City Lights Theater Company of San Jose

I was impressed by the professionalism and integrity of the staff here. After one of the shows, I shared feedback about a line that felt culturally insensitive to me. The staff were kind and respectful, listened attentively, and filed the issue right away. The next day, the artistic director personally called to talk about it and let me know they would remove the line. That was far beyond my expectations. I was genuinely impressed by how quickly they responded, how seriously they took my concern, and how willing they were to make changes. It really says a lot about the people running this place.

This is one of the longest running venues for live theater in San Jose. It is a true cultural gem.

A wonderful hidden gem in Downtown San Jose. This wonderful group can hold your attention with a constant selection of great shows. Recently, I’ve been to several recent shows including “The Mouse Trap”, and “The Cake”. The cast and company are superb and know how to grab your attention, and entertain you for a great show. Highly Recommend

Very nice theater. Seats are quite comfortable and with good sight lines from all areas. The play happens virtually on top of you. I felt like I was part of the cast. On the other side, the staff is very helpful, has accurate information. They are fantastic before, during, and after the show. I will be be back very soon. This was absolutely a ***** 5 STAR ***** Experience for me.

A local theater with high quality productions. I've seen two plays here and each time I've been impressed with the quality of the actors and detailed constumes.

We saw the play "Inspector Calls". Very entertaining. The actors were really good! I like the intimate setup they have for the audience seating. The showtime, starting at 8pm was a little late for me personally.

I am not sure why the Artistic Director now selects plays with coarse offensive language, more frequently. (3 in a year). I saw most of the plays in the last 20 years and liked them all, until they started programing more often plays with offensive "Rated-R" language. I understand language needs to match the character depicted. But I don't like being offended and aggressed when attending a play. So be careful to carefully read the play reviews before going!!! So long I loved this theater, but it's not my go to place anymore... :-(

I am so sad that I moved to this area in 1999 and never heard of City Lights. It's not a slick, fancy venue but WOW do they deliver a first class performance! Great acoustics, perfectly tiered seating, affordable yet world class talent. Parking was a challenge - expect to park and walk a few blocks but it's totally worth it. The staff are very accommodating and helpful. I'll definitely be back and am already looking forward to the 22-23 season.

I grew up attending the theater and I consider myself very lucky. Community Little Theater in Auburn, Maine is still around today. I had two brothers who both performed in the theater and one of them is still teaching theater arts now. I usually attend the Broadway musicals at the San Jose Performing Arts Center a couple of times every year and I go alone. John is not a fan of musicals. But he agreed to go to a play last year in SF with me and he enjoyed it. So, when we saw the synopsis of "Running After Shadows," we decided to check it out. The second I walked inside, City Lights Theater reminded me of those wonderful memories I had as a teenager at Community Little Theater. City Lights is smaller than I'm used to but I loved its compact, intimate space. Every seat seems to be a good one and comfortable as well! I loved that the manager spoke to the audience before the show and that they pick a non-profit to donate to that matches with the theme of the play. They also have a little get together after every performance. They have refreshments and you have the chance to talk to the actors. We didn't stay afterwards but maybe next time. John surprised me by wanting to get tickets for the next show. Maybe I can get him to try musicals one day...

It's All an Act Foreword: So, it turns out I kind of like plays. I mean, I recall enjoying watching theater friends perform at school and college back in the day, but I've never actually gone out to see a real live play with professional actors. Anyway, if you're on the fence about coming to see one, then you should definitely do it once. And if you really dig it, do it twice. :) OK, onto the review... The City Lights Theater Company has been supporting local actors and theater makers for forty-five years (ca. 1982) now, and have been in this space since 1991--despite a looming threat from developers... The Good: *Very small intimate venue of ±100 seat theater. There is no bad seat in the house, as even in the back row you still feel like you're practically front row. *Tickets are fairly inexpensive at ±$50-80/ea with season passes available. There's also afternoon matinee shows available for us old farts. *Staff was very friendly *They have a small snack bar and even serve wine *A chance to interact with the performers at the end of the show. *We watched "Running After Shadows" by Vincent Terrell Durham and it was excellent. Great story telling, fantastic acting, and it takes the crowd on a wild range of emotions. The Meh: *Street Parking only but it's free on the weekends. The Ugly: *They must start cutting onions in there at some point, cuz I swear my eyes started watering for no reason. That's right. No reason whatsoever. Conclusion: Intimate venue with great storytelling means a great time out by all. Good spot for a date nite or afternoon (see aforementioned "old farts" mention above).

