BATS Improv, San Francisco's center for improvisation, celebrates the holidays this November and December with return of Improvised Dickens Musical, directed by BATS co-founder and company member Brian Lohmann, with musical direction by Joshua Raoul Brody from November 30-December 28 at 8pm at the BATS Bayfront Theatre at Fort Mason in San Francisco.

When the lights come up, the barest of stages is revealed. The players enter, bedecked in elegant Victorian costumes, and a December night on a London street takes shape around them. As they burst into song, you might think this is a scripted musical adaptation of a Dickens story. The truth is it’s all being made up in the moment; songs, music, characters and story improvised on the spot.

The history of the show is an actual tale of two cities: San Francisco and Los Angeles. Director Brian Lohmann, a founder of BATS Improv in San Francisco, moved south to LA, where he created Dickens Unscripted, a non-musical format, in 2006 and directed it a half dozen times at various Southern California locations. Meanwhile in San Francisco, BATS Improv first presented its own Improvised Dickens Musical format in 2017, and it became a holiday favorite with audiences and players, returning by popular demand during the next two years. The world took a Dickensian turn in 2020, but with the darkness of the pandemic came some light and hope: Brian Lohmann rejoined BATS in 2023, and this year’s Improvised Dickens Musical represents the melding of two separate, beloved traditions.

When asked what inspires him about the format, Lohmann says, “I love the energy of Dickens and Christmas. He wrote several Christmas books about characters trying to figure out how to transform, the way that Nature does from Winter to Spring, but with redemption always possible. That's a great message when so many people feel helpless. He also acted out his books while he wrote them so his characters are hilariously theatrical.”

Lohmann continues, “The popularity of "A Christmas Carol" across winter holiday stages says a lot about Charles Dickens' ability to mix heart, social commentary, and humor with astonishing theatricality. Moving from darkness to light with a spirit of hope and generosity resonates deeply with me at this moment. Dickens continually invites us to pay attention to our fellow human beings and really see them with all their complexity.”

Tickets for BATS Improv shows range from $15-$25, with Pay-What-You-Will tickets available on the second Saturday of the month. Tickets may be purchased online here or in person beginning half-hour before the performance. 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: holiday musical

Q&A Trailer: https://youtube.com/shorts/f2Ajo1pRhkY

Directed by Brian Lohmann

Show Dates and Times

Saturday 11/30 8pm

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

Weekend Special: Free Popcorn on Opening Weekend

(One free regular sized cup per ticket holder, while supplies last.)

Cast: Basel Al-Naffouri, Brian Lohmann, Dave Dennison, Laura Wachtel, Karen Brelsford, Regina Saisi, Stephanie Dennison, Tim Orr

Live Improvised Lighting by Nick Rice

Live Improvised Music by Joshua Raoul Brody

Saturday 12/7 8pm

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

Weekend Special: Free Snack with Purchase of a Beverage

(One free snack per beverage purchased, while supplies last.)

Cast: Basel Al-Naffouri, Brian Lohmann, Dave Dennison, Lisa Roland, Karen Brelsford, Regina Saisi, Stephanie Dennison, Tim Orr

Live Improvised Lighting by Ryan Shaver

Live Improvised Music by Joshua Raoul Brody

Saturday 12/14 8pm

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

Pay-What-You-Will tickets available

Weekend Special: Free Coffee or Tea

(One free regular sized coffee or tea per ticket holder)

Cast: Basel Al-Naffouri, Brian Lohmann, Lisa Wang, Laura Wachtel, Lisa Roland, Rafe Chase, Rebecca Stockley, Steven Anacker

Live Improvised Lighting by Ryan Shaver

Live Improvised Music by Willie Rusert

Saturday 12/21 8pm

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

Weekend Special: Ticket Holders can enter into a drawing online for a chance to win a free Improv book*

(The drawing will be at the end of the show in Lobby 2, one free entry per ticket holder. Good for any book in stock, while supplies last. Value up to $20)

Cast: Laura Wachtel, Lisa Roland, Lisa Wang, Rafe Chase, Rebecca Stockley, Regina Saisi, Steven Anacker, Susan Q

Live Improvised Lighting by Craig Good

Live Improvised Music by Joshua Raoul Brody

Saturday 12/28 8pm

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

Weekend Special: Buy 1 get 1 free on all beverages on the Closing Night of BATS Shows*

(Good for all non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks for 21+ with valid ID. Must consume onsite before closing time. Free beverage is good for equal or less value)

Cast: Laura Wachtel, Lisa Wang, Nikki Zapanta, Rafe Chase, Carrie, Steven Anacker

Live Improvised Lighting by Nick Rice

Live Improvised Music by Neil Pomerleau

L to R: Basel Al-Naffouri, Rafe Chase, Lisa Wang, and Rebecca Stockley in BATS Improv's An Improvised Dickens Musical, playing November 30-December 28 at the BATS Bayfront Theatre at Fort Mason. Photo by Ben Krantz Studio.

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.