Masquers Playhouse

Covering The San Francisco Bay Area & Sacramento Valley Since 2001

Masquers Playhouse • 105 Park Pl, Richmond, CA 94801

Plays • Musicals • Opera • Dance

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Next Production

• FEB 6 - MAR 1, 2026 •

Improbable Fiction / Play

For Tickets & Info:

Improbable Fiction is a 2005 play by Alan Ayckbourn that delivers a witty, genre-jumping comedy about six aspiring writers who gather on a wintry evening at the cozy home of their friend and chairman, Arnold Hassock. What begins as a simple writers' circle, with each member sharing their drafts ranging from a children’s tale to a detective novel, a sci-fi adventure, a musical idea, and a period romance, slowly turns into something far stranger. After the meeting winds down, a sudden blackout thrusts Arnold into the vivid worlds these writers have only half imagined, causing their unfinished stories to burst onto the stage in a chaotic blend of Victorian melodrama, 1930s mystery, quirky science fiction, and over-the-top musical moments. The result is a playful, unpredictable ride that blends satire with affectionate humor, celebrating both the frustrations and the magic of the creative process. Improbable Fiction ultimately invites audiences into a whirlwind of imagination where even the most incomplete ideas gain unexpected life.

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Coming Soon

• OPENS APRIL 24, 2026 • The Gods of Comedy / Play The Gods of Comedy is a full-length play in the genre of modern theatrical comedy and farce, written by playwright Ken Ludwig. In this lively story, two classics professors, Daphne and Ralph, stumble upon what might be a once-in-a-lifetime academic treasure, a missing manuscript by the ancient Greek writer Euripides. Their celebration turns into panic when the manuscript suddenly disappears, leading Daphne to cry out for help from the Greek gods themselves. To her shock, Dionysus and Thalia actually show up, bringing their divine chaos, oversized personalities, and complete lack of subtlety into the world of academia. What unfolds is a fast-paced swirl of mishaps as the gods try to “help” in ways that only escalate the madness, sending the campus into a spiral of misunderstandings, romantic confusion, academic anxiety, and good old-fashioned slapstick. Blending myth with modern life, the play keeps the stakes high and the tone playful, offering a clever, inviting setup that teases big laughs and wild turns without revealing where the journey ultimately leads.
• OPENS JULY 10, 2026 • Little Shop of Horrors / Musical Little Shop of Horrors, a darkly funny cult-favorite musical by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, follows a shy, down-on-his-luck flower shop clerk whose ordinary life gets flipped upside down when he discovers a strange little plant with a flair for the dramatic and a talent for drawing attention. Set in a rundown urban neighborhood where dreams feel both too big and too fragile, the story blends comedy, quirky charm, and a touch of retro sci-fi as the shop’s sudden burst of popularity pushes everyone to chase success a little faster than they probably should. The musical leans into catchy doo-wop-inspired songs, colorful characters, and a growing tension that something about this plant isn’t quite as harmless as its cute exterior suggests. As fame, ambition, and desperation start swirling together, relationships shift, choices get harder, and the line between opportunity and danger blurs just enough to keep the audience leaning forward. The result is a vibrant, clever, and slightly twisted adventure that teases big laughs, sharp wit, and a story that keeps building toward something you can feel coming but can’t quite predict, making it irresistibly fun from start to finish.
• OPENS SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 • Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike / Play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike throws you into the beautifully dysfunctional world of three middle-aged siblings whose quiet Pennsylvania home has become a resting place for old grievances, uneasy loyalties, and the kind of family tension that can flip from tender to absurd in seconds. Vanya and Sonia have spent years living a predictable, isolated routine until their glamorous movie-star sister Masha blows in with her much younger boyfriend, Spike, whose energy turns the house upside down before he even finishes unpacking. What follows is a clever, sharply funny clash of personalities as old wounds surface, insecurities spark, and everyone is forced to confront what they have become and what they still hope to be. Blending wit, heart, and a playful nod to Chekhov, the play captures the chaos of family ties, the sting of aging, and the awkward hilarity of trying to rediscover purpose in a world that keeps moving forward without you.
• OPENS NOVEMBER 13, 2026 • A Sherlock Carol / Play A Sherlock Carol by Mark Shanahan is a stage play that blends holiday mystery with light comedy, merging the world of Sherlock Holmes with the spirit of A Christmas Carol. The story begins years after Holmes's most famous showdown, when a grown-up Tiny Tim Cratchit appears at his door asking him to investigate the suspicious death of Ebenezer Scrooge. Drawn reluctantly back into detective work, Holmes follows a path filled with hidden wills, eerie encounters, and clues that challenge both his logic and his patience. Victorian London sets the tone with fog, lantern light, and a festive backdrop as Holmes works through a Christmas Eve layered with intrigue and unexpected emotion. The production mixes humor, heart, and detective suspense into a warm yet clever holiday whodunit that invites audiences to enjoy a fresh twist on two beloved classics.