Some of the most memorable evenings begin in places you could easily drive past…read more That was our experience at Burning Coal Theatre. Tucked inside the historic Murphey School building in downtown Raleigh, the theater's exterior carries the quiet charm of a former schoolhouse with hints of an old church. It's understated in the best way. A bright red door and simple banner signal that you've arrived somewhere special, where the performance not the façade is meant to take center stage. Inside, the atmosphere is refreshingly unpretentious. The lobby feels welcoming rather than formal, and before the performance began, one of the staff members struck up an easy conversation with my husband that immediately made the space feel like a neighborhood gathering place instead of a traditional theater. The intimate performance space wraps seating around three sides of the stage, creating remarkable proximity between audience and actors. There truly isn't a bad seat in the house. We attended *Shadows in Red Light*, a concert presentation of a new musical by Roné Sargent set against the backdrop of New York City's AIDS epidemic. At its heart, the story follows a mother who believes she is placing her infant in temporary foster care and the daughter who, years later, searches for the woman she believes abandoned her. It is ultimately a story about hope, sacrifice, belonging, and the many ways love can endure through unimaginable circumstances. What impressed me most was how little the production relied on spectacle. There were no elaborate sets or dazzling lighting effects competing for attention. Instead, the performers carried every emotional beat through their voices, expressions, and presence. It was a reminder that exceptional theater doesn't require excess it simply requires extraordinary storytelling and gifted artists willing to trust it. During intermission, I noticed the same level of care throughout the venue. The facilities were spotless, the bar offered a thoughtful selection of beverages, and the overall experience felt relaxed and intentionally curated. We skipped drinks only because we were excited to get back to our seats before the second act began. Parking was plentiful, the staff was warm and welcoming, and every detail contributed to an evening that felt both intimate and unforgettable. In a city with an ever-growing arts scene, Burning Coal Theatre remains one of Raleigh's quiet treasures. If you're looking for theater that values substance over spectacle and storytelling over production value, this is the place. We'll absolutely be back.

This theater is special! Not only does it have an amazing history, it's just really intimate and…read moredifferent. I really love how you're sitting around the stage and thus feel part of the play/performance. All great vibes! Parking lot is small but free. There are adequate bathrooms and i believe they sell concessions all the time. They did for the patty I attended.

The entire experience was fun: great setting in the park and wonderful performances by the cast…read moremembers!'n

This is such a hidden gem in Raleigh. It's a tiny theatre that produces live plays and…read moreentertainment. They post their schedule online and have flyers at the theater. We came here to see multiple plays such as Dracula, Santa land Diaries, and Hair. You can book your tickets online. They do offer military and student discounts. You just have to show proof that it applies to you upon arrival. They tend to sell out of most of their shows. They have an adorable concession stand that serves refreshments inside the lobby. There are quite a few great restaurants nearby, so this makes for a great date night!

I went to see Muscadine Bloodline at the Carolina Theatre and honestly, I can't recommend this…read morevenue enough! If you love live music but aren't a fan of huge crowds and overpriced everything, this theater is a total gem. First off, the vibe here is just cool and intimate. It's one of those places where, even if you're sitting a bit farther back, you still feel close to the action. The acoustics were great, every note and every lyric was super clear, which really made the performance feel special. Muscadine Bloodline killed it, by the way! One thing I really appreciated: the whole experience felt easy and relaxed. Getting there was a breeze and there's a parking garage directly across the street, so no crazy searches for a spot or long walks in the cold/rain/heat. You can literally be inside the theater within minutes of parking. Inside, the concessions were surprisingly reasonable. I was bracing myself to pay $20 for a beer like most venues, but nope, drinks and snacks were actually affordable. It's a little thing, but it made the night even better. Being able to sit for the show was also huge for me. The seats were comfortable, with a good view from just about anywhere. I loved not having to stand the whole time or jockey for space. It's honestly the perfect size, big enough for a killer crowd atmosphere, but small enough that it's not overwhelming. All in all, the Carolina Theatre just nails it for live shows. Great music, chill atmosphere, reasonable prices, and zero hassle. Can't wait to catch another concert here!

First time going to Carolina Theatre to see EarHustle (IYKYK). The theater is lovely, nice…read moreintimate setting. We sat in the 4th row and gelt immersed in the performance but there really isn't a bad seat in the house. Parking was right across the street and reasonably priced. My only complaint was their concessions didn't have much variety. I should have done my research because I went to the event without eating dinner and popcorn just didn't do it for me. I'm looking forward to seeing more shows here.

Hit or miss. Sometimes they don't dim the lights very much because the senior citizens that often…read morego to it feel unsafe. It's always annoying when they do that because the screen is washed out and you can see everything in the cinema. If a few people complain they will lower the lights to a normal level but then 20 minutes of the movie have gone by. Has happened to me multiple times.

Love this little theater..Get your tickets when you get there, no lines and great popcorn!read more

My brother convinced me to join him at Mettlesome when I was in town recently. My visit coincided…read morewith a visiting group who performed live sketch musicals. As a huge fan of both comedy and musicals, I was intrigued and I was blown away by the talent. The venue itself is easy to find with lots of parking and there is a decent amount of seating available for a smallish space. I got to meet some of the Mettlesome members through my brother and look forward to returning for one of their own shows!

