Publication date: 01/27/2003
A really big show
BY ADAM SANDEL
Special to The Examiner
There were two television sets in the home where Steve Murray grew up. On Sunday nights the
menfolk watched "Bonanza." But Silver was in the other room with his mother, watching the musical,
comedy and variety acts on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
Those early years in front of the TV had a major impact on Murray, who is now the producer and host
of "Viva Variety," San Francisco's longest running live variety show.
On Tuesday, the 30th edition of Murray's extravaganza will be presented at the Mission High School
Auditorium.
On the bill are comedienne Chantal, modern dance troupe Steamroller, performance artist Peggy
L'Eggs, musical group The Plaids, dancers Dudley Brooks and Carolyn Carvajal, vocalist Bruce Phillips,
comic Pat Carey, performance artist Windy Plains and the physical circus of Velocity Circus.
"Viva Variety" shows, presented every six weeks, feature an eclectic mix of local performance, and
always benefit local nonprofit organizations. (Proceeds from Tuesday's event go to the Rainbow
Community Center of Concord.)
Since its debut in 1999, the series has showcased nearly 300 acts and raised close to $14,000 for local
beneficiaries.
"When I see a great performance it makes it all worthwhile," says Murray. "And giving money to the
charities is great. I'm obviously not in it for the money."
The effusive impresario doesn't mind breaking benefit show rules. He insists on paying his performers
and when proceeds fall short of expectations, he's paid the charities out of his own pocket.
"Viva Variety" has provided a showcase for emerging talent as well as local favorites including Marga
Gomez, Tom Ammiano, Connie Champagne, Matthew Martin, Bridget Schwartz and comic Scott Capurro.
"I've known Steve for years and I really like the way he does things," says the acerbic Capurro, who
recently moved to New York. A veteran of four "Viva Variety" shows, Capurro admits that the variety show
audience is a bit more gentle than the crowd he usually attracts.
"My audience is more bitter and angry, the type that goes to see Sandra Bernhard," he explains. "I tend
to piss off all the politically correct lesbians."
Capurro maintains that "Viva Variety" is a great show to see on a first date or to take your mother to:
"Guys have told me, I really liked your act but my mother didn't."
Murray is dedicated to keeping the mix of acts eclectic, including everything from hula and belly
dancing to juggling, sitar playing and ballet.
"The quality of the talent has consistently increased," he says. "And enough people have seen it that
performers now approach me and ask to be involved."
Although 60 percent of the "Viva Variety" audience comes to every show, getting people in the seats
remains Murray's biggest challenge. "I'd like to increase the audience base so we can sell out a big
theater and raise more money for the beneficiaries," he says.
Murray's long term goal is to create a local television version of "Viva Variety."
In the meantime, he's producing a series of Bay Area shows for Capurro in March, and the play "Hush
Up Sweet Charlotte" (a black comedy inspired by the Bette Davis film "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte") is
slated for early spring.
"I really love producing and putting it all together," says Murray. Although the task of creating a benefit
variety show every six weeks may seem daunting to some, San Francisco's Ed Sullivan is not deterred by
the challenge: "There's so much talent in the Bay Area that I could go on forever."