Long-time Dallas residents are often fiercely loyal to the hidden gem that is the Pocket Sandwich Theater, a dinner theater focusing on comedy and melodrama.
If you attend a vaudeville production here you will not only be handed a bag of popcorn at the door but will be expected – and even encouraged – to throw it at the actors and actresses, wait staff and even fellow attendees!
Clearly, the Pocket Sandwich Theater doesn’t follow the same rules as other venues offering live performances. It is, however, one of the best neighborhood theaters in Dallas.
Many of the productions are relaxed, fun and a way for visitors to let down their hair and interact with the actors. There are some standard productions as well. If you’re in town during the Christmas season, the annual production of Scrooge is particularly popular with insiders who’ve seen many of the shows at the theater.
Most productions are family-friendly (with possible exceptions for the late night performances on Friday and Saturday nights. There is a definite emphasis on wholesome entertainment and plenty of fun for everyone who shows up. The theater can seat up to 145 and is often full so do try to arrive a bit early. You can also make reservations if you’d like guaranteed seating.
Past productions have included “A Tale of Two Captains: A Space Melodrama” and “Unnecessary Farce.” Insiders know to look for a little statue of Lucy (from the Peanuts comic strip) somewhere on stage. If you’ve got sharp eyes, you’ll be able to spy her and it is fun to get kids, friends and others in on the search.
In 2008, The Pocket Sandwich Theater celebrated its 28th birthday and is the 3rd oldest theater in Dallas. An awesome number of 220 shows have taken place at the theater, providing employment for 2600 actors. At least 520,000 people have attended performances and about 90,000 pounds of popcorn has been eaten or thrown around the room.
Food service is often available but very limited on Fridays and Saturdays. Otherwise, you can expect to find basic snack foods and sandwiches. Soups, salads, nachos, baked potatoes, pizza wraps, dessert, beer, wine and soft drinks are standard fare. Insiders note that the food is far from gourmet but plenty satisfying.
It helps to know what type of shows are presented on given nights of the week. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, a main stage play is shown at 8 pm. If you want dinner beforehand, arrive at 6:30. Comedies, Musical groups and a category known as “strange shows” are presented on Friday and Saturday nights at 11:15 pm.
If you’re up for something a bit different, weekend nights would be your best bet. If you plan on attending on a Friday and Saturday, though, you might want to grab a bite at the nearby Blue Goose Cantina or St. Martin’s Restaurant (each is less than a mile away).
Both the Radisson and Hotel Palomar are also within a mile of the theater. Each hotel has dining options so that you can feel full before a performance. If you want to see some of the finest Spanish art around, check out the Meadows Museum before finishing the evening at the theater.
The Pocket Sandwich Theater also has Buffalo Wednesdays which generally begin at 7:30 pm and feature comedy troupes and musical acts. Admission prices vary but on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday, seniors over 60 and juniors (12 and under) get two dollars off the regular admission fee. If you’re in town for New Years Eve or Christmas, ticket prices will be substantially higher.
Free parking is available in a nearby lot. The theater is also wheelchair accessible and offers vegetarian menu options. No smoking is allowed in the Pocket Sandwich Theater.
General admission is $10 on Thursdays, $15 on Fridays and $18 on Saturdays. On Sundays, admission drops to $10. Thursday is considered Bargain Night because of the $10 admission price and senior and junior discounts do not apply on those nights.
The Pocket Sandwich Theater is located at 5400 East Mockingbird Lane, Suite 119 and can be reached at (214) 821-1860. The Box Office is open from 2-6 pm daily.
Related: