From Brian Copeland to Cirque du Soleil, there are many excellent shows, recitals, and concerts in the Bay Area to see this weekend and beyond. Here’s a partial overview.
Iconic Copeland show reaches a milestone
It was 20 years ago that actor, comedian, and playwright Brian Copeland first presented his solo stage show “Not a Genuine Black Man” at The Marsh in San Francisco, and it’s fair to say it has had a significant impact on the Bay Area theater scene.
With elements of humor, emotion, surprise, and even tension, “Black Man” tells the story of Copeland and his family’s life in San Leandro, which in the 1970s was labeled a “racist stronghold of white supremacy” by a national housing agency. Fundamental to its success is the fact that Copeland — as he has shown in various shows over the years — is a natural and skilled storyteller who, naturally, makes it appear effortless.
In an area where solo stage shows are performed regularly, “Black Man” is the production against which all others must be compared. It’s that excellent, and that deeply entrenched in the theater scene.
Now the show is returning to The Marsh for a special run that includes “Black Man’s” 1,000th performance on Saturday. If you haven’t seen it yet, this is a perfect time to become familiar with a classic. Unfortunately, it is just as pertinent as ever.
Details: Through May 4. The Marsh, San Francisco; $25-$100; themarsh.org.
— Randy McMullen, Staff
Cirque comes back to San Jose
“Kooza” is coming to the South Bay.
After finishing its extensive stay in San Francisco, the lively Cirque du Soleil big-top spectacle opens for a several-week run, today through May 26, at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose.
It marks the first time that the iconic Cirque du Soleil big-top tent has visited the Bay Area’s most populous city since 2019. And it was certainly no small feat to set up — reportedly requiring more than 80 crew members and 70 local stagehands to raise the tent earlier this month.
Now, it’s time for Silicon Valley Cirque du Soleil fans to start enjoying the many wonders of “Kooza,” which offers up the Montreal-based company’s signature mix of amazing acrobatics and feats of skill, puzzling characters, beautiful costumes, memorable music, and plenty of both touching and humorous moments.
Certainly, some still recall “Kooza” from its previous trip through the Bay Area, which took place back in 2007 in San Francisco. And those same individuals would likely concur that this is one show that is certainly worth seeing twice.
Details: Tickets and more information available at cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.
— Jim Harrington, Staff
Greek Theatre begins summer season
The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley is set to commence its 2024 concert season with two compelling upcoming shows.
The first takes place on April 21 and is a 60th birthday celebration for Maynard James Keenan, who is best known for his work with the Grammy-winning L.A. rock act Tool. The singer-songwriter will appear at the event, dubbed Sessanta, performing with his two other acclaimed bands — A Perfect Circle and Puscifer.
Also scheduled to perform at that April 21 show is the band Primus, from the Bay Area and fronted by Les Claypool. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $49.50-$159.50.
Next, the country music icon Willie Nelson is coming to Berkeley on April 24. It should be a special experience to see the legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist, who will be turning 91 just five days after his performance at the Greek Theatre, singing classic songs such as “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” and “You Were Always on My Mind.” Asleep at the Wheel is the opening act. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost $49.95-$149.95.
Other upcoming shows at the Greek Theatre include performances by Sarah McLachlan (May 30), Tedeschi Trucks Band (May 31-June 1) and Bill Burr (June 8).
Details: To purchase tickets or find more details, visit apeconcerts.com.
— Jim Harrington, Staff
Classical picks: In praise of Piaf; SF Opera stars
A celebration of Edith Piaf, a two-day festival dedicated to Schoenberg's work, and a concert featuring two rapidly rising opera stars. Music enthusiasts have appealing options in this week’s schedule.
Racette returns: We have witnessed her exceptional talent on the opera stage. Now Patricia Racette is coming back to San Francisco for “Patricia Sings Piaf.” Teaming up with pianist Craig Terry, the Grammy Award-winning soprano pays homage to the French singer in what is expected to be a remarkable event. “I want to embody Piaf without ever attempting to mimic her,” Racette explains. “I aim to create a unique experience.” Anticipate nothing less from this artist.
Details: The performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Presidio Theatre, San Francisco; tickets are priced at $50-$75; www.presidiotheatre.org.
