The New Vic / Ensemble Theatre Company — Attraction in Santa Barbara

Handsomely redecorated, the low key new theater makes the experience a couple of notches better than it was at the old ensemble theater. It's a beautiful venue. The New Vic is well located near downtown Santa Barbara, with multiple restaurants nearby making it a good theatrical evening out in Santa Barbara. The choice of plays is generally more substantial than those playing at the Granada.

The cast and acting is certainly not up to Broadway standards, but this particular play (Everything Illuminated) picked up after the intermission, before which I nearly fell asleep. It is about search for an old Ukranian woman who saved the main character's Jewish grandfather during the Holocaust. The main theme was moving, especially, a soliloquy by the old man. Two other subplots were virtually...

Susan an usher was quite rude when she asked me being 6ft tall to duck down when I got up. The theater is 30 percent full, and I am 6ft tall. If this is necessary they need to put height requirements for the first row. Granted it's dead and there are only 2 people in the front row. Very unprofessional. It's a shame seeing most of the audience are in their 80s. It's a shame shes making 20 to 30 year olds uncomfortable and not want to attend...

I'm a huge fan. I love theater. The physical space of this one is special. There's an inner courtyard where talks can be given about the play or where patrons can enjoy a glass of wine or cup of coffee before the play or at intermission. Inside, all of the seats have good sightlines. Nowadays it's uncommon for theaters to offer plays. Music is the norm at most, but not this one. I highly...