Pacific Repertory Theatre

We saw Heathers last weekend. It was wonderful. What a great asset to the community! We are a military family and love to «feel like a local» wherever we live. This theater is amazing, they offer fantastic prices for children, students, teachers, and military. We are already looking forward to next time!

I’ve seen two Pac Rep productions now, Pirates of Penzance and Cats. Both have far exceeded my expectations. The performers are extremely talented, with great sets, costumes, choreography and direction. I look forward to the next show!

Saw the Buddy, Elvis and Gang show last night. Wasn’t expecting much but the show was fabulous! Great singers, great band, wonderful songs from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. My favorite of the night was the rendition of Sherry Baby, in my opinion, better than the original. Highly recommend this show. It was really great.

Typically PacRep is wonderful. We’ve been to at least 30 plays between their two theaters, Golden Bough and the outdoor forest theater. We’ve had friends and family perform in some of their shows and we’ve even donated money to them. Last night I attempted to buy tickets online through their vendini site as well as the ticket link from their Facebook page but neither were working. I attempted to buy tickets online again today but to no avail so I called the box office.
The woman at the box office was very short with me. I told her that we needed five tickets and then asked if my 1 year old needed a ticket because he would be sitting on my lap. (We went to a show there when he was two months without a ticket but when he was about 3 months and in a car seat, they told us we had to buy a ticket for him so I wasn’t sure if it was just because he was in a car seat or if they always charge for everyone and someone had overlooked it the previous time) the woman at the box office told me that everyone must buy a ticket regardless of age and that they weren’t allowing anyone under two to come to the show because it’s 2.5 hours long and has loud noises. I explained to her that my son has been to 7 plays in his 1 year as well as movies, ballets, baseball games, and universal studios and has always been perfect. She was silent and then reiterated that «we are asking that no one under two come to the theater.» It’s really disappointing because we were bringing three additional kids with us that couldn’t wait to see the show. I understand not wanting whinning, crying, or antsy kids in the theater but I think that two year olds are far more likely to behave that way than infants. It should be left to the parents discretion. Maybe say bring small children at your own risk but if they cry or are a distraction you will be asked to leave. I think it’s very rude to say that you aren’t allowing anyone under two especially with the history that we have with the theater. It really puts a bad taste in my mouth!

This is the best theatre on the Peninsula, without question. Walking out of a recent production of Spamalot, I overheard someone say, «who needs Broadway when we have PacRep?» and that really sums it up. There’s something for everyone-​from Shakespeare to kid’s shows-​and they’ve recently added monthly digital movie screenings. If you’re visiting Carmel, you should definitely see what’s playing at the Golden Bough while you’re here. Located on Monte Verde between 8^th and 9^th (not wherever it says on the map up there).

Saw Jesus Christ Superstar. Very well done! I can’t believe that I’ve waited all this time to see this production. I should have seen it a long time ago! Enjoyed it very much. Now about Carmel by the Sea… OMG! DON’T repeat DON’T go there at night unless you know EXACTLY where you’re going! NO street lights, thousands of tourists crossing (no traffic lights) all seemingly wearing dark cloths. NO street signs (little things on stop signs mostly hidden by parked cars). All I can say is «Carmel by the Sea residents… GET OVER YOUR POMPOUS SELVES». I find it hard to believe that there haven’t been MANY lawsuits!

First, let me start off by saying that I am a college student taking a theater class and one of my assignments is to watch and critique a play. Since it is the beginning of July, there are veeeerrrry few choices of plays to go see, especially after taking into my account my 40 hour/​week work schedule. I drove all the way from Santa Cruz, CA with my mom to see «God of Carnage» on the only day off of mine that coincides with a theater performance. Unfortunately I put my mom in charge of directions– she Googled the directions and clicked on «The Magic Circle Theater» in Carmel Valley instead of «The Circle Theater» in Carmel-​by-​the-​Sea. It is an understandable mistake.
After arriving at «The Magic Circle Theater» at 7:20, ten minutes before the show was supposed to start, we realized our mistake. It was a 25 minute drive from the Magic Circle to the Circle Theater, causing us to arrive 15 minutes after the show started… We were not allowed in and the tickets are not refundable. The girl working the door told us that unfortunately people drive to the Magic Circle Theater by mistake frequently. Oh really? Well, maybe you should be more flexible.
So now I’m screwed for my paper that is due in a few days and I am out $ 46 from the tickets, not even counting the gas money it took me to drive all the way to Carmel.
THANKS, Pacific Repertory Theatre. I am disgusted by this situation and how you choose to handle your PAYING customers.

