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What do you mean you're not going to Burning Man? Dude, what's wrong with you? You're supposed to be some sort of hip artist type--or theater geek. After all, who else would read this column? OK, OK, we admit it: we're not going either. Why go to Burning Man when you can see sweaty artists running around right here on San Francisco stages?
Nicky Goes Goth at Impact Theatre
Yes, as in Nicky Hilton. You know, the one that's always upstaged by her big sister Paris? Well, this time she takes center stage in Elizabeth Meriwether's comedy. A hit at the 2004 New York International Fringe Festival, Nicky Goes Goth finds the socialites at odds when Nicky starts to think (yes, think) that maybe this celeb thing isn't the ultimate answer to life. Not surprisingly, Paris doesn't get what Nicky's damage is. Then, omigod, Nicky falls for a suburban Goth boy, Shithead, at a nightclub, where they plot to overthrow Paris. Billed as a comedy that examines celebrity worship, sure, but also the meaning of life, Nicky Goes Goth seems another perfect show for Impact "theatre that doesn't suck" Theatre, which counts SFist Cheshire as one of its members. Playing Thursdays through Saturdays at La Val's Subterranean, Berkeley, through October 1.
Mapplethorpe: The Opening at New Conservatory Theatre Center
We know a double entendre when we see one. Not that the title is very subtle, but then, neither is Mapplethorpe. Most of us know the infamous photographer from the controversy his posthumous traveling exhibition created in 1989, the outcome of which decimated public funding for the arts and dealt a major blow to the First Amendment. But this solo show by veteran actor Brian Quirk takes us back to Mapplethorpe's first sex photography exhibit in New York, circa 1977. Here he portrays the guests and their reactions to the premiere (some of the provocative images are used in this show), guests who include Andy Warhol, Diane Vreeland, Patti Smith (one of his models) and others who posed for the photographs. Mapplethorpe: The Opening provides a glimpse into the 1970s NYC downtown arts scene, but more, it continues the intercourse of free expression versus the agenda that threatens to constrict it. Apparently, it's a conversation we still need to have: A critic of the North County Times, while he praised Quirk's performance in a Southern California run, also felt he needed to warn his readers that by the end of the show, they "probably just want a drink--or a bath." We trust that San Francisco audiences are much more open-minded. Playing Wednesdays through Sundays through September 11.
The Overcoat at American Conservatory Theater
Every character needs a great costume. Joseph has his Technicolor dreamcoat. Dorothy has her ruby slippers. And the poor lowly office drone that's the hero of this story has, well, an overcoat that soon changes his life. Based on 19th-century Russian writer Nikolai Gogol's short story, The Overcoat follows an everyman at odds with the world's bureaucracy, yet who just wants to be accepted. This CanStage production, with 22 actors, is told primarily through movement set to Shostakovich's music, borrowing techniques from Commedia dell'Arte and English pantomime. Apparently, not a word is spoken. The Overcoat may go down in local history as one of the most striking and ambitious theatrical endeavors to hit the Geary stage, much like The Black Rider and Shockheaded Peter. We'll leave that assessment to SFist Jon; keep an eye out for his review. Playing through September 25.
Much Ado About Nothing at San Francisco Shakespeare Festival
Yep, we know you've been waiting all summer for Free Shakespeare in the Park to wrap up its Bay Area tour and land in SF. If you haven't been in a while, remember that the company has moved from Golden Gate Park to the Presidio (the Parade Ground at the Main Post). This year veteran director Kenneth Kelleher helms Much Ado About Nothing, the comedy that centers on Hero (the Bard's not very subtle with names sometimes), whose marriage to Claudio is threatened when rumors of her infidelity fly. But the tart-tongued bickering of Beatrice and Benedick, played by local favorites Julia Brothers and Stephen Klum, is the real fun of the play. Bring the food, drink and sunscreen for this Labor Day tradition. Playing through September 24.
Photo: Megan Biolchini and Erin Carter in Nicky Goes Goth. Photo by Cheshire Dave.
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Since when do artists go to Burning Man anyway? Last I heard there were like 5 "artists" and countless systems analysts pretending to be countercultural on their one week, middle-class vacations. More Burn participants could tell you about the last episode of Fear Factor than about anything Wally Berman ever did or what the NY School was trying to do. Why do we even need to talk about this thing anymore? Looking for the "art" component of Burning Man is like looking for the literary merit in a James Patterson novel. Its a trite bestseller.
Um, go to Burning Man?? and miss all the freed-up parking spaces in the city. No way.