Performing Arts
 San Diego is well known for its sun, surf and sand, but when the sun goes down, the curtain goes up on stages all over the county. From the performing arts center in Escondido to historic theaters built at the turn of the century, from ballet to traditional folk dance, from symphony performances to dramatic opera, San Diego offers the best in quality performing arts, all year round.
Plentiful Theater Nightlife
Perhaps the visible members of the community theater scene include the famed Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park and the La Jolla Playhouse. The San Diego Repertory Theatre, affectionately known as "the Rep," presents productions at the Lyceum Theatre in Horton Plaza, while smaller theater groups like Sledgehammer and Blackfriars ensembles provide quirkier, more experimental fare.
The La Jolla Playhouse, founded in 1947 by actors Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer as a summer stock theater, has expanded over the years and, in 1993, received a Tony Award for "Outstanding American Regional Theater."
Music fans will appreciate the Starlight Musical Theatre. Founded in 1946, it was the first company of its kind in California, and its outdoor programs, presented in Balboa park's Starlight Bowl, are a much beloved summer tradition.
World Famous San Diego Opera
Each season the San Diego Opera present five productions in the Civic Theatre in downtown, San Diego, from January through May with prominent artists such as Richard Leech, Jerry Hadley, Ren?e Fleming, Ferruccio Furlanetto, James Morris and Jane Eaglen. In a commitment to the vocal arts, San Diego Opera also offers a Recital Series, which has included sold-out concerts and recitals by Luciano Pavarotti, JoséCarreras, Placido Domingo, Marilyn Horne, Kiri Te Kanawa, Cecilia Bartoli, Thomas Hampson and Renata Scotto.
For More information and to order tickets, please visit the San Diego Opera's Web site at www.sdopera.com
Performing Arts Venues
Performing arts centers of all shapes and sizes dots the metro area, including several state-of-the-art facilities built within the past several years.
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido is a 200,000-square-foot complex that includes a 1,500-seat convert hall, a 400-seat theater, a museum and conference center. The $74.4 million center features everything from The Will Rogers Follies to chanting Tibetan monks.
The Poway Center for the Performing Arts, which opened in May of 1990, is an 800-seat, state-of-the-art theater facility designed for plays and concerts. Since 1992, the center has been the San Diego home of the Pasadena Playhouse, the state theater of California.
The 1,200-seat East County Performing Arts Center rounds out the choice of performing arts centers. The Civic Theatre is the largest theater in San Diego, and regularly features performances of opera, plays and more, while the historic, Baroque-style Spreckels Theater has been in continuous operation since 1912.
Performing Arts League
At the heart of all these venues and organizations is the San Diego Performing Arts League, an umbrella organization for more than 100 performing arts groups in San Diego County. The League publishes a bimonthly performing arts guide available at theaters, coffee houses and retail stores, or by subscription for $10 per year. The League also operates the TIMES ARTS TIX half-price ticket booth at Horton Plaza a great way to enjoy more live performances for less money.
ARTS TIX
Source for half price tickets: 619-497-5000, www.sandiegoperforms.com
(Located at Horton Plaza at Broadway Circle)
Actors Alliance of San Diego: 619-640-3900, www.actorsalliance.com
St. James by-the-Sea, 743 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA,
Asian American Repertory Theatre
Playhouse on Plaza
500 W. Plaza Avenue, National City, CA, 858-568-2278, www.asianamericanrep.org
Athenaeum Music & Arts Library: 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA, 858-454-5872
Black Storytellers of San Diego
Chula Vista Public Library
365 F Street, San Diego, CA, 619-422-7053
California Ballet: 858-560-6741, www.californiaballet.org
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
Concert Hall
340 N. Escondido Blvd., 800-988-4253, www.artcenter.org
Christian Community Theater: 619-588-0206, www.cctcyt.org
Chula Vista School of Creative and Performing Arts
820 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA, 619-691-5775, www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/cvh/scpa
Cinema Society/Visual Arts Foundation
AMC 12 Theatre
La Jolla Village Square, La Jolla, CA, 619-280-1600
City Ballet
Spreckels Theatre
121 Broadway, San Diego, CA, 92101, 858-272-8663, www.cityballet.org
City College Visual & Performing Arts (Saville Theatre)
