Beach Blanket Babylon Explained

Beach Blanket Babylon
Productions:San Francisco 1974–2019
London 1994
Las Vegas 1999

Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon was the world's longest-running musical revue. The show began its run in 1974, at the Savoy Tivoli and later moved to the larger Club Fugazi in the North Beach district of San Francisco.

The show was created by Steve Silver (1944–1995) along with sisters, native San Franciscans, Roberta and Nancy Bleiweiss. The three started on the streets of San Francisco. Nancy was the star of the show, created her characters and wrote all her own dialogue for all her characters for The Valentine Show (which preceded BBB at the Savoy Tivoli) in Beach Blanket Babylon and Beach Blanket Babylon Goes Bananas, Roberta was the show's manager, Associate Director, Promotion and Publicity Director, Box Office Manager (She made the original tickets for the show (that performed at the Savoy Tivoli) on a copy machine, cut them with scissors and sold the tickets for $2.50 from her home, as a make-shift box office. She then took the tickets to the Tivoli and sold tickets at the door before getting ready to also be a performer in the original show), procured sponsors for the original shows, did the accounting and wrote checks and also performed in the original shows at Savoy Tivoli, Olympus, Dance Your Ass Off and Club Fugazi.

The character of Snow White did not appear in the original shows. It wasn't until the two sisters were no longer in the show that the show title changed to Beach Blanket Babylon Goes to the Stars.[1] [2] and continued since 1995 under the direction of his widow, Jo Schuman Silver,[3] with frequent changes and spoofs of pop and political culture. Performers wear disproportionately large hats/wigs and gaudy costumes while performing satirical renditions of popular songs.

On April 17, 2019, Jo Schuman Silver announced to the staff that the show would be closing on New Year's Eve.[4]

Plot summary

The original Beach Blanket Babylon (started in 1974) and Beach Blanket Babylon Goes Bananas (that started in 1975) evolved from the street group that Roberta and Nancy Bleiweiss and Steve Silver performed on the streets of San Francisco during the early 70s when street artists made a living performing.'Beach Blanket Babylon Goes to the Stars' did not start until the late 70s. It follows Snow White as she takes a fast-paced journey around the world in search of her "Prince Charming". Along the way she encounters a large group of figures from popular culture, who together perform satirical songs. Figures lampooned include politicians and political figures from the San Francisco, California and U.S. governments, film and television stars, famous singers and athletes, and others who have been in the news. Also present are long-running characters such as Glinda the Good Witch, Mr. Peanut, Louis XIV, Oprah Winfrey, James Brown, Tina Turner, Carmen Miranda, Elvis Presley, a band of dancing French Poodles, and Snow White's tour guide, a female narrator who takes on several incarnations from an Italian pizza lady to a cowgirl.

Reviews

The show was described as "A constant cascade of showstoppers" by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2010.[5]

Awards and accolades

In 1996, the 600 block of Green Street, between Columbus Avenue and Powell Street, was renamed "Beach Blanket Babylon Boulevard" in honor of Steve Silver.[6] [7]

Final cast

Final production team

Former cast and alumni

Tours

Two tours were produced, in London[42] and Las Vegas, in celebration of Beach Blanket's 20th and 25th anniversaries. The show also has a smaller touring cast that caters primarily to corporate events and parties around the world.[43]

London:

Las Vegas:

