This a beautiful, modern and accessible theatre. The Public puts on a variety of plays (and occasional musical) every season. They also host special events and educational opportunities (like the annual Shakespeare competition). It is easy to access the theater, and there are a variety of seating options (including two sections of seats at the sides of the stage). They have accessibility aids like assistive listening devices. Restrooms are clean and spacious. The only down side is that the theater seats are on the smaller side. If you have a larger body, it may be a tight squeeze into the seats. This kind of thing is really disappointing in a new(ish) theater. But overall, high quality productions and a great place to see a show. read more

There is not a bad seat in this place! All of the staff were so kind, and the actors were fantastic! Even the patrons were respectful and quiet. Other than the price of concessions, this event was fantastic! read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If you haven't been to the O'Reilly Theater, please give yourself and your family the treat of seeing a performance here. This is the most unique theater in Pittsburgh. Every seat feels incredibly close to the stage--so close it seems like you could reach out and touch the actors. The theater is set "in the round," creating an intimate experience where you're fully immersed in the performance. I've sat in many different sections throughout the theater, and the acoustics are consistently outstanding. No matter where you sit, you can hear every word clearly and feel completely connected to the story. The O'Reilly Theater is truly a special place and a must-visit for anyone who loves live theater. read more

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I'm becoming somewhat of a regular at Pittsburgh Public Theater. This year alone I've attended "The Coffin Maker" and "Dial M For Murder". Both shows were fantastic! In the past I've seen a production of "The Tempest" as well as been lucky enough to see Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal perform together. Those are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head. I mention all these shows because I've ended up sitting in many different sections in the theater when attending said shows over the years. I've always had a great seat - I'm not even sure there's a bad seat here. But if you've never been here and don't know what to expect, have no fear: you'll see pictures of your potential view as you select your tickets online. It's really helpful to have that for reference as you're deciding what seats are or are not worth considering. (Pro tip: while some of the balcony seats have a railing in front of them, most don't. In my experience they're the best way to strike a balance between a good seat and a smaller ticket price.) In summary: this is a great venue that has been home to many excellent productions over the years. If you're not paying attention to what's playing here, you definitely should - you'll love your night at the Pittsburgh Public Theater! read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - The Tempest opening set. - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We came to the O'Reilly Theater for a performance of The Hobbit. It was my first time so I didn't really know what seats to buy. We ended up on one side of the stage in the 3rd level. It was a good view of the stage, but we did miss some action that happened right below us. I would try for the first or second level next time. Loved the show! The cast was awesome, the set and props great too. Especially enjoyed the troll puppets. read more

My first time seeing a show at the O'Reilly Theater was great! My friend and I went to see The Second City improv show last night. Picking up tickets was easy since the box office is right next door. I ubered downtown, but would recommend parking in the Theater Square parking garage. The lobby is really cool and the whole building is unique. I have peaked in here during First Night or a Gallery Crawl another time, but was never in the actual theater. The staff were friendly and patient while checking IDs and tickets to get in. They were selling merchandise in the lobby and I liked that they had a sign saying there was 1 intermission and the show would end around 9:30 pm. I had no idea how long the performance would be, so it was nice to have an idea. Once inside the theater we took our seats a few rows up from the stage. Thankfully we did not have seats right next to the stage because the comics did interact with the crowd. The seats were comfortable and had enough leg room which is very unlikely at any of the other old buildings in Pittsburgh. They were not serving any food or drinks at this time. The sound was great, and we really enjoyed the show. I loved how intimate the theater was and it was especially funny to see the comic's facial expressions since we were so close. I will definitely pay more attention to shows coming to the O'Reilly since we had such an awesome experience. read more

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Yinzer Yuletide, Lights and Legends was a wonderfully creative holiday gem. Anchored by the storytelling prowess of Rick Sebak, we meet a series of talented guests and celebrate the best of Pittsburgh's Christmas traditions. The pacing was perfect, and the original musical score tied it all together. Magic, juggling, music and more, this is something you don't want to miss! read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Yinzer Christmas window display - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I recently attended A Christmas Story. Great story, actors did a good job. I received an email on November 24 at 6:59 am advertising a 50% discount if I ordered tickets by midnight. So I ordered 4 tickets but did not receive the discount. Using the PPT website I asked about the discount but two days later when I received a reply I was told the discount was only for the day before, November 23. But I didn't receive the email until November 24. I even forwarded the PPT email to them. Nothing. So either their Marketing Dept is incompetent, or it was a deliberate bait and switch to encourage me to order tickets. Fortunately there are other theater options in Pittsburgh. I will not stand another PPT production read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I had the opportunity to see the play SchoolGirls last week (thank you PPT and Yelp!) It was one of the best plays I've ever seen and really highlights the power of theater. The production was hilarious, poignant, and not afraid to explore very important topics and layers of the standard of beauty. The character development was layered and the actors were phenomenal. They gave it their all and gave such an entertaining and heartwarming performance that had the audience laughing and reflecting and reacting in a very meaningful way. Would definitely go again to see this play! read more

Ticket pickup from the box office was easy and hassle-free. It is located right beside the theatre. Prior to the show, everyone was waiting in the lobby but it was comfortable and even had some seating. This was my first visit to this venue and I adored the set up. We saw "School Girls" and it felt like we were RIGHT THERE in the action. I'd highly recommend checking out this theater and if you happen to read this before "Street Girls" is done, absolutely get some tickets. The show was thought provoking and entertaining. read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Date Night - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

To me this is one of the best theaters in the Cultural District. The sound and seating are incredible. There honestly isn't a bad seat in the house. The staff are courteous and go out of their way to assist theater goers. I've several friends that are local performers and it's amazing getting to watch them do their thing on this stage. read more

Wow so in all my life we have never been here. We parked less than a full block away at the Ft Duquesne & 6th St parking garage because Theatre Square Garage was full. It was only $8 and was easy to get to. We came down for the Pittsburgh Lights and Legends Show. We came in and got our tickets from the box office and then made our way over to the front door. Went through the metal detectors and security to the lobby area. There wasn't a very clear layout or what you were supposed to do or allowed to do before the doors opened. We went with the crowd and after getting drinks from the very friendly and attentive staff we got in line which was winding around the lobby. Once the doors opened they sorted through everyone's tickets to determine which direction we were to go. We went to the left to come out to the show floor/stage. We went up the steps past the VIP/Reserved section and sat in the row above the rail on the end. When the show was beginning to start they explained the rules with photography, video, etc. the show itself started late from what ticket time was and actually ended much earlier from what I saw the windows were scheduled for online. However all things considered we Loved the show and the performance was spectacular. The love music, live action, live story was put together spectacularly and pulled off without a flaw! I would highly recommend coming down here and plan on coming back for more shows again in the future! I suggest planning ahead. Route, parking, backup parking, and arrival time. If only General Admission I would suggest planning arrival time to be early and of going to the upstairs bar arrive even sooner unless you don't mind not getting first choice in seating. read more

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This was my first visit to this theater and upset it took this long to go. Just saw the Shakespeare play write The Tempest which was outstanding, especially in such an intimate venue as this. It doesn't have that grandiose old school feel but what it does have is an intimate feeling where you feel you're part of the program. The seats are situated on three sides of the staging area, which are quite roomy. Much more leg room than at other larger, local theaters. Parking is ample at nearby garages. The lobby is quite small yet again adds to the intimate ambiance. If you're looking for a smaller no frills venue this is perfect. I can't wait to go back! read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - View from stage left balcony - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I was here on Friday to see the opening of "A Few Good Men". Thank you PPT and Yelp for the tickets! I've been to the O'Reilly a couple times previously and sat somewhere totally different each time. The first time I saw an improv show with Second City and sat on the top balcony, stage right. The second time was for Margorie Prime and we sat front and center. This time we sat stage left on the risers. I was a little hesitant whether I was going to like these seats, but they ended up being perfect. I really like to see the actors faces. The whole second half of the show was the trial and I could see everyone perfectly. I honestly think these seats were better than front and center for this particular show. I'm not sure what I was expecting going into this show, but I was actually pretty blown away by how good it was. There was a surprising comedic aspect that made the show even better. The actors were excellent. My favorite was PFC Downey. I know he didn't have the biggest part, but even when he wasn't talking, his facial expressions and mannerisms really made me believe he was a nervous PFC in the marines. I loved how they had themed drinks for the show. They were good quality mixed drinks, too. I remembered to bring in my PPT cups to the show, so we were able to bring our drinks inside without having to pay extra. I'm happy you're allowed to do that. My only suggestion for concessions is to maybe have a salty snack option. There were only cookies and candy to buy, but I really wanted some nuts or something to that effect. Thanks again, we had a great time! read more

