I really loved going to see their performance of All's Well That Ends Well. I so enjoyed my time here and I highly recommend you see a performance when in Seattle. I went before the pandemic, so I'm not sure what the schedule is now. The performance is in the Armory building on a lower floor. People arrive early and chat in the lobby. They have some cookies and sodas for sale. The theatre was really great and seating was comfortable and not crowded so you can really enjoy and get a good view probably wherever you sit. The the acting was exceptional. I really enjoyed. Most people were dressed pretty casually. People were really friendly. Highly recommended! read more

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BECOMING OTHELLO: A Black Girl's Journey, written and performed by Debra Ann Byrd is amazing. I didn't know what to expect. That didn't matter. The actor's story has tragedy, and hope. It is ugly, and beautiful. It is gripping, and moving. Her writing mixes Shakespeare, slam poetry, singing, and spoken word. Ms. Byrd brings it all together for the audience. If you're in Seattle, go before it's gone. read more

My wife and I were season ticket holders for several years before the Covid "vacation" and we are glad that the theater is open again. We love the various adaptations that the company makes, Despite the complaint that the current theater is "politically correct" (whatever that means), almost every theater that has produced Shakespeare for the last 400 years has made changes from what Bill may have done. I am sure Bill would approve. read more

I'm not a Shakespeare fan, but won some tickets in a fundraiser to the Government Inspector. I had assumed this was a Shakespeare play I had never heard of but decided to check it out anyhow since it was free and I do enjoy live theater. Apparently I was mistaken and this was actually a play by Nikolai Gogol, seems they do some plays that are not Shakespeare since 2012. This was very well done and brought a lot of smiles to my face. It even made me think I might be willing to go back and check out a Shakespeare play in the future. This also happened to be in my favorite venue to see plays, the Center House theater, which I had mistakenly believed was used primarily by Book-It. I love this theater because it is super small, every seat is a good seat, its easy to see and easy to hear. The only hard part about it may be finding it if you haven't been here before. I even enjoyed the speech one of the actors made before hand about how their support education program allows them to bring plays to students in more rural areas who may never have a chance to enjoy live theater. It seems like a cause worthy of supporting. Everything was hassle free and I had a great night! read more

I love me some Shakespeare, and Seattle Shakes knows how to serve it up right! Their space at the Center House Theater is small and intimate, so no matter where you sit you're close to the action. Despite the small space they make great use of it with their set design. I recently saw Twelfth Night and my date and I both had a great time. It was a hilarious rendition of yet another one of the Bard's tales of mistaken identity. I particularly enjoyed John Bogar's comically libidinous performance as Malvolio. I also caught a preview performance of Electra and was impressed. The director, Sheila Daniels, is responsible for several of my favorite plays at Intiman theater. Unsurprisingly, the play was intense and filled with anguished performances--particularly Marya Sea Kaminski's portrayal of poor, tortured Electra. I've got a few minor complaints with the story, but that's Sophocles' fault. I'm looking forward to the rest of Seattle Shakespeare Company's 2010 season, especially the Two Gentleman of Verona. read more

A friend and I attended Hamlet in December 2010 and were both thoroughly impressed and in love with the performance. A small intimate theatre definitely helps, but what really did it was that the actors knew their parts SO dang well. The production was simple, as it should be, Shakespeare's words can stand on their own, and the actor's really made them their own. We were fortunate enough to be seated dead-center in the second row, but the theatre is small enough that any seat ofers a wonderful view, and great acoustics. Before this show I didn't even know this wonderful little theatre was tucked into the underbelly of the Seattle Center House. If you have the opportunity to see a show with these fine actors and in this fantastic, intimate space: GO! and yes, I did spell it theatRE, and that's how I always spell it ;) read more

The Seattle Shakespeare has been in operation for over 16 years, and if you don't think that is an accomplishment, you don't know the Seattle theatre scene! In a time when today's hot theatre is tomorrows bankruptcy case, the Seattle Shakespeare Company has managed to put on innovative, consistently entertaining theatre while maintaining it's scrappy, smaller theatre roots. The company attracts some of the best actors and directors of the Seattle/Portland acting scene, and manages to make 500 year old plays sound fresh and new. Higher praise cannot be said. You can find them tucked away downstairs at the Seattle Center House, at the mighty Seattle Center. I've found to call the box office to check if there is a game or concert at the Center (there's ALWAYS something going on there), then to make my parking decisions based on that. Stupid, stupid parking. read more

I LOVE Seattle Shakes! Other reviews outline many of the same reasons (quality presentations, great acting, intimate setting, etc), so I won't repeat those here. Every year, I go to Ashland - Oregon Shakespeare Festival - and over the course of a week, I see every play. I'll put SS up against OSF any day of the week! In fact, there have been a number of shows where I felt Seattle Shakes performance was better than OSF. All this at a lower cost and with no travel required. read more

I was lucky enough to get a pair of comps to Henry V last night through Seattle Comp Tickets, and I really enjoyed my very first visit to the Seattle Shakespeare Co. Their theater is an intimate little space nestled practically under the monorail at the Seattle Center. They have four shows every season-- next year I am looking forward to Cymbeline and Brecht's Three-Penny Opera-- that's right, they don't do JUST Shakespeare. With pay-what-you-can and preview nights, there's no reason to miss a show if the recession has been a little too personal lately. However, if you can swing it, support the arts with your hard-earned monies. Groups like Seattle Shakespeare Co. will put it to very good use. read more

Just saw Hamlet at the SSc. I was blown away. This Hamlet actually contains humor, which was probably the original intention, although you never see it performed that way. The actors were top notch. The theater is intimate, so buy your tickets early! I didn't give it 5 stars because I really like elaborate costumes with my Shakespeare, and this was a very stripped down set; costumes were black, white, Grey or beige. The set was minimal. It was still a fantastic production, though. read more

The Seattle Shakespeare Company is one of the best kept secrets of Seattle Theater. Unfortunately for them their outstanding work and terrific performances are still unknown to the vast majority of the masses. I am sure it's a bit disheartening for them to see so many locals make the long and sometimes tedious trip all the way down to Ashland Oregon when work of such impressive caliber is regularly available here in nearby Seattle. Their work is really fabulous and the artistic director has great vision that never fails to keep the performances fresh and engaging. Plus with such an intimate theater you truly get the opportunity to touch the fabric of the production and feel the depth of emotion that can be lost in a larger space. I was fortunate to find this jewel many years ago, and my daughter and I have been attending performances for almost a decade. Now at the ripe age of 10 (yes, she cut her teeth on Macbeth when she was two - but only made it through the first act) she is becoming a Shakespearean aficionado if there is such a thing and eagerly looks forward to and dearly loves seeing the plays. If you have a young one, the company can provide you with study guides for the plays that will dramatically enhance your child's appreciation and understanding of the performances. I found that utilizing these texts really helped my daughter enjoy his texts and get past the language barrier that so often disengages modern patrons both young and old - yes the study guides have helped dad too. If you have the time to go you should defiantly go, if you don't have the time, then you should make the time - you won't be disappointed. read more

Looking for a quality local theatre experience? Well get your bootie over to Shakes! Every show I've seen there is creative, innovative and true to the text. I also appreciate their use of local Seattle talent, as we have a robust pool to choose from! I look forward to catching "A Doll's House" in their upcoming season as their previous attempts to put up non-Shakespeare shows have been great! Also, they sometimes will put tickets up on Goldstar at a discounted price! Or you can attend a Pay What You Can performance as well since they offer PWYC for every show. Now what are you waiting for? read more

A recent production of "As You Like It" has made me a fan for life. The acting was superb and the costumes and set went above and beyond my expectations. I particularly enjoyed the musical additions to the play. Well done! Creative. Inspiring. A wonderful date night activity. Go! read more

Several years back, my then-girlfriend (current wife) dragged me to a production of Caesar by the Seattle Shakespeare Company. In the cramped confines of their stage at Center House, we were treated to a well-acted, creatively anachronistic version of the classic. We've come to many plays since, and they're usually good, often excellent. Almost all the actors are local, which is practically obligatory in any market outside of New York or Los Angeles. Despite that fact, the quality holds up. It's worth a visit here, even in those terribly uncomfortable seats (dont expect much for concessions, either). read more

very well done theatre. Kind of hard to see the stage when on the side seats, but its not that bad

Wooden O is a great partner who puts on free Shakespeare in the park during the summer!!! Would highly recommend! Great for families! Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy some great acting! read more

It is difficult to write reviews for a theater, considering it can be tempting to review on individual productions and artistic choices. So I'll keep it to the basics. This theater consistently mounts high quality shows using local actors. They have excellent educational programs for kids of all ages and a great free outdoor season in summer, under the name Wooden O, a company with whom they merged several years back. They have Pay What You Can performances before opening for those financially challenged, and also have a program called 'The Groundlings' so folks can see the shows on the cheap. Love this theater. read more

My wife and I have been season ticket holders for years. The acting is superb and the theater settings bring you right into the action. We love it and have never been disappointed. read more

I have tried desperately and many times to love Seattle Shakespeare Co. But sadly, they consistently disappoint. Generally poor to mediocre acting, direction of questionable focus, minimal sets (not necessarily a bad thing, but shouldn't be flat and mundane), and the ever so boring, overused setting of the play in a contemporary or weird context to please a simple and undereducated audience. Shakespeare's plays are timeless; they don't need to be pimped up to be made "relevant". I have attended any number of performances in increasing desperation for real Shakespeare. Please SSC, sit down with your company and board and review, redefine your ideas of quality. By the way, the Ashland Shakespeare Festival is just as bad, maybe worse. They spend much more money on their conceptual crap. read more

While I enjoy these plays, this theatre is near impossible to find and the signage is nonexistent. It is completely unreasonable that they do not have phones open before shows to help people locate this very hidden theatre. Plus they don't have late seating. read more

Yes this is not your Huge opera house type production. They have small sets, costumes that give the idea rather than authentic 18th century replicas. But the sets are always exciting and the staging and music or dance, if any, is entertaining and engaging. The acting and staging, the language is what makes it. If you have tried reading Shakespeare this will help you understand what is meant. Some of the language is updated and there are sometimes jokes that you can actually understand, yet it is faithful to the original. read more

I have had season tickets for 2 years now and just got my 3rd year subscription. This company is small, but talented!! They are able to deliver world class theater. I agree that Seattle Shakespeare company is on par with Ashland or any other theater company. The Wooden O travelling summer program is AMAZING! I saw 12th Night last week in Lynnwood. I wish I had time to be a groupie and follow them every night! read more

Went to see Antony and Cleopatra - AWEFUL! My husband actually fell asleep. I will say that the woman playing Cleopatra was good however. They need to learn that just because iambic pentameter is written in phrases doesn't mean you need to speak it that way. There are more appropriate places for pauses, etc. Give some emotion behind those words folks. Also, the blocking (movement of people around the stage) was so odd. Actors would move to one spot and then stand there all wooden to recite their lines in boring fashion with no emotion. We have seen another production by this group with similar results (one good actress, the rest very substandard). I would recommend staying away from this group and seeking out better productions of Shakespeare elsewhere in the area. read more