The theater cast was vibrant and talented and the staff were helpful. Parking was a bit of a pain with limited on-site and a convention going on which made street and parking lot parking tough / expensive. The play itself was tender and thoughtful with a simple but fun and playful set design. Please go support this play and this wonderful small, local theater!

An amazing performance last night from a Bay Area native, telling the truth about growing up in the Civil Rights era!

Love this company and all the staff involved in their productions. Best South Bay theatre around and one of the best in the Bay Area.

I've been here a couple times and loved the experience. It's a small theater putting on some great shows

I am not sure why the Artistic Director now selects plays with coarse offensive language, more frequently. (3 in the past year). I saw most of the plays in the last 20 years and liked them all, until they started programming more often plays with offensive "Rated-R" language. I understand language needs to match the character depicted. But I don't like being offended and aggressed when attending a play. So be careful to carefully read the play reviews before going!!! So long I loved this theater, but it's not my go to place anymore... :-(

I had the pleasure of watching Kinky Boots last night at City Lights Theater. It was my first time attending a performance here and I was so impressed! I enjoyed this show as much as the production I saw in San Francisco several years ago. All of the actors' performances and the stage set were great. I was in love with the actor Barton Perry, who was no doubt, Lola. The theatre is small and intimate. Every seat is a good seat including the ones they say are blocked by posts and we sat right next to one. Ticket prices were reasonable and it helped support our local arts. I will return for more shows. Great job to the company's team.

IMHO I have enjoyed two productions at this is a wonderful, small theater company in downtown San Jose; "Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley", and "The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley". Can you tell that I am a fan of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"? Both productions, seen two years apart, were excellent. I appreciate seeing local actors perform and hone their craft. There is no need for body mics here as the theater is small and the actors project well without seeming to yell. :) This is an intimate theater and I doubt that there are any bad seats in the house. Just get there early to choose a "prime" seat. It's first come, first serve. Theater staff and volunteers are very friendly. Go support your local theater and the arts!

When it's theater time, nothing beats a small, cozy space. It's so much more intimate, so much more real. At 5-6 rows deep, there isn't a bad seat in City Lights Theater. Well, a few seats are obstructed by a pole. I would avoid those. Anyway, I'd seen a show here and the same one at the Pantages in LA years ago. Sure, the Pantages stages flawlessly performed shows. But at smaller theaters like this one, you get to see raw artistry at the local level. It may be imperfect, but somehow it seems more human, more memorable, more relatable. Go watch one!

KING LIZ went to see my granddaughter and cast mates in the play. Was amazing I recommend anyone who enjoys theater to go watch this play before it closes Sunday.

This small theatre venue has been around for years bringing cutting edge drama to this community from a space which used to be a car repair shop! The theatre company continually brings quality theatre, ideas, new dramatists, and emerging actors, and yet keeps ticket prices reasonable! This theatre is a jewel in the San Jose theatre community. Support their efforts!

City Lights is a sparkling gem in downtown San Jose. I've been attending shows there since 2009 and they are simply amazing! Shows I've seen and loved include: First Person Shooter, Stop-Kiss, Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Hamlet, August: Osage County, Rent, Lizzie, Stupid F*ing Bird!, Cabaret, Greenday's American Idiot, West Side Story, In The Heights, Coded, Waiting For Next, and more spectacular productions! Executive Artistic Director Lisa Mallette is a visionary and a genius and her work is superb. Scenic Designer Ron Gasparinetti creates brilliant sets that truly bring the intimate performance space alive. The whole CLTC team are fun, creative, and kind people and the shows and events are just outstanding! I laugh. I cry. I leave each show a slightly changed person. It's remarkable.

