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.

Looking for the perfect gift? Purchase digital gift vouchers redeemable for any 2026 performance that isn’t sold out.

For information about our community ticket program, including free and discounted tickets, 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

“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

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: