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Silicon Valley Shakespeare

4.5 (37 reviews)

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Complete Shakespeare stage
Adrienne G.

BIG THANKS to Dan B who turned me onto Shady Shakespeare's "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" . We were lucky enough to catch this on closing night For an evening of amateur theater, there was definitely room for improvement but there were also a good number of laugh out loud moments. 3 actors took their best stab at covering the "entire works of Shakespeare" - lots of costume changes & funny character-interpretations. Much of the humor was of the silly-elementary school variety but it was just up our alley & made for good belly-laughs The setting was absolutely gorgeous - a hidden park of Redwoods w/ a small clearing that housed a small stage & foldout chairs - meaning, if someone's sitting in front of you, there will be NO view. Luckily, we sat in the back & chose an area w/ empty seats in front of us For the Play itself, I thought they spent too much time on Romeo & Juliet as well as Hamlet - in fact the entire 2nd Act was dedicated to Hamlet but ended on a hysterical "Backwards Hamlet" interpretation which literally brought tears it was so funny, so all was forgiven. I really liked the parts when they took certain Plays & brought them into modern days like taking Titus Andronicus & making it into a cooking show & combining bits from Shakespeare's Romantic period all into 1 puppet performance was noteworthy-funny. Didn't much care for the whole "personal" bit around 1 of the actors leaving & the other not knowing what to do about getting him to come back to finish the performance.....had they cut out the "personal" bits & made a more streamlined, Shakespeare-focused performance - it would not have needed an Intermission & I'd have come out of there thinking it was super-fantastic. But everyone's a critic right, & as the Bard says: "All The World's A Stage". As it was in its current form, I'd say it was really, really good & I'm a fan of this company

Megan L.

Shady Shakespeare is top notch 4 stars! My first experience was two summers ago, and I cannot wait to go back! $6 for parking Free admission (what's not to love??) Seats provided (we sat one row in front of the back and we could see fine!) Concession stand for snacks, drinks and goodies Gorgeous wooded clearing in Sanborn Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains! All shows start at 7:00 pm but arrive early to enjoy a picnic dinner and grab seats!

Melisa G.

Great local theatre company that provides free Shakespeare in the Park every summer. We have attended their performances at Willow Street Park for the past few years. Bring dinner and have a picnic! At intermission they have a fun raffle to win a gift card to a local restaurant and after the show they pass a hat to collect donations because although the show is free - it does cost them $ to put these shows on each year. Costumes, fantastic set design and the actors are great and so is the weather- although it can get warm. Dress in layers and bring mosquito repellent!

Bobbie L.

Not Shakespeare in the Park, but a non-stop laugh fest by the same company at the Historic Hoover Theatre across from the Rosicrucian Museum on Park in San Jose. This talented troup put their own spin on Moliere's "The Imaginary Invalid," and created a farce-within-a farce. While staying pretty close to the original plot line (I remember it from college French), they added rock music, broadly drawn characters, and costumes that would put a drag-queen to shame. Tickets through Artsopolis, and shows on Thursdays and weekends through July2nd. I loved it!

Ross Harkness as King Lear with Lucinda Dobinson as Goneril in King Lear, 2012

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9 months ago

Richard III was outstanding. We have consistently enjoyed attending plays adapted and performed by this engaging local company.

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Watched Othello last night. We were most impressed by the strong closing scenes. We also agree on the creative use of ties :-)

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Review Highlights - Silicon Valley Shakespeare

Last weekend we saw Shady Shakespeare's "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" at Sanborn County Park, and it was a total blast.

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Mission City Center for Performing Arts - Watching my niece performing tonight!

Mission City Center for Performing Arts

4.5(6 reviews)
4.7 mi

I honestly had no idea this theater even existed, but apparently it's attached to Wilcox high…read moreschool. It comes up really fast on your GPS so be careful when you go through the light but you basically turn right into the parking lot. There was not much parking, considering the show was sold out to see the descendants, so I heard some people had to park farther away in the neighborhood and walk in. Once you walk in, there's an open auditorium theater or open area where you could buy snacks and get candid pictures with the cast. As I walked further down the hallway to my seat, I noticed how lit everything was and organized and clean. Everything was set up. The rose were pretty so I'm glad I'm only 5'2" tall, but a 6 foot tall person would probably have some issues sitting in these chairs. This particular production had an issue with their in the second half of the show, but I was sitting close enough. I could still actually hear them sing without their mics on. I'm not too sure how many people this theater seats, but there were a lot and somebody's told me they were sitting in the back yesterday and that's why they got tickets for today's show. They wanted to sit up close! Lol. Production can't wait to see my niece perform next year as they do Alice in Wonderland!

I attended a musical performance here and the acoustics here are wonderful. The 300+ seats are…read morecomfy and slightly elevated so that everyone can get a look at the stage. There is also room for overflow on each side as well as in the back. They have ample parking as well as street parking available.

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Mission City Center for Performing Arts - Cast of The Descendants, bowing at the end of their show!

