San Francisco

San Francisco (California). While the city did not join the theatrical ranks until relatively late, it soon became an exciting and major center. Shortly after the 1849 gold rush, eccentric impresarios such as David “Doc” Robinson came to the fore, but they were quickly replaced by more durable figures: Thomas Maguire was a major manager; Mrs. Judah a popular actress. Lawrence Barrett and John McCullough also spent significant portions of their careers there, while David Belasco received his earliest training in the city's playhouses. Among the famous theatres were the raffish Bella Union, the Tivoli Opera House, the Baldwin, and the California. New theatres were quickly built after the 1906 earthquake. Among the important figures and organizations to emerge were Homer Curran, Edwin Lester, and their San Francisco Light Opera Company. After World War II the city saw the rise of the Actor's Workshop and the American Conservatory Theatre as well as numerous interesting Off‐Broadway style groups, including the Magic Theatre, Inc., Eureka Theatre Company, New Conservatory Theatre Center, San Francisco Mime Troupe, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros, the traveling Jewish Theatre, and nearby Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Marin Theatre Company. San Francisco is still an active touring center, with road shows playing in the Orpheum, Golden Gate, and Curran Theatres.