Abbreviated press release for The Afterlife

San Francisco Youth Theatre will present a new play by award-winning poet, author, and playwright Gary Soto, March 13-22, 2020, at The Flight Deck, 1540 Broadway in Oakland.

Occupying both the physical world and the metaphysical space beyond, The Afterlife shows the fragility of contemporary life. In the restroom of a nightclub, Chuy, the good-natured protagonist, remarks to a boy his age wearing yellow shoes, “I like your shoes.” The hot-tempered teen feels he’s being made fun of and stabs Chuy to death. Dead, Chuy floats in a ghostly limbo meeting Crystal, a suicide victim with her own tragic story, and a homeless woman dying on the street. The story shuttles between the experience of loss and anger felt both by the living left behind and those who have passed on.

Written with Soto’s trademark blend of humor, poetic language and Spanglish language, The Afterlife is a thoughtful theatrical experience that reminds audiences of their importance in the world and the impact their actions have on others.

In 2019, The Afterlife toured California, including Soto’s home of Fresno and other Central Valley locations. In November, SFYT was invited to perform at the Kestenburg International Festival of Student Theatre in Banja Luka Bosnia. 

San Francisco Youth Theatre creates cutting-edge theater that represents the unique sensibilities of youth. SF Youth Theatre is in residence at Red Poppy Art House in SF’s Mission District. SFYT’s professional DREAM Ensemble is dedicated to creating and performing works of art that tells the compelling stories of their community. www.sfyouththeatre.org.

The Afterlife is funded in part by the Creative Work Fund, California Arts Council and San Francisco Arts Commission.

  • WHEN: March 13-14: 7:30 pm; March 15: 5:00 pm. March 19-21: 7:30 pm; March 22 3:00 pm.

  • WHERE: The Flight Deck. 1540 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

  • TICKETS:   $20-30. www.sfyouththeatre.org  Appropriate for ages 11+.   

Audio Description and ASL Interpretation will be available. For more information visit SFYT’s website at sfyouththeatre.org/performances.html

Please Note: The Afterlife is scheduled to be the last regular production at The Flight Deck prior to the theater’s closing in early April 2020.  SF Youth theatre, of course, continues into the future.

Abbreviated press release for A Christmas Story

The Theatre of Western Springs and The Children's Theatre of Western Springs present A Christmas Story: Jean Shepherd’s classic tale of one boy, one holiday wish, and a world that seems to be conspiring to make certain it doesn’t come true. This heartwarming holiday story follows nine-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Full of festive fun and classic one liners (“You’ll shoot your eye out!), this irresistible piece of Americana comes to the TWS stage in all its pink-bunny-suit, glowing-leg-lamp, triple-dog-daring glory. It’s guaranteed to warm the heart and tickle funny bones.

A Christmas Story runs December 5-14, 2014 at the Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave. 

Performances take place on:

  • 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 5 & 12

  • 11 a.m. Saturday, December 6 & 13 

  • 4 p.m. Saturday, December 6 & 13 

  • 2:30 p.m. Sunday, December 7 & 14
     

A Christmas Story is best enjoyed by audiences ages 8 and up. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children 18 and younger. Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more. Reservations are available at 708-246-3380 or at www.theatreofwesternsprings.com

All performances take place at the Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Avenue, Western Springs, IL. Free parking is available. 

Abbreviated press release for Ramona Quimby and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad, Day.

The Children’s Theatre of Western Springs presents TWO great shows for families this March! First up is the play Ramona Quimby (running March 6-15) followed by a musical version of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (running March 20-22). Both shows will be performed at the Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs, IL.

Performances of Ramona Quimby take place on:

  • 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6 & 13

  • 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7 & 14

  • 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7 & 14

  • 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8 & 15

Performances of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day take place on:

  • 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 20

  • 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21

  • 4 p.m. Saturday, March 21

  • 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22

Being a kid can be tough, and no one knows that better than the two heroes of CTWS’s upcoming shows: Ramona Quimby and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Ramona navigates her way through a new teacher, troubles with classmates, and challenges at home. Alexander has his struggles, too—he even considers moving to Australia to get away from it all! Even though life isn’t always easy, Ramona and Alexander both learn that a good family and a clever imagination can do a lot to make things better.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students 18 years old and younger. Group rates are available for both shows. Overnighters are available for Ramona Quimby only. Reservations are recommended. All performances take place at the Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Avenue, Western Springs, IL. Ramona is in the Mainstage at TWS and Alexander will be performed in our intimate Cattell Theatre. Free parking is available. For tickets and information, call 708-246-3380 or visit www.theatreofwesternsprings.com.