mini
I enjoyed seeing the well done 2 Pianos 2 Hand play here. Its a perfect type play for any one who has taken piano lessons. The two actors are very good pianists and the play is about the trials and tribulations of becoming an "almost" accomplished musician. Its well done.The theater is nice with good view lines and comfortable seating. I had seats in the balcony. Parking is convenient and free underneath the theater. It was easy to find a spot and fairly easy to exit after the show ended.The only odd thing is that the ticket I got from their system was for a "non existant" seat. The friendly staff was as surprised as I and said they would look into what happened. I still got a nice seat and was happy with the event. I had purchased my ticket on the theater work web site.
41estellek
All the seat in the theatre make seeing easy. The accoustics are very good. The productions chosen are usually excellent. There are good restaurants nearby and easy parking as well.
pngscuba
I have been a season ticket holder for several years and attend almost every show. Theatreworks is so much more than a community theater. It brings together outstanding talent, good staging, and innovation. I have seen world premieres, west coast premieres and all time favorites.
roberthR4591NF
I have been a season subscriber for many years. Their productions varied; were often very good. But in the past 2 or 3 years I cannot think of a production they have done that I enjoyed and this is very sad. If they do not improve, i will stop attending.The acting, music, and scenery are fine. It is the selection of plays & musicals that has gone downhill. I wrote to TheatreWorks to express my disappointment and received a condescending response.If they do not improve, my recommendation is to look elsewhere. Written October 2014.
asbowers
Creative and varied choices of plays..eg Just opened Sweeney Todd with wonderful cast . This is a small engine that operates like a big one
ColleenD752
I am a season ticket holder to Theatreworks and each season has enough hits to make up for the occasional misses. And regardless of the quality of the play, the staging, sets, costumes, and music are always top notch. The company performs in two locations: a larger venue in Mountain VIew at the Center for Performing Arts and the very intimate and quaint Lucie Stern theater in Palo Alto. Lucie Stern is truly a tiny theater tucked into a courtyard in the Community Center. There is limited parking, so come early or be prepared to walk a few blocks from street parking in the neighborhood. It can be problematic if there is also a show going on in the site's other theater or if the outdoor Hotdog Theater (Summer only) is open. There is a tiny snack bar that has a curious selection of sweets (I recently got a baggie of red vines for $2) and occasionally adult beverages If you want to dine before or after the show you'll need to get in your car as there are no restaurants nearby. The theater in Mountain View is much larger and newer and has a little cafe adjacent where you can get coffees and snacks prior to the show. Or you can choose from an abundance of restaurants on Castro and the surrounding side streets to have a great pre-show meal. There is ample free parking nearby or take advantage of the underground parking directly below the theater (entrance on California Avenue). The company puts on a variety of shows that includes both new works and tried and true favorites from Broadway. There is a mix of musicals and dramas. The acting is generally good, but it can be a bit uneven and sometimes you wish for a slightly more talented cast to bring the shows to life. The musical director, Bill Liberatore, is exceptionally talented and in general, the musicals are a better bet than the plays. Some of the shows are family friendly and it is a good and affordable way to introduce kids to the theater - the website has good descriptions of the plays and will often indicate if the play is suitable (or not) for teens or even younger audiences. During the holidays they generally stage a family friendly production (Secret Garden, Peter and the Starcatcher) and generally the last production of the season ends on a more upbeat note. If you are a season ticket holder it is very easy to switch out seats if you find you can't make it the night of your tickets. A call to the box office will get your tickets switched to a different night. In general the staff of the theater at both venues is very helpful. There is special pricing for seniors, students, and educators. On Wednesday evenings the show starts 30 minutes earlier to allow for a question and answer session with some of the cast/staff after the show. Theatreworks also has a new works festival in August where actors read new productions and the audience is asked to provide critiques post show. This is a terrific and affordable way to see new plays gestate as the most popular shows from the new works festival will be developed and given a full production in subsequent seasons.
2teens
TheatreWorks performs locally in two locations - the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts (MVCPA) and the Lucie Stern Center in Palo Alto. Make no mistake. This is not community theater. All of the productions are put on by highly talented professionals. The MVCPA theater is very comfortable with an adjacent bakery for snacks and sandwiches. Of course there are also all of the restaurants in downtown Mountain View. Each season includes a variety of shows - musical theater, dramas, maybe even a comedy. It's worth checking to see what the season offers. It's a great alternative for entertainment in the area. The vast majority of seats at the MVCPA are excellent.
2teens
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley performs in two locations - Lucie Stern Center in Palo Alto and the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts in Mountain View. Make no mistake. This is not community theater. The productions are put on by highly talented professionals. While the Palo Alto stage is smaller than in Mountain View, I've seen some of the most creative set designs on it. If you're in the area, it is worth checking the season to see what performance is taking place. Many come away surprised that such high quality theater exists in the area.