Top 10 Best Theaters in Boston
Nothing like a night at the theater, complete with fancy attire, fine eating, and live performances in a lavish setting. A night out at the theater can be ... read more...easily combined with some of the top restaurants in the Financial District, Downtown Crossing, and Chinatown thanks to Boston's small but thriving Theater District. There are even a few additional theaters scattered around the city in places like Harvard Square and Brookline, so you can change the neighborhood and, consequently, the type of performance and atmosphere of the space. Here are some of the Best Theaters in Boston.
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This rococo structure is one of the Best Theaters in Boston though it is small but magnificent and is located close to Downtown Crossing. Its grace belies its turbulent background. Thomas Lamb, a well-known cinema architect, created the B.F. Keith Memorial Theatre, an important piece of the Keith-Albee chain, which debuted in 1928. It flourished as a movie theater for more than 20 years, but it barely made it through the Combat Zone era before turning into an adults-only theater.
It went into a terrible state of disrepair, but with Senator Edward Kennedy's assistance, it was restored and reopened in 2004 with its baroque interior décor of fanciful white terra cotta, gilded moldings, and sparkling crystal chandeliers. The Boston Ballet's home venue, the Opera House, also hosts notable Broadway musicals and performing acts. Practically speaking, the underground lounge and the lobby both have bars.
Google Rating: 4.8/5.0
Address: 539 Washington StBoston02111
Phone: 617-259-3400
Website: www.bostonoperahouse.com -
The elegant, 1,700-seat Colonial Theatre, which was constructed in 1900, is now owned by Emerson College, but it still has the distinction of being the country's oldest continuously functioning theater, barring periods when it was closed for renovations. The oldest continually operating theater in Boston is Emerson Colonial Theatre with a performance of Ben-Hur. It is also one of the most stunning theaters because it has preserved much of its original period elements.
The hand-painted murals, mosaic flooring, and gold-leafed moldings in the foyer are all very spectacular. But the reputation of the Colonial Theatre for hosting pre-Broadway premieres of musicals that went on to become industry icons was what gave it its tremendous cachet. The theater continues to stage important premieres and a variety of productions, both traditional and modern.
In the past, Clarence Blackall's architectural firm created the Colonial Theatre, which Frederick Lothrop Ames Jr. funded for. On December 20, 1900, the theater opened its doors for the first time to a sold-out performance of Ben-Hur, with Winston Churchill in attendance. 350 people made up the cast and crew of Ben-Hur, which included eight real horses galloping on stage during the chariot race sequence. The show was featured on the cover of Scientific American because it was so mechanically and technically amazing. On February 29, 1932, the Colonial Theatre hosted the world premiere of George Bernard Shaw's play Too True To Be Good.
Google Rating: 4.5/5.0
Address:106 Boylston StBoston02116
Phone: 617-426-9366
Website: www.emersoncolonialtheatre.com -
A block from Copley Square, the Lyric Stage is hidden inside the apartments at 140 Clarendon Street, which was previously a YWCA. The intimate setting of this little theater's stage, which can accommodate 240 people, allows the audience to fully engage in a performance—many of which are musicals. The oldest theatrical company in Boston was established in 1974 and is called The Lyric Stage Company. When you present your ticket stub, you have access to seasonal promotions at a number of the neighborhood restaurants that provide everything from all-American to Mexican food.
Boston's oldest theater group, The Lyric Stage Company, which was established in 1974, currently shares the venue with City Stage Company, expanding the range of shows (most of which feature an inclusive cast of local artists). The vast lobby of Hotel 140 and its elaborate staircase serve as the entrance. A bar and lots of seating are available in the hotel's second-floor café, which also serves as a theater lounge where guests can unwind before performances or during intermission.
Google Rating: 4.8/5.0
Address:140 Clarendon StBoston02116
Phone: 617-585-5678
Website: www.lyricstage.com -
This 1,200-seat Beaux Arts theater, the second-oldest in the Theatre District, is now a part of Emerson College's campus and is a true grand dame of the Gilded Age. It was constructed in 1903 with the intention of hosting opera performances, and its sumptuous interior design evoked the splendor of European opera houses.
However, Greek renaissance columns and conventional images of theater masks covering the inside pay homage to the building's theatrical past. Stained glass in the majestic arched windows produces a vibrant façade that is frequently overlooked by pedestrians on the ground level. The Cutler Majestic calendar is jam-packed with classical and contemporary opera, dance, and theatrical performances.
The Cutler Majestic Theatre is a Boston Historic Landmark and a member of the National League of Historic American Theatres. However, the Cutler Majestic was thrown around with different entertainment, from vaudeville to film, and changed to match, like much of the theater neighborhood. This architectural and artistic treasure, which is a member of the national League of Historic American Theatres and a Boston Historic Landmark, has been conserved and resurrected thanks to Emerson's involvement in the early 1980s and its following repairs.
Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: 219 Tremont StBoston02111
Phone: 617-824-8400
Website: www.cutlermajestic.org -
The 1,500-seat Shubert was built in 1910, the same year that Boston's Theater District emerged as a major arts district. The theater boasts a beautiful, cream-colored Neoclassical façade that has been superbly preserved during numerous reconstructions. The theater's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 due to its architectural significance has preserved the magnificent lobby and marble entrance area in its original layout. The Shubert Theatre also presents comedy acts, concerts by musicians of many genres, as well as classic and modern theater, as well as musicals. Previous performers have included The Temptations, Louis Armstrong, and the Kronos Quartet.
