EXIT Theatre

I had a ticket to attend the November 18 show of the Olympians Festival in which my friend was the director. I arrived 5 minutes late due to the fact that all the escalators and elevators at the Powell Street MUNI station were out of service and I was on crutches. The person at the door refused to let me in, even though my delay was completely out of my control. I work at a theater myself and would most likely be out of a job if I treated patrons with disabilities with the same disdain that I was confronted with.

This was definitely something interesting and out of my element. I attended Saturday Write Fever at the Exit Threatre this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised by this event.
The event itself is free, and beer, wine and snacks here are fairly reasonably priced. There isn’t really a sign because the Exit threatre hosts many other things so it just ends up being in a little room at the front. The event formally starts around 9ish, but getting there early assures you a seat and prime viewing.
Several writers get chosen and actors get paired up with them. They get a random topic assigned to them via draw in a bucket, and off they go to write a creative piece that their actor will perform in 30 minutes.
Hilarity ensues, and sometimes awkwardness. But for the most part this was fun!

This was my first time here to see a solo performance. After years of seeing the theater from across the street at Pandora, I finally got here. I did not know there were multiple small individual theaters and that there are multiple performances going on. I like it and will come back. I like how up close and intimate the performance was.

Been going for years always a good time and great performances at great prices.

LOVE. THIS. THEATRE. It might be because we just saw a show here on Saturday, and our friend happens to be the star of the show. And it might be because the show was absolutely amazing and hilarious. But the theatre itself was warm and cozy (and yes small and intimate). And they serve drinks, and icecream, and free pretzels. But back to the show… we saw Strangers with XXXmas Candy which was a holiday play based on the show «Strangers with Candy.» Our friend Bob played the role of Jerri Blank and he was SO funny. I mean he’s funny in general so it wasn’t surprising, but he had an amazing stage presence and the show was really entertaining. The theatre it was in was about 40 seats, so not large, but it was packed and everyone seemed like they enjoyed themselves. I hope that Strangers with XXXmas Candy comes back year after year. I’d like to make this the new Nutcracker, and a family tradition for all!

I saw Blues for Charles. It was so good I had to go back and see it a second time. A gripping tale about the Filmore, family, murder and reconciliation.
Thank you Exit Theatre for providing such support for writers, performers and the theatre going public.

What a cool little theater /​3 theaters…
I loved the show we saw, and liked the cozy family style presentation of the overall venue. I loved being able to buy ice-​cream cookies and beers out of a cart…

This theater is a real gem. I ended up going to it on a date back in March or April 2006 and seeing Love Labour’s Lost in a modern young teenagers setting. It was very well put together and for a theater located in the Tenderloin in the most unlikely place for a venue in its caliber, I didn’t think paying $ 10.00 would give you a high-​level performance, especially in the indie theater format.
However, the performances are surprisingly effective and well put together. I ended up being surprised and my date thanked me afterwards for taking her to the show. I think the theater made a good impression on her. It certainly did on make a good impression on me and I will definitely come back to the Exit Theater again.

This is a difficult review for me and right now, the star rating is working. I’m mixed because my experience started off terribly then became really great. So… here’s the low down, purchased tickets for the Fringe Festival to see a show a friend of ours from Oregon was in. Sent out a bunch of invites and just about sold out the place.
Upon arrival to the venue, they can’t find our name on the list for 4 tickets (2 purchased weeks before, 2 purchased the night before as we had 2 family members fly in from Oregon — impromptu). So, come to find out, we goofed. The 2 last-​minute tickets were bought for the night before (after the showing had already occurred I might add). The ticket-​taker was super sweet and totally understood the goof, the show was NOT sold out, but it’s a tiny theater and it was filling up quickly.
Then the manager comes along, I’ll never forget her face or the way she spoke to us. It basically said, too bad so sad. In fact, she told us they have to take unpaid walk-​up before giving us 2 tickets that we had already prepaid. She passed by several more times and confirmed this same notion, without a hint of care. I’m sorry, I know we goofed, but there were tickets and we had already paid why sweat us until 2 minutes before? Finally, we were given our tickets and my blood pressure went down.
Once in the Theatre, it was cozy and comfy, very small and intimate. The play was incredible! The theater was packed with our friends and family, it was a good crowd.
I won’t go back to EXIT Theatre unless someone I know if performing there.

Walking into The Exit is like walking into the Land of Oz after the tornado. Brave the mayhem of the Tenderloin and Eddy street and find yourself in a beautifully decorated, magical realm full of amazing artwork, three sweet theaters, a staff that is off-​the-​chart helpful and kind. I have been there as a patron and as a performer and it is truly a safe haven where creativity flourishes.

