Attended another holiday show production ("Steam Powered Rocket Ride to the Moon") at the Garage Theatre, continuing the story started last year with 'Terror at the Pike". It had many of the same actors, the ability to throw tomatoes at the villans, and free ice cream during intermission. My wife and I had a good time. read more

My husband and I came to watch the call list and loved the experience. The vibes were intimate, raw, and talented ! We hope to visit again soon. read more

An alternative space for live theater! One of the smallest I've been to! Located in the heart of downtown Long Beach! http://www.thegaragetheatre.org/ Their mission: The Garage Theatre was founded in the belief that independent non-commercial theatre is vital to the future of the art form. The Garage Theatre is a collaborative ensemble that strives to create a diverse body of work, take artistic risks, and uncover social and human truths. We are committed to reaching a new theatre audience by producing affordable works in a unique voice.  I've seen 2 plays here.. 1) The Drowning Girls. Amazingly done! We even got wet! Real water and tubs were used! 2) Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost Well done with humans and puppets! Great place to support local artists. And really great acting..definitely seeing more shows here! read more

The Garage Theatre - Drowning Girls. - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

See all

I attended the closing night performance of Love, Thunder, and...Dynamite. A Roadhouse Parody. My only regret in coming to the closing night is that I didn't have the opportunity to see this production more than once. I honestly cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard. The show was fantastic!! As the title indicates, it is a parody of that "classic" 1989 film, Roadhouse, starring the late, great Patrick Swayze and came complete with cleverly placed references to that other Swayze classic, Dirty Dancing. The production was genius and indicative of why I love the Garage Theatre so much. As always, the entire cast was brilliant. read more

The Garage Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

STEPH JUDGEMENT: A wonderful community theater that puts a lot of heart and soul into their productions. I'm ashamed to say I didn't know about this theater until just very recently. I became friends with a local actor and she told me about this place, and its upcoming production: a parody based on the movie Roadhouse! The hubby and I came for their 2 for 1 Thursday deal a week after it opened and we had a FANTASTIC time. The writing, acting, and what they were able to do with that tiny set was truly a marvel! I actually watched the movie in preparation for this as I'd never seen it, and I'm so glad I did, or else that whole polar bear thing at the end would've been a real headscratcher! Anyway, this show has made me a fan and I'm looking forward to keeping up with their future productions. read more

We truly enjoyed this gem of a theatre and the stellar performance of Misery! Everyone was absolutely amazing!

Cheers for local, edgy, independent theater in Long Beach! We came here the other night to check out "White Trash Catholic Circus," after meeting the star of the one-woman show at Gallaghers one night and after seeing the reviews in the Grunion and the District. It was a good time for a very reasonable $15 (cash only if you buy the tickets in person, but you can also buy them online - discounts for students, teachers, seniors, and groups). My only complaint is that the theater was hot as hell, but they were nice enough to provide paper plates with which we could fan ourselves. It's a very small performance space, but very intimate - there were about 30 seats. The attitude was very fun and laid back and irreverent. All the staff were in costume appropriate to the production (our ticket taker was dressed as a nun, and the rest were in their best white trash outfits), and they even had white trash drinks (Chuck Shaw in a plastic cup and cans of Natty Light) available. When the show started, the first words uttered by the cast as the lights went out were "Fuck yeah!" So, that might give you some idea of the experience. It was fun, despite the heat. From the Garage Theatre website: "The Garage Theatre was founded in the belief that independent non-commercial theatre is vital to the future of the art form. The Garage Theatre is a collaborative ensemble that strives to create a diverse body of work, take artistic risks, and uncover social and human truths. We are committed to reaching a new theatre audience by producing affordable works in a unique voice." I also liked this snippet: "We believe theatre is much like Voltron; it is strongest when all the parts come together as one." Anyone who references Voltron is A-OK in my book! They are trying to cultivate a new generation of theatre-goers, and I think with this kind of material and this kind of attitude, along with the reasonable price tag, they have a good chance of being successful. I'm looking forward to coming here again for the next production. In fact, I'm even thinking about getting a subscription (only $45 for 4 shows). Check it out if you have an open mind and want to support local theater! read more

The Garage Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

See all

Garage, literally in every sense of the word. Not fucking around, microscopic...imagine the trunk of your car, now add 60 people, throw in some beer, B.O., pizza and you got it. 2 for $5 beers or one up everyone and BYOB. Ta-Dow. Cannibal the Musical, that's right bisshhh. So money, if you like laughing that is, if not I hope someone eats you. Gnomes I see you baby shakin' that ass. read more

