BATS Improv, San Francisco's center for improvisation, rings in 2025 with return of audience favorite, Improvised Farce: A New Year’s Eve Comedy on Tuesday, December 31 at 8 p.m. at the BATS Bayfront Theatre at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco.

Director Rafe Chase returns to helm this year’s production, which he’s set in a women’s theatrical boarding house on New Year’s Eve 1924. Director Chase says, “Think of it as a cross between Stage Door (1937) and What's Up Doc? (1972). The players will be in early 20th Century period clothing. And farce lets us be all-out funny, verbally, physically and story-wise. I am excited to use the women's theatrical boarding house as a starting location. Think of the comic possibilities…”

“For those who don’t know what a Farce is, no worries – comic misunderstandings are part of it so you know more than you think,” continues Chase. “There are ludicrously improbable situations, over-the-top characters, and slapstick physicality. As the players commit to a ridiculous world, making extreme choices and riding the wave of comedy that ensues, the audience is swept up in the madness. The format is fast and occasionally teeters on the edge of chaos, but somehow finds its way to a satisfying if unexpected conclusion. It’s a recipe that has made Farce a returning favorite to the BATS schedule since 2013.”

Tickets for Improvised Farce: A New Year’s Eve Comedy range from $15-$25, and may be purchased online at www.improv.org or in person beginning half-hour before the performance, subject to availability. All performances take place in BATS Bayfront Theatre in the historic Landmark Building B on the Fort Mason campus in San Francisco. Paid parking is available in the adjoining lot.

Genre: comedy, farce

Directed by Rafe Chase

Show Date and Time

Tuesday 12/31 8pm

Tickets: $20 Student/ Senior $25 for General Admission

Cast: Karen Brelsford, Rafe Chase, Dave Dennison, Stephanie Dennison, Lisa Rowland, Rebecca Stockley, Lisa Wang, Laura Wachtel, Nikki Zapanta

Live Improvised Lighting by Craig Good

Live Improvised Music by Joshua Raoul Brody

BATS Policies:

All sales are final. Sorry no refunds.

Seniors are ages 62 and up.

Youth are ages 18 and under.

Parental guidance: Improv can be unpredictable! While most BATS performances are suitable for teens and some adventurous middle-schoolers, we recommend considering what other entertainment your child enjoys. We provide general show descriptions—like rom-com, comedy, or drama—and will flag any content that may include violence, such as in "Improvised Kung Fu." Ultimately, we trust parents to use their judgment in deciding what's appropriate for their child.