Back at City Lights thanks to Yelp! This time to enjoy the Santaland Diaries. Hilarious! I didn't even notice or needed an intermission. There was none. You don't need one. It was a relatively short monologue that covers the gamut of almost every topic under the sun. Everyday stuff that you and I talk about and laugh about. It's awesome! I enjoyed the experience and loved my front and center seating. I really do enjoy the intimate experience this theater provides. They do sell reasonably priced bottled water, soda, wine and coffee now. They also provided viewers with free munchies before the show started that night. Once inside-it's comfortably warm. Overall City Lights have improved so much. Awesome job!

I saw "Another Night Before Christmas" at this theatre. I absolutely loved the cute musical. Everything is simple yet the cast draws you in. I've been to large productions and this place isn't that but it is definitely jsut as entertaining. I love supporting local theatre companies and this one is definitely a good one. The staff is great and the shows that they have a great. The only thing I have a complaint about are their constant long lines for the bathroom. Anyway, I love how this place brings the arts to the local community and probably looks for their talent locally as well. It's places like these that make San Jose a unique place to visit. Keep up the great work, City Lights!

I am a big fan of this Theater Company. There isn't a bad seat in the house. I just saw In the Heights, sat in the front row, and was blown away by the talent on that stage. I laughed, I cried, I danced in my seat. This production is still running. You need to see it before it is gone! This is one of many amazing productions I have seen at City Lights.

This production of In the Heights is fabulous. The actors and company were talented in acting, singing and dancing. The lyrics and music has the signature of Lin-Manuel Miranda throughout the story. I love the poetry rap, the story line, the cultural and historical references of Latinx . This is a timely story that we can relate to. Bravo to the director Bracco and company.

As big fans of local theater companies, City Lights is one of our favorites. We have enjoyed every production, the theater is intimate, not a bad seat in the house. I love the fact that that each production features a local non profit and after each show they invite the audience on stage for a brief after-party for a meet and greet with the cast. For such a small theater the plays are very well produced, in 2016 standout performances included 'Elephant Man', 'I and You' and 'Green Day's American Idiot'. They sell wine/beer, which you can take into the theater, a nice touch and a great way to raise money for the theater. Parking can be a bit challenging but usually the Notre Dame High School secure parking lot is open just past the theater on the left, they request a $5 parking donation which is very reasonable.

What a treat it was to see RENT at City Lights! It was the first time I had been back to this intimate theater since their remodel. LOVE the new plush seats with cup holders for your beer or wine, and thank you for putting in A/C! Their open seating allowed us to get the best seats in the house - front row of center stage. But really, every seat is great because the playhouse is very small with stadium seating. It makes for a super engaging experience. The show was incredible, and it was especially awesome to see fellow Elite yelper Jeannette Z in the fabulous ensemble and friend Megan give a heart wrenching performance of Mimi. I would highly recommend seeing it before it ends on August 29th. Support local theater!

**INTIMATE AND LOCAL THEATER WITH LOTS OF FLAIR** Thanks to Yelp, we were able to watch RENT at this lovely venue. The staff were all smiles, handing out brochures and get this . . . OPEN SEATING! We scored front row middle seats, too. The audience was gently informed to ENJOY the show and participated in a *TURN YOUR CELL PHONE OFF* ceremony before the show began. The new reclining plush seats were fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed its comfort. Not a big theater, so very intimate. I liked that. You can even buy beer or wine during intermission. The actors of RENT greeted us at the entrance as we departed. Pretty cool. Only con, finding parking. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

City Lights is a great little local theater that's welcoming and has a cozy lay-out. Last night, my friends and I saw Hair, courtesy of Yelp and City Lights generosity - thank-you!! Though it was over 2 hours long, it was a fun upbeat musical that kept the night alive. The theater didn't have the best acoustics but the seating was all up close and personal and the set and room allowed for a lot of interaction between the performers and audience. I would definitely recommend this theater and it's productions to others. See ya there! :)

