I've passed this theater several times and never really knew what it was... until yesterday. Yesterday, three of my friends and I saw a Christmas Carol here. What a wonderful venue! The parking was easy and free (in the structure located right behind the theater) and the medium size theater was simply charming. They even had a snack bar. All though we sat in the center section, there really was not a bad seat in the house. The best part of the theater was the play. A Christmas Carol was delightful! We loved everything about it- the way it was narrated, the sets and how the set changes flowed, the acting and singing... everything! I was surprised to see such a stellar performance at what I initially thought was a small venue. Anytime a performance venue is mentioned, I feel it's necessary to mention the restroom situation. The single gender, multi-user restrooms here were clean and plentiful so there was never a long wait. Can't wait to see another performance here. read more

A Noise Within - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

Quaint lovely playhouse in Pasadena- went during the holidays to see a Christmas Carol- wonderful production. Clean facility- ample parking- comfortable seating. read more

See all

We obtained tickets to see "One Man, Two Guvnors" during previews so that may have affected my review since I was not a big fan of the performance. But let's start with the venue. The theater is quite nice. I love an intimate theater space and this one hit the mark. To be honest, there are not many bad seats no matter where you sit. The place reminded me of a smaller version of the Mark Taper. The staff were very friendly, the bathrooms were spotless, and the seats were very comfortable. 5 stars!!! But the performance was another story. It really let me down. Don't get me wrong, they tried really hard. But as with many local theater companies, the casting was uneven. The lead was quite good. He understood his part and ran with it from start to finish. And the band was excellent! It was the supporting cast that was hit and miss. Some were quite good while others gave performances that felt like a high school production. I'd like to think it will get better, but that might be wishful thinking. Overall, I was impressed with the venue itself and I plan to come to another production at some point. It was this particular show that was the letdown. read more

I have passed this place over 100 times and never knew this gem was here. Came here to see a Christmas Carol and was blown away! From the acting to production, everything was impressive. There was also an immersive feeling throughout the theater. Overall, if you are looking for a great date or just a random night of theater...I wouldn't hesitate to come. read more

Always top of the line production value! Great actors, unique and innovative approaches to classic drama. Always be prepared for something unexpected! read more

This was my first time visiting this theater for a performance of "A Christmas Carol". This has always been a favorite play of mine. The venue is such that there's no bad seats, and acoustically speaking the sound is great. It doesn't sound like it's ringing or echoing. Now for the production, I loved it! This play always hits hard for me, but in a good way. The cast was great and the staff who helped put it together did a phenomenal job putting it together. I will definitely be back for other productions. read more

A Noise Within - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

My wife and members of our family have been going to this wonderful playhouse for over 15 years. In particular we always attend Charles Dickens beloved Christmas Carol. The Year being a very busy Holiday time we were going to pass on the this production. So glad we didn't. Every previous year though excellently presented it smacked of a certain sameness. This years production was quite different. Now you can't rewrite Dickens, but you tweak the timeless story into a different direction. In particular two scenes, before the redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge. First one, involved the entire Cratchit clan legs folded in a circle lamenting the demise of Tiny Tim. The actor playing Bob Cratchit Kasey Mahaffy was so good in expressing his sorrow for the loss of his son that I actually believed he wouldn't live. The second scene was a twist in the story line with the beginning drama of human greed with those privy to the clothing and belongings of the deceased Scrooge delighting in collecting money off the miserable Scrooge. The change of this part of play was when the chairwoman wonderfully played by actress Trisha Miller and the other ladies of the scene had taken over the stage with song and dance. That was what made the play different and exciting. The costumes this year were impressive. The acting excellent. The cast had revolving turns portraying different characters, such as Trisha Miller playing the vile chairwoman and also in the opening act the ghost of Christmas Past in beautiful white dress black English bowler hat and on a swing. The best for last the overall performance of the gentleman playing Scrooge, Henri Lubatti. He carried the play with a milder, softer interpretation of Scrooge. A cantankerous old man for sure, but as he eased into redemption he brought with him a man slowly accepting humanity. Wonderful show, the Elliot's have done an excellent production worthy of Charles Dickens masterpiece. I humbly recommend it. read more

Ann Noble was terrific as the ruthless Richard. I have a few quibbles with the way the play began with a Cliffs Note recap of the War of the Roses. I should think that most attendees of this play would be familiar with that. I liked that the actors doubled so many parts and did it well. I truly believed in the viability of a character played by an actor whose previous character had just been murdered in the prior scene. What I was annoyed with was the terrible way in which most of the costumes looked like they had been hemmed by a fifth grader just learning to sew! Please, just ask any of us grandmas to volunteer some time to help! read more

