The Bay Area’s January lineup of accessible performances
Your monthly guide to inclusive performances in San Francisco, Berkeley, and beyond.
As we move into 2026, it is a time to reflect on our successes and failures, ups and downs, and gains and losses from the previous year. If you are still looking for a resolution, we’ve got one for you: experience and create more art.
Tennessee Williams once wrote, “Time is short and it doesn’t return again. It is slipping away while I write this and while you read it, and the monosyllable of the clock is Loss, Loss, Loss, unless you devote your heart to its opposition.” While this may seem dark and a little morbid, it is a reminder to live every day to its fullest.
As you look to new ways to spend your time this year, keep in mind inclusive performances. 2026 will bring even more offerings of ASL interpretation, audio description, and more. As time passes, more and more avenues are created for everyone to enjoy live performance.
The Book of Mormon
ASL Interpreted: January 17 at 1 p.m.
Audio Described: January 17 at 1 p.m.
Closed Captioned: January 24 at 1 p.m.; January 29 at 7 p.m.
This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation.
BroadwaySF
broadwaysf.com
How Shakespeare Saved My Life
Closed Captioned: January 29 at 8 p.m.; January 30 8 p.m.
In an autobiographical and music-filled tour-de-force, award-winning performer Jacob Ming-Trent dares to rescue himself from the “slings and arrows” of his past. Born with a gift for poetry but rejected as unfit to play the poet, his search for home yields results both hilarious and tragic.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
berkeleyrep.org
A Beautiful Noise
ASL Interpreted: January 3 at 2 p.m.
Audio Described: January 4 at 1 p.m.
Open Captioned: January 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon.
Broadway San Jose
broadwaysanjose.com
The Wiz
Closed Captioned: January 28 at 7:30 p.m.; January 29 at 7:30 p.m.
ASL Interpreted: January 31 at 2 p.m.
This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.
Broadway San Jose
broadwaysanjose.com
Mark Morris Dance Group: Moon
Audio Described: January 25 at 3 p.m.
A multimedia extravaganza danced before a backdrop featuring video, animation, and photo stills of the Moon, this new piece for nine dancers is set to live and recorded music that includes popular American songbook tunes, as well as excerpts from NASA’s Golden Record.
Cal Performances
calperformances.org
Hershey Felder: The Piano and Me
Audio Described: January 25 at 2 p.m.
ASL Interpreted: January 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Known for his hit portrayals of musical geniuses in his beloved composer series, Felder now renders a different musical artist: himself. In this deeply moving new play, Felder pulls back the curtain on his own story.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
theatreworks.org
