Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

We went to see the «A Christmas Carol» Play and it was awesome. The setup of the building was really nice as well as the decorations. The actors acted well in character and made it a great experience. The music was amazing and it was neat how the play was related to the area it was shown in, to make it seem more modern. Can’t wait to go back to see another show!

The CSC is one of the underrated gems of Baltimore. Their new location on lower Calvert St. is fantastic, and the quality of their productions (both Shakespearean and not) is superb. My fiancée and I recently stopped in to see their ‘80s punk update of Titus Andronicus, complete with live rock covers and brilliantly gruesome visual effects. We had a blast. Our tickets were for the front row at stage level, which provided both an amazing view and the ability to interact with the actors, who seemed to be having just as much fun as we were. The small space makes for an immersive experience and the director made perfect use of the entirety of the theater and backdrop to stage the action, which was one of the most impressive aspects.
If you haven’t been, there’s really no excuse not to check out one of their performances. The tickets are priced very reasonably and, as I mentioned, it’s one of the absolute highlights of Baltimore’s art and theater scene. Go support them! You won’t regret it.

Our relationship with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company (CSC) started a couple of years ago when we began to attend their outdoor performances at the Patapsco Female Institute (at the top of Ellicott City).
We really love this group. We’ve been to at least a dozen of their performances and it’s really a wonderful way to introduce our munchkins to Shakespeare and the experience of theater in general. I’ve personally enjoyed some of twists they put on performances, while still keeping it true to The Bard’s words.
Last year CSC opened up their refurbished digs at the Calvert Street theater in Baltimore. We were there for the grand opening. In its previous life the building was an old bank, but has been completely refurbished. The new theater is a great space for performances. The stage and seating are modeled in the style of the original Globe Theater.
If you read my reviews you know that I’m notoriously cheap, so when I tell you that we bought a subscription for my family we must really like it.
When you think about supporting the arts CSC is the kind of local organization that should be right at the top of your list. Exposure yourself :), expose your family to theater.

Omgoodness! This was a fabulous experience, I loved everything about being there, the play was fantastic, the seating was wonderful, the theater was stunning. If you have the opportunity to see one of their productions, DO IT! You will not be disappointed. This is the best thing to happen to Baltimore in a long long time.

What a wonderful gem with great talent. Went with my daughter to THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST and couldn’t have enjoyed it any more. I am 63 and my daughter is 27 and our only disagreement was who enjoyed it more. It is a venue for all ages. So nice to attend theater where I could understand every word spoken and see everything that happened (including facial expression) without straining my ears or eyes. The theater is beautiful and the acting exceptional. The only thing that concerned us was that the «bench» seating and backrests were a bit uncomfortable. It looks lovely, but it is built for some specific size person, which I am not, nor is my daughter. But we will return, likely with a pillow.

I just left my fourth CSC production. This was my first show in their new Baltimore location. I love how intimate the venue is. It only seats about a couple hundred people and is set up so that everyone virtually has front row seats. The actors and crew are genuinely happy to see you. They engage and interact with the audience during the production. It’s as if the audience is as much a part of the show as they are. They also take the time to speak with everyone before, after, and sometimes during a show. They are very talented. Every time I go to a show, I know I am going to have a great night. I leave in such a good mood. I highly recommend checking them out!

What an amazing venue! A must see…
Offers selection of wine/​beer options in a cozy atmosphere.

The Chesapeake Theater Company has garnered a lot of press since they opened their new place in downtown Baltimore. No wonder, since Baltimore is desperate to distance itself from the rep it retains from twenty years of critically acclaimed TV dramas. However, while the ever-​prevalent advertising is still set at obnoxious levels, you really should give in and go see one of their shows. In this fascinating converted old bank, there are three levels of seating, and the productions are designed to maximize their space so there is not a bad seat in the house. The main stage is on the floor level, of course, but the set extends to the ceiling and the actors regularly perform on every level throughout the show. We saw «A Christmas Carol» there, and singers regularly came out on the mid– and upper levels to sing well-​thought arrangements of classic songs between acts, as well as add to ensemble pieces during the main show. This is clearly something every director will make use of during other productions. There are bars on the two main levels, although only the ground floor was operating while we were there on a weeknight. You are allowed (and encouraged) to grab a drink to bring to your seat with you, and their drink choices are thoughtful and inviting, whether you want a local craft beer, wine from the spigot, or mulled wine to match the show, there should be something there you will enjoy. They have a discounted parking arrangement with the nearby Arrow garage a block south with entrances on Water and Lombard, which can be a little hard to find your first time so build some time in to circle the block if you need it. On a side note, I was not wild about seeing «A Christmas Carol» as it was a show I had seen so many times already everywhere else, but the production was inventive, truly entertaining, and made so much creative use of the theater itself I really enjoyed myself despite my reservations. This is not just Baltimore’s new place to go to see Shakespeare. This is Baltimore’s new cool place to go, period.

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company has a beautiful theater in downtown Baltimore. It’s just up Calvert Street from the Inner Harbor. We saw «A Christmas Carol» in this small, intimate space. Freshly done, the chairs are comfortable and there are plenty of amenities. This is a fantastic place to experience Shakespeare and other small productions. Parking is nearby. A highly recommended Baltimore theater experience.