What a nice venue! Right in the Seattle Center- I've walked by it so many times but this was the…read morefirst time seeing a show. The venue was super clean, loved the bar and snack area with lots of seating. Bathrooms were well maintained and lots of staff around to help and answer any questions. The show we saw was very good. The cast were so talented and to be honest I'm not a huge play person but I really enjoyed this show! Would love to come back and see what else they have.

I LOVE when there is a play that I want to see and it is at Seattle Rep. The whole place is just…read moredivine. The workers and volunteers here are top notch. Super helpful, and you can tell they are choosing to be there. I feel like they are always excited to answer my questions and bursting with energy and enthusiasm about the current production. This last time I went, Theresa helped me find my seats and the last thing she said to me was "you are going to love this, you are so lucky!" It just made me feel so good about the whole experience. They usually have a cocktail and mocktail that are themed after the show, which I think is so cute. This last time I was there, they were offering mini Molly Moons ice creams and chocolate covered oreos from Seatown Sweets. Love that they incorporate local offerings. This is a really special place filled with special people and I love coming here.

I had so much fun attending the Empire strips back, at Cornish Playhouse. The theater was first…read morecome first serve but I don't think there was one bad seat in the place. It wasn't very big so the experience felt intimate. The show was sexy, funny, and interactive. I would see it again.

We were here this weekend to see the show The Empire Strips Back. It's a pretty playhouse with…read morecomfortable seating and great sound/lighting effects. Checking in and finding our seats was quick and easy. At intermission, they had beer, wine, and a good variety of snacks to choose from and let you bring them into the auditorium, which was generous. The facilities were clean, and the staff we interacted with was friendly and helpful. Lighting and audio worked well during the whole show. Nice place and fun show.

Got to catch the dress rehearsal of Emergence last night, and I've got to hand it to Pacific…read moreNorthwest Ballet, they really know how to pull people into their world. Before the show, they hosted a discussion with the director and production team, giving the audience a chance to ask questions and get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and how everything comes together (which seems so intense!). Honestly, such a cool way to make ballet more accessible and get people interested in the performing arts. For a suggested donation of $25, you get to meet the crew, ask your burning questions (like, how do they make it look so effortless?), and then watch the full dress rehearsal. Not a bad deal at all. The dancers were absolutely phenomenal, and since Emergence hasn't been performed in Seattle for seven years, it feels like a big moment. Safe to say, it's going to do really well. I think they've got a few more of these dress rehearsals/production team discussions lined up this season for upcoming shows and if you've ever wanted to see world-class ballet without committing to a full-priced ticket, this is 100% the way to do it. Definitely worth checking out!

We've been to PNB's presentation of The Nutcracker 6 or 7 times now and every year it is slightly…read moredifferent but always enjoyable. This is a great way to celebrate the holidays with family, especially for the younger individuals who will no doubt find the experience magical. Parking in the Mercer Street Garage is definitely the way to go since there is a catwalk that brings you into McCaw Hall. This is very helpful when the PNW rain is upon us, since it is covered for the entire walk into the hall. There is a complimentary coat check on the bottom floor and several concessions stands for coffee, tea, sodas, and alcohol as well as snacks and sweets throughout the venue. The ballet and orchestra are always great entertainment and this is definitely an annual outing we enjoy thoroughly.

And Seattle has "a vibrant local theater scene"?…read more ***** This group, despite its central location and relative regional importance, is not very responsive to the community it ostensibly proposes to be an integral part of. I've been trying for years to write a one-act play entitled "10 Years a Coolie: Living in Seattle Public Housing," which I truly believe would be topical and have insights into the social dynamics and seemingly intractable problems of this little understand community. Too controversial ("too diverse, too different"). So I finally wrote a message asking to whom or to what othe organization I could turn to for information on local playwriting (classes, groups, etc.), as my efforts to connect had failed up to this point. But I got no response. Not even, "sorry, we appreciate your inquiry but are not in the position of providing you with..." It sounds like a group that is quite insular, notwithstanding its self-image. As in the hip local parlane, "it [that] sucks."

TPS is a rental space on the fourth floor open to the public. They have many rooms that cater to…read moredifferent needs, usually all performance art related. To rent you just go online and submit a form. It's only around 10$ an hour and as long as no one has the space after you you can usually stay longer. I would recommend renting a space because these rooms can fill up and hallway practice is lame. I come here weekly for improv meet ups and it's great. Mirrors on one side of the wall, wooden floors, the furniture is pushed to the side which gives you the freedom to set the room. It's always generally unmonitored so we've had little soirees here and eaten food. It's minus a star because sometimes the other users are really noisy (large dance groups that rattle the floor) and sometimes the staff may forget to provide a key and are difficult to reach on site.

On the Boards presents performances of many types…read more You can look up shows and the season to find the artists they bring. The main hall is about 150 in a straight rake. The stage is deep. They have plenty of lighting and good sound. They don't have a stage fly space for scenery and backdrops like the the Paramount or classic theaters. I would assume they can bring in linoleum for dance performances, but it was not there for the performance I saw. The lobby is nice with a ticketing alcove, and a simple bar with a limited selection of brewed coffee, mixed drinks, beer, and wine. They should add espresso. I was visiting Seattle. Residents are familiar with the Seattle world of parking and transit. So my comments on parking are for visitors. On the Boards is in Lower Queen Anne adjacent to the Seattle Center performance hall NW corner. It is a dense apartment an condo zone. That means there are opportunities for drinking/dining, but fierce parking. There is a gravel paid lot across the street by an apartment with a scanable QR payment system by Google/Apple Pay that works, and the parking company even sends a customer survey. Queen Anne, as the hill rises, has a parking permit system blocking lower visitor parking - read the signs carefully. If you love contemporary performance. On the Boards is one of Seattle's presenters to follow.

