The Strand Theater

We’ve been subscribers to ACT for over ten years and love the Geary Theater. This theater, The Strand, is fine but the location is absolutely awful. We have been to three matinée and two evening performances at The Strand. If you arrive right before the show, they allow you in the back entrance and I assume they have cleaned the streets from the Parking Garage to the theater, because on the matinée days we have arrived early — and the difference is profound.
On our walk from the garage to Market St., the smell of urine was overwhelming, there were piles of feces in the street and on the sidewalk, puddles of vomit and many used syringes. This past Sunday, as we returned to our car after getting a cup of coffee after the show, we passed some people behind the theater shooting up. In broad daylight.
The only bad thing I can say about the theater itself is that the seats are not bolted down and one time, when I stood and leaned against my seat to let another patron pass, the seats fell backwards along with me. Fortunately, no one had yet sat down in the three seats behind me because they could have been hurt. Luckily, I wasn’t — just embarrassed and a little stiff the next day.
The shows we’ve seen in this theater have all been great but the disquieting experiences before entering and after leaving this theater have convinced me that I will not be going to the Strand again for a year or two, until they clean up the area.

My friend and I came here to see rocky horror last weekend. They did a fabulous job on that play. We both had a wonderful time. I would go see it again. The theater served snacks and drinks and allowed us to take our drinks to our seats which was a plus. The theatre itself was rather small but we could see the stage just fine and we were in the top level. It was a fun time.

My husband and I LOVED The Rocky Horror Picture Show! The comedy, while quite risqué, was side-​splitting hysterical. We adored the cast, set design, music and cabaret seating. The performers were outstanding and professional. We are world travelers, and this production could have easily been on Broadway or London stages. The Strand DOES have extremely comfortable seating with lots of legroom when presenting more traditional plays. By the way, we are not related to anyone in the performance, and we have no ulterior motive to give such rave reviews except to alert people to this gem of a production.

Tall people: there is leg room! I was amazed, I sat down in my seat and there was more than two inches from my knees to the seats ahead of me. Not once during the performance did I bump the seat in front of me trying to shift, or lose circulation in my legs because of some crazy angle I had to be in to fit. It is so rare for me to find a theater with legroom that this is a BIG thing for me.
The seats are comfortable, 90 minute show with no intermission and I was as find when it ended as I was when I sat down. I’m not a huge person but space is an issue and neither my wife or the person to my other side seemed crowded, I know I wasn’t. It’s a small theater and I suspect there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.
I like the shiny but relaxed feel of the place. A doorman to let you in, small café with some seats and tables for people to relax before the show. Friendly staff.
I came to this theater because of the show but from now on I’m going to be watching their schedule specifically because I loved the ambiance.

I was told today by the nice A.C.T. Strand theatre box office representative the next play running, «The Unfortunates» will have «two, solid weeks of Preview Nights.» WTF? Is there any other theatre on Earth with two solid weeks of preview nights? I’m a suspicious person. What could the A.C.T. Strand be trying to gain by calling the first two, solid weeks of a show «Preview Nights?» Maybe their actors need two extra weeks to get it right before opening night. Ha! (I’m sorry actors.)
I didn’t question the Strand representative about this matter today but I will when next I am there.

We saw Monstress here last night and enjoyed the show. The theater is modern, clean, and welcoming. The décor is very IKEA-​esque, but the staff was very friendly from doorman to bartender. Our seats near the «symphony» were great. Bathrooms were spotless.
The only negatives to the experience were getting there and back, (enduring the hellacious piss smell of Civic Center BART), and being hassled by drunks immediately outside the theater. Also the prices are a tad steep, ($ 25 for two Bulleit shots and a water), and the seats are a bit rough. For the price of a seat it should be at least as comfortable as a movie theater.
It is a cozy, clean theater and I would definitely return.

This theater marginalizes disable people! I saw a play there and they took my walker away from me forcing me to stay in my seat until they brought my walker back to me. Don’t patronize this place until they change their policy!

Great space; great addition to the mid-​Market world.

I have yet to see an honest-​to-​God show in here, but having lived in this neighborhood for nearly fifteen years now, I can truly say I am thrilled the Strand exists right where it does on Market Street. Surrounded by dollar stores, an excavated site and a virtual who’s who of drug-​addled derelicts, its brilliant red hue stands like a beacon on an otherwise forlorn block. It stands proudly against the massive Federal building as if to say the arts are here to stay no matter what cutbacks are being implemented in that big cold glass structure. I remember when I first moved to SoMa how the Strand was on its last legs as a porn palace. But $ 35 million later, look at it now with the big LED screen visible from the sidewalk. I’m hoping it will become as dynamically visual as Philadelphia’s Comcast Experience Video Wall (review:
).
Jamie W. and I took advantage of the free walkthrough that A.C.T. provided in June. The centerpiece is the 283-​seat theater, compact by most standards but the seating is more humanely spacious than older theaters like the Curran or the Orpheum where knees and shoulders become paralyzed (photo:
). I assume «Wicked» won’t be playing here anytime soon but a two-​person Sam Shepard play? Sure. Upstairs is a 140-​seat event and performance space for what I imagine will be more avant-​garde productions (photo:
). There’s quite a view of the UN Plaza if there was honestly anything decent to see. I’m actually hopeful they bring back silent film classics to show as that was the original intent. Regardless, it’s a welcome sight that will hopefully stem the urban blight in the neighborhood.

