I saw Jesus Christ Superstar :) it was so great and emotional. The staff was so helpful and the ushers to show everyone to their seats. I even got to meet the cast and some Amazing women from Pittsburgh. I went by myself and I would do it again!! The Theater is close to the stage and very intimate- so whatever seat you get would be great read more

Beautiful theatre just a little tight on seating and getting in and out of there kind of a crazy cattle chute. The drink/snack setup is hectic at best and unclear as to where lines should start and where to go based on what you want. Not everyone wants alcohol. It is a beautiful venue and holds all the old world charm! Bonus here the garage across the street is $15 meanwhile the Theatre Square garage they have raised to $30 which is ridiculous. Come and check it out. Just know if you prefer space you need end seats and seats in the wings. read more

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I love this theatre so much. It's so intimate and the acoustics are wonderful. I don't think I've ever had a bad time attending a performance. Staff are efficient with security, seating, etc. read more

Byham Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Beautifully restored theater which seats 1,300. The views are all excellent except for the extreme right and left orchestra seats. I've seen almost every kind of genre here, plays, opera, concerts and more. The sound from the balcony is excellent. I've performed here once, so I can say that the dressing rooms are small. But the whole staff here, from lighting, to sound, to even the ushers, are extremely professional. I'm usually able to find on street parking, but there's a garage across the street that is reasonable. read more

Byham Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Lovely venue. We had not been here in several years - I think the last show we attended at the Byham was Gilberto Gil! We attended "A Musical Christmas Carol" here last night, and it was fantastic! The theater itself is smaller than the Benedum, and ideal for such a show, and delivered a very enjoyable experience - there are no "bad seats" in the house, and the acoustics are great. It was fun to see the cast members entering from the wings and walking up to the stage in the aisles, and overall, the evening was really great. Production was FANTASTIC - lights, music, sets, etc. were all totally on point! Hopefully, as more people are vaccinated and accustomed to the COVID safety measures, we can all get back to doing the things we love - like seeing concerts and shows at venues like the Byham. They did a great job with the 30th anniversary display in the lobby - with a Christmas tree for each yearly production along the entrance way. The lobby is grand, and they have a bar for patrons. Bathrooms are downstairs, but ample and practical. My only constructive comment is that the seating in this theater is a bit small / uncomfortable for many adults, and that a renovation of the seats would be great. Honestly, I would be happy to pay a little more for a show, and be more comfortable and less crowded. Not enough to take a star off this review, though! read more

Byham Theater - Beautiful set! - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Nice stage! Seen my friend performed Christmas Carol. The audio was perfect. The cast executed their lives well. The room was packed. I would recommend parking in Smith Field Garage for low cost and short distance walk. read more

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I recently visited this theater after not having been there in 20 years. Although my seat was about as far left as it gets my view was only minimally obstructed by the speakers. Had they moved them a bit farther to the left there wouldn't be a bad seat in the house. The actual seats in this theatre are fairly small. I consider myself an average sized person. I had zero elbow room. If you are a larger person you can expect to be pretty uncomfortable. There was nowhere to put my coat and I did not see a coat check. I had to hold it on my lap the entire show. read more

I saw Cruel Intentions here last night and it was not only the best musical I've ever seen, but the audience and the environment of the Byham was amazing. No matter what seat in the house you sit it, you get the best view. The music and lighting and production is incredible and it carries throughout the whole theater. Everyone working at the event were extremely helpful and kind. When you first walk in, there are a couple booths with brochures about the theater and some selling candy and snacks to eat during the production. As you keep walking back, there is also a bar to order drinks from. They give you the option of being able to take your drink inside the theater or not. If you wish to do so, you must purchase a special cup that allows you drink it in the production area. Coat check and bathrooms are downstairs. There is one sign pointing to them but besides that, they are a bit tricky to find. Luckily the staff was so helpful in showing us the way! I have been to most of the theaters in Pittsburgh and I have to say I think this one is in my top three. I cannot wait to return for another great show! read more

