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EXIT Theatre Expanding – Additional 1,700 sq. ft. to Eddy Street Theatreplex

EXIT Theatre Expanding – Additional 1,700 sq. ft. to Eddy Street Theatreplex
Expansion complements the emerging Tenderloin Arts District initiative of the
Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development

By Seán Martinfield
Sentinel Editor and Publisher
Photo by Lynn Imanaka

According to EXIT Theatre Artistic Director Christina Augello, “Off-off Broadway is alive and well in San Francisco. Artists’ demands for performance space at EXIT has more than doubled over the past year, so when the opportunity opened up for us to take over the space across the hall, we knew it was the right choice.” EXIT Theatre currently leases 3,400 square feet at 156 Eddy Street in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, including the 80-seat EXIT Theatre mainstage, the 49-seat EXIT Stage Left, and the EXIT Café which serves food and beverages and doubles as a 35-seat theatre.  The theatre also runs the 66-seat EXIT on Taylor, around the corner at 277 Taylor Street, where Cutting Ball Theater is currently in residence.  EXIT Theatre was founded on Eddy Street in 1983 and has been at its present location since 1993. The new space is adjacent to EXIT’s other performance spaces and recently housed a youth center, which moved to larger quarters. With the acquisition of the new space, EXIT Theatre now occupies the entire commercial storefront at 156 Eddy Street. Above EXIT Theatre, the 100-year-old Tenderloin Hotel provides low-income SRO housing. The 1,700 square feet will include a new 49-seat performance space and a classroom / rehearsal studio.

The first of these fundraisers is a pair of performances generously donated by Ventriloquist Ron Coulter and his partner, Sid Star.  Coulter & Star will present two performances of Soliloquy for Two June 12th and 13th at EXIT Theatre’s main stage.  Both performances begin at 8:00 p.m.

Ventriloquist Ron Coulter and partner, Sid Star

Says veteran performer Ron Coulter, the taller half of the Coulter-Star duo, Soliloquy For Two is “theatre meets vaudeville for puppetry that pulls your strings”. Written and performed by actor/ventriloquists Ron Coulter and Sid Star, the work is a two act recital featuring edgy humor and short plays.  “Ruby Lounge Confession” proceeds from mirth to murder.  “Inherit to Die” is a deadly backstage battle of wills.  These voice illusionists promise to “delight and amaze with virtuosity, comedy and the unexpected.” For more information: Soliloquy for Two

NOW PLAYING AT EXIT THEATRE

THE IN BETWEENS & KRAPP’S LAST TAPE

THE IN BETWEENS – by Margery Fairchild. Presented by Dark Porch Theatre. Live Music, Dance, and Comedy. Now until May 30th. Featuring Stuart Bousel and Christopher P. Kelly.
The In Betweens is an archly witty, wackily comic new work in which dance, live, original music, drawing-room comedy, and the spirit world all collide. Written and directed by Margery Fairchild with Martin Schwartz, the show stars San Francisco director Stuart Bousel, in a rare acting turn, and Christopher P. Kelly, and features guest appearances from Rumi Missabu (of the original Cockettes). Featuring choreography by Fairchild and original music performed by music director Ryan Beebe and band.

The year is 1885. The world is changing at a mighty pace, and at its center stands Silas Danforth (Stuart Bousel). Young, rich, and magnetic, Danforth has built an industrial empire, alienating friends and lovers and infuriating do-gooders in the process. And yet, unbeknownst to all of them, he has maintained a private passion for the occult. And so when some of New York’s most powerful and infamous figures receive invitations to a parlor seance hosted by Danforth and led by the eccentric mystic Professor M (Christopher P. Kelly), each comes with armed his own agenda has no idea what to expect – least of all the chilling and hilarious revelations from the spirit world they have in store. Infused with magic, music, and wit, The In-Betweens is a celebration of the inconceivable in this world and the next. To transport yourself to the world of: THE IN BETWEENS

KRAPP’S LAST TAPE by Samuel Beckett. Directed by Rob Melrose. 8:00 pm Thursday through Sunday, and at 5:00 pm Sunday until June 21st. Starring Paul Gerrior, and featuring the recorded voice of David Sinaiko.

This funny and poignant one-person play tells the story of an older man listening to recordings he made when he was young and in love. It is an intimate look at the choices we make in our lives and the unexpected consequences that come from them. The production features two actors from Exit’s critically acclaimed production of Endgame, recently nominated by the Bay Area Critics Circle for Best Production of 2008. Paul Gerrior will play Krapp and David Sinaiko will play Krapp’s recorded voice from thirty years ago. Gerrior won the Dean Goodman award for his work in Cutting Ball’s 2002 production of Roberto Zucco.

EXIT Theatre has signed a 20-year lease with a 10-year option on the new space with their nonprofit landlord, the Chinatown Community Development Center.  The expansion complements the emerging Tenderloin Arts District initiative of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development.  In order to complete the build-out of the newly acquired space, EXIT Theatre has launched a $125,000 capital campaign over the next 18 months.  The campaign will include a number of fundraising events.
 

COMING UP AT EXIT THEATRE

Now and at the Hour by Christian Cagigal. A journey through Time and Reflection. At EXIT Stage Left, Friday and Saturay at 8:00 pm, JUNE 5th - AUGUST 15th (No Shows JULY 3rd & 4th).
Not a mere series of tricks, Now and at the Hour weaves magic, mind reading, story telling and theatre into an intimate, interactive and altogether “slightly creepy” magical experience. Christian Cagigal is among a new crop of illusionists and theatre artists that dares to go beyond the usual bag of tricks and bring you into a world of darkness, mystery and imagination. His work doesn’t attempt to “Blow your brain” or “Freak your mind”, but slowly seep into your subconscious until you have to ask the question, “This isn’t real is it…?” Asked who the show is geared for, Cagigal replies, “It’s for believers, skeptics, those who hate magic shows, and those who hate theatre. There is nothing inappropriate for children at all but this will not be a ‘kids” magic show.” Get ready to creep-out: Now and at the Hour

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