For 15 years, the San Francisco Playhouse has welcomed theater lovers to its unique venue for award-winning stage performances. Part of the adventure is the venue itself: The theater is located on the second floor of the historic Kensington Park Hotel on Post Street at Union Square. Evoking a bygone era with palms, glistening wood and twinkling chandeliers, you might think you’ve travel-ported straight into a historic London luxury hotel. The 1925 Gothic structure even has lovely hand-painted ceilings in the lobby. The theater has balcony seating curving above the lower auditorium and an intimate vibe that brings the audience up close with the city’s premier Off-Broadway acting company.

Established in 2003 by Bill English and Susi Damilano, the San Francisco Playhouse now ranks as the most rapidly growing theater company in the Bay Area. Past productions have garnered a multitude of awards and accolades for drama, comedy, experimental and musical productions. Educational programs include workshops such as PlayProjects that help develop community among young actors with guest lectures from area professionals; a play reading series; and the Sandbox Series, designed to develop and promote new works. Coming up: La Cage Aux Folles (July 12–Sept. 16); Zenith (Aug. 15–Sept. 8); Barbecue (Sept. 26–Nov. 11); A Christmas Story: The Musical (Nov. 22–Jan. 13, 2018).

In 2018: Born Yesterday (Jan. 23–March 10); Non-Player Character (Feb. 7–March 3); The Effect (March 20–April 28); An Entomologist’s Love Story (May 8–June 23); In Braunau (June 13–July 7); Sunday in the Park with George (July 5–Sept. 8); and Washed Up on the Potomac (Aug. 9–Sept. 1).