I saw my first play from A Noise Within tonight and I absolutely loved it! It was their production of "The Skin of Our Teeth," a play I was very familiar with after having read it multiple times in high school and having even memorized the opening monologue. But amazingly I'd never seen it staged. I thought this production handled the absurdity really well and cleverly conveyed the natural disasters by leveraging multimedia technology. The cast was largely really strong, especially the performer who portrayed Sabine who's really the star of the show. (I also loved the singers.) The layout of the theater means there's not a bad seat in the house. I was literally in the back row and had no complaints with my view. I love that you can bring your drinks and snacks from the bar into the theater. The building the theater is located in is so nice and it's just lovely to be there. It's also conveniently located with easy parking. What a treasure! read more

See all

This is a nice little theater. It's small, so there don't appear to be any "bad" seats. The seating is in a thrust style. It's intimate because of the size and the proximity to the stage. The people who work at the snack bar are friendly and efficient. Everyone who worked in the theater seemed very pleasant. The production we saw was well acted. The staging was done quite well. We saw a darker August Williams play, which felt like it was based on a Greek tragedy. This place is about an hour from our home. I would definitely come back because it was a thoroughly pleasant experience. read more

A Noise Within - inside - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

It is a fantastic intimate theater. All the seats in the house have a great view. The actors utilize every part of the theater. We had a wonderful date night. read more

We love this playhouse and just saw the best production of "a christmas carol". Scrooge was fantastic. I loved that they actirs came into the criwd to visit after their ovations. We took my niece and nephew and they coukdnt stop talking about at dinner afterwards. (8&10yr old). This is an annual play for us and it just gets better n better. read more

The Theater: Very nice lobby/waiting area, many seats available. They do sell snacks and drinks. Mid size theater, every seat is a good seat to see the stage. Good sound system. The A/C is a bit strong, a little chilly inside. The Parking: There are a few reserved handicap parking right in front of the theater. Free parking at Metro parking structure, about a few minutes walk to the theater. read more

See all

My friend ordered tickets in advance not realizing it was Easter Sunday. When friends and family ask what I had planned I replied..."the theatre" haha But after a champagne Easter brunch, I went exhausted.....but from the start I was enthralled. This production is stunning like so many plays I seen here. I highly recommend. Carry-on Voice Within read more

See all

As a season passholder, I can say with confidence that A Noise Within is a gem of a theater. It may be a smaller community-based organization, but its impact is anything but small. This company has built a strong reputation within the arts community for a reason. They know how to do classic theater with real depth and purpose. What sets A Noise Within apart is their ability to breathe new life into timeless works. Their productions are thoughtful, emotionally rich, and often profound. You do not just watch a play here. You carry it with you. I have found myself days later still thinking about a line, a moment, or a quiet shift in a character that caught me off guard in the best way. There is something truly meaningful about the way they tell stories. The plays linger and challenge you. They remind you of what matters. Please bring back Glorious. read more

This was my first time at A Noise Within! I came for a book event, but they have regular theatre shows too. It's a relatively medium sized theatre with a bar and accessible restrooms. The lobby has fun textiles, aesthetic wall decor, and colorful chairs and tables. To enter the theatre, you can head down the stairs or via the elevator. There's truly no bad seats and I had such a fun time. I'll definitely be back for their theatre shows. read more

A Noise Within - Interior - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

I've been to this theatre 3x recently. I've watched A Christmas Carol, Macbeth, and most recently, Jane Eyre. They are wonderful productions. The lighting, the stage, sound were all fantastic. The acting superb. The costumes are wonderful. I go to many plays a year. It's now early April and I've seen 20 this year. Suffice it to say, I frequent many theatres. The Noise Within is an extraordinary good theatre. The people who work there are very friendly and helpful. The seats are comfortable and because they're placed in a round and the stage extends, every seat is great. *Bonus - "quiet cups" are provided for snacks while watching the play. No more annoying your neighbors with crinkling. This theatre thinks of everything! I don't post many reviews, (something I need to improve upon), but I feel very strongly about the amazing experiences I've had at this theatre. I highly recommend going here and experiencing it yourself. read more

Such a nice theater, right here in town! Every seat is great and the sound system is wonderful. They offer a variety of plays that cover many genres. It is amazing how they utilize a single stage and the decorations are so authentic. The actors are top notch, the absolute best. This is a can't miss experience! There is free parking directly behind the building. read more