It only seats about 35-40 people, which made it really intimate. The "concession" stand consisted of a fridge full of beer. 2 for 5 dollars. They let us drink outside on the corner. I think the dude's exact words were... "It's cool, you can drink it on the street...Just dont throw your pabst at a cop driving by." read more

They call this place The Garage, but it's more like your Living Room. As soon as we walked in, I saw the audience with beer-in-hand and feet-on-seats. Yep, this place would be different from the Ahmanson. A devil greeted us at the door with such great jubilation--that made me think, "Hmm, where the hell are we?" The "lobby," or in this case the foyer, consisted of a table, a mini fridge, and of course, the overly-too-happy-to -see-me-devil-slash-usher. Sheesh! Guilty much? I watched "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" here. The set was created so that the audience was part of the play. We were the jurors at Judas' trial. So, in short, we were in purgatory. Because of the way the set was designed, the actors were coming in from the sides, seemingly from the audience, to do their monologues. So, at one point, a character entered from my right side and did his monologue right there and then. My initial reaction was "oh, cool." But after a while, sharing the spotlight with the actor was not that hot as I found myself squinting at the glaring spotlight and staring at the character at an awkward position. And the monologues were long. Too long. Edit people! Anyway, this is a great place to be. The tickets at the door seem cheaper than the tickets online. But since there's limited seating, it's not always a guarantee that you'll get tickets when you buy them at the door. They sell beer, wine, and bottled water via the mini fridge for a few bucks. Parking is on the street or at a lot at another establishment across the street from the theatre. The theatre is on a one-way street, right next to an elementary school. Like what everyone yelped, the place is small. It's too small for even my purse. There's not much legroom, so I couldn't put my purse by my feet. I didn't want to put the purse on my lap because it's like having a two year old sit on me for a couple of hours. So... I didn't have a choice but to place my big purse in the aisle. Little did I know at the time, that the actors (all uber-ly talented by the way) enter from the aisle. I grabbed my purse right before Satan made his grand entrance. I think the smoke machine shooting out from behind the curtain tipped me off that Lucifer was on his way. read more

This place was so cool. Seriously. I went here on my boy date. Which was awkward because I don't date boys. However he suggested we go to this community playhouse and the awkwardness subsided quite a bit! You walk in and pay at the door. $15. You can can also purchase tickets on line. The acting was really good. i didn't love the first short play we saw but the acting was great. The theater only sits about 30 people (I counted) and there were only 15 here on this night. One of the great things about this place is that you can buy alcohol to drink while watching the play. $3 for beer $2 for wine or 2 beers for $5 and $5 for a whole bottle of wine. Now this is my kind of theater! The only downside there is no air conditioning. They are raising money to purchase an air conditioner and I am in for $10. This place definitely beats a movie a theater. I mean where else do you take a lesbian on a straight date and be able to have a great time. I highly recommend this little gem. read more

Larry Indich first introduced me to "The Garage Theatre" many a few years ago I am not sure quite when. This little black box always surprises me from the quality of performers to the quality of the set design. By no means is this place extravagant but that is all part of the fun. The concession stand takes donations and in return you can drink their drinks...I think that's how it works...anyways 5 dollar bottles of wine can not be beat. There is beer also 2 for 5 i think but If your the guy who opens beer cans in the middle of a scene....Dont....wait for a damn black out. Getting side tracked? "lolpera" was a thoroughly good show...I even saw it in NewYork when they traveled there. I saw "Almost an Evening" That was Spectacular especially the 2nd and 3rd time i saw it. I saw "4clowns" but that was at the farm i think still amazing damn me i cant remember the other few plays i have seen but the most recent one there was female nudity so thats always a good sign. ill be coming back second week in august...see ya soon. read more

I've been to about 8 plays at the Garage. Three we're amazing and on par with best of shows at NYC / Boulder Fringe Festivals... The rest were pretty good to great and it's always a lot of fun there due to inexpensive bar and fun people working and attending the plays. If you think you hate theater, try the Garage because it's light years away from the watered down stuff you get at the big venues. read more

I went to The Garage Theatre last night and didn't quite know what to expect! I was very happily surprised and entertained! A presentation of The Bald Sopranos and The Chairs were the plays for the evening. Two very different and quirky plays. Parking was really easy and the theater is about as big as our small house! I loved it! The cast and crew were gracious and polite before and after the show. They have air conditioning and I am told are working on some additional lighting and other improvements. Season tickets are available and donations are truly appreciated as I noticed acknowledgements in the program for donations of $1 or more! It is non-profit and I for one will continue to frequent this business! read more

