This was our first time at a Good Luck Macbeth production. we were there for Dracula, a Comedy of…read moreTerrors. We weren't sure what to expect as we have seen shows on Broadway, and other larger theaters, but we also love local theater. I don't know why we have not been to one of these shows before, the actors were outstanding, the production was hilarious, and we had a great time. I highly recommend visiting this production company if you are in the area. We will definitely be back.

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary…read more..... Oh wait, it was noon on a hot August Saturday, when a friend and I came to GLM. GLM was hosting the traveling production of Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy. A fabulous way to enjoy this early 1800's American writer. After checking in at the door we were directed into the theater, where it was open seating. I recommend arriving 20-25 minutes early to get the best seat. After seating the first cocktail was passed out and a welcome to the show announcement was made. The first poem was Pale Blue Eye paired with a drink of the same name, with a pale blueberry eye floating in it. Emptied were picked up and The Cat's Meow (a spin on EAP's favorite drink, brandy milk) was paired with The Black Cat. After the first two readings, I was getting the subtle hint Poe didn't know how to properly keep murders a secret. Next was the famous The Raven accompanied by nevermore. The final story was The Masque of the Red Death and to sip while sitting on the edge of your chair. The brandy milk was my favorite. It reminded me a little of a Brandy Alexander. The other three cocktails were good and great play on the accompanying story. Although they were a bit too sweet for me. The performances were fabulous, the tortured well portrayed. The stage with limited props and a magical backdrops was perfect. It drew you into his small dark world. The cast was your crew. Creating cocktails, picking up empties, and performing. An incredibly hard working small group. It is not all dark and dreary. The Poe puns will have you chuckling along, or maybe that the the fourth cocktail I had. Now I'm curious about other similar productions. I would love to attend more like this. Be considerate- the seating is a bit tight. Try not to come and go. Also watch your drink, I wore some of the person's next to me. Great theater. Deadly fun concept.

I have been a fan of Empire Comedy for a number of years and love going to their shows. They do…read more"long form" improv, which means they will take a suggestion and then run with it - creating recurring themes and characters over the course of 20-30 min. It's a brand of comedy out of Chicago and LA that's really fun to watch. You never know what's going to happen and neither do the performers!

My friend and I took our significant others to the Laughing Owl Production to see OUTSIDE MULLINGAR…read morewhich was Presented by Restless Artists' Theatre for Valentine's Day. The theater was a decent size and very beautifully decorated. Upon walking into the stage, it was beautifully set up. I could see the detail and the effort that was put into creating an authentic stage for the production. We sat in the back left booth, which was very comfortable. However, since it was not raised above the chairs at the front, once other people were seated, at certain points it was hard to see the whole stage. However, it did not ruin the show for me for the production was great! I really enjoyed the humor and how the actors did an amazing job getting into and owning their characters. It made me feel as though I was really there. At intermission, they provided complementary snacks and drinks and were only asking for donations. I thought this was a great gesture towards the attendees. This was a great experience and I would certainly go back to Laughing Owl Productions. Keep up the great work!

THEY'RE NOT CLOSED!!! Unfortunately, Laughing Owl is currently without a permanent home, but they…read moreare currently touring as a childrens' theatre company as they earn their 501(c)3 nonprofit status. (They're nearly there!) Featuring the talents of long-time Reno theatre community leaders such as Dave & Angela Anderson, Androo Allen, Sandra Brunell Neace, Adam Whitney, and Rachel Lopez, they are currently offering family-friendly productions at various venues around town through various community partnerships (e.g. Meadowood Mall, Victorian Square, WCSD, etc.). I must say, Laughing Owl offers some of the best childrens' theatre in our region. They create original adaptations of classic fairytales (e.g. Pinocchio) as well as more unique folklore (e.g. The Magic Stick, which is based on Basque mythology). What Laughing Owl's childrens' shows special is the quality of their original adaptations and high performance values. These productions are literate, they teach good morals without talking down to kids, are affordable, and are very audience-interactive. As someone who fell in lifelong love with theatre at a young age due to productions of the caliber Laughing Owl offers, many theatre companies throw their childrens' theatre productions together at the last minute, offering little more than chaos, poor production values and bad writing. Laughing Owl raises the bar for sharing theatre arts with new generations (they teach acting and speech classes, too!), and I look forward to them finding a more permanent home. Stay tuned to their official website and Facebook pages for updates!

Last evening, I experienced a beautiful concert presented by the Reno Chamber Orchestra in this…read morefantastic recital hall. The acoustics in this facility are beyond compare. There is no bad seat at this venue. I was so pleased that the temperature was perfect! There is plenty of parking, a short walking distance, at the Brian Whalen Parking Garage, and it was free at that time of night. If you don't want to deal with the stairs or elevator at the garage, follow the signage to go down to Level 1.

The official name is "The Harlan O & Barbara R. Hall Recital Hall". It is located in The Church…read moreFine Arts building on the UNR campus. This is, in my humble opinion, the very best performance venue in Reno in terms of acoustics, ambiance, comfort, and visual appeal. There is not a bad seat in the house and is extremely well suited for smaller musical performances. The space is both soaring and intimate. We have attended a number of performances here all were of stellar quality. Parking is available in the Whalen Parking Complex and is free after 7p.m. There is also a drop-off area on the VIrginia Street entrance to the Fine Arts Building. A calendar of upcoming events is available at: https://www.unr.edu/music/events Tickets can be purchased online.