Came to Mettlesome last night for a show and had a great time!…read more Parking was easy because Mettlesome is part of the "Golden Belt Campus," which basically just seems like a bunch of buildings in a complex with a nice little outdoor area. The front of house staff were helpful and nice, tickets were very affordable ($8), and the theater also sold reasonably priced beer and wine. The show started on time and was entertaining! I was a bit surprised that there was a short intermission halfway through the show since it was only an hour long, but that may just be a unique part of the "Show and Tell" performance. Overall, I would definitely come back here - it was a lot of fun!

I love DPAC! When we moved to NC from the DMV a few years ago, I was so worried I wouldn't get to…read moresee as many musicals as I was used to being so close to the Kennedy Center, the State Theater, the Lincoln Theater, and DAR, but DPAC is all of those, all wrapped into one. I get excited to see what the Broadway package is year over year. I've seen some classics and a few newer shows and they have all been exquisite. The stage products is great, the different price points of seating are great (although I'm terrified of the 3rd level, it is really high up there!), the staff are always so friendly and helpful, there are good concessions and the pretzels are always fresh! There is a photo booth that I frequent every show we go to, which I love. There are bars on every level,and although I wish there were more stalls in the bathrooms, as it gets hectic, but they bring out a person with a sign to show where the end of the line is, so that's cool. They get music, musicals, drag, and comedians, so there is something for everyone. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend scheduling a visit.

Wine was good $24 for a glass!!…read moreService was good Ambiance was good I don't recommend sitting in the nosebleed we had to leave early

Saw Boogie Nights. It was great…read more Ordered a large popcorn and water. Love this place.

If I could give half stars, I'd give it 3 1/2 stars but as it is I refuse to give it just 3 so here…read morewe are. Admittedly I haven't been here since the remodel, so take this lightly, but I am a little salty about it. I'm all for revitalizing places in order to draw in more of a crowd but it does feel a little out of place now. Kind of giving "what is wrong with you? Why are you BLUE?" Yay: -old as hell -cute n quirky -keeping a local cinema alive -does live shows too which I can appreciate -they go hard for Rocky Horror Nay: -be prepared to search for parking -seems to do less independent/artsy movies and stuff now and more live shows (and such and as a movie lover it hurts a smidge) -seriously, why is it SO blue

Raleigh Little Theatre is one of the oldest theatres in the United States. It became incorporated…read morein 1936. The building is on land that was once the home to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds for a horse racing dirt track. In World War I, it was used as a training area for combat tanks. It is also land for the Lumbee Tribe and the Tuscarora Nation. Raleigh Little Theatre shares a campus with the Raleigh Rose Garden and an outdoor amphitheatre. The main stage was dedicated to Cantey V. Sutton in 2000, as she was the one who found Raleigh Little Theatre a permanent campus in 1939. She got a grant to build the campus and cut through the red tape. She is remembered as the "Grand Dame" and "First Lady" of Raleigh Little Theatre. Raleigh Little Theatre has three theatres, the Cantey V. Sutton theatre, which has 298 seats. The Louise "Scottie" Stephenson Amphitheatre, which seats 2000 on the outside on the terraced grass rows. And the Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre, a black box theatre that seats 150. I attended School of Rock at RLT. The performance was held in the Sutton Theatre, which has 298 seats, and the auditorium has a small slope. I found the sightlines good for watching the performance, as well as the sound and lighting. I did find the seating challenging as the seat numbers were not clearly marked, just the rows. I sat in the wrong seat and had to move. But I liked my new seat much better. As I was not familiar with the layout and had bought my ticket months ago, it would have been helpful to have volunteers in the theatre to assist guests, as many of us were confused. Parking was a little challenging for this performance because a downed tree and power lines had closed the parking lot, so off-street parking was the only option. The lobby was small, with some seating, restrooms and a concession stand that only takes credit cards. Drinks could go in the theatre, but not the food. I did like that we could go outside at intermission and sit on the benches. Overall, I give Raleigh Little Theatre a solid 4 stars. The production quality, acoustics, and historic atmosphere are easily 5-star material, but the seating confusion and lack of usher assistance held it back from being a perfect 5. It is a fantastic community asset, and I will definitely be back!

Volunteering at Raleigh Little Theatre has been one of the best decisions I've made! I started a…read morecouple of months ago, and it's such a great deal; volunteer an hour or two of your time and you get to see the show for free. Win-win! But beyond the perks, I've genuinely been blown away by the talent, the sets, the lighting, and the overall production quality. The cast members are phenomenal, and the passion they bring to the stage is palpable. It truly feels like you're witnessing professional-grade theatre in an intimate community space. The experience is super comfortable too; concessions are available at great prices, the bathrooms are always clean, and the venue is accessible for those with vision or hearing needs, which really shows their commitment to being inclusive. Whether you're looking to volunteer or just catch a great show, Raleigh Little Theatre is an absolute gem. 10/10 Highly recommend!