The World According to Noelle ~Allergic Girl's Guide to Life~ Issue Update I've actually watched a total of 3 plays at the CLTC 1. A Few Good Men 2. Hair 3. RAPUNZEL or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow & Holiday Musical Revue The cast for Rapunzel Jake Van Tuyl (Mr. Barker, Rapunzel's Father) Jimmy Robertson (Paul Mitchell, Hairy-tale Lawyer) Michael Johnson (Piano Player) Sarah Giner (Rapunzel) Isaac Benelli (Prince Harry Sauve) Melissa Markwart Deveaux (Pantena Prell, the witch) Danelle Medeiros (Goldilocks Garnier) Samantha Bartholomew (Mrs. Barker, Rapunzel's Mother) As I've stated in previous reviews there is no horrible seat in this theater. Its a cozy theater. The plays I've seen here have been excellent. Tonight's show was a musical that was delightful and entertaining. Jimmy Robertson who played Paul Mitchell, Hairy-tale Lawyer was amazing- his energy, enthusiasm, great singing and acting had me laughing almost to the point of tears! Jimmy Robertson's solo in the holiday portion was beautiful which then led into Sarah Giner's holiday solo which was beautifully sung. Overall, the cast did a great job. Kudos to the writers Marian Partee and Eric Hoit and director Amanda Folena. The combination of the writing, directing and acting made for a wonderful theater experience. I normally catch a few shows a year most- at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts (I last saw Beauty and the Beast) and Repertory Theatre (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). Had it not been for Yelp I would have not known about the City Lights Theater because its a much smaller theater. Its truly one of my great finds on Yelp =) Tonight was a good turnout of Yelpers. Thanks, to our SV Community Manager Connie C. for highlighting this wonderful local theater. Noelle's Notes A great choice for local theater!

True the venue is intimate, around 100 seats so all seats are good. Went to a 7pm showing of Rapunzel, Hair today, gone tomorrow and holiday musical review. The first part of the musical was the play, more on the slapstick side, around 45 minutes, then a 15 minute break then vaudvilly/showtunes. It was fun and entertaining, some singers were stronger then others but it was still fun. One of my fave songs was when they played their pianos in Carol of the Bells in their second act, too funny. Fast foodie type eateries around 2.5 blocks away on San Carlos. Pizza my heart, http://www.yelp.com/biz/pizza-my-heart-san-jose-3#hrid:u3wDU1MKekxn5KpbkJktiw Mc D, a cheesecake place, a boba drink place...etc.. Two restrooms, free coffee and tea and wine and snacks you can buy. Street parking, there is a lot to park around a block away.

I recently saw Coney Island Christmas compliments of YELP! (Thank you!) The little venue has a few parking spots in the front, but we parked on another street and took a short walk over. No big deal. When we got inside, there was a small line. We picked up our tickets and took a seat. We got great seats because we were there early. However, even if you were late, because this is such a small venue that you'll have a great view wherever you choose to sit. The show began and the lights grew dim. Coney Island Christmas is amazing! I loved it so much and so did my fiance. Everyone was great and I really enjoyed the story line. I would definitely pay to come to this event and would come again! I definitely recommend it!

City Lights Theater Company is a small theater. It reminds me of this one stage at Ohlone College in Fremont. It has a bigger center stage & 2 side stages. Get a center stage seat since it's General seating so no assigned seats. If you sit on the sides the view won't be so good. The don't really sell food, maybe some peanuts. They do sell soda, water, & wine. There's one unisex bathroom on the Left-side of the entrance. Another bathroom in the backstage area on the Left. Theater is next to Emile's Restaurant. Street parking is available on First St.

