SFBATCO and Z Space present
The Day the Sky Turned Orange
World Premiere
September 5 - October 5
on Z Space’s Steindler Stage
September 2020. San Francisco. An ominous sky.
High school science teacher Amari must let go of her grief while starting a new relationship; her brother, QC, grapples with the realities of long-COVID and his future as an artist; and her student, Alé, is just trying to pay for remote therapy.
Painted with the background of the ongoing pandemic, Black Lives Matters uprisings, and an upcoming election, these interconnected San Franciscans face yet another sobering moment: the day the sky turned orange.
This R&B and Hip-Hop musical from Julius Ernesto Rea, Olivia Kuper Harris, and David Michael Ott is a testament to living through the trials of 2020 as well as a compassionate reminder of the importance of caring for our planet, our communities, and ourselves.
Z Space and SFBATCO would like to thank our Producers Circle donors for their support and belief in our brand new musical. This production would not be possible without you!
Schedule
Lobby, Box Office, Bar open 1 hour prior to showtime.
House opens for seating 30 minutes prior to showtime.
DSTO runs for 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission
Previews: Fri, 9/5 - Sun, 9/7
Opening Night: Tues, 9/9
Run-of-Show: Thur, 9/11 - Sun, 10/5, "Theatre Thursdays" feature $25 tickets.
Friday night performances (excluding first preview) will include post-show panel conversations, courtesy of The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation.
September 12 - Energy, Fire, & Climate
Featuring Brandon Tom from San Francisco Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (SFNERT), San Francisco Fire Fighter Hashim Anderson, Coalition-Member Selena Feliciano from Reclaim Our Power, and moderated by The Day the Sky Turned Orange playwright Julius Ernesto Rea.
September 19 - Climate Change & Mental Health
Featuring Jenni Silverstein from Climate Psychology Alliance, Dr. Robin Cooper from Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Mental Health Professional Mia Diawara, and moderated by The Day the Sky Turned Orange dramaturg Aidaa Peerzada.
September 26 - How Far Gone: Climate Advocacy in 2025
Featuring Joni Eisen and Paul Wermer from SF Climate Emergency Coalition, filmmaker and activist Beth Stephens, and moderated by Z Space Curatorial Director Nikki Meñez.
October 3 - Art as Activism: The Inspiration Behind QC
Featuring actor William I. Schmidt who plays QC in The Day the Sky Turned Orange and Tonya Marie Amos—the inspiration behind the character as a dancer experiencing long COVID in conversation with playwright Julius Ernesto Rea.
Video On-Demand Stream
Can’t make the show? Enjoy a high quality, multi-camera recording of the show at home, available Thursday, September 18 12PM PT to Sunday, October 5 11:59PM PT.
Written by Julius Ernesto Rea
Music & Lyrics by Olivia Kuper Harris and David Michael Ott
Director: Rodney Earl Jackson Jr
Associate Director: Nikki Meñez
Musical Director: Matt Fukui Grandy
Choreographer: Vince Chan
Dramaturg: Aidaa Peerzada
Commissioned by SFBATCO
Co-produced by SFBATCO and Z Space
Photos by Kayleigh McCollum
Tickets are less expensive for the performances earlier in the run, make sure to get yours now!
Friday night performances (excluding first preview) will include post-show panel conversations with climate activists, mental health experts, fire safety professionals, and more. Exact speakers and topics will be announced at a later date. Thank you to The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation for making these panels possible.
For those who can’t join us in person, we will be offering a video on demand streaming of the show during its run. Check back here soon for details.
Press
For Press Inquiries please contact Kevin Kopjak (kevin@prismaticcommunications.com) at Prismatic Communications.
For most 501(c)3 non-profit theaters, ticket sales can cover less than 20% of costs. Please consider adding a tax-deductible gift to your ticket purchase at checkout to support more risky new art on our stages. You can also make a gift directly to this production by clicking below.
REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES
Tickets are nonrefundable after purchase. Up to 24 hours before the performance, tickets may be moved to a different performance; if the cost of the desired performance is greater than the original ticket price, the customer will be charged the difference in price. Please email boxoffice@zspace.org to request an exchange.
Tickets cannot be moved or exchanged less than 24 hours before the start of the performance, regardless of the circumstances.
WAITLIST POLICY
We offer an in-person waitlist for every sold-out performance, which will open one hour prior to the performance start time. To join the waitlist, simply check in with our staff at the box office, and they will collect your information. Please note that spots cannot be reserved in advance over the phone or online. The waitlist operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances!
Once you’re on the waitlist, please wait outside.
At showtime, we will assess seat availability. While being on the waitlist does not guarantee a ticket, it does guarantee you a chance.
