Broadway By The Bay

Top notch local professional live theatre.
The sound can be sketchy in the bak half of the theatre, but other than that, this is a fantastic location and high production value.
Every show I have seen here is top quality.

Thoroughly enjoyed Les Miserables yesterday afternoon. The singing was terrific, never heard better. We were lucky enough to find parking a block away from the theatre so that made the afternoon even better.
This was my first Broadway by the Bay experience and I am definitely looking forward to seeing the rest of this season’s offerings.

Like the last reviewer, we have also seen Les Miserables in the larger theaters in SF, and London, and have heard the sound tracks by the original cast many many times, but I can’t say enough how phenomenal this performance by Broadway by the Bay was. We were blown away. We have seen many productions with Broadway by the Bay, and there have been many great ones, but this by far was our favorite. Everything from the singing and acting, the orchestra, staging, was superb. All the lead singers sang with amazing voices, and with their voices and the beautiful music from the orchestra, the glorious music soared. I am also pleased to see that they continue to make more improvement to the theater itself. The new orchestra seats are great in terms of comfort and looks. The show is on for two more weeks until 3/​22, make sure you catch this Broadway-​quality production right in our back yard.

Went to see Les Miserables last night. We were a little apprehensive as we have seen the show at numerous large theaters around the world. WOW WOW WOW it was outstanding! Everything about the show was impeccable. They captured it all. The staging, lighting, acting and most of all the singing. The caliber of the performers was fantastic. Well done once again to Broadway by the Bay for putting on a top class show, locally. To anyone who is considering attending… don’t just sit there — GO!

This is by-​far my favorite place to watch musicals. Its a local non-​profit who has the budget to put on A-​grade famous musicals with local A-​list talent and sets. The prices are around half of the big-​name production companies but the experience is just as good or better. We drive across the bridge just to watch and help out. Only downside is the parking is a little tight. Park in the overflow lot farther away otherwise you’ll be fighting the exit traffic in the movie theatre underground parking.
I saw Cats, Evita, Oliver, Cabaret and more here. They all have been great productions with memorable sets and strong vocals. The talent here is amazing. After a while, I recognize some of the core actors and actresses which star in this group. And they really do have strong charisma and voices in their roles.
I love volunteering here too because the stage manager (Anna), staff, and security staff are so nice. The other volunteers routinely give us advice into the world of theatre here in the Bay Area. And they generously give the volunteers praise and perks that I don’t see elsewhere.

Note: For this review, I will strictly be reviewing the performance of Broadway By the Bay, not the venue where they performed.
My wife and I were very happy to attend a Unilocal Elite event, where Broadway By the Bay performed «Broadway By the Year: 1947 and 1966,» hosted by Scott Siegel. The cast (Christina Bianco, Ron Bohmer, Carole J. Bufford, Scott Coulter and Jeffry Denman) performed selections from Brigadoon, Finian’s Rainbow, Cabaret, Mame and Sweet Charity. What a surprisingly wonderful performance! I am no stranger to theatre, and having viewed some of the world’s best, I am typically suspicious of «smaller» performances. Boy, was I wrong! The cast is quite talented, and the time seemed to breeze by too quickly; my wife and I would have easily enjoyed a production much longer than 2 hours! The cast might not be the best out there, but they sure put on a great performance. Though I received complimentary tickets, the performance was easily worth the $ 18 to $ 38 everyone else paid.

Have had the opportunity to see two shows with Broadway By the Bay this year thanks to Unilocal hooking us up with tickets.
Both the «Music Man» (local production) and «Broadway by the Years» (special guests) were entertaining.
Awesomeness is that you can buy wine/​beer at the concession and bring them into the show. Also, at Music Man they took orders before the show started and had those ready for us to pick up (and thus avoiding the line) during intermission.
One down side: the seats at the Fox Theatre really need a refresh. Extremely uncomfortable and it was hard to sit through a show in those seats.

