Academy of Music

I had an unforgettable experience at the Academy of Music! The venue itself is absolutely stunning—historic, elegant, and full of character. I came to see Life of Pi, and the performance completely exceeded my expectations. The storytelling was powerful, the visuals were breathtaking, and the puppetry was nothing short of mesmerizing. Every detail—from the lighting to the sound—was perfectly executed, creating a truly immersive atmosphere. Kudos to the cast and crew for bringing such a unique and emotional story to life on stage. I can’t wait to come back for another performance. Highly recommend both the show and the venue!

Always a pleasure seeing a show at the Academy of Music! Its a beautiful venue. All seats are great for viewing. Trust, Ive sat on the last row at the top once! The staff is always pleasant & helping. The options for service at concessions could be different, add more variety and options for various food consumption.

This venue has great seating from any seat. It was my first time in the family circle seating. I thought I was going to have trouble seeing that far up but it was fine. Bring your penny jar, drinks -$22 for 8oz cup is a bit extravagant.

It was a wondrous feeling being under a ceiling of cherubs, the guardians of God. The ceiling was adorned by a massive chandelier. I felt privileged to attend an event inside the historic building. I would've never known it looked like that inside. Very impressive!

Im sure this is a beautiful venue for something but for a graduation it is NOT. The lighting made it so difficult to see the graduates, seating is tight and please be careful if you choose to wear heels. It is a challenge getting to seats and maneuvering the stairs. Otherwise the venue is beautiful

Won first row tickets to Hamilton for $10. The seats were amazing and the show was really good. Overall a lovely experience. The theater seats are comfortable and even though I was in the first row I didn't feel like I was looking up a whole bunch. Was definitely a really amazing night

Had a phenomenal experience here seeing The Wiz. Acoustics were amazing, lighting was amazing. The venue itself is a gorgeous building. The staff and attendants were so helpful and kind. 10/10!!

We went to watch The Book of Mormon here and it was great. The place is beautiful. The theater's seating is more vertical and it keeps everyone very close to the stage. The staff was great and the drink and snack prices weren't crazy.

Beautiful venue in Center City! Saw the Philadelphia Ballet's Giselle last night for $25 (student tickets) and sat in the amphitheater (4th floor). Seats were stiff and upright and the stairs to get down to them were very steep. It's an old building so be warned that it isn't the most accessible and has tons of stairs for upper level seating. Im not sure if they have an elevator (I'd hope) but even the bathroom entrance was down a set of stairs. Great for a dressy evening out, and the building's interior is just so glamorous.

As a theatre lover, having a cultural institution and beauty like Academy of the Arts in my backyard is a total treat. It goes beyond beautiful decor - technical elements have stayed with the times and lighting and sound capabilities for the three musicals I've seen here have been top notch. I find ticket prices on the ground level to be outrageous, so I've only ever rushed shows or sat in the obstructed view parts of the family circle. Seats at this level are steep, very high up, and if you're to the extreme sides you should know it will be truly obstructed, with about half of the stage out of view and the need to turn your entire body uncomfortably in the seats. These tickets are reduced cost but still too much for how much you miss of the performance. That being said, the venue itself is absolutely stunning and I look forward to taking in more shows as they come through. There's parking along Broad though you'll pay a pretty penny, and the BSL exit/entrance is literally right outside the theatre doors.

Tonight I joined my friend to the show, Frozen. My daughter and I loved it. It was an amazing initial experience for both of us. Aside from the wonderful performance, the venue itself was very nice and elegant. The atmosphere was very pleasant. I'm surprised how many guest the auditorium holds and how many different levels of balcony seats are there.

If you wanna have a cute & classy evening out, this is the place to go! I've been here twice now to see 2 different ballets and I've loved the experience each time. The architecture of this building is stunning, the acoustics are great, and of course the shows themselves were wonderful to watch. Tip: make sure you take a close look at the seating chart before you book your tickets! There are columns throughout the theater that, depending on where you're sitting, may obstruct your view and/or your legroom (and there's already not a TON of legroom to begin with). I assume because the building is older not all the seats will be the most accessible. The first time I came to the ballet I had a knee injury and there were quite a few stairs I had to struggle down to get to my seat (which I was fine with but it might be harder for some people to do so!) And then for the Nutcracker, I had to squeeze past a column in my row to get to my seat and it was a pretty tight squeeze; so just keep those kinds of things in mind when choosing your seats!

Cool venue to check out. I loved this theater. It gave an opera house type of feel. The seating here made more sense than the other Philadelphia theaters. The seats together were actually numerically sequential. There is massive oval seating at the bottom of the theater. There are 3 floors of seating. I really liked the decorations as well. The chandelier was very impressive. The lighting and sound quality at this theater was amazing as well. Drinks and candy are for purchase.

Excited to see Mrs. Doubtfire! Staff directed line efficiently causing line to move faster. Security checked, tickets checked, and then directed to our seats. The seats are in sequential order A-Z 0-9. Theater was dark, large and comfortable

Very organized and one of the most beautiful playhouses besides Carnegie Hall. I didn't buy any concessions, as I appreciated the show especially from my seats. I also had a great view of the orchestra.

A wonderfully well-preserved, traditional theatre where I enjoyed my second time seeing Wicked.

You get to step back into another time when you enter the grand ballroom to see a show or performance at The Academy of Music. The hall was built in 1855-57 and is the oldest opera house in the United States that is still used for its original purpose. Known as the "Grand Old Lady of Locust Street," the venue is the home of the Philadelphia Ballet and Opera Philadelphia.-(Source: Wikipedia) This is quite the experience however as others have mentioned the facility due to its age lacks many modern amentities. My girlfriend and I attended The Nutcracker on Christmas Eve and had to walk up approx five flights of stairs as we saw no elevators to our seats. Only two concession lines set up and no hot food, only candy and some selected wine/beer and water was offered. This place really is quite a contrast to the Kimmel Center however if you want to see / experience the hall which was designated a national historic landmark in 1962 you would be privileged to do so and I can't help but feel blessed to be sitting in some of the same seats that several generations of people have also sat to take in a bit of culture. As always people SYOY!!!

We went for the Nutcracker and it was so, good! The theater was lovely and the ushers were so nice and kind. We had a great time.

Still the worst venue to see anything. The seats sit at 90 degrees and are small. There are also concrete pillars blocking your view (see photos). The acoustics suck too.

A great place to see Wicked without traveling to NY. Next time a box seat will be required. The floor is very crowded.

Jagged Little Pill was phenomenal. The cast was very talented and the story was heart wrenching. If you are a child of the 90's who grew up with Alanis, I would recommend this show.

What a great pleasure to see for the first time a performance at Academy of Music this afternoon because Philly loves Les Misérables! This musical is set in early 19th-century France following many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution. Fantastically located in the center of the city on Broad & Locust Street, this building is the oldest opera house in the US full of beautiful detailed works and home of Opera Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Ballet. The building has ceiling support pillars on all levels that may obstruct the view except the main-floor Parquet seating. So check before purchasing your tickets. Luckily, my partner and I had an amazing view of the performance from our balcony seats in row B at a weird angle. The seats were comfortable and the acoustics were great. We definitely would return for another performance and recommend it.

This is our second time watching a show at the Academy of Music. What a wonderful venue to catch a show. There is no bad seat in the house. We first watched Hamilton and now Les Miserable. Both sores were spectacular. The service was excellent, they were very friendly and helpful. The seats were super comfortable and you did not feel like three person sitting next to you was all in your personal space as you do in other theaters. We enjoyed the presentation and will definitely be back for other shows.

Recent visit to this theater to see Hamilton. IDs and vaccination card are required at the door before entering . Beautiful theater but they could have used more ushers near the seating areas to direct you. The show was excellent, a great touring cast!

Gorgeous and opulent space for a show. We opted for the Academy Gold in the Ballroom for $50. This got us access to the ballroom one hour prior to curtain and during intermission, private restrooms, a Garces snack bento box, and open bar one hour before curtain and during intermission. The room also featured a piano player playing broadway hits - so enjoyable!

Wow! This is the most beautiful theatre I've ever been in! The ceiling and all of the architecture are amazing! Upon sitting, I sat and admired the beautiful theatre for a while. I got my tickets the night before the show and lucked out with Orchestra Center Row B seats! Such an insane view, the actors were not even 10 feet away! The prices are also great. Only $129 each for these seats. The show itself was wonderful, and it was so amazing to be so close. I loved being here and hope to see another show here at some point in the future.

The theater itself was good with great sound and adequate views from every floor. HOWEVER - don't pay extra for their gourmet "dinner". This is what $50/pp gets you. A barely warm buffet served on plasticware. They even ran out of some of the items. If the food was hot, it would have tasted decent. But come on. Honestly it dumbed down the entire nights' experience!!!

Bought $25 ticket to see The Nutcracker. I attended by myself so it was it was very easy to use the website to find available seats. I bought a single seat in the amphitheater in the first row and it was perfect. Great view for a low price. Totally recommend. Downside is that the stares up to that level are very steep but there is an elevator if you need it. I bought the ticket / parking lot combo and I recommend that as you get a spot very close to the venue and a small discount on the price of parking. I am very thankful that they are requiring proof of vaccination or negative test . Downside - the seats in the amphitheater are very tight and they DO NOT recline. You will be sitting very straight and very close to your neighbors.

