If you're looking for a "third place," they truly put the "community" in "community theater" here…read more Everyone is open and friendly. It's a great place to make friends or have a cheap date night. I watch at least 2 shows a month here. If you've never seen improv before, I'd recommend watching Teacher's Lounge, which performs the first Friday of every month at 9:30pm. They invite an interesting guest to tell true stories and the performers (who all teach improv) create longer scenes based on the stories we just heard. They offer improv classes. There is a drop in class open to all levels on Wednesdays, 101 classes offered a few times throughout the year, and advanced classes. It's not all improv. I've watched drag shows, a sea shanty night, and a fictionalized beauty pageant. The theater also hosts fundraising shows to support nonprofits. They're located inside the Starlight Theater. When you enter, make an immediate left to purchase a ticket or show your online ticket. There is parking in the front and the back (off McClintock Way). The theater has two restrooms in the back.

Went here for date night to see the Classy Lady Improv Team and had an amazing time! I've been to…read moreimprov shows before, and this one definitely delivered. The theater is small and intimate - looked like they're prepping for Peter Pan, which added a fun touch to the atmosphere. The all-female cast was a standout! Super funny, fast on their feet, and clearly had great chemistry. I was laughing the whole time and the games were creative and entertaining. The vibe felt welcoming and community-oriented. One small suggestion: when asking the audience for ideas, maybe give women the first chance to respond- it'd be a nice nod to the cast. Tickets were super affordable ($5 cash / $7 card [we bought ahead on Eventbrite]). Highly recommend for a fun, low-cost night out!

Came for the New Years Eve Show a few months ago and saw Steve Byrn. Entertaining guy. Vibe was…read morenice with New Years air all around and we toasted w/ champagne at the end of the show. It was our first show here. I booked the tix a few hours before the show, no issues purchasing online. Keep in mind, the Improv club is a part of spectrum mall. We arrived a few mins before show start, walked a bit and luckily found it immediately. Irvine is a bit sleepy for night life. The comedian did roast Irvine and himself for that lol. When we arrived, they gave us the option to sit closer to the front or in the back. We decided that night to be in the safe zone and retreated to the back lol 2 drink minimum. Good and attentive service. Would recommend for date night or group outings. I'll be back soon once I check the lineup!

We came here on a Saturday to see Jeff Arcuri and had a really fun evening. Jeff was hilarious, and…read morehonestly all of the comedians that night were great. It's a fun concept you can watch a comedy show have some food and drinks, and enjoy the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the cocktails were a huge disappointment. We waited almost 40 minutes for them, and at $18 each, I expected much better. My boyfriend's drink tasted like there was no alcohol in it at all, and mine was so sweet it tasted more like artificial juice than a cocktail. On top of that, my glass arrived completely sticky, as if the drink had spilled while being carried to the table. The entire outside of the glass was covered in syrup and was unpleasant to hold. After that experience, we decided not to order any food. Seeing one cocktail that tasted alcohol free and another served in such poor condition didn't exactly inspire confidence in the rest of the menu. Maybe the food is great, but after waiting so long for disappointing drinks, we weren't interested in finding out. The comedy show itself was fantastic and we had a lot of laughs, but the drinks definitely took away from what could have been an even better night.

It was really funny improv, and they were all so nice! The concessions table had a lot of snacks…read moreand drinks, and the seating area to watch the show had many seats, tables , and was amazing. It was great! P.S. the bathrooms and concessions table are in the back.

One of my favorite improv theaters. Tucked into Tustin is this amazing comedy venue filled with…read morelaughter and love. Hilarious shows to help you escape from the drama of the day or the stresses of the world. Would recommend seeing one of the MainStage shows and/or taking an improv class which will change your life for the better. Devin and Gina(owners/performers/artistic directors/wonderful humans) provide a joyful space that fosters comedy and welcomes all. They have drinks and snacks to purchase. I drank an RC cola for the first time there. They have bathrooms as well if you drink too many RC colas. I attend and perform in their improv festival every year and they bring phenomenal acts like MAX! See you next year or sooner!

The recent Sound of Music production was entertaining and moving. They had an outstanding cast with…read morepower voices. The set and costumes were exquisitely detailed. Although it was long, it went fast. They could have cut the dance sequence between Liezl and the boy. One thing that they could have done is to replace "goodbye" with "good night" when the kids are going to bed. Then when they sing it the second time around, then it is appropriate to say goodbye.

Went on Wednesday and it was lovely!!!!…read more They added a couple of songs and intros that actually improved the storyline by giving it a little more depth. The one with Baronness, Max, and Georg was fabulous!!! The kids were SO good! The set design with the large sliding wall was so clever and added a lot of movement. Mother Superior and Maria had beautiful voices. Bonus: Alpine Delight cocktail was delicious!

the listed number is disconnected. It has been a cool stage to get a slotted time to work on…read morematerial.

