Wow what an evening after a warm welcome at the Union Club we rushed to the Citizens Opera House . This was elegant Boston evening at the historic Citizens Opera House! I was graciously invited by my dear Boston hostess to serve as the date of an esteemed Harvard Business School professor. Yep the husband does not care for ballet. The avant-garde 05/07th performance was magnificent: bold choreography, and moments of genuine artistic brilliance that reminded us why live performance still matters in the digital age. The splendor of the Opera House itself only elevated the experience -- one of Boston's true architectural gems. The evening then continued with a quick walk through downtown Boston to the legendary Ritz-Carlton, Boston to celebrate the nomination of the new chairwoman. A fitting conclusion surrounded by thoughtful, and delightfully company. This is Boston society at its finest: culture, intellect, elegance... and an interesting question what was a Texan Frenchmen from El Paso doing there? Well, i had a blast.... read more

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If you get a chance to see a show - either a ballet or an off broadway show - at the Citizens Opera House, don't pass it up! The venue is beautiful - not sure how old it is, but they have done a great job at preserving its original condition, keeping it in mint condition. Entering and exiting the venue requires patience, but as long as you know that - you'll be fine. Everybody walks through metal detecters and they check your bags/purses. After you pass through these, you'll then show your tickets to enter into the theater. They have a decent selection of snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic bevvies. We got the twizzlers and pretzels plus some sparkling waters. I really appreciated how the water was in aluminum cans - they're looking out for the environment - thank you! Seating is easy cause they have lots of people to help guide you to the proper seat. They don't open the theater up until about 30 mins ahead of the show, so if you come early, you'll be standing out in the lobby. One of the women's restrooms is located on the second floor and during intermission it is an absolute you know what. Again, bring your patience. The inside of theater is stunning and we really enjoyed the show - sound is great, lights are great, seats are OK. They're small but that should be expected given the age of the theater. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience and will definitely be back. read more

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Came here for a Sunday Matinee with rush tickets. Well worth it the visit for any show. The Opera House is phenomenal. Highly recommend. read more

Citizens Opera House - Beauty And The Beast The Musical - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

These Boots were made for walking right up to the Historic Boston Opera House that's now having "KINKY BOOTS", on a stage with an Amazing Cast of Professional Talent.....each and everyone one! My Tickets were in the perfect area to experience one of the most Entertaining Broadway Shows of all time! The exuberant and super energetic product on this icon stage was very much entertaining! The main characters you will have to due your own research so that you can appreciate it's a Production not to be missed! The Costumes were eye popping and colorful and truly made the Show! The Storyline has an underlying message to all... and I hope that all of us take that message to heart! Not only is this Production Spectacular in every sense of the word but when you know who is behind the storyline and song writing you know that it's a First Class show! Kudos to the whole Cast is undeniable super Talented and I WISH I HAD A BACK STAGE PASS TO PERSONALLY MEET SLL IF THEM AS I PERFORMED ON THIS VERY STAGE YEARS AGO! read more

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I have visited this opera house before for other Broadway shows and have always enjoyed where I sit. The ushers do a nice job getting us to our correct seat placement and it is always easy to hear and see what is happening in the shows. This visit I saw Beauty and the Beast and I loved the music and the bar cup scene, the dancing and the other special effects during the play. read more

Citizens Opera House - The picture on the outside to the opera house. - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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My absolutely favorite Boston theater! I usually try to catch 3-4 plays a year as Boston in Broadway brings some amazing productions to our city. My most recent play was Some Like It Hot and it was a fantastic play. The music, the choreography, the performers were fantastic. Another fun and memorable night out at the Opera House. read more

Citizens Opera House - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A nearly 100 rear old theater and it's interior is gorgeous with baroque touches and chandeliers. But the sound system is good and seating is surprisingly comfortable with enough leg room for me (5'9"). The lounge area is a little small though and one set of restrooms each for gents and ladies though so the intermission lines can get long. But a fine genteel venue for live performances. read more

We came here on our trip to Boston to catch a rendition of the Whiz. The show was highly entertaining. The Citizens Opera House where we watched the Whiz was a fairly suitable venue to enjoy a performance. The seats are comfortable. The architecture of the space are esthetically pleasing. The staff was professional and courteous. Everyone filled in a timely and orderly manner. They even managed to sneak in late comers to the show without a lot of disruption to the performance. read more