Enjoyed seeing "Young Frankenstein" at this theater. We were able to get Groupon tickets so the price was very good. The theater is smaller than the Benedum which also means that sitting upstairs in the mezzanine gets you closer to the stage. We sat 3 rows back to the left of the stage and could see perfectly fine. I especially liked that we could see the orchestra pit as there was a live orchestra accompanying the play. Yes, the seats are a bit tight; there's not much room between your knees and the seat in front of you and the seats aren't terribly comfortable for a 2-hour stint. I do think I had more knee room than the upstairs seats at the Benedum but not by much. The restrooms were in the basement level but there were plenty and very clean. There's a bar for refreshments and they were selling candy and t-shirts in the lobby, as well. You are allowed to take bottled water that you purchase at the bar into the theater. Garage parking is nearby and we paid 7.00 upfront for event parking. Then it was just a walk across the street to the theater. Afterwards, we headed to a local bar for drinks and appetizers. There are several choices for dining close by. This is a beautiful old venue and the size is great for more intimate performances. What is worthy to complain about is the sound system, at least for the "Young Frankenstein" performance. I could hear the orchestra just fine and fine they sounded, too. However, the actors' sound system made them sound as if they were talking through tin cans. I had to strain to always make out what they were saying. I'm going to assume and hope this was performance-related and not theater-related. read more

Byham Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The venue is pretty good and I'd see another concert there, but I was very disappointed with the sound and the fact that they sold popcorn (more of a sporting event/circus/movie kind of thing than for the theatre) there when I saw a musical there. I won't go back for anything done by the same group, since they said that's how it always was (with the bad sound issues and the popcorn), but the Alan Cumming concert had great sound and no popcorn. :-) read more

Long long long lines to get a drink. Had to leave line to not miss beginning of the show

I went to see the production of Cruel Intentions the Musical through yelp elite. The box office is to the left of the main doors; you need your ticket to get through the main doors and security. In the lobby there is a small table selling candy and water ($3.50 per movie theatre candy box) and then as you go up the ramp to the left is the bar. You can get drinks to drink outside the theatre in a normal cup ($8 for a single mixed drink; $16 for a double) or there are special cups for sale where you can drink in the theatre. There is a basic selection of liquor, beer, and wine. I was sat in the second to last row on the bottom level and had no issues seeing the stage (except for the drunk woman in front of me who kept waving her arms and yelling at the stage) and the acoustics were great; no issues hearing at all. Overall I had a great experience at the Byham theatre. Nice staff, acoustics, and visuals. read more

Byham Theater - Hallway waiting area (bar to the right in this image, snack table straight through and then to the left ) - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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This is like a mini Benedum Center. It's another beautiful theater to see great shows in the Cultural District! There a couple key tips when booking tickets to this theater: 1. Never ever sit on the Orchestra Right or Left sides unless you're the first 2 seats from A-G. The Right and Left farther back you shouldn't go further in than the first 4 seats. If you sit against the wall you'll probably have paid to see half the show...since that's all you'll be seeing! 2. If you choose a seat in the center on the floor you're golden, even if you're at the very back. The theater is small and only holds about 1,300 seats so you'll see great from anywhere in the center. 3. The Mezzanine and Gallery sections (balcony) are very tight. Meaning there's not a lot of room between you and the row in front of you. So keep that in mind if you're tall. Keep away from the far sides if you can again, because you'll get an obstructed view. This is coming from a ticketing insider, I want you to enjoy the experience! read more

