Magic Theatre

📍 💰 $$

The Verdict

"A small Fort Mason theater that premieres new American plays. The company has launched works that went on to Broadway. Every seat in the house is close to the stage. Season subscriptions are the best deal. Check for pay-what-you-can preview performances."

What you need to know

Sam Shepard premiered eleven plays at Magic Theatre. So did most of the American playwrights you studied in college but can’t quite remember. The company has been developing new work since 1967, first in Berkeley, then at Fort Mason Center since 1977. It remains one of the few theaters in the country focused almost entirely on world premieres.

What to Expect

The theater at Fort Mason has about 150 seats. The staging is flexible, reconfigured for each production. Some shows put you three feet from the actors. The work is contemporary, often challenging, and occasionally uncomfortable in the way good theater should be. If a play doesn’t provoke some kind of reaction, Magic probably wouldn’t produce it.

The season typically runs four to five productions. Expect new plays by emerging and mid career writers, with the occasional established playwright testing something they couldn’t do at a larger house.

Visiting

Fort Mason Center, Building D, Marina District. Shows usually run Thursday through Sunday. Evening performances start at 7 or 8 PM, with matinees on weekends. Tickets typically range from $20 to $60. Preview performances are cheaper. Pay what you can nights are offered for select performances.

Fort Mason has a handful of restaurants (Radhaus for German beer and pretzels, Florio nearby on Fillmore). The Marina Green is right outside if you arrive early and want to walk along the waterfront.

Getting There

The 30 Stockton and 49 Van Ness/Mission buses both stop near Fort Mason. From BART, take Muni to the Marina or walk from Polk Street. Fort Mason has a free parking lot that fills up on event nights. Arrive early or plan to park on Marina Boulevard.

Skip this if you want familiar stories or guaranteed comfort. Magic Theatre exists specifically to show you something you haven’t seen before.

📍 Location: This activity is in Marina District. Explore the neighborhood →

More Activities in Marina District

More Things to Do Nearby

Presidio Theater

Marina District

A beautifully restored theater in the Presidio that screens films, hosts speakers, and puts on live performances. The building itself is worth seeing. Free parking in the Presidio lot. Combine with a walk or dinner at one of the Presidio's restaurants.

Hopper’s Hands

Hopper’s Hands

Marina District

On the trail behind Fort Point, under the Golden Gate Bridge. Metal hands bolted to a fence by a bridge ironworker. Give them a high-five as you walk by. Easy to miss if you're not looking for them.

Palace of Fine Arts
Landmark

Palace of Fine Arts

Marina District

Free to walk around any time. The rotunda and lagoon are most photogenic in late afternoon light. In the Marina near Crissy Field. Combine with a walk along the waterfront to Fort Point. No need for more than 30 minutes.

Presidio Pet Cemetery

Presidio Pet Cemetery

Marina District

Free and open during Presidio park hours. The headstones are personal and sometimes funny. Near the corner of McDowell and Crissy Field Avenue. Takes about 15 minutes to walk through.

Fort Mason Center

Marina District

A sprawling Marina waterfront campus with theaters, galleries, museums, and restaurants. Most events are free or cheap. The farmers market on Sundays is excellent. Park in the free lot and walk the grounds. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the east end.

Cowell Theater

Marina District

A waterfront theater inside Fort Mason with views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the lobby. The space hosts dance, theater, and music performances. Parking is free at Fort Mason in the evenings. Combine with dinner at Greens next door.