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THEATRE

The Pillowman

The Pillowman Video clip

Presented by San Jose Stage Company at San Jose Stage Theater

September 23-October 18, 2009

Avg. Event Rating (4.3 Stars): 4.5 out of 5 stars rating
Add Review/Comment | Read Reviews/Comments

A writer whose children’s stories are darker than anything the Brothers Grimm ever dreamed up must decide whether his art is worth more than his life in this pitch-black comedy. Arrested after a series of murders mimicking those in his largely unpublished works, Katurian must defend himself and his mentally disabled brother — the only other person to have read most of his stories — against what passes for justice in an unnamed totalitarian state. In this multiple Tony Award-winning play, McDonagh once again offers up his signature blend of domesticity and the macabre in a horrifyingly funny look at the power of the storyteller.



  • At-a-
    Glance

    • Venue Info

      San Jose Stage Theater

      490 S. 1st Street
      San Jose, CA 95113

      Full map and directions

    • Admission Info

      Tickets: $25-$50

      Info Phone: 408-283-7142

      Buy Tickets

    • Dates & Times

      Dates:
      September 23-October 18, 2009

      Times:
      Wed & Thurs: 7:30pm
      Fri & Sat: 8pm
      Sun: 2pm

    • Accessibility Info

        Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

    • Member Reviews
      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        4.5 out of 5 stars rating "Can't snooze on this 'Pillow'"
        Review posted by: John mai from San Jose, Oct 15, 2009

        San Jose Stage again 'walks the edge' successfully. Just don't walk in thinking that this is another comedy or musical presentation. Interesting that this is an appropriate 'Halloween Season'... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        2.5 out of 5 stars rating "Lacked its Edge"
        Review posted by: Name Withheld from San Francisco, CA , Oct 12, 2009

        It's a very dark, funny and well written play. The acting was solid but lacked the edge it needed to really make you cringe, which is what this play is supposed to do. Often the tension just... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        4 out of 5 stars rating "Great Play--Makes you laugh, cringe and think"
        Review posted by: Virginia B. from Portola Valley, CA, Oct 08, 2009

        This was my third time seeing The Pillowman. I saw it with the original cast in London and thought the play was over after Act I (I was a bit jetlagged.) But, was thrilled that there was more. Not... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Gripping, Funny, and Thought-Provoking"
        Review posted by: Angel Grindon from Los Altos, CA, Oct 08, 2009

        Don't miss this! A fine play, well-performed! We laughed in the theatre and we talked about it all the way home. I'm still thinking about it. We'll be back to San Jose Stage Company!

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        3 out of 5 stars rating "Didn't Cut It !"
        Review posted by: G & K Ruel from San Jose, CA, Oct 08, 2009

        The two of us were disturbed by the content. We did not find that entertaining, nor did we find any of the discourse "funny". Acting and production were well done, as usual, by SJSC. It just wasn't... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        5 out of 5 stars rating "SPELL-BINDING!"
        Review posted by: Marie from Sunnyvale, CA USA, Oct 06, 2009

        This play impressed me with some of the most convincing and finest acting I have seen in some time! I was on the edge of my seat during most of the performance. Keep up the fine work!

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Dark, dark, dark comedy extremely well executed"
        Review posted by: Keite from San Francisco, CA, Oct 05, 2009

        I thoroughly enjoyed this show. I have seen that the subject matter disturbs some people, but the direction and acting are top-rate and absolutely worth seeing. This is one of the best shows that I... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        "Couldn't do it..."
        Comment posted by: Jeannine from Santa Clara, CA, Oct 05, 2009

        I am sorry to say I left at intermission. Toturing and murdering children is not my thing. However, the acting was excellent - that didn't help. I would love someone to tell me how it ended.

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        4.5 out of 5 stars rating "Very entertaining"
        Review posted by: Bobert from San Jose, CA, Sep 30, 2009

        This is the first show that I have seen at the SJTC, and I am sure that it won't be my last. Well-casted/acted/written, combined with a dark and twisted plot made for some solid entertainment. Well... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Wonderful Dark Comedy!!"
        Review posted by: S W from San Jose, CA, Sep 30, 2009

        If you are interested in dark comedies than look no further. This is one of the best dark comedies I've ever seen. Very well written. Rick Singleton, the director, does an incredible job throughout,... Expand

  • Member
    Reviews

    • All Member Reviews
      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        4.5 out of 5 stars rating "Can't snooze on this 'Pillow'"
        Review posted by: John mai from San Jose, Oct 15, 2009

        San Jose Stage again 'walks the edge' successfully. Just don't walk in thinking that this is another comedy or musical presentation. Interesting that this is an appropriate 'Halloween Season'... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        2.5 out of 5 stars rating "Lacked its Edge"
        Review posted by: Name Withheld from San Francisco, CA , Oct 12, 2009

        It's a very dark, funny and well written play. The acting was solid but lacked the edge it needed to really make you cringe, which is what this play is supposed to do. Often the tension just... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        4 out of 5 stars rating "Great Play--Makes you laugh, cringe and think"
        Review posted by: Virginia B. from Portola Valley, CA, Oct 08, 2009

        This was my third time seeing The Pillowman. I saw it with the original cast in London and thought the play was over after Act I (I was a bit jetlagged.) But, was thrilled that there was more. Not... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Gripping, Funny, and Thought-Provoking"
        Review posted by: Angel Grindon from Los Altos, CA, Oct 08, 2009

        Don't miss this! A fine play, well-performed! We laughed in the theatre and we talked about it all the way home. I'm still thinking about it. We'll be back to San Jose Stage Company!

