Pinole Community Playhouse

WoW!I moved to Pinole 4 years ago. I knew the theater was here but had yet to catch a performance. When dining at Pear Street Bristo on Friday (great food, service, and atmosphere, BTW) I noticed a stack of cards advertising "Life Sucks" by Aaron Posner at the Pinole Community Playhouse around the corner. We decided to wait for the Sunday matinee. What amazing talent, what a wonderful comfortable theater, what a thought-provoking play!Each of the actors was stellar. Combine that with the folks managing/directing/producing the play/theater, and engagement by the audience and this was a memorable experience.Thank you - we'll be back! :)

I have been remiss in not attending more performances by the Pinole Community Players (PCP). This is such a wonderful community theatre group and the founders really brought a fabulous form of entertainment to West Contra Costa County and Pinole. I recently saw The Producers and it was truly an amazing production performed by a very talented cast. We sat in the VERY front row - and although we had to look up at the cast and even though our knees were touching the edge of the stage, it was AMAZING! The theatre is small and has cabaret style seating. Each table is set with a tablecloth, candle and on my visit a small bowl of pretzels to share between the four guests at the table. Like the theatre, the lobby is small and the concession stand sells bottled water, sodas, ice cream and candy. They also offer free coffee (with a donation can set up for those who desire to chip in). In the lobby you will find pictures of past performances - there are many! The location is wonderful - lots of public parking and a few great places to eat within walking distance (Tina's Place, Pear Street Bistro...). It's right next to Fernandez Park - you could have a picnic lunch or dinner before a performance. It's also near Pinole Creek, where you could also go on a walk before or after a performance. You could make a day of visiting downtown Pinole! You could even go to tea at Captain's Cottage at 11 am before a 2 pm matinee performance. I could go on and on... Right now they're thinking BIG and getting ready to transform the theatre - soon they will offer elevated theatre style seating. They're allowing theatre patrons to (literally) purchase a seat for $250. Each seat comes with an engraved plaque and if you purchase a seat you get to choose the wording! I can't wait to see the transformation! PCP also offers youth summer camps. I saw the campers practicing their play in Fernandez Park the other day and they looked like they were having a LOT of fun!This year PCP is celebrating 25 years and I can't wait to see many more performances by this company. I enjoyed the last performance so much, that I'm seriously considering becoming a patron of PCP. I highly recommend Pinole Community Players!PS. Prices are GREAT!!! $20/adult. That's crazy! There's another small theatre company that I go to and their prices are no where near $20/adult AND I have to drive farther to get there.

I have known about Pinole Community Players for years. It had been on my list of things to do and I just had not gotten to it.I finally went and immediately regretted taking so long to go! All the good plays I missed out in years past.So far I have been to about 3-4 plays and have enjoyed them all! Very high quality productions. So much better than going to the movies!

Had an amazing evening tonight at "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", presented at the Pinole Community Playhouse. I was shocked to discover this gorgeous little theater just minutes from our home in Hercules. Who knew(??). So impressed with the actors, band and overall production. This was my first time but I will definitely be going back!

I love the two for one ticket nights. Just saw "The Producers" They do a very nice job here. It's very good, local entertainment.

Brava and bravo to cast and crew! We went to see Chicago tonight and it was such an entertaining evening. There is a lot of talent brewing on that stage! The intimate setting is great. My daughter attends Pinole Valley High School and we went to see and support her friend in the play. I'm so happy this playhouse is a part of the community. It takes a village to put on these productions. We will be back!

What a cute little playhouse! My boyfriend and I went to see them for a performance of Hitchcock's The 39 Steps and the actors did a wonderful job. In this particular play, four actors played all the parts and it was a delight to see them switch from role to role. They did it with ease and embraced the unique format. The playhouse has cabaret seating (meaning you sit at a round table, sometimes with other people if it's a packed show). They also have pretzels to munch on (yay for free snacks!). Overall, very entertaining. Plus, it's always nice to support a local theater.

I lived for several years in Boston, where most of the Bro adway shows open to seehow they'll play before opening in New York. I never missed a show. Then I moved to New York, and, a live-theater addict, seldom missed a show there, both on and off Broadway. A friend and I would hit the half-price ticket booth after work and inhale as many shows as we could. That said, the Pinole Community Players put on as consumately a professionally show as I've seen anywhere. Their latest, The Producers by Mel Brooks, is a Don't Miss! This show could have been prouced in New York. The director and the actors did not miss a Brooksian nuance! -- Christina Van Horn, Albany

This is not what you expect when you think "Community Theatre". Pinole's shows are always well done. The lobby of their small theatre is beautiful, and the cabaret style seating is very unique among community theatres. I have seen actors here that could easily go on to professional theatre.