The Compton's Cafeteria Riot play — Tenderloin Museum

The Compton's Cafeteria Riot play — Tenderloin Museum
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Best of the Bay 2025 Editors’ Pick: Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
“The city thought it would never see itself done right onstage after
Beach Blanket Babylon
. Then this long-running show came along.”
The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
Written by
Colette LeGrande, Mark Nassar, and Donna Personna |
Directed by
Ezra Reaves
Produced by
Tenderloin Museum
Ongoing performances at our dedicated venue located at 835 Larkin Street. Shows every Friday and Saturday at 7:00 PM.
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click here
.
For groups of 10 or more, please contact
info@tenderloinmuseum.org
.
The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
is an immersive theatrical experience directly inspired by the 1966 uprising in San Francisco’s Tenderloin that marked a seminal act of collective resistance in the ongoing fight for transgender rights. The Tenderloin Museum is honored to present an ongoing new production in the heart of the neighborhood that holds the riot’s legacy in its reputation.
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PRESS
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“
The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
play...isn’t just theater. It’s a time machine, a history lesson, and a punch to the gut in equal measure. [It] isn’t just a show you should see. It’s a space you need to sit in, feel, and carry with you. Because this history isn’t behind us. It’s right here in the room.
” — TJ Payne,
Broke-Ass Stuart
“
One of 2025’s must-see theatrical productions.
” —
SF Chronicle Datebook
“
At a time when queer and trans rights are under siege,
The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
is not just relevant, it’s revolutionary
” — Joshua Rotter,
48hills
“
To younger generations, the ’60s may seem like ancient history. But...[w]e’re lucky that some of the people who lived through [the riot] are still here to tell the tale. With trans rights under attack once again, these elders and their perspectives are precious. We can all learn from them, and
Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
is the perfect place to start.
” — Nastia Voynovskaya,
KQED
“
The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
is not simply a piece of immersive theatre. It’s a defiant, full-bodied act of historical restoration, and it is a living, breathing act of resistance.
” —
No Proscenium
AS SEEN IN
Download a copy of
The Compton's Cafeteria Riot
program
Sign up
for the Tenderloin Museum email newsletter for updates on previews and the premiere. Also, visit
comptonscafeteriariot.com
to find and follow the creative team behind the play! Take a peek at the latest news via
@comptonscafeteriariot
on IG below:
MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM: