It’s known as the “Dead Week” — that period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve when nightlife seems to crawl to a halt. Many venues and stage productions go dark, and touring shows take a short break before resuming in the new year.
So what is one to do for live entertainment?
The thing about “Dead Week” is it’s not really dead. There are plays, concerts, comedy shows and more to take in. Here’s a look at some of your options.
Theater
“Pride and Prejudice”: World premiere of a musical based on Jane Austen’s beloved romantic comedy, by Paul Gordon, presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Details: Through Jan. 4; Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto; $30-$100; www.theatreworks.org.
“A Noh Christmas Carol”: Here’s a different way to view the miracle of redemption, Chistmas-style. Theatre of Yugen presents Dickens’ classic story in Japanese noh, kyogen, kabuki and butoh styles, in an adaptation by Yuriko Doi and Cienna. Details: Through Dec. 29; Theatre of Yugen, San Francisco; $15-$45; www.theatreofyugen.org.
“The Tale of Despereaux”: Charming and engaging musical adapted from Kate DiCamillo’s popular children’s book about the feats of a heroic mouse; performed by PigPen Theatre Company and presented by Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Details: Through Jan. 4; Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre, Berkeley; $35-$100 (discounts for theatergoers under 35); 510 647–2949, www.berkeleyrep.org.
“Hamilton”: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway smash hit tells the history of Alexander Hamilton and America’s founding fathers in a bold, hip-hop-fueled fashion. Details: open-ended run; Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco; $49-$299 (subject to change); hamilton.broadwaysf.com.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”: The dazzling Broadway blockbuster takes place 19 years after the final book and movie, with Harry dropping his son off at the famed Hogwarts school. Details: Open-ended run, presented in two parts; The Curran, San Francisco; $59-$199 per part; www.harrypotteronstage.com.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage”: If you’re not done celebrating the holiday spirit, this touring stage show adapted from the iconic TV special and Charles Schulz’ characters, and featuring Vince Guaraldi’s score, lands in the Bay Area this weekend. Details: 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 29; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $20-$115; 925-373-6800; lvpac.org.
“Head over Heels”: This musical builds an Elizabethan-era farce (with a strong theme of inclusiveness) around the tunes of the 1980s band the Go-Go’s. Details: Through Jan. 12; New Conservatory Theatre Center, San Francisco; $35-$60; 415-861-8972, www.nctcsf.org
“An Invitation Out”: Shaulee Cook’s play getting its West Coast premiere in San Francisco is described as a comedy of manners set in virtual reality chat rooms. Through Dec. 29; Potrero Stage, San Francisco; $30; www.quantumdragon.org.
“Summer: The Donna Summer Musical”: Perhaps no show can do justice to the intriguing life and career of “Disco Queen” Donna Summer, but fans of the late icon’s songs get to hear them performed by a talented cast in this jukebox musical. Details: Through Dec. 29; Golden Gate Theatre; $56-$266; 888-746-1799, www.broadwaysf.com.
“Groundhog Day the Musical”: Why, yes, there’s a musical adapted from the iconic film comedy starring Bill Murray as an obnoxious TV weatherman forced to live a day over and over until he becomes a better person. The musical is getting its West Coast premiere at San Francisco Playhouse. Details: Through Jan. 18; S.F. Playhouse, San Francisco; $35-$125; www.sfplayhouse.org.
“Becky Nurse of Salem”: Sarah Ruhl’s new play, invoking a feminist take on the Salem witch trials, is getting its world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Details: Through Jan. 26; Berkeley Rep’s Peet’s Theatre, Berkeley; $30-$97; www.berkeleyrep.org.
“Vinegar Tom”: Berkeley is hosting two plays right now featuring an acclaimed playwright’s feminist take on witch trials (see: “Becky Nurse” at Berkeley Rep). This one is by Caryl Churchill and it’s being revived by Shotgun Players. Details: Through Jan. 19; Ashby Stage, Berkeley; $7-$40; www.shotgunplayers.org.
“Shen Yun”: The epic pageant depicting 5,000 years of Chinese culture and history — via scores of dancers and stage performers, a live orchestra and multimedia effects — is back in the Bay Area for its annual winter tour. Details: Dec. 26-29, Jan. 11-12 at SAP Center, San Jose; $80-$220; Dec. 30-Jan. 5 at War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco; $85-$400; www.shenyunperformingarts.org.
