Beach Blanket Babylon

Beach Blanket Babylon

30th Anniversary poster
Productions San Francisco 1974–present
London 1994
Las Vegas 1999

Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon is the world's longest-running musical revue. The show began its run in 1974, at the Savoy Tivoli and has since moved to the larger Club Fugazi in the North Beach district of San Francisco.

The show was created by Steve Silver (1944–1995)[1][2] and continues under the direction of his widow, Jo Schuman Silver,[3] with frequent changes and spoofs of pop and political culture. Performers wear disproportionately large hats/wigs and gaudy costumes while performing satirical renditions of popular songs.

Plot summary

Beach Blanket Babylon follows Snow White as she takes a fast-paced journey around the world in search of her "Prince Charming." Along the way she encounters a large group of figures from popular culture, who together perform satirical songs. Figures lampooned include politicians and political figures from the San Francisco, California and U.S. governments, film and television stars, famous singers and athletes, and others who have been in the news. Also present are long-running characters such as Glinda the Good Witch,[4] Mr. Peanut, Louis XIV, Oprah Winfrey, James Brown, Tina Turner, Carmen Miranda, Elvis Presley, a band of dancing French Poodles, and Snow White's tour guide, a female narrator who takes on several incarnations from an Italian pizza lady to a cowgirl. A song parodying Peggy Lee's "I’m A Woman, W.O.M.A.N." sung by a man in drag as Caitlyn Jenner was added to the show in 2015.[5]

Reviews

The show was described as "A constant cascade of showstoppers" by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2010.[6]

Awards and accolades

The section of Green Street between Columbus Avenue and Powell Street was renamed "Beach Blanket Babylon Boulevard" in 1996, in honor of Steve Silver, the show's creator.[7][8]

Current cast

Christopher Goodwin, in costume as a member of the Beach Blanket Babylon cast, at opening of the Tales of The City musical, 2011
  • Curt Branom
  • Stephen Brennan
  • Kelly Brandeburg
  • Shawna Ferris
  • Jacqui Arslan
  • Renee Lubin
  • Tammy Nelson
  • Doug Magpiong
  • JM Appleby
  • Derek Lux
  • Ellen Toscano
  • Albert Hodge
  • Lauren Howard
  • Misa Malone
  • Malinda DeRouen
  • Kirk Mills
  • Christopher Goodwin
  • Rena Wilson

Current production team

Bronze bust of Steve Silver at Club Fugazi, San Francisco
  • Steve Silver (Creator)[9]
  • Jo Schuman Silver (Producer, Writer)[10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
  • Kenny Mazlow (Director, Writer, Choreographer)
  • John Francis Camajani (Stage Manager)
  • Tom Schueneman (Sound Designer, Audio Engineer)
  • Jayne Serba (Costume Shop Manager, Additional Costume Design/Construction)
  • Mark Reina (Assistant Director, Choreographer)
  • Matthew James (Prop/Hat Construction, Technical Assistant)
  • Bill Keck (Music Director/Conductor, Musical Arrangements)

Former cast and alumni

Tours

Two tours were produced, in London[41] and Las Vegas, in celebration of Beach Blanket's 20th and 25th anniversaries. The show also has a smaller touring cast that caters primarily to corporate events and parties around the world.[42]

London:

Las Vegas:

Beach Blanket Babylon, London, Restaurant

Not to be confused with the unrelated Beach Blanket Babylon, a Notting Hill, London, Restaurant.[43][44][45][46]

