Capital Stage

I’ve seen a few shows here before and they were all consistently decent, nothing too awful but nothing spectacular either. However, I just recently went to go see Mr. Burns, and it was really, really BAD… I definitely would not recommend going to see that show. Save your money! I have NO idea why Capital Stage is showing this story; it is irrelevant, confusing, and filled with way too much exposition that it drags the whole ²⁄₃ of the first act.
The characters are not properly developed, so you don’t even feel connected to or invested in any one character nor the story itself.
Don’t get me wrong, I respect artists, directors and writers because I understand how much work, sacrifice and devotion goes into bringing art, esp live art, to life but there is NO excuse for this show to be put on. It was so disappointing and boring that a majority of the audience was shuffling around and getting tired, myself included. It was so boring that we left after Act I.
I won’t be coming back to Capital Stage again until they stage a story truly worth seeing, and from now on, I will do thorough research on their shows before I go regardless of how much I want to support local theatre.

I purchase a half season pass after attending Santaland Diaries. This is an amazing, intimate, professional theater. I did not hesitate to renew for a full subscription. Capital Stage puts on amazing performances, rolling premiers and really thought provoking work. The Homecoming really evoked a visceral response in me. Ideation and Uncanny Valley left me pondering issues and my life for days.
The shows are amazing, the staff warm and friendly, and the atmosphere is wonderful. Love that you can preorder drinks for intermission too! Can’t wait for the new season.

Just saw a superior production of «Ideation» in their nice little theater. An Actors Equity cast in a community theater venue. Every seat in the house is good. I shall return.

A friend rang us up and asked if we wanted to join him to see Santaland Diaries at the Capital Stage in an hour and a half. We got ready and headed off to midtown to see the holiday themed David Sedaris play performed masterfully by Aaron Wilton.
We were running slightly behind so we grabbed our tickets and headed on in to find our seats. The theater is incredibly intimate and is by far the smallest venue that I have ever been to; however, the smaller scale was perfect for Santaland Diaries as it allowed Wilton to engage the crowd and allow for audience participation which often led to a few red faced patrons. The set pieces, especially the opulent background of Macy’s SantaLand, were gorgeous. From beginning to end, everything about Santaland Diaries was on point and made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
The theater does have a couple of downsides– first, the audience is crammed together. While I admit I am a portly woman, the chairs seemed to be snug for even those fit audience members. Also, the seating arrangement allows for only a portion of the audience full access to the stage. Those seated on the sides, as we were, may have difficulty viewing some of the set pieces so I would highly suggest purchasing the seats in the center of the theater. Side seating is not a new concept and I am fully aware that those who are seated in those sections will not have a full or complete view of the stage when compared to those in center seats; however, the set pieces used in the play, such as the large Christmas tree, made viewing Wilton’s expressive acting quite difficult on multiple occasions. We had a fun time although I wish we had better seats so I could have enjoyed the play more.

This little theater is quickly becoming one of my fave venues.
While the theater is not big, this is one of the best small production companies I have ever seen. There are approx 140 – 145 seats, and the actors are sure to use all areas of the stage. Given it is a small venue, you can see everything no matter where you are seated. It is compact and clean, and they allow you to bring in your drinks and snacks from the little bar in the reception area. Wine/​beer and a play? I am in!
When we enter the facility, we are always greeted by friendly volunteers and staff, and are made to feel welcome. The cozy bar/​reception area has high top tables, comfortable armchairs, coffee, wine, beer, snacks and information on upcoming shows.
It has a laid back vibe, considering the serious talent they have here.
So far (and I say so far because I have plans to see 3 more upcoming performances) I have seen the amazing and engrossing «Anna Karenina» and just this past weekend, «The Santaland Diaries». While sipping on Chocolate Fish coffee, I laughed my ass off at the adaptation of a «David Sedaris» book detailing a grown man working as an «elf» at Macy’s during Christmas time. Perfect for the holidays.
The sets are minimal, but done so well I always leave marveling at how they transformed the space. They have equity actors/actress’s and a troupe/​apprentices that round out the crew and cast. Amazing performances and I leave wanting more.
A great theater in an intimate setting, showcasing interesting and though provoking performances. Five stars all the way!

