I went to the Guthrie Theater for the first time this week to see Waiting for Godot, and this was…read moredefinitely my first visit but not my last!
Our show started at 7:30, and I would absolutely recommend arriving well before 7 if it's your first time. The Guthrie is an experience beyond just the show, and there's so much to explore before you even get to your seat. We had time to check out the Amber Room, step outside onto the balcony, take pictures, and just wander around the building. There's also a restaurant on site and a bar where you can grab drinks and snacks. I really appreciated that there was plenty of space throughout the lobby to sit and lounge before the performance rather than feeling like you needed to immediately head into the theater.
The employees were incredibly friendly and even gave us recommendations for things to check out before the show. The building itself has a very modern feel, which was a fun change for me since I'm more accustomed to traditional theaters. I also really enjoyed the design of the theater and how the stage extended into the audience. It felt like there were good sightlines from a variety of angles and made the performance feel much more intimate.
We happened to attend on an especially fun night because it was opening night and the kickoff to the new season. After the show, they completely transformed the downstairs lobby into a party! There was a DJ, photo booth, snacks, and drinks available for purchase. At one point it genuinely felt like we were in a club rather than a theater, and I loved it.
Overall, such a fun first experience at the Guthrie. Come early, give yourself time to explore the building, and don't treat it as just a place to see a show--the venue itself is part of the experience. I'm already interested in coming back for another production!