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Located in the heart of San Francisco's theatre district between Union Square and Nob Hill, the Marines' Memorial Theatre is an historical landmark and major star in the regional theatre scene. The 650-seat venue is dedicated to bringing the best of New York, regional, and local productions to Bay Area audiences. The theatre is also known for the resources it provides local corporate and civic groups as well. Radio Days and the Actors' Workshop Since its construction in 1926, the Marines' Memorial has played a valuable role in the city's theatrical history. The Marines' was originally the home of the national radio broadcasts featuring Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. From 1955 to 1965 it housed the legendary Actors' Workshop. For its first production there, Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE, the company was awarded the first Off-Broadway Equity contract outside New York. Outstanding plays produced by the Actors' Workshop at the Marines Memorial Theatre include CAMINO REAL by Tennessee Williams; the world premiere of MOTHER COURAGE by Bertholt Brecht; THE THREEPENNY OPERA starring Estelle Parsons, Frederick Downs and Tige Andrews; BECKET by Jean Anouilh; and DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller, to name a few. A.C.T. Moves In The American Conservatory Theatre found its first San Francisco home at the Marines' Memorial Theatre in 1967. Initially, all A.C.T. productions appeared at the Marines and the company continued to present Off-Broadway touring productions here until 1982. Noteworthy productions during this period included: LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT by Eugene O'Neill; THE BLOOD KNOT by Athol Fugard; MISS MARGARIDA'S WAY starring Michael Learned; FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE/WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF by Ntozake Shange; The Magic Theatre's production of TRUE WEST by Sam Shepard; and THE BOYS OF AUTUMN starring Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster. Another Era Under different management in 1982, the theatre presented such outstanding productions as: PIKA starring David McCallum; El Teatro Campesino's production of CORRIDOS; The Eureka Theatre's production of CLOUD 9; The Negro Ensemble Company's production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning A SOLDIER'S PLAY; The Old Globe Theatre's production of QUARTERMAINE'S TERMS; SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU & THE ACTORS NIGHTMARE starring Lynn Redgrave, Cloris Leachman, and Peggy Cass. The theatre has also played host to The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW; P.G. Wodehouse's JEEVES TAKES CHARGE starring Edward Duke; The Eureka Theatre's production of TOP GIRLS; Lee Theodore's THE AMERICAN DANCEMACHINE starring Cyd Charisse and Buddy Ebsen; an annual holiday attraction, THE CHINESE MAGIC CIRCUS OF TAIWAN; EMLYN WILLIAMS AS CHARLES DICKENS; the highly successful long-running comedy hit, GREATER TUNA; THE FOREIGNER starring Rene Auberjonois, Imogene Coca and Charlene Tilton; Barbara Rush in A WOMAN OF INDEPENDENT MEANS; MISS PEGGY LEE IN CONCERT; BARBARA COOK IN CONCERT; and (Sir) Ian McKellen in his acclaimed one man show ACTING SHAKESPEARE. The Marines Memorial Theatre is also very proud to have been the home of A.C.T.'s highly-praised productions of ANGELS IN AMERICA and August Wilson's pre-Broadway premiere of SEVEN GUITARS; Berkeley Repertory Theatre's presentation of Anna Deavere Smith's TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992; as well as independent productions of TWILIGHT OF THE GOLDS, THE DAVID PARSONS DANCE COMPANY, the world premiere of A TUNA CHRISTMAS; and the award-winning DAMES AT SEA. Now that it is once again under direct management of the Marines' Memorial Association, we are anticipating a future filled with the best that the world of theatre has to offer. |