Emperor Norton the Musical Memorializes San Francisco's Most Beloved Eccentric
The Shelton Theater (San Francisco, CA)
Rated 3.0 by 45 members who went.
In this rollicking, laugh-filled musical, Third Child Productions tells the story of Joshua Norton who, in 1859, went a little off the deep end--but charmingly so--and announced himself as Emperor of the United States. In San Francisco, a city of the rebellious and the ferociously independent, Norton became a beloved fixture and an unofficial mascot.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
* Additional fees apply.
Currently at The Shelton Theater:
- Full Price:
- $20.00
- Our Price:
- FREE - $10.00
Featured on KRON-TV and KCBS radio, the award-winning Big City Improv performs improv comedy in the style of TV's Whose Line Is It Anyway?. They were voted "Best of the Bay" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Learn More
4 Member Reviews
1
2
11178
-
- Goldstar Member
-
Goldstar Member
Member since 2004
1 Reviews
-
A unique show about a real unique person. The best thing about the show was learning about Emperor Norton and his exploits. Most of the cast worked well, but there were a few who were weak. The music ranges from average to slightly above, but there is nothing awful, and again, most of the cast does a good job, especialy the women and the dogs! I am not sorry I took my family, as there was some good discussion that followed about the nature of insanity, but if you are looking for a Broadway-level musical, this might disappoint.
-
-
- Gail N.
-
Gail N.
Member since 2006
9 Reviews
-
Silly, funky and fun - don't miss it.
-
-
- Goldstar Member
-
Goldstar Member
Member since 2005
3 Reviews
-
A truly fun romp through San Francisco history with Emperor Norton and other colorful characters from the period. (The dogs nearly stole the show!) Wonderful costumes and sets, great actors, and some stellar voices (particularly those of Lazarus the dog and Soapy the newsboy.) I'm telling my friends about this one!
-
Tell me when new reviews are added. [Remove]Tell me when new reviews are added.
Reviews are sorted first by profile photo (reviewers with profile photos are displayed first), second by the total number of kudos the review has received (the more kudos, the earlier the review appears), third by date written (newer reviews appear before older reviews).
More Details About Emperor Norton the Musical
Quotes & Highlights
- The show that inspired a “Farley” cartoon by SF Chronicle’s Phil Frank!
More Information
Website: http://emperornortonthemusical.com
Joshua Norton, self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States, returns to San Francisco and takes up Imperial residence at the Shelton Theater off Union Square.
Emperor Norton, the Musical generated rave reviews during its six-week sold-out run at The Dark Room Theater in early 2006 and was a hit at the 2006 San Francisco Theater Festival.
Now! More singing! More dancing! More Pretty Waiter Girls! More Dogs! Expanded and revamped, with additional songs and a dynamic mix of new and returning cast members, Emperor Norton, the Musical remains a rollicking, hilarious tribute to San Francisco, its eccentric characters and the man who refused to let it be called “Frisco”!
Based on a true story, businessman Joshua Norton lost a fortune, went mad and proclaimed himself "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico" in post-Gold Rush San Francisco. Thanks to the free-wheeling spirit of the Barbary Coast, Emperor Norton went on to print his own money, conceive the Bay Bridge, propose to the Queen of England, befriend Mark Twain, consort with famed performers Lola Montez and Lotta Crabtree, and become the most beloved San Franciscan of the 19th Century.
