SF’s Long-Running Beach Blanket Babylon to Hang Its Iconic Hat

The final performance is scheduled for December 31 this year.

It’s campy. It’s colorful. It’s downright iconic. And it’s sadly coming to an end. After a 45-year run, the adored San Francisco theatre review Beach Blanket Babylon announced its final performance at the end of 2019. According to producer Jo Schuman Silver, she wants the show to go out on top.

“Audiences have embraced Beach Blanket Babylon since the day it opened on June 7, 1974,” Schuman Silver said in a statement. “Originally scheduled to run for only six weeks, the show became an international phenomenon and the quintessential San Francisco experience. I am thankful to our fans from around the world who have supported us from the very beginning. Our hats are off to each and every one of you!”

The constantly changing review offers audiences political and cultural satire, dazzling costumes, fizzy musical numbers and, of course, those larger-than-life hats. Though initially expected to run a limited six weeks, the show would go on to record 17,000 performances and be seen by 6.5 million patrons.

You can purchase tickets to Beach Blanket Babylon before it says goodbye here.