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        3 out of 5 stars rating "Didn't Cut It !"
        Review posted by: G & K Ruel from San Jose, CA, Oct 08, 2009

        The two of us were disturbed by the content. We did not find that entertaining, nor did we find any of the discourse "funny". Acting and production were well done, as usual, by SJSC. It just wasn't... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        5 out of 5 stars rating "SPELL-BINDING!"
        Review posted by: Marie from Sunnyvale, CA USA, Oct 06, 2009

        This play impressed me with some of the most convincing and finest acting I have seen in some time! I was on the edge of my seat during most of the performance. Keep up the fine work!

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Dark, dark, dark comedy extremely well executed"
        Review posted by: Keite from San Francisco, CA, Oct 05, 2009

        I thoroughly enjoyed this show. I have seen that the subject matter disturbs some people, but the direction and acting are top-rate and absolutely worth seeing. This is one of the best shows that I... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        "Couldn't do it..."
        Comment posted by: Jeannine from Santa Clara, CA, Oct 05, 2009

        I am sorry to say I left at intermission. Toturing and murdering children is not my thing. However, the acting was excellent - that didn't help. I would love someone to tell me how it ended.

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        4.5 out of 5 stars rating "Very entertaining"
        Review posted by: Bobert from San Jose, CA, Sep 30, 2009

        This is the first show that I have seen at the SJTC, and I am sure that it won't be my last. Well-casted/acted/written, combined with a dark and twisted plot made for some solid entertainment. Well... Expand

      • Event Name: The Pillowman
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Wonderful Dark Comedy!!"
        Review posted by: S W from San Jose, CA, Sep 30, 2009

        If you are interested in dark comedies than look no further. This is one of the best dark comedies I've ever seen. Very well written. Rick Singleton, the director, does an incredible job throughout,... Expand

  • Media
    Reviews

    • Media Reviews

      There are currently no media reviews for this event.

  • What's
    Nearby

    • Nearby Dining
      • 19Market - 19 N Market St, San Jose, CA 95113
        Phone: 280-6111

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        Phone: 971-8523

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        Phone: 289-9000

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        Phone: 999-5860

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        Phone: 998-4878

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        Phone: 280-1993

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        Phone: 275-8827

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        Phone: 995-5560

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        Phone: 292-4300

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        Phone: 286-0668

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        Phone: 295-2125

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        Phone: 287-4111

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        Phone: 885-1094

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        Phone: 279-8867

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        Phone: 998-3984

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        Phone: 287-0400

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        Phone: 280-6688

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        Phone: 947-4444

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        Phone: 294-4929

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        Phone: 998-0400

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        Phone: 297-5517

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        Phone: 286-7260

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        Phone: 977-0303

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        Phone: 289-9925

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        Phone: 293-8008

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        Phone: 298-9370

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        Phone: 298-3854

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        Phone: 294-2694

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        Phone: 294-8626

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        Phone: (408) 998-2822

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        Phone: 295-3397

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        Phone: 287-8688

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        Phone: 298-9968

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        Phone: 287-7520

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        Phone: 298-2985

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        Phone: 286-8686

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        Phone: 295-0434

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        Phone: 298-5335

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        Phone: 993-8230

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        Phone: 279-0134

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        Phone: 282-4955

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        Phone: 282-4955

      • McDonald's - 90 E San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95113
        Phone: 723-1100

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        Phone: 920-2518

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        Phone: 283-9595

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        Phone: 298-4128

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        Phone: 277-0333

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        Phone: 408-292-5211

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        Phone: 998-3937

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        Phone: 299-0993

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        Phone: 282-8888

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        Phone: 885-1094

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        Phone: 298-6750

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        Phone: 294-0252

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        Phone: 298-7768

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        Phone: 280-0808

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        Phone: 280-0808

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        Phone: 283-9400

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        Phone: 298-6789

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        Phone: 280-0707

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        Phone: 292-6160

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        Phone: 286-4782

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        Phone: 291-0600

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        Phone: 947-7778

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        Phone: 280-5524

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        Phone: 294-2238

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        Phone: 293-9976

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        Phone: 292-4266

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        Phone: 293-9945

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        Phone: 288-8803

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        Phone: 293-2362

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        Phone: 279-3743

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        Phone: 286-0577

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        Phone: 977-0828

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        Phone: 287-8090

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        Phone: 275-0423

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        Phone: 292-7222

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        Phone: 292-8292

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        Phone: 275-9491

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        Phone: 795-1200

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        Phone: 998-1900

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        Phone: 292-7515

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        Phone: 297-8421

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        Phone: 297-8646

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        Phone: 920-0702

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        Phone: 292-1302

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        Phone: 947-0497

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        Phone: 292-0100

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        Phone: 293-8482

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        Phone: 279-0881

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