Genre
Guest Speaker
Runtime
80 mins.
Doors Open
1hr Before Show
Best known for his unforgettable roles in Monty Python, from Flying Circus to The Meaning of Life, Eric Idle takes the stage with best selling novelist and publisher Dave Eggers to reflect on the meaning of his life. Idle will take us on a remarkable, absurdly funny journey from his childhood spent in a charity boarding school through to his successful career in radio, comedy, television, theater, and film.
A Legend in his own lunchtime, and author of many books, some not half bad, some not even a quarter bad, Eric has finally entered his anecdotage, with the last word in Python memoirs. "Hopefully," says Eric, nothing he is the last of the legendary group to tell his story, live in conversation with Dave Eggers.
Coming of age as a writer and comedian during the sixties and seventies, Eric Idle stumbled into the crossroads of the Cultural Revolution and found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of George Harrison, David Bowie, and Robin Williams, all of whom became lifelong friends. He’ll share his remarkable journey live with the best selling novelist and publisher, Dave Eggers, to make for a unique one-of-a-kind entertaining experience.
With anecdotes sprinkled throughout that involve such close friends and luminaries as Mick Jagger, Steve Martin, Paul Simon, Mike Nichols, and many more—let alone the Pythons themselves—Idle captures a time of tremendous creative output with equal hilarity and heart. In Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, named after the song he wrote for Life of Brian that has since become the number one song played at funerals in the UK, he shares the highlights of his life and career with the offbeat humor that has delighted audiences for five decades.
Tickets are $45-95, and all tickets include an autographed copy of the book.
Experience
Getting Here
View a larger map and get directions
Restaurants
Italian Cuisine
Tratto
501 Geary Street
(415) 292-0101
Tratto is one of the newest additions to our neighborhood and boy, are we happy that they moved in! Known for their relaxed, communal-style dining, Tratto serves up some of the best Italian food within a short walking distance to the theater. Along with its carefully crafted cocktails, the restaurant also offers an extensive wine list that features both local and Italian wines. We recommend trying the fresh, handmade pastas and pizzas--they're both definitely something to write home about!
Show your Curran ticket stub to enjoy the Theater Prix Fixe - a delicious three course dinner for only $32. Or if you'd rather order a la carte, your ticket stub will get you complimentary Italian donuts for a sweet conclusion to your meal.
American Cuisine
Bartlett Hall
242 O'Farrell Street
(415) 433-4332
Searching for a lively spot to rehash the show over some tasty bites and drinks? Only a stone's toss away from the Curran, look no further than Bartlett Hall. Lauded especially for its house-brewed beers and barrel-aged cocktails, this laid-back neighborhood haunt also serves a seasonal-driven menu, which always presents diners with a unique challenge to uphold manners and resist the urge to lick their plates! Wine lovers are in luck, as well: Bartlett Hall offers a wide-range of California-focused wines.
Rejoice! Receive a 20% discount when you present your Curran ticket stub.
American Cuisine
Urban Tavern
333 O’Farrell Street
(415) 923-4400
Featuring a full menu of locally-inspired cuisine, Urban Tavern at the Hilton has the distinctive personality of a metropolitan gastro pub, highlighting 50 wines within 50 miles, Bay Area beers and indigenous spirits (yes please!). Pair your drink of choice with selections from a diverse menu highlighting local seasonal ingredients and house specialties.
Show your Curran ticket stub to get the ‘Theater, Park & Dine package’ – Take 20% off your total bill (including drinks) by showing your ticket on the day you’re seeing a Curran show and receive 5 hours of self parking for $10. (Parking is located in the Hilton San Francisco Union Square parking garage, with the self-parking entrance off Ellis and Mason Streets.)
New American Eatery
The Saratoga
1000 Larkin St.
(415)932-6464
The Saratoga is a two-story cocktail bar and restaurant focused on luxurious comfort food. This Tenderloin hotspot honors the neighborhood's vibrant history while bringing a swanky, but cozy, modern vibe. With their infamous cheeseburger, over 30 inspired cocktails on their list, and 800 unique spirits on their shelves everyone is guaranteed to find just what they're looking for.
Bring your ticket stubs and enjoy one specialty cocktail with the purchase of an entree!
Bar and Lounge
Cityscape San Francisco
333 O’Farrell Street
(415) 923-5002
With a panoramic 360-degree view of San Francisco, there’s no better place to unwind pre or post show. On the 46th floor of the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Cityscape San Francisco is a gem in the sky. Enjoy the romantic view of the city while sipping on specialty signature cocktails and a San Francisco inspired small plate menu. And while you’re basking in the views, show your Curran ticket stub on the day you’re seeing a show to get 20% off your total bill including drinks.
Cocktail Bar
Benjamin Cooper
398 Geary Street
(415) 654-5061
Finding the unmarked entrance to this intimate, speakeasy-style hangout can be a bit of a challenge, (*tip: We find it easiest to access the bar on Mason Street; it is located right next to Ruby Sky on the south side. Follow the stairs up to the bar.) but is worth the effort. Along with serving more traditional drinks, Benjamin Cooper also offers custom crafted cocktails with unique, often unusual ingredients. The staff is delightfully easygoing and will happily explain some of the more complicated-sounding drinks or trade out ingredients.
Wine Bar
Eno
320 Geary Street
(415) 678-5321
With its cozy ambiance, Eno makes wine tasting fun and approachable for newcomers and connoisseurs alike. The bar boasts a remarkably diverse wine list from around the world and offers flights for those who can't decide. For a truly enlightening education on wine, ask for Joel, the head sommelier. Tell him we sent you!
Venue
Seating Map
Accessibility
Seating
Curran offers tickets in strict accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As a historic building that opened in 1922, Curran is unable to provide wheelchair access to the upper levels of the auditorium, therefore a number of accessible seats exceeding the requirement have been set aside in the Orchestra in rows N (on the house left side) and U (on the left and right sides). When the Orchestra is not on-sale in it's typical format, comparable seating is held. You may purchase these tickets online, however if there is any question as to which seats might work best for you, you are encouraged to call us at (415) 358-1220.
Plus-sized patrons may inquire about the location and availability of our swing-arm seats in the orchestra as well as freestanding armless seats in the accessible rows.
Those with mobility devices (canes, crutches, walkers, etc.) will need to check these items with a staff member to comply with local fire code regulations. At the end of the performance, an usher will return the device to the guest, or at intermission upon request.
We strive to accommodate all patrons to the best of our ability. Please try to arrive early if you need help with access so that our staff can be as attentive to you as possible.
Restrooms
As part of our renovation, we have added new restroom facilities. Fully accessible restrooms are located on the lower level of the theater. A lift in the lobby is available for patrons with mobility issues.
Audio Assisted Listening Devices
Devices are available at our boutique in the lobby on a first-come, first-served basis. We ask patrons to leave a state-issued ID or driver’s license as deposit on all devices.
ASL, Open Captioned & Audio Described Performances
Please see show pages for specially scheduled performances or call us at (415) 358-1220.
Cast
Eric Idle
ERIC IDLE is a comedian, actor, author, and singer-songwriter who found immediate fame on television with the sketch-comedy show Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Following its success, the group began making films that include Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979), and The Meaning of Life (1983). Eric wrote, directed, and created The Rutles, the world’s first-ever mockumentary, as well as the Tony Award–winning musical Spamalot (2005). He lives in Los Angeles.
Dave Eggers
Dave Eggers is known for his best-selling memoir, A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius, where he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, founding the literary journal McSweeny’s, and his philanthropic work with 826 Valencia.