Byham Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The theatre is gorgeous. Every detail from the lobby, the restrooms, to the theatre itself is stunning. The staff was great - for the most part. Where things fell short for me was the upstairs drink staff. I was there with a group to see Welcome to Night Vale and the male staff member working that night was a disaster. The whole time we were waiting in line he was standing there yelling at the female staff member with him and the tech guy cause something wasn't going right with the credit card reader/computer system or some such, and yelling how the tech guy should be fired cause he couldn't get it fixed. All this, mind you, in front of the customers. We were in a long line and he continued the whole time and well past we were gone, only stopping to take orders and money, and complaining the entire time he put together said orders. Just a really nasty person and unprofessional. HE'S the one that needs to be fired. And while talking about the drinks, they price-gouged so bad. Not only is it $3 for a can of pop, then you had to pay another $3 to have it in a spill-proof cup in order to take it into the theatre. Look, I get you want to keep the theatre clean, but $3 for a cup? Seriously? Oh, and $9 for a bottle of water. Get the hell out of here. I expect mark-ups when going to the theatre, but this was robbery. Frankly, I'll stick to some of my other favorites and hope that the shows I want to see in the future don't choose the Byham. I don't like being ripped off or deal with hateful people. I go to the theatre for a pleasant evening. Period. read more

Had such a horrible experience with a lady I talked to from them the other day & it left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Tonight's show absolutely made up for it. Every single person we encountered who worked there went above & beyond. They were all so insanely friendly & accommodating. We even asked one lady where we could get water & she got it & brought it to us! 1000% would come back here. read more

I had such a fun time seeing Cruel Intentions at the Byham Theatre! This was my first time attending a show here and as it is obviously a smaller venue that the benedum, I can say it is still a very lovely venue. We had complimentary yelp tickets and a great view, which was awesome! The show was full of amazing 90s songs and being a 90s kid, I loved every second of it. It was full of great singing, comedy, and raunchiness (just like the movie!) The stage didn't use as many props as I thought they could have, but other than that we really enjoyed our night at the theatre. I would come back to see another show here for sure! read more

Byham Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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This venue is very beautiful and well set up. Because it is small, every seat is a good seat. The only downside is its age, which results in some worn-down spots here and there. Would return. read more

This is a charming little theater in the cultural district downtown. It has nostalgic feel to it and is a more intimate than other theaters in the area. Acoustics and lighting were good. My advice is to be careful where you buy your seats. There are many places, especially on the sides where there are many things that could block your view. Also, seats in the balcony have NO leg room. As someone who is 6' with a fiance who is 6'4, It was very uncomfortable. read more

Took me long enough, but it's time to talk about the Byham Theater. I actually rarely find myself here - I've really only visited for a couple smaller musician tours and for Pittsburgh's hysterical "Off The Record" series - but whenever I do I have a pretty good experience overall. The Byham, like our other theaters, has an "old theater" vibe to it. The ceiling has a gorgeous mural painted on it, the seats are tiny and feature minimal cushioning, and the floors in the seating aisles have carpeted wood planes. The result is a very lovely and interesting aesthetic look, but I have to admit, is it a bit uncomfortable. But on the plus side, my legs don't hurt as much as they have when leaving our other major theaters. What I really like about the Byham though is its size - as someone else mentioned, since this theater seats fewer people than Heinz and Benedum most of the seats in here are great seats, so in that sense it kind of reminds me of the London theaters I visited (where even the cheap seats in the back had an amazing view). The acoustics are pretty good, so as long as the showrunners are careful not to make their music volume louder than their actors' mics, you'll be able to hear and enjoy your show. Other reviewers have talked a lot about the history and restoration of the Byham, so I'll end my review with this - this is a lovely theater, and definitely worth visiting, just like the other theaters in our fantastic Cultural District. Be sure to check the performance schedules here as well as at the Benedum and Heinz Hall so you don't miss the latest and greatest in downtown shows! read more

My return visit brought me to see the annual "Musical Christmas Carol" featuring Tom Atkins as Scrooge, Tim Hartman and Terry Wickline in multiple roles but best featured as the Fezziwig couple. All gave outstanding performances. The musical delves more into the story as to what led Scrooge to become a miser in the first place and continues with the familiar book. We had great seats in the orchestra and were able to hear and see very well. The people in the theater are very friendly and helpful. They even offer large print editions of your program. However, as I have been noticing in recent musicals I've seen they tend to take out the synopsis of scenes and musical numbers. In this case it wasn't hard to follow along but can be when viewing a different musical. The theater itself is small and I'd compare it to the size of an actual Broadway theater since those theaters must seat at least 500 to be considered a Broadway theater in NY. We didn't use the restrooms but I did notice some handicapped individuals so I figure it must be handicap accessible. On Saturdays before Christmas the parking lot across the street from this theater offers free parking which makes a nice perk. Christmas just won't be the same with a tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and this one is done very well. It is a must for the holidays and discount tickets are available to those under 14. read more

