Off Broad Street Theatre — Attraction in Nevada City

'19/10 1st time patron/review (for a Friday evening stage performance):

-- 5 Stars for perfomance ++ good views of stage, sound, acting, energy, subject matter, working/involving the crowd--inc. front row interaction and passing through the tightly packed lower level seating. ++ A quaint 79 total occupancy permitted, bi-level, bistro setting. Looked to be sold out months in advance (no tickets sold at venue). ++ For $35 ticket money's worth with 7:15p (doors open) ambient, live musician for 45 minutes to the two hour show (out around 10:15p). [Note: Being in Nevada City, prepare for another 1-1.5 hour drive back to Sacramento making for a very late night adventure on narrow, windy, rural roads until get back to Hwy 80.] ++ Nice touch afterwards with house managers (owners?) shaking each guest's hand -- in single file line as left. Plus actors waiting outside front door (on sidewalk) to do the same. [Note: downside is slow exit from building given entire crowd run through two gauntlets before can walk away from building.

-- 5 Stars for desserts/beverages ++ Decent beer, wine, wine cooler, soda, coffee choices before & intermission. ++ Amazing bakery-level desserts served (but only at the show's intermission, a respectable $6 each) ++ Great idea to serve dessert (and drinks again) at intermission. Patrons remain seated entire time.

-- 3 Stars for service ++ Waitstaff overlooked water request at intermission before dessert served--yet when pressed once dessert arrived, was told "water's (way over there) on counter"--not practical given patron's age in late 70's-80's, size of water pitcher, heighth of counter pitcher on top, dim lighting, tight seating, wait staff already buzzing about occupying the single walk-path available. ++ At intermission, waitstaff had patrons remove own cup/drink off a tray holding multiple different drinks on, as their other hand was occupied carrying water pitcher. ++ Intermission's method of dessert choice was logically printed/describes; but, when came time, server simply came around each table offering what was on his platter. Those not wanting what was left on platter had to wait until the 2nd or 3rd return--so members of party ate at different times. ++ Very odd house-rule strictly enforcing one bill per table (irregardless how many at table). Given the small tables suited one couple each, it was VERY awkward having the two single people in our very senior group of eight be forced to let another couple pick up their tab--as none carried cash to "even up." Then the tabs/cash weren't even picked up off the table at performance end--patro had to walk-it-up. On drive home, instead of keeping the topic on point regarding show, the topic circled back several times to the awkward service & billing.

-- 3 Stars for awkward tip bucket hand-walked around by server to each table before show began. For the warm up, live, solo guitarist/singer?

-- 4 Stars for cute, eclectic, 2-stall women's bathroom (see pix): dripping toilet handle (said they "just had it fixed"), and no fem. products trash can in stall (was told there was one in other handicap...

My wife and I have been to a handful of plays (Songbird, Old Time Christmas Radio, Put Another Nickel In, Dracula - The Untold Story, and probably a couple more whose names don't come to mind) at Off Broadstreet Theatre, and each one has been professionally presented and a ton of fun.

The staff greeting and waiting on customers is efficient and friendly.

The live music presented before the play and drinks and desserts served during the play elevated the experience.

We look forward to attending more shows at Off Broadstreet...

Off Broad Street is our go-to live performance venue in Nevada City. John Driscoll and Jan Kopp are master creatirs of small theatre performances. They also manage to attract very accomplished and talented actors and sibgers. It is always a fun and energetic place to lose yourself for a couple of hours. In short, we are never...