Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Pasadena Playhouse

Nothing beats live theater/​musicals! What a visceral rush! Smokey Joe’s Café at the Pasadena Playhouse filled the bill. The energy, singing, dancing, band, songs pitch perfect. The perfomance yesterday blew my mind. My husband and I were on our feet clappin’ and dancin’. Still wish there was a «half star» option on Unilocal.I gave Smokey Joe’s Café four stars instead of five as the first half was a little weaker than the second. In the second half the band was on stage and the feel was more like really being in Smokey Joe’s Café. Can’t wait for the next offering at the Pasadena Playhouse. Twelve Angry Men.

I LOVED this musical! This has a great, talented cast and production! I was laughing out loud because it has great choreography! Even though I was very young when most of these songs came out… it was PURE entertainment! I’m so glad that I didn’t miss this one!
Love the Pasadena Playhouse… it’s beautiful!

This is a fantastic play. We have seen it on broadway and this is a better production top to bottom. Who knew two men could write so many great songs and they continue to be great years later. Pasadena playhouse is such a great venue

BIG thanks to the Ah-​mazing Katie B and the very generous Pasadena Playhouse.
I absolutely adore the diversity this playhouse brings to the stage each season.
We were seated upstairs for this show, which I really love about this theatre because you are able to take in the beauty of it’s intricate design.
I can’t say this was my most favorite show ever but it’s certainly a fabulous entertaining show to attend if you love an ongoing musical number. Zero in the way of a script but 39 songs in two acts. I couldn’t help but think it was the sort of play my Dad and the kids he grew up with would enjoy.
Awesome Playhouse, that I would recommend to everyone.
Looks like Twelve Angry Men is the next show, one of my favorite acts ever! Can’t wait to go back!

My husband and I love to attend the Pasadena Playhouse… they always have really entertaining productions in such a cute historical setting… it’s beautiful really. The front patio of the theatre is always abuzz with patrons having drinks, chatting with friends, taking photos, etc. It is a great scene! Couple that with some fab little cafes, wine bars and food trucks in the immediate area and how could you ever go wrong?
The new production of Smokey Joe’s Café was awesome, let me tell you! I had no idea what to expect from the performance and I was blown away by the cornucopia of spectacular talent that filled the stage. This is a musical with no real storyline… instead more of a cabaret style show. and it rocks beyond fantastic! The first act starts out easy, reels you in fast and then you are hooked from there on out. The cast is brilliant and so mutitalented… song, dance, comedy… they are full of charisma. Stand outs to me were Lavance Colley, Kyra Little Da Costa, Adrianna Rose Lyons, Monique Midgette and Michael Shepperd. Loved the musical numbers Searchin’, Trouble, Don Juan, DW Washburn, Saved and Teach Me How To Shimmy… those were just stand outs because for me every number was stellar. I would recommend this show to anyone from the hippest hipster to kids and grandmas… it has that much appeal!