Cast of The Descendants, bowing at the end of their show!

Mission City Center for Performing Arts - The theater from the parking lot

The theater from the parking lot

Mission City Center for Performing Arts - Lobby!

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Lobby!

Louis B Mayer Theatre

Louis B Mayer Theatre

4.2(16 reviews)
3.0 mi

Wife got two free tickets to this performance by Rhiannon Giddens. Who? Checked on the internet…read moreand thought she sounded decent on YouTube videos. Only problem was that it was Friday at 730pm at the Louis B Mayer theater, as in Metro Goldwyn Mayer. Wife bought the tickets expecting me to drive all that way in rush hour traffic, and find the theater at night in unfamiliar surroundings? Yes. Why do you think she married me? Left our house in Sunnyvale at 6:15pm, and 7 miles, 40 minutes and 30+ traffic signals on El Camino Real reached Santa Clara University. LBM theater address is 500 El Camino Real, but that's the address for the whole Santa Clara University. The theater is on the opposite end of the campus, at least a half mile from El Camino Real. All nearby street parking taken, with on campus street parking restricted to vehicles with SCU parking permits. The central parking garage is located near the stadium, but that was completely across campus. Closer parking garage at the corner of Alviso and Franklin St. Take El Camino Real, right on Lafayette, left on Franklin. Took 10 minutes of DWA to find it, at night. Only spaces near the garage entrance are compact spots. Backed into a compact spot, so named as next to a concrete wall. So you are pulling out blind. $5 to park, with you having to enter your license plate number on the receipt. Guess this is to prevent cheapskates from loaning the ticket to a friend for reuse. Parking free after 8pm, but wouldn't you know it, but the show starts at 7:30pm. 5 minute walk from the 4 story parking garage to the theater, the entrance of which is not visible from the street. The usual bag check at the entrance, with hand searches, just like at Disneyland. Sign says no food nor drinks permitted in theater. Ticket electronically scanned. Wife wisely goes to the bathroom before the play starts. Inside a very modern theater, full house, with seating 395-525 depending on configuration, with movable seats up front. 20 rows of seats, two aisles, with stairs going down, and hand railings on the side. Stadium seating at the bleacher area, with your knees at head height of the people in front of you. Great panoramic viewing. Got to stand up to let people get by. One poor dude gets stuck behind a lady wearing a fedora hat the entire show. Francesco Turrisi plays the piano, drums and accordian, while Rhiannon Giddens plays the violin and the banjo. Bluegrass music, Irish ballad music, folk music, instrumentals, and Rhiannon singing. Rhiannon featured on Ken Burns country music, and performed for the Obamas at the White House. Her songs tell stories of historic black womanhood and survival. If it's good enough for Obama, it's good enough for me. Intermission the wife races to the bathrooms, while I take my time. Men's bathroom has 5 urinals and 2 toilets, with line backed up a dozen deep in no time. Women's restrooms have even longer lines. Assume 7 stalls for the women, or at 3 minutes per use, 49 women can be accommodated in the 20 minute intermission. The other 150 women are just going to have to hold it for the 2 hour performance, as the theater was designed for university students age 18-21 with strong bladders. Get back to my seat, just as the college age ladies behind me, remove their bare feet off the top of my seatback. Some people are still learning proper manners. End of the show, get back to the parking garage. Drive out just as the person next to me is backing out, hidden behind a concrete wall between us. Just did avoid meeting by accident, and no it was not an Asian woman driver!

Great small auditorium venue for comedy shows, drama and public speaking engagements. You can hear…read morethe stage and see well from pretty much any seating location in the place and it's a good venue as well for family events. Really nice!

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Louis B Mayer Theatre - Q&A with the cast of the Good Doctor after the show. Nicely done! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Q&A with the cast of the Good Doctor after the show. Nicely done! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Louis B Mayer Theatre - June 6th 2013 FOOTLOOSE the musical!

June 6th 2013 FOOTLOOSE the musical!

Louis B Mayer Theatre

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Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

4.0(46 reviews)
9.7 mi

This is always such a great venue to come and see a show. It has an underground free parking…read moregarage. It's easily accessible if you have any mobility issues. The theater itself is very intimate and allows you a good seat no matter where you are. The staff is friendly and helpful. All shows from my experience, have been reasonably priced. Before the show grab something to eat, a cup of coffee, or even a glass of wine at the Bean Scene Cafe which is linked to the theater.

Excellent location on Castro Street in downtown Mountain View. I come here for specific…read moreperformances each year. Spacious theater with plenty of spots to practice or do rehearsals before showtime. Staffs are great communicators and are always helpful. This place has been around forever and City Hall is a great place to gather or use public restrooms as well. Cafe is easily accessible next door. If you come here in December during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting event, you won't be disappointed. Colorful Christmas vibes everywhere. There's a good sized local park behind it and you can easily park on the streets which are all walking distance. Besides ballerinas and dancers, you get to watch singers, group choirs, and many more colorful entertainments on the outdoor stage area. Inside stage is usually reserved for larger popular shows. Yes, dressing room and areas for practicing before performance time is well set and they're usually on time moving groups in and out as scheduled. Love the backstage area and scenes. Good feeling inside and outside.

