I've been attending Broadway Sacramento (formerly known as Broadway Series) musicals here for the…read morepast decade, as well as the Music Circus. Basically these are the national/domestic/U.S. touring companies -- so not truly "community" theater as the venue name might suggest. My first show at CCT was Les Miserables, actually. In the Heights, West Side Story, Wicked, Avenue Q, Starlight Express, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera, Rent, and Spring Awakening...One of my favorite non-musical shows I've seen here was Kristen Chenoweth in concert (the original Glinda from Wicked, and Pushing Daisies, GCB, etc.). So awesome.
...anyway, I've sat in all the different seats: orchestra near the front, rear orchestra, balcony front row, balcony boxes, and second grand tier. If you can, splurge on seats in the orchestra level (middle to front) for the best acoustics and views. The rear orchestra is fine if you care more for listening to the show or focusing on the bigger picture/staging than seeing the particular actor's faces so much. The balconies aren't stacked on top of the orchestra as far forward as in other theaters, but the box seats are roomier for sure. Be aware that the front row of the balconies does have a bar/railing to help people walk across, but can hinder the view of the stage once you're actually sitting down.
The staff is pretty friendly and helpful with finding seating, will call tickets aren't a problem, and tickets by phone are easy too. For all the ladies out there, here's a tip. Instead of waiting forever in the lines for women's restrooms inside the Community Center Theater, make sure to bring your show ticket with you, exit the rear of the building and use the bathrooms at the adjacent Sacramento Convention Center Complex. Parking-wise, I usually use the Capitol Garage at 10th and L Streets and it never exceeds $5.
I really wish that they had a marquee at the entrance to the theater along L Street instead of just in front of the Convention Center along J Street. They've improvised with banners across the building, or the parking the tour busses/bigrig trucks in front of the theater, with a few posters in the glass display cases in the lobby. The newer format of the seasons (fewer shows, shorter runs) isn't ideal, and there have been a few technical difficulties (mics and set pieces) but I am still a faithful patron.
Sacramento has a "little sister" stigma because what city can measure up to San Francisco? SF is an amazing (and amazingly expensive) place, and as a Sacramento resident and theatergoer, sure SF shows are great too (you know you're in a pricey seat when the teeny old theaters have renovation fees included in the price and legroom is on par with coach airline rows, and the balconies already cost $50 minimum) but only once in awhile for my wallet/budget's sake.
Go see a show at the Community Center Theater, at least once. 2013-2014's lineup (November-June) includes Priscilla, Buddy, Flashdance, Blue Man Group, Sister Act, and Wicked.