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I went here to see cruel intentions on Saturday night. The musical was really good, funny entertaining and energetic. The theater itself is beautiful. The people we were sitting next to were very Rude and inconsiderate they talked the entire show, we asked them to be a little more mindful but they got even worse and their friends were also behind us and proceed to kick my seat because I wanted to watch the musical without their commentary. They kept getting served alcohol which was one of the reasons they were acting so belligerent. Other than that it was a really fun time I can't review the theater based on the people that were there obviously. I would definitely recommend the musical we saw and the theater. There is also a parking garage right across from the theater which is convenient. read more

What can I say? I love this little theater! Shows here are much more intimate and the architecture is DIVINE! ( literally with little cherubs on the walls ) read more

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Beautiful old school theater. It's one of the only older theater that I've been in that I didn't feel like the seats were cramped.

What a DELIGHTFUL evening! I had the privilege of attending the opening night of "A Musical Christmas Carol." This was my first time at the Byham Theatre. It seems that no matter how old I get I still kind of gasp a little at the beauty of the theaters. They are so regal and timeless. We had great seats so we could take in everything-the decor and the play. The story "A Christmas Carol" has been around a long time and it has been given different spins but it is definitely timeless. This production was done with a British flair. It was fun and funny. The characters were played well. Mr. Fuzziwig and Scrooge's housemaid were our favorite characters. They both kept us laughing with their funny lines and slapstick humor. I had kids behind me and in front of me and they were all laughing. Tom Atkins did a wonderful job of portraying Scrooge. He was grouchy, then playful, then sad, and finally he was joyful. He played the who range of emotions and did it well. You felt sad when his fiancé left him yet you felt happy with him when he had a change if heart and decided to be giving. Most of all I loved all of the Christmas carols. My tree is up at home. Stockings are hung and the nativity is on display but it wasn't until I was hearing the beautiful carols that it felt like Christmas. This is a must see! Take your family and laugh together. You can sing the carols in the car on the way home. That's what we did. Merry Christmas! read more

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Byham Theatre in the cultural district is smaller than other places but you get an intimacy not found elsewhere. The orchestra pit, if you sit close, is available visually. The performers manage an entire show from the sound angle and do it very well. All the attention for plays is on the stage and performers. Don't forget the studio musicians who create the wall of sound... stop at intermission and say hi to them. We saw the opening night for Grease last night -- came off very well indeed. Another 5 runs and the glitches that only a sound / performance "foodie" would notice will be gone. Buy the tickets online. Easy to do through the Cultural Arts www pages. I had changed my tickets for better seating but forgot to bring them -- and it was all taken care of quickly and professionally. Will update after the next visit this summer. Roy read more

I can't give this Theater any less rating, considering my experience!! I drove to Pittsburg, from Philly, to see Puscifer on March first. I had the VIP package so spent a little more time in the venue. The preshow sound check was amazing and we were given some history before the band performed their two songs!! Very cool stuff, like the paintings on the ceiling used to be males, but were repainted as females!!! If you look at their faces, you see the masculine features...kinda creepy!! Haha We were seated about 15 rows back for the preshow, and the sound was great!! For the show itself, we were in the third row, which was basically on the stage!!! Incredibly intimate setting, and it's hard for me to think of a better show that I've seen!! The theater was clean, comfortable and fresh, yet you could see the history through the design. The staff was very polite, and I'm not familiar with Pittsburg, but I easily navigated around and ran into really cool people!!! I'd go see another show there anytime!!! read more

