Michelle L.
Yelp
First review since the reopening as the SAFE CU Performing Arts Center (the original Community Center Theater was built in 1976). Before the pandemic, I was able to see Dear Evan Hansen when that season of Broadway Sacramento was held at the Memorial Auditorium venue while this was under construction. Other than Broadway shows, I've also seen the Sac Philharmonic (Star Wars/John Williams concerts) and Ballet (Nutcracker) here, Kristin Chenoweth too. So far for 2021-2022, I have seen Hamilton, Officer and a Gentleman, and Anastasia. Next up for me is Wicked!
The ticket box office is now to the right side of the main entrance (along L St.) for will-call, and you do need to show ID and Covid vaccination card before scanning in your tickets. Masks enforced indoors. The expanded lobby has that very nice chandelier lighting near the additional concessions, and they sometimes set up the current show's photo backdrop there or in the carpeted area in front of the central staircase near merchandise sales and restrooms. Speaking of, the updates/expansion to the women's/ladie's restrooms are very impressive, whereas before you'd be better off leaving the building and going to the Convention Center bathrooms during intermission.
The naming of the seating levels has slightly changed, what was the Second Grand Tier before is now Upper Balcony, what's the same is Lower Balcony and Orchestra (+boxes). The seats themselves got reupholstered, but I feel like they are still cramped, even for little me. This isn't like the *actually* old theaters in San Francisco built in the 1920s, but even those went through major renos. I thought part of the renovation would include adding more center aisles so that if you were in the middle of a long row you wouldn't have to squeeze by. If they did add aisles it wasn't up in the balconies. I had also hoped for better acoustic enhancements (take a note from the UC Davis Mondavi Center!); from the balcony, Hamilton was good, Officer and a Gentleman was pretty bad though -- not sure how much was live accompaniment versus backing tracks. Anastasia was pretty good from the orchestra section.
Other than the $XX.XM renovation, ticketing surcharge fees will supposedly go toward digital displays for the building exterior, a digital marquee for J Street, dressing room upgrades, and a media screen for K Street Plaza per the Sac Biz Journal.
I recommend parking at the Capitol Garage (10th & L), event parking was $15 for the Saturday evening show. Pre-pay with ParkWiz. If you park at Hyatt you can get validation as well. Unfortunately, most of the eateries that were nearby are scarce and the ones that are open are pretty popular especially when there is a concurrent event at the Golden 1 Center, so eat elsewhere or make reservations, or catch a matinee or weeknight instead. Broadway Sacramento still has the $35 Under 35 club I believe, and up next at the venue is the Shen Yun Performing Arts Tour in March, before the musical Wicked returns to town.