Ohlone College Gary Soren Smith Center

In «One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest» riveting performances by a very talented cast bring life to this adaptation of the Ken Kesey classic. Director Michael Navarra again shows he can draw professional skill from college cast and crew. This show is as good as any professional stage drama I’ve seen. The theater itself is intimate but roomy enough for the stage to project into the aisles, bringing the audience fully into the psychotic arena. The characters’ personalities evolve very naturally. McMurphy (Matt Monaco, who played Dracula earlier this year) deftly transitions from bravado to incredulity to despair as the realization mounts of the horrors he faces at the hands of his sinister keeper, Nurse Ratched (Stacey Lynn Bell). My skin crawled with the growing realization how easily one could be left to these manipulations. Matthew O’Donnell’s lighting contributes well to the narrative, cleverly using focused light and projected patterns to evoke the inner monologue of a distressed mind. Fred Alim makes certain the sound is consistently realistic, clear, and audible; a clumsy distraction in less capable hands. Scenic design and costumes are equally professional. Theater just doesn’t get any better than this!

Came here to see The Little Princess. Great show! The theater is pretty small and there are a lot of families with small children who can’t sit still or be quiet. Ugh… The theater itself is fine and you have a good view pretty much wherever you sit.

I came here to see The Nutcracker with my daughter which was put on by the Berkeley School of Ballet I believe. The venue itself was great. Nice and intimate, not a bad seat in the house really from what I could see. However, it was obviously a college theater. The concession stand was mediocre at best, with just chips and soda… some candy and water too. Only took cash. I don’t know if it was because of the performance they were showing or this is typical.
Parking was very easy and only $ 2 however there are a TON of stairs… like 5 flights maybe? So, if you have walking issues or have a hard time walking long distances you may want to have someone drop you off near the entrance. There is handicap parking behind the center if you have a placard.
Bathrooms were clean, but old. Seats were comfortable. People were nice.
Overall it was a nice venue and I will go back for some more adult productions. However, for the Nutcracker I think will stay closer to home (SJ).

Last night, I took my mother to the outdoor theatre at the Smith Center to watch Starstruck Theatre’s Les Miserables. Even though it was a kids show, I was amazed at the talented people we have here in Fremont. The outdoor venue is uniquely beautiful and with the sun setting, Fremont lit up like a jewel box as part of the set’s backdrop.
Bring a blanket, a seat cushion, and have a fun, fun, evening without driving to the city. If you are smart, book early and grab a seat in the lower portion of the orchastra.
I think I’m going to go back again and see Les Mis again.

We like going to see musicals, and the Gary Soren Smith Center is playing Miss Saigon July 6 – 7, & 12 – 14 at 8:30pm. Show is about 2hr 30 min w/​a 15 min. intermission.
You can buy tickets online w/​an additional $ 5+ fee or call the box office.
We went on opening night which was Fri. July 6, 2007. It’s a good show w/​some Ohlone College students & other actors.
It’s pretty cheap at $ 20pp for adults to see a live musical too. It was held in the Ohlone Amphitheatre which is outside. The benches are metal w/​a backing and kinda hard on the butt sitting there. Best to bring a pillow, big long blanket cuz it gets cold at night, and some water, snack foods, gloves & warm hat.
Bathrooms are indoors, so go through the side door & main door. There will be long lines for both men & women so get there fast. Women on the right/​Men on the Left.
We plan to see Disney’s Beauty & the Beast Aug 2 – 5, & 8 – 11 at 8pm w/​additional show Aug 4 at 10am.
You can also check out the small Louie Art Gallery they have in the Center, plus there is the G. Craig Jackson main stage theater (large indoor theater), & the NUMMI studio theater (smaller indoor theater).