Now that I have seen two productions in the grand re-opening of their new-again home along the Potomac in SW, it is time to also upgrade my rating of them to 5 stars. And not just because of their new digs (which are beautiful), but because I loved their productions of 'Oklahoma!' and 'Arabian Nights' (written & directed by a Tony Award winner). Both were worthy of standing ovations - I couldn't wipe the smile off my face during either of them. They were both just really entertaining. I've noticed they have also attracted visiting and touring theatre companies, who sometimes collaborate with Arena. Coming in the not too far away future? Steppenwolf Theatre Company's 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff?', starring two Tony Award winning actresses. read more

Came over the weekend to watch Elephant Room and I loved the venue. The venue seems brand new. It is modern, incredibly clean, and very well located. Parking is fantastic whether you want to park in the garage for $20 or if you want to park on the street. There are plenty of metered parking spots around the venue. It is probably best to get the newer meter parking spots so you don't have to go through the coins and/or calling/going online to pay for parking. The staff is extremely nice everywhere you go. From the box office to the ticket scanners to the ushers, they are all very pleasant. Did not eat or grab any snacks for the play but the prices seem to be moderately priced. Saw Elephant room and even though I wasn't 100% sure what I was going to expect, I really enjoyed it. Arena stage - Great venue and will definitely be back to catch other shows hopefully experience the other stages (Was in Kogod). read more

Such a beautiful facility and incredible productions. I was recently captivated by Newsies - the performers, costumes, choreography.... everything was electric and wonderful. Straight smile on my face for two+ hours. Can't wait to visit again! read more

Am I supposed to review the facilities or the play? I suppose I'll do both. The Play: The Mystery of Irma Vep 4 stars I wasn't sure how this play would be since it is just a two man show, and if either actor is sort of meh, it'll ruin the show. The two actors were great and played their various roles well. I was amazed at how quickly they were able to change costumes/wigs/voices. The British accents sort of sounded like British with a detour through the South, so that was a little bit distracting at first. The costumes were crazy! There were some big, poofy, incredibly over-the-top dresses parading around the stage and I would not want be the man wearing those dresses. The stage set up was also really well done and the props well done. Overall the play was great. Some parts were hilarious, some parts a little sketchy, some parts potentially offensive to minorities, and some probably went over my head a bit. I recognized quotes from Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe, and I'm sure there were more that I don't recognize since I'm not learned like that. But yeah, at several points people were laughing and I wasn't. Did I miss something there? Uh, several times? Part of the hilarity comes from the incredibly random things going on in the play, but that also made the last part ridiculous and a little cheesy, and sort of confusing. Yelpers had to discuss what happened post-play to try and figure it all out, and even then I'm still a little confused. I would definitely recommend the play. There were a few points in the play that would make me not want to bring younger kids, but there were a few middle school or below-age kids in the audience. Arena Stage 3 stars It is a little odd to have the stage in Crystal City Mall, but at least it was easy to find. The stage is very nice and the seating was fine. The only sort of gripe I have is that the hallway is configured poorly and is a little small for everything they're trying to do in there. When you enter, there was a cluster around the doors trying to get tickets, and then during intermission there were people all over the place trying to get in line for drinks or snacks, get out of the way after getting drinks or snacks, get in or out of the restroom, or just find a place to stand around to chitchat. However, they're doing renovations so I guess it won't necessarily be here much longer. read more

I love theater and have had some very good times at the Arena stage. As a building, Arena Stage is well laid out with nice bathrooms. The lines for food are always long, so that is a bit aggravating. There is nothing bad about Arena Stage but nothing spectacular about it either. I only go when a coworker gives me tickets. I think the tickets are overpriced. read more

After 2 years and millions of dollars in renovations the Arena Stage has reopened and is absolutely stunning. I enjoyed the floor to ceiling glass windows that overlooked the Potomac River. There are plenty of benches outside of each theatre so people can take in the sun while they wait for the theatre to start letting people in. The bathrooms are really nice too! There are now at least 20 stalls in the ladies room. The bar is nice. One thing is they should figure out how to make a line so at intermission it is not chaos. Not so much fun with a bunch of 80 year olds at the midweek matinee. There are multiple stages within the arena. I can only speak of the Fichhandler stage. It was very nicely renovated so it's a lot easier to hear. There are no bad seats in the theatre. I was lucky to snag a ticket to see Arabian Nights. Such a beautiful play by beautiful actors. It was a real pleasure to see it in this theatre. The theatre is 4 sided so you get the 3 dimensional aspect of the play. Must see theatre! read more

