Reactions: Wow. So fun. So San Francisco!
Where to watch: Club Fugazi

Dear San Francisco is a cabaret-style acrobatic and circus show. It’s the “replacement show” for Beach Blanket Babylon. I’ll admit I wasn’t so sure about it from watching the sparse videos online. But I’m so glad I gave it a chance.

Right from the start, one of the female performers opens with a spoken word performance that evokes the enduring heart and culture of the city. Yeah, so, that moved me to tears instantly. Then the amazing acrobatics start.

While it’s not at the same level of Cirque du Soleil, the performers are every bit as talented (and some are former Cirque folks). They’re mostly constrained by the size of the stage and theater. But let me tell you, they use every inch of space available to perform some amazing and gasp-eliciting feats.

There’s one especially endearing part of the show. Before things get started, they encourage you to write a love letter to San Francisco on postcards that they hand out. Later in the show they read a few of them out loud. And wow. People shared some really special stories and memories of this city.

Every single performer is remarkable and they are all so committed to the art and stories they unfold on the stage for us. I believe it was Ellie Rossi who opened with the speech that made me cry. Zoe Schubert was just adorable and full of energy.

It’s hard to comment on the male performers without lusting after them. You see, I’ve had a thing for gymnasts for a long long time, probably ever since my parents told me as a tumbling-obsessed-child that I would grow up to be too tall to ever be a gymnast. Sad face. Also, Leonad Meylan certainly proves them wrong. That tall drink of water flew through the air with the best of them. It was nice having a Bay Area local represent in Dominic Cruz. And Ben Huey has star power. That guy sings, dances, flips, floats, leaps, swings, and plays guitar (and probably other instruments too!). But my favorite was Nathan Sterchi who seemed to be living every character and story he performed so fully. When he and Ben swung from the bar together and had an intimate embrace, fucking wow. Yeah, that was some a powerful chemistry.

Simply put: This show is fantastic. As the name suggests it’s an ode to San Francisco. As someone who considers myself a San Franciscan now (I’ve been here for 25 years), I think it does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of my city while adding to that rich, cultural essence at the same time.

I highly recommend you go see this show if you’re in SF.