I saw Indecent at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. The theater is in the O'Reilly Theater at 621 Penn Ave. This was my first time in the O'Reilly and my first time attending PPT. The Theater is a fairly intimate 650-seat space with excellent acoustics and sight lines. I was near the top in the center. There is also a single row of seats on the 3rd floor that have a wonderful view from the sides. The lobby was quite crowded upon my arrival with a bar, snack counter, coat room and restrooms attempting to accommodate 650 theater-goers. Since I hadn't been here before, it was difficult to know where to go. The play was good with a creative set design. I will definitely attend more plays here. read more

Terrific venue with 3 sided seating. No bad seats in the house. For this particular play, "The Tempest", the set was spectacular with a lazy Susan type turntable in the middle for easy scene changes. Additional props and effects (lightning, thunder, snow) added to the play enjoyment. read more

One of the gems tucked in on Penn Ave in the Cultural District is the O'Reilly Theater (otherwise known as the Pittsburgh Public Theater). Across from Heinz Hall and next to Katz Plaza this is the perfect place for a show right after getting a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants on 6th and 7th. I came with my wife to see School Girls and was very impressed with the the look and feel of the theater. The box office is right next door and the theater lobby is a nice public space with windows and seating. The theater itself has floor and auditorium seating and you're guaranteed a good view no matter where you sit! Love coming and will definitely be back :) read more

I had the pleasure of going to see The Tempest the other night with my boyfriend. This is a new production and going in I wasn't totally sure what to expect. First the theater. I have seen many shows here over the years and love the theater. There aren't really any bad seats in the house. There are even seats on the side of the stage. The layout of the theater provides for a unique experience. The shows are intimate and at times I was literally inches from the performers. The actual show was excellent. I have seen Tamara Tunie in other things and am a fan. She was phenomenal. She puts such expression into her performance with both words and body language. The actress who played Ariel was also a standout. The whole cast was great though and the show hit emotional notes but had plenty of funny moments as well. I would recommend this show for sure and I will attend other shows here in the future as I love the theater. One side note... it's a bad look to have an usher sleeping in an empty front row seat during the performance. read more

I have been a theater goer for years, but prefer the smaller intimate theaters. This was my first play at Pittsburgh Public Theater. Perfect intimate setting, all seats have a great view. Marjorie Prime is a must see show! Even felt more of a liking to how the characters were portrayed here verses the actual movie!! Will not disappoint !! read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Marjorie Prime Beverage cup for drinks in the theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Tempest was outstanding. I am not a huge Shakespeare fan, but I could appreciate the true art that was performed on that stage. The acting was superb, the stage was designed and utilized well, the venue was intimate, with great acoustics. This was my first time attending a performance at the Pittsburgh Public Theater which is also called the O'Reilly Theater. It's a very nice, clean, and easily accessible theater right next to the Theater Square Garage also in close proximity to many restaurants. I am definitely going to attend another performance with my family in the future. read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I have had a craving for more live theater in my life. I took my partner to see A Doll's House, Part 2, not quite knowing what we were getting into. Parking was difficult to find on the street, so we settled for the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, which charged us a flat rate of $8 (it's a bummer to me, but it's downtown-- what do I expect?). There are metal detectors in the front of the theater. There was alcohol available for purchase in the lobby. The ushers were so kind and helped us to our seats. We had great seats, but looking around, it seemed like there were no bad seats to be found. The volume was great, could hear every word. It feels like you're fairly close to the actors, which is so important to me-- because I wanna catch every little facial expression. Save your ticket stubs for a coupon for your next ticket purchase! Also, I saw that they give great full-time student discounts! I look forward to the next quality theater performance! read more

