Riverside Community Players — Attraction in Riverside

If you're looking for quality community theater in a unique and charming venue and at a great price, this is where you need to be. I've been to two performances here, the most recent being Murder on the Orient Express, and they have both been entirely enjoyable experiences!

The round theater, with the stage in the center and seating all around, provides unique challenges for the performers and director, I'm sure, but it is so creative and unique for the audience. Yes, I did see the backs of the actors more than in other theaters, but it didn't detract from the experience. If anything, it made it feel more natural and organic, and I never had difficulty hearing the actors. I was sceptical at first, but, really, it was marvelous.

Here's the thing. This isn't Hollywood. It isn't Broadway. So you aren't going to get that sort of experience. This is community theater. Sets, costumes, special effects, performances...they are all what you'd expect from members of the community who love this and do it with passion and so much joy. If you look past the amateur elements, I think you'll find this to be a place to come back to again and again.

Speaking of coming back...the price makes that actually possible! Unlike professional theater, where a whole paycheck is needed for a ticket, this is an experience affordable enough that the whole family could go to every performance of the season without breaking the bank. Perfect for a couple looking for date nights (that's what brought the hubby and me) or for a family looking to instill a love of the arts in their children. Even the concessions are affordable! Seriously! Bring small bills if you're buying them at intermission, because, unlike most venues, the prices aren't jacked up through the roof! And did I mention that the parking is free??

The only downside here is that the building itself is in need of some work. They are currently fundraising for a remodel, and, if that is successful, it should make the building look as good as the performances it contains.

I love going into Los Angeles for a night watching professional theater, but I rarely have the time or the money for it. Here, though, well, let's just say that hubby and I are looking into season tickets.

Highly...

My wife and I love theater and have been missing it in our area of Ontario. We found this theater on Facebook and saw they are doing a play called Sherlock Holmes last case.

I said let's go. We arrived an hour early and got good parking. But there is lots of extra parking in two structures close by.

We walked in and we both said wow what a cozy and pretty place. There are no bad seats in this theater.

The play was very good and the actors amazing. The set and all the props are spectacular.

I still don't know how with so much dialogue that the actors and remember all of those lines.

We really enjoyed our date day/night here.

This is the theaters 99th year yep 99years.

In the lobby there is used costumes that you can buy at a very good price. We bought just a few.

We have found our new place to see quality shows.

Everyone on the staff/crew was very nice

I can't wait until the...

A cozy little theater in the round that puts on shows throughout the year. The seats are comfortable, but the seating isn't the easiest to navigate in a crowd. With a single exit, leaving during the show for an emergency means interruptions so please be considerate and use the restroom prior. In terms of quality of shows, it depends who is directing. Actors are local, and of carrying caliber. The atmosphere depends on who is doing tech for which show. Saw Dracula in the 2017 season and the tech was off the charts. Saw a few shows a few years back with minimal lighting and basic sound. Regardless, seeing theater in the round is unlike anything if you have seen it, so check it out! They offer great packages and reserved seating...