The Strand just opened up not too long ago. I like the manager here, he’s quite friendly and nice. The mocha here is great and it allows me to get my caffeine fix when I can’t make it all the way to Philz Coffee. Some of the shows they have advertised seems very enticing, I might check it out eventually. For the most part I enjoy the staff and service level from the café, oh and you must try the zucchini bread, its amazing. You can ask them to heat it up for you, so yummy. Oh and the hot chocolate is made with ghiradelli chocolate.

Went in tonight to see Caryl Churchill’s «Love and Information». I honestly loved it. I don’t want to spoil it in anyway but it talks humanity, its funny and waxing philosophical. I’m giving it a solid ⁴⁄₅ because of its worth as a good social commentary and the environment which is exciting, hospitable and reflection stimulating. It helps you walk through some of the harder things in life while still leaving some room for your own interpretation, welcome to the waltz between individual and social. This is communication from the third. Enjoy being the watchers. :)

A lovely theater that looks modern and well equipped. The café in the lobby has reasonable prices and decent stuff. The seats were good quality but I did find myself a little uncomfortable after 90 minutes of sitting in the seat.
The bathrooms were lovely and clean.

For years now I’ve heard ACT talk about how they’re so excited to open The Strand Theater. They’ve gone on and on about the great history of the building and preserving the history while making it new, exciting, and innovative. Well, ACT, I just saw Love and Information, and I couldn’t be more disappointed.
I love ACT. My family’s been subscribers for 40 years straight, and I see literally every regular season play. So I wanted The Strand to be awesome, something great, something beautiful. The Strand is none of those things. It’s exposed concrete along with plain white paint. It looks like the cleanest bus station I’ve ever been in. The floor looks like something they recycled from the worst part of the 70s. Even the letters that spell «STRAND» above the café — I love that they’re the restored originals — but in that environment they look like something purchased at IKEA. It doesn’t work. They threw out the best parts of a historic theater, and added none of the best parts of a modern space.
There are design issues beyond esthetics. The central lobby, box office, and café are all the same room. There’s nowhere to mill around and the eight or so seats aren’t enough sitting space. Getting there before a show requires either buying something from the café or standing around awkwardly like you’re at a party and don’t know anyone.
The theater space was small, intimate, and much more attractive than the lobby (though, again, not a trace of the historic building remains). The only problem is, unfortunately, a huge one: the seats all face directly forward instead of curving to face the stage. Sitting straight in my seat, 3 in from the aisle, meant the stage was in my peripheral vision. By the end of the first act my neck and back hurt from turning so I could see the play. Why is this? I can only assume no one in the design process actually considered the public. And, honestly, it feels like no one involved in the creation of The Strand considered much of anything.
I truly hope the plays are good (the actors, set design, and organization in Love and Information were great, for what that’s worth!), because the lobby is lifeless, unfeeling, and uninspired, and the theater itself is actually physically painful. It hurts me so much to say this ACT, but you let us down.