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Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

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Center Stage Performing Arts

Center Stage Performing Arts

5.0(1 review)
3.6 mi

If you ever have the chance to have your child participate with CSPA, do it! We were lucky enough…read moreto catch up with the winter production of The Little Mermaid, and my daughter loved the experience of singing and dancing on stage! She had a great experience being a part of the younger cast. All the cast members were great and the costumes, set and lighting were nicely done! Of course we love the music too! It was a broadway adaptation of the show. My family loved the show and came from Sacramento and Gilroy to see it. Seniors and babies were in the crowd so it truly is a family show. The tickets are a great value for the quality of the show and live entertainment, comparable to what you would pay at the movies now. The expressions on my niece and nephews faces were priceless! Their parents said their couldn't stop talking about the show so it's such a nice way to introduce children to performing arts and theater because the cast are their generation! Not all schools offer this so it is such a wonderful experience to share with my family. The parents help and volunteer so it also builds community. I was appreciative of the parents who answered my questions. The director is amazing bringing it all together while staying calm and collected. They have so much talent! There are cast members that have been participants for several years and help the younger kiddos, and they are awesome performers and put their own choreography together. Follow them on social media so you know what shows are coming up. They have their shows at the Milpitas community center so parking is easy. Seating is first come, first serve so plan to arrive early. Enjoy the show and support community youth theater! I hope you leave with new show tunes stuck in your head!

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Center Stage Performing Arts - Parents Meeting

Parents Meeting

Center Stage Performing Arts
Center Stage Performing Arts - Drama Rehearsal for Little Mermaid

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Drama Rehearsal for Little Mermaid

City Lights Theater Company - The cast of "Kinky Boots" (2023).

City Lights Theater Company

4.4(153 reviews)
3.9 miDowntown

I grew up attending the theater and I consider myself very lucky. Community Little Theater in…read moreAuburn, Maine is still around today. I had two brothers who both performed in the theater and one of them is still teaching theater arts now. I usually attend the Broadway musicals at the San Jose Performing Arts Center a couple of times every year and I go alone. John is not a fan of musicals. But he agreed to go to a play last year in SF with me and he enjoyed it. So, when we saw the synopsis of "Running After Shadows," we decided to check it out. The second I walked inside, City Lights Theater reminded me of those wonderful memories I had as a teenager at Community Little Theater. City Lights is smaller than I'm used to but I loved its compact, intimate space. Every seat seems to be a good one and comfortable as well! I loved that the manager spoke to the audience before the show and that they pick a non-profit to donate to that matches with the theme of the play. They also have a little get together after every performance. They have refreshments and you have the chance to talk to the actors. We didn't stay afterwards but maybe next time. John surprised me by wanting to get tickets for the next show. Maybe I can get him to try musicals one day...

It's All an Act…read more Foreword: So, it turns out I kind of like plays. I mean, I recall enjoying watching theater friends perform at school and college back in the day, but I've never actually gone out to see a real live play with professional actors. Anyway, if you're on the fence about coming to see one, then you should definitely do it once. And if you really dig it, do it twice. :) OK, onto the review... The City Lights Theater Company has been supporting local actors and theater makers for forty-five years (ca. 1982) now, and have been in this space since 1991--despite a looming threat from developers... The Good: *Very small intimate venue of ±100 seat theater. There is no bad seat in the house, as even in the back row you still feel like you're practically front row. *Tickets are fairly inexpensive at ±$50-80/ea with season passes available. There's also afternoon matinee shows available for us old farts. *Staff was very friendly *They have a small snack bar and even serve wine *A chance to interact with the performers at the end of the show. *We watched "Running After Shadows" by Vincent Terrell Durham and it was excellent. Great story telling, fantastic acting, and it takes the crowd on a wild range of emotions. The Meh: *Street Parking only but it's free on the weekends. The Ugly: *They must start cutting onions in there at some point, cuz I swear my eyes started watering for no reason. That's right. No reason whatsoever. Conclusion: Intimate venue with great storytelling means a great time out by all. Good spot for a date nite or afternoon (see aforementioned "old farts" mention above).

Photos
City Lights Theater Company - They have a tradition of sharing treats and sips on stage w the cast after the production!

They have a tradition of sharing treats and sips on stage w the cast after the production!

City Lights Theater Company - Two of the four-person cast

Two of the four-person cast

City Lights Theater Company - Fabulous set for Jeffrey Lo's "Waiting for Next." Scenic designer Ron Gasparinetti.

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Fabulous set for Jeffrey Lo's "Waiting for Next." Scenic designer Ron Gasparinetti.

Silicon Valley Shakespeare - theater - Updated May 2026

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