Saw Cruel Intentions for free with a Yelp elite friend and it did not disappoint! A nineties dream with raunchy characters (male butt nudity included) and your favorite nostalgic 90s/00s music. Millennials, Lyft, don't walk yourself to see this sexy, hilarious musical. The actors even look like Ryan, Reese, and Selma! read more

The Byham is smaller than other theaters in the cultural district, but the acoustics are very good. I saw Puscifer here and even in the balcony, the sound was clear and nothing was phased out. It's cool that they have a variety of shows--ballets, plays, movies, and rock concerts--all under one roof. read more

Recently went to see a musical, which was amazing, at this small but charming theatre. Box office is next door in a separate entrance to the theatre. This makes sense to help with flow of patrons and I appreciated this layout. Flew right through security and right into the performance hall. As previously mentioned in another review acoustics were amazing for the musical I saw, and although I sat toward the back of the floor level seating, I didn't have too much trouble seeing the stage, but to avoid this issue I recommend sitting either on the balcony or closer up. One small issue was that the weather was pouring, and they had no place to hold my umbrella (I just slipped it by my feet) or rain coat. Overall a small theatre with great acoustics, no complaints! I look forward to coming back to see what the cultural trust has to offer! read more

This delightful old vaudeville theater is a fine and intimate place to see a concert such as Richard Thompson and his son Teddy Thompson last evening. There are many places to park in the vicinity and there are many places to get get a drink, snack, or dinner. (We chose Olive 'er Twist, a nice bar.) We were kindly greeted by an usher who help the door open for us. Inside, the theater has beautiful and elegant architectural details and information about its ongoing restoration. (Byham Theater is over 100 years old.) The sound was excellent. We had good seats. However, as seems to be an issue in older theaters, the seats were too small and too close together. I am 5' 3" and it wasn't enough leg room for me. When you go in, be sure to arrive early so you have time to take in the topless muse mural on the ceiling and the other plaster decorations that make this place looks like a fancy birthday cake. All of the employees of Byham Theater were super friendly and helpful. They also were nicely dressed in a formal way that matched the ambiance of this historic theater. (Houdini played here. That gave me goosebumps.) The bar has bottom shelf wine served in plastic cups, but it's easy to forgive this. You may buy spill-free drink holders and take your drinks into the theater which seems awfully civilized. My only complaint is that the bathrooms and coat check are downstairs. There is an elevator for people who need it. Tickets here were reasonably priced and this was one of the best concert experiences I have had in a long time. The Byham is worth driving for. read more

We are so very lucky to have such a vibrant local arts scene in beautiful and historic venues like the Byham. Bravo! read more

Byham Theater - CLO's 'A Christmas Carol' was a beautiful production and fantastic performance! Bravo! #YelpElite - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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This week has really shaped up to be the "Susan World Tour, 2010" as far as concerts have been concerned. Okay, "World Tour" might be stretching it a bit. Let's just say it's a "Pittsburgh Metro Area Tour 2010". I went to the Byham Theater last night to see Richard Thompson in concert last night. The funny thing is, I have none of his CDs in my collection, and only a "Best Of" that he did with his ex-wife, Linda Thompson. My only exposure to his solo work spanning 30 years has been what I've heard on WYEP and I believe he's done a couple of TV shows for PBS. Oh and don't forget a You Tube I saw of him doing the Britney Spears tune "Oops I Did it Again". Trust me folks, it works as both send up and on its own. I read a great quote on You Tube, which went something like "If there were any justice in the world, Richard Thompson would be on the radio and the only microphone Britney Spears would need would be the one at the Burger King drive up window." So true. Thompson played a lot of material from his new CD, "Dream Attic", followed by a lot of favorites. Thompson, 61, had a great quote in the Tribune-Review, "You don't expect a filmmaker or novelist to taper off after they're 40 years old; you expect their best work after 40. I really don't see why that shouldn't apply to popular music." The Byham itself is a little on the unspectacular side, but still a good place to see a show. It's size works perfectly for acts like Thompson. The Byham was originally a movie theatre and it was once called the Fulton. It operated as such until the 1990s or so, probably the last cinema showing regular films downtown. I recall the Fulton Mini which showed a lot of art and indie flicks. My seat (and yes I went alone) was on the main floor and I thought the sightlines and acoustics were very good. It works well for acts that play in theaters instead of arenas. read more

Beautiful theatre with great staff! Entry was quick and easy, we came to see the Paul Taylor Dance Company on 2/23 and have 0 complaints!

