I can't believe this was my first time visiting Circle in the Square Theatre. I saw Just In Time, and it was a great way to see the venue. The show was interactive. Which made the experience very enjoyable. I also loved the cabaret style seating. Some audience members were seated on the floor so they had a very different experience. When you arrive you'll take an escalator all the way down to the theater. The restooms are located further down. They also have merchandise, snacks, and refreshments available for purchase before the show and during intermission. One thing that I enjoyed doing was looking at all the pictures around the theater. It was so interesting to see celebrities who have performed there over the years. Overall, I would definitely go back for another show. read more

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May 15th 2026 10:00 a.m. went to the box office of circle in the square theater to stand in line waiting for Rush tickets for tonight showing. About 20 people ahead of us by the time we got to the box office they were only $40 standing room only tickets for sale when I declined that offer they offered $99 Rush tickets. Theater is unique in that stage is horseshoe shaped. We got seats D107 and D109 in row D of orchestra section only four rows from the stage. Stadium seating so no difficulty seeing the performers. Later I found out that adjacent seats D111 and D113 cost $311 online. Tickets say no late seating but 20 minutes into the performance the empty seat next to me was filled by a large man who came in late with his partner seated in another area of the theater. I remember this because this guy was an armrest hog immediately putting his elbows over both armrests for the rest of the performance. Long lines at intermission for restrooms both men and women, as only eight women's toilets and eight men's urinals toilets for 776 people in the audience. Show was about Just in Time the Bobby Darin story including many of his major hits like Mack the knife, and melodies by his contemporaries such as Elvis Presley Connie Francis and Sandra Dee including his final performances in Las Vegas on a heavy schedule despite warnings from his doctor of his fragile health. read more

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This is by far the best theatre around. You can literally see from any seat in this theatre because it is in the round. Saw "Just in Time" and absolutely loved it. I wish every theatre was like this one! I love that they go and use all of the stage and the floor area! Brava! read more

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Such a great theatre. The most intimate on Broadway. I love that whatever you see here the stage is always different and the setup changes. Such a versatile venue! Just in Rime is a great show too. Lots of fun. read more

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This past Saturday, we saw Just In Time at the Circle In The Square theater. It was our first time here and we thought it was unique and beautiful. The theater is underground with Wicked playing upstairs. There's multiple stages and you really feel like a part of the show. It's one of the most comfortable Broadway theaters we've been to. As for Just In Time, the play detailing the life of Bobby Darin, was excellent, and so was the acting by the entire cast. It was a fun few hours of high level entertaining! read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

I haven't been to a Broadway show (in years), nor have I been to Circle in the Square, so this evening was super-special. Try not to get too confused, the line for Wicked is at the Gershwin right next door, so Circle in the Square for Just In Time is right across the way, and the line was moving quickly as well. Initially I was going to do the same-day ticket rush to see what I could get, but I realized I didn't want to risk it so I went through Telecharge a few weeks prior to make sure I would get in. Glad I did; as I saw some standing room only space up top which is where I probably would have ended up. My seats were pretty good, except I normally prefer an aisle seat but these weren't available so I was pretty much right in the middle. Show was entertaining, audience was really into it, and the cast made usage of the floor table seating so be prepared if you are in this area for this particular show. Being in the second row on the side, I couldn't have asked for better seats since these gave me a great view of the stage and the performance. Didn't use the restroom but overheard the ladies next to me say they used the mens, so I assume the bathroom situation I have heard about is still pretty bad. Wish I would have gone to the bar; as some had water bottles with the show name and I wasn't aware there was such a thing. The Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS red buckets were out and about afterwards; if you contributed $20, you would get a 'blue sack' containing two branded matchbooks from the show. As an avid collector, I was sad to miss out on this but will be more prepared for next time (which there will be one). So glad I made this show-and this theater-my return to enjoying Broadway again! read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Just In Time - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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A year after my review of Enemy of the People, I'm back again to sing the praises of the current production here. I saw Just in Time a few weeks ago and it was a five star favorite. This theater is unique where almost every seat is a good one. Oftentimes, the set design is minimal to accommodate the configuration of the stage but it doesn't detract from the production itself. Just in Time is the story of Bobby Darin. Bobby Who? Yes, he was way before my time too, but his tunes are popular and well known. Jonathan Groff shined as Bobby Darin and this production was entertaining, vibrant and so much fun. Essentially, my review is about the show. And it was a fantastic one. Lucky you--this show runs through January 2026. Definitely catch it. read more

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Out of the three Broadway theaters I went to this week, this was by far the most spectacular. There was plenty of leg room. There is not a bad seat in the house. Just in Time was a beyond spectacular show! The cast was incredible and I have no notes. Something to note - I had very little signal since it's an underground theater, but that isn't significant since you spend most of your time off your phone anyway when here. read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Orchestra K, Seat 109 - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

The Circle in the Square theater is cute. It's literally a "circular" stage and venue is near Times Square. It's an older building but the line ups are great. Currently, this theater is showing great performances like Wick and R+J. Most of the ticket holders showed approximately 40 minutes so the queue was very long. We watched Romeo and Juliet. The theater was small but the seats were very comfortable, was surprised by how good our view was considering our seats were near the very top. The performers did well, we could hear them clearly. It would've been nice if the actors that were playing multiple roles did more to differentiate their characters, like changing outfits etc. read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - The window signage where the crowd was standing. - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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Have been here once before as a child to see- believe it or not - the Rocky Horror Show and have such fond memories of how unique the theatre is. It wasn't until this month that I saw Romeo and Juliet that I was reminded of how cool the experience of seeing a show there really is. This production utilized all areas of the stage, including the rafters and trusses, so it was a very engaging and creative use of the entire theatre, with a very bare bones set. I would recommend seeing a show here if you can. I want to shout out Cheryl and Gracie, the managers, who were so warm and accommodating to me as a nursing mom. It was my first night out after having my baby, who is now 3 months old, and I needed to pump before the show. I called ahead of time and they were able to help set me up with a small private area (NOT a bathroom, which is never a place for a person to pump!) that I was able to use before the show. Thanks to their kindness and graciousness, I was able to enjoy a night out without anxiety. I was and still am super appreciative for their kindness. read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Recently saw Just In Time at this theatre and there is not a bad seat in the theatre! A great, intimate venue and the bar staff was amazing! The restrooms were cool with access to the school lockers - so much theatre history! Not the cleanest theatre I've been too, but a great venue! read more

What an amazingly cozy, well-made and planned out theater! The smaller size causes the play to be so much more intimate. Seeing JUST IN TIME here, was perfect. The actors came right into the audience, and we felt a part of the story! There is not a bad seat in this theater, because it is stadium seating and a semi circle. I would love to see more plays in this theater! read more

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Cool venue, as the name suggests a circular stage! I saw "An Enemy of the People" here, and loved the intimate one floor stadium seating. The chairs weren't the most comfortable, we saw three shows on our visit and they were the most uncomfortable with lackluster cushion. But good views all around as it's only one level. You have to get on an escalator to come down to the theater, it's below ground. The theater was perfect for "An Enemy of the People" as they were able to use the 360. Do get a seat closer to the aisle for quicker exit and if you want to participate with the show like they offered for "An Enemy of the People" - during the quick intermission, the cast offered drinks, breaking the fourth wall, inviting audience members to be a part of the scene. The lines were the bathroom weren't bad. I know we don't get to pick the theater for the shows we want to watch, but this was a good one! read more