Great comedy show. Some good up and coming comedians. Would be nice if they served drinks.read more

YELP INSIDER TIP FROM DOREEN (AKA AZN PERSUASION): This show is now in Santa Monica at MI Westside…read moreComedy. I give the venue and the 10pm Saturday night Improv Show 4 stars. I give 12 Shiny Nickels 1 star. ***** MI Westside Comedy is in the alley between 3rd street and 4th street south of Arizona directly behind the big Santa Monica Parking structure on 4th. If on 3rd street, go into the food court that has the McDonald's, Candy Baron, Subway and walk thru to the alley in the back. This place is small, has a small bar, but if you go on a good night, like the Saturday 10pm improv show it's pretty good and worth it just for the comedy. I went to the 11pm show 12 Shiny Nickels, but caught the tail end of the 10pm show. If you pay for the 10pm show, they let you stay for free for the 11pm show hoping the lead in will have audiences stay, which should say something right there... 12 Shiny Nickels is described as, "Each show features twelve of the best standup comedians in a row doing their best five minutes of material. We have rotating lineup over 80 comics with a new lineup every week." The night I went was not great. If anything, most of the comics were unfocused, new, and got off the stage before their 5 min were up. I now question the phrase, "the best standup comedians" as what they are best of isn't qualified... My Boo said he would go back, I would not.

Just when I thought I had seen all the comedy shows in LA, I found out about the 12 Shiny Nickels…read moreShow at the Gardner Stages. Your ten dollar admission includes an hour of standup comedy, twelve comics, and... (hope you're sitting down for this)... ALL THE FREE BEER YOU CAN DRINK. Holy moly! I don't know how they can charge so little but I'm there! Decided to check it out because Andy Dick was suppose to be there taping for his new reality show (gotta love watching a train-wreck). The doors open at 10:30pm and the show starts tentatively at 11pm. We arrived a few minutes before 10:30 and were the only people there for awhile. Next time, I'd come closer to 11. It's a little bit of an adventure getting to the theatre, it's located right behind Toi on Sunset Blvd. You go down an alley on Gardner street that looks like something out of Gothom City. A nice man is there to give you a wristband and take your $10/online reservations. You then go down some TREACHEROUS ridiculously steep stairs. Keep in mind, NOT an excellent place to wear your stilettos... Also, quite challenging after drinking boat loads of Tecate. At first, I was a little skeptical about the unlimited free beer but lemme tell you, they are not kidding! There is a bar stocked with canned beer (Pabst, Miller, Tecate, etc.) and you can get up and have as much as you want before and during the show. The show was very entertaining, although it was a little disappointing that Andy Dick didn't show. They were nice enough to let us know he wasn't going to come and offered us refunds before the show started. Not some of the best comedians I've seen but hey, what do you want for $10 and free booze? Halfway through the show they gave away free prizes to people who ordered their tickets in advance... I got a VHS copy of Men In Black 2!! Way better than the guy before me that got an at-home-pregnancy-test kit! Whoo hoo! Really nice people run this show, definitely will be back with more of my beer guzzl'n, comedy love'n friends.

The Gourmet Detective was a fun and enjoyable evening the entire cast was fun and entertaining…read more The show was very interactive and you never knew what to expect from one moment to the next, the made you feel like you were part of the mystery. The Actors were not only entertainers, they served us our food and drinks throughout the evening. My wife and I selected the Steak and I wasn't really expecting much, but I have to say the Steak was a perfect temperature and Cheesecake was Great! This Gourmet Detective is the perfect way to celebrate any special occasion, or just for an entertaining evening out on the town with that special someone! Thank you everyone for a wonderful evening.

The Gourmet Detective is where you will find the REAL DEAL murder mystery show. The actors are…read moreprofessionals and if you like it, their improv with you is GREAT! ***They just moved to a new location in OC (they also have a location in Riverside) so make sure you are going to the right place. There is a lounge bar area for you to relax with a drink if you like before it all starts. You get assigned to a table (all the seats in the house are great because the performers go all around the room.) The three course dinner happens between the three act show. Funny, funny, funny plot where someone dies and it's up to you to figure out who did it. Play along to have the most fun! ...and don't forget to pay attention. The performers are your servers! After you fall in love with them ...go get your photo with them for memories after the show! Fun for all! Worth a try!

Such great ambiance! Always clean and it's so amazing that they have a live band every Friday and…read moreSaturday night, at least since I started going! The service is always fast, and it's nice that the bar opens at 5 pm to enjoy early drinks before the band comes on. Very sad that the MACARONI is gone! That was my favorite dish! The nachos were really good but too big for one person and that's why I've always loved the macaroni. Other than the macaroni being gone, excellent experience back after a year of not visiting! Bartenders are always super cool no matter who we have gotten.

Great small venue for live music! They book a lot of bands of varying styles and experience. We saw…read moreCreature Canyon on Friday and I don't think I've ever seen a better band in this intimate a venue. Didn't eat so can't speak to that but had a classic Old Fashioned and a couple Cold Snacks which are always nice to see in the cooler. Highly recommend!