I love this theatre! There are actually 3 different stages in one space, with one stage in the café area and the other two as 2 intimate theatre spaces. The food in the café was absolutely delicious and not something I would have ever considered, given its location in one of the scummiest parts of town), and incredible productions. Great wine, great theatre and very reasonable prices. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that it is in one of the THE diciest parts of town, and certainly would not go there without a large group of friends.

Cool little black box theatre with a few different small performance spaces in it. The neighborhood is… the Tenderloin, but we were lucky enough to find some free street parking around the corner which you certainly don’t get in many other neighborhoods. We’d come back for some more experimental theatre!

Saw «Jurassic Ark» here on Friday night. I’m from the East Bay, so I never really get to see too much in the way of performing arts. This place was pretty cozy and inviting!
I would certainly recommend coming here if you get the chance.

Interesting place — went here for THE COLLECTION by Christian Cagigal
— they have a few different shows going at once. It’s inexpensive but clean and the people working there are nice. The neighborhood at night… questionable. But go in a group.

This is a nice intimate theater.
The place has a small kitchen and bar area where you can get snacks before the show.
The theaters has about 30 seats in each theater.

Venues like the Exit Theater are one of the reasons I feel so lucky to live in the Bay Area. The productions are worth walking along Eddy Street to enjoy dedicated actors and writers producing eclectic work. The space is intimate, and the ticket prices reasonable. They do offer snacks and wine or beer, after tasting the wine, I would suggest the beer.

**Inner Conversation of Megs Brain***
«But I don’t wanna see a play.»
«You’ve had the flu twice. You HAVE to do extra credit for playwriting class.»
«But I don’t wanna go all the way downtown, it’s cold.»
«Do you want to get a B? DO YOU?»
«Fine miss bossy boots. Jeez, I’m effing going.»
So for extra credit I found myself enjoying several hours of incestual love and beef stroganoff (Better Homes and Ammo). Which I must say is one of the best play’s I’ve ever seen.
Exit, which is down a hall and through a restaurant, has two theater’s.
The one I was in was small, yet cozy, which worked for the play setting itself, but makes me wonder if it’s ever claustrophobic for other play’s not set in basements.
I got my ticket off Tix Bay Area for half price so at 9 dollars it was a steal for a two hour presentation. The seats were comfy, the restroom was clean and a drinking fountain was around the corner.
I would return, recommend and definitely bring friends.

Being so close to Halloween, we had ourselves a Zombie-​filled weekend and Exit Theatre was a big part of our undead fun
Friday nite, we visited Metreon for Zombieland (& if you haven’t seen it yet, DO!)
Sat nite, we had tix for Exit Theatre’s ZOMBIE! A musical about 2 lovers from Colma who go to extreme measures to stay together. Very tongue-​in-​cheek & very funny!
The Theatre is divided into 2 super-​small venues. Exit & Exit Stage Left. We were in Exit & it holds maybe 50 – 60 people… which means there’s no bad seat in the house. 1^st come 1^st served
Sound quality is great — didn’t need earplugs & drinkys are allowed into the theatre — in fact, you can take in any Café item (woohoo!) and prices are awesomely CHEAP!
Crowd totally into the show & looked like the actors were having a great time too. Would totally come back to see another Play
Too bad I couldn’t also fit in Zombie Town — which is also playing at this theatre — for my Zombie trifecta — hopefully they’ll extend the show?
Only warning & kinda bummer — a homeless lady goes «Come Here» & grabbed Sis & me (like literally laid hands upon us) as we were entering the Theatre. We physically shook her off & at 1^st thought it might be part of the show… it wasn’t!

Was there to catch Christian Cagigal’s «Now and at the Hour» mime/​mind-​reader/​magician/​storyteller show (
), which I highly recommend because dude is good (also more fun than the normal bigger magic shows, since it’s with a small crowd — but sit in the front rows to get the best views).
Really liked the venue. Intimate setting to catch a show (Stage Left seats maybe 30 – 40 people max). Didn’t get a chance to hang at the café or see the Exit Theater itself, but will return for other shows. Support the arts, ey?

The Exit is great. There are three venues in one: The Café, Exit Theater and Stage Left, and sometimes there’s more than one show going on at a time. The café serves beer and wine, delicious sake cocktails and snacks. The Main Exit Theater is my favorite. It feels a bit like a cabaret with little tables to set your drinks and snacks on and a beautiful exposed brick wall.
The only downfall is that the location feels a bit sketchy but it’s super close to Powell Bart so it’s easy to get there, but you’ll feel safer if you have a friend to walk the two blocks with you!