We have attended several performances here. I'd like to rate it higher, but we seem to often get sub-optimal seats. On our first visit, we got seats in the first or second row on the floor level. However, we were sort of staring up at the conductor and the first row of musicians and could not see further back. We attended a rehearsal of the orchestra and sat further back (again, floor level). This afforded a better view, at least. Recently, we opted for the balcony. The ticket seating chart did not make clear that there were actually 2 balconies! The first row of the upper balcony did not offer a great view (again) due to the railing. It may be better a couple of rows back. For our next visit we will try out the middle balcony. Acoustics were fine. Parking (for Saturday evenings) is free in a large deck directly across the street. read more

My wife and I went to see Jeff Foxworthy there recently and can't say enough great things about the entire experience . Foxworthy was outstanding as was the service and friendly , professional staff .I lost my phone while at the show and the staff recovered it and held it for me in lost and found . We were BEYOND impressed . Thank you to everyone involved . Note : The center and all the grounds were safe and spotless read more

shame that this beautiful facility has such terrible seats and horrible acoustics. We saw two musicals, Menopause 2 and Chicago , very recently and neither of us, including our seat neighbors, could understand a word from the stage. Terrible. The seating was extremely uncomfortable. We won't be going to another in this theater until these problems are addressed. Richard Loftis 05/14/2025 read more

My wife and I have been season-ticket holders at Rivercenter for many years and drive quite a distance in order to enjoy touring shows in a truly first-class facility with a first-class staff. Most of the staff is volunteer and are well trained and extremely courteous. After years of travelling to NYC frequently, we made the choice to stay local for most of our theatre experiences because the venue is better than most in NYC and the shows are always spectacular. read more

Wow! I can't believe how nice this theatre is! I visited the Rivercenter this week to see the Hairspray national tour, not really knowing anything about the theatre itself. I was so surprised at the beautiful design and architecture of this theatre! There are 2 balconies in addition to the orchestra ground level. There are nice restrooms and a spacious lobby, and very kind ushers and employees. The legroom isn't great, but the seats are super comfortable and cushioned which makes up for that. We sat in Row S of Center Orchestra., and had the perfect view. We had a direct and unobstructed view and could see the entire stage. The ticket prices are also great and much lower than the Fox for same quality touring shows The show itself was wonderful of course but that isn't really having to do with the theatre itself. I really enjoyed my experience here and look forward to returning! read more

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PHENOMENAL! FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY!! TAJ EXPRESS Not since Cirque Alegria have I been so totally blown away by a live performance! This performance had everything: great storytelling, wonderful costumes, high energy and phenomenal dancing. We not only experienced traditional Indian dance but they also threw in a respectable dose of hip-hop. It was lit!! When some of the dancers came off of the stage and started dancing in the aisles, it went to a whole other level and it was poppin! This production was well written and well performed and I loved everything about it. When I first told my husband that I wanted to attend this particular performance, he gave me a bit of "pushback" but I persisted and prevailed. I am so glad that I did because he absolutely loved it as well. I could see this performance again and again because it was so mesmerizing and engaging. Highly recommended! LET'S TALK ABOUT THE VENUE! The Rivercenter is a great venue, especially at night. It is a modern structure with lots of windows and great lighting so you can get great nighttime photos. It is spacious with great facilities and acoustics. I especially loved the seating which was very cushioned and comfortable. We could have seen this production in Marietta but there was no way I could have endured such an uncomfortable venue. The drive to Columbus was more than worth it! Rivercenter is located on the main strip, (Broadway) and directly across from free parking. Yay! It is an easy walk to and from casual dining so if you are having a date night, you could have dinner and easily walk to Rivercenter. We are already planning a return in May to see another performance and catch the symphony. So looking forward! What a great treasure for Columbus! read more

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Although I had recently read the one star review this place received, I figured going to see Dave Chapelle was special enough to warrant "bad acoustics and uncomfortable seating." Initially I was correct. Dave's performance rocked. However; during the performance a member of the theater staff kept coming to the row in front of me and harassing one of the guests. From what I heard, the lady supposedly had her phone out (I don't know if she did or didn't but I didn't see any lights glowing around me, it honestly looked like she was just leaning forward and laughing at Dave) but it got so messy security came and took her away. It was so disruptive that Dave Chapelle himself acknowledged the noise and then, not even kidding, the same member of the staff came back again and accused another woman in my section of having their phone out. I totally get having to monitor things like that but they have got to figure out a better way to manage that without lessening the experience for other guests. It's already unpleasant to sit there...and they don't even offer concessions! Over all, next time I'll just book them earlier so I can stay in the city. read more

I was super impressed with how large and well-run this venue is here. Went here for the Dave Chappelle show, and the ushers helped us find our seats in a manner of a minute. They ushered people out discreetly during the show who were causing a disturbance, but were very professional. Will be back again (hopefully) to see a musical or something. read more

