We have just viewed 'The Woman in Black'! Jan/2026! In our 55 years of marriage, we have seen a huge amount of plays-on and off Broadway as well! Geva Theatre is a secret GEM!!!! We have been there many times, traveling from Buffalo, NY, and each and every performance is spectacular and entertaining !!! The theater, itself, is comfortable and inviting- never a bad seat! We highly recommend!!! Len & Marie Grieco read more

Christmas Carol- not worth the time or money. We will be back when the old version returns until then. Time for a new play to to watch at Christmas Time read more

I went to see Anastasia: The Musical and wanted to eat something from their cafe. I will noy order anything from there as long as kitchen staff work around food without hats or hair nets. I don't want hair in my food. read more

The GEVA Theatre is the perfect venue for a special performance especially the Christmas Carol. My husband Dan & I have gone many times over the years and this year my mom got tickets for the Veterans show on December 28th and my niece & nephew joined us. I appreciated the fact they recognized all veterans from various branches in the beginning before the show started. The Christmas Carol is a wonderful production that gets you in the holiday spirit. In the middle they have an intermission and drinks/ snacks can be purchased at that time. Look up the GEVA theatre online for performances and you not regret experiencing this gem in the heart of Rochester. They have a parking lot & garage for easy parking next door as well! read more

See all

Saw Geva's Christmas Carol last night. Very disappointed. A weird modern version of a classic that needs no interpretations. Only 3 sets in the whole play used over and over again. Forced laughter and audience interactions were hard to watch. In addition, could barely hear most of the dialogue for some reason of proper sounds or microphones. I hadn't been in a few years but missed the classic sets, music and story line. Would not recommend seeing this version of the Christmas Carol. read more

Stay away from the Christmas Carol at Geva. What used to be an amazing show with outstanding performers making for a wonderful family experience has been completely ruined with some weird woke version. From the moment this show begins, it misses in so many ways and is a total disappointment. Whoever made the change to this terribly weak version should be fired! Thanks for ruining a family tradition we've had for over 15 years! Based on the numerous other bad reviews on the web, people don't like this version and it's not worth the time or money. read more

The 2025 version of the Christmas Carol was so terrible. I felt like we were watching a low budget high school play. No wonder there were so many open seats. The sets, costumes and music were so painful. This used to be a broadway level performance. I would not return next year unless a new production is put in place or the return to the old one. read more

A Humbug Holiday: The Geva Theatre's "Christmas Carol" is a Woke, Wasted Tradition My son and I have cherished attending the Geva Theater's presentation of A Christmas Carol for 20 years. When my two grandsons were old enough to appreciate this timeless classic, the tradition became even more special. We were seriously disappointed in 2024's production, but we decided to give it another chance; once again, it fell short. story's traditional imagery and tone The Geva Theatre Center, once a beacon of reliable holiday magic, has tragically dismantled its cherished annual production of A Christmas Carol in favor of a modern, politically charged spectacle that is less "Bah, Humbug" and more just plain "Humbug." Harrison David Rivers' new adaptation is a cynical exercise in checking diversity boxes while simultaneously dismantling the very soul of Dickens' timeless story. This production isn't just a misstep; it's pure trash. From the moment the curtain rises, the production's failings are obvious. The set design is painfully minimalist, bland, and lacking in any of the Victorian charm or festive atmosphere that long-time patrons have come to expect. It is a stark, empty canvas that perfectly reflects the script's emotional void. The acting, across the board, is a profound disappointment. Michael Preston's Scrooge, while likely intending to show complexity, comes across as a buffoonish, bumbling figure, draining the character of his necessary initial terror and subsequent joyous redemption. His journey feels unearned and shallow. Equally disappointing is the portrayal of Fred, whose jolly disposition is rendered as irritating and simple-minded, contributing to a general air of incompetence rather than genuine warmth. The most egregious changes are reserved for the spectral visitors, which feel like a forced, "woke DEI agenda" checklist rather than genuine character choices: The Ghost of Christmas Present appears as a jarring, out-of-place drag queen, a gratuitous choice that serves no narrative purpose and shatters the story's traditional imagery and tone. The Ghost of Christmas Future, traditionally a silent, ominous specter of death, is given a voice and turned into a talkative, preachy guide, completely removing the powerful, silent dread of the original text. The silence was the point; its removal is a narrative disaster. The adaptation makes fundamental, ill-advised alterations to key characters. Tiny Tim is no longer the "Tiny", sickly, crippled boy whose frailty is central to the story's pathos. In this version, the physical disability is entirely removed and replaced with a generic, non-visible respiratory illness, a change that softens the emotional punch of Scrooge's potential impact on the boy's fate. This Geva production strips away the classic carols, the rich atmosphere, and the genuine emotion of Dickens' work, replacing it with a hollow, self-satisfied shell of a show that prioritizes modern political talking points over effective storytelling. The result is a dreary, uninspired, and frankly insulting production that fails the source material and the audience alike. Save your money and your holiday spirit for a production that actually respects tradition and good theatre craft. read more