THANK YOU YELP!!! I got two free tix to watch the Santaland Diaries last week and I can't thank you enough! We had a BLAST!!! We went, not knowing what to expect and we were totally blown away by the performance! Santaland Diaries is a LIVE musical theatrical performance. As we were seated and waited for the show to start, the three pretty ladies (actors) sang us some Christmas songs! There were moments when they invited the audience to join them singing too. It was very interactive and made it even more fun! The theater was actually bigger than a couple others that I've been to. As you entered the building, they sell some wine and there were FREE warm cyders and Xmas candy for your enjoyment. They even gave away free cookies after the show too and allowed you to interact with the casts after the show. It was a well done performance and oh, not forget to mention that the seats were very comfie with nice cozy cushion :) Parking is $5 right across the street but I found a free street parking a block down. I look forward to watching more shows at the City Lights Theater Company :)

Received a pair of free tickets to Frank Langella's "Cyrano" courtesy of Yelp:) Thank you Yelp! On Venue: Pro: very small and intimate theatre Con: walls were not very insulated--I heard an airplane flew by and a firetruck driving by with its sirens On the Performance: Pro: very well directed; actors' expression and emotions were well delivered Con: Wardrobe could've used a made over, esp Roxanne. Cyrano's nose could've look better ;) Overall, very cute play =) Love the small venue!

To complement a wonderful show such as Rent that I saw tonight, nothing is better than a small intimate environment that this theatre provides. The performance had its minor technical difficulties (actually very few and only a person like me would really notice anyway), however that is what makes a live performance even more realistic. No one should expect it to be completely flawless, and the little things make the audience more captivated and drawn into the actors on stage. This venue is just perfect for that. It's personal, it's intimate, and even got to talk to some of the actors/actresses after the show. Even during intermission I was having a conversation with the drummer about music and the sound. All-in-all an experience I will look forward to doing again. Because I am seriously coming back a couple more times to watch this production before it ends. Hey Jeannette Z.! I'll be keepin' an eye out for ya!

Saw RENT here thanks to Connie C. & Yelp. This place is so cute!! It's a small audience, making it much more intimate than those large auditoriums where you can barely see the faces of performers on stage. I thought the cast did an outstanding job, and I especially loved the band! And Angel, of course. The staff is super nice, and the cast is outside for a chat after the show. Parking SUCKS though, be sure to get there well in advance to find parking. People WILL tow you if you park in shopping plazas. I was lucky to just get a warning.

My fiance and I came to the In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play, here, and really enjoyed our experience! The lead actress was great, and even though I could hear people behind us talking about all the people they knew in the show, they weren't at all distracting during the performance. And the theatre company had a little party to meet the cast afterward, with complimentary rugelach, brownies, water, and wine! I've never experienced anything like that, but I thought it was an absolutely fantastic idea, and completely made the night. It's small and charming, and not too far from historic downtown San Jose. We'd love to come back for another show!

Great experience from welcome to wnd of show talkback! House manager/entry staff was welcoming and efficient- checking theatre patrons in, reviewing their vacc details, giving the elderly guests at the matinee seats outside and cold water before the house opened. Show was unbelievably good- from the 3 child actors to the leads of Fun Home. To be congratulated as it was stellar expression. Marvelous voices, creative staging and music was lovely. Well done tech staff on sound and lights

City Lights isn't about the glamorous performance and showcase of a grandiose theater. It's about the actors and the stories they tell with a quirky sense of humor. Usually, it's entertaining with novel twists on the classics. The main drawback is the location, size and ambiance of the theater. Moreover, the lack of ventilation or air conditioning can deter one's ability to enjoy the performance. Therefore, dress comfortably and light with an open mind that enables you to appreciate the experience relative to community theaters. The staff is friendly and quaint. Parking is available, but limited on the street. It's located near some good eats around San Jose state University.

Saw "Back to School" here thanks to complimentary tickets from Yelp Elite. The theater is super small and reminded me of some of the small stages I went to in college. The upside is that it provides for an intimate setting and any seat is pretty much a good seat. The cast was outside as well after the show. The show wasn't my favorite, but if you're interested in seeing a show and like the storyline, this small theater ain't bad.