My friend and I came here to watching the premiere of "A Musical Christmas Carol." (Hats off to Rachel C. and Yelp for the free tickets!). This was our first time at Byham Theater, but getting here wasn't too bad for a rainy Friday evening. It does seem a little out of the way in comparison to Benedum Center and Heinz Hall, but that wasn't much of an issue for us. We walk in and, despite its age, the interior looked as regal as it can be. All the ushers were very pleasant and helpful. I was a tad embarrassed when I had to ask for directions to the seating area, but the ushers smiled and showed me the way without a hint of exasperation. I noticed before I entered that there is a snack and refreshment bar adjacent to the seating area. My friend and I had already eaten a nice dinner, so we didn't purchase anything. But there is that option for those who are a little hungry or parched. The overall musical was excellent. I actually came expecting to hear a banal story with a little music. I was pleasantly surprised to watch all the characters come to life and tell the story with a refreshing and entertaining performance. From the miserly turned joyful Ebenezer Scrooge to the youthful and friendly Jacob Marley the ebullient and entertaining Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, the entire cast did a great job portraying Dickens's "A Christmas Carol." I felt a warm and fuzzy feeling inside me towards the end of the musical. The venue itself is a decent size. A large orchestra section and balcony section. My friend and I sat towards the back right orchestra. Despite our distance from the stage, we could hear all that was being said (granted, most of the cast had microphones). I'm not sure how the acoustics would have been like without the microphones. Anyway, we had a great first experience at Byham Theater. I look forward to watching other performances here. read more

The Byham is an adorable little theater right in the downtown cultural district. It's considerably smaller than the Benedum, and if you're on the floor, most of the seats are incredible. It feels like you're so close to the stage. I've seen everything from children's shows to musicals here, and the acoustics and lighting are great. read more

A beautiful theater in the heart of Theater district. I was lucky to get yelp tickets to watch The Christmas Carol, and loved every bit of it. I even watched Zakir Hussain's tabla rendition here recently. The theater is managed by very friendly and warm attendants. The theater is small, and it gives a very warm feeling to watch a show in it. The restrooms are clean and there are plenty of them! I always sat at the orchestra, in the first 10 rows, and never had a problem with the view or the sounding! Overall it is lovely to have this theater in our city! read more

Very poor performance of Saturday night fever, travolta looks like yuk with a black wig on his head. Poor stage, poor sound and sexist murals . Seating isn't staggered . I sat in front of a man whose big head blocked my view . We left at the beginning. What a waste This is low brow entertainment . We learned the hard way .. If you have standards don't go here read more

Went to the Will Downing/ Najee concert last night (11/30/16) at the Byham Theater. I don't no who performed the sound check but the band sounded terrible. The vocals were drowned out, bass and bass drum muddy sounded distorted. Just a horrible night of music. On the positive side a very nice theater read more

Though I have been to multiple shows at several of the other theaters in Pittsburgh, I was excited to finally check out the Byham Theater earlier this month. It's a pretty, old theater, and my husband and I spent several minutes staring at the ceiling. read more

Byham Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

On the smaller side of theaters Pittsburgh has to offer, the Byham feels cozy and personal. While not as striking from the outside or on your way to your seats as the Benedum or Heinz Hall, the Byham inside has all the charm and craftsmanship you would expect out of a cultural district venue. Make sure to look up and admire the beautiful mural on the ceiling while the lights are still on. read more