I've never left the O'Reilly Theater (home of Pgh Public Theater) disappointed. PPT consistently presents high quality productions. My most recent experience was "A Yinzer Yuletide: Pittsburgh Lights & Legends," hosting by Rick Sebak. For those of you of a certain age, think of the old TV Christmas specials hosted by Andy Williams and Perry Como, only more modern and with a Pittsburgh focus. The show's music was not only well-performed, but included something for everyone. I enjoyed it so much, I'm considering seeing it again with my husband. If you make it to a show at the O'Reilly over the holidays, you MUST visit the Nebby Bar upstairs - fabulous decorations and festive cocktails. Even if you can't make a show, take a stroll past the theater windows. I guarantee their holiday displays won't disappoint. read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Amazing festive décor at the Nebby Bar. - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This place never fails to put on a good show. I just saw Indecent. Much more educational than I expected but that made it so much better. Every time I come here, I sit in a new section. I always tell myself "this is the best seat I've sat in." But in reality, I haven't sat in a bad seat yet. I'm excited to go back to one of my favorite Pittsburgh theaters! read more

I've attended plays at this theater multiple times now and I love it! The stage is on the floor which makes it a more immersive experience. The seats are also comfortable and clean. The staff is great and very helpful. The beverages and snacks are reasonably priced for a performance venue, however, if you want to bring your drink in you must buy a four dollar reusable cup in addition to your drink purchase. I did see someone bring their empty reusable cup with them from a previous show so if you plan on going to this theater often it might be worth it. If you're looking for a good show the Pittsburgh public theater is a great option! They always have great shows; most recently I saw School Girls and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great play to see. read more

The PGH Public Theater bring some fun shows to town. I've seen a couple of shows here prior to the pandemic and always had a good time. The seating can go up pretty high, but you still get a great view of the large stage. Also, the shows here seem to be more affordable than the Byham Theater sometimes (another favorite of mine in the Burgh with great national-touring shows). If you're a theater nerd like me, I think you'll love this venue! read more

A great intimate theater to go see a show in. The building is smaller, so there are less seats, but it also allows you to be up close to the stage and feel like a part of the story. The actors move around you, up and down the aisles, enter through either side doorway, and obviously behind the stage. The ability to transform the stage and scene is fascinating. There is a rotating floor that allows them to spin the stage and present a different set very quickly. The sound system is clear and at a good volumn to hear the actors and music. Also, the entire building is very clean and employees are all extremely friendly. Only downside of the theater are the seats are somewhat small and close together, so you feel like you're on top of the person next to you, at least I the section I was sitting (right side). read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Really a special theater! What a great venue. When I first walked in I thought it was theater in the round but then I saw the stage. We sat at the extreme right side above the stage and the view and sounds were wonderful. The acting was very good. A great lesson on relationships. We will be back. Looking forward to future productions. BTW. The bar setup was nice with super friendly barkeeps. read more

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I just saw my first show there in decades and they're still very well done. The cast was wonderful and the sets and sound were very good. I look forward to seeing more productions there in the future. They're doing one play next season that I missed on Broadway. Can't wait! read more