Concerts & clubs
Larry Vuckovich: The exalted Bay Area jazz pianist, who has mastered styles ranging from swing to bebop to Afro-Latin and Middle Eastern ethno jazz with equal aplomb, celebrates his 83rd birthday with a show at Yoshi’s in Oakland backed by his All-Star Sextet. Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 26; $23-$49; www.yoshis.com.
Poolside: The SoCal band, which performed at Outside Lands in 2018, brings its upbeat “daytime disco” sound to the Fillmore in San Francisco Dec. 26. Details: 8 p.m.; $29.50; www.apeconcerts.com.
Con Funk Shun: The popular Bay Area funk/R&B/dance band — now in its 45th year — will be serving up hits and tracks from its latest album, “More Than Love,” during a mini-residency at Yoshi’s in Oakland. Details: Six shows between Dec. 27-29; $39-$89; www.yoshis.com.
Trainwreck Riders: The Bay area indie rock band — they name both Meat Puppets and Creedence Clearwater Revival as key influences — headlines at The Independent Dec. 28. Details: 9 p.m.; $13-$15; www.apeconcerts.com.
Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker: Two Bay Area alt-rock bands fronted by David Lowery stage a hometown gig. Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 28; Great American Music Hall, San Francisco; $35-$59.50; www.slimspresents.com.
Dumpstaphunk: The New Orleans jam band welcomes members of the Tower of Power horn section for a night devoted to the music of Tower of Power and Sly and the Family Stone. Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 29; Great American Music Hall, San Francisco; $40-$70; www.slimspresents.com
Charlie Musselwhite: The great blues harmonica player performs with DJ Harry Duncan at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage Coffee House. Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 27-28; $20-$40; www.thefreight.org.
Vienna Teng: The folk/chamber, pop singer-songwriter and pianist — and Saratoga native — headlines two nights at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 29-30 (with Noe Venable Dec. 29, with Alex Wong Dec. 30); $19-$38; www.thefreight.org.
Comedy, etc.
“The Big Fat Year End Kiss Off Comedy Show XXVII”: Famed Bay Area political humorist Will Durst is recovering from a stroke he suffered earlier this year, but the rest of the “merry band of pranksters” who perform in this annual touring show are carrying on the tradition. These include Will’s wife, Debi Durst, Michael Bossier, Johnny Steele, Mari Magaloni, Arthur Gaus and special guests. Details: Dec. 27-Jan. 5 in Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Alameda, Half Moon Bay, San Jose (two shows on New Year’s Eve), Mill Valley, Pleasant Hill, Healdsburg and San Francisco; $28-$70; willdurst.com.
Big Jay Oakerson: The New York City comedian known for his Comedy Central specials and for hosting “The Most Offensive Podcast on Earth” headlines at San Jose Improv. Details: 5 shows Dec. 27-29; $20-$70; improv.com/sanjose.
Tony Camin: The New York City comedian and TV writer, a Mountain View native, headlines at Rooster T. Feathers comedy club in Sunnyvale. Details: Four shows Dec. 27-29; $17-$24; www.roostertfeathers.com.
Hannibal Thompson: The Los Angeles comedian, who performs extensively on the West Coast, headlines at Tommy T’s in Pleasanton. Details: Five shows Dec. 27-29; $20-$30; www.tommyts.com/pleasanton.
Dana Gould: The stand-up comedian and longtime writer for TV’s “The Simpsons” headlines at the Punch Line in San Francisco. Details: Five shows between Dec. 27-29; $25; www.punchlinecomedyclub.com.
Frankie Quinones: The comedian best known for portraying a colorful cast of characters in his routine (including Creeper, a gang banger turned fitness instructor), headlines at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco. Details: Five shows Dec. 27-29; $25-$40; www.cobbscomedy.com.
Comedy on the Square Family Magic Show: There’s a little bit of everything in this 90-minute show, from card tricks, magic and sleight of hand to juggling, comedy and silly pranks, featuring performers Eric the Great, Jonathan Strange, and Chase the entertainer. Details: 2:30 p.m. Dec. 28-29; Shelton Theatre, San Francisco; $35; www.eventbrite.com.