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I am a frequent flyer to Boston's Citizens Opera House - and might I say this is hands down the best theatre in the city. The interior is absolutely beautiful, and coming here is definitely a treat. Lately, I have seen Swan Lake of the Boston Ballet and Michael Jackson of Broadway. Absolutely incredible performances, the performers really swept me off my feet. MJ was life changing, so much young talent and it really shows. You get everything from acting, singing, and dancing. I have also seen a few other ballets including the Nutcracker, and a few magic shows here. Opera House is always packed with people, but the staff does an incredible job here controlling the flow and ushering. Additionally, the women's restroom line may look scary during intermission, but it moves really efficiently. Prior to the shows, I always like visiting the concession bar and grabbing a soda and a pack of M&M's. They serve drinks over the rocks which is fantastic for a show. Transportation wise, the area is surprisingly easy to get an Uber in. There are plenty of adjacent streets that are accessible. Additionally, the theatre is conveniently located walking distance near three MBTA lines. You can get the green/red/orange lines from either Park St or DTX. I absolutely recommend visiting this beautiful theatre if you get the chance, they offer a variety of fun, well-known shows here. read more

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I went to see the Nutcracker ballet which was an amazing show. They had paid bag check for $8 per item and many ushers directing people to their seats. The bathrooms were very busy before the show so I'd recommend going to the one downstairs with a lot of stalls. The performance was was magical especially the large amount of snow that fell read more

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We saw the Swan Lake here and it was a magical experience. I reviewed the actual performance separately :) The architecture of the building is in short, stunning. The seats are placed nicely and staggered enough so everyone can see. They serve a good amount of drinks for concessions. I suppose if I had one nit it would be - some of the audience members were disruptive (noisy, holding up phones and recording, etc.) and I do wish the staff had done more to regulate this. read more

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One word: WOW. I just saw Swan Lake this past weekend and it's insane how easy everyone makes ballet look. It is not easy. Extreme athleticism and precision, with some outfit changes and cool effects like the smoke on the floor when they were swans rising up from the ground. The main swan dancer (Viktorina Kapitonova) is PHENOMENAL. Jaw dropping watching her in her element. Outstanding production. Also the Citizens Opera House has nailed the bathroom situation with a staff inside yelling out all the open stalls. Even if it looks like there's a long line, it'll move very quick! read more

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Broadway in Boston - opening night for wiz, all black cast adaption of wizard of oz. The cast was amazing and the theater is beautiful as well. Be sure to come early to grab drinks and take some pictures ahead of show! read more

Citizens Opera House - Wiz musical - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Absolutely gorgeous theatre! Seeing a beautiful show in a beautiful setting never disappoints. I was in a limited view seat, but still had a fantastic time. The ushers were attentive and very helpful about finding seats and providing information. There is one bathroom area in the basement which can be a hassle to get to at intermission, but the line moves quickly read more

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My wife and I went to see Hamilton there and had a great time in a very nice facility. We parked right around the corner at the Lafayette garage so it was easy to get in and out and the price wasn't too bad for parking in Boston. The theater has been refurbished very well and looks and sounds great. The show was just what we expected and we enjoyed the evening out. We were maybe 3/4 the way back in the orchestra/center section and could see and hear everything. read more

Seeing a show at the Opera House is a must while in Boston! Came here for Les Miserables and had a fun night. The opera house itself is beautiful from the lobby to the theater. It's very picturesque and I suggest looking around the different rooms and areas to take in all the beauty. They serve drinks and sell merch for each show which is cool. The shows are top notch as it's Boston's Broadway so expect to be wowed. I've seen a couple of shows here from Anastasia to Phantom of the Opera and it's always a very professional production. Our seats were Orchestra Right, Row P and we were very close to the stage. Only thing was since we were off to the side, some parts of the stage was obstructed. However I'd rather be closer and have this as being in the balcony is very far and the actors look so tiny making it harder to see. All in all a fun night out! Bonus: accessible by the MBTA read more