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I was truly blown away by this adorable little theatre! I came to see "Pittsburgh Lights and Legends" with tickets from yelp. I brought along my daughter and I had no idea what to expect. We were slightly lost looking for the theater, the front says oriely theatre, not Pittsburgh public theatre. However, we did notice the many signs on the sidewalk advertising our show which was a great help. The windows of the theater were beautifully decorated in Pittsburgh fashion. They even had kings castle from Mr. Rodgers. Upon walking in to the theatre, I was suprised by it's small size. There really isn't a bad seat in the house! I noticed on my way to my seats that they also have a small bar. (I'm not sure if they sell food, I believe its only drinks.) They also had snacks available for purchase in lobby as well as some "Pittsburgh" items. My daughter bought a small Mr Rodgers trolly car. The show we saw was fantastic, really a great time. It got better as it went on and was over before we knew it! I would gladly come back and visit the Pittsburgh Public Theatre again! read more

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This was the first time that I was at the Pittsburgh Public Theater for A Doll's House Part 2. While waiting for the show to start, we discovered that not only is there sitting on the first floor but there are also tables and bar service on the second floor. It's a very nice area to just wait and have a couple of drinks. The theater itself is pretty small. There are about three levels to it. I wouldn't recommend the seats on the third floor to the right and left of the stage since it's a bit difficult to see. The seats are very small and tight together but it's nice to be close to stage wherever you're sitting. The play itself was OK. I really enjoyed the actors but it was tough staying engaged as the seats were uncomfortable. I also did not like how it ended as it leaves you hanging and wondering what happens which makes you think that there might be A Doll's House Part 3. read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - A Doll's House Part 2 - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I went to see Indecent here on Friday, April 26th. I sat in row N seat 238 which had a great view! I was extremely impressed by the cast's ability to put on such a great show with so a small cast, few outfits, and a simple set. Indecent was engaging, educational, and a joy to watch. It had me thinking about issues that were outside of my own demographic and helped me view things from a different perspective which is truly priceless. read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Program for Indecent with view row N seat 238 - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I went to this theater to see, School Girls, or African Mean Girls. It was my first time at this theater. The theater is very beautiful with a modern design. You can purchase drinks, but beware, you cannot bring any food or drinks from the outside. Many people eat dinner prior to seeing a play and have leftovers; you cannot bring that into the theater with you. Ok moving on, the ushers were very helpful in finding my seat, because I was so confused. I was given the opportunity to see the play, "School Girls, or the African Mean Girls" with the Yelp Elite group. I thoroughly enjoyed the play. My guest and I had so much fun and laughed. Before the show, FashionAfricana held an exhibit, Portraits of Black Beauty, Mario Epanya, photographer. And afterward, they had a FashionAfricana event upstairs with complimentary food and drinks. This was such a great night out. I have no complaints; everything was great. If you have some time, check out "School Girls, or the African Mean Girls"...it is a great play. It runs until Dec 8th read more

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Back to Pittsburgh Public today to see School Girls. Very good show, a bit unexpected, funny, edgy, made me think a lot about humanity. The theater is a wonderful venue. Intimate, great seats. While we were close to the stage, it was a little difficult to hear and see, because we were off to the side. So we missed quite a bit of dialogue. Hopefully next time, we'll get better ones. read more

Had the honor of receiving Elite tickets during the opening night of A Few Good Men, and to be honest my expectations were low having lived in the greater NYC area for most of my life... but this place delivered a great experience overall. We came on opening night, so you can imagine that there are always going to be some small issues (i.e. the volunteer ushers had no idea where our seats were, but we eventually found them) and some of the actors were probably at 80% of their full potential... but I can tell that they probably get way better in a couple of weeks and the town is in for a great play. Two things to note... I was surprised that the script focused heavily on delivering comedic punchlines but it didn't take away from one of my favorite movies of all time. Literally any seat in the house is an amazing seat! The setup here is great. In my opinion - The actor that played Col. Jessep is by far the best in the cast and definitely stole the show. The gentleman that plays Lt. Kaffee was also stellar in his performance. read more

