda Stage. This classic exploration of the ominous side of ambition tells the story of a couple bound together in their thirst for the Scottish throne. Driven by an evil prophesy and his scheming wife, Macbeth kills the king and claims his crown, thus beginning a moral descent into a reign of terror.

Berkeley Rep presents Shakespeare's dark and violent tragedy on the Roda Stage. This classic exploration of the ominous side of ambition tells the story of a couple bound together in their thirst for the Scottish throne. Driven by an evil prophesy and his scheming wife, Macbeth kills the king and claims his crown, thus beginning a moral descent into a reign of terror. Macbeth starts previews Friday, February 19, 2016 and runs through Sunday, April 10. Press night for Macbeth will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016. Individual tickets for Macbeth will go on sale at noon Wednesday, December 2. Individual tickets start at $35 and can be purchased by phone at 510 647-2949 or online at berkeleyrep.org.

James Cameron and Jon Landau, Lightstorm Entertainment principals, have come aboard as Executive Producers of the recently finished film, BEYOND GLORY, written by and starring Stephen Lang and directed by Larry Brand.

Featuring a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, the Bay Area's favorite holiday tradition returns with American Conservatory Theater's celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Now in its 39th year, this version of A Christmas Carol-adapted by Paul Walsh and Carey Perloff-stays true to the heart of Dickens's timeless story of redemption and brings a playful sensibility to his rich language.

Annapolis Shakespeare Company's Closing Weekend of the Helen Hayes Awards Recommended Production, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, is this weekend, July 31 - August 2. The show received a standing ovation on opening night BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes MacArthur 'Genius' Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney for the West Coast premiere of Head of Passes, a poignant and poetic story about the journey of family and faith, trial and tribulation. In a dilapidated house near the ever-shifting mouth of the Mississippi, Shelah's family gathers on a stormy night for her birthday -- bringing ghosts and secrets of the past with them. As her roof buckles under the weight of the rain, Shelah's convictions begin to wash away, leaving her to excavate the truths buried below. Directed by Tina Landau, the riveting Head of Passes comes to the Bay Area straight from its critically lauded world premiere in Chicago. Head of Passes is a co-production with the Public Theater in New York. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage today, April 10, opens today, April 17, and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Press night for Head of Passes will be held today, April 17, 2015.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes MacArthur 'Genius' Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney for the West Coast premiere of Head of Passes, a poignant and poetic story about the journey of family and faith, trial and tribulation. In a dilapidated house near the ever-shifting mouth of the Mississippi, Shelah's family gathers on a stormy night for her birthday -- bringing ghosts and secrets of the past with them. As her roof buckles under the weight of the rain, Shelah's convictions begin to wash away, leaving her to excavate the truths buried below. Directed by Tina Landau, the riveting Head of Passes comes to the Bay Area straight from its critically lauded world premiere in Chicago. Head of Passes is a co-production with the Public Theater in New York. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage today, April 10, opens today, April 17, and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Press night for Head of Passes will be held today, April 17, 2015.

San Francisco's elegant Four Seasons hotel, its ballroom transformed into a mesmerizing swirl of vibrant, electric colors, provided the dramatic setting for California Shakespeare Theater's 20th annual gala, Play It Forward, on Saturday, March 14, 2015. Led by Gala Chair Maureen Knight, the event grossed $600,000 and welcomed more than 300 attendees.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes MacArthur "Genius" Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney for the West Coast premiere of Head of Passes, a poignant and poetic story about the journey of family and faith, trial and tribulation. In a dilapidated house near the ever-shifting mouth of the Mississippi, Shelah's family gathers on a stormy night for her birthday -- bringing ghosts and secrets of the past with them. As her roof buckles under the weight of the rain, Shelah's convictions begin to wash away, leaving her to excavate the truths buried below. Directed by Tina Landau, the riveting Head of Passes comes to the Bay Area straight from its critically lauded world premiere in Chicago. Head of Passes is a co-production with the Public Theater in New York. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage on Friday, April 10, opens on Friday, April 17, and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Press night for Head of Passes will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015.

Red Branch Theatre Company (RBTC) will stage its final production of the 2014 season entitled On Love & Loss with the family-friendly A Year With Frog & Toad. A Year With Frog and Toad magically brings the treasured characters created by Arnold Lobel in the 'Frog and Toad' book series to life. Best friends Frog and Toad hop through four seasons filled with fun while rejoicing in their differences and reveling in their friendship. The jazzy, upbeat score by Robert Reale is designed to have the entire family tapping their toes with Frog and Toad. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Red Branch Theatre Company (RBTC) will stage its final production of the 2014 season entitled On Love & Loss with the family-friendly A Year With Frog & Toad. A Year With Frog and Toad magically brings the treasured characters created by Arnold Lobel in the 'Frog and Toad' book series to life. Best friends Frog and Toad hop through four seasons filled with fun while rejoicing in their differences and reveling in their friendship. The jazzy, upbeat score by Robert Reale is designed to have the entire family tapping their toes with Frog and Toad.

Featuring a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, the Bay Area's favorite holiday tradition returns with American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)'s celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.

Red Branch Theatre Company (RBTC) will stage its final production of the 2014 season entitled On Love & Loss with the family-friendly A Year With Frog & Toad. A Year With Frog and Toad magically brings the treasured characters created by Arnold Lobel in the 'Frog and Toad' book series to life. Best friends Frog and Toad hop through four seasons filled with fun while rejoicing in their differences and reveling in their friendship. The jazzy, upbeat score by Robert Reale is designed to have the entire family tapping their toes with Frog and Toad.

Featuring a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, the Bay Area's favorite holiday tradition returns with American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)'s celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.

California Shakespeare Theater continues its 2014 season with Shakespeare's comic exploration of love in all its glory and madness, A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Shana Cooper, with movement by Erika Chong Shuch. A Midsummer Night's Dream plays at the Bruns Amphitheater now through September 28. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!