With its massive 3,600-seat Wang Theatre and smaller Shubert Theatre located across the street, the Citi Center complex is the granddaddy of all Boston theaters. The 1,500-seat Shubert was built in 1910, the same year that Boston's Theatre District emerged as a major arts powerhouse. The theater features a beautiful white neo-classical façade that has undergone numerous modifications and been beautifully preserved. The theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 due to its architectural importance, which preserved its beautiful lobby and marble entrance area. The Shubert Theater also presents concerts by musicians of many genres, as well as occasional comedic performances, in addition to classic and contemporary theater, and musicals.
Google Rating: 4.4/5.0
Address: 265 Tremont StBoston02116
Phone: 866-348-9738
Website: www.bochcenter.org/discover/our-theatres/shubert-theatre/shubert-theatre-landing-page -
The Loeb Drama Center at Harvard University, also known as A.R.T., is where the American Repertory Theater calls home. Although it serves as an extension of the classroom for the students, it is still a theater with regular performances, typically with a focus on contemporary, new, and experimental works. A.R.T. has a satellite theater called Oberon on Arrow Street where more alternative performances are staged, such as avant-garde works from newcomers and LGBTQ programming, in addition to the 500-seat main theater.
The A.R.T. at Harvard University, one of the best regional theaters in the nation, has been creating waves on the global stage since its founding in 1980. Famous people like Anne Bogart, David Mamet, and Philip Glass have all collaborated with the group to create world premieres that are distinctly edgy. One of the biggest names in theatre and Tony Award-winning artistic director Diane Paulus is in charge of a schedule that includes comedies, musicals, experimental performances, and more.
Google Rating: 4.6/5.0
Address: 64 Brattle StLoeb Drama Center (Harvard University)Cambridge02138
Phone: 617-547-8300
Website: www.amrep.org -
This building served as the nation's first civic playhouse when it was first built. This location is home to the Huntington Theatre Company, an accomplished, ambitious group that attracts great names to the small community. It has undergone transformations from a theater to an art-house cinema and back again. Huntington productions are consistently of the highest caliber, frequently achieve Broadway success, and have recently earned a number of Elliot Norton Awards. Tell your pals that you originally saw it here.
This location is home to the Huntington Theatre Company, an accomplished, ambitious group that attracts great names to the small community. It has undergone transformations from a theater to an art-house cinema and back again. Huntington productions are consistently of the highest caliber, frequently achieve Broadway success, and have recently earned a number of Elliot Norton Awards. Tell your pals that you originally saw it here.
Google Rating: 4.6/5.0
Address: 264 Huntington AveMassachusetts AveBoston02115
Phone: 617-266-8600
Website: www.huntingtontheatre.org -
Who doesn't adore the Paramount's marquee's magnificent red and amber lighting? Washington Street is given a shine that has been long lost to urban ruin. Up until the Paramount Theatre's reopening in 2010, Downtown Crossing had not undergone any formal revitalization. The theater was renovated for $92 million to return it to its previous Art Deco splendor.
The building was constructed in 1932 as a movie theater under the ownership of Paramount Pictures. As talkies gained popularity, the center became an instant hit. The Paramount, which is now owned by Emerson College, has a main theater with 596 seats, a small black box theater with 150 seats, and a room with 170 seats for movie screenings. The Paramount frequently schedules US premieres and has staged a number of recent, ground-breaking theatrical productions.
Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address:559 Washington StBoston02111
Phone: 617-824-8400
Website:paramountboston.org/Online -
The 3700-seat theater on Tremont Street is the Theater District's biggest and greatest entertainment venue. The structure was constructed in 1925 when the Metropolitan Theatre first opened; by the 1960s, it had become a renowned opera venue as well as the home of the Boston Ballet. It was abandoned by the early 1980s and changed its name to the Wang in honor of Dr. An Wang, who had helped save the ailing structure from further deterioration.
The Wang, which opened in 1925 and one of the Best Theaters in Boston, was formerly known as the Metropolitan Theatre, is a building that is on the National Register of Historic Places and has one of the biggest stages in all of America. The theater's gorgeous gilt-trimmed interior underwent a significant renovation project in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and today it presents everything from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare, along with ballet, opera, and the occasional pop concert. The public can take behind-the-scenes tours; for additional information, visit the tours page.
The upgrades have brought the theater's grandeur back; gold-plated pendant chandeliers dangle from the soaring ceiling, which appears to be supported by gorgeous, enormous marble pillars. The sky blue ceiling is studded with clouds and celestial bodies among the various murals and friezes. The Wang presently houses theatrical, comedic, and musical performances as part of the Boch Center.
Google Rating: 4.6/5.0
Address: 270 Tremont StBoston02116
Phone: 800-982-2787
Website:www.bochcenter.org/discover/our-theatres/wang-theatre/wang-theatre-landing-page -
The Charles Playhouse is built in a Greek renaissance structure that was originally constructed as a church and later converted to a synagogue in 1839. From there, things drastically changed, evolving into a speakeasy and eventually a renowned jazz venue where artists like Count Basie and Duke Ellington held court. It was transformed into a theater in the 1950s. The Blue Man Group is a quirky, musical art show that has called this location home for many years. Three decades after its debut, performances in the main 500-seat theater are still going strong.
The Charles Playhouse is a playhouse located in the Boston Theater District at 74 Warrenton Street. The theater has two stages: a 500-seat mainstage where the Blue Man Group frequently performs, and a 200-seat second stage where Shear Madness performed up until March 2020. Sugre sold the Colonial Theatre's owner, Jon B. Platt, the Charles Playhouse in 1995. In 1998, Platt sold SFX Entertainment to his theaters in Boston (now Live Nation). In 2008, Live Nation sold Key Brand Entertainment the majority of its theater division, which included the Charles Playhouse (now the John Gore Organization).
Google Rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: 74 Warrenton StBoston02116
Phone: 617-426-6912
Website:www.charlesplayhouse.com