I write to praise We Players. I am just an audience member, neither performer nor professional critic. I have taken in probably 150 theatrical productions in a lifetime, including a few other site specific works (Everyman in a shopping center in Los Angeles back in 1995, with the woman I was dating, who turned me onto this cultural activity). I have seen We Players put on Macbeth at Fort Point. I've seen Macbeth multiple times, including the Verdi opera and the Penn & Teller version (that might have been only Teller). The We Players staging was the best. Fort Point is an eerie place to begin with. It was perfect for this purpose. I cannot recall now which of two castings it was with, but they did one with both an older Lady Macbeth to a younger Macbeth and vice versa. The performers were excellent. What I mean is the company is more than the gimmick of a location. They are professionals, who would be fine on stage in a more conventional setting. But the atmosphere added quite a bit. The only reason you might hesitate is the walking. That also is in the dark. So if you are not fully ambulatory or fear falling, you should avoid We Players. That is the only issue. read more

What a terrific,"very Sf " experience. Be open to an outdoor immersive, somewhat participatory experience. This year it's a guided journey through McClaren Park. Journey takes about 90 minutes. It requires significant walking and there are a couple of steep hills so unfortunately would be difficult for those with mobility issues to partake, although I suspect the organization tries to help. You're guided through a meticulously organized nature walk by a number of "gods" called psychopomps. They all have different personas and suggestions for taking in the beautiful scenery. Trees in McClarnen were particularly beautiful and I would have missed a lot without the guides. They all impart advice, my favorite was "your fears are tired. Put them to rest". Cell phones are forbidden and it's wonderful. It's just the digital break we all need. Go with an open mind yo experience something different and truly remarkable. read more

Cringy and awkward! For $130 tickets, we were expecting... more. PSYCHOPOMP felt like an obligatory smiling & nodding plod through a child's insistent guided tour of the latest stuffed animal city they threw together on the floor of their bedroom. The actors were amateur and embarrassingly over-eager, leaving us to stand at each station with indulgent grins on our faces while they ran through their copy-and-paste shtick just fast enough to get us out of there before the next set of participants trundled through. At one stop, a dog walker came through yelling at her barking herd and one of them dumped a poo right next to us, which was probably the highlight of the show. The "Spiritual!" or maybe "Psychological!" underlying theme felt like it was thrown together overnight by a pair of stoned undergrads who'd just tried mushrooms for the first time. By the time we reached the grand finale (an invitation to sprinkle some Costco salt into a bowl of murky water and contemplate how it dissolves, yknow, like your soul in the universe or something, man), we just looked at each other and started laughing. Goodbye, $130 we'll never see again. Speaking of lost money, it's worth mentioning that the theater will give you "pay what you can" tickets if you're BIPOC, which I suppose is a nice gesture, but also a little creepy and insulting, and put me in mind of the wave of white people who started sending random black people money as reparations last year. The whole experience of this show was like that for us - Seems like they want to do a good thing, but it comes across as awkward, confusing, and just not very well thought out. read more

We have been to several We Players performances, including Beowulf, MacBeth and Ondine. The performances are site-integrated, meaning they pick a bay area location and do the performance around the site. The McBeth performance was at Fort Point right underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. It was spectacular. Ondine was performed around the Sutro Baths. Beowulf was performed around the Maritime Museum and the Presidio Chapel. You walk around with the performers. Sometimes you walk a long way and sometimes not. Sometimes they integrate you into the performances. We were all part of the feast in MacBeth. Every performance is unique and unforgettable. The acting is very good. The sets minimal since they use the site. We have never been disappointed with a show. Some of the performances get a bit experimental and abstract but that is part if the fun. Several different shows are done a year. The cost is reasonable, generally in the 40-60 range. Enjoy this San Francisco treat! read more

Badly burned. I'm not really sure what to say about the customer service I received from this organization. I purchased tickets for "The Odyssey on Angel Island" through Eventbrite for a steep-but-do-able price. Then, I missed the ferry to the island due to construction on the N line (curse you Muni!) I called in to the main office, hoping another ferry might be possible later in the day. The woman I spoke to said no further ferry service would be available, but she very kindly offered to reschedule my tickets for another day. I was thrilled by the offer--especially as tickets are clearly listed as non-refundable--but I suppose I was too complacent, or anyway, too trusting. When I subsequently emailed the address given me to follow up and reschedule the tickets as promised, the office blatantly refused to honor the offer that had been made. They acted as if I were unreasonable and slightly crazed. Even when I explained, recounting the conversation and providing the name of the person I spoke to, they treated me like I was making insane demands and taking up their valuable time. Its not that I expected special treatment. I did miss the ferry. But having made the offer of replacement tickets, I deeply resent the organization's behavior. To my mind, its unprofessional and kind of offensive. read more

Odyssey on Angel Island is a must-experience event running through Nov 1. A description is most effective if it compares something new to something familiar. There are very few such touchpoints for this event. It's a bit like a play, a bit like a hike, a bit like a happening, and a bit like Homer's Odyssey. A more complete description is here: http://sanfrancisco.broadwayworld.com/article/We-Players-Presents-ODYSSEY-ON-ANGEL-ISLAND-512-71-20120511 The producers had done an exceptional job of recognizing and leveraging the unique characteristics of the various old buildings, gun placements, ammunition batteries, beaches, and natural settings into scenes to support scenes from the Odyssey. Unlike a play, we the audience were totally immersed in the scenes - touching them, feeling their essence, experiencing their resonance, and even eating them in some instances. The park service and Angel Island Conservancy had bent over backward to open up normally closed facilities. It appeared that they'd even lent the contents of a Natural History exhibit to create one of the scenes. The actors were excellent - I'm only sorry that we didn't get an opportunity to give them a standing ovation at the end of their extraordinary performance. Many extraordinary scenes flip through my memories. One of the Siren scenes stands out. Imagine a huge gray 3 story barracks building, with a bright green lawn flowing out toward the horizon parallel to it. From one of the upper windows a woman with flowing long blond hair and a wispy pink shawl leans out mysteriously. A sax blows from within the building. She disappears, and then reappears in another window, dropping slips of paper. The wind blows her shawl. I recommend refreshing your memory of the story of Homer's Odyssey before going. One thing I didn't understand until the end, was the pressure the production team was under to get us all back to the ferry before it left, despite our various walking speeds. read more

We attended their show tonight in GGP and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a well acted insightful and very immersive experience. Made us soon forget the city fog and left us craving to see more of their future programs!!! read more

So far, I've seen three of We Players' productions: Hamlet on Alcatraz, Odyssey on Angel Island, and most recently, Ondine at Sutro Baths. They were all amazing. This group does a great job of incorporating beautiful and interesting Bay Area backdrops into their productions, using existing landscape and architecture to pull its audience into the story, making them feel like part of the action. I highly recommend seeing any and every play that We Players put on. Logistically, since they stage their plays in such cool spots, it is sometimes (very) important that you get there on time (e.g., there was only one ferry to take to the Alcatraz and Angel Island shows). Also, make sure you read all the important details they give you; they give good advice about what to bring and wear. I was glad to have sunglasses, sunscreen, and walking shoes on Angel Island, and equally relieved to be wearing a long warm coat at Sutro Baths. If you live in the Bay Area, then you know you have to be prepared for all sorts of weather changes. True, the price is a bit higher than I would normally be comfortable with (~$80 a ticket), but their productions are great and well worth the cost. I can't wait until their next season. I'm excited to see what else they have in store. read more

Hamlet on Alcatraz... Arguably the most exciting thing I've done all year! I had never heard of such a thing, or We Players, previous to attending the show. My roommate signed us up weeks in advance and come November 7th, we were uber excited to make the journey over to San Francisco. The play began immediately, on the ferry in fact, and it felt as if we were a part of it all, not just as the audience. Despite the heavy rain and overall gloomy weather, the actors managed to put on a fantastic performance. In fact, I'd say the weather actually was a remarkable addition, however unruly; I'd imagine it to be raining in Denmark, wouldn't you? The play itself took place all around the island as the crowd followed. Some scenes were even performed in restricted areas of Alcatraz! Though all the actors were volunteers, I commend them on their skills seeing as this is a specifically difficult form of acting just because there is no stage, perfect lighting, and all. The one thing that caught my attention the most is the fact that a female was cast for the role of Hamlet. This was a bit shocking at first seeing as the other characters followed the gender assignments, and it wasn't a theatre that specifically casted all females or anything like that. On a symbolic, analytical level, the more the play carried on, the more and more it made PERFECT SENSE that Hamlet was played by a woman. To spare you, I will not go into an explanation. All I've got to say is that she did a fantastic job! Hamlet on Alcatraz was an amazing experience, definitely one for the books. I will forever cherish the memory of such a groundbreaking production, and look forward to discovering other wonderful outings in the Bay. Five solid stars. read more