Saw Sweeney Todd with a group of friends. The stage has a beautiful layout, and the fact that we were in the first row made it feel more immersive. Actors and production value was 10/10. I think they have a discount on tickets if you buy in a group too. Hope to go back soon! read more

A Noise Within - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

Best musical I've seen today! Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Intimate theatre where every seat is the best seat in the house. I felt the blood splatter upon thy pie! read more

See all

Nice theatre and there are literally no bad seats. We sat all the way in the back and still enjoyed the show. Parking was a little tricky to find so arrive early. It's in the back of the theater where the metro station parking is. Other than that enjoy your time there! read more

This is an incredible spot for so many reasons. First of all the quality of theater is great. It's a perfect place to take a family to see live theater that is challenging but entertaining. Every single seat in the theater is a good view and it's comfortable. The staff is incredibly nice. The quality productions is off the charts. Honestly, my family loves going to noise within more than any place else. My kids look forward to the productions and my husband and I do too. I always try and let people know that a subscription to noise within is one of the best things you can do for your kids. We go for Japanese food at local places before we head over to the theater. There's lots of good places nearby. My kids have seen lots of classic theater and lots of modern interesting theater now. Their attention spans are great we always have great conversations after the shows because live theater sparks dialogue in a way that watching a TV show does not necessarily do. I can't recommend this Theatre enough. Are you gonna love every single show that they do? Well I don't know you might not, but they won't bore you and they choose interesting things. The design is terrific. You'll see some actors who are in the company more than once, which is really fun for the kids. So they might love the man who plays Mr. Antrobus and skin of our teeth and then they get to see him again when they do Jane Eyre. I think community theater real community theater is a little bit of a dying proposition. But this particular company seems to be vibrant and healthy, and the audiences always seem to be full and Jolly. It's really a great place to go. I can't say enough good things. read more

I really enjoyed my time at A Noise Within. It was my first time visiting this theater. I came to see King Headly II just before its last showing. We sat on the very last row and I can truly say there is not a bad seat in the house! We were able to see clearly and close enough to feel immersed in the show. The theatre was clean, the staff was friendly/helpful, and the show was great! read more

A Noise Within - VIEW from H118 (last row) right side....truly not a bad seat in the house - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

We love this theatre as do many oof our friends. Seven of us are subscribers for the same Saturday matinee and have dinner afterwards. Most enjoyable experience to share the afternoon and early evening together read more

Just saw the newly released Jane Eyre play at this location. It's an absolutely wonderful experience, the lobby is beautiful and the stage for the play itself is immersive. The staff are very sweet and explained much of the stage layout and the history behind the play and it's adaptation process, so it was very fun even before the play started. We were seated around 4 minutes before the play, a very quick timing. The actors were experienced and played their parts as if they were the person in the book, making it all the more beautiful to watch. The staff seemed very tight knit and as an audience it's great to see a group of actors and stage crew who are so close to eachother. Absolutely wonderful theatre's and great performance there, I hope to go again soon! read more

Our 1st time at A Noise Within. My daughter's AP English Lit class will be reading/discussing Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye", so it was perfect timing for us to check out the play. Easy & free parking in structure 1/2 block around the corner from venue. Small theater (324 seating capacity) as compared to larger venues like Pantages or Ahmanson theaters with main performance stage below the main top floor. Clean bathrooms. Concession stands offered basic snacks (e.g., candy) and drinks. Surprisingly, they allow food/drinks in the theater (thank goodness, no one cracked open their soda or rifled through their snacks and made noise during the performance!). We got our tickets through Today Tix (discounted tickets but the venue assigns your seats). We were seated to the far left, 4th row back which was fine because it's an intimate theater space so pretty much any seat in the theater is a great view of the stage. Actors and play adaptation from book was great! I liked how they used the small stage to their advantage (no need for major set props) as actors "acted" out things like shutting doors/windows, sitting in a bed, etc...and there were also on-point sound effects that added greatly to the play. Both my daughter and I enjoyed the play (surprisingly, I stayed awake for 95% of the play, so that's a win in my book!)! I'm a fan and will definitely check out future performances at this theater! read more

A Noise Within - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

I was expecting a divey type of theater like those in LA and NoHo with no parking other than on the street. Venue is very big & you definitely do not feel cramped inside. Tickets were assigned seat numbers so that was a plus not having to search for open seats and being sardined in by one another. The only downside I would have to say is the parking as there were only a few parallel parking spots out front and an apartment complex that we parked at next door that had a few unmarked spots (I assume the theater has its own parking lot in back). read more