"To be or not to be, that is the question" If the question is related to being in City Lights Theater seats for a performance of Hamlet, then the answer is definitely "to be." Kathleen W. scored free Yelp Elite tix to a Friday night showing, and it was wonderful being her +1. I enjoyed the intimate setting, as the theater seats maybe 100 or so people, and the actors were dramatic and entertaining. Even after a long day of work, I was engaged during every scene, and they really made the Shakespeare play that I had read in high school come to life before my eyes. The stage use was very well done. With the specific set for Hamlet, there could be two scenes going on, divided by left and right side or center stage and a raised platform at the back. I haven't been to many theatrical plays myself, but the use of sound and lighting added greatly to the appropriate atmosphere. Parking can be a bit difficult in downtown SJ, but luckily we found a street spot as cars were leaving after a SJ Sharks game. I also appreciated the ushers that helped us get to seats even when we got there a couple minutes after the show had started. Overall, it was a great show, and I'm definitely interested in what more City Lights has to offer. Thanks Yelp! :)

Thanks to the Yelp Event, I was able to enjoy the Christmas Shorts with a friend here! The theater was really small and cute. I love the set up of the interior. From the outside, it looked kind of sketchy, but downtown SJ gives me that vibe sometimes. I didn't get and drinks or snacks but quite a few people did, and if you check in to the theater and do a survey, you get free water! Great deal! The staff was very friendly too; at the end of the show, there is also a little meet and greet. They had drinks (eggnog, water, wine- I think?) and some cookies. I enjoyed the show and theater. There wasn't a bad seat in the room simply because it's so small, so that was nice! I sat in the very middle back and they were great seats. The actors were pretty good, I especially liked Jeff Newton's characters. They cracked me up a lot. :)

The hubby & I were here two nights ago for the Black Friday Happy Hour & Holiday Show Yelp Event. We were certainly surprised by the location of the theater as we thought it'd be closer to downtown. Nonetheless, the theater was cozy with comfortable seats & a decent selection of snacks to enjoy during the show. I don't think there's a bad seat in the house since it is such an intimate setting. The hubs & I thoroughly enjoyed watching Christmas shorts. We were basically laughing the whole time. The lighting was pretty awesome & so was the acting. I haven't been to a theater in years so this was a lovely 'welcome back' for me. I definitely recommend going to watch Christmas Shorts if you get the chance! Thanks Abby for allowing me to join on this fun event! :)

To Owner, Please make "Greendays, American Idiot" and "Mozart" come back and keep them as annual plays. If you need money, these two are sold out shows, you know what I mean. Thanks!

LOVE THIS PLACE. Period. Latest visit was for Rocky Horror Picture Show. That is such a weird story . . . I can never get over the total strangeness of it. I can also never get over how these people who have "regular"/day jobs can get out there and perform their hearts out. Always amazes me when they step out on stage and begin to speak and then open their mouths and sing! WOW! Do not let the size of the tiny women fool you! Annie Donahey, the woman playing Magenta (see John P.'s pic with her in it!) is only a portion size of her voice. And Alicia Gangi Malone (Janet) really could belt out a tune. I felt as if she put her whole heart into her role. Katherine Leyva playing Columbia could also sing! She did a great job pouting about the stage. So cute! Chase Campbell was Brad and he did a great job, too, because at first I thought he just didn't have the pipes . . . . but of course, he was BRAD! But he got to show 'em off later on. They did a great job casting Nathaniel Rothrock as Frank'n'Furter he had the pipes and the GAMS. He totally rocked those platforms. Matty Gregg was Riff Raff. He was a gem in the show. Matty and Annie's chemistry as the crazy brother and sister was exciting. And, of course ALL of the actors and actresses did a great job. Do you know how great of a job they all did? So great that the theater has extended the play --- instead of ending Aug 25th, they are going to end it Aug 31st --- AND have a special midnight performance on Saturday (the 31st) AND have special pricing. And, guess what? We are going! Wahoooo! I just love this theater and I completely appreciate the actors and actresses that really put so much into it to give me a great night of entertainment. Thanks all! See you at the castle!