My friend had recommended I see Next to Normal and it was quite enjoyable. The set, acoustics, and lighting made it a visually pleasing experience. The driving directions to Arena Stage posted on their website are very clear and easier than the ones I found off of googlemaps. There was plenty of parking in the garage but perhaps I should have taken the 20th Street exit instead of the 18th Street exit at the end of the show to avoid a long wait getting out of the garage. There were two Arena Stage people in the elevator area to make sure no one got lost. As others have mentioned, the lobby area inside the theater is narrow so there's no designated area for people waiting in line to be seated and people waiting for the rest of their party. Synetic Theater's lobby is more spacious and the stairs to the theater make the line flow more smoothly. The lobby makes a weird waiting area but once in the theater, the show was polished and professional. read more

Very easy to get to using metro. Lots of leg room and not a bad seat in the house. The lobby, concessions and bathrooms are right out of the 1960's. Not a bad place to see a show just don't plan on having a cocktail there. If your reading this in September 08 I recommend you go see Daniel Beaty's Resurrection. I give this play 5 stars! read more

First off, for all my frugalistas, recessionbros etc etc...check out the savings program http://www.arenastage.org/shows-tickets/single-tickets/savings-programs/ discounts for students, military/police/fire fighters, local Southwest residents, pay your age specials and family packs! Can I say that this place has the BEST ladies room ever? Seriously whoever designed this restroom should hand out a copy of the design to become a model for all venues everywhere. This is in regards to the main ladies room on the second level to the left of the concession stands. The other ones are ho-hum line-waiting sadness...but that one makes up for the other ones lacklusterness. Also, keep in mind that the ushers are volunteers here...and some of them may be new so they may not be aware of all the little minute details of how things go there. But most are more than willing to help you out with your question by getting a hold of a more senior usher or a house manager. Parking can be a drag during matinees so should you come earlier, I'd say opt for metro. If not, there are some nearby parking garages available. Another note about kids: small children (think: younger than 10 or so) aren't allowed to most plays here. And some of the plays have more...mature content. However, sometimes they lift that age restriction for the more family friendly plays like Oklahoma. Ask the box office about the more family-friendly productions. read more

Wonderful renovation wrapping the original stage in a curving glass exterior. An abundance of printed concrete and wooden plank surfaces on the interior allows the eyes to joyfully look about. The women's restroom adds a dash of red to its monochromatic design. Loved everything about the architecture. The stage itself was small (few hundred seats), but every seat had a view. Intimate theater experience, but the props and set design were thoughtfully planned out (saw Oklahoma). Would definitely go back in a heartbeat. read more

As a poor student, nights at the theater aren't exactly within my monthly budget. But when I heard that Equivocation, the play I'd seen the debut of at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2009 (it's wonderful - look up the script), was coming to Arena with the original cast I knew I had to jump on it. It's a beautiful venue, both in-house and front-of-house. It's an intimate stage, and despite being further back I could clearly see the action. Attentive staff & great selections. Must entice dates into buying shows here in the future. read more

The play and the venue were great however make plans to eat elsewhere as Richards inside the Mead Ctr. is a nightmare of subpar food.

Ok, this is my first 5 star review. I debated giving it less stars, but I really had no complaints and the evening was overall a quite lovely experience. I was here last night for the production of Oklahoma. The theater only held up to a few hundred people making it a very intimate atmosphere. Obviously by the name it was theater in the round, which was a fun new experience for me. The set design was nothing impressive, but to be expected in such a venue. The cast was more than talented and the theater was overall a modern and beautiful building. I also like that they support American playwrights and theater! read more

I took my girlfriend to the newly renovated Arena Stage to see "A Time to Kill." Overall the experience was great - the building design really lets the light in and makes for a nice experience. The theater was small and comfortable, and the fixtures were new and stylish. My only criticism is that the exits are not well placed. Instead of having multiple exits the stage we were seated in had only one, which created a bottleneck at intermission and at the end of the show. Overall a fantastic time! read more

Oh wow, such a great place to see those lovely performances. Just about a month ago, my twins & I enjoyed seeing a great August Wilson play, Two Trains Running. It was wonderful indeed. Great performance. Very stylish. Must be appropriately dressed for the evening. Great spot. read more

Love the Arena Stage and all the shows I see here. The theaters are very modern and the decorations are always great. Arena Stage is a great reason to venture out to the waterfront in SW. The staff is also pretty wonderful. We see about one show a month here and we are never disappointed. read more

Arena specializes in American plays and musicals. (But they're doing Noises Off. Isn't Frayn British?) I like that this place is just a couple blocks from the Green Line - Waterfront station (though the walk from the metro goes through a couple big parking lots, so it's a less than attractive stroll). I've only been to the Fichlander theater -- the stage is a square in the middle of the room. The audience gets stadium seating all around. Sometimes (e.g. in the colorful and well-choreographed Senor Discretion Himself ) this works really well because you're really close to the action. But sometimes (e.g. in the otherwise charming romantic musical She Loves Me) one can get irritated by having to stare at the singer/speaker's back three-quarters of the time. I guess it just depends. Tix tend to be expensive (upwards of $70 for Fri/Sat evenings). Discounts available to some (e.g. under 25s): http://www.arenastage.org/tickets/single-tickets/savings.shtml read more

My second favorite theater company in DC has really been giving Woolly a run for their money recently. The new play initiative that they put on last year was imply amazing. The Edward Albee festival was a great opportunity to two great works, Ruined was amazing, and now they are putting on Eugene O'Neil. Sometimes they have more mainstream stuff like Arabian nights and Oklahoma that I'm not into, so I need to be a bit more choosy, but still, a great piece of DC's theater scene. Arena stage is too pricey for me to try to go to every show, though there are a couple of tricks to getting cheap tickets. The other thing that is great is that things like the new play initiative and the Edward Albee festival were free, and so they were an amazing opportunity. Their new (renovated) building is also a spectacular space, and it is great to not have to trek out to Crystal City anymore. read more

THE PLAY We came to see "Who Is Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" here. It was a very intense performance with skilled actors and an appropriately decorated set. Plus, Tracy Letts, the playwright of August: Osage County, was in it as George, one of the leading characters. It was definitely a nice surprise. I also like the fact that we saw the production in a smaller room (there are 3 theaters in total). Not that it was tiny, but it was not huge and gave the play a nice, intimate feel. THE STAGE Built in a smooth, modern shape and wrapped around by glass, the theater is tall, spacious and elegant. The on-site cafe owned by Jose Andres also serves decent food, compared to the mostly bland theater cafes you will encounter. And of course there are bars with beer, wine, cocktails and other soft beverages. THUMBS UP This new building is definitely a superb upgrade from its previous location. I'll come back for other shows for sure! read more

My mom and I just went and saw Oklahoma on a Thursday night. As huge Rogers and Hammerstein fans, and in particular Oklahoma, we were very pleased with the version of Oklahoma put on at Arena Stage. Positives about Arena Stage: *Gorgeous new facility *Extremely friendly and helpful staff *Extensive ladies facilities - no waiting! *Every seat is a great seat *Bar/snack service is very efficient and you don't feel like you are getting jipped -we had some great prosecco during intermission for I think a reasonable price (I think it was $7 each) Positives about Oklahoma: *Excellent cast *Good use of props and entire space decoration - you felt a part of it and none of the props blocked a person's view *Live orchestra - wasn't sure if this would be the case due to the setup - they were wonderful *Awesome cast - they all are multi-talented - excellent acting, singing and dancing *I seriously might go again! The only negatives I know of is that there isn't a lot of good dining options around and my friend recently went and described the cafe/cafeteria as "terrible" - although we did not try it and I think they were not expecting it to be like a cafeteria. We did dine at Station 4 (see my other reviews) which I'd probably do again when I return. read more

Having been involved in theatre all my life, I enjoy checking out new venues while on vacation. I was blown away by Arena Stage. What a cool facility. What a fantastic production of Newsies. Everything was top notch - the performers, production values, facility, ushers. My sister and I attended with our 12 year olds and they both loved the energetic, creatively staged show. The space for Newsies is in the round and we were in the first row. I was concerned sight lines would be iffy but we loved being right next to the action and we could really appreciate the athleticism and skill required by the spectacular choreography. There is a tap solo in Newsies that knocked our socks off. I hear parking is a pain but we walked from the Mall area and it was all good. Highly recommend! read more