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This review is for Romeo & Juliet, featuring the iconic duo of Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler. How crazy it is to watch them perform in real life after seeing them in so many movies. I really do believe that they, as well as many others, will become the next generation of Hollywood stars. Here are my favorite parts of Romeo & Juliet: - I loved that they kept the originality aspect of Shakespearean language but also had the scene, sets, costumes, and movement style set to modern day. If I just had to listen to the original script, I would not have understood it at all. But with a modern-day twist, I felt I had a much deeper understanding of Shakespeare's intent behind the words. - The live DJ was such a cool aspect to a Broadway show! - I honestly loved the theater, there truly is no bad seats. Other circular theaters like where Cabaret performed feel like you are very far away from the actor that is on a tiny stage. However, here you are right there with the actor even in the "nosebleed" seats and can see their facial expressions. - Rachel Zegler, what an absolute star and beautiful singer. - Kit Connor, perhaps the best actor I have witnessed on Broadway so far. The fact that his body was engaged and every bit of the show was incredible. The part where he did a pull up to kiss Rachel after hanging on the pull-up bar was actually so shocking. - I love the casting diversity and how everyone was so incredibly talented. - The use of the whole theater for this show was so interesting as well, as they had Juliet's bed drop down from the ceiling and people walk all around the tech areas while performing too. This is a must see especially if you are a Broadway fanatic and into experimental theater such as this one. I seriously cannot say better words for Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler. What an honor to watch them perform live! read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Romeo & Juliet - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Not a bad seat to be had in this Broadway theater with a far more intimate vibe than some of the others. Their productions are respectable, if not awe-inspiring, with an array of big and cult stars gracing the stage. I saw "An Enemy of the People" recently which left me speechless. They accomplish something really cool with breaking the fourth wall and allowing the audience on stage during the "brief pause" at what would normally be intermission. They lower a bar down from above and give out complimentary shots of a brand of Aquavit, a liquor sponsor. I always appreciate a good marketing device. After 10 minutes, if you're still on stage, you get to be part of a crowd scene and yes, Michael Imperioli & co. will interact with you. I was too lazy to go get a shot (and after taking a sip of my brother's, glad that I didn't), but being that we were in the first row, got to see how it all went down. And plenty of people knew what they were in for, and sat at one of the tables. I will always gladly plunk down whatever it costs to see a production here. Front row seats were roughly 300 dollars each, which for Broadway is downright reasonable! read more

I sprung for floor seats at R+J since it was Kit Connor and the non-spoilery "advice" (such as it is) on reddit was that if you were already willing to splash the memebucks around town for an even entry level ticket to this show, you might as well pay the little extra to upgrade to floor seats since (a) it is Kit Connor, (b) for a limited period of time on Broadway until February 16, and (c) something you will probably be talking about for the rest of your life on a shortlist of magical theatre experiences. I did theatre as a kid, my career is dramatic/theatrical in nature, and I personally fund a university scholarship for underprivileged LGBTQ+ teens pursuing a theatre degree, so this production of R+J with Kit Connor ticked all of the boxes of what has made and continues to make theatre magical for me. This was without a doubt the most money I have ever spent for a single seat on Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway, MLB, MLS, and NHL games, including the years the Canucks are in the playoffs where money is not an obstacle as I grapple with scalper fees at Rogers. I was going to write a review immediately after the show but I got busy, so I didn't, so here it is a month later. There is only a limited run of the show before Kit Connor departs the show, so if you have the opportunity to get seats before February 16 absolutely do it. Since I am an old--and literally brought the average age in the theatre up, rather than down as I normally do in Shakespearian or Dickensian productions--I was first introduced to R+J and read it for the first time something like 30 years ago. After 30 years of it, being fortunate to visit Stratford-upon-Avon for productions whilst studying at Oxford, the Baz Luhrmann film, and your average student productions, I did not think there was much left that could be done to make it exotic or experimental. Boy was I wrong, these people figured out a way to put a lot of 21st century Gen Z lipstick on a reliable old pig. Other people looked out for me by avoiding spoilers so I will do the same here, which limits how bulky the review can get. The entire theatre gets used. Some seats are definitely better than others. I had researched enough to sit on "Kit's side" where he spends much of the show. There is a crazy amount of movement with actors hustling by you left and right. It is a frenetic experience which actually makes you feel like a 14th century Veronan dandy in the bushes observing everything that is happening through opera glasses (dandy, am I right?) as you step into a time warp bubble and are ok with some of the more modern, experimental aspects of what is happening around you since you need to play it cool as a Veronan dandy spymaster/peeping tom. Downsides: The floor seats are both tiny and incredibly on top of each other, that is not a deluxe experience to be basically sitting in the lap of the ~20 year old lady next to me. The lobby waiting area before the doors open for you to go down to your seats is overcrowded and way too loud, it is smarter to just wait out on the street. The one or two vibey areas you may want to get a photo of are mobbed by the tiktokers and "influencers" so you do not have a chance to get an uninterrupted second to get a photo. Once you get down to your seat, they mightily threaten you repeatedly that you cannot take photos in the theatre and they will take you out back and shoot you if you do. Ok boss, no photos. It was absolute chaos getting out of the theatre from the floor seats since everyone in the cheaper seats were closer to the door and willing to trample their grandmothers to get outside first to have a slightly better chance of getting their playbill signed by Kit. It was 16 degrees and I did not have my arctic gear with me so with the huge crowd that had assembled before floor seats were able to get out of the theatre I was going to be so far back there was no chance I was getting a playbill signed, so I just went home rather than waiting around and getting frostbite for nothing. I think CITST really needs to better moderate/regulate the orderliness of the exit, or to take into consideration the premium that people pay for floor seats ultimately factors into them having zero chance to queue up in a decently likely position to get an autograph outside after the show. This is the single biggest factor that had me knocking yelp stars off of the wall as I continued writing this paragraph. While I have the memory of seeing Kit Connor in a transcendent, truly unique experimental production on Broadway from a good vantage point, I did not obtain the more coveted fleeting interaction in frigid temperatures where he exhaustedly dragged a sharpie across a playbill for the 100th time that evening and I said "why are we like this?" I would see a Kit Connor production anywhere, anytime. Would I go out of my way to come back to CITST? Hard pass. But if something I wanted to see was here, I would come back. read more