After decades of attending A Christmas Carol at the Glendale Center Theater, we saw it performed Saturday at A Noise Within. What a difference! Glendale Center Theater (sadly closed since 2020) always had a comfortable, friendly, small town atmosphere. A Noise Within was polished and professional ~ and fantastic! We may come back and see it again this year. We used to attend shows at A Noise Within when they were on Brand in Glendale. Their location in Pasadena is beautiful, and very easy to get to. Looking forward to many years of A Christmas Carol to come, and other shows performed by A Noise a Within at their beautiful theater. read more

Best performance of A Christmas Carol I have ever seen. Exquisite acting, lighting, choreography, stage management. Soft acoustical music when entering foyer. Absolutely unforgettable. read more

Great space with great energy. Performances are always amazing and bring out so many emotions. Not a bad seat in the house. Always sounds so good read more

See all

The lights were dimmed and the play began. I came here with a friend and that is who I was seated next to; nevertheless, more importantly soldiers were sliding down ropes from the ceiling (above the stage) as if we were immediately immersed in war. Henry V, ruled England; this production focuses on the young king maturing into a man and commencing a victorious conquest of France. Swords, blood, and lives lost--tangled in the midst of the 100 hundred year war. The French outnumbered the English but the French were shamed into compliance. In the end, King Henry wins his future queen, Princess Katharine. This was a magnificent play and well played out! There were a few really cool fight scenes that had their rendition of what occurred and a modern approach. There was an opera singer who gave me chills, a delightful and wonderful voice she had. The play was 2 hours and 5 minutes long with a 15 minute intermission. No bad seats in the theatre and snacks for purchase during intermission. Parking was easy as the car park had ample parking--it cost nothing to park there I might add (Metro: 149 N. Halstead st. Pasadena, Ca 91107). "Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable!" -unknown read more

See all

Went to see Radio Golf by August Wilson here. What a lovely space. The play was performed in the round, set downstairs. The lobby has comfortable seating. Parking is located at the rear of the theater in a garage associated with the Metro. It was a little tricky to find in the dark, as it was our first time, but hopefully it will be easier next time. read more

I just attended A.N.W. for the first time to see A Midsummer Night's Dream and it was such a rich, witty, funny, and visually exciting experience in a state-of-the-art theatre space that I had no idea existed beneath the main building. It's amazing! The lobby and lounge space is modern yet comfortable with generous seating. I just wanted to linger there longer and enjoy the snacks, drinks, and chocolate. Great venue with free parking. Treat yourself to a show there. You'll be glad you did. read more

I went to check out this place because I wanted to support local theater and although the play, Metamorphoses, I saw was entertaining enough I thought the overall quality could've been better. I felt with the money I paid for front row seat I could've went to a show at Pantages. Kudos to the actors who lent their talents that afternoon and made my visit worthwhile regardless. Perhaps I might drop by again if there's another play here that catches my eye. read more

This was my first time at this venue. I really liked it. It was cozy. This is Middle December so wear a jacket it gets a little chilly. Any seat is a good seat but I definitely want to get center stage seats. The view was amazing. I will be coming back. read more

See all

A lovely small theater in a semi circle format. Enjoyed a production here. Elevators to floors and public parking in the back. I look forward to visiting again. read more

Had a wonderful time seeing my niece in the Christmas Carol. The performance was great and the staff was friendly. Since this was my first "pandemic" performance, the staff carefully checked all patrons for ID's with their Covid vaccine cards. We felt safe as safety precautions were followed. Looking forward to attend another performance in the near future. read more

A Noise Within - Stage from third row, center section - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

Wow, and I thought that I could not see another production of "A Christmas Carol" -- as much as I love the story, it is just overdone. But this repertory cast proved me wrong! From a set design that was profound in its simplicity, to the costume design which hinted at steampunk meets "Les Mis" to the charming performances -- I will definitely be back to see what this crew does with other "overplayed" classics!!! read more

See all

If it weren't for the cold theater, I'd had given them 5 stars easily. Very chilly (and I used to live in SF and loved the weather). Many others in the audience agreed (this during the absolutely fabulous performance of The Picture of Dorian Gray). The ushers said, at the intermission, that nothing could be done about the temperature. Luckily, they have hot coffee you can take into the theater. See The Picture of Dorian Gray (Fall 2018) but bring a sweater. read more

It's been several years since I've reviewed A Noise Within. It continues to provide consistently great productions in an intimate theatre setting. We saw Kiss of the Spider Woman today, and everyone in my group greatly enjoyed it. I have already bought season tickets for next year. read more