CenterStage

We visited for the first production of the 2024-2025 season of the Music Man. The performance was outstanding and top notch comparable to larger venues. Great value for the ticket prices. Seating can be a bit uncomfortable after a lengthy performance; however, there is typically an intermission which is helpful to stretch legs. Snack bar offers wine, beer, and water options as well as chips and candy. We did not enjoy patrons rattling their M&M candy wrappers during the quieter portions of the performance, however. Restroom facilities are easily accessible. Plenty of floor-level seating offered to accommodate all mobility levels. Parking is plentiful and well-marked and adequately accessible and lit. Lobby area is accessed via reception area only and requires being buzzed in, which is also appreciated. Staff are all helpful and friendly. Facility is relatively new and is modern and gorgeous. Tickets are still available for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season (You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown in November 2024; High School Musical in February 2025; and 9 to 5 in May 2025) and very affordable.

My first visit to Center Stage was for the recent production of Little Mermaid. I had a friend in the production. First off it was like being in a highschool gym and I kind of thought "what have I gotten myself into?" Then the show started. A few of the actors were obviously young and a little over the top but overall a great cast! The singing was excellent and the funny was...well, funny!Overall $20 well spent. I understand they frequently sell out so recommend pre ordering tix

When you walk into CenterStage, you might at first feel like you've taken a trip back in time -- to high school. The theater looks very similar to my high school's auditorium, with large polyester curtains covering the windows and the audience sitting on risers.But don't let that stop you! The talent I've seen come out of this theater -- which has created a name for itself over its past 100 SEASONS (wow!) for performing Broadway musicals -- rivals performances I've seen in New York and Chicago. The casts are truly phenomenal and fully committed to their characters. "Community theater" does not adequately fit this awesome establishment. They're so good that you'll easily forget you're in an auditorium and become sucked into the production. And they really make the most of the stage with inventive sets.I saw my first CenterStage production earlier this year with "Spring Awakening," a very raw and edgy play that explored such topics as rape, puberty, incest, abortion and teen suicide. And as the artistic director said before the play started, CenterStage does not shy away from avant-garde or controversial productions. They don't change a play to make it more PC but use that as fodder to explore more profound and adult subjects.I like that! And full disclosure: I was comped a ticket to see "Spring Awakening," so I wanted to make a return visit -- with me paying my own way -- before writing a review. Happily, I was able to do that this last week, when I saw "Sweeney Todd."This is another one that has a bit of an edge, though I admit their production was not gruesome just for gruesome's sake. They handled -- ya know -- Sweeney Todd cutting men's throats with his straight razor thoughtfully. There wasn't spurting blood, but rather, the shock value came from the actors' performances -- perhaps as it should be. I also like that CenterStage partners with non-profits on most of its productions. At "Spring Awakening," the theater raised funds for the Center for Women and Families. During "Sweeney Todd," the theater was raising funds for itself -- and more specifically, replacements for those ghastly curtains! Bravo!But they could put up paisley bed sheets over the windows if they wanted to -- I would still gladly come to their shows.

Tonight was our first visit here for a show. I ordered tickets online, stopped by JCC business office to pick up tickets. I bought 4 tickets, cheaper to get them in advance, rather than at door. Saves you $2 a piece. We arrived 30+ minutes early and found a super short line for the season ticket holders and a very long line for those of us with general admission tickets. The theater is not very big and the seats are first come first serve. We ended up sitting on the second to last row at very top. That was the only row left with enough seats for all of us to sit together. I surprised by nieces with dinner, ice cream and a show. Tonight's show was The Little Mermaid. The talent was awesome! The show was pretty long, 2 hours and 20 minutes. There is an intermission that lasts about 15 minutes. They sell inexpensive snacks in the foyer. After the show, the cast is out in the foyer as well. Be sure to use the bathroom before show. It's super packed during intermission. Not sure if pricing for season tickets but worth looking into for sure!

CenterStage has the best seasons of shows in Louisville for a smaller theatre. They always incorporate new age shows, as well as old favorites. Speaking of smaller stages, it amazes me how well they do with their sets and technical effects for the space that their given. A few great shows they've put on are Rent, Next to Normal, Avenue Q, etc... That being said, some of their shows are family-friendly and some are more adult oriented, however I like the mix. For a community theatre, the quality of their performances have a very professional feel. I also like how the actors usually differ from show to show (Not that it has to be that way, I just don't like seeing the same actors as the leads if you get me..) I can't wait to see what else they have in store for the Louisville theatre scene!

Last night's performance of The Full Monty was very entertaining for everyone in the audience. Loved the playful banter from the audience performers to the on stage cast. Kristy Calman as Jeanette stole the show with her comedic asides and monologues. Casting of the various roles was on point. There was never a dull moment in the show. I really enjoyed the staging of the various scenes because they were achieved with simplicity and carried out scene changes quickly. The only exception was the wobbly front of the house, but even that added to the comedy. All in all, it was a great opening night.

I've seen several shows staged by CenterStage.Each one of them has been a pleasure to attend. I love that they don't shy away from potentially offensive matter (I LOVE Avenue Q and Spring Awakening, but they aren't the norm for community theater because of the language and subject matter). Kudos for doing shows that might not normally be done. It offers a broader variety and opens the company up to a wider audience.I am sure I will be back!

I wanted to explore other theaters in the area than the big name ones. Next time I will go to a university or high school play instead of this community theater. I do think they try but I was disappointed. We went to Cat on Hot Tin Roof. This play relies on acting. This production failed. The stage was nicely done. The general tempo was acceptable but not great. The acting was very sad. You did not feel transported in time or into the lives of this dysfunctional family. I would have put up with the awkward chair arrangements (chairs set on bleachers with hardly space for your knees) and the first come/first serve seating (sponsors and season ticket holders get first of the seats regardless of what time single-ticket holder arrives) if the production was worth watching but it was not. It was a disappointment. I have seen high school productions that do a better job. Tips: Enter from the rear of the building. If you are a single-production ticket holder, don't worry about showing up too early. The sponsors and season ticket holders took up most of the seats and you get what is left over.

Would love to be able to rate Centerstage both by performance and over all experience. It's been a couple of years since I've been to Centerstage. As I expected, the play was brilliant, 5 stars, but the experience at this venue was 2 stars at best. They have general admission people line up much like a bunch of cattle. There you wait for a very long time. Once the important people have been seated they allow us to enter. We are funneled all the way up to the front, then to a center isle and up to the back. Even in the "upper" seating there were many reserved seats as well as one person sitting in a row holding seats for several others. By the time we got to 2 empty seats we were in the third row from the back. The rows are so close together that passing those already seated required uncomfortable gymnastics. Truth is I'm having a hard time imagining myself returning again. This is sad as I've always enjoyed my experience at Centerstage.

CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center is a community theatre with Broadway quality!