What’s on
Date night for any persuasion: ‘AfterDark’ titillates with talent
The show gives us a distinctly “San Fransexual” flavor, with various couplings and throuplings of all genders featured in the acts.
By Adriana Roberts
The historic Great Star Theater — the only remaining theatre in Chinatown — has recently experienced a post-pandemic revival, bringing a solid series of top-notch cabaret, burlesque, circus, comedy, and variety shows to its stage. Its latest offering, “AfterDark,” is all of these things and more, but with a sexy twist that makes it the perfect date night show, no matter what your persuasion.
There are only four shows left this weekend in this limited run, which is unfortunate, but to be expected with the touring schedules of its international cast, featuring performers from Brazil, Germany, and Venezuela, and headed up Russian World Pole Champion Pink Puma, as well as also showcasing homegrown Bay Area talent, such as local circus star Maggie Powers.
AfterDark lures you in with the promise of it being “provocative, intriguing, daring.” There’s even a warning at the beginning of the show that yes, there will be nudity. So while burlesque-style sexiness is certainly expected, it’s actually the beautiful athleticism of the acrobatic, contortion, circus, and pole dance performances that take the entire production up a notch.
Produced by Vertical.Show, AfterDark has a distinctly “San Fransexual” flavor, with various couplings (and throuplings) of all genders featured in the acts. So no matter what your sexual persuasion, there’s something for everybody. Bisexual three-way but make it pole dance? Check. Male homoerotic acrobatics in a bathtub? Yup. Drag and gender-swap antics? But of course. The sexual tension in the acts only complements the astounding talent on display.
Tying it all together is the The Beautiful Jewels, a Berlin-based sword swallower who has now transplanted herself to San Francisco. She pulls double-duty by also being the show’s emcee, and her charmingly unhinged and flirty dynamic keeps things fun. This is especially true if you’re a recipient of either “cleavage or champagne” if you’re sitting in one of the first six rows, which is part of their “Date Night Package,” priced on Thursday and Sunday at an appropriate $69. Nice.
AfterDark plays through Sunday February 25 at the Great Star Theater in Chinatown. Tickets from $29-$79. https://tickets.greatstartheater.org/events/greatstartheater/1096703
Adriana Roberts is a DJ and performer with her Bootie Mashup parties, as well as a writer and trans influencer.
The Bold Italic is a non-profit media organization that’s brought to you by GrowSF, and we publish first-person perspectives about San Francisco and the Bay Area. Donate to us today.