Ohhhh ROCKY!! Spent Saturday night over at the Frankenstein place with the cast of city lights production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Back in the day (the day being 1978) I went to see the movie at the Cinema 150 on the El Camino and Kiely. It shocked my high school freshman brain. I went to see it again and again over the years as it became available. A regular Rocky fan. So when my wife said we could go see this live production I was all over it. What I was not expecting though was the amazingly high caliber of vocal powerhouses they found for this. The singing and acting was both a tribute to the old and a salute to the talents of those who were in this production and were probably not alive in 1978. I'd like to point out specific people who did great but it is not possible. They all rocked. I would say that my character favorites of Riff Raff and Magenta were portrayed to the highest levels. the voice they found for Janet was amazingly beautiful and strong no matter if she is laying on the ground or standing. I'd see it again and again and again, just like the old days if I could. I'm going to see about getting some friends together to hit this performance once more before it's over. Thank you City Lights. AWESOME JOB!!

Great performance of Rent! All the actor and actress are so talented!

A very cute theatre with great and emphatic staff. So far we watched their 'Animals out of Paper' play. The stage was done very well with much details. The actors were so talented and really brought life to the play. We very much enjoyed watching them. The little art exhibition - matching the play - with amazing origami art was a great touch! We already found some more interesting plays this season and looking forward to great theatre.

First time at City Lights and it won't be our last! We saw Agatha Christie's "The Hollow, which was engaging from start to finish: great acting, exquisitely detailed set, a surprising amount of humor. It's a small, intimate theater without a bad seat in the house. Very impressed! Also very good COVID safety protocols, so no concern there.

Welcome to another "Dear Archie G." review. Dear Archie G., San Jose sucks. This is such a boring city. I moved here a couple of years ago and it seems as if there is nothing to do in this damn town. Can you please give me some tips before start experimenting with crystal meth? -Sleep Walking in San Jose Dear Sleep Walking, Living in San Jose is like anything else in life. It's what you make of it. If you are having trouble finding stuff to do in the 10th biggest city in the nation, then maybe you need to stop blaming San Jose and start holding yourself accountable for your boredom. Maybe you are a boring, miserable person. But if you feel you aren't want something fun to do in (downtown) San Jose, I highly suggest you check out the "The City Lights Theater." Earlier this year, thanks to complimentary tickets from Connie C., I came here with La Novia for "Frank Langella's Cyrano de Bergerac." How could I pass up a chance to see a play about a guy with big nose that is good with words? It just hits so close to home. I am not a theater guy at all. Most of the time, I feel bored or annoyed when watching live performances. It just reminds of weird, geeky theater kids in high school. But I thoroughly enjoyed the show here. It differed greatly from my past experiences with plays and musicals because it was such a small venue that I truly felt immersed in that particular world. During the summer, I returned here to watch the acclaimed musical, "Rent." I had seen it before live in a large theater and had been less than impressed. But at City Lights Theater, it was a different experience. I was right in the center of the action. The actors were right in front of me. I could see the smiles. I could see the tears. I could hear the powerful singing voices of the actors (and they gave me chills during certain songs). I was very impressed by fellow Yelper, Jeannette Z. and her awesome acting and singing. Big props to her (and the rest of the awesome cast). The live band for "Rent" took this show to the next level. They played music that made me feel emotions I hadn't felt before. This intimate version of "Rent" made me smile and even shed a tear or two. Don't call me a crybaby. Something got into my contacts. No really, I swear. In the fall, I returned for the opening night of their new season and watched "First Day of School." By now, the place had been remodeled a bit and it looked great. They even displayed local artwork on the walls. And the staff was awesome as ever. As for the show itself, it was an intimate performance with a small cast that had me laughing like crazy. I became so immersed in that imaginary world that I forgot about the rest of the stuff I was stressing on in life. I truly lost myself in this comedy and most importantly, had a great time. And well, you can too. The City Lights Theater is easily my preferred venue for watching live performances. Every seat is a great seat. It's not fancy or anything, but it's a small, intimate venue that provides a larger than life, intimate experience. Try it at least once. If you hate it, then you are more than welcome to experiment with crystal meth.

