This was my first time visiting the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, and it made for such…read morea memorable experience. I finally got to see The Lion King for the very first time, something I've wanted to experience for many years, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. I went solo and honestly loved the experience. I purposely chose an aisle seat so I could watch the performers move up and down the aisles, and I'm so glad I did. It made the show feel even more immersive and special, especially during those moments when the cast comes through the audience. The venue itself is beautiful and easy to navigate. From entering the building to finding my seat, everything felt organized and smooth. The seating was comfortable, the sightlines were great, and the sound quality was excellent, which really matters for a production like this. As for The Lion King, it was amazing. The costumes, music, and staging were stunning, and seeing it live after wanting to for so long made it even more meaningful. Overall, such a great first experience at this venue. I would absolutely come back to see another performance here, and I'm so glad this is where I finally got to see a show that had been on my list for years

Purchased seats to see the Moulin Rouge at SAFE. The website to purchase the tickets and the phone…read moreservice was professional and efficient. Picked up my tickets the night of the show and that took us all of two minutes, very pleased with their system! SAFE has concessions and merchandise for sale at each show. Ushers were helpful and friendly. We sat in the orchestra (lower level) rear on an aisle, the view from our seats was excellent!

Great venue! Not a bad seat anywhere…read more Small and intimate Full bar inside Midtown location Street or pay lots available for parking Restaurant's within walking distance or close by via car Saw smooth jazz performance by the amazing Norman Brown

Charming theatre, never knew this place existed. Very nice and clean. Got to watch a special…read morescreening of Lucy Liu's movie "Rosemead". AAPI FILM FESTIVAL. This was a really good film. Heartbreaking but really good to see.

We went here to see English which was a wonderful play. This is a small theater so tickets go…read morequickly. When we first came there, we were greeted by the friendliest and laid back staff! The stage lighting and sound was great and the guy we met in the front wearing I think a kimono did a wonderful job in that! He was cool and chill in his kimono! Everyone was very nice. They had a reasonably priced bar of snacks, drinks and beer, etc. Ot seemed to be a cozy theater and had a nice outdoor patio area to lounge around. Parking is ample as there is a parking lot across the street. I parked on the curb and my "special" spot was the only one missing a parking meter! The staff told me it is the lucky spot and you don't have to feed the meter( hole in the ground where they took it away I guess)! So that is my special tip for you- almost in front of the theater, but back a bit in front of a brick lawyer's building in front of a tree! Free parking! You're welcome! And just to confirm, I had a heart attack when the meter police came to check the cars and meters and he heard me say I better get to the car! He was right behind me following me, but left when he saw no meter- so SAFE to park without paying! Lol- I almost had a heart attack!

This was my first time visiting here. I didn't know what to expect. Greeted by friendly hosts…read more Surprised how tiny the theatre was but it was PERFECT! Loved being so close. Seats were comfortable. I cannot wait to go back! We saw English. Wonderful story. And great actors! Brilliant.

My girl took me to see Coming to America for date night at The Crest Theatre, and I had a really…read moregood time. This was my first time there, and it's not your typical modern movie theater. It's a historic theater in downtown Sacramento that presents live entertainment, movies, and special events. What makes it unique is the stage in front of the screen, which gives it a classic, old-school vibe. She paid for the tickets ahead of time, but their system was down when we arrived. They had to check everyone in manually from a laptop. It was understandable things happen and the staff handled it as smoothly as they could. While she was confirming our tickets, I grabbed popcorn. Sadly, the popcorn was a little salty. Like most theaters, it was a little pricey. We may or may not have brought our own candy and drinks... don't tell anybody. It had a good crowd but wasn't too bad.We got some good seats. Since it's a historic theater and not a newer upscale cinema, the seats didn't recline and were a little small, but they were still comfortable enough I've seen Coming to America plenty of times on TV, but watching it on the big screen in a classic theater like this was a different experience. Overall, it was a great date night. Good movie, even better company. My girl definitely did her thing planning this one. My girl and I are definitely coming back again!!

Came here for graduation super great theater…read more Parking is best at the garage nearby but the rail is a good idea too. Popcorn was fresh not stale And the workers there knew what to do and treated everyone with hospitality. Theater itself was very dramatic in a good way and had nice style.