Such a delightful local theater- it's been years since I've been and I was very pleasantly delighted with the interior renovations Great covid protocols Not a bad seat in the house! read more

Geva Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Rochester, New York

Geva is back from the pandemic stronger than ever lucky to have Geva and Rochester Great theater L read more

My family and I attended the production of A Christmas Carol this past Sunday. The "reimagined" version of what was a treasured tradition for six years in my family was simply awful. Gone were the sets and costumes that evoked images of 1840s England, gone as well were most of the beloved cast, even the gravedigger who used to open the show. All replaced by a dismal, minimalist set and a rewritten narrative that more or less abandons the Dickens classic tale. The term "cultural Marxism" is particularly relevant here as an obvious agenda was present, embodied most of all by the gyrating drag queen interpretation of the ghost of Christmas present. We could not have been more disappointed, and will not be returning. My family will will instead be in search of a new Christmas tradition, this one having been ruined. We will be requesting a refund. read more

This is the first time since 2011 that my granddaughter and I went to see a Christmas. Carol and were disappointed. We just love our traditional visit but this year every single thing was changed- the set, the cast, the dialogue, the music we love, everything. Not sure why they decided to do this but I hope they bring back previous performances read more

"WHAT JUST HAPPENED!??" That's what my 17-year-old daughter asked me during the intermission of this years Christmas Carrol. It was also the consensus of our family post show. Recent Yelp reviews are too kind and the people responsible for changing the set, the cast, the script and producing a Christmas Carrol at the Geva Theater this year ruined the show and should be fired. Before you buy tickets to this year's play at the Geva Theater, STOP, read the recent reviews and spend your money on entertainment elsewhere! My wife and I have been taking our family to Geva for 18 years to see the show. We always buy tickets the night they go on sale and try to sit in the front row center stage. However, ever since Guy Paul (Ebenezer) left the production a few years ago, the play has gone downhill. Last year's production retained the same stage set and script but some of the actors had changed. It started to become a little confusing at times as some of the characters in the timeline would be played by someone of a different race, which made it hard to follow, even having seen prior years shows. This year's production sank to an all-time low with the entire production, set, script and cast (except the recent Ebenezer) being changed. Here are a few things that changed and/or have been removed that make this years production a complete disaster. The first thing you notice when you walk in the theater is a strange green and gold stage set, which looks very two dimensional and basic compared to the sets in prior years. The grave digger is gone, who has opened the show with an eerie laugh for years. Our show started 10 minutes late at 7:40pm, which never happened before. Also, we noticed that both acts 1 & 2 were about 15 minutes shorter than in prior years. The amazing characters we've grown to love who brought so much breadth & depth to their performances like those played by Fred, Fezziwig, Martha and Cratchit are all gone. Tiny Tim was very hard to understand. We have a family member who participates in the artist unlimited productions and support special needs or handicapped performers. Also, this years Ebenezer character seemed to get lost in the crowd on stage and was somewhat marginalized. Last year and especially this years production was not as credible or believable as it's become a bit more urban and confusing. Meaning, it's not true to the 1840's when Dickens wrote his book. Also, gone is the talented violinist, piano playing and angelic singing Martha, there is far less singing in general and what you do hear is not as good or inspirational as prior years performances. We also had to deal with fog that rolled off stage into the first few rows and into our faces as well as an annoying bright light in our eyes during the ghost