Based at Coronado’s Resident Theatre, the group annually stages five
productions from February through November and attracts audiences from all over
Southern California. This theater group has grown steadily in stature since the
days when it performed in an old church.
Lamplighters Community Theatre
8053 University Ave., La Mesa; 619-464-459
This 125-seat playhouse has been a San Diego
institution for half a century.
La Jolla Playhouse
2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla
858-550-1010;
www.Iajollaplayhouse.com
Under the leadership of Director-in-Residence Des
McAnuff and Artistic Director Michael Greif, the group has won recognition for
the staging of new plays, musicals and classics, and is the 1993 Tony Award
recipient for Outstanding Regional Theater. Many of the group’s projects have
moved to productions on Broadway The 1999 season featured Tennessee William’s
"Sweet Bird of youth" and the musical "Jane Eyre." while
highlights of 2000 include "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Lifegame."
Lyceum Theatre
79 Horton Plaza, San Diego 619-544-1000;
www.sandiegorep.com
The Lyceum Theatre is located at Horton Plaza in
downtown San Diego. It has two stages and is the home to the San Diego Repertory
Theatre.
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
Balboa Park, San Diego; 619-685-5045
The 230-seat theater operates year-round, five
days a week. Performers are San Diego Guild of Puppetry amateurs and
professionals who use marionettes and ventriloquist puppets, as well as hand
puppets. Shows change every week. The box office opens half an hour before each
show.
Moonlight Amphitheatre
1200 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista
760-724-2110;
www.ci.vistaca.us/moonlight
The beautiful 2,200-seat Moonlight Amphitheatre
is known for its summer season, which is performed under the stars in the
picturesque hills of Vista. The winter season’s productions include dramas,
comedies and musicals.
Mystery Cafe
121 Broadway, San Diego 619-544-1600;
www.mysterycafe.net
Mystery Cafe is San Diego’s premier interactive
theater. Each play is performed in four hilarious acts. Between each act a
delicious four-course meal is served by the suspects themselves. Toward the end
of the evening, the audience attempts to solve the mystery — and guess
whodunit!
North Coast Repertory Theatre
987-D Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach
858-481-1055;
www.northcoastrep.org
In addition to seven major productions staged
year-round, the celebrated theater group also offers classes in acting and
singing for children.
Old Globe Theatre
Balboa Park, San Diego 619-239-2255;
www.oldglobe.org
The Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theatre stages
productions spanning many genres and time periods. Founded in 1935 to stage
Shakespearean plays at the California Pacific International Exposition, the
Globe has grown to include three stages — Old Globe Theatre, Cassius Carter
Centre Stage and the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. One of the highlights of
the Old Globe’s season is the annual San Diego Shakespeare Festival.
Patio Playhouse
201 E. Grand, Escondido; 760-746-6669
Patio Playhouse has provided affordable, quality
entertainment to the community since 1967. Operated by an all-volunteer staff,
the theater group was established for the purpose of providing a venue where
people from school-age to seniors can participate in live drama, learn new
skills, and enrich the quality of life in the community. The youth theater
provides in-school performances to introduce school children to live theater.
Poway Center for the Performing Arts
15498 Espola Rd., Poway; 858-748-0505
Located in North County inland, the 815-seat
facility hosts symphonies, ballets, children’s theater, dance and musicals.
Spreckels Theatre
121 Broadway, San Diego; 619-235-9500
This theater in downtown San Diego first opened
in 1912. It is known for its great acoustics and ornate décor
Starlight Musical Theatre
2005 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego
619-544-7827;
wwwstarlighttheatre.org
The Starlight, which kicks off the season in May
has been staging outdoor musicals in Balboa Park since the 1940s.
Sushi Performance arid Visual Art
320 Eleventh Ave., San Diego; 619-235-8466
Founded in 1980, the group brings experimental
theater and performance art to prominence through more than 20 productions that
are staged annually at their 100-seat facility.
The Theatre in Old Town
4040 Twiggs St., San Diego 619-688-2494;
www.foreverplaidsd.com
"Forever Plaid" is into its third smash
year This clever revue is a "Critics Choice" production and a definite
must-see. The 244-seat theater is located in Old Town State Historic Park.
San Diego Comic Opera Company
Casa Del Prado Theatre, Balboa Park
619-239-8836
The San Diego Comic Opera Company presents operas and operettas from the
European and American traditions, ranging from early Opera Buffo to modern
Broadway classics.
Welk Resort Theatre
8860 Lawrence Welk Dr., Escondido 760-749-3448;
www.welkresort.com
This theater presents favorite Broadway musicals throughout the year.
Other Types of Theater
Combining a show with dinner is a fun way to spend an evening. San Diego has
several murder mystery groups that give dinner guests, including undercover cast
members, a chance to solve a whodunit while enjoying a full meal. The Comedy
Club in La Jolla features both aspiring and top-name comedic entertainers. A
number of San Diego restaurants offer dinner entertainment ranging from flamenco
and belly dancing to full theatrical productions.
The pride of the San Diego theater community is the
Tony-award winning Old Globe in Balboa Park (photo on right). At least I 2 plays a year are
presented on its three stages. There’s the 581-seat Old Globe, patterned after
the bard’s own playhouse. The intimate 225-seat Cassius Carter Center Stage is
next door. 