References

  1. ↑ "Steve Silver, 51, Creator of Revue That Captivated San Francisco". The New York Times. 14 June 1995. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  2. ↑ Staff, From Times; Reports, Wire (16 June 1995). "Steve Silver; Wrote, Produced 'Beach Blanket Babylon' Revue". Retrieved 27 December 2016 – via LA Times.
  3. ↑ "Hats off to Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon - San Francisco History - Guidelines Newsletter". sfcityguides.org. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Hubler, Shawn (9 May 2004). "Call it the big fad by the Bay". Retrieved 27 December 2016 – via LA Times.
  5. ↑ Barmann, Jay (2015-06-30). "Caitlyn Jenner Number Added To Beach Blanket Babylon". SFist. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  6. ↑ Robert Hurwitt (April 29, 2010). "Hats off to 'Babylon' for steady musical laughs". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  7. ↑ Pursuant to City of San Francisco Resolution #1089-95: Renaming one block of Green Street to Beach Blanket Babylon Boulevard in honor of Steve Silver.
  8. ↑ "Beach Blanket Babylon « San Francisco Citizen". sfcitizen.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  9. ↑ "Babylon At Cypress Lawn - Cypress Lawn Heritage Foundation". cypresslawnheritagefoundation.org. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  10. ↑ "'Beach Blanket Babylon' stays true to its roots. Jo Schuman Silver sees to that". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  11. ↑ "Lillian Schuman". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  12. ↑ "Lilli Ann plans to close ladies' garment factory". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  13. ↑ "Bay Area Group To Buy Lilli Ann / Troubled clothing maker will keep business going". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  14. ↑ "City aiding search for garment shop buyer". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  15. ↑ "S.F. Taken to the Cleaners in Big Garment Firm Bailout". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  16. ↑ "REJUVENATED CLASSICS NOT FOR THE TRENDY". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  17. ↑ Steven Winn (August 7, 2003). "Michael Benbrook – 'Beach Blanket' drag performer". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  18. ↑ Jesse Hamlin (August 1, 1999). "Nancy Bleiweiss' Post-`Beach' Travels". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  19. ↑ https://issuu.com/lowell_alumni_association/docs/laa_fall08/4
  20. ↑ Lowell Alumni Association, Fall 2008: "Roberta Bleiweiss, Class of 1965 — Inducted 1992 Always described as a Renaissance woman, Roberta began producing and creating shows while attending San Francisco public schools. One of the original collaborators of Beach Blanket Babylon, she also marketed, managed, directed, and performed in the original hit shows. Other film, theatrical, and event credits include Indiana Jones, Tucker, Penn and Teller, Smuin Ballets/SF, Dame Edna, The Fantasticks, and countless others. Roberta revitalized the LAA, served as president from 1982–1987, and is a current member of the board of directors. Educator and head of student government, activities, GATE, and Visual and Performing Arts at San Francisco’s Wallenberg High School."
  21. ↑ Edward Guthmann (December 30, 2008). "Val Diamond rolls with 'Beach Blanket' changes". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  22. ↑ "'Beach Blanket' blows away royal couple". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  23. ↑ "Resume « Glenda Glayzer". glendaglayzer.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  24. ↑ "molly ivins’s Videos on Vimeo". vimeo.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  25. ↑ "PROFILE / Alan Greenspan / The headliner / Alan Greenspan creates showstopping toppers for 'Beach Blanket Babylon'". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  26. ↑ "'BABYLON'S MADCAP HATTER". sfgate.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  27. ↑ http://www.siwcostumers.org/newsletterarchive/VirtCostV11-I4-2013/VirtCostV11-I4-2013_33-hatter.pdf
  28. ↑ "Beach Blanket Babylon". theatermania.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  29. ↑ "Mouse Couture Sketch by Alan Greenspan for Beach Blanket Babylon - 1stdibs.com". 1stdibs.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  30. ↑ Steve Silver's Beach Blanket BabylonStill Going Strong- Richard Connema
  31. ↑ "At 21, This Show Must Be Doing Something Right". The New York Times. 6 August 1995. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  32. ↑ "Hats Off to Beach Blanket - Theatre Bay Area". theatrebayarea.org. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  33. ↑ ""Babylon in San Francisco: Beach Blanket Babylon Is One of the Longest-Running Attractions of the City by the Bay. but Is It Gay? Well, Thereon Hangs a Tale" by Levy, Dan - The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine), June 22, 2004 - Online Research Library: Questia". questia.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  34. ↑ "Beach Blanket Babylon - Oct 2016 - March 2017 show program". issuu.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  35. ↑ Sylvia Rubin (January 13, 2008). "Chris March's gown fit for a prom queen". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  36. ↑ "Armistead Maupin – Curios". armisteadmaupin.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  37. ↑ "Skye Bio". skyemiles.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  38. ↑ Desk, BWW News. "Photo Flash: Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  39. ↑ "Robin Murray's Obituary on San Francisco Chronicle". legacy.com. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  40. ↑ Joshunda Sanders (July 7, 2002). "Ledisi's voice is so big, it works without a deal". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  41. ↑ https://beachblanketbabylon.com/static/media/uploads/press/bbb_history.pdf
  42. ↑ Lynn, Janet (1 June 1997). "Beach Blanket Babylon: A Hats-Off Tribute to San Francisco's Most Extraordinary Musical Revue". Chronicle Books. Retrieved 27 December 2016 – via Amazon.
  43. ↑ "Entrepreneur Fights Back". prnewslink.net. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  44. ↑ "Father and son banned for a combined eight and a half years - Press releases - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  45. ↑ "Robert Newmark: King of Clubs -". thelondonword.com. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  46. ↑ https://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/2207/London%2520Gazette%2520April%25202013.pdf
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