of Christmas future segment. Moreover, they kept using the same song throughout the play instead of the usual variety of songs that accompanied a clear storyline. A huge let down this year were the three Ghosts, which can only be described as bizarre and disappointing. The most shocking moment came when the ghost of Christmas present came on stage dressed in drag wearing a colorful outfit, complete with red armlength velvet gloves and high heels singing and acting flamboyantly. Not certain if this was meant to be humorous or the production was striving to be more woke, but it didn't work. Nor did Ebenezer doing the floss dance from a Katy Perry video. The key emotional parts of prior years shows like when Martha ends her relationship with Ebenezer or when Ebenezer becomes a changed man at the end don't happen in this years version. It's not the same play and we found ourselves discussing how the owner must have cut the budget by 50% as the plays we watched in high school and college were better. We spent over an hour post show having to answer questions from our kids as to why the show was so different. To summarize, this years Christmas Carrol is not good, we would not recommend it, we left the show confused and seriously disappointed. Our family always looks forward to going to this particular show but this was an awful experience. After 18 years of bringing our family of 5 (and usually guests) to the show at Geva, we will not be returning to watch Christmas Carrol next year. Honestly, this is NOT the Christmas Carrol show we paid to see and will be requesting a full refund. UPDATE ON 1/2/25 I received a response from guest relations on 12/24, which in does not address feedback how horrible the show was and we have not received any follow up from their customer service team. Because my post is so long, I could not include in this review. We will not see a Christmas Carol again or any play at Geva after this incredibly disappointing experience. read more

Geva Theatre Center - Weird new basic stage set for Christmas Carol - Performing Arts Near Me - Rochester, New York

I visited the Geva Theatre for the first time in years to see Sister Act with my mom. We both had a great time. The performances here are top quality and I love the intimate seating, there really isn't a bad seat in the house. I like that the seating goes right up to the stage, so you can be very close to the action if you want. The sound quality, lighting, and of course, acting were all superb. The interior of the theatre is beautiful and they have a bar and cafe. At the time of the show they were only serving small plates (charcuterie, etc) but also had an extensive drink menu with fun cocktails, beer, and other classics. I didn't realize that Geva was not-for-profit, too, which makes the quality even more impressive. Geva is definitely worth your time and monetary contributions! read more

Good entertainment is hard to come by or so you'd think if you have never been to Geva. My parents have season tickets but every once in a while my wife and I stop by to see a show. They have an excellent cafe outside the theater and the shows are phenomenal. Whether you're there for a classic like Cinderella or watching an odd play about an air guitar competition you're always in for a good time. read more

Geva Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Rochester, New York

This outdoor show was exactly what we needed! To see a live show again was exhilarating. The venue was fun. The actors were amazing and their voices incredible. I felt fine as the seats weren't crowded and being outside was a plus. Great idea Geva! read more

Geva Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

Geva is the Roc local regional professional theatre. There are great shows that come through on both the Fielding stage (usually, these are a bit less mainstream) and the main Wilson stage. My favorite part is the prologue, when a member of the cast, crew, or production team talks about the Wilson stage shows before hand. It's amazing what the folks at Geva can do with a stage. And there are no bad seats in either house. Geva also hosts the Festival of New Theatre series, which is a great for a wider range of theatre experience. The cafe offers minimal eats; it's fine. And it's good that it's there because it's not super close to much. read more

