-
Organization
City Lights Theater Company
City Lights Theater Company, a nonprofit organization, produces a season of six plays per year in its intimate 108-seat venue. It is committed to presenting exhilarating, thought-provoking plays that speak strongly to its audiences. It actively develops and produces new plays through its New Play Readers Series, some of which become produced as part of a regular season.
City Lights encourages the growth of smaller theatre companies through its Spotlight Series, in which a diverse group of performing artists are hosted in the City Lights theatre and provided with publicity and box office services for their productions. The company also offers a Youth and Education Program which offers ticket discounts, free study guides and other opportunities. In addition, City Lights is widely regarded as a nurturing space in which many up-and-coming actors, directors, designers and technicians are given an opportunity to develop their theatre skills alongside seasoned professionals.
-
Contact Info
City Lights Theater Company
529 S. 2nd Street
San Jose, CA 95112Phone: 408-295-4200
Fax: 408-295-8318
-
Video & Image Gallery
Video | Images
-
Current Events
03/18/10-
04/18/10Frank Langella's Cyrano de Bergerac
City Lights Theater -
Upcoming Events
04/13/10 An Evening of Short New Plays - New Play Readers Series
City Lights Theater05/20/10-
06/20/10Second Weekend in September
City Lights Theater07/22/10-
08/29/10Rent
City Lights Theater -
Member Reviews
-
Event Name: Smoke - A One-Woman Cabaret Performed by Lori Rivera
"Excellent Entertainment"
Review posted by: Tim from Capitola, CA (Santa Cruz), Feb 24, 2010
It's rare to find a one person show that combines great singing, an original score, compelling acting, with fine musicians.I've seen the show three times and will be there for more. I've recommended... Expand
It's rare to find a one person show that combines great singing, an original score, compelling acting, with fine musicians.I've seen the show three times and will be there for more. I've recommended this show to many friends and all were pleased. Collapse
-
Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"Deadman"
Review posted by: J & H from San Jose, Feb 17, 2010
We saw the show on a Saturday and were very disappointed. We thought that the blocking was interesting, but that was about it. The actor playing Mathew seemed to be an imitation of Penn's performance.... Expand
We saw the show on a Saturday and were very disappointed. We thought that the blocking was interesting, but that was about it. The actor playing Mathew seemed to be an imitation of Penn's performance. And a poor one at that. The play came across as preachy and we didn't have any sympathy for Mathew. When he said he'd been in jail for six years, it didn't ring true at all. It seemed thay lines were being said for no reason at all. There were however some good performances from some of the minor characters. The play was also too long. Collapse
-
Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"Great show, Best I've ever seen at CityLights."
Review posted by: LisaB from San Jose CA, Feb 13, 2010
Great show, Best I've ever seen at CityLights.
Great show, Best I've ever seen at CityLights.
-
Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"Do not miss this great production!"
Review posted by: Nicole from San Jose, CA, Feb 11, 2010
The scrip is very powerful and the cast carries it beautifully. The emotions are real. I exited the play thinking that the actors had really lived the situation. If you are not sure of your position... Expand
The scrip is very powerful and the cast carries it beautifully. The emotions are real. I exited the play thinking that the actors had really lived the situation. If you are not sure of your position regarding the death penalty, you owe it to yourself to see this play. It is very powerful! City Lights has outdone themselves one more time... Collapse
-
Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"This show is about so much more than the death penalty"
Comment posted by: J.A. from Mountain View, CA USA, Feb 11, 2010
This play is worth your time and money even if you already saw the movie and you aren't particularly interested in the politics of the death penalty . The writing, directing, acting, and set design... Expand
This play is worth your time and money even if you already saw the movie and you aren't particularly interested in the politics of the death penalty . The writing, directing, acting, and set design are strong. You can't go wrong with a powerful story that is well told. I was flooded with memories, feelings, ideas, and questions about spirituality, religion, justice, crime, grief, shame, blame, personal responsibility, community, intimacy, loss, power, fear, forgiveness, healing, growth, acceptance, repentance, guilt, culpability, compassion, change... Prior to seeing the play I had an opinion about the death penalty. I thought some people deserved it. And now? The story swallowed up my opinion and spit out big questions about what it means to be human. Collapse
-
Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"The best thing I have seen at City Lights"
Review posted by: Walter M. Mayes from San Francisco, CA, Jan 28, 2010
The staging is fluid and thoughtful--you can tell a choreographer directed. The set, while beautifully utilized, is NOISY, undercutting Amanda Folena's strong direction. Dialects were rarely from... Expand
The staging is fluid and thoughtful--you can tell a choreographer directed. The set, while beautifully utilized, is NOISY, undercutting Amanda Folena's strong direction. Dialects were rarely from Louisiana. Lisa Mallette does a fine job with a demanding role. Her best moments tend to emerge from nonverbal choices, with thoughtful pauses, gestures, and facial expressions that help us comprehend the spiritual journey of Sister Helen Prejean. Thomas Gorrebeeck's matinee idol looks and smile serve to underscore Poncelet's smooth, cool lies in early scenes with Sister Helen, making him dangerously sympathetic. But as his soul is stripped bare and as his myriad of ugly, racist tattoos are revealed, it becomes clear to the audience the wisdom of the actor and director's choices. There were several standout performances, including Karen DeHart as Poncelet's anguished mother; David Madwin as a murder victim; Michael Riley as his grieving father; Anne Younan as his seething, silent mother. Collapse
-
Event Name: Dead Man Walking
"Who's Side Are You On?"
Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, Ca, Jan 22, 2010
This "tough act to follow" was well received by a sizable audience for the preview and the production value as well as the challenging play choice is quintessential City Lights. This play which you... Expand
This "tough act to follow" was well received by a sizable audience for the preview and the production value as well as the challenging play choice is quintessential City Lights. This play which you may know starred Sean Penn and Susan Surrandon in the film version is a piece whose heavy dialouge comes quick and heavy at you. Don't blink and be ready. Legal Rhetoric, religious reference, empassioned poetic monologues, and many instances of multiple actors speaking andor moving at the same time make this a play to pay attention to beyond it's "controvertial" topic. There is a surprising amount of humor throughout as well, and those were some of the best moments I thought. Solid acting, nice fluid, consistent staging through a simple but functional and ambient set made this a play I was surprised I liked as much as I did. Get there early for a preshow drink and the center seats. On a cold night, this intimate theatre can get cold, so bring layers to be most comfortable. Collapse
-
Event Name: Another Night Before Christmas
"A pre-Christmas holiday delight."
Comment posted by: Kathy and Gary Falk from Estes Park, Colorado, USA, Dec 12, 2009
First off, the City Lights provided a perfect venue for this 2 person stage production. We drove 1,100 miles to see Lisa N. and it was worth every mile. Karol Elliot, you performed a spectacular show... Expand
First off, the City Lights provided a perfect venue for this 2 person stage production. We drove 1,100 miles to see Lisa N. and it was worth every mile. Karol Elliot, you performed a spectacular show ( even with a sore throat). And to top the evening off, we were able to appreciate "Santa". who was so REAL. Sitting in the 2nd row provided wonderful opportunities to see and feel the emotions & hear the music of the evening. The message & the music were delightful to us. Bottom line, my husband and I would have loved to see the production more than once. It tapped into our magical childhood thinking...and that was a a while back. A huge "thanks to everyone' in the production. Keep up the super direction of your theater company. Collapse
-
Event Name: Another Night Before Christmas
"Very enjoyable"
Review posted by: Andy from San Jose, CA, Dec 10, 2009
Different twist on the "traditional" Christmas themes. Overall a lot of fun.
Different twist on the "traditional" Christmas themes. Overall a lot of fun.
-
Event Name: Another Night Before Christmas
"Good production, blah material"
Review posted by: CB from San Jose, Dec 03, 2009
I thought this production was well done and that the performances were good, particularly the man who played Homeless Santa. The staging was a little repetitive, but other than that, I think this... Expand
I thought this production was well done and that the performances were good, particularly the man who played Homeless Santa. The staging was a little repetitive, but other than that, I think this company did good work. I just don't know why they chose this script. It seems pretty weak, and while there were a few moments that were genuinely touching, it was pretty uneven. The jokes seemed dated and flat, and the songs were forgettable. I thought is was cute enough, but nothing really more than cute and I was ready for it to be over about 30 minutes before it was. Collapse
-
-
Past Events
02/24/10-
02/28/10Smoke - A One-Woman Cabaret Performed by Lori Rivera
City Lights Theater02/09/10 Mystery Spot - New Play Reading
City Lights Theater01/29/10 Dead Man Walking...The Journey Continues - Death Penalty Awareness Benefit
01/21/10-
02/21/10Dead Man Walking
City Lights Theater11/19/09-
12/20/09Another Night Before Christmas
City Lights Theater09/17/09-
10/18/09The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
City Lights Theater07/16/09-
08/30/09The Who's Tommy
City Lights Theater05/14/09-
06/14/09Stop Kiss
City Lights Theater04/24/09 Spring Fundraiser
City Lights Theater03/25/09 From Page to Stage: An Evening with Actor & Playwright Kit Wilder
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library03/19/09-
04/19/09The Three Musketeers
City Lights Theater02/10/09 Inner Monkey - New Play Series
City Lights Theater01/22/09-
02/22/09First Person Shooter
City Lights Theater12/15/08-
12/31/08City Lights City Passport
City Lights Theater11/20/08-
12/21/08Rapunzel or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow & Holiday Vaudeville Revue
City Lights Theater10/14/08 Leaden Skies
City Lights Theater09/28/08 The Jazz Showcase
City Lights Theater09/25/08-
10/19/08Noises Off
City Lights Theater07/17/08-
08/31/08Hair
City Lights Theater06/18/08-
06/22/08Shakespod
City Lights Theater05/15/08-
06/15/08A Few Good Men
City Lights Theater03/20/08-
04/20/08Lysistrata
City Lights Theater01/17/08-
02/17/08Boy Gets Girl
City Lights Theater11/15/07-
12/23/07Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol
City Lights Theater09/20/07-
10/21/07Angels In America - Part Two, Perestroika
City Lights Theater09/19/07 Fashion Extravaganza
07/19/07-
08/26/07The Full Monty
City Lights Theater05/18/07-
06/10/07Thunderbabe
Theatre on San Pedro Square05/17/07-
06/17/07The Goat or, Who is Sylvia
City Lights Theater03/22/07-
04/15/07Voluntary Amnesia
City Lights Theater02/06/07 New Play Readers Series - The Moon Sees Me
City Lights Theater01/25/07-
02/25/07Fat Pig
City Lights Theater11/16/06-
12/22/06A Christmas Twist
City Lights Theater10/03/06-
10/03/05The Migratory Patterns of Boys
City Lights Theater09/14/06-
10/15/06Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches
City Lights Theater07/13/06-
08/20/06Jesus Christ Superstar
City Lights Theater05/18/06-
06/18/06String of Pearls
City Lights Theater04/10/06 New Play Readers Series - An Evening of Short New Plays
City Lights Theater03/23/06-
04/23/06The Nerd
City Lights Theater02/23/06-
03/05/06Birth
City Lights Theater02/06/06 New Play Readers Series - The Onslow Project
City Lights Theater01/19/06-
02/19/06Visiting Mr. Green
City Lights Theater12/05/05 New Play Readers Series - Strange Bedfellows
City Lights Theater11/17/05-
12/18/05Wise Women
City Lights Theater11/06/05 New Play Readers Series - Mothers to the Struggle
City Lights Theater11/05/05 New Play Readers Series - Black Lies
City Lights Theater11/01/05 New Play Readers Series - The Creature
City Lights Theater09/22/05-
10/23/05Proof
City Lights Theater09/16/05-
09/22/05Seven Guitars
Louis B. Mayer Theatre - Santa Clara University08/31/05-
09/10/05Seven Guitars
City Lights Theater07/28/05-
08/20/05The Pavillion
City Lights Theater06/02/05 City Lights Theatre Company Summer Fundraiser
05/19/05-
06/26/05A...My Name is Alice
City Lights Theater05/04/05-
05/08/05Breast Entanglements
City Lights Theater04/18/05 New Play Reader’s Series - Black Lies
City Lights Theater03/24/05-
04/23/05What the Butler Saw
City Lights Theater01/27/05-
02/26/05The Waiting Room
City Lights Theater11/18/04-
12/19/04Heroes
City Lights Theater10/20/04-
10/23/04A Most Notorious Woman
City Lights Theater09/16/04-
10/16/04Clouds Hill
City Lights Theater08/05/04-
08/21/04Iphigeneia at Aulis
City Lights Theater05/20/04-
06/26/04Assassins
City Lights Theater03/11/04-
04/10/04Wonder of the World
City Lights Theater01/22/04-
02/21/04A Shayna Maidel
City Lights Theater12/08/03 New Play Readers Series: Transition, Transition
City Lights Theater11/20/03-
12/27/03The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged)
City Lights Theater11/08/03 KILL VITO: A Diabolical Fundraiser
10/27/03 The Creature
City Lights Theater10/23/03-
10/25/03Clitoris Celebration: Thinking Out of the Box
City Lights Theater09/18/03-
10/18/03Don Juan in Chicago
City Lights Theater08/16/03 City Lights Casino Night
City Lights Theater06/09/03-
06/17/03Butt-Naked in Tinseltown- Inside the Actor's Mind
City Lights Theater05/15/03-
07/26/03Rocky Horror Show
City Lights Theater03/16/03 Annual Follies and Silent Auction Fundraiser
City Lights Theater03/13/03-
04/05/03Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
01/23/03-
02/22/03Sylvia
11/21/02-
12/21/02The Santaland Diaries
09/19/02-
10/19/02Comic Potential
11/15/01-
12/22/01The Miser
12/31/69 Celebrate Me Home: A Cabaret Fundraiser for City Lights Theater Company
City Lights Theater
-
-
Featured Sections
eSavers Half Price Tickets
Sign up for our eSavers email & more
Rave Reviews
Hear what site visitors have to say
Top 10 Events
The best events from your reviews
Artsopolis Partnership Lounge
Maximize Artsopolis Marketing
Artsopolis FAQ
Need help? Check here for answers!
Artsopolis Radio
Listen to & search for local music
Artsopolis Blog
Get the inside scoop on Artsopolis
Artsopolis on Facebook
Join the group and stay in touch!
Artsopolis Twitter
Daily Tweets for the Peeps!
Artsopolis YouTube Channel
Get your Tube on!
Artsopolis Feedback
Tell us what you think!
Discover San Mateo County
Check out all that SMC has to offer
First 5 Artsopolis Kids
Find family-friendly fun!
-
-
-
-
Featured Video
-
Partners & Sponsors
-
Artsopolis Network
Artsopolis Network Members: Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Colorado Springs, CO | Fargo, ND | Flint, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Forks, ND | Greensboro, NC
Houston, TX | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Norfolk, VA | Orange County, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Phoenix, Tucson & Flagstaff, AZ | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, CA