Another fun-filled evening at Pops on the River. Yep, used to be on the river but outgrew…read moreWingfield Park. Now held at Rancho San Rafael Park, there's plenty of room to grow (and more than sufficient parking). Tonight the theme was the 80's and the crowd came out to represent, as costumes are highly encouraged. Incredible musicians fronted by a trio of exceptional vocalists, perfect weather (epic sunset) and a high energy environment created one of the summer's must-attend musical events. Under the incredible musical direction of Laura Jackson, the Reno Phil always delivers spot-on performances and tonight was a shining example of our Biggest Little City being a true hub for the arts. Keep an eye out for their ongoing performances and treat yourself, everything from traditional classical to movie themes on to modern interpretations, the Reno Phil is a gem!

I love the Reno Phil! Such amazing talent and such awesome…read moreperformances! I may have seen one or two live shows, pre-pandemic, but since the Pandemic, I've mostly purchased livestream tickets. I love watching the shows in the comfort of my living room. I know the artists prefer live guests in the audience, but for me, not living in Reno, the convenience of being able to buy a livestream ticket is awesome. And I feel less guilty, since this afternoon's live show was almost sold out. So the livestream tickets sales are icing on the cake. And they provide the opportunity, for people living in rural Nevada, to see these amazing performances without having to travel. I wish the livestream ticket option would spread. But for now, I'm happy to support and watch the Reno Phil.

TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada is truly a family theatre. They are dedicated to making sure that…read moreeveryone feels welcome. Every production I have seen or been a part of has been a truly wonderful experience. I have been with the theatre for more than 4 years now and every person I have met has been an absolutely wonderful friend. I highly encourage everyone who is interested in theatre to give this wonderful place a try.

Saw thier production of "The Little Mermaid", and my young daughter loved it! You could tell that…read moreall of the actors and actresses (most of them children) really put a lot of work and energy into the play. They were singing and dancing and extremely entertaining. The production team was spot on with the timing and the lighting. They created a really great show. The play was an hour and a half including a 15 minute intermission. The only complaint I would have is that the space that we watched the play on Spokane street was a bit too small. The show was sold out and packed. I'm sure if they had a larger space they would have sold many more tickets. All and all, my family really enjoyed our experience and think it's great how well thier team put on this show.

I have not been to the Rat Theatre for quite awhile and this play interested me! I saw it on the…read morethings to do yelp page. I enjoy going by myself, and meeting intriguing people. The lady I sat next to tonite was there with her Mom and family and flew in from Pasadena, had dinner and came to the show to see their sister/daughter perform. They were fun to talk to. The play was truly a great experience for women and it reminded me of Menopause the Musical they have played 8 shows with the last one tomorrow night! I almost want to go see it again, but because it will be no more. It's too bad these ladies couldn't take their play on the road, I think they do very well across the country the performance and the singing was amazing!!! Thank you for the laugher!!!

Almost, Maine…read more Running the first two weekends of August 2024. A play based in a small town called Almost. It's several romantic events that all are actually happening at the same time. The cast of six mixed and matched, playing all the characters needed. In the one and a half hours, you went through several emotions with the characters- sadness, heartbreak, love, realization, and happiness. The minimalist set allowed the audience to focus more on the actors to tell each short story. This wasn't my first experience at RAT, I have seen a handful of productions here. It's a great small theater with individual tiered seats. A very enthusiastic staff. And easy parking. Still time to catch this show.

I've never had any formal dance lessons so when a friend suggested that I come to The Ballroom of…read moreReno to join him for a beginners West Coast Swing class, I was excited, but a bit nervous. The instructors, Jeff and Cindy are so great! They are welcoming, encouraging, and professional. There are many regulars that attend the basics class as a warm up and then take the level 2 class an hour later. I have gone to 3 classes and plan on taking more in the future. I have also attended a members social that had food, drinks, music, and two hours of fun. Everyone that I have met at the classes are friendly and patient when I ask questions or get the moves wrong. I feel that I can only get better with practice and experience. There are other classes offered at the ballroom like Salsa,Tango, Country Two-Step,Country Swing and more! Check out their website for dates, times, and class levels.

I can't believe that it has been over 10 years since I wrote the first review for The Ballroom of…read moreReno! I guess I should update it! Am I partial toward The Ballroom of Reno? You bet I am! This is Northern Nevada's only nonprofit dance studio and they are doing everything they can to get everyone dancing. The research on partnership dancing and aging has been phenomenal! That alone should encourage everyone to dance! The Ballroom offers a free Dance With Me program for those who have cognitive and/or mobility issues such as Parkinson's or dementia. There is an afterschool program through Reno Housing Authority in underserved areas. There is also a program for young children! Last night was the annual fundraiser Gala for the studio and what fun we all had. What wonderful performances by all. And yes, I have the parent's permission to post the pictures of the youngest student to perform at the studio!