Beach Blanket Babylon, London, Restaurant

Named after the show, however not to be confused with the unrelated Beach Blanket Babylon, a London restaurant with branches in Notting Hill and Shoreditch.[44] [45] [46] [47]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Steve Silver, 51, Creator of Revue That Captivated San Francisco. 14 June 1995. The New York Times. 27 December 2016.
  2. Web site: Steve Silver; was an artist and a Producer. 'Beach Blanket Babylon' Revue. Times. Staff. Wire. Reports. 16 June 1995. 27 December 2016. LA Times.
  3. Web site: Hats off to Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon - San Francisco History - Guidelines Newsletter . sfcityguides.org. 27 December 2016.
  4. Web site: Janiak . Lily . SF treasure 'Beach Blanket Babylon' to close after 45 years . Datebook . April 17, 2019.
  5. Web site: Hats off to 'Babylon' for steady musical laughs. April 29, 2010. Robert Hurwitt. The San Francisco Chronicle.
  6. "Resolution commending Steve Silver's work and philanthropy and urging the Mayor to urge the Directors of Parking and Traffic and Public Works to designate all of the 600 block of Green Street as 'Beach Blanket Babylon Boulevard'." City of San Francisco Resolution #1089-95, December 18, 1995, File 75–95–1.1. Journal of proceedings, the minutes of the Board of Supervisors, City and County of San Francisco, Sep.–Dec 1995, p. 897.
  7. News: Hats off to 'Beach Blanket Babylon' . San Francisco Examiner . June 1, 2014 . December 28, 2017 . Rowe, Georgia.
  8. Web site: Babylon At Cypress Lawn - Cypress Lawn Heritage Foundation. 4 August 2015. cypresslawnheritagefoundation.org. 27 December 2016.
  9. Web site: 'Beach Blanket Babylon' stays true to its roots. Jo Schuman Silver sees to that. 2004-05-31. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  10. Web site: Lillian Schuman. 1996-06-18. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  11. Web site: Lilli Ann plans to close ladies' garment factory. 1995-04-14. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  12. Web site: Bay Area Group To Buy Lilli Ann / Troubled clothing maker will keep business going. 1995-07-11. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  13. Web site: City aiding search for garment shop buyer. 1995-05-10. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  14. Web site: S.F. Taken to the Cleaners in Big Garment Firm Bailout. 2000-07-05. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  15. Web site: REJUVENATED CLASSICS NOT FOR THE TRENDY. 1996-03-07. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  16. Web site: Michael Benbrook – 'Beach Blanket' drag performer. August 7, 2003. Steven Winn. The San Francisco Chronicle.
  17. Web site: Nancy Bleiweiss' Post-'Beach' Travels. August 1, 1999. Jesse Hamlin. The San Francisco Chronicle.
  18. Web site: Lowell Alumni Newsletter Fall 2008. Issuu.
  19. Lowell Alumni Association, Fall 2008: "Roberta Bleiweiss, Class of 1965 — Inducted 1992 Always described as a Renaissance woman, Roberta began producing and creating shows while attending San Francisco public schools. One of the original collaborators of Beach Blanket Babylon, she also marketed, managed, directed, and performed in the original hit shows. Other film, theatrical, and event credits include Indiana Jones, Tucker, Penn and Teller, Smuin Ballets/SF, Dame Edna, The Fantasticks, and countless others. Roberta revitalized the LAA, served as president from 1982–1987, and is a current member of the board of directors. Educator and head of student government, activities, GATE, and Visual and Performing Arts at San Francisco’s Wallenberg High School."
  20. Web site: Call it the big fad by the Bay. Shawn. Hubler. 9 May 2004. 27 December 2016. LA Times.
  21. Web site: Val Diamond rolls with 'Beach Blanket' changes. December 30, 2008. Edward Guthmann. The San Francisco Chronicle.
  22. Web site: 'Beach Blanket' blows away royal couple. 2005-11-07. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  23. Web site: Ed Goldfarb Resumé. 19 June 2019. edgoldfarbmusic.com.
  24. Web site: PROFILE / Alan Greenspan / The headliner / Alan Greenspan creates showstopping toppers for 'Beach Blanket Babylon'. February 2002. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  25. Web site: 'BABYLON'S MADCAP HATTER. 2004-05-30. sfgate.com. 27 December 2016.
  26. Web site: Beach Blanket Babylon. theatermania.com. 26 July 2009 . 27 December 2016.
  27. Web site: Mouse Couture Sketch by Alan Greenspan for Beach Blanket Babylon - 1stdibs.com. 1stdibs.com. 27 December 2016.
  28. Web site: Talkin' Broadway Regional News & Reviews: San Francisco - "Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon" - 3/23/06. www.talkinbroadway.com.
  29. Web site: At 21, This Show Must Be Doing Something Right. 6 August 1995. The New York Times. 27 December 2016.
  30. Web site: Hats Off to Beach Blanket - Theatre Bay Area. theatrebayarea.org. 27 December 2016.
  31. Web site: "Babylon in San Francisco: Beach Blanket Babylon Is One of the Longest-Running Attractions of the City by the Bay. but Is It Gay? Well, Thereon Hangs a Tale" by Levy, Dan - The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine), June 22, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20161227195655/https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-119441807/babylon-in-san-francisco-beach-blanket-babylon-is. dead. December 27, 2016.
  32. Web site: Beach Blanket Babylon - Oct 2016 - March 2017 show program. issuu.com. 27 December 2016.
  33. Web site: Chris March's gown fit for a prom queen. January 13, 2008. Sylvia Rubin. The San Francisco Chronicle.
  34. Web site: Armistead Maupin – Curios. armisteadmaupin.com. 27 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20110707163025/http://www.armisteadmaupin.com/Curios.html. 7 July 2011. dead.
  35. Web site: Skye Bio. skyemiles.com. 27 December 2016.
  36. Web site: Photo Flash: Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon. BWW News Desk. broadwayworld.com. 27 December 2016.
  37. Web site: Robin Murray's Obituary on San Francisco Chronicle. legacy.com. 27 December 2016.
  38. Web site: Ledisi's voice is so big, it works without a deal. July 7, 2002. Joshunda Sanders. The San Francisco Chronicle.
  39. Web site: 14 July 1997. All You Need Is L'Amour: Beatles Show Developing In Paris. 2020-10-27. Playbill.
  40. Web site: 2020-10-23. Jen's Foam Wig Project - The Adam Savage Project - 10/22/20. 2020-11-26. TestedS.
  41. Web site: Ferriss. Tim. 2019-05-08. The Tim Ferriss Show Transcripts: Adam Savage (#370). 2020-11-26. The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss.
  42. Web site: History. beachblanketbabylon.com. 1 June 2023.
  43. Book: Lynn, Janet. Beach Blanket Babylon: A Hats-Off Tribute to San Francisco's Most Extraordinary Musical Revue. 1 June 1997. Chronicle Books. 0811816990.
  44. Web site: Entrepreneur Fights Back. prnewslink.net. 27 December 2016.
  45. Web site: Father and son banned for a combined eight and a half years - Press releases - GOV.UK. www.gov.uk. 27 December 2016.
  46. Web site: Robert Newmark: King of Clubs -. 6 December 2010. thelondonword.com. 27 December 2016.
  47. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/2207/London%2520Gazette%2520April%25202013.pdf{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

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