Hillbarn Theatre

About the Theatre

Since 1941, the historic Hillbarn Theatre has served the San Francisco Bay Area by embracing this founding ideal: To create theatre with the community, for the community. We fulfill our mission by striving to do the following: Bring artists and audience together as part of our intimate Hillbarn family to experience engaging and inspiring theatrical productions. Select program themes that entertain, explore the joys and sorrows of our common human experience, and celebrate our diversity. Enhance and enliven the arts and entertainment culture of our community. Offer amateur performers and technicians a venue and direction by trained professionals to achieve personal and artistic growth. Through the Conservatory at Hillbarn Theatre, provide enriching and lasting educational opportunities for young and aspiring artists.

FeaturedGutenberg! The Musical!

Oct 8 – Nov 1, 2026

Thursday Preview Performance @ 8pm, Fridays @ 8pm, Saturdays @ 2pm and 8pm, Sundays @ 8pm

School of Rock

Nov 19 – Dec 20, 2026

Hillbarn Theatre presents the holiday season production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock. Based on the beloved film, the musical follows aspiring rock star Dewey Finn as he inspires a group of prep-school students to form a rock band. With lyrics by Glenn Slater and a...

The Legend of Robin Hood

Jan 21 – Feb 14, 2027

Hillbarn Theatre proudly presents the world premiere of The Legend of Robin Hood , a thrilling new adaptation by Bay Area playwright and actor Max Tachis. This fresh retelling breathes new life into the timeless story of the legendary outlaw who steals from the rich to help the...

Good Night, Oscar

Mar 4 – Mar 28, 2027

Set during a single unforgettable night of live television in 1958, Good Night, Oscar shines a spotlight on the brilliant and complicated entertainer Oscar Levant. Written by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Doug Wright, the play centers on Levant's legendary appearance on The...

Hello, Dolly!

Apr 15 – May 9, 2027

Bursting with unforgettable songs and irresistible charm, Hello, Dolly! brings Hillbarn Theatre’s Season 86 to a dazzling close. This beloved Broadway classic follows the irrepressible Dolly Gallagher Levi, a matchmaker with a gift for bringing people—and entire...

Review: AFRICAN STEW at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre

by Steve Murray · September 13, 2026

What did our critic think of AFRICAN STEW at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre?…

Review: CRUSHING at A.C.T. Strand

by Steve Murray · September 11, 2026

Stories of romantic love are delivered by a variety of interdisciplinary artists in the second Bay Area incarnation of Crushing, and it’s a winner for the art of spoken word. The featured writers span genders, ages and viewpoints and you never know what’s coming next.…

Review: THE COOK at Berkeley Rep

by Steve Murray · September 10, 2026

A love of food sustains houseworker Gladys over a forty-year arc that coincides with the social, economic and political changes wrought by the Cuban revolution of 1959 in Eduardo Machado’s The Cook, opening Berkeley Rep’s 59th season.  In Tanya Orellana’s superbly appointed and functional kit…

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Gets a Spectacular New Life at Broadway San Jose

by Linda Hodges · September 9, 2026

Review of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Broadway San Jose, where dazzling stagecraft, spectacular choreography and standout performances make the new touring production a theatrical feast.…

Review: VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE at Masquers Playhouse

by Kelly Rogers Flynt · September 5, 2026

VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE is a delightful romp with equal measures of nostalgia and hope for the future. With rapid-fire dialogue and pitch-perfect timing, the cast bring the script by Christopher Durang to life. …

Review: THE WHITE CHIP at Marin Theatre

by Steve Murray · September 3, 2026

 Marin Theatre opens its 60th season with a bang – a sobering dark comedy from director, writer and former California Shakespeare Theatre Associate Artistic Director Sean Daniels. Chronicling the dark ride of self-delusion into alcoholism, Daniels’ semiautobiographical story is beautifully exec…

Review: THE WHITE CHIP at Marin Theatre

by Steve Murray · September 2, 2026

Marin Theatre opens its 60th season with a bang – a sobering dark comedy from director, writer and former California Shakespeare Theatre Associate Artistic Director Sean Daniels. Chronicling the dark ride of self-delusion into alcoholism, Daniels’ semiautobiographical story is beautifully execut…

Review: RUMORS at Woodminster Summer Musicals

by Kelly Rogers Flynt · August 31, 2026

RUMORS at Woodminster Summer Musicals is full of laughs and gaffs, and is a jolly good time. Set in a posh New York townhouse, RUMORS is Neil Simon’s only full length farce. From half truths to utter nonsense and mistaken identities to outright charades, this production will ensnare you in a strea…

Review: PICKLEBALL at Hillbarn Theatre

by AJ Jaffari · August 24, 2026

Pickleball at Hillbarn Theatre, written by Jeff Daniels, takes one of the country’s fastest-growing sports and serves it up as an unabashedly silly comedy filled with eccentric players, romantic entanglements, and plenty of physical humor. …

Review: FALLEN ANGELS at Altarena Playhouse

by Kelly Rogers Flynt · August 22, 2026

Altarena Playhouse brings Noël Coward’s FALLEN ANGELS to life with wit and charm. When the sardonic writing of a genius playwright meets the witty interpretation of a theater, it produces a night full of laughs and insights. …

FeaturedFly By Night

Mar 6 – Mar 23, 2025

Fly By Night is a whimsical and heartfelt musical that weaves together romance, destiny, and the transformative power of love against the backdrop of the 1965 Northeast blackout. This enchanting story follows the intertwined lives of a melancholy sandwich maker, a starry-eyed...

FeaturedDaisy

Jan 23 – Feb 9, 2025

The television commercial that changed American politics ran just once — but once was enough. Daisy by Sean Devine is a compelling and provocative drama that delves into the power of media and the impact of political advertising. Set during the 1964 U.S. presidential campaign...

FeaturedAnastasia

Dec 5 – Dec 29, 2024

Anastasia is a sweeping and enchanting musical that transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the vibrant streets of 1920s Paris. Inspired by the beloved animated film, this dazzling production follows the journey of a brave young woman named Anya, who...

FeaturedWait Until Dark

Oct 17 – Nov 3, 2024

Wait Until Dark is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

Always... Patsy Cline

Aug 22 – Sep 15, 2024

Always… Patsy Cline is a heartfelt and entertaining musical that celebrates the life and music of the legendary country singer Patsy Cline. Based on a true story, this touching production is centered around the unique friendship between Patsy Cline and her devoted fan, Louise...

Once

Mar 21 – Apr 7, 2024

From the very first note, Once draws you in and never lets you go. This emotionally captivating musical is the only show to have music that won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Olivier Award and a Tony Award. On the streets of Dublin, an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant...

The Producers

May 3 – May 27, 2012

What happens when a shifty Broadway producer and a mosey accountant team up to create the worst show in Broadway history? They create a big hit! Max Bialystock, a once great Broadway producer cons Leo Bloom, his accountant, and together they attempts to produce the biggest flop...