Balboa Theatre — Attraction in San Diego

For my first time in San Diego, the historic Balboa Theatre made my trip extra special! This is a lovely venue that is situated near the Horton Plaza Historic Park in the Gaslamp Quarters with admirable architecture and style. I especially was touched by the Moorish and Spanish influences and cultural significance. This restored building is a gem in the neighborhood and I'm grateful the city did not condem this property years ago, to allow me to catch the last San Diego show of the world premier, Rachmaninoff and the Tsar. Although I had just arrived back in the states earlier that day, I had a wonderful evening that extended the musical energy signatures from my trip to Germany and the Czech Republic/Bohemia that introduced me to the musical storytelling by Hershey Felder. The performance was excellent with a great compilation of acting, beloved piano compositions, and accompanied silent film stories. (I learned so much about Rachmaninoff, Tsar Nikolai II, and Anastasia/Anna). I look forward to learning more about Felder's upcoming projects and past works that showcased Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, and more. In addition to performances by Felder, I'm excited to learn that this venue hosts events by Mainly Mozart, an organization that helps keep classical music alive and also accessible to youth via educational outreach programs. Eventhough my stay in San Diego is coming to an end, I've experienced great take aways from this one venue that will continue to positively impact my life journey ahead. For example, I'm now inspired to partner with my very own neighborhood YMCA, that is like family to me, mi casa es su casa outreach response, thank you for taking me in. And in honor of today being Labor Day, thank you for the great work done professionally and in retirement, and for enriching the lives of families. From the Gwichʼin...

“The Balboa Theater in San Diego is a true gem. This historic venue, beautifully restored, exudes an old-world charm that adds a touch of elegance to any event. The acoustics are excellent, the seating comfortable, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. The theater’s intimate setting ensures there’s not a bad seat in the house, making every performance feel personal and engaging.

The Matteo Lane comedy show was an absolute delight. Matteo’s unique blend of humor, storytelling, and musical talent had the audience in stitches from start to finish. His observational humor is sharp and witty, and his ability to connect with the audience is truly remarkable. His jokes are not just funny, they are thought-provoking and often touch on important social issues, making you laugh and think at the same time.

Matteo’s musical talent is also a highlight of the show. His incredible vocal range and ability to mimic famous singers add a unique twist to his performance. His comedic renditions of popular songs had the audience laughing and clapping along.

The combination of the Balboa Theater’s classic charm and Matteo Lane’s modern, innovative comedy made for a memorable evening. This show is a must-see for anyone who appreciates intelligent, engaging humor and a unique, entertaining performance. Highly...

I have been here several times. It is a nice theater and a good venue and they get lots of good shows. I'm knocking off two stars, one each for the following reasons.

1. They use Ticketmaster, and they do not give you printed tickets. "Your phone is your ticket" is what they say. This is not acceptable to me for a couple of reasons. One is that I often buy tickets to give as gifts to family members or friends. They do not have any way to handle this I've called both Ticketmaster and the theater directly to see if I can get a paper ticket, and there is just no way. Ticketmaster suggests I transfer the ticket from my phone to the person receiving the tickets as a gift, but that's not much fun. I want something to wrap up, and often do this with tickets. Also, I think if I want an actual paper ticket, I should be able to get one.
2. The security check in is ridiculous. They searched my bag (twice) and I had to stand in two different lines last time I went there. This was before I even got near the theater lobby. Is was just like TSA at the airport, but less friendly. The Balboa Theater needs to rethink these policies. Meanwhile, I'll go elsewhere. The La Jolla playhouse, for example, happily mails out tickets. I often give them as gifts. Same with...