How does the best theater in Sacramento have so few reviews?
Seriously, if you love quality, contemporary (or contemporized) theater, you should be coming to Capital Stage.
STC is too schmaltzy for me, and B Street Theater has (as of late) become too airy, stretching too much for the laffs.
If you want quality stagings of contemporary, complex dramas, or challenging (if sometimes imperfect) reimaginings of classics, Capital Stage is where you should be.
Our family dipped our toes in the waters with individual tickets over a few seasons, then took the plunge with season tickets this year, and we have not been disappointed. Capital Stage selects high-​quality shows and finds (mostly) amazing cast and crew to make them come to life. Has there been an occasional «miss» in staffing? Sure, but where isn’t that the case?
When it comes to provocative, moving, intelligent contemporary theater in the region, I can’t think of a better venue than Capital Stage,

This is a top-​notch theater! Their play selection is perfect, the venue has excellent sight lines and such a unique and beautifully decorated lounge and bar area. I have never seen a bad show here. I definitely recommend Capital Stage!

I saw their production of Anna Karenina this weekend and was blown away! This was the best community theater production I have seen. Though the cast was small, they were very believable in their roles, some of them playing more than one role with aplomb. The theater is extremely small and the scenery was scant, but again, the cast made us believe that we were at a train station, in a field, in a mansion, in a ballroom, etc. Kudos for such a great performance.

I went to watch Tribes with a dear friend of mine. I love how cozy the studio is with a smaller audience. Tribes is amazing because the story involves a Deaf guy growing up in hearing family. He met a hearing girl who knows sign language. The emotions were revoking. The theatre is awesome for providing wonderful skilled ASL interpreters! I will come back for an interpreted show!

TERRIBLE PLACE! Bought tickets online to see a show a MONTH BEFORE! My 3friends and I got to capital stage 5 minutes late… And they sold our tickets!!! In other words, we drove all the way from Davis and one friend from San Jose to the show… And couldn’t see it… It was sold out! I THOUGHT the whole POINT of buying tickets AHEAD OF TIME is to GUARANTEE your seats! But not here!!!

July 20^th, first time at CS for my wife and me. Maple & Vine was a great play, and the actors fantastic. What a treat!
The highlight was Shannon Mahoney who stole the show, seamlessly switching roles from 1950s Ellen to present-​day Jenna.
CS is a pleasant, intimate venue, its staff vibrant, crackling with positive energy.
Five stars for a little theater that promises to become our favorite.

I have seen many shows here, great shows! The staff are wonderful, and Sara, the events manager is just so friendly and nice. My favorite shows here were North Plan, and The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity.

This is becoming a favorite theatre co of mine. I attend theatre a lot; unfortunately, there has been little that I’ve wanted to see, both in Sac & in the Bay. I even travel to LA to see a single play.
The first show that I saw here was Enron, I’ve wanted to see it ever since its short Bway run, I enjoyed it. Next was Clybourne Park, another great show produced here.
Tonight I saw a preview of 4000 Miles, what an enjoyable play with a top notch cast. I may have to see it again… Coming up is Good People, I saw it in LA @ Geffen Playhouse, this is a great play, ok I’m getting excited about Capital Stage now! Anxious to hear what the lineup will be for the 10^th Anniversary.
Love Dee Maaske in 4000 Miles & would love to see her as Gladys Green in The Waverly Gallery… and as Fanny Church in Painting Churches. ;-)

