Wonderful playhouse! Plenty of inexpensive street parking and garages nearby. Super easy to locate, beautiful ceilings, Intimate production area, every seat is amazing, elevated! There's no bad view in there. We went to see Fences. Great production, actors/ actresses, and costumes. I love the convenient concession, and lavatory inside of the venue. This way, you don't have to step out of the production room. I look forward to attending many more productions here at this location in the near future. read more

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company - This production is amazing !! - Performing Arts Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I went to my first play at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company last weekend. A friend and I visited the theater for a performance of Jane Austen's Persuasion. The theater is beautiful - very comfortable and intimate - not a bad seat in the house. They have a couple of bars and some seating areas, which made for an enjoyable intermission. My only (very small) complaint about the theater is that it was hard to find the bathrooms, and we waited a while, because the one women's room we found was a single stall bathroom. I think there was a larger women's room somewhere, but we didn't find it! The play was interesting - I'd never seen a theater adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, and the adaptation was interesting and some of the actors were really great. We had a great time. I was surprised to see and learn that not all of the Company's performances are of Shakespeare - later this season, they have August Wilson's Fences (part of the Baltimore August Wilson Celebration), Shakespeare's The Tempest, A Christmas Carol, and Shakespeare's The Tale of Cymbeline (performed outdoors in Ellicott City). I'll happily return for another performance! read more

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company - Performing Arts Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

It's a small but mighty theater. It's well kept and the stage and productions are also simple but effective. I have been here to see several Shakespeare productions, and they do a lot with shows to make them more engaging for the youth. I also love when they step outside of the box and run other classics, such as A Raisin in the Sun. I recently saw Joe Turner's Come and Gone, which was good even during the preview. The seating is not traditional theater seating, which can be more confortable in a sense, but there are no arm rests, which is uncomfortable in another way. read more

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company - Performing Arts Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Very good experience coming here for A Christmas Carol. While most of us have either heard of the story, seen a production or a movie version, the CSC's take is unique. Mostly in that instead of 19th century England it's meant to be set in 19th century Baltimore. The other big difference is that unlike most shows you'll see where there are two acts with an intermission, this version is a straight through 90 minute blitzkrieg. To me this works and it doesn't work. If you have never seen the show before or if you are trying to appease the short attention span theatre crowd then I guess I get it but there are scenes that instead of being acted out are just explained by different cast members in an attempt to move the story along. Gregory Burgess as Scrooge was great and when the man does one of his screams, well...some of us could have used a diaper because it's funny and sure as hell catches you by surprise. I nearly pissed my pants on the first one or two. Ticketing was very easy on their website and we were sitting right up front by the stage although no seat here is bad due to the smaller size of the venue. Due to them just reopening after a long pandemic induced hiatus, no snacks-bar were open and you definitely needed to bring proof of vaccination which was clearly delineated on their website in multiple places. Fair pricing, great show, easy to get to venue from all of the Inner Harbor hotels equals a great experience. Hopefully in the future we'll be back. A+ read more

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company - Christmas Carol Set - Performing Arts Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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What a cute little theatre company. Small and intimate is the best way to describe the size of the theatre. This old bank turned theatre, has three levels, two to three rows in the front and sides, two bathrooms, two bars and a quiet area in the vault to take your children if they start to make noise during the performance. Don't worry, the restless little one wont make you miss the play: there is a TV in the vault for you to continue watching. My family and I went there to see A Christmas Carrol. Though we didn't know it at the time, it was the 176th anniversary of A Christmas Carrol; published on 19 December 1844, the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve. I have been seeing this play, every year, for the last 15 or more years at Fords Theatre in DC, but this was my first time seeing it here, and I was so impressed with their rendition of the play. This adaptation of the play was unique. It is a multicultural cast, set in Baltimore. Born and bread in Baltimore, I was able to relate to the references of historical sites, streets and neighborhoods. It made the play all the more endearing to me. I laughed so hard, and felt more apart of the show because we were so close to the stage and characters. They had some really good main actors/actresses and some so-so support actors/actresses, but definitely worth the money and time. Now that I know about this theatre, I look forward to attending more productions. Tip: Park in the garage for $10 and get a $5 voucher from the theatre. There is also metered street parking out-front. read more

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Wow! Dracula show was incredible! This theater is a family friendly gem in the heart of Baltimore!Complete with parking garage close and has handicap access out front along with street parking if lucky enough to snag a spot. I've been here for several shows and every seat is a great seat. They have a nice wine, beer, cider, soda & small snacks bar open on each floor (only the 2nd floor bar is open during show). There are also family restrooms available. The show Dracula was an audience engaging show! Without giving away too much for those who want to catch the show next year, I'll just say every level & area of the theater was used for this show. The cast was incredible and extremely friendly during the after-show. They're always available after the show to thank you personally for attending the show and/or take photos with if you choose. This is one of the aspects that make this theater and the cast unique by taking the time in character after the show to meet & talk with attendees. During this show we were also treated too a few nice musical presentations before the show and during intermission. This theater definitely will not disappoint & I definitely give them a 5/5 across the board! read more

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This is an excellent and friendly Shakespeare Troupe right in the heart of Baltimore. The inside of the theatre is a cool and modern interpretation of an Elizabethan theatre such as the Globe Theatre. It puts the audience always close to the actors. And at the end of the show, the actors interact with the audience....like they sometimes did four hundred years ago. The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is easily accessible and a short walk from all the restaurants around the Inner Harbor or in downtown Baltimore. read more

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Last evening my wife and I saw the play Oresteia. Going in the this experience we had not idea what the play was about we just knew it was a Greek tragedy and that's it. The rest of the review comes from that point of view. The actors were great ! During the play they were not hooked up to any microphones and the entire performance was done by the power of there own voices. I was impressed. A play is only as good as it's story and about a third of the way through the play something felt off. But by the end I realized what I had watched it was " Netflix presents Oresteia". What I mean by that is the ending was incredibly unsatisfying and atheistic. I let the theater with feeling in the pit of my stomach that some one had taken something amazing and butchered it in front of my eyes. On the website they left no indication that this was a an abridged retelling with the theme changed. When I got home I find out I was correct the play is supposed to be 3 2.5hours plays that they gutted to 1 one hour long play. They change the characters to fit there world view and it was unsatisfactory. At the end of the story spoiler alert instead of a trial by his peers that was ultimately a hung jury with the tie, broken by the goddess Athena. We instead had the gods reduced to mental illness, and a hung jury with a unsatisfying ending. I do not blame the actors they were great. If you are the writer of this show I am rooting for chatgpt to take your job. Long live history . read more

got rid of their veterans programming and treated their veteran artists-in-residence like they were a chore

Saw Dracula today and loved it! What a phenomenal venue - updated, historic structure. They've managed to keep the ambiance of the original structure and add modern pizzazz. I'll be back!!! read more

This is a wonderful theater. The stage is in the center, and there are long, plush pew-like seats situated around the stage. I like that the space is situated in an intimate way. Seating is strategically placed around the stage and above in the balcony area. It's cozier and not so spread out. No matter where you sit, you'll have a great view of whatever play you're watching. The sound quality was great. I could hear the entire dialogue of the play clearly. The sound effects were good, too. I had such a great experience. I brought a group of students to see Macbeth. The actors were great and put their all into the performance; they were also really open to interacting with students, responding to questions, etc. The other theater workers were also very helpful with providing a warm welcome, directing everyone to seats, showing where restrooms are located, and just generally answering questions and being accommodating. I look forward to coming back so that we can see Romeo and Juliet in the spring. read more

Our relationship with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company (CSC) started a couple of years ago when we began to attend their outdoor performances at the Patapsco Female Institute (at the top of Ellicott City). We really love this group. We've been to at least a dozen of their performances and it's really a wonderful way to introduce our munchkins to Shakespeare and the experience of theater in general. I've personally enjoyed some of twists they put on performances, while still keeping it true to The Bard's words. Last year CSC opened up their refurbished digs at the Calvert Street theater in Baltimore. We were there for the grand opening. In its previous life the building was an old bank, but has been completely refurbished. The new theater is a great space for performances. The stage and seating are modeled in the style of the original Globe Theater. If you read my reviews you know that I'm notoriously cheap, so when I tell you that we bought a subscription for my family we must really like it. When you think about supporting the arts CSC is the kind of local organization that should be right at the top of your list. Exposure yourself :), expose your family to theater. read more