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Music Circus!! If I could afford it, I'd get season tickets without…read morea doubt! Being a huge fan of musicals and theatre, this venue takes it to a whole 'nutha level IMO. I mean, I've NEVER been to a venue where you almost feel immersed in the performance, with the actors performing IN THE AISLES!!! Like, where else does that happen?!! Cuz I certainly don't know. Not only that, but this venue is so intimate with no bad seat in the house. Seriously!!! I'm constantly amazed at each production, how they curate the stage and change scenery...the costumes and of course, the incredible talent!! I walk away astounded every time. And from that last statement you can tell, I've attended many shows at Music Circus. I've always loved the circus in general, but what made me fall in love with Music Circus was my very first experience almost a decade ago with the show 'Beauty and the Beast'! OMG, I couldn't believe what I saw, especially the costumes!! Being a Disney fan, this has always remained a core Music Circus memory for me, kinda like "You never forget your first"! (Am I right?!? LOL) After that, I attended a show here & there. But in recent years, I've tried to make it a point to attend at least one show a season, feeling fortunate enough in these last 2-3 years to be able to attend more than 1 show in a season. Mostly with the 'help' of a coworker treating me to a show because SHE is a season ticket member and donor! Nice perks come with that, including special VIP seating area pre-show & during intermission serving complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and has several comfy couch outdoor patio seating to lounge in. They also have a private bathroom which might be the biggest perk! lol Last year's lineup (Summer 2024) I could've went to EVERY SINGLE SHOW of the entire season, again if I could afford such things. But THIS year, 2025, I was absolutely THRILLED to see TWO of my all time favorite movie/films come to the stage ("West Side Story" & "White Christmas"), along with the exciting news of a longer season that had shows going into winter!!! Typically in all the years past, Music Circus only occurred during the summer months. In fact, waaaaay back in the day, before my time of attending shows, this venue was really like a circus tent! My oldest sister & dad have told stories of 'the days of old' and when there was NO A/C during those times. And in SacTown summers, that could/would make for some VERY hot shows that were sometime unbearable. Lucky for me, I only started coming after they remodeled to what the theatre is today (yay for A/C!!). Anyways, when I bought my show tickets early in the year, I asked the reason for the pleasant surprise of the longer season. I was told that in the past, the local Sacramento Theater Company would use the venue during 'the off-season', but that they ended up shutting down after never really recovering from COVID. While that was sad news to hear of, I was glad to see MC would have more shows 'all year long' instead. Makes sense to utilize the venue and not have it going unused and idle. That's just not wise and bad business! So, with that, I hope these longer seasons will become a permanent thing and allow more experiences to enjoy!!! For anyone who enjoys theatre, Music Circus is EXACTLY where to go. I've even started inviting friends who don't typically do theatre to come and experience the magic of this unique venue. They never really are disappointed and I don't see how I ever could be either. If you've not been, what are you waiting for? Season schedules typically come out a couple times a year, but just sign up for their emails and you'll never miss it when they come out. What are you waiting for??? GO!!! And maybe I'll see you at a show sometime soon! You can thank me then. *wink, wink*

I enjoyed a wonderful night with the first run of White Christmas at the Broadway at Music Circus…read more What a great cast and performance, and the music (singing) was beautiful. It's a great play, to set off the holiday season. I was surprised to find the only actual Christmas song is White Christmas, because the play is about two servicemen, Army buddies, who develop a song and dance act during World War II, to entertain their battle-weary fellow GI's, and the find success as a top-billed professional duo. It's a really cute play, and my absolute favorite character was little Susan Wavery, the General's granddaughter, who was not even the focus of the play. I loved her, and wanted to see more of her. No photos of the play allowed, of course. There was a Photo Booth inside the gates, before entering the building, with complimentary photos staff took from your own cell phones. There were concessions inside, for popcorn, candy and drinks.

I've been attending Broadway Sacramento (formerly known as Broadway Series) musicals here for the…read morepast decade, as well as the Music Circus. Basically these are the national/domestic/U.S. touring companies -- so not truly "community" theater as the venue name might suggest. My first show at CCT was Les Miserables, actually. In the Heights, West Side Story, Wicked, Avenue Q, Starlight Express, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera, Rent, and Spring Awakening...One of my favorite non-musical shows I've seen here was Kristen Chenoweth in concert (the original Glinda from Wicked, and Pushing Daisies, GCB, etc.). So awesome. ...anyway, I've sat in all the different seats: orchestra near the front, rear orchestra, balcony front row, balcony boxes, and second grand tier. If you can, splurge on seats in the orchestra level (middle to front) for the best acoustics and views. The rear orchestra is fine if you care more for listening to the show or focusing on the bigger picture/staging than seeing the particular actor's faces so much. The balconies aren't stacked on top of the orchestra as far forward as in other theaters, but the box seats are roomier for sure. Be aware that the front row of the balconies does have a bar/railing to help people walk across, but can hinder the view of the stage once you're actually sitting down. The staff is pretty friendly and helpful with finding seating, will call tickets aren't a problem, and tickets by phone are easy too. For all the ladies out there, here's a tip. Instead of waiting forever in the lines for women's restrooms inside the Community Center Theater, make sure to bring your show ticket with you, exit the rear of the building and use the bathrooms at the adjacent Sacramento Convention Center Complex. Parking-wise, I usually use the Capitol Garage at 10th and L Streets and it never exceeds $5. I really wish that they had a marquee at the entrance to the theater along L Street instead of just in front of the Convention Center along J Street. They've improvised with banners across the building, or the parking the tour busses/bigrig trucks in front of the theater, with a few posters in the glass display cases in the lobby. The newer format of the seasons (fewer shows, shorter runs) isn't ideal, and there have been a few technical difficulties (mics and set pieces) but I am still a faithful patron. Sacramento has a "little sister" stigma because what city can measure up to San Francisco? SF is an amazing (and amazingly expensive) place, and as a Sacramento resident and theatergoer, sure SF shows are great too (you know you're in a pricey seat when the teeny old theaters have renovation fees included in the price and legroom is on par with coach airline rows, and the balconies already cost $50 minimum) but only once in awhile for my wallet/budget's sake. Go see a show at the Community Center Theater, at least once. 2013-2014's lineup (November-June) includes Priscilla, Buddy, Flashdance, Blue Man Group, Sister Act, and Wicked.