Every seat is good due to the round shape of the theatre area. We enjoyed watching Romeo and Juliet there. read more

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Came here to see KPOP during previews thanks to a friend who helped to purchase tickets for the show. Easy to check in - go through security. Then head downstairs to the main theater. Masks are strongly recommended for the safety of the cast. Nice cozy theatre - not a bad seat in the house... Great layout like a runway... We had awesome seats in the orchestra and right close the stage. The only thing was the strong bright lighting depending where you sat...a little way too bright during a certain part in the beginning. For those who are sensitivity to strobing or flashing lights, you may want to wear some sunglasses or put something over your eyes. Restrooms are convenient and the lines go fairly quick so that you can get back to seats quick during intermission. The show itself was awesome and highly recommend it! You'll be dancing in your seats! Would definitely go watch KPOP again. read more

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And I made it back to my 1st Broadway Play Post Covid in NYC. This time around I had the privilege to see Chicken and Biscuits at the Circle in the Square theater. Omghosh! It felt so good to be back. So in order to get into the theater there are some new protocols that one needs to follow in order to be allowed in. Obviously these ongoing rules are subject to change so definitely do your due diligences before showing up to the theater or purchase your tickets. Alright so I was able to snagged a seat in the Orchestra section; I sat in Row D seat 8 and I was literally sitting in the center facing the stage. As a matter of fact it doesn't matter where you are seated you'll have a great view of the stage. Feeling thankful that there were loads of spaces so it didn't feel too overwhelming considering there were lots of people. I totally enjoyed this play. It was for about 90 minutes with no intermission. Overall it was such a great family oriented play that will have you tearing up with laughters. I felt as though the casts engaged substantially with the crowd. Haha! It was marvelous. I seriously can't stop laughing as I'm writing this review. Let's just say I don't think anyone's family is perfect so literally everyone should be able to relate at some point during the show. Enjoy and be safe! read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

First time in this theater but I'm loving it. The stadium layout is perfect to have stage set up in the center, so actors can act freely in the middle instead of having to face a certain way to the front, best for play, not sure how it works with musical tho. Came to see American Buffalo features the three powerful actors, they built a whole pawn shop in the stage center: the props are so details your eyes just can't help to check out everything. There's no bad seats in the theater as it doesn't have that many rows, so everyone is very close to the stage. I would say on the side 2-3rows are the best. So you are close to the stage center but not too close. read more

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I really enjoyed the play Chicken and Biscuits so 5 stars. The cast was amazing and talented. They brought the holiday spirit and brought joy to my heart!! However, the location 3 stars because they didn't do social distancing at all. The seats are tooooooooo close. What I appreciated dough the staff was walking around and making sure people kept their mask on so thumbs up for that. read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Chicken and Biscuits play - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Such an intimate setting for a show. Not a bad seat in the house. Check it out if you are in town.