My dad and I have been taking my little brother to the Holiday Melodrama annually for a bit of time now, and he absolutely loves it, we do too. When I'm not here with the youngin', the shows push the envelope in a compelling and zesty way. read more

Saw a production of "The Stinky Cheese Man" here and it was incredible! The cast was super into their roles and got the audience involved, which really made the night memorable. It's a very small venue, holding maybe 30 or 40 people, but I really enjoy intimate shows so I'll definitely be coming back. read more

See all

The beers are cheap. $5 for a bottle of wine?! From what I understand they also do shows, so what a deal. Did I mention the cheapness of the alcohol? read more

The Garage Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

Saw "Almost an Evening" by Ethan Coen at the Garage Theatre last night. The show was awesome. The actors were incredible and I loved the intimate setting (about 30 people). The Theatre isn't too hard to find on 7th, and check their website for parking options. Drink selection is limited, but how can you go wrong for 2-for-$5 beers or a $5.00 bottle of cheap wine? Overall, how can you beat: -Supporting local artists/theater? -Seeing a kick-arse show for not a lot of money? -Sitting down in your seat with a $5 bottle of wine (at that price, sharing is optional/encouraged) While I don't frequent plays/shows often, I just might have to look into their future offerings here. read more

Don't miss the current production at the wonderful Garage Theatre: Extremities by William Mastrosimone. Fantastic direction, acting and design. Yes, it's a tough subject - violence against women - but this beautifully conceived and executed production takes the audience beneath the surface of the topic. It helps us to look past the horrifying statistics of everyday news and consider our response to violence. What if...? or What when...? This kind of close examination offers a way towards empowerment. read more

Great venue: intimate, friendly atmosphere, loose-limbed. Comfortable. We saw Mamet's "Revenge of the Space Pandas" this last Friday night, ran into an old friend, drank good Mexican beer, laughed, ate pudding, spaced out on surprisingly psychedelic lights, blew bubbles, enjoyed brilliant acting (seriously), agreed to return. Do yourself a favor and support local art: these folks deserve it. read more

Small hole in the wall spot, I like it already. Each time I've been here the seating has been completely different to accommodate each show, makes for a unique viewing experience. Fits maybe 60 ppl so you're right on top of the action. Two tickets for the price of one on Thursday, great value. The performers are solid, if you appreciate art than you'll like this spot. read more

The cast and the supporting staff are amazing. The plays are creative and they are so inventive in setting the scenes in a small area. The theatre itself may be small but the plays are done so well that you just know they could totally fill a much larger space. read more

Went to see Marriage of Figaro with a friend at this tiny, tiny, theatre. The play was excellent, writing acting directing top notch. Went to this theatre a few years ago to see Agamemnon. Both of these productions received rave reviews. This theatre does quality work. Another interesting tidbit went to see Marriage of Figaro 7 years ago (wow it's been that long!) with TF at LA Opera at the Dorothy Chandler, although it's hard to compare the two. It's a bitch to find: it's in an alley. Literally behind the 3rd Street Promenade. Needless to say parking and traffic can be challenging. On the positive side there are plenty of dining options nearby. I don't believe they list their plays on Goldstar, BUT they do have "Pay What You Can" on Sundays. read more

I love the Garage Theater! It's a wild freakin' ride people! This is not a place for those who do not have a good sick sense of humor or are of the closed minded proper peeps variety. If you are open to it, it's the best night out! This theater company has some of the most talented and creative actors! To me, it's like Saturday Night Live meets Mad TV, the talent here is tv and big stage ready. I always feel like I've walked in on a really good secret, like I'm seeing some of these people that I'll one day say, OMG, I remember seeing that bloke in Cannibal the Musical, etc. Anything at the Garage Theater is a must see and experience, unless you are uptight and judgmental, it might make you itch and who wants that, so please don't bother, these actors deserve true appreciators! read more

I so adore this little theater! It's an entirely new experience every time since everything in it can be moved around. Very interactive, very edgy. Most people who know the Garage know someone who is involved with the theater, so it has a very home-y feel to it. Always good times at the Garage. read more

This gem of a theater does amazing work on a less-than-shoestring budget. We have seen three productions there, and all were superior. Their recent offering, the 1980s Extremities is, unfortunately, not dated at all. The performances were perfectly modulated, riveting. Set design works perfectly, almost like another character. read more

Saw a play written by Shel Silverstein. Could not stop laughing. Great little playhouse. And who doesn't like drinking cheap wine and beer during the show. read more