Time: 10:17am/64°F partly sunny
Purpose: Place listed as new, I had media permit on dash happen to be going down Market Street. Parking never an issue with me. Thought I was at the wrong place, more like a box office. Double check, its the right place.
Ambiance: From the outside looking in you wouldn’t expect a café here. Starts with eight tables two seats each located to the right side upon entry. Utensils/​condiments set up against wall. Small 24′-inch flatscreen playing documentary programing continuously. L-​shape counter with LaMarzocco two chamber espresso machine, two grinders, dome covered small eats, encase menu, sample plates (for display purpose only) more for introduction. Behind counter mini beverage fridge, shelf, bag beans, silver wares, glasses, tumblers, mugs, plates etc. Simple business necessities as space is limited due to building compliance. You can have small chats here as street noise will mask some of it.
Staff: Two workers guy and girl can be owners too, not sure didn’t ask. Warm and welcoming knows their offerings when ask. The ponytail blonde girl was informative about small dishes. I didn’t want any, but would return to check it out.
Cleanliness: Grade A, immaculate no complaints. Clean as a whistle everything store away neatly. Again as with all new places some, you can say safely. Here I can say it’ll be like this for some time to come.
Eats/​Drinks: Fig scone $ 4 and latte $ 4. Scone was just ok kinda bland, but had embedded fig. Real scone has that buttery flaky crust. I like the exterior as it was easy to break apart, just lacking in taste with overpowering baking soda. Latte was surprisedly good. I just added a little sugar stir and taste. No need to go any further perfect cup. Since I’m good to go, I took it across street to OTG UN Plaza ate it there before taking off.
Main Features: Charcuterie plate, seasonal meat quiche, Starter baked goods.
Products/​Services: Iced tea, hot chocolate, scones, zucchini bread, almond blondie, chocolate/​short bread cookie, meat/​veggie quiche, pretzel, hummus+pita, charcuterie plate, cheese plate. Coffee by Artìs, tea by Numi, pastries by Starter Bakery, assorted bottle soda/​water.
Punch Lines: Plain décor, minimal seats, easy night out, laid back, calm vibe, light bites, zippy service, lively atmosphere, friendly, knowledgeable, can’t go wrong, nothing out of the ordinary, casual, interesting takes, kept its standards, itty-​bitty, theater box office, no near by parking.
Tradeoffs: Offers premium coffee in a theater setting. Great for before and after showings without leaving the place itself. Not sure if you can bring food the shows.
Final Thoughts: Market street is flooded with new cafes popping up weekly. Pretty soon cafes will and condos will reign the SOMA. Not saying that its bad or good. It just means area is gentrified adding more jobs and places to live. I see it as no different from other cafes just located on the lobby of theater. Cool place nothing wrong with it. There wasn’t anyone in there the whole time I was there. Coincidence? Not sure however, heard them talking about an event for later in the evening. May be soft opening or RSVP event? What ever it is, I won’t know and didn’t ask. Will need to read others review that went tonight.

Prithee follow the Strand of mine review
To yon café within revue venue.
Ok, I’ll stop. But hey, it’s a café within a theater so Elizabethan language seems meet.
Whenever I work or play late near Civic Center, I’m often frustrated — nay, vexed! — that nearby purveyors of quality coffee close quite quickly. To wit, Blue Bottle, Sightglass, Equator close near 7 of the clock. Jackanapes, all!
That’s why I’ve been looking forward to the opening of the Strand Café. One might say I was holding on to a Strand of hope. Since it serves the theatre-​going crowd, belike it remains open in spite of night. Alas, yon new café keepeth hours like unto ye olde cafes. Really, I’ll stop anon.
I was told they’re open 8am to 3pm normally (edit: they reopen at 6:30 for showings but without espresso drinks), including today’s soft opening. Forgive me, I lose mine Strand of thought in a draught of bitter yet rich and only slightly acidic disappointment.
Regardless, I fain commend this shoppe to mine fellows. Hie thee hither, fair coz!
In sooth, the brew on offer competes well with that of established merchants. Mind thee, I’m a coffee lover, but not an expert. So should thine palate prove more discerning than mine own: Get thee to a roastery!
The pleasant manner, friendly habitude, and comely demeanor of the shop’s assistants urge further patronage. I was greeted courteously and bid fond farewell ere I repaired home. And in between was treated with respect despite mine usual slovenly attire. Mine own cappuccino was poured by a seasoned clerk but mayhaps you’ll be served by one of the trainees. If so, be kind, sirrah.

What a beautiful renovation and restoration to this old theater. The American Conservatory Theater and design team, Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill LLP (SOM), has done an exceptional job with the space.
This building has been central Market street since 1917. I am glad this area is getting cleaned up. The Strand in the 1980’s and 1990’s was smelly, nasty and showed double and triple showings of obscure films for under $ 5.00. The Rocky Horror Picture Show screened at midnight.
The new space now that A.C.T has bought the building includes the main 283-​seat theater, a café, The Rueff which is located a level about the main theater. It is a 1,500-square-foot space that seats 140 people. It has views of San Francisco’s City Hall and will be used for special events, education programs and performances. I look forward to attending many more plays here.

An intimate, beautiful theater in an old building with a very new face.
I saw Love and Information here as a part of ACT’s debut performance in the new theater. The play’s topic was a fusion of people, technology, and how the two interact — a perfectly designed opener for this space.
The theater itself is much more intimate than the larger Geary, with straight away seating and relatively few rows. A large screen behind the stage involved crisp projection, and cameras above the stage even had alternate shots which were used in some parts of the performance. It was unclear how representative this multimedia approach would be of future shows, but it fit perfectly here and would have been hard to imagine outside the Strand.
The building is less opulent and more modern. The lobby is a large open area with the box office and bar integrated into the room. The bar seemed a little less nice than the Geary’s, but it’s not like nearby options are lacking. If recent trends are any indication, the number of upscale wine bars and trendy bistros nearby will only grow as the area continues its makeover.
The Strand is a worthy addition to ACTs theaters and I look forward to returning for the upcoming season!