I've never heard of We Players before, but a couple of weeks ago I saw a flyer at our local coffee shop, saying this group was performing Shakespeare's Hamlet on Alcatraz! Apparently, the national park service asked them to transform the island and the jail into a theater. I love seeing Shakespeare on stage, but yesterday's experience was so awesome, I had to come and write a review about it. The play is done in separate scenes all around the island, with the crowd following the players to areas which are typically closed to visitors. The scary scenes, were...scary, and when Ophelia goes crazy, you were sure the actress is actually crazy... The actors were very good, but the venue, especially at night added so much to the experience. To top it all, the tickets are sold using a "pay as you want" model, so if you can't really afford it, you can still go. (If you're cheap - don't be one - they're all volunteers). I've been in the bay area for 2 years now, and this is one of the most unique experiences me and my gf have had. Their website is kind of weird, but tickets can be found here: http://hamletonalcatraz.eventbrite.com/ read more

My family and I went and saw "Odyssey" today. I had no idea what to expect (I thought it might be about the journey of the immigrants for whom Angel Island was the immigration station) and was pretty surprised that it was based on Homer's Odyssey. The event (it's more than just a performance, as it moves around the island for over five hours with scenes separated by space and time) tracked Telemachus as he pursues news of his father. Various challenges such as the Sirens, Scylla and Charibdis, and Circes are encountered and confronted by Telemachus during his journey, and the audience accompanies and witnesses his adventures. I thought Odyssey was intriguing and thought-provoking. I was especially struck by the scene in the quarry where the Gods stood above us and bantered about what to do with Telemachus. It was completely silent save for the actor's voices, and it struck me that this is what it was like seeing theater at the time of the Greeks -- no sound system, no electronic music, no external mechanical noises -- just the wind and the voices. Very powerful. Overall, it was a fun experience and I would definitely recommend it. I hope to see a future We Players drama. read more

The production of Macbeth we saw at Fort Point was amazing. The cast moved us through the fort as the play unfolded, and Fort Point at night is a fantastic backdrop for Macbeth. When we saw the individual scenes we were disoriented, and surprised, and unsure, just like the characters, and so the scenes hit a lot more directly. The wind and the surf played along, and by giving us ambient noise and dark, cold passageways to move through. Highly recommended. read more

It was a dark and stormy night. Wait. Scratch that. It was day. It was freezing. It was definitely not storming. That was the night before when our friends went to see Hamlet on the Rock. I remember seeing his Facebook posting, exclaiming, "Die already, die!" It was pouring rain with thunder and lighting, so I pretty much have to give my friends a break. However, the day we went was as cold as a witch's, well, you fill in the blank. That being said, we paid nothing and hopped the boat to see Hamlet on the Rock, well, on Alcatraz to be more precise. This production will linger in my mind for many years to come because the players acted their hearts out for their audience in a very unique theatrical setting. At times, because of the location, it was difficult to hear what the actors were bantering back and forth. But, hey, it's Hamlet, and if you don't know the story by now, then, well, much luck, my friend. You need to brush up on your Shakespeare. Just saying. We traversed every square inch of Alcatraz, with a scene for each location. Probably the most memorable scene took place in the building where prisoners were killed in the electric chair. Here, Ophelia played a frightening scene with feathers and wild fear, illustrating the loss of her mind and her imminent suicide. Bird cages swayed back and forth in the cold breeze of Alcatraz--and the location, the death chamber, became a larger-than-life metaphor. If it didn't give the audience chills, I don't know what would. We were happy to leave Alcatraz that day. Heck, we cut in line to get onto the boat that would take us back to the mainland. Happy to get into a warm car. Happy to be in control of our minds--unlike Hamlet and Ophelia who will forever remain locked in a prison of their own making--time and time again. And We Players? I look forward to your next production because if Hamlet was any indication of your thoughtful attention to detail, to enthusiasm, to symbolism, then you are as good as it gets in my book. read more

I saw Hamlet on Alcatraz a couple of weeks ago (5:10pm), and was blown away! The actors were excellent, the venue was both beautiful and creepy, and the production was amazing! I have seen many, many plays in the Bay Area since moving here a few years ago, and this one tops my list of memorable experiences. The fact that the actors are volunteers makes it even more incredible. See the previous reviews for lots of great information about the play/tickets. Don't miss this! read more

