American Conservatory Theater Strand Theater - San Francisco, California

Joann K.

I had a great time revisiting ACT Theater recently after the long pandemic hiatus. We parked nearby and discovered a fantastic cocktail bar up the hill, serving better drinks than the theater itself. We caught the final night of "Wizard of Oz," a vibrant explosion of colors on stage. The theater was buzzing as it coincided with the last day of Pride weekend. We even dressed in matching purple outfits to join the festive spirit.

What surprised us most was the unexpected shower of bubbles cascading from the ceiling during the show. It added a magical touch that made us smile throughout.

After the performance, we satisfied our hunger at a Thai restaurant conveniently located across the street. The flavorful dishes hit the spot and provided a perfect ending to the night.

This visit reminded me why I love live performances. The excitement, joy, and unique moments are incomparable. I'm determined to return to ACT Theater more frequently and immerse myself in its enchanting atmosphere.

In summary, my recent experience at ACT Theater was a delightful blast. The vivid stage, the whimsical bubble surprise, and the delicious Thai food afterward made it an unforgettable evening. If you're seeking a fantastic time, rediscover the magic of ACT Theater and embrace the lively world of live performances.

JP G.

The strand is a great little Theater that has had an updated look. They're part of act which has historically put on lots of good plays at the Geary Theater. This is a nice addition to the mid-market areas right across from UN Plaza. Stephanie has been a sketchy area and still is at times but we went for the afternoon matinee and felt okay out there. They do have some guards manning the doors. The show itself was really good. It was one of their shows that is showcasing local talent and part of a clear effort to have more diversity in their offerings. The show was about a woman who made masks with a group of women during covid and it turned out to be a really good way to process that experience, which I hadn't thought about in many years. And also a great story about the compassion of this group of women who are mostly Asian American, but all kinds of women. The woman behind the one woman show was inspired And engaging throughout the whole show which ran about 90 minutes, perfect for the shorter attention span these days.

Kassandra J.

I was so happy to go to see and experience The Hippest Trip at this beautiful theater. The seats are purple velvet and as comfortable as theater seats can be. My cousin was in the production, so that made it extra exciting to be in attendance.

Paulo C.

Cozy theater with a decent size lobby and bar for light snacks. Nicely spaced rows though seats are a little bare and tight. We parked at the Civic Center garage and walked over, about 15 minutes at a leisurely pace. I'd recommend anyone to cross Market street and walk on that side of the street since it has a little foot traffic. Overall, easy to find building, a great production and great helpful staff, a great way to support the arts.

Anna B.

This is a really nice location and venue for seeing a show. We saw Small Mouth Sounds which was great and our usher also upgraded our seats. However the people working at the cafe were not having a good night and not only weren't friendly but they made me the wrong drink. It was close enough to Showtime that I just took that drink, which was fine.

ashley

Kristina Wong Sweatshop Overlord is a must see! Incredible performance and masterfully written, an emotional journey sure to make you laugh.

Lynne S.

It’s a PERFORMING ARTS THEATER!!! and all these ‘reviews’ discuss is food sold in lobby, variety of drinks available & comfort of seats. Nothing about the arts, nothing about theater produced in those spaces, fine acting & directing, groundbreaking productions….you know, the actual performing arts! Letting one of America’s highly regarded professional MFA programs die & disappear (where the likes of Annette Benning trained & began her fine career, home to actors like Paul Shenar, Olympia Dukakis, Frances Lee McCain , Elizabeth Banks, Ken Ruta & more. Now it’s about selling the building’s naming rights to the art-free billionaires who did NOTHING to save the professional training program. People with money who love the fancy galas, rubbing elbows with celebs & seeing their names on things. A once great theater turned into a sell-to-the-highest-bidder joke. So sad. So tragic. So unlike actual theatre….

Stephen C.

A beautiful, modern theater complex inside with the exterior of one of the great movie houses of San Francisco. Fantastic shows from ACT.