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as someone who appreciates a great night out, I want to love the Citizens Opera House -- truly. It's an undeniably grand and historic theater, full of ornate charm and old-Boston character. The architecture and ambiance promise a spectacular experience the moment you walk in... or at least, they should. Unfortunately, that promise is interrupted right at the entrance. The exterior and entryway look surprisingly rundown and deceiving -- like you're stepping into anything but one of Boston's premier performance venues. It's a far cry from the elegance waiting just beyond the doors, and it sets the wrong tone from the start. Once inside and seated, the charm continues to clash with reality. For a venue of this stature, it's frustrating to find seats that feel nearly busted, with springs making unwelcome introductions. Combine that with very tight spacing and you'll find yourself getting cozy with strangers whether you planned to or not. The layout and leveling of the seating areas don't help either -- lots of confusing steps, sharp angles, and shoulder-to-shoulder navigation during a packed show. When the house is full, comfort takes a back seat. Then there's the bathroom situation. In 2025, a major Boston theater shouldn't require an intermission sprint and a prayer just to make it in and out before the lights dim again. There are simply not enough restrooms -- and worse, the special "Citizens-account-holders-only" bathroom adds a layer of corporate snobbery that doesn't belong in the arts. Branding a historic theater is one thing... commercialization to the point of restroom inequality? That's a wild choice. read more

While it is difficult to match the quality of New York's theatre experience, the Boston Opera House comes pretty darn close. The theatre itself is absolutely stunning, gorgeous period appropriate decor, but tastefully restored and modernized, as needed. Recent traveling performances, included Les Miserables and Hamilton were spectacular. The staff does their best to keep security moving and handling the crowds through the tight lobby. Two complaints: 1) For Les Mis, the staff did not enforce the seating hold. Audience members were given ample notice that the show would start promptly at 7:30pm. Inexplicably, the ushers continued to seat late arrivals until nearly 8:00pm. Our view of the prologue was blocked by ushers and patrons walking in late and using their cell phone flashlights. Very distracting and in very poor taste. 2) While no fault of the theatre, the lack of etiquette by some patrons was appalling. People using Apple watches, cell phones ringing, etc. during the performance was so rude. I wish the ushers would have removed these people at intermission. read more

Citizens Opera House - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

i saw some like it hot on tour here and had a great time! i sat far back center balcony and the view was surprisingly good, and considering i scored $11 tickets i'm really not complaining. had to sit a little awkwardly just to see past the people in front of me, but when they left (interesting story) it was pretty much fully clear. accessibility options are great, i got a headset and the audio was super clear. it's close to chinatown so there's lots of meal options to do dinner and a show, but if you're seeing an evening show eat beforehand because most places will be closed when you come out. the legroom wasn't bad either! read more

Citizens Opera House - view from seat u111 - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Came here to see the Nutcracker and it was a good experience overall. The Opera House is conveniently close to the Downtown Crossing and Park Street stops and walking distance to a lot of restaurants. Entering the opera house was a breeze and we didn't have to wait in congested lines, instead we were easily directed to our seats by staff. Seats were okay comfort wise although fairly close together although that's pretty typical for this type of venue. The view from our seats was very good and the sound from the pit orchestra was very clear. The venue itself is beautiful with gorgeous carved ceilings and other design elements. We did not partake in any concessions although we heard from the people near us that items were in fact very costly (ex: $6.50 for a bag of M&Ms), would recommend eating before arriving. Bathroom lines before the show were not bad, would recommend going before the show if able to to avoid intermission crowds. Overall enjoyed the show and would see another one at this venue. read more

Beautiful venue! We went to see the Nutcracker and the staff were fantastic... helpful with locating our seating and keeping the restroom flowing. Snacks, water, beverages, and souvenirs available for purchase. There are no water refilling stations on the second floor so be prepared to take a little walk or purchase if you need any. Parking is reasonably close and a discount code is available for the garage. read more

Citizens Opera House - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Stunning architecture. The Boston Opera House is a truly beautiful building. It is ornate and well-maintained. I came for the Nutcracker Ballet, and it was pretty packed, but logistics kept the crowd moving and everyone found their seats pretty easily. They do limit photos in most areas, but they were nice to have a staff person taking group photos by the Christmas tree. The theater auditorium was great. The sound quality from the orchestra was immaculate and from where I was sitting on the mezzanine the visibility of the stage was very good. The show itself was stunning, with amazing individual performances, amazing music that never gets old, and some truly impressive and seamless stage-work. A must visit if you have the chance. read more

I saw The Nutcracker here last weekend and had a wonderful experience! The skill and professionalism of the dancers was truly incredible. I was also impressed with the costumes, lighting and "special effects" on the stage. This performance definitely gets you in the mood for the holidays and the entry way into the Opera House is also fully decked out in holiday decor. My one complaint is that the line for the women's bathroom was obscenely long and there was no one monitoring the line. In fact, the line was so long it took me five minutes just to figure out where it began. There must have been over 100 people in line during the 20 minute intermission. I suggest they install larger bathrooms or allow a longer intermission so people can be comfortable while watching the second half of the show. I will definitely be back for another ballet, but plan to use the bathroom before the show and go to the Cafe Nero down the street if I need a restroom during intermission. read more

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They insist on checking your tickets at 4 different checkpoints it's absolutely ridiculous. You have to scan your tickets at the door, that should be enough. But once you are inside, porters demand to see your tickets under the guise of helping direct you to your seats. We know where our seats are we don't need help, but they are incredibly rude and won't let you pass without presenting your ticket. Awful customer experience. Do not waste your time here. read more

Citizens Opera House I was very excited to learn from a friend this past weekend that Hamilton had returned to Boston at the Citizens Opera House. She told me that she had tickets for that afternoon; I immediately booked tickets for my girlfriend (who had never seen the play) and me for the following day. Having thoroughly enjoyed Hamilton at the Rodgers Theatre in New York City years ago, I was so excited to introduce my girlfriend to this production. Sunday's performance very good; the music and singing was beautiful. I enjoyed it more than my girlfriend, because I knew what lyrics I should be hearing as I sang silently along . That said, we both had a great deal of trouble hearing what was being sung. The beauty of Hamilton, and any musical theater, is the story told as you listen to the music. Unfortunately, my girlfriend could not follow the story in detail (although she said she could 'get the gist') because of the poor acoustics in the opera house. I don't know if this was partially an issue of the performers' articulation and/or lack of projection, though it seemed to be more an issue of microphone and speaker quality. I checked back with my friend who notified me of the show and had attended the day before - she said she and her young daughters had the same issue; they were unable to hear most of the dialogue. A quick search of the Internet supports our experience. Are the Citzens Opera House administrators aware of this issue? Is there any plan to address the poor acoustics? I paid an awful lot of money not be able to enjoy the production as expected. I'd like to be able to tell my friends about how wonderful performances are the Citizens Opera House and that tickets for Hamilton are worth every penny spent. Given our experience this past weekend, I can't do that at this moment. read more

Seeing a show here is like stepping back in time. The building is past theater and half museum. The walls and ceilings are full of gold leaf, marbled pillars. This is not just a theater... It's a time capsule! read more

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I came to the Citizens Bank Opera House to watch the Nutcracker for the first time. It was me and two others, with seats in the orchestra left area row F. I was more up close than I anticipated when I purchased the tickets which is a good thing. It was easy to get there and conveniently, there was a parking garage less than a block away and was one of the cheapest at $20 for 6 hours on SpotHero. It was nice on the inside as it was decorated with lights and a Christmas tree but in general it seems like it's always elegant in there. The staff was extremely helpful in getting me to my seats quickly and directing me towards the bathrooms during intermission (keep in mind that if you arrive late, they make you wait in the lobby about 20 minutes to let scene one play). One thing that really came in handy was being a citizens bank customer. The women's restroom line was about 100 people deep, but I was able to go right into the citizens lounge which had bathrooms just by showing my card. Downstairs they also had a ring lights and backdrop set up and there were two mini bars. The theater area had great lighting, the sound was excellent, the seats were comfortable, it was the right temperature, and the ceiling was pretty. I would definitely come back here for another show. read more

Citizens Opera House - Lobby - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Stunning opera house that was originally built as a movie theater in 1928. The Boston Opera House originally called the B.F. Keith Memorial Theater was named for a vaudeville actor. It was designed by Thomas Lamb, an architect who planned many lavish movie theaters. It was acquired prior to opening by RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpeum) just prior to opening. The theater featured films and live vaudeville in its early days. Bostonian Joseph Kennedy was an early owner and his family later on helped to restore this theater after its future decline. Senator Edward Kennedy and Boston Mayor Thomas Marino were instrumental in obtaining landmark status for old movie house. It cost $38 million to restore. Today, it is the home to many Broadway plays and The Nutcracker. Beautifully restored historic theater. read more

