Thursday, November 10, 2016

Cirque du Soleil's "Luzia" opens November 17 in S.F.

Cirque du Soleil’s “Luzia” takes you on a fantastical journey through Mexico. A celebration of the country’s rich culture, grand architecture and magnificent landscapes, the production features performers dressed as hummingbirds, Monarch butterflies and other creatures.




Acrobats take to the silks, acrobatic wheels and more in a dreamy world of light and rain. The show derives its name from the words luz and lluvia, which mean light and rain in Spanish. 



Nov. 17-Jan. 29, 2017
Beneath the Grand Chapiteau (Big Top)
Ticket prices $49 and up
AT&T Park-Parking Lot A
Corner of Third and Channel streets, S.F.

Images courtesy of Cirque du Soleil











Friday, November 4, 2016

San Francisco locations featured in Alfred Hitchcock's film "Vertigo"

Alfred Hitchcock loved San Francisco and the Bay Area. Today it's still easy to find locations featured in his films including "Vertigo." 

The English director set one of the most dramatic scenes from the film at Fort Point. Although when Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak) falls into the water, and is rescued by John Ferguson (Jimmy Stewart), it's actually a set at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.





Another scene takes place in the cemetery of Mission Dolores.





Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak) also visits a gallery in the California Palace of the Legion of Honor.











Douglas Morrisson Theatre presents, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” December 1-11


Welcome the holidays with the beloved story of George Bailey and the profound events that occur in his hometown of Bedford Falls on a life-changing Christmas Eve. Directed by Kendall Tieck, the play is performed as a radio broadcast set in the 1940s by cast members Andrea Lea Martzipan, Danny Martin and Alicia von Kugelgen. Adapted by Joe Landry from the screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling. “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” opens Thursday, December 1 at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre in Hayward.



Andrea Lea Martzipan, Danny Martin and Alicia von Kugelgen in “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre in Hayward. Photo by Terry Sullivan.


The Castro Valley Public Library also offers a sneak peek of the production 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, December 6. Watch a scene from play and then talk with the actors about the show. Attendees of this event will receive a two-for-one coupon for a full performance of the show.

December 1-11. $15-$29. Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St., Hayward. Discounts available for theatre goers younger than 30, older than 60s, H.A.R.D. residents, TBA, KQED members and groups of 10 people or more. Box office: 510-881-6777, www.dmtonline.org


Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley. 510-667-7900