“Pierrot Lunaire” revisited: The San Francisco Contemporary Music Players are organizing a two-day festival centered around Arnold Schoenberg’s renowned melodrama “Pierrot Lunaire.” Saturday’s event, “Pierrot RE:imagined,” showcases compositions by Katherine Balch and Mason Bates; while Sunday’s program, “Pierrot RE:encountered,” includes a performance of “Pierrot Lunaire” accompanied by video by Simona Fitcal, along with pieces by Joan Tower and Jesse Montgomery.
Details: The performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Taube Atrium Theater, San Francisco; individual tickets cost $15-$35, and festival passes are priced at $60; www.cityboxoffice.com.
“Voyages”: This is the title of the upcoming concert featuring soprano Amina Edris and tenor Pene Pati, the husband-and-wife duo who have gained recognition for their leading roles at San Francisco Opera: she portrayed the glamorous Egyptian queen in John Adams’ “Antony and Cleopatra,” and he recently appeared as an endearing Nemorino in Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’Amore.” They will be performing in Berkeley, accompanied by Robert Mollicone, presenting a program that includes works by Duparc, Ravel, and Vaughan Williams, as well as music from her native Egypt and his Samoa.
Details: The performance is at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley; tickets are priced at $35-$106; www.calperformances.org.
— Georgia Rowe, Correspondent
Into the forest, with song
San Francisco’s lively and determined Pocket Opera company is venturing into new territory. While the late founder Donald Pippin created a translation of the opera libretto into English for “The Cunning Little Vixen” by Czech composer Leoš Janáček as far back as 2001, this charming fable has never been staged by the company until now.
The story changes with a brief performance of “Little Vixen,” which is happening this weekend. It takes place in the forests and a village inn near Brno. The opera tells the story of SharpEars, the foxy lady of the title, who is caught by the Gamekeeper (or the Forester), but then manages to escape back into the woods.
The opera is funny, romantic, and full of nostalgia. In addition to its human characters, it also features different animals who are given the ability to burst into song. Soprano Amy Foote plays the lead role, alongside baritone Spencer Dodd as the Forester. The production is directed by Nicolas A. Garcia and choreographed by Lissa Resnick, with music director Jonathan Khuner leading the small orchestra.
Details: On Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, and on April 28 at 2 p.m. at Legion of Honor in San Francisco. Tickets cost $30-$79 at pocketopera.org.
— Bay City News Foundation
From Harlem, with love (and grace)
The Dance Theatre of Harlem was established after the killing of Martin Luther King Jr., and has become one of America’s top traditional and contemporary ballet groups. Founder Arthur Mitchell, who was famous as the first Black main dancer with the New York City Ballet, decided to create a company in New York to serve the African American community of Harlem after the assassination of King. The company's first official performance was in 1971, and with support from dance world figures like George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, it became one of the top ballet troupes in the country. The Los Angeles Times has praised the company’s work as “a pulsing celebration of love and life.” The company will be performing in the Bay Area this week, presenting a mix of Dance Theatre of Harlem favorites and new contemporary works.
Details: 7:30 p.m. on April 20, and 4 p.m. on April 21 at Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek. Tickets cost $69-$99 at www.lesherartscenter.org
Free New Orleans jazz in S.F.
Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio, the Fell Street, San Francisco, joint founded by London-born entrepreneur and music lover Jay Bordeleau, is both a recording studio and a place that offers great jazz acts, delicious snacks, and a huge collection of cocktails, beer, wine, and other drinks. This week, Mr. Tipple’s is teaming with San Francisco’s Soundtrack Series to host a free show in the Civic Center district featuring top-notch Bay Area purveyors of New Orleans jazz.
The lineup includes the Honor Brass Band, known for its mix of contemporary and traditional jazz fueled by some fine funk and classic swing. Next up is MJ’s Brass Boppers, described by event organizers as the “next best thing to following a brass band down New Orleans’ famed Claiborne Ave.” And that’s no idle boast – the outfit is said to be the only Bay Area New Orleans brass band whose members were all born in the Crescent City. Wrapping things up is the widely acclaimed Jazz Mafia, a New Orleans style big brass ensemble powered by trombone, trumpet, saxes, drums and tuba. Led by trombonist and co-founder Adam Theis, the Jazz Mafia incorporates traditional jazz with a wide variety of styles, from blues and R&B to hip-hop and much more, so you’re never quite sure just what you’ll encounter when the musicians take the stage.
Details: The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 18 at Fulton Plaza, located on Fulton Street between Hyde and Larkin streets. Admission is free and tickets are not required. mrtipplessf.com.
— Bay City News Foundation
