The show was created by Steve Silver (1944–1995) along with sisters, native San Franciscans, Roberta and Nancy Bleiweiss. The three started on the streets of San Francisco. Nancy was the star of the show, created her characters and wrote all her own dialogue for all her characters for The Valentine Show (which preceded BBB at the Savoy Tivoli) in Beach Blanket Babylon and Beach Blanket Babylon Goes Bananas, Roberta was the show's manager, Associate Director, Promotion and Publicity Director, Box Office Manager (She made the original tickets for the show (that performed at the Savoy Tivoli) on a copy machine, cut them with scissors! and sold the tickets for $2.50 from her home, as a make-shift box office. She then took the tickets to the Tivoli and sold tickets at the door before getting ready to also be a performer in the original show), procured sponsors for the original shows, did the accounting and wrote checks and also performed in the original shows at Savoy Tivoli, Olympus, Dance Your Ass Off and Club Fugazi.
The character of Snow White did not appear in the original shows. It wasn't until the two sisters were no longer in the show that the show title changed to Beach Blanket Babylon Goes to the Stars.
[1][2] and continued since 1995 under the direction of his widow, Jo Schuman Silver,[3] with frequent changes and
spoofs of
pop and
political culture. Performers wear disproportionately large hats/wigs and gaudy costumes while performing satirical renditions of popular songs.
On April 17, 2019, Jo Schuman Silver announced to the staff that the show would be closing on New Year's Eve.[4]
Plot summary
The original Beach Blanket Babylon (started in 1974) and Beach Blanket Babylon Goes Bananas (that started in 1975) evolved from the street group that Roberta and Nancy Bleiweiss and Steve Silver performed on the streets of San Francisco during the early 70s when street artists made a living performing.'Beach Blanket Babylon Goes to the Stars' did not start until the late 70s. It follows
Snow White as she takes a fast-paced journey around the world in search of her "
Prince Charming". Along the way she encounters a large group of figures from popular culture, who together perform satirical songs. Figures lampooned include politicians and political figures from the San Francisco, California and U.S. governments, film and television stars, famous singers and athletes, and others who have been in the news. Also present are long-running characters such as
Glinda the Good Witch,[5]Mr. Peanut,
Louis XIV,
Oprah Winfrey,
James Brown,
Tina Turner,
Carmen Miranda,
Elvis Presley, a band of dancing
French Poodles, and Snow White's tour guide, a female narrator who takes on several incarnations from an Italian pizza lady to a cowgirl.
Reviews
The show was described as "A constant cascade of showstoppers" by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2010.[6]
Awards and accolades
In 1996, the 600 block of Green Street, between
Columbus Avenue and Powell Street, was renamed "Beach Blanket Babylon Boulevard" in honor of Steve Silver.[7][8]
Bill Kendall, 1974-1982 (performer) - Superman, John Travolta Sat Night Fever, The Original Mr. Peanut.
Roberta Bleiweiss, 1974–1977 (Associate Director, Manager, accountant, Promotion and Publicity Director, procurer of major sponsors and creator of her character and performer)[19][20][5]
Two tours were produced, in
London[42] and
Las Vegas, in celebration of Beach Blanket's 20th and 25th anniversaries. The show also has a smaller touring cast that caters primarily to corporate events and parties around the world.[43]
Named after the show, however not to be confused with the unrelated Beach Blanket Babylon, a London restaurant with branches in
Notting Hill and
Shoreditch.[44][45][46][47]
^"Resolution commending Steve Silver's work and philanthropy and urging the Mayor to urge the Directors of Parking and Traffic and Public Works to designate all of the 600 block of Green Street as 'Beach Blanket Babylon Boulevard'." City of San Francisco Resolution #1089-95, December 18, 1995, File 75–95–1.1. Journal of proceedings, the minutes of the Board of Supervisors, City and County of San Francisco, Sep.–Dec 1995,
p. 897.
^Lowell Alumni Association, Fall 2008: "Roberta Bleiweiss, Class of 1965 — Inducted 1992 Always described as a Renaissance woman, Roberta began producing and creating shows while attending San Francisco public schools. One of the original collaborators of Beach Blanket Babylon, she also marketed, managed, directed, and performed in the original hit shows. Other film, theatrical, and event credits include Indiana Jones, Tucker, Penn and Teller, Smuin Ballets/SF, Dame Edna, The Fantasticks, and countless others. Roberta revitalized the LAA, served as president from 1982–1987, and is a current member of the board of directors. Educator and head of student government, activities, GATE, and Visual and Performing Arts at San Francisco’s Wallenberg High School."
^"History"(PDF). beachblanketbabylon.com. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
^Lynn, Janet (1 June 1997). Beach Blanket Babylon: A Hats-Off Tribute to San Francisco's Most Extraordinary Musical Revue. Chronicle Books.
ISBN0811816990.