I never knew about this place till I came her last Friday night. To see the production of Rapunzel. It is a very cozy and small theater. There is no bad sit in this house. The have a small parking lot but I found parking on the street. The production was great. It was funny, entertaining, and great voices. The second act was all Holiday songs and it bring all the warm feelings of the season. It was great at the end to met the cast and they did an wonderful job. Overall a great production and cozy place to go for an evening of great entertainment. It was nice to see Noelle, Michael, Vicky, Cindi, Vu, Vivi, Eli, and the all the other Yelpers. Vu- Thanks for fixing my phone.

I hate TV. And movies. Well, not really, but it seems like people are so used to getting filmed storytelling that the pastime of going to the theater has fallen away. I'm not entirely innocent as well; I haven't been to the theater since I was in High School and it never occurred to me, until last night, what I have been missing. Yelp was gracious enough to provide tickets (I would spend all day and night holed up in my studio with no physical interaction with anyone at all without them, it seems). My friend and I parked closer to downtown rather than near the theater to get dinner together, which worked out rather well since the walk to and from the theater wasn't that bad (it's only a few blocks from the main downtown area). The play, Stop Kiss, is very intriguing - sad, hopeful, romantic, and happy at different parts of the play. The actors, a very small cast, played their parts convincingly and well. The theater -was- hot and I was disappointed, upon getting my glass of white wine, that it wasn't chilled. People in the audience were fanning themselves with their programs, slightly distracting when trying to see the play. I've made a promise to myself to see more plays here, and other local theater companies in the Bay Area. Get off the couch and off the TV, and support theater!

If you love A Christmas Story, Home for the Holidays or Bad Santa, check out Christmas Shorts, running now - December 23. Don't worry, you won't shoot your eye out! What I also loved about the theater: + Small and intimate. Many other Yelpers have already said this, but there's not a bad seat in the house + Refreshments are available on a donation basis in the lobby + Although it is a smaller theater, the tech (especially lighting) setup is pretty impressive + Cast and crew seemed enthusiastic about the performance Go here now! Tickets are affordable, about $30 per ticket. Worth the cost, as you're supporting the local arts community and being entertained at the same time!

The space itself is nice. I do love the intimate feel of the theater, and all the seats were good seats for both viewing and for sitting - pretty darn plush for your tush. :-) However, I don't think the space is meant to be used for musicals like the production of Hair that I saw tonight. (Thanks, Connie, for the tix!) Granted, we were sitting in seats stage left, but one would think that you wouldn't put on a production unless it can be enjoyed by the entirety of the audience rather than those sitting directly in front of the stage. I can see how this stage would be amazing for anything BUT musicals; the accoustics in the theater do not lend themselves to support musicals. (Of course, it could also be that the actors themselves couldn't sing, but that can't be it as most of them performed amazing solos throughout the performance.) My friends and I talked about it afterwards and came to the agreement that none of us heard/understood more than 10% of the parts that were sung. (And obviously, most of a musical is sung...) Thus, we left the theater not really understanding what went on in Hair. Totally clueless. :-P BTW, for those of you going to see the show, they don't advertise the following anywhere but I think you should know since it might be good to know- A) There is a scene where everyone is buck naked, and B) There is strobe lighting involved, so if you're susceptible to that and it may cause you death, don't go.

This theatre experience finally makes me understand why people love theatre. I am now addicted and plan on going to the rest of the shows in their season. The Acting was amazing!!!!!! I had been to all the hits growing up (phantom of the opera, etc.) and I have even been to broadway. I had always felt disconnected from this art form. Until Now. I just saw Angels in America at this small inviting theatre and it was the most proffesional, moving performance I have ever seen. The acting is the best I have seen (including film). What a wondeful experience. We arrived on a saturday night at the door and were able to get in right away. My bf and I were blown away - it was great. We are definitely going back.

Got tickets to see Amadeus recently on Goldstar and was blown away by the place and experience!!! I loved the acting as it was some of the stronger acting I have seen in a little theater and I have spent many years going to small theaters like this. Buy tickets for this place, support local theater and actors!