I went to see "Another you", a 70 minute "in your face " monologue about a man's life struggles,…read moregrowing up in Jersey. Great show and it's a pretty cool venue too. Ticket prices are pretty reasonable. Most of the shows are a bit to "interpretive" for my liking, but overall, a cool place and great for "something different" on a friday night. One major drawback- they serve alcohol in glass bottles, which, would have be fine if the venue wasn't, well "on the boards". The bottles were periodically kicked and broken (mistakenly, of course) and distracted immensely from the performance. I give it one awkward fist up the "you know what" up. What?? That's in reference to the show, you sickos.

We recently visited Paramount Theatre to watch Phantom of the Opera, and the theater itself was…read morehonestly part of the experience. The venue is stunning -- full of majestic arches, ornate architectural details, elegant balconies, and a grand old-theater atmosphere that immediately makes the evening feel special. Even before the performance starts, you already feel like you're having a real night out rather than just attending a show. The massive multi-tiered seating area is very impressive, yet the acoustics still felt excellent and immersive throughout the performance. One thing we especially enjoyed was spending time outside beforehand looking through the illuminated displays and posters for upcoming productions. It really builds anticipation and adds to the magical atmosphere of the evening. Whether you are seeing Phantom of the Opera or another performance, the Paramount feels like one of those classic theaters that turns an event into a memorable experience.

The touring production of The Phantom of the Opera at Paramount Theatre was absolutely fantastic…read more The cast was incredible, and the production itself deserved a much better audience environment than what the theater allowed. Unfortunately, this was one of the worst theater etiquette experiences I've ever had. During the first act, a man seated behind us repeatedly sang along during the performance. When I politely asked him to stop, the person next to him sarcastically pointed at the stage and said, "The show is over there," while the behavior continued. Around us, multiple people talked throughout songs and scenes, and later in the evening I even saw someone openly filming the show on an iPhone. I eventually had to leave my seats (Main Floor 2, Row G) and speak to management because the disruptions were so bad I couldn't focus on the performance. The only solution offered was seats in the very back of the orchestra. By that point, the experience was already frustrating enough that it took a while to calm down and enjoy the show again. What's most disappointing is that this is the SECOND time I've experienced terrible audience behavior at this theater. I previously saw Back to the Future here and dealt with nonstop talking during that performance too. I attend theater regularly in Southern California at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and also frequently see shows in New York City. Ushers there actively monitor audience behavior and quickly shut down disruptions. At the Paramount, it felt completely unmanaged. For the prices being charged -- around $350 for my tickets through Ticketmaster -- audience members should not have to deal with talking, singing, and filming throughout a Broadway performance. Amazing production. Extremely disappointing theater management and audience control.

I came by to watch a friend perform, and I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least! The theatre…read morearea is decorated with red curtains and wallpaper that completely make you forget you're in a bar. There's only a $10 suggested donation entrance fee, which is extremely reasonable. I love that Comedy Nest provides all the laughs while keeping it respectful. They have a list of rules for the comedians and banned topics, and it's great to see what a safe space it can be. Despite that, the comedians are hilarious, and everyone is able to have a good time. I highly recommend this place and will definitely come back!

If you want to get a feel of the pulse of Seattle then visit the "Rendezvous" for standup comedy…read moreand you won't be disappointed. We were here on Tuesday night when they charge $5 per guest for nearly 2 hours of entertainment (depending on the line up of performers). We sat through about 15-20 performers, got to learn great new stuff about the Seattle community and by the end my ears were hurting from my husband's loud laugh(Just kidding). Each of the comedians performed like a pro. They don't serve food and drinks downstairs so if you need something, you need to bring it from the bar or restaurant upstairs.

One of many great production houses in the area. I was lucky enough to win tickets to The Skin of…read moreour Teeth, and it was a great production! Love the bar area and snack options for intermission.

Seattle has so many venues and festivals that celebrate the arts…read more I happen to read about about the Seattle Reperatory at Bagley Wright Theater completing a major overhaul for a new show. Literally, that evening I bought tickets online for the 2pm show for "Here Lies Love". Missed out on getting U2 tickets, so this is a spontaneous splurge. Scored on street parking diagonal from the venue on 4/16/17, which was sheer luck since our tickets were held at will call and no late seating. Darn Seattle traffic! Lots of anticipation leaning against the stage and loved the huge sparkly disco ball. Photography was strictly prohibited, so couldn't get a snap to share. The show presented the life of Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines. Being of Filipino descent, this intrigued me. My lone trip to the PI in 1978 brought back some of the imagery of that era. Nasty, corrupt, excessive political times, but also the love of all things beautiful. Parts had me conflicted because this was based on actual history. But like living under today's administration, hope and happiness can happen from living in the moment. I thoroughly enjoyed being on the main floor (versus the balcony and reserved seating) and having the production in one's face. I even held hands with the actor who performed as Ninoy Aquino. Music, bright costumes, lights, glitz, videography, amazing stage, and lots of dancing! Reminded me of carefree nights of going to clubs from another lifetime. A major gamble for this venue to take this on, but kudos for bringing this innovative production to Seattle. Totally different, energetic, and loved that the entire ensemble were people of color. Talented people that looked like me! This was also a first theatrical musical that I brought The Homie. He enjoyed attending and wasn't even embarassed that his mom was shaking and shimmying wholeheartedly. The 90 minutes flew by! Fun times created by David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim.