Samir Jafri

Review of Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

We got season tickets a few (3 or 4) years ago whe...

We got season tickets a few (3 or 4) years ago when they were discounted for the first year in the new theater on the recommendation of a friend. We have renewed every year since. Our kids are 15 and 12 now and have come with us every year. The facility and staff were very friendly to them, even when they were young, although I wouldn't go much below 8 years old. The bench seats are great for the little one of she wants to cuddle with us and sleep if she loses interest. There is a great kids room (in the old bank vault so it soundproof) with a big screen showing the play so you won't miss it when you are with your little one.

The seat are comfortable enough, but the high seats in some rows hurt my back although some love them. The benches in the middle rows do not have enough leg room for me (I'm 6'2"). The front rows are fine. So all in all, different options to suit different people. The seating wraps 3/4 of the way around the stage.

The performance are very good and the staging is creative, entertaining and well done. I say this with the background that my wife is British and was a regular theater goes there and we have all been to the Globe Theater in London and watched the Royal Shakespeare Company in Shakespeare' Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, where my in-laws live (nephew goes to the school Shakespeare's school). Performers are accessible after the show and mingle with the crowd. They are great with engaging the kids, talking to them before and after the show and making direct eye contact with them while on stage -sometimes even smiling or winking at them while acting! Nevertheless, the performances are professionally done with excellent acting and good sets.

2 bars and snacks available although predictably, extremely pricy. One bar is open after the show where staff, actors and patrons are welcome to gather.

They have an arrangement with a parking garage 3 blocks away where parking is $5 with a show voucher. Theater tickets are very affordable. With season tickets, adults are under $30 and kids under $20 per show. They have always been very accommodating about moving our tickets to another night when something comes up. They also have matinees which might be better for younger kids.

All in all, an entertaining and special way to spend an evening on a family outing or a date night at a great value.