San Diego Civic Theatre

I loved this theater. The size was perfect, not too big or too small. We had very nice seats but with the size of the theater I think most everyone had a good view. We came to see If/​Then and the sound was perfect. We got binoculars (even though we didn’t need them) and they were only 5 dollars. I only took one star off because I felt like the lines were weird. Like to wait to go to the bathroom we had to wait in line on the stairs. To get any merch you had to wait in a strange line right in front of the entry door and it was very chaotic. Only one person worked the merchandise table and the line took a long time, longer than needed. After the show, my husband asked about a staff member if the cast would come out and they were very nice about directing us where to go and let us know who usually came out to sign. I loved my experience here and can’t wait to return!

I’ve been here at least 10 times but am just now writing a review. We went last night for Seinfeld and the last time we saw him was about 10 years ago in this same venue. He was great then, but I think age has refined him even more and the delivery was even more spot on than last decade. We splurged for the orchestra up front seats because we have been in nosebleed before and it gets really hard to see anything. The theater does rent binoculars for $ 5 which is also telling how high some of those balcony seats go!
The sound quality is great from whatever seat you choose. Bar prices are high of course but the best deal is a beer for $ 6. While the menu states they sell imported beer for $ 7 they were not carrying imports last night.
The biggest tip I can give is to park in the metered spaces right outside the venue as it takes a long time to get out of the garage if you park in the SD civic garage. Plus the meters are free after 6pm.

The beautiful Civic Theater with a great $ 10 parking lot and beautiful shows that come through their performance space. I love all the different levels to the theater and I love the fact that no matter where you sit, you get a beautiful view of the stage!
My one thing that I love the most is that when you go to purchase tickets through Ticketmaster, they will tell you if that seat could have a possible surprise blocking your view!

I came to see Adam Sandler. I was first in line the day the tickets came out. You would think that perhaps that would have given me some advantage, with being first in line at the venues ticket office… BUT it did not. The ticket office was fighting with Ticketmaster for its own venues tickets. Instead of first row or the like I was about 25 rows back. tLdr: if you want good tickets to anything at this venue, pay the few extra bucks at ticketmaster.

We took our three grand daughters to see the Nut Cracker here. What a great production! The girls were use to the kids version, Which is about half as long. We had seats in lower Mezzanine — row ‘O’. Seats were pretty much center and we had very nice views. The only thing is there are many, many, many Homeless people camped out around the building. A bit frightening for the young kids. Next time instead of taking the Trolley we will park their at the site.

I’ve been to the San Diego Civic Theatre a handful of times now and have always enjoyed going for a ballet or a musical. Since the Civic Theatre on 3^rd and B street, it’s close to a handful of restaurants which is perfect for grabbing dinner in a cute dress before a show. In my personal experience, I prefer to sit in the Orchestra (1^st Level) or Mezzanine (2^nd Level) sections. A few years ago, I sat in the 3^rd Level Balcony for Wicked and Grease, and while the tickets are cheaper, actors on stage are tiny from your view! Spend the extra $ 20 or whatever it may be to make your way to the bottom floor or at least the 2^nd level. My top suggestions: go to the bathrooms on the 2^nd floor (always less people), drink before you show up because on a busy night you’ll waste Intermission in the bar line, and never arrive late — it’s embarrassing, especially when the attendants flashlight you in the face!

My friend and I came here on Sunday night for the final showing of The Nut Cracker Ballet. It was lovely and so was the theatre. We were very lucky to snag a handicap parking space in front of the theatre on C Street since I am still in a boot and non-​weight bearing so it was just a few short steps to the theatre. We enjoyed a glass of wine while waiting for the the performance to begin and look at all the pretty decorations and members of the cast who were selling programs. Our seats in the Orchestra section were great. I loved it!

I’ve lived in San Diego my entire life and have yet to experience all what SD has to offer. Well, for this particular visit to the SD Civic Theatre, I purchased tickets to see ‘Beauty & the Beast.’ My sister and I were super excited to see this show because we grew up watching Disney. We were giddy the entire time. We couldn’t stop smiling! haha. Anyway, the staff here are super helpful and courteous. We sat all the way at the top, and although we couldn’t see the performers faces distinctly, we were still able to enjoy the entire production. The only downside for me was that the mics could’ve been a tad bit louder. I missed a few lines several times throughout the performance. Overall, I really did enjoy my time here and I would recommend you give this place a shot!