A friend and I were treated to Broadway by the Bay’s performance of Gypsy by Unilocal.
The performance was in the Fox Theater located in Redwood City. On this Friday night, the area was buzzing with live music in the square right across the street. We were very lucky to find parking on the lot behind the theater, but the advice from a previous reviewer about arriving early to seek parking should be heeded.
There were many restaurants and bar in the area, so pre-​performance dinner choices were plentyful.
After picking up our tickets, we were led to seats in the main hall. Seating inside the theater was on cushioned folding chairs. They was not uncomfortable, but I was expecting bolted down seats. The theater itself looked older but had charm and was well maintained.
The performance by the troupe was very professional. I thought the singing for Mamdam Rose and Gypsy Lee was very good and I had no difficulty hearing the lyrics and understanding the story. The solo dance by Tulsa was also very good and I really cared about Mamdam Rose and Gypsy Lee.
I look forward to attending future performances by Broadway by the Bay.

Thanks to Unilocal! (courtesy: Abby) for hooking me up with 2 free tickets for Gypsy by the Broadway by the bay theater company.
It was a warm Friday night as I parked my car in the nearby garage and headed out to catch some Friday night theater action…
Friends and I arrived early to catch some live music playing just outside the museum in front of the Fox theater where Gypsy was playing…
The cast of Gypsy is very talented… they did a great job w/​the acting and the singing… I am really impressed by Mama rose and her two daughters…
Only complaint was the theater itself…
Hope to see more plays by the BBTB company! :)

Courtesy of fabulous Abby S and Unilocal,I got lucky and scored a pair of tickets to see the wonderful production of Gypsy. Mama Rose was a hoot! The cast was young and vibrant. The stage hands were quick and changing the scenes in the background.
Fox theater gave me the heebie jeebies when I first walked in. I felt like I was in a horror movie but the aged, ancient look is what gives the place it’s charm.
I would definitely return to watch another show… thanks again Unilocal!

We had a wonderful time at the Broadway by the Bay performance of Gypsy. The acting was first class and we were quite impressed. The lead actresses (both the leads for Mama Rose and Gypsy Lee) were very talented and had great voices and presence. We’ll definitely be back for more performances by Broadway by the Bay. Great to know that there is professional, first class theater so close to us!
One note is that it is quite hard to find parking in Redwood City on a nice night in the summer. There is a lot going on and parking is a huge headache even if you’re willing to pay. All the lots were full. Leave plenty of time to search around. Not the fault of the production company but a heads up.
Big thanks to Unilocal for the free tix!

Thanks Abby & Unilocal for scoring us free tix to Broadway by the Bay’s production of Gypsy. While the show wasn’t really to our liking (I like to be able to root for the main characters a little more), we were impressed with the quality of the production. Its not quite the same caliber as shows I’ve seen in SF and NY but the actors, choreographers and designers are definitely talented. I would for sure come back to see another show if they were doing a musical I love!

I watched the ‘Music Man’ compliments of Unilocal.
I was quite impress with the production and the props. It’s very decent for location productions!
Extra star for the little girls who do all those gymnastics tricks!

I just saw the Music Man, compliments of Unilocal!For a small production company, they did an excellent job at delivering an enjoyable musical with a lot of charm and spark. I did not know the story line but I was soon captured by the archepella guys and the giggling ladies. This was not a production focused on the main characters. Instead, it took the entire team to deliver an enchanting experience. I LOVE it. My friend’s favorite part was the line, «if you only live for tomorrow, you’ll be left with empty yesterdays.»
The FOX theater itself is a charming historic site. The staffs are friendly and accomodating. I love the part where they brought in a surprise marching band at the end!

Came here the other night to watch the Music Man, compliments of Unilocal :) Overall Music Man was a good show– loved the A Capella guys. The show was funny and entertaining and the small short Asian character had me giggling for a while :) hehe the story line was a bit cheesy but fun! Of course it was not anywhere near an actual Broadway musical show, but not bad for a small theater company.
The theater itself was cute– very friendly staffs (energetic and helpful!), and the theater was clean with a touch of old theater decors. I like! There are not a lot of small theaters still operating these days, so hopefully Broadway by the Bay will be around for much much longer! Every Friday (summer only?) they have an outdoor music festival, so it was CROWDED outside but the theater staff managed help us get inside and avoid the crowd. I wouldn’t mind coming back to catch another show!