Last evening, I saw The Music Man with friends at Arena Stage. It was my first time visiting The Mead Center for American Theater at the Waterfront. I was actually surprised by it's close proximity to the metro and the ease of commuting from L'Enfant Plaza. As a result, the commute would not be a factor in my decision to go back, and might even be a redeeming quality. The Mead Center for American Theater is a new building built for large audiences and several performances. I noticed that there were several small theaters, all of which seemed to be "in the round," within the complex. The production of The Music Man was performed in the Fishandler Theater. The performers were excellent, and although the story wasn't as powerful to me as some other plays I've seen, I thought it was a good production overall. However, I feel like the space really hindered the production. The "theater in the round" meant that there was no "set" only parts that moved on and off the stage at different intervals. There is an "elevator stage" of sorts in the middle, which allows for props to rise from below, but most of the actual set exists in the audience's imagination. Also, while there is no "bad" seat in the house, and the acoustics in the theater seemed fairly good, when a cast member faced away from us, it was hard to hear them. It seems like the sound system should be stronger to prevent this from happening. Overall, an interesting theater complex and a company with talent, but with room for improvement. read more

Great show. The theater is clean comfortable & well run. Loved the show we saw. All of the performers were outstanding. Not a single weak voice. The audience got so involved in the story that we all laughed & cried. Totally loved every minute. read more

Arena Stage - :-) - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Arena sets quite the Stage. Went to see Opening Night of Arena Stage's Arabian Nights, playing inside the Fichandler (the original Arena Stage). The new facility is gorgeous. I love how instead of tearing down, they simply built around the original site (which is now the Fichandler). The architecture is gorgeous and the space itself is inspiring. They even have space to rent for parties, as I saw Mayor Gray at a party thrown by BET (the outside walls are all glass so its easy to see inside). The facility is an incredibly easy 1 block walk from the metro stop. Indeed the whole area has changed much (for the better) since I first went to Arena Stage in the mid-90's. The production of Arabian Nights itself is very worth seeing. Its about 3 hours long with a 15 minute break in the middle. The actors all have multiple roles, and prove adept at each one of them. The stage is minimalistic, yet does a superb job of creating different atmopsheres for the audience to loose themselves in. And a fantastic bazaar type scenario gives a whole new meaning to multiple storytelling. I would enjoy another evening of story telling at the Arabian nights, and definitely will be back at Arena Stage. read more

Arena in SW Waterfront is the crown jewel of lovely little quadrant. I loved it before the renovation, but now it's the best performing arts space in town! Talk about quality and substance. I have loved every play and musical I've seen at Arena. Keep up the great work, Molly! Come one, come all...Support the arts and artists in Washington! read more

Arena Stage is wonderful, they do first rate productions of old and new musicals and plays that are entertaining and meaningful. They have all kinds of programs to get people to the theater and make it more enjoyable. My one grip is the website - why can't you check out as a guest? I had a three day hassle to get new tickets. First the box office was closed. Then the website didn't work. Then I used another computer, but needed to track down more information. Then the website wanted my password - who keeps passwords for every theater? All of my standards didn't work. Can't they just capture my email on the purchase. It wouldn't let me check out as a guest, and had twenty questions to answer to get registered. "Anything Goes" this was not! read more

The production of Red at Arena Stage is amazing. I have been an artist for 30 years and was fascinated by the two actors on stage painting a canvas in 10 seconds. The production of Red is a must see in DC! read more

What a magnificent facility. This weekend, we saw a terrible play in a wonderful place. Looking forward to a good play in a great place. Tom Sakell read more

10 minutes before the start of the performance, Arena Stage cancelled the performance of the Pajama Game. We spent nearly $100 on mediocre food at Area's cafe, waiting for the performance. This is my first and last time--amazingly unprofessional. And the staff are quite surly toward those of us trying to get our money back. read more

Lil foxes, Moby Dick, Carousel...the list goes on and on. Excellent performances. Love this place. Easy access from metro. However, parking can be limited. Enjoy ArenaStage Performing Arts. read more

The Arena stage has been a beacon for the not-the-Kennedy-Center Washington theater scene since before I was born. It's become a nationally respected regional playhouse and frequently brings in reknowned actors and directors to stage their productions. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming shows and check out their discounts -- you can frequently show up an hour before the curtain and if it's not sold out you get $5 seats. Easy to access by Metro and/or cab -- theres a small parking lot on site and street parkings available on Maine Avenue (and if you arrive and leave with the crowds there ought not to be major safety concerns). read more

