Got to see a friend's play at CCCT and really enjoyed the whole thing. This place is a community…read moreresource and a treasure - support it if you can.

I was so happy to score a pair of tickets for West Side Story - I have long enjoyed the film…read moreproduction and have never seen a stage production of this musical. Sadly, I was stood up by a blind date and my Yelp buddy Alex couldn't join me so I went SOLO (and left solo). The theatre itself could use some help - the angle of some of the seats isn't great for viewing but it's a very small theatre so that's not the worst problem. The seats are by far the most uncomfortable seats I have sat in a very long time -- I just could not get comfortable and felt stiff and beat up after the first 90 minutes of the performance. The audio system had some problems -- there was a constant buzz and it was rather annoying. The performance was fantastic -- I was very impressed by the tremendous talent and quality of acting on stage. The lead singers' had amazing voices -- and though the casting choices were a bit of a surprise (Riff by an Afro-American man, the Puerto Rican women mostly by tiny Asian-American women) -- overall, they did an amazing show and fantastic performance. Costumes were mostly pretty good - except for one. If you were there, you know which one -- the "plus size" cast member who was doing all the same moves as the other dancers, singing and moving gracefully about the stage -- in such a poor costume that it stuck out like a sore thumb. It didn't have a pleated waistline to allow the skirt flare out like the other dancers, it just didn't look right and it looked like that dancer got cheated of a proper costume. All in all, I would love to return to this theatre - despite any flaws, it's a fantastic bargain and really makes me wonder about all the hidden talent in the general public. Who needs Broadway or Hollywood when you have local theatre?

I'd never been to a Berkeley Repertory show until this year. I'm surprised because I'm such a big…read moretheatre nerd. I was served an ad on Instagram for Arthur Miller's All My Sons in March 2026. It stars Jimmy Smits (of Star Wars and the West Wing fame! That's my President Santos and Bail Organa!) and his wife Wanda DeJesus. Such big names! I took my mom to a weekday matinee. It was a packed house and skewed older (hey, it was a weekday.) The theatre was clean and intimate. There was no bad seat in there! They did have a young person's discount if you're under 35 which was nice (if you're under 35.) Maybe if Berkeley built more housing, the city would be more welcoming and inclusive to young people and there wouldn't be that discount. Bathrooms were clean. After the show (which was a tearjerker), there was a Postshow Discussion with a docent (a UC Berkeley grad student.) It was fun discussing the show with other attendees who stayed. It was like a book club! Intimate and inclusive, and then there was a surprise--Jimmy Smits and Wanda DeJesus came to listen and contribute to the conversation! (And then do autographs and photographs.) Berkeley Repertory is a community hub. I appreciate their shows and the discussions they evoke (and the space they provide to have said discussions.) The SF Chronicle raved about All My Sons and I could not rave about it more either! Time to reread Arthur Miller and also support local theatre!

Saw How Shakespeare saved my Life on Saturday evening…read more Excellent one man performance. Atmosphere and staff were great! Wonderful experience and the actor was fantastic!!

I came here with my friends to see Sunday in the Park with George. The production was very well…read moredone and our seats were only $8/each since the show was still in previews! Support local theater! I'd come again to check out other shows.

I write with an update about Shotgun Players. I do so because of the pandemic. That historic event…read moredivides experience, individual and collective. So much of the world did not make it through, even institutions. I'm glad this theatre is still around. It is as good as before. Shotgun Players actually is better. During the pandemic, they renovated. I thought that from looking around, and I googled for news articles to confirm. I also learned they are considered, with Berkeley Rep and Aurora, one of the Big Three in town. We subscribed again. I want to support local live theatre. I don't even reside in the Bay Area anymore. But my wife does. We're in the area enough weekends to want to catch more than one show. We go with another couple. The matinees are a favorite. We received free soft drinks as regulars, and a chocolate. The poster art, with murals to match on the side of the building, are by R. Black. They also have a set of tarot cards. I was not able to find too much more about the person. I am glad Shotgun Players has such a consistent look and feel. A note about the seating. I mentioned earlier my favorite, row L, which consists of bar stools for a high top table. They won't be for everyone. Your feet will be dangling. All of the other rows are benches with long cushions underneath and individual pillow cushions behind. The legroom is great. You are not cramped as at most venues. The truth is following the lockdown, we are not out as much for cultural events. But I am always interested in what Shotgun Players is doing. If you have the least interest in seeing performers on stage, I recommend them with enthusiasm.

Lovely venue. Very intimate. When they say arrive early, do so. There is no need to get VIP. There…read moreis no bad seat in the house. However, I am all for supporting the Arts. So if you do wish to pay the higher ticket price, know it is going to a good cause. There is a parking garage. The entrance is on Kittredge st, you can exit the garage on Allston Way.

Great place to see top-rate solo performers! They have an intimate theater, as well as a…read morebar/cabaret space. Last night was the first time we saw a show in the bar space and it was very fun, ordered reasonably priced cocktails.

