Events Around the Bay – Week of January 9, 2017

Finding Neverland in San Francisco 

January 18 to February 12

Winner of Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, Finding Neverland is heading to the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco. Finding Neverland, based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award-winning film starring actor Johnny Depp, tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. Finding Neverland “captures the kid-at-heart,” says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, “It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!”  For ages 7 and up. No children under 5 will be allowed.

Tickets and Information
Prices range from $55 to $225
888-746-1799
www.shnsf.com
Orpheum Theare
1192 Market Street in San Francisco
Photo courtesy of SHN

Sardinian Textiles in San Francisco

January 19 to February 24; Opening night will take place on January 19 at 6:30 p.m.

An exquisite exhibit of contemporary and antique hand-woven art is traveling from the Sardinian Regional Textile Museum MURATS in Samugheo, Sardinia, Italy to San Francisco’s Italian Cultural Institute for a month-long presentation of tessitori artigianali, traditional hand weavings using traditional methods virtually unknown outside the island. A visit from the well-known Sardinian artists Isa Frogia and Anna Maria Pirastu and the Sardinian-born designer Silvio Betterelli will include the artists’ lectures, a weaving techniques demonstration, the screening of I Want to Weave the Weft of Time, a documentary which shows how Sardinia’s traditional women weavers demonstrate technical and artistic skill as they create beautiful textiles and weave the fabric of inclusion. An exciting weaving workshop will take place at the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles in Berkeley.

Tickets and Information 
No charge for admission
415-788-7142
Italian Cultural Institute
601 Van Ness Ave in San Francisco
Photo courtesy of ITC

The Women’s Balcony Premiers in Palo Alto

January 28, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

When the women’s balcony in an Orthodox synagogue collapses, leaving the rabbi’s wife in a coma and the rabbi in shock, the congregation falls into crisis. Charismatic young Rabbi David appears to be a savior after the accident, but slowly starts pushing his fundamentalist ways and tries to take control. The Women’s Balcony is a comedy and drama about community, old traditions, and values and the power of women to keep all of these together in the face of modern extremism. In Hebrew with English subtitles. Directors: Emil Ben-Shimon and Shlomit Nehama. The screening is presented by the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival and its talented director Tzvia Shelef.

Tickets and Information 
Prices range from $11 to $16
For tickets call 1-800-838-3006
www.svjff.org
Oshman Family JCC
3921 Fabian Way in Palo Alto

Photo courtesy of Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival

Crimes of the Heart in Mountain View 

January 11 to February 5

It’s all in the family as three hard-luck Mississippi sisters Lenny, Meg and Babe are betrayed by their passions in this Southern Gothic classic written by Beth Henley and directed by Giovanna Sardelli. “Overflows with infectious high spirits,” as described by The New York Times, this zany, warm-hearted  and brilliantly imaginative tale of relationships run amok and dreams gone awry. In a storm of hilarity and sometimes pain, the ladies test the boundaries in a world full of pitfalls and a town with no pity. This is life, as they say. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle Award this play is a must see in the heart of Silicon Valley, where life is fine and dandy. Right?

Tickets and Information
Prices range from $35 to $59
650-463-1960
www.theatreworks.org
Theatre Works Silicon Valley
500 Castro Street in Mountain View
Free parking at the Mountain View Civic Garage

Photo courtesy of Theatre Works

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England, she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.