I appreciated the theatre in the round experience. I felt completely in the scene. The theatre was quaint and comfortable. I shall be back for future performances. read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

I recently attended a showing of American Buffalo at the Circle in the Square. The show was amazing and I highly recommend it. The theater has a stadium layout with the stage in the center and seats around it. I don't think there are any bad seats in the house. We were 4th row in the center "orchestra" and I think they were great. It's the first row that's elevated, so even with my short torso, I was able to see everything on the stage. Bathrooms are downstairs, and they were clean and efficient. Staff were all super nice. The seats aren't the most comfortable or plushy, but for a show that's roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes, it was fine. read more

Always loved Oklahoma but this revival was quite different and made the show more updated! Ali Stroker, who won the Tony, was an awesome Ado Annie. Go see the show! Great score. And enjoy the chili and cornbread at intermission! read more

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What a great venue! I went here to see chicken and biscuits a couple weeks ago. They have multiple lines depending on where you purchased your tickets which makes the process easy and quick. You must show your proof of vaccination and ID of course but once you're in, you go down the stairs to the stage entrance. They have a bar with alcohol and mini snacks. The theatre is very intimate and you're able to see the stage from all angles. The play itself was hilarious and fantastic. This will definitely be one of my go to theatre spots because you're also close enough to times square and all the Manhattan happenings. Highly recommend you come to a show here. read more

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I have visited New York City and Broadway few times before, always with great experience. Even in this theater when I went to see the River. This time my experience was very different, wanted to see Just in Time musical but 2 of the ushers prevented me from it. I had no problem to take regular size purse in any of the other theaters, including on rush tickets. I had regular purse with my personal items as passport, wallet, prescription glasses, the hotel I stayed had no safe, so I wouldn't leave my things there. I understood that as long as my purse does not block the isle for the talent to past during the performance I am fine (also there is no note about any of the baggage policy on the official website for the musical). My bag was approved by the security, I lined up in the 1st aisle closest to the escalator into the theater, the female usher (later learnt, she is also the manager) let me in and I was advised to talk to the first usher where to stand. The usher had problem with my regular purse, she told me I need to check it in the coat check, which I refused. She told me to wait for the manager. I placed my bag under the back of the seat below me, that has curved shape, there was no obstruction of any space or danger to anybody walking behind me, my feet were under the railing. While I was waiting I experienced very weird behavior from this woman, weird conversations, she let other 2 people standing next to me with purse, no problem. It almost seemed like she has personal preferences how she treats the audience members. After the manager came, to my surprise, the same woman who had no problem with my bag in the first place, suddenly I was told that I have to check the purse into the coat check. I refused, it is nothing personal but I am not leaving my personal belonging (like passport) in unlocked environment with strangers, the theater has no lockers, so I left, I was given full refund. But I am SO UPSET, how I was treated, the disrespect for tourists and from other countries. Also these days traveling became very expensive, my trip was long planned, had to save money, but who cares :) I wrote the theater of course without any acknowledgement or apology. read more

I attended a performance of Chicken and Biscuits here back in Fall 2021. It was a wonderful performance. The sets were minimal but effective and the cast was on point. The theatre itself was clean and the staff was polite but helpful. They alerted us that it was best to hit the restrooms prior to the show starting as there would not be an intermission. It was a 2 hour show, so no real need for that. The theatre was more full than empty. We sat right up near the stage on the side. Next time, I'll aim for a center seat near the stage. The crew stayed in time with the cast and there was a little stand set up on the upper level so you could buy merchandise from the show. It was my first time at this theater and I plan to return the next time a show that I want to see is at this venue. read more

Fizzy lemonade and Fishburn. A great time! A cpl of notes: restrooms are on the lowest floor, and accessible by staircase. I was ok, but not sure if there is an accessible restroom available, since there was no signage to that effect. read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Recently saw a play here and this theater is great, I will definitely keep an eye on what productions they stage. With the circular design of this theater there isn't a bad seat in the house. Bathrooms are downstairs, and I am not sure what resources are available if you have mobility issues. There are also lockers downstairs, which I like a lot more than a coat check. read more