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I got to explore the three ballets that are part of Boston Ballet's Winter Experience program - Raymonda, Petal and To Be One today. I had a good view from the mezzanine center right section. The dancing, sets, costumes and score was breathtaking! The Boston Opera house is conveniently located a quick walk from the Chinatown T stop on the orange line in downtown Boston. There are many good restaurants and bars in the area. I came here to see the nutcracker last year and it's always lovely to come back! read more

Citizens Opera House - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Large beautifully restored theater. The ushers were super polite. The sound system was excellent

It's like watching a show in the Sistine Chapel. We saw Hadestown, sat in the orchestra in seats P 5&7. Hadestown was a soulful spectacle, and watching it surrounded by white marble columns and elegant frescos brought the experience to another level. Our seats were good but we were under the balcony overhang. I'd recommend either the mezzanine or the closer orchestra seating. The main take home is that if you're thinking of doing a show in Boston, definitely choose the Opera House over the many other venues available. read more

Citizens Opera House - The lobby during intermission - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Performance was great. Building is a treasure! Had to use restroom and had staff helping out, calling the number of empty stall!

We came to see Wicked and boy were we impressed. The theater was absolutely beautiful, definitely one of the top three theaters I've been at. The theater literally did not have a bad seat in the house. The seats were comfortable, you did not feel cramped, plenty of room to be able to watch the show. The aesthetics and audio were perfect. I will definitely come back to watch any other production held here. read more

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Not to be confused with the Bots-done Opera House, which is run by Bots and so is both automated and awful. So I was able to see The Nutcracker a little while back, because we were staying in Boston where the old girlfriend that is extremely obsessed with Opera and shows and playhouses is currently living (and I imagine she'll never leave, she loves it so much). I've now been to like four or five of the beautiful palaces that Boston has to offer, and this is one of my favourites, and the show was amazing. I didn't actually ever think I'd like Opera, and I may never go to another Opera (you never know), but if I die with this having been the only Opera performance that I ever go to, then it will have left a great memory of Opera for me. In fact, the only thing better than the Opera itself was the beautiful building it took place in. read more

Citizens Opera House - Operan your eyes - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The Nutcracker is always such a whimsical performance to watch. Everyone in the audience is captivated by each of the dancer's talent. I was in awe and couldn't take my eye of the stage. The theater was decorated so beautifully too. This is my favorite time of year and I am already looking forward to returning next year! read more

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What, did you expect me to come and give a 100-year old theater anything less than five stars? I've seen the Nutcracker here twice now. I saw Annie and the Wizard of Oz here when I was in high school - it never fails to deliver. The shows are great, sure - but it is the building which we are in awe of. Phenomenal artistry, the bathroom alone feels like I should be paying a cover-charge. Have you SEEN the delicate roses carved in the marble fireplace in there?? Geez Louise. We park at Lafayette Garage to get to the theater quickly, and it's an absolute frickin' delight to walk up to the theater. Looking forward to our next adventure to the Opera House. read more

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Beautiful opera house in downtown Boston. The architecture is stunning! The musical itself was a very well done performance, but compared to a lot of other venues I've been to in NYC, London, Chicago, Cleveland, etc, it was very well run and efficient. There were ushers to get you through everywhere without too much crowding. Usually the womens restrooms during intermission are a nightmare but they had very well trained ushers to get you in and out. Even getting the Uber afterward was super easy. Beautiful building, performance and great experience! Would love to see Hamilton or To Kill a Mockingbird here! read more

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What an experience!! I came for the first time to see Wicked and both the show and the theatre blew me away. I sat Row E ORCH RIGHT and it was a great view. The seats were comfortable, breath-taking stage, and the lights and visual effects were A+. There are a few bars placed around, some lounges, and the bathrooms are so beautifully decorated. My one biggest piece of advice is to plan ahead to go to the bathroom and get drinks before intermission is over. They give a warning by flicking the lights but the bar line was so long that I was stuck outside for a whole scene. The TVs they use to display the show to outsiders was not good quality at all so that was my only downside to this experience. But it was my fault so hoping no one else will need to use the TV. Overall, highly highly recommend coming here for a show. read more

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Beautiful building with lots of nice lobby space. Even my "obstructed" seat was great! I was very impressed with how quickly the bathroom lines went during intermission. That part is important! read more

Exquisite to say the least! We came here for the nutcracker ballet performance and it was a great night. Great drinks and they are friendly and helpful! Amazing architecture as well. read more

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