Amazing performing arts facility in downtown Columbus. The lobby is a bright and open area to socialize in before a show and during its intermissions. Bathrooms are clean and the facility as a whole is well-maintained. Attended a few broadway shows and a ballet here in the 2011-2012 season. The ushers who work the shows are very professional and helpful. The Box Office and Will Call in the interior are pretty efficient - I've never had to wait too long to pick up tickets prior to a show starting. The theater seating provides great vantage points. Even the nosebleed seats aren't that bad at all. It's a modern facility (about 10 yrs) and overall a great place to go for a show in season. read more

While the venue seemed very nice, but I was sooooo disappointed with the staff. Venue: First, and maybe yes, I should know this, but when ordering drinks minutes before the show started, it would have been nice to know that we couldn't bring them inside, so there were a bunch of people chugging liquor and beers. Sorry, but in Atlanta, we can drink in the theater. I was crushing wine spritzers with my niece at Fox at The Nutcracker and vodka sodas with my bestie at Tori Amos, so I don't get forcing me to chug and not mentioning it as I pay for my $6 vodka on ice. But I digress, that's not the main problem. Staff: The problem I mostly had was with the staff! They were so mean and crazy and disruptive, and it really ruined the experience. Two older women guards were so disruptive, coming in and out of ilses and pulling my friend out half way during Dave's set for no literally no reason. Earlier in the evening before Ashy Larry's set, one of the two women asked my friend to put her phone away. After some very mild grumbling (and no curse words either), my friend put her phone in her back pocket. . . and never took it back out!!! And the lady with the short buzz cut actually yelled at my friend too! It was already weird, but whatever. Phone away, not coming back out. Ever. Everyone around us vouched for her too. I see Rian A. was there and said so too. So about half an hour in to Dave's set (mind you after Ashy Larry, and music break, and now Dave, no phones out. Ever), the fair skinned security guard came in and beckoned my friend, but she didn't get up b/c we were enjoying the show. Like, hello? Leave us alone you psycho. She came back with another male security guard so my friend got up, left, then came back and said they accused her of recording the show, and that they were calling the cops, even though she showed them her phone which had nothing on it. So my friend comes back in, tells me, but I don't believe it so we go back to enjoying Dave's hilarious set. Lady comes back with older cop, and escorts her out, even when my friend proved she had no evidence of recordings! Even Dave was confused. Everyone around us were so annoyed, because this woman kept coming in all night for various ridiculousness. Sooo, it would be different if she was actually recording, but she truly wasn't. It was unjust and humiliating, and disrupting. Those security guards came back in and tried to take someone else out later, but they refused to get up, so they let them off the hook. I'm not sure if they escorted my friend out because they were offended that she grumbled an hour and a half earlier, or if they were discriminating against an openly gay woman, or just being evil, hateful women on a power trip, but it was wrong. And it ruined her night, dented mine, and disrupted everyone around us. At the very least, Rivercenter needs to refund her money and discipline those workers. Absolutely ridiculous and humiliating. AND FOR WHAT?! SHE WAS INNOCENT!!!! I'll update my post and let everyone know what happens. read more

This was my first time at this theater, really my first time in Columbus GA. I went to see Dave Chapelle on April 8th, the 7pm show. My visit started off fine, but I was a bit disappointed when I found out that the theater did not have a concession stand. I would soon find out that this was the least of my worries. They were extra strict about people having their phones out, like you couldn't even have it off and hold it in your hands. When I say strict I mean excessive/ FBI, SWAT, and DEA all in one style. I was in the mezzanine area, you had to enter through mezzanine D and we sat in seat 206 and 205. The ushers/FBI agents closest to us took their jobs way to serious. Throughout the show they continued to block our vision and disrupt our hearing by walking into the aisles and accusing people of having or using their phones when they were not. I unfortunately ended up being one of these people. I was leaning forward trying to enjoy the show and maybe 20min into Dave Chapelle, the same short fair skinned usher with a short black weave came to the end of my row and started saying several times and pointing to me "you, come here." At first I thought she was talking to someone else, so I looked to my left, but didn't see anyone. When I realized she was talking to me, I insisted that I had done nothing wrong and refused to get up. She then left and returned with a security guard and 3 cops who came into my row, forced me to get up, and escorted me out of the mezzanine area. They were so loud that even Dave Chapelle stopped his show to ask what was going on up there and he also insisted that the people they were trying to kick out should stay. After showing the cops the gallery on my phone which had no images or video of any of the acts, the manager of the theater insisted that I be escorted out of the building and not allowed to return inside. They also wouldn't refund my money despite the fact that I showed them I had nothing on my phone. This experience was unbelievable and one of the most awkward and embarrassing moments in my life. I will not be returning to this theater. read more

Beautiful facility. We went to the Bonnie Raitt concert Oct 27th 2012 and the itself was great however it was hard to watch because of the "security" guards walking up and down the isles CONSTANTLY watching for anybody with a camera or cell phone. It was really pitiful. If someone tried to get a pic on their cell the phone gestapo swarmed and would shine flashlights on them telling them to cease and desist or they would remove them. Absurd. Very distracting and ruined what was otherwise a wonderful show. read more