Went to see the musical, "Once On This Island" and it was phenomenal!! I love how there were seats on every side, which really enhanced the experience. The when I was purchasing a ticket, I was told to get there about thirty minutes before the showtime to watch the stage come to life. That was the most exciting part to me! It was cool to see how the cast set the scene. The music is ON POINT. Everybody can sing and when you go you will not be disappointed! After the show, they have an area in which some of the stars come out and give autographs and take pictures. That was another added bonus! ENJOY!! read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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First time in this theater for the new Broadway show, KPOP (100% recommend!!). I love the round layout of the theater, there really isn't a bad seat in the house! read more

If you have trouble finding the Circle in the Square Theater, just look for the throngs of Wicked fans waiting outside the Gershwin Theater next door. The lobby has red carpeting and feels more spacious and better lit than some of the other lobbies in the Theater District. The lobby has nowhere to sit, but the covered patio outside has more than enough space, so there's no need to worry about waiting in the rain before a show or being crowded off the sidewalk into oncoming traffic like at some of the theaters on Broadway. The ticket booth operator seemed a bit less robotic than those in the cramped booths at other theaters. A seating chart is posted for reference. Credit cards are accepted. Seating begins half hour prior to showtime, preceded by a bag check in the lobby. The theater itself is two escalator rides below street level. The underground lobby has a small bar, and restrooms are another level down. As expected, the ushers are civil but rigid, and two of them flat-out ignored me when I asked for a Playbill, so I had to grab one myself from a pile in a corner. The thrust stage creates a horseshoe seating arrangement that gives everyone a mostly unobstructed view of the action, but the tradeoff is that there are virtually no aisle seats. Luckily, recent shows like Fun Home and In Transit have been in a 90-minute format with no intermission (and no late seating!) so this is only a minor concern. The seats have at least 30'' of pitch, which is helpful for people with longer legs and makes it easier for others to pass. Seats are only about 7 or 8 rows deep, so you should be able to see most of the sweat and projectile saliva from wherever you're sitting. When I saw a Saturday evening showing of in Transit, the seats were only about 2/3 full. I noticed a handful of stragglers sneak in after the starting time, but it seemed that the show was delayed 10 minutes anyway. read more

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Came on 1/24th to see In Transit on Broadway. My little sister received an invitation her job. We had to walk to Grand Central Station, to a Wine & Cheese spot to pick up the tickets. Ok, fine a little exercise before the show. The theatre is small intimate with an oval shaped stage and seating. We had good seats. And the show started right on time. They had warn us that there will be no intermission. The show lasted about 2 hours. I loved the show. Since the story lines took place at a train station it became so relatable. My favorite storyline was about the jogger. I laughed, was mad & felt sad for her. I am so happy I was able to see this great play. I would definitely recommend any person or tourist to see this play. A+ read more

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This theater is right next door to the Gershwin theater which plays Wicked. I saw "Once on this Island -Musical" here. Out of all of the broadway theaters I've been to The circle in the Square is now my favorite. It's not that large of a theater so it was not the usual hassle of getting in. Security does a brief spot check of your bag and makes you open your coat. They don't touch you or make you go through a medal detector so I'm not sure how "secure" you should feel but, that's the process. Once inside you are directed downstairs ( use the stairs or escalator) to the theater area. The concession stand is strategically placed in between the entryway doors to the theater so you can spend an outrageous amount of money on a snack Lol. The theater itself reminds me of an arena. The stage is in the middle of the room and there is seating on all sides (a 360 view.) With this set up there is not one bad seat in the house. It really doesn't matter where you sit because the view of the stage will be clear. We sat in row H(aisle seat) and we were fine. Also, there is no to need to worry about whether the person in front of you will block your view or not because the rows of seats are perfectly placed you will not even notice the person in front of you. As a result of the seat placement you get a little more leg room than you would with your typical broadway theater. Additionally, this theater is well maintained!! read more

