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Shakespeare Santa Cruz
Category: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Performing Arts [Edit]
1156 High StSanta Cruz, CA 95064
(831) 459-2159
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
21 reviews for Shakespeare Santa Cruz
21 reviews in English
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Review from Rachel N.
Santa Cruz, CA
8/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Enjoy excellent live theater the Santa Cruzan way--amongst redwoods, casual, and good. Bring your seat and meal as a Groundling in the outdoor glen theater. Or, enjoy a picnic on campus before enjoying the indoor show. Baricelli is keeping it lively and educational with the onslaught of histories beginning with Henry IV, part one in the 2011 season in which Erik Berger was perfect for an open-shirted Prince Hal. Three Musketeers was a delight particularly Charles Pasternak as an exceedingly foppish and humorous King Louis. And, this season it was apparent all the possible stops were pulled out when it came to costumes--it exceeded the quality of costumes in the past 4 years since we've subscribed.
When attending in the glen as a Groundling we usually arrive 1.5 to 1 hour pre-show to enjoy a picnic. My husband and I also bring two low-back chairs, a blanket to cover them and two blanks to pile upon ourselves as well as long-sleeves, layered clothing and something for the head--hood or hat. The glen may not become cold as the night goes on, but it is handy to have in that case as it is quite uncomfortable otherwise.
When attending an indoor performance, we typically arrive 1 hour early to picnic on campus.
Each year we purchase our subscription to all three shows and let family know the dates and times of each performance and invite them to join us. It makes for a very nice family event. We have not brought children with us to any performance.
This year was the first time we attended what they call the Fringe Show performed by the interns. It was excellent and we will probably add it to the caveat of shows on an annual basis.
If you like theater, you should see as many performances as possible. -
Review from Pat L.
Aromas, CA
8/18/2011
We saw Comedy of Errors tonight and it was outstanding. It was a brilliantly directed and acted play that kept us laughing all night.
I've seen about 20 Shakespeare Santa Cruz productions over the years and this is one of my top 5. Get a ticket right now or you'll regret it.
BTW it's an indoor production, so we didn't have to schlep sleeping bags, gloves or hats. -
Review from Rachel J.
La Habra, CA
10/24/2011
The outdoor theatre is breath-taking. Shakespeare, beautiful red woods, starry skies, my family bundled up next to me, fresh air that smells like pine. This is a MUST!
Here are a few tips, though: pack WARM clothes or blankets, take bug spray, and wear walking shoes :) -
Review from Shelly O.
Crockett, CA
8/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
My son's and I have made this festival into an annual event. We adore it. The setting is stunning, the plays are always excellent, and we are never disappointed in anything. This year we saw "The Three Musketeers" and "Henry IV, part I" They were both fabulous. We enjoyed every single second. I highly recommend a trip to SSC to anyone who loves the theater, and who loves the forest. It's a perfect combination of both.
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Review from Bella W.
San Francisco, CA
7/9/2007 3 photos
My annual trek to Shakespeare Santa Cruz is what I look forward to most about summer. Set amidst a redwood grove, nature and the arts harmonize to offer you a spectacular evening.
Wonderfully acted Shakespearean plays, beautifully decorated sets and awe inspiring actors bring Shakespeare back to life. Mr. Shakespeare would be very proud of this acting troupe!
In its 26th season (July 18- Sept. 2), each play is still fresh and innovative. Modern twists on sets and costumes add to the cast of characters, but you never forget you're in 16th Century Padua, Venice, etc....
A picnic under the stars, among the redwoods, with someone you care about- life really doesn't get better than this!
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages. " -
Review from Hunter R.
San Diego, CA
3/27/2010
The annual Shakespeare Santa Cruz festival is world renowned and one of the most wonderful events hosted in Santa Cruz each year.
Great care is taken to each production, from direction to stage setting. The volunteers and staff seem to take such pride in each layer of the programs that it is easy to see why SSC has such a devoted and beloved worldwide following.
Of the hundreds if not thousands of Shakespeare festivals hosted, Shakespeare Santa Cruz is among the very best. -
Review from Yan M.
San Francisco, CA
8/20/2007 2 photos
This was such a beautiful and memorable experience, Shakespeare in the park/forest/grove, however you classify it. It's in the rolling hills of UCSC and it was our first time on campus anyways.
Our friends bought us tickets to see Much Ado About Nothing and were told to bring blankets and warm clothings. We abide by the rules and were dressed comfortably.
It was such a beautiful and luscious grounds and the evening was just the right weather without being too foggy or cold and the stage was beautifully set up with appropriate props and sound system and lighting! Pretty impressive considering it was outdoors and there are so many other elements that come into play. We brought our snacks/picnic basket and had a wonderful time. Great for a date night or hanging out with a group of friends!
Beautiful play and great actors and actresses and definitely a nice time, no doubt! Thank you Jens and Lamy! -
Review from Shari D.
9/30/2009
My hubby, friends & I picked up our picnic baskets, lawn chairs & bottles of wine, and headed over to Shakespeare Santa Cruz despite the smoke in the air from the nearby fires. We lucked out that the evening's production of Midsummer Night's Dream turned out clear & smoke-free. It was truly a wonderful experience!!
I LOVED the character of Puck, as portrayed by the impish actor that evening.... he was wonderful and as spry as a fairy! The actors were all wonderful, though.... the costumes were lovely, and immortal story told as well as ever by this troupe. I was lost in the story from the beginning!
