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Shimberg Playhouse — Kids Theaters in Tampa

Shimberg Playhouse

4.8(10)4.8 out of 5 stars, 10 reviews Tampa, FL

About Shimberg Playhouse

Shimberg Playhouse offers an intimate, high-quality theatrical experience, excelling in strong acting, sound, and lighting. It's known for consistently great and engaging performances, often with a unique twist (like radio plays or complex narratives), making it ideal for audiences who appreciate a thoughtful and well-produced show.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families with older children or teenagers interested in quality theatrical productions.Audiences who appreciate intimate settings and strong acting.Individuals seeking a thoughtful and engaging cultural experience.Guests needing accommodating staff for mobility aids (walkers, mobility scooters), provided bathroom accessibility is not a primary concern.The specific shows reviewed ('It's a Wonderful Life' radio presentation, 'Alabama Story', 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead') suggest content more suitable for older children (pre-teens, teens) and adults due to themes and complexity.

Why families love it

  • Intimate theater setting provides a close-up and personal viewing experience.
  • Consistently features wonderful/phenomenal actors and cast performances.
  • Shows are described as engaging, even 'almost interactive without actually being interactive'.
  • Excellent technical quality, specifically noted for great lighting and quality acoustics/sound.
  • Staff is highly accommodating and helpful, particularly for guests with mobility needs (scooters, walkers).
  • Offers diverse productions, from classic radio plays to historical dramas and complex theatrical works.

Insider tips

  • If requiring wheelchair accessibility for bathrooms, this venue is not suitable; inquire about alternative facilities if necessary.
  • Be prepared for potentially busy and small restrooms during intermission; plan your restroom breaks accordingly.
  • Verify the specific content of a show to ensure it aligns with your children's age and understanding, as reviewed shows trend older.

Good to know before you go

  • Families with very young children (toddlers/preschoolers) looking for shows specifically designed for their age group, based on the type of shows reviewed.
  • Anyone requiring a wheelchair-accessible restroom within the theater.
  • The bathroom in the theater is explicitly stated as not wheelchair accessible.
  • Bathrooms are described as small and shared with another show, leading to potential busyness during intermission.
Crowds
The intimate setting suggests a smaller overall capacity.
Accessibility
Staff is very accommodating and helpful for guests using mobility scooters and walkers, providing assistance as needed.

What parents say

Lori Burrows
4.04.0 out of 5 stars
"Nice little intimate setting. We went to the Radio presentation of It’s a Wonderful Life. The actors were wonderful. The staff was very accommodating to my husband with his mobility scooter. The bathroom in the theater is not wheelchair accessible."

4 months ago

Richard Onorio
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Wow had a great time. It was better than what I expected. Almost interactive without actually being interactive. Definitely recommend"

3 months ago

Diane Chancellor
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Attended. “Alabama Story” last night. It was a great show. Absolutely authentic to the way it was in 1959. I grew up in Alabama. The staff was so helpful with my Walker and saw to our every need."

a year ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.