(Attended 09÷19÷13 TH @ 8:00pm): The good stuff was being smoked in this joint!
Katie B, our rockin’ & rollin’ Unilocal Los Angeles East Community Manager, scored big-​time with these complimentary preview passes to Smokey Joe’s Café at Pasadena Playhouse. My plus-​1 was a best bud so we took the time and caught up with each other. I honestly had no idea what this show was about except that it had music… and lots of it, which we’re both always down for!
Food — The weekly Playhouse District Block Party was in full-​effect with food trucks lined-​up, but we met-​up earlier at a nearby bar for drinks, food, and NFL football. However, we grabbed an ice cream dish from one of the trucks before we headed into the theatre.
Seats — Sat in the Gallery (Mezzanine — 2^nd Floor) Section Row FF Seats 4 – 5 towards stage left. The view was great as it seemed that we were on top of the stage. However, the space between the rows was crammed whenever someone had to pass through.
The Show — A blitzkrieg of songs that paid homage to the words and music of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller from the 50s and 60s, broken into two acts. The intermission was a needed break for the performers to rest their feet and voices, the band to have a drink and smoke, and the audience to soothe their hands from the constant clapping and stomping to the rhythms and melodies. Here are some notables (sorry, no pictures allowed):
1. The show consisted of ten main performers (6 male, 4 female) each with varied ranges of dance and vocal ability. I got so caught up in the performances that I couldn’t remember the character names of those who stood our for me: the tall baritone gentleman who reminded me of Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, and the curly redhead with an amazing voice… and body!
2. With over 40 songs, there was bound to be some favorites, like «Young Blood», «Yakety Yak», and «stand By Me» that wanted you to get up and dance… although I didn’t see this happen.
3. Act 1 was more cautionary and tempered with respect to set design and acting ability.
4. Act 2 was where the gloves came off for a more raucous energy. The band was introduced into the fold and became an integral part of the story. The scenery and acting was also showcased more. I enjoyed Act 2 more.
5. The band was phenomenal! Kudos to all the musicians!
Service — Unilocal check-​in table (picked up more swag; I loved the bags which I constantly get compliments on!) was simple. We went to will-​call and picked up our tickets; it wasn’t necessary to give my name. The kind female usher each handed us a program
and pointed us to our seats. It was all pretty straightforward.
Parking — It was like the Wild West… you took whatever you could get, whether it was street, lot, or structure. I’m not sure if the Pasadena Playhouse had their own lot, but there were plenty of options all around and within walking distance. Depending where you parked (i.e. distance, etc.), prices ranged from free to $ 9.00 (I paid $ 5.00 credit card catercorner from the playhouse).
Atmosphere, décor, ambience — You’re first visual is the gigantic wooden vertical marquee sign that fronted the Spanish-​style courtyard where patrons ate, drank, and mingled as we waited for the doors to swing open. You walked into a slim lobby and then parted to either the left or the right for seating. Once inside, you took in the pure sense of old Hollywood and Vaudeville art houses with its ornate architecture, design, and opulence. Sadly, my cellphone’s camera sucks in dim or dark lighting so no good pictures were taken. Think the Alex or Pantages Theatres but on a much smaller scale. The old, rickety, and dull cushioned seats just added to the aura of the experience. And of course, there was a balcony area. The sound system and sight lines were good, respectively, since the theatre was mid-​size. TVs were in the lobby that showed the stage.
Attire — It’s the performing arts in a theatre so I showed respect and dressed business casual (it also helped that I came directly from work). Sorry, no t-​shirt, boardshorts, and flip-​flops this time around.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Smokey Joe’s Café at Pasadena Playhouse for its non-​stop musical numbers and each performer was amazingly talented. All I kept thinking was that this show would do great on my company’s cruise ships and my parents would completely love it! I found great value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (total bill was only $ 5.00 for parking which included 2 free tickets; no tip required), but even at full ticket prices ($ 55.00-$ 75.00), the nearly two hours of dancing and singing was well worth it. The song selection may be more tiered towards the 45+, but most are tunes all ages would be familiar with. And, my credit card of choice was accepted by the theatre… AMEX!

Great fun musical to watch for date night out ! Though it was not a typical musical with a story line and the vocal group put on a great performance of about 50 songs. I didnt know a lots of the somgs but did recognize Some popular songs from the 50s.
I been to the play house several times and sat both on the lower level and balcony. I was at the balcony mid section this time and the view and sound quality was still up to par.
Parking usually 7 $ during event night but u can always a come hour early to look for street parking .can find parking two blocks away easily.
There usually 3 – 4 Food trunks at event night. Or can grab tender green for some healthy eats across from colorado blvd. before the show starts.

Thank you Pasadena Playhouse and Unilocal for the complimentary tickets – my hubby and I indulge in theatrical productions for our «dates,» and definitely would have paid to see this production. But since it was a school night, the hubby couldn’t make it, and I had a date with my gal pal. Our first time at this venue, and we had a great time. Though we were running late, everything worked out perfectly! We were able to score a parking space across the street for $ 7 (total bargain compared to LA), and all the food trucks parked in front of the theater was just genius! We ordered a delicious sandwich from the Hungry Nomad truck, got drinks at the Playhouse concession stand and quickly chowed down! As we ate, there was some novel type entertainment on the patio with some girls doing tricks with hoola hoops, and then we heard the charming clang of the playhouse bell and knew we better get inside.
Our seats were up on the balcony level, smack dab in the middle. For being an older, historic building, the seats were very comfortable, my guess is they were updated at some point. The overall feel of the theater is very cozy, and I got the impression that the stage was visible from all seating areas. And then lights, no cameras, action! The show! It was purely a musical review with performers who ALL had amazing voices! Even though there was not a storyline so to speak, the performers were very expressive with their faces and body movements – that is where the craft of their acting came in to play. Very entertaining! The set wasn’t much to look at until Act 2 when the set actually became Smokey Joe’s Café, but throughout the show, wonderful wardrobe and costumes. And most important of all – lots of catchy tunes, some familiar and some new to my ear. This would be a show I would see again and again.
Last but not least, the staff here at the Playhouse are very cordial, helpful, knowledgeable and fun! From the woman at the will call window, to the usher who helped show us to our seats, to the woman who showed us to the ladies room upstairs with almost no line, they were all so pleasant and seemed to enjoy what they were doing. As I waited for my friend outside the ladies room, one of the staff members talked to be about the history of the building, the upcoming events, and invited me to take one of their historical tours on Saturday mornings. Sounds like a future date! Oh yes, and the girls working the concession stand were especially fun, dancing around as they poured drinks. When we asked if they would be open after the show, they told us they would be closed but recommended we visit the Redwhite and Bluezz bar conveniently located right next door. So we did! Thanks again everyone for a fun night!