Beautiful little theater nestled among the quaint downtown Carmel cottages. The Golden Bough Theater (300-​seats) has recently undergone a multi-​million dollar renovation and absolutely looks fantastic. Pacific Repertory Theater Corporation caters to a wide audience and features a nice breadth of venues, production choices and outreach programming, so everyone can enjoy a quality show. These educational, edifying and inspirational performances will leave you coming back for more.
We saw the Fiddler on the Roof last month and it was such a wonderful, engaging performance. Pacific Rep’s rendition of this highly acclaimed Broadway play about a Jewish father/​husband trying to holdfast to his family and traditions (in the early 20^th century) while outside encroaching influences try and enter their lives was riveting and heartfelt.
A large group of elementary school students, I’m talking 50 kids, were on a field trip during our visit which gave us great pause. Our fear was short-​lived as all the children were very well-​behaved and totally engrossed in the show. The cast and production crew really went all out and delivered an amazing performance.
There is a mini-​snack bar on site which features local Ventana wines, Carmel Valley Roasting Company coffee and some light snacks (cookies, candy, hot chocolate, sodas) to keep your stomach happy.
I missed the Beatles Tribute a few weeks back, which I was really looking forward to, but there are always great plays showing. I’m definitely coming back to catch another world-​class performance soon. Julius Ceasar, 39 Steps and Beauty & the Beast are coming soon. Yay!

The theater can be a little hard to find if you’re not familiar with Carmel. And make SURE you know exactly where you parked (bring a flashlight, too) since there are no street lights in that area – making it a little difficult to find your way after an evening show.
But the facility itself is fabulous and PacRep puts on incredible performances. The Golden Bough main theater is pretty much what you’d expect as far as theaters go… main stage with curtain facing a «unified» audience in theater chairs.
The Circle Theater (on the same lot, «behind» the main theater) is much smaller and incredibly intimate (not in a perverse way!). Seating surrounds the «stage» so close that none of the actors ever needs a microphone/​speaker. Actors enter and exit the stage through a variety of access points behind portions of the audience, and many time will actively interact with audience members during the performance (e.g., having them hold a prop, or asking a quick question).

Courteous staff and top notch talent. Always impressed with the high caliber office folks and sure do enjoy the shows… weather it’s the annual Big Bopper extravaganza or Shakespeare with a modern twist. Carmel needs streetlights but what a great location and reclamation of an old movie theater.

All three venues for Pacific Repertory Theater are fantastic– the Golden Bough is the larger indoor theater which houses the wonderfully intimate Circle Theater below the main stage. And the outdoor Forest Theater is a delight with two wood-​burning fires that the troupe often incorporate in the staging. My idea of a perfect season is to see a PacRep performance in each of the three theaters. And with so many great restaurants in Carmel-​by-​the-​Sea (walking distance to the Golden Bough/​Circle Theater) you cannot go wrong going to a show! You can walk to downtown for a bite before a performance at the Forest too; a bit longer distance, but I always just bring a charming picnic for before the show. Been attending for years and performances are always enriching.

A great way to see a show. Small, outdoor theater. Bring blankets as the fog will likely roll in, or sit close to the two bonfires. Also bring along some food and wine, and a flashlight for the walk home after the show. Great.

Support your local theater!
Other than the fact that this place is kinda hard to find, this theater is a real delight. Small, quaint and very friendly staff.
Most of the shows they put on are worth seeing. The production is good and it seems like the house is adequately equipped. I like the fact that it’s not completely «modernized». The rough edge quality of the theater is quite appealing.

Earlier last month in early May, the weather on the Peninsula turned bad for a stretch. One particularly cold and blustery night during that time, the rain fell steadily and the wind blowing in from the ocean was bitter cold. I felt restless that night not having anything planned and decided to go out and do something on my own.
«Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf» was just opening at the Golden Bough Theater in Carmel, so off I went to see the play.
The Golden Bough Theater is on Monte Verde Street between 8^th and 9^th Avenues. It’s tucked away on a quiet residential street. Soon after 1905, Carmelites opened a theater on this very site. So there’s been some form of theater here for over a hundred years. The current playhouse is slated for major renovation fairly soon. I like it the way it is, however. It’s a cozy and unassuming playhouse, comfortable, and rarely filled to capacity. At 300 seats, every seat is a good seat. The stage is trapezoidal with a tip jutting out into the audience. The stage also leans downward towards the audience slightly leading intimacy and a sense of immediacy to the plays.
The particular night I was there, the theater was half-​full. Before the play started sitting in the audience I could hear the steady drumbeat of rain falling outside. It made me sleepy. All I needed was a cup of hot chocolate, which they serve in the lobby along with wine and an assortment of goodies, and I would have been ready for never neverland.
The play was very well done. It presented a dark and unflattering look at middle-​class life in America in the 50’s and 60’s. It portrayed life in the suburbs as tearing at the seams and its inhabitants imploding by their inability to live life without false illusions — hence, the drinking and the adultery and the dishonesty in the play becomes a means of escape that eventually destroy the moral fiber and strength of the characters.
During its initial run on Broadway, which was sometime in the 50’s or 60’s, the play was controversial for its use of profanity and sexual content. Today, it would be rated PG– 13. The play was interesting, though, despite the dated language and dated themes that run through it.
The acting was great.
Members of the Pacific Repertory Theater manage and perform in the plays at the Golden Bough Theater. They do a great job. It’s not Broadway or Off-​Broadway-​like; but, the plays are well-​done in a nice, cozy, comfortable venue. After the play, having a nightcap at Jack London’s or Beaujolais Bistro in Carmel is almost as good as hitting up Carnegie Deli or the Stage Deli in the theater district in NYC.

Love this place. Very good seating. I saw a great production of «La Cage Aux Folles» here that was very spirited and funny. Great sound and spacious seating. Can’t wait to go back.

Pacific Rep theatre puts on live productions, just as it should in Carmel! What a great place to go see a play or musical theatre. My grand daughter has performed there several times and each time I’ve been impressed with both the production and the ambience of just being there. You can easily walk to any of the other Carmel attractions from there. Be sure to check it out if you are on vacation or live in the vicinity. It feels like ‘old Carmel’. .. and that is a very good thing.

OMG… you do realize by now that all the addresses in Carmel have no street numbers, right?
the tough part about finding the Golden Bough (back in the day) was that first you had to remember what STREET and CROSS street… then you had to count… well…go looking and you’ll understand what I mean.
Memories…of seeing The Shining at this movie theatre… and Aliens… and I had a friend who worked here… we all thought it was haunted… so it’s quite fitting that the PacRep Group is here preserving a magical little place tucked away in the woods…

This used to be a movie theater, back when there were theaters that didn’t have sixty screens. Now, it’s been morphed into a home for the Pacific Repertory Theater, which shows great plays and performances throughout their season. Coming up soon is Beauty and the Beast and The Buddy Holly Story, just for an example of what they usually offer.
The theater itself is nestled in a woodsy, residential area. It’s very nondescript and you would drive by unknowingly if you weren’t familiar with it. When I saw movies here, it was like walking into the woods. Very cool.
But even though the films are no longer played here, I can’t begrudge the PacRep for doing what it does best… entertain people and preserve the theater.