This was my first time to this theater. The lobby area was very open and there was a section to the right where they had tables and offered seating. There were also stands in the lobby with a few concessions like candy & chocolate and a small table stand offering bar items wine and mixed drinks. I was a little confused because I didn't know how to navigate the seating section. We had seating in the 200s, but we needed to enter on Floor 3. A nice worker showed me that the ticket listed the entry level on the front. Pretty Neat! The usher escorted us to our seats, and they were quite comfortable. I like the set up inside, its shaped like a semicircle and the stage is below every right in the middle. It was designed to give everyone a great view. Honestly, I don't think there was a bad seat in the house. I took my daughter to see "School Girls". It was quite entertaining and we enjoyed our time there. read more

Went to see Steel Valley's very own Tamara Tunie in a matinee showing of the Tempest. I had never been to this theater before but I can tell you I will be back. Small, quaint, and comfortable - it's like having the actors to your home. I was so close I felt like she was talking directly to me. Shakespeare isn't always easy to understand but this production was a modern take on the classic. An all female production with strong, funny, and genuine characters - it didn't take long before I was drawn in. The time melted away and in the final scene my eyes filled with tears. Tamara has always been great from As The World Turns to L&O SVU - but she was nothing short of perfection as Prospero. Bravo!!! read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We went to the Pittsburgh Public Theater last weekend for a show and I was very impressed with the facilities. I really like the horse shoe seating the engulfs the stage, and the experience of looking down on the actors. I also thought the staff was extremely helpful and the actors at the theater were really impressive. We had no problem getting in and out, ordering a drink quickly at intermission, and receiving directions on where to find our seats. I like this theater a lot and plan on many return visits. The only small drawback is the seats were incredibly uncomfortable for me. Maybe it was because we were in the balcony and had to turn our bodies at a 45degree angle which would smash your legs again the arm rest, or you could just turn your neck but either way it wasn't real comfy. I hope in the future we can get a seat more in the middle perhaps alleviating this small issue. Overall this is just another great addition to the Pittsburgh's cultural district. read more

We just saw "As You Like It" here and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The cast did a great job engaging the audience. It was a long show (two and a half hours) but I was surprised afterwards that it didn't feel nearly that long and kept my attention throughout. My only issue was the difficulty in understanding all of the Shakespearean English, but it was easy to follow the storyline. I think our usher may have been having an off-night. We were led to two wrong sections before we found our seats ourselves. We have been here a few times and have will definitely be back for more! read more

Pittsburgh Public Theater - Shakespeare's "As You Like It" - Performing Arts Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I came here for the opening night of "A Few Good Men". Going into the show I was unsure of what to except but I was blown away by the performances and by the humor of the show. All the actors were excellent, I cannot recommend this show highly enough. This was my first time at the Public Theatre and it definitely won't be my last. The show started at 8pm and lasted a little less than 3 hours with a 15 minute intermission. Of note, the theatre itself had the AC running so it was a bit chilly inside so make sure to bring a jacket. Parking tip: I live downtown so I walked to the theatre. However, if you are coming by car, there is always free street parking after 6pm, although a spot might be difficult to find as spots are limited. There are also plenty of garages available to park in. The Smithfield liberty garage has a special for only $6 after 4pm which is a great deal for downtown parking and a close walk to the theatre. Make sure to prepay before the show in order to prevent waiting in line to pay for your ticket during rush hour after the show. read more

We came here to watch "A Few Good Men" and left feeling very impressed with the quality of the acting and overall message of the performance. I would even venture to say that it was of the same quality as an episode of West Wing but with a more powerful message. It was also interesting how they went between different times in history to illustrate the plot. After viewing this theater performance, I am particularly interested in watching the movie. We were especially impressed with the performance by Doug Harris who played Daniel A. Kaffee. He captured the attention of the entire audience with his energy and emotions. At the end, we settled with our mixed rollercoaster of emotions in his task to win his case whose outcomes for was built up during the play. I would love to come back here for future performances. Watching this made we wish we could binge watch these types of performances like how one would on Netflix. Definitely recommend going, especially if you are going to see "A Few Good Men" which may be my favorite theater experience thus far. read more