The Thanksgiving Play

Masks are required on Nov. 25, Dec. 4 and Dec. 10. All other days, masks are recommended. Just let us know if you’d like to change to another date.

Why you should see The Thanksgiving Play

Because it’s a smart, tasty meal of a play that skewers assumptions and makes you crack up at the same time.
Because you can watch only so many parades on Thanksgiving weekend.
Because this hilarious satire is scheduled to debut on Broadway in 2023. Now you can say you saw it when…

Synopsis

They’re totally woke and perpetually P.C. So how can this motley group of teaching artists create a Thanksgiving pageant that won’t offend anyone? A director who’s already in trouble with the school parents tries to get her troupe to honor both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month, while being culturally sensitive (and also mindful of vegan allies). The result: a delicious satire. As the New York Times wrote in a review, “Just because a target’s too easy doesn’t mean it won’t make a satisfying meal.”

Resources

• Show Program
• Highlights
• Photos by company photographer Christian Pizzirani
• Show press release

Cast

Alicia: Sarah Dove
Jaxton: Keenan Flagg
Logan: Caitlin Gjerdrum
Caden: Bryan Moriarty

Details and special events

The Thanksgiving Play previews Nov. 17 and 18, and runs through Dec. 18. (No shows on Nov. 20 and 24.) Showtimes are Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. We would rate this production PG-13 for some language and sexual references. Run time is about 90 minutes, with no intermission.

Discounts are available for students, seniors (65+), educators, and groups, and for military personnel. (There is a $2 surcharge for phone and in-person buys.) Bring a group of 10 or more and get 25% off the face value of each ticket! The discount is automatically applied when 10 or more tickets are in the cart. (Contact the box office if group members are paying separately.)

If you are feeling unwell, please stay home, and don’t worry about your tickets. We’ll be happy to exchange them for another performance, free of charge. City Lights is a fully vaccinated company. Learn more about our Covid-19 protocols.

Special events:
Saturday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m.: Opening Night.
Mask-required performances: Friday, Nov. 25; Sunday, Dec. 4; and Saturday, Dec. 10.
Saturday, Nov. 26: We’re donating a portion of tonight’s box office to Theatre Bay Area’s Lemonade Fund, which supports theater-makers with critical illnesses or conditions who are in need of financial assistance.
Sunday, Nov. 27: After the 2 p.m. matinee, join us for an in-person talkback with our actors and cast.
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.: There’s also a Zoom talkback! Sign up for this free, fun event by “buying” a free ticket. (We’ll send you the Zoom link in the confirmation email.)

Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.: We’re donating a portion of the proceeds from this matinee to our nonprofit partner, AlterTheater. The company makes theater that uplifts the stories of those most often unheard, with its work centering the spiritual and emotional well-being of Black and Indigenous people.

The Thanksgiving Play is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French  Inc.

Parking and other info:
View a parking map of downtown San Jose to see your options for street or lot parking. We are unfortunately unable to offer any designated patron parking for the theater.

The theater is wheelchair-accessible; book the ADA & Companion seats when buying tickets. If you need ADA parking in front of our glass doors, note that on your order during check-out, or email or call the box office (408-295-4200).

Due to the intimate size of our theater, we unfortunately are not able to seat late patrons. Thank you for your understanding.