FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR In the past two seasons, Brava has been making a special place for you in the Mission district of San Francisco. The 24th Street corridor is a vibrant part of San Francisco’s cultural eclecticism and Brava Theater is an integral part of that eclecticism creatively. Our 2010-2011 Season is filled with new collaborations, community events and regional premieres. This season, you will discover new works, works in progress, movie nights and food nights! As we share our theatrical season with you, know that this is only a small portion of what Brava has to offer! In this season we will be in collaboration with African-American Shakespeare Company to welcome L. Peter Callender as their new Artistic Director with the Greek Tragedy Iphigeneia At Aulis. With a radio play fit to terrify the toughest Halloween spectator, we bring you the directorial offerings of Meiyan Wang’s Reluctant, written and performed by Joel Israel. With generous support, Brava is proud to be sponsored by Theatre Offensive (Boston) for its one-night theatrical installation of, Come As You Are. And this is all before December! The new year will bring collaborations with Joe Goode Performance Group, Precarious Theatre, and Paula Vogel’s Oldest Profession, which closes our season.
Brava is a reflection of the Bay Area Community. Our company is made of a small group of theatre artists and administrators. Brava struggles to keeps its doors open because we thrive on creating theatre, dance, and music presentations that makes our community laugh, think and understand each part of its community better. Our intention is to create discourse through theatre arts, education of our youth and better opportunities for the Bay Area arts family. We are an art space not led by identity in gender, race or economics, but a place for all people to share values, ideas and open discussion to theatrical, musical and visual arts in a community environment. With works-in-progress this season by Cherrie Moraga, special guest appearances and free movie nights, Brava is welcoming it’s entire Bay Area family to come through its doors. You might find out why almost everyone comes back!
Come As You Are Brava Sept 17, 2010 This curated event features the writers selected by Theater Offensive (Boston). The desire to celebrate sexuality with humor and dance! Brava will present a ONE -NIGHT ONLY celebration of a series of short pieces in a theatrical installation throughout the Brava building. Come for the drinks, come for the plays or come to celebrate the fun of discovering one's 'cup of tea'. Come As You Are will thrill and enthrall! Bringing emerging artists together in this theatrical installation about sex, love, and all that falls in-between.ONE NIGHT ONLY. Tickets on sliding scale.
US Premiere IPH... September 25-October 16, 2010 by Colin Teevan adapted from Euripides' Iphigeneia At Aulis Directed by Dylan Russell In Collaboration with African-American Shakespeare Company You Don't Have to be White to be Greek…Greece and Troy are at war. Agamemnon wrestles with an unthinkable choice: sacrifice his daughter Iphigeneia and appease the gods--or face defeat and shame his people. But his wife Klytaimnestra stands between Agamemnon and his fatal choice. This production, features L. Peter Callender and C. Kelly Wright, in a stunning new adaptation by Irish playwright Colin Teevan. Tickets $15-$35
Reluctant October 23, 2010 - November 13, 2010 (Regional Premiere) Written and Performed by Joel Israel, Directed by Meiyan Wang, Music Composed by Mark Valadez LIMITED RUN - by your tickets in advance! Are You Reluctant to Kill?... Part radio play, part blues show, part confessional - a tale like no other. Set in a radio booth, Joel Israel takes on a journey sure to make your Halloween cravings be satisfied. Tickets $10-$25 Friday and Saturday performances at 10pm, Weeknight performances at 8pm.
Gush January 13-29, 2011 It's So Goode! Goode: Dance & Delight Dance with a bold theatrical impulse. Curated by Joe Goode , a three weekend series including his Joe Goode Performance Group and two other groundbreaking artists from the Bay Area. Tickets $15-$35
The Oldest Profession Mar 12–Apr 9, 2011 Written by Paula Vogel Directed by Evren Odcikin Five beautiful women lounge on the beach discussing their glory days - you know - when they were prostitutes in their youth. Now, in their 60s, they reflect as life seems to have passed them by in that funny sort of way.
Girltropolis Apr 15 & 16, 2011 A show written, produced and performed by young female youth, Girltropolis under the guidance of professional theatre artists IS one of the best theatrical experiences the whole family should attend. Gritty, funny, disheartening, but altogether amazing, Girltropolis brings some of what goes on for young teens to life while shattering other myths about ethnicity and gender. Support the youth in our community by attending these free performances.Watch the future artists take the stage! Join us for Brava’s professional education main stage event.
The Kitchen Series Curated and Directed by Matthew Graham Smith Dec 6, 2010 · Feb 21, 2011 · Apr 18, 2011 · Jun 13, 2011
Back by popular demand! A special series cooked up just like mom used to make. Join Precarious Theater and Brava for a new, intimate way of experiencing our greatest classics. Join us on stage for a special reading with great actors, delicious free food, and great company! Be part of the magic as plays leap off the page and come to life!
Tickets $20 advance/$25 at door
December 6, 2010
Truffaldino Says No, Written by Ken Slattery
A classical commedia character explores worlds of ridiculous stereotypes.
February 21, 2011
The Love of Don Perlimplín and Belisa in the Garden Written by Federico Garcia Lorca, Guest Director Mina Morita An erotic lace-paper valentine in a lusty romp about love.
April 18, 2011
The Skin of Our Teeth, Written by Thornton Wilder
Join the Antrobus family as they survive the ice age and other calamities, in this Pulitzer Prize winning classic.
June 13, 2011
The Importance of Being Earnest Written by Oscar Wilde: A serious comedy for trivial people. In what may be the most perfectly funny play ever written.
Special Events La Mission Screening with Special Guest Peter Bratt November 16, 2010 Holidaz Party A Special Holiday Event, A celebration for the community. Dec 6, 2010
Waiting for Giovanni Written by Jewelle Gomez Feb 25, 2011 SWAN Day Brava joins in the 4th Support Women Artists Now Day (SWAN Day) Mar 26, 2011 Boys that Prey Written by D’Lo Apr 4, 2011 New Fire: City of Change Written by Cherrie Moraga & Cecelia Rodriguez May 30, 2011 ALL SPECIAL EVENTS ARE BY DONATION!
Brava joins forces with Precarious Theater Company to bring food and wine into the staged reading. In a special series cooked up just like mom used to make – with the best ingredients and an experienced hand. Join Brava and Precarious Theater Company for a new way to experience staged readings - with great actors, great food and great fun.
FOUR staged works throughout the season include :
October 12, 2009 - The Visit by Friedrich Durrenmatt March 7, 2010 - Drunken Cityby Adam Bock April 19, 2010 - Sgt Casey’s Remains by Lauren Wilson June 14, 2010 - The Three Sistersby Anton Chekhov