San Francisco Playhouse

Covering The San Francisco Bay Area & Sacramento Valley Since 2001

San Francisco Playhouse • 450 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Plays • Musicals • Opera • Dance

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Current Production

• NOV 20, 2025 - JAN 17, 2026 •

Into The Woods / Musical

For Tickets & Info:

Into the Woods, a musical by Stephen Sondheim with a book by James Lapine, blends familiar fairy tale characters into a single quest that feels both classic and sharply modern. The story follows a baker and his wife who set out on a journey to break a family curse, crossing paths with a young girl in a red hood, an ambitious farm boy, a lonely maiden in a tower, and others who all believe one wish will fix everything in their lives. As their paths collide, the woods become a place where simple choices suddenly carry weight and every character discovers that wishes come with a price. The tone shifts between humor and heart, using clever lyrics and lush music to explore how people chase dreams, push limits, and learn about themselves along the way. Secrets, misunderstandings, and unexpected alliances build the tension as the characters step deeper into unfamiliar territory. By weaving multiple stories into one shared adventure, the musical highlights how different lives intersect, how decisions ripple outward, and how hope can pull people forward even when the way ahead looks uncertain.

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Coming Soon

• OPENS FEBRUARY 5, 2026 • M. Butterfly / Genre M. Butterfly is a celebrated stage play by David Henry Hwang, shaped as a dramatic character study that blends psychological intrigue with political tension and romantic illusion. Set against the backdrop of international diplomacy, the story follows a French civil servant whose quiet life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes captivated by a Chinese opera performer whose grace, mystery, and emotional reserve unsettle him in ways he cannot fully explain. As their connection deepens, the relationship pulls him into a world where art and identity blur, where cultural assumptions create traps, and where desire often speaks louder than truth. The play uses its intimate encounters to explore how people build fantasies around others, how power dynamics seep into romance, and how the stories we tell ourselves can become more persuasive than reality. Rather than rushing through events, the narrative invites the audience to sit in the tension, questioning what is real while watching two people navigate a bond filled with secrets and shifting loyalties. The result is a gripping drama that mixes elegance with unease, drawing viewers into a world where every choice carries emotional weight and every conversation hints at deeper layers yet to be uncovered.
• OPENS MARCH 26, 2026 • FLEX / Genre FLEX by Candrice Jones is a drama with touches of comedy and coming-of-age storytelling, centered on a high school girls basketball team in 1997 rural Arkansas. The play follows the Lady Train as they chase a collective dream of making it to the big leagues while navigating the complications of growing up in a place that demands toughness and resilience. Starra Jones and her teammates Cherise, Sidney, April, and Donna push through long practices, personal conflicts, and the pressure of being young Black women with ambitions that stretch far beyond their small town. The story unfolds with the pace and energy of a real game, using the momentum of each scene to reveal the girls hopes, fears, and the choices that shape their futures. Their victories on the court echo the emotional battles they face at home, and every rebound or misstep reflects something deeper beneath the surface. FLEX blends sharp humor with heartfelt tension, creating an inviting and compelling look at friendship, determination, and the fragile balance between dreaming big and staying grounded.
• OPENS MAY 14, 2026 • Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really / Genre Written by playwright Kate Hamill adapting the world of the original gothic tale of Count Dracula. The genre mixes horror, dark comedy, and feminist-drama, reworking the classic vampire story through a modern lens. In this version a female vampire hunter steps into the role of Van Helsing, and the female characters are no longer helpless victims but sharp, determined players confronting evil and manipulation. The play keeps the vampire chills and night-haunted atmosphere from the Victorian original while also undercutting the patriarchy and exposing the predator-prey dynamics at the heart of the old story. Expect moments of blood and fear, but also gutsy humor, biting social critique, and a cast of women refusing to be saved — instead taking back control.
• OPENS JULY 10, 2026 • Hairspray / Musical Hairspray is an exuberant musical comedy set in 1962 Baltimore that follows Tracy Turnblad, a lively and plus sized teenager with a big dream to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When she surprises everyone and earns a coveted spot, Tracy is suddenly thrown into the spotlight, discovering both the thrill of fame and the limits placed on who gets to shine. The show only allows black dancers on once a month, and Tracy cannot ignore the unfairness surrounding her. Her bold spirit pushes her to challenge the rules, and she teams up with new friends, supportive parents, and a community that refuses to stay silent. As Tracy navigates rivalries, young romance, and the pressure of public attention, she uses joy, humor, and determination to shake up an entertainment world that desperately needs change. With irresistible 1960s inspired music, high energy dancing, and a warm heart, Hairspray invites audiences into a vibrant story about confidence, acceptance, and the power of one determined kid to make a real difference.