Just saw "A Christmas Carol" at CSC and was amazed. By far the most engaging and well-staged performance of this Dickens classic. get on down and bring the kids before it's gone. read more

Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic! Went the there to see A Christmas Carole with my wife on the recommendation of a friend. Wow! The show was excellent. The actors were excellent. All of the seats and the layout were excellent. We loved it so much we bought the multi show subscription. Obviously we will be returning. A hidden gem in Baltimore and VERY affordable. Highly recommend! read more

I found the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company from prowling downtown for my office lunches. I finally got to check it out when they did Othello about one month back, for a preview performance. It was great! I thought the acting and stage direction were quite good, but I haven't seen too many plays to compare it to. I'd never seen a professional Shakespeare production before, but Othello got me hooked! The theatre itself was beautiful and a more intimate, small set up. I think you can get a pretty good view wherever you sit, especially as the actors move to face different parts of the audience. However, one of my companions did find that the balcony seats were a little closer together, making it a bit uncomfortable for his longer legs. I don't know if they always do this, but the actors also performed a song for the audience during intermission. I thought that was pretty cool! Definitely come check out the Chesapeake Theater Company - they seem like a good group. Tickets were only $15 for the preview performances, so it can be pretty affordable if you can come on a weeknight. read more

Big fan of the renovations. I've never seen a theater with such an authentically inspired staff and cast. They we're all welcoming and friendly and seemed sincerely delighted to be working there. Overall it has a uniquely casual atmosphere that will hopefully make the venue feel more accessible. It's a great place to see a show on a whim. A Christmas Carol was well executed with a lot of energy and fantastic costumes. I would have traded some of the less plot heavy scenes for some more Tiny Tim time but overall it's a wonderful show. There's a playroom for bored children with a live stream of the show. And I heard there's a garage nearby that validates for $5 parking. read more

The CSC is one of the underrated gems of Baltimore. Their new location on lower Calvert St. is fantastic, and the quality of their productions (both Shakespearean and not) is superb. My fiancée and I recently stopped in to see their '80s punk update of Titus Andronicus, complete with live rock covers and brilliantly gruesome visual effects. We had a blast. Our tickets were for the front row at stage level, which provided both an amazing view and the ability to interact with the actors, who seemed to be having just as much fun as we were. The small space makes for an immersive experience and the director made perfect use of the entirety of the theater and backdrop to stage the action, which was one of the most impressive aspects. If you haven't been, there's really no excuse not to check out one of their performances. The tickets are priced very reasonably and, as I mentioned, it's one of the absolute highlights of Baltimore's art and theater scene. Go support them! You won't regret it. read more

We went to see the "A Christmas Carol" Play and it was awesome. The setup of the building was really nice as well as the decorations. The actors acted well in character and made it a great experience. The music was amazing and it was neat how the play was related to the area it was shown in, to make it seem more modern. Can't wait to go back to see another show! read more

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company - The stage area before the play - Performing Arts Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

What an amazing venue! A must see... Offers selection of wine/beer options in a cozy atmosphere. read more

My husband and I took out son for a weekend in Baltimore for Shakespeare and sightseeing and the show was the highlight of the weekend. The company is so excited to share their work and are very proud of the beautiful building they work in. We saw Taming of the Shrew and we laughed the entire show! The actors were awesome and my husband loved that the bar was open before after and throughout the performance. Big thanks to Laura Malkus (Development Director). She gave us a tour of the building and was very helpful and enthusiastic about the company. Valerie Fenton as Kate was hysterical and Ron Heneghan as Petruchio was beyond funny. He also made a special point to talk to my son about his interest in Shakespeare after the show. Kudos to cast and crew! read more

Great place! Tickets are pretty reasonably priced and you can also catch a dress rehearsal for a discount. Have seen a few shows here now and love the casual atmosphere. All seats have good views of the stage. There are two bars in the theater, though if you go to a preview show, they may not be open. They do validate parking for anyone driving - I believe parking is $5 after their discount. read more

Small, intimate theater. The seats are arranged such that there isn't a bad seat. We sat on the second floor, first row and loved it. The cast seems to genuinely love what they do. The bar is open throughout the show which is very nice. If you go, make sure you go all the way to the third floor and get a great view of the ceiling and library. read more