We saw "Fun Home" here last week--what a theatre! It's tiny. Like the theatre is roughly 8-10 rows deep kind of tiny. And the show is performed in the round so every seat is amazing. To be so close, to see each facial twitch. It was remarkable. And how special it was to see this Tony award winning show with these Tony nominated and winning performers in such a close proximity. This is why people come to Broadway! I understand the bathrooms are hard to access but I am blessed with a bladder of a camel and did not have to go during our visit. My husband was gone for a hot second before the show started but had no complaints when he returned. I also understand the criticisms that Circle In the Square lacks the "Broadway" feel that some of the other theatres in the area do. And that's fair. It definitely does seem more regional than BROADWAY on the surface but once you're immersed in the show, and the talent in front of you, all that goes away. It's easier to feel a part of it when the surroundings are more discrete. I appreciate that it's a different kind of theatre experience. My biggest regret is not seeing Audra McDonald in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" there when it was running a couple of years ago. Yep, biggest regret of all my NY theatre trips thus far. Alas, I guess we can catch it on HBO later this month. If you have the opportunity to see a show here--do it! read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

A very unique theater that stands out from the other Broadway houses. It's significantly smaller than others but size shouldn't be a deterrent. It actually works to your advantage. You can see clearly from any seat / vantage point... and because they stage is round the characters move about the space and everyone gets face time and often time audience interaction. So when shows are here, take advantage of it. I've seen both "Once on this Island" and "Oklahoma!" in this space. The staff is nice, friendly and efficient. I will advise to pre-order for concessions at the intermission. It makes everything much more smooth. The only negative thing I have to say is the seats are tiny and not necessarily made for folks with long limbs but that's everyone Broadway house, if I'm being honest. Lastly, Oklahoma is a great show. If you can, see it before it leaves. read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - The cast of Oklahoma signed my playbill. - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

It's literally a basement! I mean, put up some wood paneling and drop me off in an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser and it's practically suburban Baltimore circa 1982! This place would be a deathtrap in the event of an emergency. The whole "basement death trap" thing aside, it's a pretty decent space to see a show. I saw "Lombardi" here and I was so close I could practically see Judith Light spitting on Dan Lauria when she talked. Recently, I saw Hugh Jackman in "The River", and while the play itself was totally whack, the performers were great and the intimacy of the space really made you feel connected to what was happening on the stage that juts into the U-shaped seating area. If someone you like is performing here, go check it out because you will totally be up close and personal. read more

Not sure what the deal was on 3/2/16, but it shouldn't take 25 minutes to pick up will call tickets, right? I got to the theater at 6:30 to pick up my tickets and there was a corkscrew line in the tiny lobby area. The theater goers and this San Diego gal were getting cranky as panic started to set in around 6:50 pm because of their "No late seating" policy. I think the staff was told to "speed it up" because the line started to move quickly when I was about 6 people from the front of the line. (I think they stopped checking photo ID and credit cards, which made the line go a lot of faster.) I grabbed my tickets, went through security quickly, and sprinted downstairs to use the restroom. They started the show about 5 minutes after 7pm. I didn't even have time to crack open my Playbill! I sat in seat 426, which is the front row near the orchestra. The show was fantastic and clearly deserving of all the accolades they received last year! (It was a bummer that Tony award winner Michael Cerveris was out though.) read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - the end! - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

It's clearly a medium-sized venue. Not "small and intimate". What's my criteria? When I'm seated in Row K and it's taxing my brand new prescription in my glasses, it's not intimate. Seeing shows in the winter becomes a feat of where to put your warm yet ridiculous coat. Circle in the Square sadly does not have a coat check. And if I had an actual experience with the restrooms one more level down, this may have resulted in a 3 star review. But the seats are roomy enough to sit on your coat and I went before I came. Problem solved. There's good leg room as well, but you refuse to stand when people need to get by you to sit, don't get pissy if your feet get stepped on and your program gets knocked off your lap. But more on etiquette later. The sound was excellent and for a theater-in-the-round type experience, the sight lines were great. I was seated directly in front of the sound booth though, so your results may vary. The theater attendants were plentiful and helpful. You will get plenty of warning about the no intermission and no returning to your seat during the play policy. Plenty. Now... Why would an attendant need to tell people to not put their feet on the furniture???? Did you not just watch Fun Home? Did the stress of living in a highly polished home not impress itself upon you in the slightest? Were you in fact raised in a barn? Rule of thumb for civilized living... if other people sit there, your dirty shoes shouldn't be on it. Thanks. read more

Circle in the Square Theatre - Interior from Row K - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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