Geva Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

My family and I look forward to a Christmas Carol play every year but was sorely disappointed with this new adaption. The set itself was awful. Not sure why they would change what was so wonderful. The songs and characters and detail were all lacking. Scrooge was amazing, per usual. They even cut the amount of actors in the play. Why did I pay top dollar for this?!! I hold Geva to a very high standard and unfortunately the playwright did NOT produce. Terrible read more

Why change perfection!!! The geva Christmas Carol has been perfect and classical for decades. My daughter and I make it a tradition to come here every year. So where to start, the backdrops are plain, boring, and look cheap. The new scrip, new songs, and new everything lost my attention. Maybe I listened to about a 1/4 of it. It started going down hill when Guy Paul wasn't scrooge anymore. His facial features and age made him the perfect school. The new guy can act but just doesn't fit the part. Maybe because he is too young looking. I just didn't like anything about their rewrite. I won't be coming back. What a shame. My daughter and I loved the past play. read more

The production of Sister Act was nothing short of fantastic. The actors and musicians put their hearts into projecting their enthusiasm and talent to the audience so desperate to enjoy live theater again. A great way to end the season. read more

We've seen some great shows here! Hardly a bad seat in the house. Rochester has an active theater community which many are surprised by. Parking can be tricky though. Stay away from the cannoli in the cafe area though, it's not worth the price! read more

Agreed with the posts below about new Christmas Carol. This new adaption did not transform us back to the Dicken Days like the original version. We were very disappointed as it significantly changed. There was no more depth to the stage or scene. The same carol was used over and over again and again. The music and dancing were all but gone. Tiny Tim did not even have his crutch. The decision to steer away from the story was disappointing. No Door knocker scene? No live violin player. No coal miners! All gone! I mean come on! Marley no longer comes through the aisle! amount of actors reduced quite a bit! after 15 years going, my kids said they have no interest in going again! I am sorry I had to post this but Geva needs to know this risk did not pay off. I must say however the choice to use a Tiny Tim with a disability was awesome and he did a wonderful Job. So did Scrooge, Fred and Ghost of Christmas present stole the show. BTW bring back original Martha. I saw her mixed in as an extra and not sure why she was not Martha! read more

GEVA is a great asset to our community. Years ago I ushered here which is a great way to see the shows if you are on a limited budget. After only attending sporadically for a few years we have now been season subscribers the last two years. The mix of plays has been very good in our opionon- not a steady diet of heavy ones, which I recall from the past. The acting is always top-notch. The theater is very intimate, with no obstructed seats - if you get front row seats you can get sweated on you are so close. It appears they are raising money in preparation for an overall of the lobby which will make that space even more inviting. Another local gem! read more

Geva Theatre Center - Still laughing! - Performing Arts Near Me - Rochester, New York

How fortunate we are that GEVA is alive and thriving in Rochester. I've spent my life either being onstage (in one form or another) offstage or in the audience and feel that GEVA is one of the best theatrical experiences one could have. Just saw "The Other Josh Cohen" last week and it was a tremendously joyous experience. Even more so since one of the leads (& co-author of the libretto) is Rochester's own Steve Rosen, who very much is a byproduct of having a real Equity theater smack dab in the middle of Center City. It is so great that GEVA can support a wholly original piece of theater like this; yes, it is not a "Broadway" play per se... and of course the Geva Theater is not the Auditorium Theater. However, a strong regional theater like GEVA is as essential as the larger venues that primarily show only larger touring musicals. If you've seen "War Horse" or "Wicked" but haven't visited GEVA, I strongly recommend you give it a try. You'll be challenged at times, surprised mostly, but overall I think you'll be enriched and entertained. read more

Nice little theatre in Rochester, this season I went with Flex tickets since there were so many shows I wanted to see, nice package and a deal in my book. Last night's show, In the Heights was great, the theatre itself is small, which I kind of like compared to the Aud. Parking is right there and for $5.00 can't go wrong. We don't eat or drink there but it looks good, so overall a nice night, clean place, great parking, and good show for a fair price. Check it out if you like theatre that's intimate and smaller. read more

