Know before you go: This is not traditional community theatre. This venue charges people to be in the productions - is a school of sorts. Had I known that, I never would have paid to see it.
As a community theatre - this is NOT for me. It would have been nice to have been made aware by Living Social that this theatre is a school of sorts, and that to be in the productions, the "actors" pay a fee. Now - I heard long ago that an actor will never have to pay to act - that would have been my first clue to run far, far in the opposite direction. A good actor gets paid to act. In community theatre - it is most commonly volunteer, or a small stipened paid to the performers. So, of course, you have terrible acting, and a dismally LONG production - in the case of Annie, yesterday...because non actors have no real pace. It wasn't the kids fault- they had a great time. Each of them must sell 10 tickets each (I checked out the website, trying to find out what the heck I had just sat through). I would say 90% of the audience were friends or family of the "actors" - mostly children, and if you are a family member of a child paying to be an actor - you find it all very cute. But as a member of the general public, I found it extremely bad. Also - they need to have the air conditioning fixed. If one is going to sit through an excrutiatingly LONG production, at least it should not be so hot. I wanted to leave at intermission, but we stuck it out.
Now - as a BUSINESS, it is genius. Take a bunch of kids who fancy themselves actors, charge a fee, have them agree to sell tickets to supportive and appreciative friends and family - who think they are cute, nomatter what they do...and that is a successful money plan. I respect the idea. BUT I greatly direspect being "had" as a member of the general public who thinks it is community theatre, and ends up being a situation where you feel as if you are crashing someon'e family reunion, where all the kids got together and decided to put on a very mediocre - but cute (if you know them well) show.
The Living Social rate was WAY WAY overpriced.
As a note - I have a background in community theatre. I performed for years, and have directed, as well. My children grew up doing it - now my oldest daughter is a professional actor and has a production company.
I am a great fan of community theatre. Just not this one.
I won't be back. read more