Happy Easter and Happy Passover to those tomatoes who celebrate! Spring is definitely blooming as is evidenced by all the achoos and itchy eyes spotted while out and about – so let’s enjoy the beauty of the bay this season and nowhere better than gorgeous Filoli in Woodside, check out what’s going on there. As life returns to a more normal pace, it is so great to be able to tell you about all the theatrical shows being presented, from CAMELOT and FUN HOME to new plays at Berkeley Rep and the Magic Theatre. Let us not forget about those suffering in the Ukraine and we have found a new fundraiser for you. Join me in NYC at The Renewal Summit. Now hop to it Tomatoes and enjoy spring!

April 16 – May 8. Camelot at Sunnyvale Community Theatre

Who doesn’t love the melodic sing along tunes in CAMELOT? “If Ever I would Leave You”, “The Lusty month of May” and of course “Camelot” sung by Julie Andrews who most of us remember as the lovely Guinevere from the iconic movie. Rarely performed, you can now see this production via the Sunnyvale Community Theatre (we have amazing local talent).

Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot is the duo’s fantastical masterpiece which triumphed on Broadway in a legendary original production that led to the film version, and numerous revivals in New York, London and across the globe. An idealistic young King Arthur hopes to create a kingdom built on honor and dignity, embodied by his Knights of The Round Table. His Ideals, however, are tested when his lovely queen, Guinevere, falls in love with the young knight, Lancelot and the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. With a 26-person cast and a 23-piece live orchestra, this show is the perfect springtime outing. Get the details.

April 21-24. Art Market San Francisco

The Bay Area’s premier art fair and is returning after a two-year hiatus. Now going into its tenth edition, Art Market SF will feature eighty-five modern and contemporary art galleries from around the world. You might recognize these Bay Area outfits, Catharine Clark, Pt.2, and Nancy Toomey Fine Art who are returning in style. The art market provides a vibrant atmosphere for collectors and the art-curious to connect with dealers and the works they showcase.

One standout is the fashion installation by Creativity Explored featuring  garments created for and during the recent Mode Brut exhibition at the Museum of Craft and Design, which closed in January 2022. The fashion-focused exhibition showcased outfits and fiber art by disabled Creativity Explored (CE) artists working in partnership with local designers. To prepare for the exhibition, CE invited designers and brands to collaborate on new fashions while centering the experiences and art practices of over fifty neurodiverse artists.

Other events include curated talks, special performances, and more large-scale immersive installations. Fort Mason Festival Pavilion artmarketsf.com

April 21-May 8. Fun Home at Gateway Theater

Oh, the return of live theatre, sometimes without a mask, brings joy to us at The Three Tomatoes. And wow are there offerings for all tastes. FUN HOME, A groundbreaking musical based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic novel comes to the Gateway Theatre as a 42^nd St. Moon production.

Exploring Alison’s life at three different ages, the play delves into her journey of discovering her sexuality, as well as her relationship with a hot-tempered father, with hidden secrets and desires all his own. This production is the Bay Area regional premiere of this five-time Tony Award winning triumph, a refreshingly honest, wholly original story about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. Get the details.

April 20-May 29. Dave Malloy at Berkeley Rep

Over in the East Bay at Berkeley rep Three-time Tony Award nominee Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) makes his Berkeley Rep mainstage debut with his latest award-winning off-Broadway hit, OCTET. Eight internet-obsessed people meet in real life to share their stories and wrestle their demons, using nothing but a pitch pipe and the transcendent quality of their analog, a cappella voices. With witty lyrics, shimmering harmonies, and virtuosic solos, Octet sings of connection, redemption, hope—and how we can be truly present with each other. Get the details.

May 11 – 29. Magic Theatre in Fort Mason

The Magic Theatre – the place that brings us innovative and original theatrical productions and bold new plays introduces Monument, Or Four Sisters (A Sloth Play). The play follows the 4 sisters: Amy studies coral reefs, Constance writes for children’s television, Mac mysteriously left a job she loves, and Lina is MIA.  Add one epic road trip, four talking sloths, and countless hilarious cartoon bombs, and you’ve got Monument, or Four Sisters (A Sloth Play). This world premiere comedy with claws from Sam Chanse asks how to build resilience after unimaginable loss. https://www.magictheatre.org/

May 24 & 25. In a Landscape

Coming up next month, (but purchase tickets now) there will be a remarkable evening at Filoli. In a Landscape is making its Northern California debut. A classical music concert will be live at Filoli, and you can wander the grounds while listening via wireless headphones. Founded in 2016 by classical pianist Hunter Noack, In a Landscape is an outdoor concert series where America’s most stunning landscapes replace the traditional concert hall. A traveling 9 ft Steinway grand piano will be placed on the grounds and creates a memorable experience visiting the gardens while you are immersed in the music. Get the details.

Cook for Ukraine

The people of Ukraine continue to need our help. Now you can “Cook for Ukraine” with Anna Voloshyna. Make cherry dumplings not war in this virtual cooking club led by Ukrainian chef Anna Voloshyna, a Kyiv to Bay Area transplant whose family is still sheltered in Ukraine. This chef is inspired to do everything she can to support her people. With your donation, you’ll get access to her recipe, shopping list, and recorded class to make these dark cherry dumplings called varenyky. One hundred percent of your donation will go to UNICEF for relief in Ukraine. Learn more at food-la-la.com.