Saw the Music Man, compliments of Unilocal.Fox is a really cool theater. The seats hurt my rare end. The front half of the theater, the seats were folding chairs. The box office staff were wonderful and so were the enthusiastic ushers. The ensemble of the Music Man were great, especially the the four A Capella dudes and the leading lady. The kids were great. I loved the scenery. It’s kind of strange for me to have people bringing their wine or food into the auditorium. The experience is like seeing a movie. It’s great seeing all them kids getting their first experience of seeing a musical. I’m all for starting the arts early in a young age.

This was my first time watching a broadway type engagement as an adult. I’ve seen some plays and what-​not as a child because you really have no choice if its for a field trip for school.
I took my girlfriend to watch «The Full Monty». To be honest I’ve ALWAYS heard of that title, but never bothered to read about what the story is about. So I came in here with no expectations, but sometimes that’s not bad.
First of all the theatre is by the High School. First of all let me start by saying this high school is something else. It’s like the ones you see on TVs or movies.
There are plenty of free parking so that wasn’t a problem. The theatre itself was pretty big. I don’t know exactly how to explain it, but lets just say if you sat further than the middle area, you probably would not be able to make out the facial expressions anymore. Sit all the way in the back and it would probably be better just staying at home watching a movie on the television. The seats were not uncomfortable, but they were not plush either. They were spaced just right so you don’t feel cramped.
As for the production. It was superb. There was a decent budget IMO that was put into this. Was very professional, so don’t expect some cheap ghetto stuff here. Props and backgrounds varied and the use of the lighting really set the mood depending on the scene. The actors did a great job and reading into their backgrounds in the included pamphlets will reveal they were all very experienced.
Snacks are available during intermission. The staff was very courteous.
Overall absolutely nothing to complain about thus the perfect rating. I would definitely watch a show produced by this company without question.

Broadway by the Bay provides great performaces. I recently attended «The Full Monty» it was laugh out loud funny. I had no clue it would have strippers (not fully but very close) and funny songs. I was very entertained and thought the characters/​actors were great.
I am sure my best friend felt a bit uncomforable when they started taking of clothing but it was still a great show. Sometimes things like that make for great conversation and good laughs. Can wait for the next show.

I like performances of any kind. I support the arts and I support bay area actors! This show was amazing! If there is EVER a Little Shop of Horrors on ICE show. I’ll be the first one to audition!
Thank you to Connie for hooking us up with tickets to the show! I’ve seen bits and pieces of Little Shop of Horrors, but never knew the entire plot… that is until Sunday!
FEED ME SEYMOUR, FEED ME!
I was giggling inside b/​c I am Audrey 2 when I’m starving. We had such a good time. The acting/​singing, the stage props, EVERYTHING was up to par with NYC Broadway performances.
It got even better when we moved closer to the stage after intermission. You must try and get seats up close if you can. You feel like you are right there on stage with the actors. At the end, the best part was when Audrey 2 grows and … well I’ll spoil it, so go see it! It’s showing April 3−20^th!

Several years ago, I saw my friend perform in Peninsula Civic Light Opera’s really fun production of «Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.» You know, the sequel to «Jesus Christ Superstar.»
«JEEE-​SUS CHRIST SUUUPERSTARRR»
OK, so now that you’ve got that song in your head…
«LIIIIT-​TLE SHOP, LIIIIT-​TLE SHOPA HORRORS
BOP SHH BOP, LIIIT-​TLE SHOPA TERROR»
Years later, the company has changed its name to Broadway By the Bay, but the quality of the shows have grown increasingly better. A group of Unilocalers and I had the wonderful opportunity to catch «Little Shop of Horrors» on opening weekend, and we had such a fun time. The actors and orchestra were amazing, but the set design really blew me away.
All of the shows are performed at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, which at first, you might feel like you’re going to see a high school theater production because it’s located next to San Mateo HS. Once inside the lobby, you may still feel like you’re seeing a HS play, because of the $ 2 concession stand, It’s-it ice cream case and popcorn machine in the corner, but once inside, you’re in a large auditorium with lots of seating surrounded by adults, the majority of them being over the age of 65. I was disappointed to see that there weren’t more people our age representing there.
The caliber of the production was really on par with Broadway shows you’d see in SF or NYC. At $ 17-​$ 45 a ticket, this is something I can afford to see regularly!
Tip:
The bathroom lines were insane, but luckily we were directed to the high school gym, which was 20 steps away, where both the mens and womens restrooms were available for women only. The wait was reduced dramatically.