This was truly incredible and a "must-do." So good, in fact, that it got me to register for Yelp and write my first review. This was unlike any event I have seen in SF. We saw the 5:10 show last night and while there are many daytime performances left, there are only a couple of more night time shows which I highly recommend. As audience members, you follow the play from scene to scene on a complete loop of the island including some inside stops (cell block, large warehouse). There are a couple of opportunities to sit down, but mostly you are up and about on a tour of Alcatraz unlike any before. The island, the night sky, and of course, the windy/foggy SF Bay weather, participate to create a menacing atmosphere for Shakespeare's tale of rotten-doings in Denmark. The play is perfectly cast the actors keep you engaged for every scene. The action begins before the boat docks and ends a few minutes before your ferry back. The ticketing link is below. As Ron mentions, the tickets are a pay-as-you want model, so give generously as this is a volunteer effort executed very professionally http://hamletonalcatraz.eventbrite.com/ Unfortiunately, the site says they are at capacity and operating on a waiting list basis for the remaining shows.However, it is totally worth it to try and catch it on a waiting list or day-of openings basis. If WE Players can figure out how to put on a first-rate play on Alcatraz, I'm sure you can figure out how to find a couple of tickets and get there to see it. read more

The Odyssey, on Angel Island State Park, 2012. Conceived and directed by Ava Roy, original score by Charlie Gurke, played by We Players May 12-July 1, 2012) The Odyssey without Odysseus Good hike, no magic. Were we pealing the onion? Pablo Fischer We went to see (experience, participate in) the Odyssey this weekend (June 24). It is a five hour long theatrical performance and experiment on Angel Island. We took the 9:20 ferry from the Embarcadero. Beautiful day! That little sea voyage is a perfect appetizer...The play? Some ingredients are missing in the saucer. Most notably, Odysseus isn't in it. The Odyssey, his voyage, is not there either. But I am getting ahead of myself... We audience step into Angel Island from the Tiburon and the San Francisco ferries. On the large lawn and picnic place in front of the Visitor Center, a band, the suitors and Penelope await us. This is Ithaca, Odysseus' island and home. A few performers move about the place. Irus, the beggar, is a scary sight: His teeth and his body, deformed, his face and clothes, filthy. He insults and threatens everyone. He approaches you aggressively, opens and searches through your back pack, as if to steal. There is some promise in this beginning. Kids get scared. They hide behind their parents. Some cry. Excellent signs! Other elements orchestrate this overture: Exclamations by the suitors, young women moving about to the sound of the pleasant music holding jars in their arms as if serving wine, some improvised rope pulling, a fight between suitors bursts out, an old lady (Athena in disguise) is abused and humiliated by a suitor (Antinous?), Penelope's grievance, Telemachus' grumble, wise Mentor's speech... But the flock of 200 or so is too many spectators for these sporadic theatrical events, even on this ample first stage. Then, "come friends", the long journey begins -a walk along the islands' coastline. The Odyssey starts at last, you think... But what you get are some very strange stops, and the little taste of the Odyssey you had rapidly fades away. A guide, Telemachus, really, (or should I say, Telemachus, a guide really?) walks the 200 along the trail. Up the road, Athena, Mentor, and Penelope's close slave await the crowd. They have words for Thelemacus, who thus initiates his journey from Ithaca. Off we go toward Camp Reynolds, the West Garrison. The spot embraces the Golden Gate in the background in a magnificent panoramic display. We are in Aeolia, the kingdom of Aeolus, Keeper of the Winds. The musicians are playing close to the old brick house by the shore. By the flagpole, a few among the 200 and some performers hold a huge white cloth with no other purpose than to hold it. Whistling dancing girls in colorful garbs move across the windy space. One hands me a white kite, with no rope to lift it. The thing moves wildly up and down in the wind. Don't know what to do with it. I fasten it to my back-pack. Another nymph comes after and gently asks for it back. I guess I was supposed to run and jump around holding it in my hand... Now the Players instruct the 200 to hold hands and build a circle. The image of devoted churchgoers shaking hands and wishing each other "the peace of God" hits me. I start to understand that this experiment has nothing to do with Homer's Odyssey. We enter the old house into a room barely big enough to hold us all. Doors and windows are then shut. Air is now in short supply. Telemachus is given "the bag with the strong winds trapped inside" -a red balloon, in this case. (It is of course Odysseus who gets this present by Aeolus, so that he may sail home safe from storms... Where is Odysseus, by the way?) Telemachus unties the balloon, a door opens, air comes in, we can breathe again. (When Odysseus' crew opens the leather bag, storm, disaster and wretchedness fall upon them.) Moving on. A classic mixture of Hare Krishna, hippie, and yogi young women take over the scene on the next stop. We are at Battery Wallace -a Buddhist temple now. It is the land of the lotus eaters. In slow motion, they walk to and fro around the place as they synchronize their "oms". Some follow the trance. Others, respectfully, in silence or whispers, take out snacks at this point. Time moves slowly. At last, Telemachus bursts hastily into the... scene? temple? ritual? breathing session? picnic break?: "Come friends," he shouts, "it is not safe to stay here..." (continue on PART II of this review) read more