We saw a matinee performance of A Christmas Carol. The actors did a fine job. They were enthusiastic and the acting was good. The employees, managers, actors were wonderfully welcoming. The intimate theater and the friendly people made the event seem almost like a party. The director has taken some liberties with the story. The setting is Baltimore rather than London. Local streets and neighborhoods are mentioned giving it a nice touch. The theater has little benches that seat two. They are comfortable with good leg room. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house. The concession stand had a variety of drinks and snacks. The theater was clean. The bathrooms were large and clean. There is an elevator to the mezzanines. I was very pleased to find that they have a family room for parents to take children who aren't tolerating the theater. This was a good thing as several people thought theater goers, having paid a tidy sum, would want to risk hearing their toddlers and infants fuss. Garage Parking is available a short distance away for just $5 with a coupon from the theater. read more

5 stars for the actors of Romeo and Juliet. But having a movable play is a great idea that didn't work. The audience had to follow the actors way too many times. It got old quick. Worse was the craning our necks to see the action. These were not cheap seats. We are avid theatre goers, and we were so disappointed at the movable play concept. Moving a few times is fine, but moving a dozen times, struggling to see the action, unacceptable. read more

We came to see The Winter's Tale and had a wonderful time! The theater was cozy and fun for a weeknight performance. Performers were excellent, props and costumes worked nicely, and there was a bar on every level (BONUS!). Would 100% recommend seeing a show here! read more

The Chesapeake Theater Company has garnered a lot of press since they opened their new place in downtown Baltimore. No wonder, since Baltimore is desperate to distance itself from the rep it retains from twenty years of critically acclaimed TV dramas. However, while the ever-prevalent advertising is still set at obnoxious levels, you really should give in and go see one of their shows. In this fascinating converted old bank, there are three levels of seating, and the productions are designed to maximize their space so there is not a bad seat in the house. The main stage is on the floor level, of course, but the set extends to the ceiling and the actors regularly perform on every level throughout the show. We saw "A Christmas Carol" there, and singers regularly came out on the mid- and upper levels to sing well-thought arrangements of classic songs between acts, as well as add to ensemble pieces during the main show. This is clearly something every director will make use of during other productions. There are bars on the two main levels, although only the ground floor was operating while we were there on a weeknight. You are allowed (and encouraged) to grab a drink to bring to your seat with you, and their drink choices are thoughtful and inviting, whether you want a local craft beer, wine from the spigot, or mulled wine to match the show, there should be something there you will enjoy. They have a discounted parking arrangement with the nearby Arrow garage a block south with entrances on Water and Lombard, which can be a little hard to find your first time so build some time in to circle the block if you need it. On a side note, I was not wild about seeing "A Christmas Carol" as it was a show I had seen so many times already everywhere else, but the production was inventive, truly entertaining, and made so much creative use of the theater itself I really enjoyed myself despite my reservations. This is not just Baltimore's new place to go to see Shakespeare. This is Baltimore's new cool place to go, period. read more

What a wonderful gem with great talent. Went with my daughter to THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST and couldn't have enjoyed it any more. I am 63 and my daughter is 27 and our only disagreement was who enjoyed it more. It is a venue for all ages. So nice to attend theater where I could understand every word spoken and see everything that happened (including facial expression) without straining my ears or eyes. The theater is beautiful and the acting exceptional. The only thing that concerned us was that the "bench" seating and backrests were a bit uncomfortable. It looks lovely, but it is built for some specific size person, which I am not, nor is my daughter. But we will return, likely with a pillow. read more

Great venue. They always do a solid job. I like the fact that the actors come out to meet the audience after the shows. They want to make Shakespeare and theatre in general accessible to the community & children. I think this is so important. They even have a play room for young children that is sound proof and parents can still hear & watch the play on closed circuit tv. read more

I just left my fourth CSC production. This was my first show in their new Baltimore location. I love how intimate the venue is. It only seats about a couple hundred people and is set up so that everyone virtually has front row seats. The actors and crew are genuinely happy to see you. They engage and interact with the audience during the production. It's as if the audience is as much a part of the show as they are. They also take the time to speak with everyone before, after, and sometimes during a show. They are very talented. Every time I go to a show, I know I am going to have a great night. I leave in such a good mood. I highly recommend checking them out! read more