This was my first year being a season holder to 5 great musicals and looking forward to the next 5…read more The musicals are a great way to enjoy with family and the performances are GRAND! Arrive early to find parking on the street or garage parking like 17&L $2 after 6apm. They sell beverages and specialty musical theme drinks , snacks and musical souvenirs. My favorite shows I've seen was RENT & Les Miserables

Always have a good time at the Music Circus or the performing arts center seeing a Broadway show in…read moreSac. The staff rocks. The shows amaze.

Great theatre in the round venue. All seats have good view of the stage. Interesting how props are…read morelowered down from the ceiling. Paid parking across the street

Great to attend and view Musicals in the round all seats are perfect!…read more also my granddaughter had a chance to attend a children's workshop and little performance here.

Great venue in Sacramento to see world class musicals in the round. Literally world class talent…read morecomes to Sacramento during the Summer months in a state of the art venue with perfect site lines from any seat in the house due to it's unique theater in the round concept. Fully air conditioned, and comfy seats and perfect sound system. So nice to get up front and close to see the shows.

If you haven't attended a Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera show recently, you are really missing…read moreout. Whether attending a symphony performance, Opera, or one of their family friendly shows like the Harry Potter collaboration, you won't be disappointed. The musicians and singers are incredibly talented and we are truly so lucky to have this professional performing arts group in Sacramento performing at the local Safe performing arts center!

Since my first review for the John Williams tribute concert, I also attended their Star Wars…read moreConcert in 2019 and most recently the Superhero Soundtrack Concert on 06/04/2022, each time conducted by maestro/M.C. Stuart Chafetz, who is quite a character/personality! I do tend toward the Pops Series rather than classical, operas, or ballets. The Superhero Soundtrack Concert featured musical selections from Marvel Avengers, Superman/Man of Steel, Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, Fantastic Four, The Incredibles, Supergirl, X-Men: The Last Stand, but also some broader heroic themes such as The Rocketeer, Robin Hood, The Lone Ranger, and Wagner's Flight of the Valkyries. All the great composers represented -- John Williams, Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Michael Giacchino! It would have been neat if they included both the older themes too like from the X-Men cartoon, Wonder Woman TV show, Spider-Man theme with lyrics, even just snippets. Tickets started at $25 and we got seats in the rear Orchestra level. Since this was the orchestra it was more of a "listening" experience than "watching" since they didn't do screen projections of imagery from each show/film but you still had a good view of the stage layout and each orchestral section. Please bring more Pops themes! I am a fan of all of these composers, but also have been to concerts featuring music from video games Final Fantasy, or Legend of Zelda. Maybe next music from, say, Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones? It's great to have our own local Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.

As the night went on it became less and less music and more and more political rambling. When there…read morewas music it was fun and whimsical. The physical space has a cool atmosphere. There were three musical performances at the beginning when there was another couple with us. After they left however, he began talking at us about politics and what he thinks. This was not story telling or comedy. He also gave a lot of unwarranted advice. We had to segway him out of his political rambles to get a couple more songs then left. This experience could have been better if there was more music and lighthearted topics instead.

When I was looking for a nice place to enjoy jazz. I was thinking of a actual bar that sells beer…read moreand have actually have a building. This Acoustic Sanctuary is more like a Taco Truck. What I remember there is a cover to go into the Van and sit down and you are greeted with a musician that plays all the instruments. This van holds maybe 10 people and he puts on a show for maybe an hour.. This is not what I was looking for. This is a one man band in a van.... This should be taken off Jazz and Blues.. clubs... because its not..