Center for the Performing Arts

I give this place just an ok… when a cover bands performs here there is no room whatsoever to Shake a tail feather. Music makes people wanna dance. And you can see everyone wants to… they have to dance In their seat. The performers are all awesome but just not enough space. This is the only center that I’ve been to that has no room… and for the price for some performers??? Yea we deserve to enjoy ourselves and dance a little. That would be just fantastic! Do something covina!

By far, Abbey Road (Beatles Tribute Band) has been one of my favorite tribute shows at The Covina Center for Performing Arts. The venue is charming, clean and very personal. You feel like you’re seeing a private concert. The staff is very nice, but they can use an MC to do the introductions though. The intros can be a little long-​winded but once the show starts like Abbey Road, you’re in for a treat!

Sort of cute.
If you can get passed the dirty carpets. READ ON for more details.
Came here a couple of days ago to see a David Bowie tribute band (an AH-​maaayyyy-​zing performance, btw), and based on this one experience, I’d have to stay the amount of stars this place gets largely depends on your perspective and what sort of venues you typically frequent.
If you regularly check out shows in LA and Downtown, then the Covina Performing Arts Center may seem significantly less glamorous and exciting. Located on the corner of Citrus and Badillo in the center of Old Town Covina, the theater has a local, small town vibe. What gives it that local feel? Mostly the crowd. which seemed to be mainly comprised of old high school pals and buddies out for a night on the town. At one point, I was standing near a couple of fifty-​something strangers who discovered right then and there that they were once classmates in the third grade.
As per an Actor’s Union Equity Agreement, the place only seats 99 people. Based on this tidbit, my guess is that the shows must sell out pretty quickly. There were no seats remaining on the bottom floor (where the majority of seats are), so I was relegated to standing room only on the upper level. Come to find out «standing room» at the Covina PAC is not the sort of standing room only you’d get at say, House of Blues.
No sirree. Save for people milling about in the bar area (also on the second floor) before the start of the show, we had the entire upper floor to ourselves. I must say, this was the best standing room only experience I’ve had. We got to stretch out and get comfy while still enjoying a great view of the band below.
As the people in the seats below started to stand and sway along with the music, the upper floor seemed like the better place to be. No dancing bodies to block your view.
HOWEVER, it was pretty darn warm up on the top floor. the A.C. was much needed.
If the money were put into renovations — cleaning/​removing the gross stained carpeting, getting rid of the plush 80s prom chairs pushed up against the wall, fine tuning the crackly acoustics, updating the wobbly bar seating — this place COULD be pretty cute. As it stands now, it’s rather dated.
Despite my snobby complaints, there IS a certain obscure charm that makes a visit to the Covina PAC worth checking out. I’d stick to the upper floor seating though. Just be sure to verify that the AC will be turned on.
TIPS:
–Ticket prices ranged from $ 20 (standing room — upper floor) to $ 30 (seating — bottom floor).
–The bar lacks selection. Not sure about mixed drinks but as far as brew, only Bud Light, Corona and a couple of other general store brands.
–Parking is relatively easy, several $ 3 lots are scattered within walking distance. Street parking is also available.

We go see a lot of Tribute bands at less than stellar places like the Lido in Newport Beach or the absolute pigsty that is the Coach House in San Juan.
Would gladly pay a premium and make the drive to see more shows like David Brighton’s last night.

The Covina play house has wonderful musicals and plays. The playhouse has been renovated into a lovely theater. Good times!

This recently renovated venue in Downtown Covina is incredibly charming. I have seen numerous shows here and they have all been great. I saw «Legally Blonde» on opening night and it was fabulous! One of the best shows I have ever seen.
They also do special performances as fundraisers for various charities and have the Young Performers Institute next door. I also saw that you can rent the venue to host a training seminar or event for you company or organization.
Tips:
–There is a cash bar in the lounge upstairs
–Snack bar downstairs in the lobby

On March 23, I saw a really fine Beatles revival production called «In My Life». I thought the show was spot on, really exciting and well performed. We were seated in the front row, and enjoyed every minute.
An earlier reviewer, Damone H., reviewed a show, but not the facility. He left a very poor review. I think that was a mistake. I want to primarily mention the theater, not the show.
I have high praise for the renovation of the old and musty Covina Theater. As a kid, I saw some movies there. In the early ‘70s, it was shabby and had seen much better days.
I like the small, intimate lobby. People spilled out onto the sidewalk enjoying the pre-​show and the intermission conversation. Inside, the seating was comfortable. The ambience, colors, and the fabrics were very pleasing to the eye. The place actually looks like a small scale Broadway theater, and I know, because I have been to a bunch of shows back in NYC.
There was a lounge upstairs that we did not visit. Restroom facilities were excellent.
I thought the technical work of the sound and lighting people were great. I felt that I was in a real legitimate theater. And it is!
The theater fits in really well with the vibe of downtown Covina. I know I will be seeing more shows in the future. I’m sorry I have not visited in the past. Please go and support this great organization.

The Center for the Performing Arts is a gem situated in downtown Covina. The owners have created an extraordinary theater with classic high quality finishes reminiscent of the golden age of american theater. The interior architecture is outstanding, the stage works is top quality and state of the art. The production plays have been wonderfully professional and the visiting artist performances are often amazing.
This theater provides for an amazingly full cultural experience of such quality as that which is normally available only in large metropolitan centers.
Bravo!
Kshawn

I saw Lend Me A Tenor and it was pretty awful. The Italian couple was the only time I laughed during the whole show, especially the wife– think her name is Vera but not sure. I spent most of the time trying not to laugh at the BAD acting. Does the director understand what exposition is? I couldnt understand what was happening half of the time. You job is to communicate the STORY. FAIL

We went to see a friend in Death of a Salesman. What a beautiful venue. They spent millions on renovation and it was money well spent. The staff was very pleasant and it was a great night. If you get a chance to catch a show there, do it.

The Covina Center for the Performing Arts is a delightful venue to see a show or watch a play!
This is a very small and personal venue. There is not a bad seat in the house! Prices are exceedingly reasonable and the shows are well produced and acted.
Want a lovely evening out with your wife or girlfriend. Give this theater a try. You will have a great experience and want to come back again and again… we do!

I’ve had the pleasure of attending a few performances at this theater and it is always very entertaining. I specially enjoy the great job they do with the youth group. The theater ought to be commended for introducing the arts to our youth.

Looks like they just re-​opened on the little main street in Covina. Nice little theater, very cozy. Went to see Amy Anderson the comedian perform there and it was a blast even though it was a small crowd since it was on a Tuesday. But looks like they will continue to have comedy nights on Tuesday.
Wouldn’t mind checking out a play or something here, if they had one.