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    The Seafarer

    The Seafarer Video clip

    San Jose Stage Company

    November 18-December 20, 2009

    Avg. Event Rating (4.6 Stars): 4.5 out of 5 stars rating Add Review/Comment

    The men who make their way home for the holidays in The Seafarer aren’t exactly looking forward to sharing a cup of holiday cheer; they’re more interested in achieving blind drunkenness, a state they know well. But a stranger in their midst, in town to collect a major poker debt, forces them to take a look at their lives — and where they’ll end up if they’re not more careful about how they play the game. Dubbed “the best Irish play since the glory days of Samuel Beckett” by the Chicago Tribune, the multiple Tony Award nominee is a darkly funny examination of that country’s culture of drinking and the arguable states of grace achieved by those who embrace it.

    • Ticket Info

      Tickets: $25-$50

      Info Phone: 408-283-7142

      Buy tickets

    • Dates & Times

      Dates:
      November 18-December 20, 2009

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

    • Venue Info

      San Jose Stage Theater

      490 S. 1st Street San Jose, CA 95113

      Full map and directions

    • Accessibility Info
      • Wheelchair Access
    • NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However it's a good idea to visit the official website or call the venue to verify the information.

    • Image Gallery

      Video | Images

    • Member Reviews
      • Event Name: The Seafarer
        5 out of 5 stars rating "The Seafarer - a unique holiday show"
        Review posted by: Oscar from Campbell, CA, Dec 18, 2009

        A fantastic show. The actors blew me away with their performances and the show, while not the usual holiday fare, is touching and endearing. Another wonderful show from San Jose Stage.

        A fantastic show. The actors blew me away with their performances and the show, while not the usual holiday fare, is touching and endearing. Another wonderful show from San Jose Stage.

      • Event Name: The Seafarer
        5 out of 5 stars rating "'Seafarer' a nice way to warm up Christmas (w/out whisky)"
        Review posted by: Tim Brauhn from San Jose, CA USA, Dec 11, 2009

        San Jose Stage Company's "The Seafarer" left me craving a few fingers of whiskey. Normally that's a bad thing. Here it was welcome. Seafarer is a tight, crisp and funny production. It kept me glued... Expand

        San Jose Stage Company's "The Seafarer" left me craving a few fingers of whiskey. Normally that's a bad thing. Here it was welcome. Seafarer is a tight, crisp and funny production. It kept me glued in and never let me go. It's that rare play that combines some pretty huge ideas like heaven and hell but still manages to transition back to crude language and alcoholism without missing a beat. Well worth the visit - congratulations to the cast and director. Collapse

      • Event Name: The Seafarer
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Intimate Theater, with great cast and performances"
        Review posted by: Keith Taylor from Mountain View, Dec 09, 2009

        OK, yes, I love live theater. San Jose Stage's theater is small, intimate, and produces innovative performances - Seafarer was one not to miss. See it! (or anything at SJ Stage.)

        OK, yes, I love live theater. San Jose Stage's theater is small, intimate, and produces innovative performances - Seafarer was one not to miss. See it! (or anything at SJ Stage.)

      • Event Name: The Seafarer
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Great experience"
        Review posted by: L. Wrightsman from San Jose, Ca , Dec 09, 2009

        This was our first time at the San Jose Stage Company. We enjoyed the intimate atmosphere and comfortable arrangement of the seating. We chose the play on a whim, not really knowing what to expect,... Expand

        This was our first time at the San Jose Stage Company. We enjoyed the intimate atmosphere and comfortable arrangement of the seating. We chose the play on a whim, not really knowing what to expect, and were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the presentation. We enjoyed the actors and the story very much. We've attended plays around the country from high end Broadway to community theater and find ourselves gravitating to the smaller companies. We always appreciate finding another outstanding playhouse. We will return for other offerings. Collapse

      • Event Name: The Seafarer
        "Were they Irish?"
        Comment posted by: John G. Daly from San Jose CA, Dec 03, 2009

        I have always felt that if you can't get a group of actors to speak the accent well and consistently then maybe you should forgo the accents altogether.

        I have always felt that if you can't get a group of actors to speak the accent well and consistently then maybe you should forgo the accents altogether.

      • Event Name: The Seafarer
        4 out of 5 stars rating "Great Surprise"
        Review posted by: Josh from San Jose, Dec 01, 2009

        I don't usually like Christmas plays because so many of them are all the same, predictable. This play at San Jose Stage Co. is a surprisingly different approach to the Christmas season, but still has... Expand

        I don't usually like Christmas plays because so many of them are all the same, predictable. This play at San Jose Stage Co. is a surprisingly different approach to the Christmas season, but still has something to say and leaves you with a positive feeling at the end. The actors are really believable (especially "Richard" and "Mr. Lockheart") and the whole thing was very well directed. I would recommend this to anyone who likes theater but is tired of the usual Christmas stories. Collapse

      • Event Name: The Seafarer
        5 out of 5 stars rating "The Seafarer"
        Review posted by: Laurie from calif, Nov 26, 2009

        Excellent play Don't miss this one!

        Excellent play Don't miss this one!

      • Event Name: The Seafarer
        3 out of 5 stars rating "Great Start..."
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, CA, Nov 24, 2009

        This play had one of the strongest first 25 minutes, but unfortunately I think we lose a lot of momentum as the plays go on. Inconsistant accents, some over the top choices, and some challenges with... Expand

        This play had one of the strongest first 25 minutes, but unfortunately I think we lose a lot of momentum as the plays go on. Inconsistant accents, some over the top choices, and some challenges with the direction particularly in the second act made this not my favorite at the Stage. Great set and props, music was perfect, and 2 1/2 GREAT performances weren't enough to make up for some writing that needed some editing and some unexpected flat characters. I wanted to like it so much more than I did, but just couldn't get into it after the first third. Collapse

      • Event Name: The Seafarer
        5 out of 5 stars rating "A Holiday Play for GrownUps: 5 STARS"
        Review posted by: Cindy from Santa Cruz, California, Nov 23, 2009

        McPherson's fantastic script involves the kind of family and friends and strange visitors we endure as well as embrace at the Holidays and the temptations,regrets and hopes that they seem to bring... Expand

        McPherson's fantastic script involves the kind of family and friends and strange visitors we endure as well as embrace at the Holidays and the temptations,regrets and hopes that they seem to bring into our homes with them. But this isnt a play of candlelit wistful longing looks to the past or brave smiles at the thought of Christmas' to come. This is a Christmas play of the hardliving,hardhearted sort set in McPherson's hardscrable modern day Ireland. Most of the Christmas Spirits here are of the bottled kind with one smooth talking and frightening exception. For audience and characters theres laughter to be had as the Christmas Eve festivities get underway, most certainly a cold shiver of fear as the night wears on and maybe a tear or two as Christmas day dawns. The script's comedic moments perfectly temper the dark undercurrents. These amazing actors and their great director show us aspects ,good and bad, of the characters we're sure we'll never see when they're introduced. Collapse

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