Geva Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Rochester, New York

Geva Theatre is the Pearl in Rochester theatre. RBTL brings the big traveling Broadway road shows and that's great; Geva is a homegrown equity theatre that is much more intimate. As they say, no seat is more than 50' from the stage. While larger name actors come here to enrich the shows, most of the actors and crew call Rochester home, and they do her proud. The improvements to the theatre make not only the productions enjoyable, but also the pre-show, where you can actually come, get a bite before hand and relax. We don't get out to shows as much as we'd like, and we try to mix it up between three venues of Black Friars, Geva, and the Auditorium Theater. read more

See all

I was a season ticket holder for a couple of years, but no longer. Yes, the shows are generally very good to great. And the staff is wonderful. But management; well, that's another story. My last show was Cinderella, which was as good as any show, on any stage, I have ever seen. However, from my season ticket seats I couldn't see it. This particular show included ASL interpreters, which is great . . . except for the fact that they were standing facing the audience the entire time. Standing right in front of my wife and me, making it impossible to see the show. (Not only us, mind you, but our entire section.) When I inquired about this to one of the ushers, she checked with management whose response was pretty much "tough s...". Happily, the resourceful staff found us suitable seats elsewhere, so we did get to see the show. That was the end of my relationship with Geva. This year I went with RBTL, a more professional organization. read more

I must say, I love Geva each and every time I visit for a play. It's true, there really isn't a bad seat in the house. And the great seats in front can be affordable depending on the production. Shows begin promptly as indicated on the ticket so arrive early to settle in. I also recently learned that you can bring drinks purchased at concessions in to the theatre to enjoy while the play is going on. Although, there aren't any cup holders so be cautious. They have wine, beer, coffee, light snacks, and cocktails. They feature a few specials as well, themed with the play of the evening. Oh so creative. To avoid hassles, I recommend parking in the garage on the corner of S. Clinton and Woodbury. Last time I saw a show we didn't have to pay, but sometimes it ranges from $3-7 depending on the night. A Christmas Carol is a must see during the holidays. It reminds me of my childhood and field trips during school. I recently saw Last Gas -- wonderfully put together performance with relevant themes for our current culture. Freud's Last Session was thought provoking and the actors excelled at their performances as Freud and C.S. Lewis. But, my personal favorite remains Inherit The Wind, a play inspired by the Scopes' Trial. read more

Geva Theatre Center - Last Gas set - Performing Arts Near Me - Rochester, New York

I am glad that we have a place like the GeVa in Rochester! A beautiful theater in the middle of downtown, that offers great plays at reasonable prices! What's not to love?! Walking into the place you can tell the employees and volunteers love theater and are working their darnedest to bring it to our city. I could go on and on about how lucky we are to have them, but I think the best way to show that is to check their schedule and catch a few plays. read more

I complain about parking and sound sometimes but I still subscribe every year. Pumpboys and dinettes as the 2013-2014 opener...GREAT TIME! The cast was a hoot and their energy drew you in. read more

See all

We've been coming to this theatre for years to see different performances. The theatre has two levels with plenty of seating offering good visibility to the stage from pretty much any seat. The stage has lots to technology incorporated into it to allow performances to amaze the crowds and both lighting and sound are equally impressive. Prior to show time and during the intermission they offer food services and deserts including a full bar. Beverages can also be carried back into the theatre to be enjoyed during the performances as well. read more

Awesome show freaking hilarious all actors amazing You'd be a fool to miss this show + my son James was in the show!! highly recommended we went back to see my sons show again this time we were seated in the balcony orchestra left and we were quite pleased that we had an awesome view of the we were thrilled be able to get in on all the action + overall was an amazing experience another very nice thing about the Gave theater is they have a little bar + place to eat which is super convient for getting a quick something before the showbathrooms super clean as well my only complaint was the front desk girl could have been a little more friendly at check in read more