How challenging to choreograph traditional Broadway musicals and more serious fare in the round! This town has so much great talent and has the second most numerous theater seats in the US, only NYC has more. What does that mean for us? Cheaper, more available seating to enjoy some pretty cool offerings! Luxury is not included, however, as cheap, hard little seats and concrete floors and terrible bar offerings make it necessary to have a couple drinks BEFORE the show-- before even entering the theater, that is. Whew! It's like flying coach on Qantas. Shakespeare theater is much more posh and comfortable with much better bar and snack options. I wouldn't take an elderly parent or grandparent to this theater, but sucked it up for Damn Yankees, Arabian Nights, Music Man and will brave it again for Like Water for Chocolate. This time, I'll take a cushion, wear more practical shoes (it's like the Kennedy center here just cheaper seats and a bit more bizzare in attire--there are people attending in gowns and others in shorts and sneakers (kind of like zoning along the coast in the Deep South where you'll see a 1.2 million dollar home next to a trailor park). None of the minor comfort issues take away from the sheer talent and magnitude of a performance "in the round"! Bravo, brava, bravissimo! Ooooh, there is limited garage parking but valet is available and reasonably priced for the area. With a few tweaks to the bar offerings and a tiny bit more plush amidst the concrete and sadist-designed seating, this place could be more than 4 stars! read more

Attended Nina Simone: Four Women. This was my first time at Arena and I was really really impressed. The play was amazing and I appreciated Arena bringing the amazing production to their venue. I could go on and on about the play but this review is about the venue. First--website was easy to navigate and prices were very reasonable. First time I could afford first row tickets. The venue is easily accessible from the metro. The staff was really friendly. The arena is beautiful, clean decor, plenty of restrooms. I will be back to see additional productions. read more

Run, don't walk, to the Arena Stage and spend an evening with The Women of Brewster Place. Playing through December 9 in the Kreeger, this musical adaptation takes you on a moving - and sometimes wrenching - journey into the intersecting lives of 10 women. Soulful ballads transition to hysterical musical comedy and back by some very, very talented performers. The Women of Brewster Place takes its place in the lexicon of great American musicals with its vision, emotion, and its window into the soul of America. read more

Arena Stage is a great venue to catch a show. This hidden gem is nestled in SW near the waterfront, and it is as quaint as its surroundings. I highly encourage you to check out what's playing and enjoy a night of thought-provoking works in an intimate setting. read more

I have been a season ticket holder over 10-years. I love the plays and customer service.

Arena Stage! Absolute amazing! I had to do a reaction paper for a professional play off campus! And I thought oh why not try the Arena Stage! Also, Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller is now showing! I went to see it April 6th. One word: SPECTACULAR The best play I have seen this semester...and most likely one of my favorite play overall =) I absolutely adore the cast and everything! Standing ovation! I'm not going into the technical analysis on the play because this is a review for Arena Stage. Also, a little hint ~ there is a students or 30 and under discount!!! Don't rush and buy on-line there are GOOD SEATS if called at the right time for student discount. For more detail call arena!! Parking -- on weekends there is a free parking garage but the sign of arena parking a little small and can easily be miss...it is S. Bell St go down then turn onto 18th St and before the lights... turn in the small shady looking garage underground. read more

This is by far my most favorite theatrical venue in DC area. I always take family and friends visiting from out of town to their performances. I've been a devotee since 2007 and they are yet to disappoint. Molly Smith truly makes a great effort to get the best cast and an excellent play selection. I always eagerly await their new season announcements. It seems that there's nothing they can't perform: from traditional Broadway standards like "Fiddler on the Roof" to the eternal classic "Mother Courage". read more

I have been more frequently patronizing this exceptional theatrical venue in the past five or six years, especially in its new location in Southwest D.C. Many of the plays I have attended, such as "Crowns" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night" have been superbly acted, and have strong technical qualities, such as strong technical qualities, such as costume design and lighting, as well. The talent that the Arena Stage recruits is of a high caliber, which makes me hold this theater in high esteem. Furthermore, the actual Arena Stage itself is comprised of multiple theaters, and they are all smaller in their scale, which makes for more intimate theatrical experiences. To me this adds to the level of immediacy I feel to enjoy a play. Overall, I feel the Arena Stage is dedicated to providing theater of the highest quality in the D.C. area. read more

What a wonderful and somewhat unknown Washington gem. It is a beautiful facility and offers a range of performances. We saw "Fiddler on the Roof" there recently. The ticket prices were high, but the performance was worth it. read more