We have been coming to this theater for several years now. I did not think to review until tonight since my review would have been too average to really contribute to the over-​all ratings. But, something happened at tonight’s performance (Nov. 27, 2015) of Beauty and the Beast that warrants reviewing.
But first, a general review:
Parking at the adjacent building is not too bad, until the end of the performance. Waves upon waves of people flood to the 4 elevators (tonight, just 3 were functioning), each car could fit 8 – 10 people. Even though how much you get tempted, don’t use the stairs – it won’t lead you to the main parking lot.
This theater is NOT your theater growing up. People can bring in food and drinks; and consume the same during the performance. The man next to the vacant seat beside me kept throwing his candy wrappers on the floor! Late-​comers are allowed to sit even when the play has already started. What happened to making late-​comers wait for the scene to end before sitting themselves? –Thus, minimizing the disturbance they cause. For the most part, ushers are helpful, except for the one we encountered tonight, thus leading to why I wrote this review.
Tonight, there was this usher (short, white woman) with a Napoleon complex. She was stationed at the mezzanine, farthest door on the odd-​numbered side. She acted like the Gestapo castigating people for taking pictures of the curtain when the show has not yet started. She was citing «copyright laws» and even told a kid, probably around 12 years old that he could be fined! It might be their policy not to have the performance «recorded», but the kid was taking still pictures of the stage when NO performance was yet showing. Mind you, she was not just talking down to the kid, she was going around telling everyone (on our side of the mezzanine) to stop taking pictures. Apparently, the other side of the mezzanine and the rest of the theater are immune to the «copyright laws», because a lot of people were taking pictures all over the theater.
What irritated me was the fact that she was not doing her job as usher. She was being a guard. She was not showing people to their seats until asked and did not hand out programs until asked. She seems to be employed directly by Disney, which we know are fiercely protective of their image. But the application is SO wrong. Copyright law does not kick in when you take a picture or record even a part of the performance (if you are so rude to do so); it’s when one uses it for something other than personal use!
Now, did this usher come to talk to the man throwing candy wrappers when he began checking his phone during the performance? Nope. She just stood there in the back looking for people taking photos of the stage. By the way, there was this lady who kept taking photos throughout a third of the first act. The usher finally came to put a stop to it, but instead of going to the aisle closest to the lady, this usher goes to the aisle SHE is closest to and disturbs a whole row of patrons – asking them to pass on her warning to the offender. Of course, the lady was being disruptive as she was taking pictures, but did the usher need to disturb the whole row plus the people behind to do it? She could easily have just gone around to the lady’s side of the aisle. – Just goes to show what is NOT important to this usher – making the patrons feel comfortable during the performance. I do not believe she knows what her job entails.
I really believe there should be more proper training for these ushers. She didn’t over-​all ruin our night, but the experience left a bad taste in the mouth. I hope she stays at the mezzanine, –we’re going back to watching from the floor. That’s what I get for trying to save– bad service!

I’ve been here a lot through out the years living in San Diego. Last night I went to see the Adam Sandler show. I’ve sat in orchestra and balcony. I don’t think I’ve ever sat in mezzanine. Orchestra is the bottom section by the stage. The rows are long and there is only 2 outside aisles to exit. So if you are sitting in the middle, expect to interrupt plenty of people to get to the exit. The balcony is at the top. I sat here last night because it was a comedy show. It’s more of listening pleasure than seeing pleasure. You couldn’t really see the comedians faces but you could hear them. So if you are looking for detail, you might want to sit closer in orchestra or mezzanine.
Staff is friendly and helpful. Parking in the lots around the area can be about $ 10 – 20, unless you find street parking first. The concessions has cookies, candy, brownies, chips, beer and wine. It’s expensive but you do what you gotta do.

I went today at 2pm to see phantom of the opera with my husband for our wedding anniversary. It was our first time going together and his first big musical. Wow we LoVED it! Amazing theatre and friendly people. Perfect for a date. It was a great experience and of course the phantom of the opera is a must see!

Prices are high and lines are long during intermissions, but staff is friendly, helpful and efficient.
Pro tip: if you want a hot dog before the show, skip the long lines at the cash-​only cart and hit 7 – 11 first. It’s 4 blocks, or one trolley stop away at 5^th Ave.
There are lots of other good restaurants nearby, but almost NONE of them will be open after your show gets out.

My friend and I saw the Phantom of the Opera on Sunday night and it was wonderful. I’m a little biased because Phantom is my all time favorite musical and I’ve already seen it 2 other times, but this staging was great. The cast was awesome and I loved seeing how another theater put on the production. We had balcony seats, and I mean back balcony, but we were still able to see the stage pretty well. Just for our next show, which will probably be Book of Mormon next year, we’ll probably save up and get better seats. So excited to have found a wonderful musical/​play venue!

I love the theatre. And I am thankful that we have a few in San Diego. The Civic Theatre is a decent venue. Seating is a little close together, so make friends with those to your left or right if you don’t already know them. You will be shoulder to shoulder for a couple hours. Heck, by the end of the show, they may even be on your Christmas Card List. The bathrooms are clean and even when there is a huge line, it usually goes pretty quickly. I usually sit in the Orchestra section and from those seats the view is great. Parking is pretty simple. Not a bad joint.
Tip: Go out for drinks before the show or grab a coffee from the little stand outside. The concessions inside aren’t that great.

I came here for a Lindsay Stirling concert in the beginning of August 2015, and loved the arrangement of the theatre. I’m use to the stuffy, tiny seats in Philadelphia’s theatres, and San Diego puts the east coast to shame!
Ushers were helpful, view from main orchestra was amazing, and I’m sure that the balcony level seatings are just as comparable like the Symphony theatre. I’m looking forward to the 2015 – 2016 opera season!

We have been to various productions at the San Diego Civic Theatre. San Diego is kind of known as a theatre city outside of NY and LA. I tend to prefer the intimate gold leaf and dingy unique theaters in NY and LA, but for traveling productions, the SD Civic Theatre does deliver quality performances.
We have sat in the orchestra for Wicked, the Loge for Legally Blond (during an earthquake I may add…) and in the balcony for our last show «Kinky Boots». We were thrilled to get free tickets from a Kinky Boots party sponsored by local radio and Bloomingdales! My husband and I saw the World Première of the film of the same name at Sundance many years back… so we were eager to attend this adaptation and performance live and in person. There is nothing like «liveness»!
Parking is always available for a cost on site (not the best designed garage though) and the bar and souvineer shops inside are efficient. The ushers and staff are friendly. I usually like to drink red wine… so I love the carpet is also red, incase of a spill…

I’ve been here for concerts, ballets, and theatre productions. It’s old and you might be stuck sitting behind someone taller/​bigger but there is still something about this place that I really like. It’s a smaller scale theatre, which I prefer since it seems like you are close to the stage no matter where you are seated. I have never sat anywhere but at stage level so I can’t say much about the seats in the upper levels but I’ve heard the view is not a problem. Fortunately, I’ve never had a problem with someone blocking my view and all the productions I’ve seen have been amazing.
On my last visit, I was seated between two men and I felt a little claustraphobic but as soon as the play began, I forgot all about it. In my opinion the only thing that needs slight improvement is the size of the chairs.

Very nice venue for shows/​concerts.
we had center balcony seats which were not that bad. but i did find myself squinting here and there.
the most recent show i watched here was straight no-chaser’s tour.
if you’re on a budget balcony center isn’t so bad and watchable for shows. if you want a clear look at the show i suggest getting closer seating.

I’ve been here twice. The first time was to see Book of Mormon and the second time was to see Wicked. Both productions were great. The theater is pretty large, but you can pretty much see from any seat. If you have tall people in front of you, well… you might have an obstructed view. The sound quality is great and the musicians are pretty wonderful.
Book of Mormon was hilarious. Wicked was a wonderful production as well. The performers were unbelievably talented and the costumes/​visuals were great.
I look forward to seeing many more shows here!

I’ve been fortunate enough to catch a couple of shows here over the years. I’ve sat in the front row, rear of the orchestra as well as up high. I really can’t complain about the view as the auditorium isn’t overly large. However, on my most recent visit, I wasn’t overly impressed with the sound quality. I would have to say it was probably directly related to the seat location, but I can’t blame it all on that.
Parking can be a bit of a fiasco in the parking structure located adjacent to the theatre. However, it is safe and not crazy expensive as many downtown venues go in other major cities.
Concessions are a rip, but what do you expect. $ 3 for a bottle of water that typically comes 36 to a case at less than $ 3! Yikes! Anyway, if you have the opportunity to visit this theatre for a local show, you won’t be disappointed. Overall a great place to catch a show.
Keep on Unilocal’n!