1313 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA, 92101, Box Office: 619-388-3676, Info: 619) 388-3617
Civic Theatre
202 C Street, San Diego, CA, 92101, 619-570-1100, www.BroadwaySD.com
Classics for Kids
Salvation Army/Kroc Performing Arts Center
6845 University Avenue, San Diego, CA, 619-435-9111, www.clasics4kids.com
Coast Kids
402 N. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, CA, 760-721-9983
Comedy Store in La Jolla: 858-454-9176
916- Pearl Street, La Jolla, Ca, 92037, lajolla@comedystore.com
Comedy Mystery/Interactive Dinner Theater
# For Reservations/Information: 619-561-8673
Shirley's Kitchen
7868 El Cajon Blvd.La Mesa, CA, 91941
Comic Con International
P.O. Box 128458, San Diego, CA, 92112, 619-491-2475, www.comic-con.org,
Ms. Fae D. Desmond, General Manager
Community Actors Theatre
2957 54th Street, San Diego, CA, 619-264-3391, www.communityactorstheatre.com
Coronado School of the Arts
Coronado High School Theatre
650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, www.cosa.coronado.k12.ca.us
Culture Shock San Diego
619-298-6209, www.cultureshockdance.org
Cygnet Theatre Company
6663 El Cajon Blvd. Suite N, San Diego, CA, 877-597-7258, www.cygnettheatre.com
Diversionary Theatre
4545 Park Blvd., Suite 101, San Diego, CA, 619-220-0097, www.diversionary.org
East County Performing Arts Center
210 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA, 619-440-2277, www.ecpac.com
Grossmount College Theatre Arts Department
Stagehouse Theatre
8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon, CA, 619-644-7234, www.grossmont.net/theatrebrochur/
H.I.T. Productions Dinner Theater
Shirley’s Kitchen
7868 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa, CA, 619-561-8673, www.dinnertheater.net
Icarus Puppet Company
Social Hall, Kensington Community Church
4773 Marlborough Drive, San Diego, CA, 619-563-5252, www.icaruspuppet.org
Imagination Express ALL-ABOARD!
619-482-8856, www.ieallaboard.org
Iris Theatre
Academy of Performing Arts
4580-B Alvarado Canyon Road, San Diego, CA, 619-271-4144, www.iristheatre.org
J* Company Youth Theatre
David & Dorthea Garfield Theatre, Jewish Community Center
4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA, 858-362-1348, www.lfjcc.org
Korbett Kompany Productions
Adams Avenue Studio
2804 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA, 619-584-3593, www.korbettkompanyproductions.org
La Jolla Music Society
Sherwood Auditorium, Museum of Contemporary Art
700 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA, 858-459-3728, www.lajollamusicsociety.org
La Jolla Playhouse
Mandell Weiss Theatre, UCSD
2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, CA, 858-550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.com
La Jolla Stage Company
The Firehouse
7877 Herschel Avenue, San Diego, CA, 858-459-7773, www.thestageco.org
La Jolla Symphony & Chorus
Mandeville Auditorium, UCSD
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 858-534-4637, www.lajollasymphony.com
Lamb’s Players Theatre
1142 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA, 619-437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org
Lamplighters Community Theatre
8053 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA, 619-464-4598, www.lamplighterstheatre.org
Lower Left Performance Collective
Sushi Performance & Visual Arts (Downtown)
320 Eleventh Avenue, San Diego, CA, 619-582-5243, www.lowerleft.org
Lyric Opera San Diego
Casa del Prado Theatre (Balboa Park)
1650 El Prado, San Diego, CA, 619-239-8836, www.lyricoperasandiego.com
Malashock Dance
Sherwood Auditorium, Museum of Contemporary Art
700 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA, 619-260-1622, www.malashockdance.org
Metropolitan Educational Theatre
David & Dorthea Garfield Theater, Jewish Community Center
4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA, 858-362-1342
MiraCosta College Theatre
One Barnard Drive, Oceanside, CA, 760-795-6815, www.miracosta.edu/drama/season.htm
Moonlight Stage Productions
Avo Playhouse
303 Main Street, Vista, CA, 760-724-2110, www.moonlighterstage.com
Mystery Café Dinner Theater
Imperial House Restaurant
505 Kamia Street, San Diego, CA, 619-544-1600, www.mysterycafe.net
National Comedy Theatre
3717 India Street, San Diego, CA, 619-295-4999, www.nationalcomedy.com
New Village Arts Theatre
The Studio Space
2460 Impala Drive, Carlsbad, CA, 760-633-1130, www.newvillagearts.org
North Coast Repertory Theatre
987 D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA, 858-481-1055, www.northcoastrep.org
The Old Globe (Balboa Park)
1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA, 619-23 GLOBE (619-234-5623) www.oldglobe.org
OnStage Playhouse
Downtown Chula Vista Art Center
291 Third Avenue, 619-422-7787, www.onstage.itgo.com
Palomar College Performing Arts Department
Howard Brubeck Theatre: www.palomar.edu/performingarts
1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos, CA, 760-744-1150, Ext. 2453,
Patio Playhouse
201 E. Grand Avenue, Suite 1D, Escondido, CA, 760-746-6669, www.patioplayhouse.com
Planned Parenthood’s Images: Theatre for Young Hearts & Minds
619-881-4548
Playwrights Project
619-239-8222, www.playwrightsproject.com
Poway Center for the Performing Arts
California Ballet
15998 Espola Road, 858-560-6741, www.californiaballet.org
Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation
15498 Espola Road, Poway, CA, 858-748-0505, www.powayarts.org
Poway Performing Arts Company
Upstairs in the Lively Center
13250 Poway Road, 858-679-8085, http://powpac.tripod.com
Renaissance Theatre Company
Cygnet Theatre
6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N, San Diego, CA, 877-597-7258, www.renaissancetheatre.org
Saloman Theatre, Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA, 619-849-2433, www.ptloma.edu/communication/salomon
San Diego Ballet
619-440-2277, www.sandiegoballet.org
San Diego Chamber Orchestra
858-350-0290, Ext. 7, www.sdco.org
San Diego Children’s Choir
858-587-1087, www.sdcchoir.org
San Diego Civic Youth Ballet
Casa del Prado Theater (Balboa Park)
1650 El Prodo, San Diego, CA, 619-233-3060, www.sdcyb.org
San Diego Guild of Puppetry
Puppetry Center of San Diego (Clairemont Town Square)
3998A Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA, 800-954-6696, www.sandiegoguildofpuppetry.org
San Diego Junior Theatre
Casa del Prado Theatre (Balboa Park)
619-239-8355, www.juniortheatre.com
San Diego Master Chorale
858-451-1200, www.sdmasterchorale.org
San Diego Men’s Chorus
University Christian Church (Hillcrest)
3900 Cleveland Avenue, 619-296-7664, www.sdmc.org
San Diego Mini Concerts
Lyceum Theatre, Downtown (Horton Plaza)
79 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA, 92101, 619-236-1980
San Diego Museum of Art
Hibben Gallery (Balboa Park)
1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA, 619-696-1966, www.sdmart.org
San Diego Repertory Theatre
Lyceum Stage (Downtown)
79 Horton Plaza, 619-544-1000, www.sandiegorep.com
San Diego State University School of Music & Dance
Smith Recital Hall
5500 Campanile Drive, 619-594-1696, www.dancesdsu.edu
San Diego State University School of Theatre, Television & Film
Don Powel Theatre
5500 Campanile Drive, 619-594-6884, www.theatre.sdsu.edu
San Diego Symphony
Copley Symphony Hall (Downtown)
750 B Street, San Diego, CA, 92101, 619-235-0804, www.sandiegosymphony.com
San Diego Theatre Sports
Swedenborgian Hall
1531 Tyler Avenue, 619-465-SHOW (619-465-7469) www.improvise.net
San Diego’s Balboa Park Puppet Guild
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater (Balboa Park)
619-685-5990, www.balboaparkpuppets.com
Scripps Ranch Theatre
10455 Pomerado Road, San Diego, CA, 858-578-7728, www.scrippsranchtheatre.org
Seagate Concerts, Inc.
Neurosciences Institute
10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, La Jolla, CA, 866-436-8744, www.SeagateConcerts.org
6th @ Penn Theatre
3704 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA, 619-688-9210, www.sixthatpenn.com
Sledgehammer Theater
St. Cecilia’s Playhouse (Downtown)
1620 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101
Spreckles Organ Society
Spreckels Organ Pavilion (Balboa Park)
619-702-8138, www.serve.com/sosorgan
Spreckels Theater
121 Broadway, San Diego, CA, 92101, Phone: 619-235-0491
Starlight Theatre, Starlight Bowl (Balboa Park)
2005 Pan American Plaza, 619-544-7827, www.StarlightTheatre.org
The Theatre in Old Town
4040 Twiggs Street, 619-688-2494, www.theatreinoldtown.com
Triple Espresso
Horton Grand Theatre (Downtown)
444 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101, 619-234-9583, www.tripleespresso.com
UCSD University Events Office
Mandeville Auditorium
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 858-534-8497, www.ueo.ucsd.edu
University of San Diego
Shiley Theatre, Camino Hall
5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 619-260-2280
Welk Resort Theatre
8860 Lawrence Welk Drive
Escondido, CA,
760-749-3448, www.welkresort.com
Westwind Brass
619-696-1966, www.westwindbrass.org
San Diego Civic Theatre
858-560-6741, www.californiaballet.org, The Nutcracker: December 18th-21, 2003
San Diego Symphony Winter Pops Series
619-235-0804, www.sandiegosymphony.com, For Group Savings: 619-685-4897
Music Director Designate: Jahja Ling
Southwestern College Studio Dance Theater
900 Otay Lakes Road, Room 1007, Chula Vista, CA, 619-482-6550
San Diego ART+SOL
(Magazine) 619-236-1212, www.sandiegoartandsol.com
San Diego Playbill
http://www.sandiegoplaybill.com/tlinks.html
What’s Playing on Stage in San Diego
(Magazine) www.sandiegoperforms.com
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