In Sacramento there are really only two theatres where you can see recent Broadway hits. B St and here. Thankfully they’ve moved to this nice, new location where you can eat at Tamaya or Tapa the World before seeing a well-​acted, top-​quality production. In fact, B St company players can often be seen here when not over at B St and it’s nice to see them outside their usual confines. We got Season Tickets for the first time this season (well, okay, they’re Most-​Season Tickets because I’ve made a pact with myself that I will NEVER sit through Macbeth ever again) and I’ll say it’s shockingly professional. Local theatres are all over the map when it comes to dealing with Season Ticketholders but Capital Stage is almost up there with B St, who’ve mastered this.
So why not 5 stars? It’s expensive! Not insanely so as tickets are still cheaper than New Helvetia and Sacramento Theatre Company, and in line with Runaway Stage. But Season Tickets are decidedly more costly than those at B St or Big Idea Theatre. Yeah, BIT isn’t as «professional» but B St certainly is. Maybe it’s a grants thing, or a donations thing, or just the fact they have a popular children’s program over there propping them up. But the theatre is always full, unlike over at the falling-​apart STC, which is clearly being held together at this point from all the blue-​hairs and their questionable taste in theatre.
Still, if you want to see the most professional theatre in Sac, and you want to see a wider range of actors than you will usually see at B St, or maybe you just want to see something a little more cutting-​edge, Capital Stage is for you.

Excellent space… A very modern and comfortable theater.
Wen’t to see «The North Plan» by Jason Wells. A very provocative comedy, it was well executed with a very talented cast of both local and out-​of-​town actors.
I look forward to going back again.

Theater of this caliber is so hard to find. So when you find it, you don’t want to let go.
Trust me, this isn’t some over-​priced snooze fest. This is mind-​blowing, different, dynamic, interesting, not you typical run of the mill theater. This can also be read as «non theater geeks will love this place too.»
The selection of shows run from a variety of topics. Recently I saw Enron, and was blown away by how much I liked the show. «Really, a play about ENRON? How interesting can this be?» The answer is VERY! I was left with my mouth wide open in disbelief with how much I enjoyed it. Using music of the 90’s, incorporated with projections and raptor heads (yes, raptor heads), this mind of mine was blown.
Though honestly, I’ve never left this theater without being amazing. They never disappoint.
The price may seem steep, but of the equity playhouses here, this is the place to spend your cash. Take a night off and do something different. Your mind and heart will thank you for it.

Small theater which makes for a great venue to see everything and be close to the performers. Location is great on J street. First show I saw was great but the second only good.

I always enjoy a Capital Stage production. Most recently, I saw Superior Donuts and the annual October 30^th War of the World’s Production… both in the new space on J St. For the most part, the acting is excellent, the production quality is superb, and seeing a Capital Stage play makes for a fun, lively evening. The plays are bolder than some other places, but that’s what Capital Stage is known for. The new space on J is awesome… a definite step up from the Delta King. Check it out! I highly recommend Cap Stage and hope you enjoy the show.

Five reviews. Six now.
Really?
They’re a little off the beaten path, but come now. The absent accolades would suggest they’ve fallen down a rabbit hole. They’re not. They’re just in the belly of a boat permanently moored in a quiet part of Old Sac far from …
Oh. Ok. I get it.
Check it out, loveys! The run at Cap Stage presently is the last before they move to the new digs, a theater on land, in a space that looks more traditionally theatrical. I’ll go see them there too, to be sure, but I’ll miss the boat. You really should come up and visit while they’re in the space they soon will leave. It’s really, really cool. «Or», the current run, is a lot of fun.
The company is small, but what the modest headcount is more more more than made up for by their mad skills and enthusiasm. If you take the train up you’ll have to spend the night, as the show ends after the last train south departs. Go to my review for the Delta King, the boat within which the theater resides, to see where I think you should stay.
And please, so you don’t melt outside on the deck with your cocktail before the show, wear linen. It’s hot in Sac these days.

Wow. Just saw Hunter Gatherers and it was outstanding. Not sure if the other plays here are of the same caliber, but this was the best small production I’ve seen in years.
The venue is on the Delta King — so you have Old Sac to walk around. There are beautiful views everywhere. The theater itself is in the keel of the boat so it’s a bit like a basement. The Delta King is a treasure though, and it’s fun to walk through it or have a drink or dinner there.