"Boil, Boil, Toil and Trouble."…read more I had the good fortune of seeing "Macbeth" recently, on a warm summer evening. The theater is just a short (and beautiful!) walk up the hill, but they have a free shuttle if you prefer to ride. The resident dramaturge, Philippa Kelly, gives a scholarly lecture before the show. She set the historical context for the play. I appreciated getting the background on Macbeth, and especially the purpose of the 3 witches. The amphitheater is a comfortable venue, and suits either the comedies or the tragedies. (I have seen both here.) For Macbeth, the stage had clear partitions, behind which the characters (and the witches) could traverse. This was also a handy place for the witches to toss "blood" in several scenes. I sort of knew it was coming, but the red gore still had a big impact on me. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Macbeth. The actors had clearly studied hard, and the play was professionally executed. I was especially impressed with Lady Macbeth, played by Liz Sklar. Of course, she has a meaty role, sleepwalking in one scene, and trying to get the blood off her hands in another. For cold nights, the staff has blankets for a nominal charge. I was delighted to also see many food options, as well as beer and wine. There are lots of wood tables to sit at and enjoy your meal. The only criticism I have is that for Macbeth the audio was spotty in a few places. For instance, the loud, background effects drowned out the 3 witches in one scene. I thought the ticket was pricey, but of course, buying a season pass is a better value.

"WAR OF THE ROSES" - FOUR SHAKESPEARES' PLAYS INTO ONE…read more My last class I ever took as an undergrad at UC Berkeley was Shakespeare. In fact my final semester Shakespeare was the only class I took as I had completed all my courses for my Art History major the previous semester. So I wanted to really enjoy learning for my final semester at UC Berkeley. From that Shakespeare course I read and studied plays such as Twelfth Night, Othello, Merchant of Venice,Taming of the Screw, Hamlet, Anthony and Cleopatra, and Richard III. I came here to watch the "War of the Roses" last month. One of my co-worker she saw the play "War of the Roses", which comprises of 4 Shakespeare's plays - "Henry VI (Parts I, II, and III) and Richard III - into one. I've read Richard III but never read Henry VI - Parts I, II, and III. That was a unique concept as each play can be at least 3 hours when performed. The snipets from each play resulted the play of "War of the Roses" 3 3/4 hours performance. A little history note "War of the Roses" is about the English Civil War between two branches of the Plantagnet family - The House of York and House of Lancaster. Also the "War of the Roses" influenced the HBO show "Games of Thrones." The magazine at the theater provided an insight for the summary of the play. This was helpful to understand the flow of the play. One thing I was fascinated was the stage as it was a two-story stage. Most of the acting was the first level stage, but the upper stage was also used as The Tower of London for "Richard III". During the play I was fascinated how the actors were playing two roles where in "Henry VI" they would play one role and "Richard III" in another role. That shows skills from the actors learning lines of two characters. Since the theater is small you can a great view of the play - there are no nosebleed seats. As an outdoor theater I recommend bringing a jacket as the weather tends to get cold at night. Another recommendation is instead of paying tickets online where the prices can be over $40 depending on the seats call the ticket office to get $20 tickets on the day of the show. As stated before since this is a small theater the seating is close to the stage so it's better to call the ticket office on the than order online. If you like Shakespeare and want to watch one of his plays I recommend coming here to this theater.

The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe is only on for 4 more performances- SEE…read moreIT! STREAM IT!! Marga Gomez is utterly astonishing in her talent performing this brilliant & iconic (Lily Tomlin) monologue of the 80s/90s (written by her wife Jane Wagner). It's a MUST SEE in the absolutely charming downtown Berkeley arts district theatre!

the SEARCH for SIGNS of INTELLIGENT LIFE in the UNIVERSE is fabulous. Marga Gomez does a fantastic…read morejob. It is on until August 10th. Don't miss it.

It was disappointing that their college and cabaret performance space closed, but they still have…read moreperformances across the street in a pleasant hall.

I've been taking classes (playing in bands) here for four years. Gotten me back on track in terms…read moreof my playing. It's also becoming a good place to hear concerts, hard to find any creative music venues these days.

Came here for the spring exhibitions opening reception and had a great time. Was a bit surprised…read morethat masking was still required indoors but they provided masks at the front. The exhibits were nicely organized and flowed well. The Richmond Art Center seems well-maintained overall and they did an excellent job with the opening reception, including the yummy food and drinks in the courtyard. I just wish they had more seating during events. While making my way around, I saw artwork from local students as well and the classrooms in the back which was cool. If you're an East Bay local, I highly recommend stopping by the Richmond Art Center at some point or checking out their class offerings.

I registered for a 10 am workshop, but arrived shortly after the art center opened so I had time to…read moreleisurely view the works on display in the main gallery and in other smaller galleries. I am always impressed by the caliber of the work on display, regardless of whether it's the work of professionals or young children who have taken classes at the center or work from area schools in coordination with their art teachers. Workshop participants created a paper plate "succulent" to take home. Although the workshop required pre-registration, it was free. Many parents worked along side their young children,?while teenagers clustered together. The presenter's own sculptures reminded me of Dr Seuss drawings come to life. It was evident that a fun time was had by all.