Sweet stage relief from Black Friday

November 28, 8:43 AMSF Theater ExaminerChad Jones

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the SF Theater Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Jackson Davis is Ben Franklin and
David "Kelli" Kahawaii is Ben-
jamin "Benny" Franklin Bache
in 42nd Street Moon's "Ben
Franklin in Paris. 

The turkey is digested, the family is restless and Black Friday sales just won’t do the trick.

Time for some live entertainment.

Here are three options for every taste.

- “Ben Franklin in Paris,” 42nd Street Moon – Our local gem of a company that rescues lost or forgotten musicals then shines them up and presents them like little treasures rescues a 1964 musical chronicling Ben Franklin’s efforts to get King Louis of France to recognize the United States as a sovereign nation. Two wonderful actors headline the play: Jackson Davis plays Franklin and Stephanie Rhoads is La Comtesse Diane de Vobrillac. The score is by Sidney Michaels and Mark Sandrich Jr. with an assist by Broadway legend Jerry Herman, who contributes two tunes: “Too Charming” and “To Be Alone with You.” The show is in previews and opens Saturday, Nov. 29 and continues through Dec. 14 at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St., San Francisco. Tickets are $24-$42. Call 415-255-8207 or visit www.42ndstmoon.org.

- “The America Play,” Thick Description – To celebrate its 20th anniversary season, Thick D is reviving some of its biggest hits, including this 1994 box-office smash by Suzan-Lori Parks. Tony Kelly directs this tale of the Foundling Father, a black man who is a gravedigger and an Abraham Lincoln lookalike, and the family who is looking for him. Rhonnie Washington reprises his role, as does Brian Freeman, who plays Brazil. Also in the cast are Cathleen Riddley, David Westley Skillman and Deirdre Draginoff. “The America Play” continues through Dec. 14 at the Thick House, 1695 18th St., San Francisco. Tickets are $30-$15 on a sliding scale. Call 415-401-8081 or visit www.thickhouse.org.

- “The Great Puppet Bollywood Extravaganza!” Un-Scripted Theatre Company – The puppets from “The Great Puppet Musical!” are back and in a new world. Classic stories of true love, family and adventure unfold with music, dance and drama, all in the style of a Bollywood movie. And here’s the really fun thing: it’s all improvised every night. Shows are at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at SF Playhouse Stage 2, 533 Sutter St., San Francisco. Tickets are $20 general, $10 for students and seniors. Visit www.un-scripted.com for information.