I hope they're able to continue this wonderful tradition of theater in the lovely outdoors of UCSC's redwood grove. It's something I think everyone should go to for a smart, funny, lovely evening under the magical stars and the mystical trees of Santa Cruz.... -
Review from J R.
Pacific Grove, CA
8/16/2010
RE: The Glen. Unbeatable setting amongst the redwoods. Relaxed, casual atmosphere. Well acted (I went to Love's Labour's Lost; letter "u" and apostrophes optional). Plenty of restrooms. Nice selection of concessions (the chocolate cake is some of the best I've ever had, *anywhere*!), plus you can bring your own food & drinks. Now if they could just get this Shakespeare guy to write better plays! (-;
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Review from Dennis H.
Scotts Valley, CA
8/7/2011
We saw The Three Musketeers last night (8/6) and had a great time! It was truly a fun play to watch.
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Review from Ravena F.
8/19/2007
This is where I go to perfect my skills of lolling. We bring enormous picnics that are increasingly gourmet as we gain experience with this event. (This year's prize-winner among our friends was the "Gingered Leek & Fennel Flan.") We also bring copious amounts of wine to really activate the lolling centers in our brains & butts. Then we eat & drink & loll, as we watch excellent actors bring life and modernity to Shakespeare favorites. It is the height of gluttony & decadence, so we loll & loll & loll.
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Review from Jeff D.
Oakland, CA
8/22/2007
I've been attending shows here since season one, and have never, ever been less than transfixed. World class productions, dramaturgy, actors and setting.
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Review from Janene A.
Soquel, CA
8/15/2010
I just saw The Lion in Winter yesterday and it was an amazing performance. Marco Barricelli as Henry II and Kandis Chappell as Eleanor were particularly outstanding. I highly recommend everyone go to see this play at UCSC.
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Review from Stephanie S.
Burbank, CA
8/17/2009
what a perfect setting for the forest nymphs of Midsummer Night's Dream to prance around nimbly, set against the backdrop of the redwoods. it will leave you thinking that all the world really is a stage - considering these players managed to transform a small outdoor stage into a wonderful dreamworld fantasy.
in all its confusion and folly in a story of mixed up lovers and forest spells, the cast was fabulous. the costumes were wonderfully fun and whimsical. not to mention Puck did more acrobatic flipsSPINStwirls than i could keep my eye on! most of the time, i feel like the rhetoric and plot twists are beyond me in shakespeare productions. this was the first time that i felt like i actually understood what was going on, and how funny it was once i followed it!
it is especially fun to get a "groundling" ticket, and bring your blanket and sit on the floor. you'll have just as good of a view in most cases, and how cozy to view it with while cuddling with your friends and drinking wine.
the final question is quite clearly... To go, or not to go. That is the question. so wont you go? the lady doth protest too much, methinks.
ok those are the only shakespeare references i can manage to incorporate, i tried :) but really, this is so worthwhile for all ages, and an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the santa cruz campus if you are not a student and havent seen it!
***stay till the end for the ensemble cast slumdog-esq dance. they got some mooooves. -
Review from Liz c.
Carlsbad, CA
8/20/2009
We watched an excellent outdoor production of Julias Caesar last night. The outdoor amphitheater, surrounded by towering redwood trees, made a phenomenal backdrop. The actor playing Brutus did a particularly good job of portraying the character's anxiety and guilt. Will be back!
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Review from Lonny L.
Santa Cruz, CA
8/20/2006 1 photo
We saw King Lear this year. What fun! We brought a picnic and sat in reserved seats in the Festival Glen. Lear (Lawrence Hecht), Edgar (Christopher Oden), and the fool (Craig Wallace) offer superb and memorable performances. Pricey, but worth it - especially with family and friends.
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Review from SangBum K.
Palo Alto, CA
8/21/2009
More pictures : A Midsummer night's dream and etc.
http://www.flickr.com/... -
Review from P C.
San Jose, CA
9/1/2009
Just went to see Midsummer Night's Dream--it was great to be in the open air, hear the music of Shakespeare's words, and laugh at the wimsy.
The language of Shakespeare can be difficult to understand, but, somehow, when it's done so well, it's perfectly clear what is happening. It's almost like having a foreign language automatically transform itself once it's inside your head. A wonderful feeling.
We love going to Shakespeare Santa Cruz--can't imagine a summer without it!
Peg -
Review from Maureen R.
Santa Cruz, CA
8/1/2009
I Attended "Shipwrecked" at SSC last night and it was fabulous. I have attended many fine productions here in the past, but this rates as one of the very best. We attended with four friends and all of us were captivated and entertained. The cast took us on a wonderful, imaginative, uninterrupted, 90 minute adventure. To have this kind of experience is why I think live theater will always be relevant. Shakespeare Santa Cruz is just getting better and better. This production is in the intimate indoor theater and is suitable for everyone over the age of 10. - So go...
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Review from Bill T.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2009
I saw a pre-opening show of Julius Caesar and the opening of Midsummer Nights Dream and loved both. Frankly, sometimes at Shakespeare I have felt it was too pompous, or that I could not understand the words. Not the case here! Enjoyed the perf. from both aspects. Highly recommended - and Midsummer Nights Dream -- if tickets are still available -- is even better!
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Review from Jennifer R.
Fresno-High, CA
8/23/2009
We brought our kids to a matinee of Midsummer Night's Dream among the redwoods. Sheer pleasure! My 9 year old is now enraptured by Shakespeare and says she wants to see every single play. I'm only worried at how difficult it will be to find presentations of Shakespeare that can match this one.