Excellent singing! Fantastic show! Nice choreography! I never knew that Leiber and Stoller wrote so many wonderful songs! To clarify what another reviewer wrote… This is not a musical with a storyline. It is a musical revue with no dialogue, but great melodies. At times, it reminded me of my grandmother’s favorite show, The Lawrence Welk Show.
Even in the balcony, the show was fine!

We were at the topmost section of the balcony. Even if we were seated at the very back row at the very top, the show was amazingly great. I brought my friend along because she enjoys musical play. She didn’t get the story, I didn’t either, I’m not sure if there was any storyline to the Smokey Joe’s Café, but we all agreed that their voices were great. We love their performance.

I whispered several times to my pal, «Amazing talent», and thought it a couple of dozen more times during the musical. Seriously, huge talent. 5 stars
While I am super appreciative of the Playhouse generous offer to Unilocal,and Unilocal/​Katie B allowing me 2 tix for the performance tonight (9/​19, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU), the first half was one thing (2 stars), and the second half was 5 stars. Talent, still — 5 stars throughout.
First half — the whole production felt like a soft opening of the musical. The stage was minimal, the set was so plain — basic black nothingness added zero to the songs and/​or performances. I kept wondering why so little time and effort was done to the set. As Smokey Joe’s Café (SJC) is 100% a musical (no dialogue at all), I would so have rather seen (if on a small budget) — a club recreated on the stage, with tables and a bar setup. At one point, the plain background had a sponge painted collage which was better than black/​nothing, but didn’t add anything of significance or quality to the show. I wouldn’t have been very happy with SJC had it stayed at this overall level.
INTERMISSION
Second half — INCREDIBLE and soooooo worthy. Wardrobe beautiful and sexy, set — curtain rolled up to reveal the full live band, and a sheer curtain eventually came down with a branded «Smokey Joe’s Café» along with 4 or 5 tables with chairs. Perfect. The dancing was wonderful, good energy, and the singing was A+. Have I mentioned that the talent was 5 stars?
The performances of both talent and band was, at times, even breathtaking. Better talent would be hard to find. I know Broadway, and they were no less in any way in both voice and dance. The musical itself, well, Smokey Joe’s offered no original music — that’s my main beef. It’s all classic 50’s and 60’s rock, soul, R&B — all well-​known songs, 40 in all! That’s a lot — perhaps, too much.
In the end, I’d watch these performers sing anything. Another fun and successful night out at the lovely, Pasadena Playhouse. Again, thank you. I’m still singin’ and hummin’.

I’m not much of a theater person, and I must admit I usually abhor musicals. That kind of means I’m in no way an authority on singing, dancing, set design, production, etc. BUT I really had a good time last night. Maybe it’s because they weren’t doing the whole I’m-acting-now-I’m-singing thing that happens with musicals. It was a pretty straight up singing and dancing show and c’mon, who doesn’t love that? And if you love it, you’ll know that all the performers were TOTALLY kick-​ass. Certain numbers just had my jaw hanging open, and the rest were very enjoyable. The audience was really getting into the songs and performances and it was a very good vibe overall.
I’ve never been to the Pasadena Playhouse either and it was a great way to experience this gem of a theater for the first time. Thanks so much to the theater and Unilocal for allowing me an experience I usually don’t seek out, and making me enjoy it so much!