Former showgirl Billie Dawn (Millie Brooks) and her tutor Paul Verrall (Jason Kapoor) get to know one another in Garson Kanin’s classic comedy ‘Born Yesterday,’ at San Francisco Playhouse through March 10.
GARSON KANIN’S “BORN YESTERDAY”: A PERFECTLY TIMED COMEDY DELIGHT AT SAN FRANCISCO PLAYHOUSE. “Born Yesterday.” It was the 1946 Broadway stage hit and the 1950 screen gem that made a star out of Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn, the former showgirl and not-quite-fiancée to Harry Brock, a loutish businessman who has come to Washington to seal some political deals. The rough-edged Harry thinks it’s Billie who needs “polishing,” so while he pursues his unsavory negotiations, he hires a journalist to “smarten her up.” But Billie’s sudden intake of book-learning gives Harry more than he bargained for as it gets her thinking about what her life with Harry is … and what a life without Harry might be. With a smashing Millie Brooks sparkling as the ditzy Billie, this classic fast-paced, wisecrack-filled comedy is as fresh as newly minted and as smart as it can be. Written by Garson Kanin. Directed by Susi Damilano. Two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission. Through March 10.
AN ASIDE: Director Susi Damilano said: “When I read this play, I was immediately struck by how resoundingly its message still rings after 70 years. The timeless story of integrity triumphing over political self-interest feels as relevant as ever — and, I hope, will provide us with an opportunity to reflect on our own human nature.”
TICKETS AND STAGE DIRECTIONS: For tickets (from $25) or information call (415) 677-9596 or visit www.sfplayhouse.org. San Francisco Playhouse is located at 450 Post St., San Francisco, on the second floor of the Kensington Park Hotel, one-half block from Union Square in the heart of Downtown San Francisco.
OH, AND DID YOU KNOW? “Born Yesterday” (the play) premiered on Broadway in 1946, starring Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn. The play was adapted into a successful 1950 film of the same name with Holliday reprising her role and, eventually, winning the Oscar for Best Actress over Gloria Swanson for Sunset Boulevard and Bette Davis and Anne Baxter for All About Eve.
Recommended for you
MORE ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO PLAYHOUSE. Located in the heart of the Union Square Theater District, San Francisco Playhouse is an intimate alternative to the larger, more traditional theater fare. The comfortable second-floor lobby has an attractive bar serving both before performances and during intermissions. San Francisco Playhouse provides audiences the opportunity to experience professional theater with topnotch actors and world-class design in a setting where seats are close to the action.
***
INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL: FREE PREVIEW AT THE SAN FRANCISCO PRESIDIO. Catch a sneak preview of trailers of the 2018 Official Selections of the 15th Anniversary International Ocean Film Festival. Meet the jury members and filmmakers who curate the festival, which offers a unique opportunity to see inspiring ocean-themed independent films from around the world. The festival inspires people to appreciate and care for the ocean by revealing its wonders through independent films. The International Ocean Film Festival Preview, which is free to the public, takes place 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at The Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave., San Francisco. For information call (415) 561-4323. The festival will take place March 8-11, with all screenings at the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center. Visit http://oceanfilmfest.org/ for a complete schedule of screenings and events.
Susan Cohn is a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and the American Theatre Critics Association. She may be reached at susan@smdailyjournal.com.
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO
personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who
make comments. Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Anyone violating these rules will be issued a
warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be
revoked.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.