See all

Great theater, no bad seats is this house! This is smaller than The Aud and the offerings are usually a little more eclectic or lesser known. I was there recently for the production of In the Heights. I'm still blown away more than a decade after my first visit by how much I enjoy myself every time I'm here. This is a must see attraction for Rochester natives and visitors. There is a café on site if you're looking for a small meal or snack before the show! Parking nearby in an adjacent lot ($5 the night I went, not sure if this is standard or not), and within walking distance in a parking garage ($4 at the time). read more

Geva Theatre is a Rochester, NY staple. I've recently visited several times over the past twelve months and have to comment on the amazing renovations and updated menu / kitchen. The selection of plays is pretty good too. Visit when you can, it makes for an awesome date night! read more

My wife and I love performing arts, and especially live theater. We visit little theaters all over the country. GEVA stands tall in comparison. We have enjoyed theater at GEVA for decades. Even if we don't like a play we still Like the production. The quality of the performers is tops. The sets, lighting, sound and special effects set the standard for profession theatre arts. In the spirit of the Little Theatre movement the shows are offended lesser known works, and present cerebral themes; sometimes funny, sometime troublesome, but always thought provoking. Geva receives substantial community support and deserves all the support it receives. It is a genuine community treasure. read more

The Geva is our favorite theatre in Rochester. There's not a bad seat and they have a great lineup each year. We love to get there early and eat at the little bistro. read more

I give Geva 5 stars because nothing I've seen there HASN'T taken my breath away. There's not a bad seat in the house. That's one of the best parts of Geva actually. It's sort of like being at the Niagara Center for a Sabres game (well in one minor respect!) where just about every seat affords you a great view regardless of the distance from the action. Truth be told, the Geva is one of the best regional theaters in the USA. In the acting world, scoring a gig at Geva is a sweet deal. It's very respected and draws in a lot of talent from aspiring young performers from NYC. You will no doubt be very impressed by any of the shows, even the Next Stage ones. And one of the coolest perks about Geva? Their bar and their snacks are AWESOME - drinks and baked goods and intermission treats far surpass most theaters to which I've ever been. Reserve your slice of cake in advance though, it gets crowded super quick! If you're looking to booze and schmooze with the cast afterwards, I'm sure they'd be up for it. What else do they have to do with their down time in Rochester with no cars? Be a friend! read more

We have been members here for two years and can't say enough about geva. The shows are high quality and the experience is always top notch. The cafe offers great snacks and drinks for before and during intermission. The theater also features some great performances on their next stage as well as smaller shows on special even days. We saw a New Year's Eve show one year-so much fun!! A Rochester must see. read more

My friends and I have been attending GEVA for years as season pass holders. The building, staff and services are 2nd to none. An evening at GEVA will fill your belly and your heart....usually. Having said that, the current play, Slow Food by Wendy MacLeod, is slow indeed. In my opinion, the story is missing atleast one entire character--the side-kick. Could have been a second server character; could have been the audience itself. Either way, it's missing and the entire show is completely flat. Not worthy of the Wilson Stage. Not worthy of GEVA itself. Sorry, but it's true. :-( P.S.-The set was beautiful. read more

First visit here with my kids last night, to see "A Christmas Carol. " What a nice experience! Theatre is a little pricey when you have to purchase tickets for the whole family, but Geva was offering 1/2 price children's' tickets, which I appreciated, we had a great time, and I will definitely be returning---my 12 year old son (unexpectedly) was totally into the whole live theatre experience. Beautiful theatre, but also very accessible---I saw all ages, various styles of dress ranging from casual to more formal attires, and as has been said, great visibility from all seats. Concessions were really great too ( as mentioned you can pre-order/pay, and have your order waiting in the lobby for you at intermission which is a great time saver), on the night we went snacks available included ice cream from Pittsford Dairy and giant cookies from Cheesy Eddies, yum!Lots of passion and enthusiasm from the actors and staff here. One of the many great cultural assets we are fortunate to have in this city. read more

Geva Theatre Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all