Still a 4 star review. Came back again and splurged on more expensive seats ($55 plus tax) on the Balcony level, however, they were not as good. Column squat in the middle of the view. It was nice to be closer to the stage, though. Sold as LIMITED VIEW SEAT Balcony Level Section D Row D Seat 18 Fortunately the seat next to me, D20, was open and I moved over there and had a much better view! Also, it's frustrating that even 20 minutes into the show, people were late and STILL being ushered to their seats. It was so dark that one woman fell on the steps. Extremely disruptive to those of us who arrived well in advance of the open and extremely rude to the performers.

So disappointing tonight. Paid for parking in their garage but entry was broken and attendants were writing out parking passes to enter. So late l had to watch the first half of the show in the lounge. Nobody here seemed to care at all. Plan to ask for parking refund.

Lovely customer service in one of Philadelphia's finest gems. Do you want to experience first class theatrical performances in one of the finest theaters in the world? Yes! Check out The Academy of Music you won't be disappointed! The staff is first rate and the theater is beautiful. The acoustics are still fantastic! If you want to give yourself a special treat, buy tickets to an authentic Broadway show. I saw Hamilton! It was fantastic! But it was made extra special in the grand dame of the Avenue of the Arts. Staff is top notch! You can tell they like what they do and they honor Covid protocol. They are ADA friendly! What more could you want?

I recently saw Hamilton at the Academy of Music. The theater was lovely, staff were very friendly and Covid conscious. The security line moved quickly, was organized, they checked our vax cards and IDs. I accidentally had left my pepper spray (I take on my runs) in my purse and they confiscated it, as they should, but I was able to retrieve it after the show. I was able to park right across the street in the hotel parking lot, very convenient. Overall a wonderful experience.

For a building that is over 160 years old, it is amazing that its still being used to promote the arts. I have seen countless shows here and cant believe that I havent put a review. Sure, the facilities are more intimate than one is accustomed to, but that adds to the charm. Rush tickets are quite the bargain in Philly giving the amenities that one is accustomed to in a big city, but without the big city prices.

The theater remains a beautiful house. I have come more familiarized with its idiosincrasia and as long as one gets Parquet seats the view is good. The sides have sometimes columns that block the view. Throughout the years I've being coming to the Opera and lately to the PA Ballet. The staff is always very attentive and helpful. They also produce touring " Broadway Shows" Last night we saw Romeo & Juliet by PA Ballet. The production is borrowed from Royal Ballet of Birmingham. The theater is a beautiful Opera House with gilded relief throughout the boxes and front. A large glass chandelier hangs from its ceiling. A gem of a theater

Been to the Academy of Music several times over the years. It's a nice venue but you have to be very careful about where you choose to sit to avoid obstructions. So, I deducted one star for that reason. I was there most recently on Friday, June 17, 2022 to see Earthquake's Father's Day Comedy Show. Had a great time! I was surprised they didn't make us put our phones in one of those yonder pouches, so I was able to get some pics. Wish I had gotten a few short clips tho. My favorites were Turae and Bill Bellamy.

Came here with my family to see Come From Away. What an amazing show. However the reason for a 3 star review is that though the performances I've seen here deserve 5-stars, the venue itself could use an upgrade. The seats are pretty objectively uncomfortable and tight - at least those for us upstairs. I realize it is difficult to accommodate as large of a crowd if the seats were any bigger but I legitimately held myself an entire performance because of the fear of standing up and inconveniencing a row of humans to go to the bathroom and back. I was in a silent hell trying to stay focused on the beautiful things occurring on stage. This said, I appreciate theatre charm. The regal chandeliers and red velvet drapes are all part of the experience that cause you to mentally and emotionally escape the uncomfortable flip seats and the suffocating rows.

The show (Something Rotten) was amazing. We were sitting in the highest level up. The view was ok from the seats not shown as limited view. However, with the exception of the back row there was absolutely no leg room! We we're fortunate that we were able to move to the back row, as I wouldn't be able to sit through the show! The seats which are shown as limited view really are limited view. There are big poles blocking the view of the stage! The ushers are a pleasure, always looking for ways to help patrons. I can't say enough good things about them! The assisted listening system is not particularly effective. I don't recommend relying on it during the show!

Philadelphia has no shortage in the arts and culture department, with the Academy of Music probably topping the list. Located in the heart of Center City on Broad Street, you approach a magnificent structure with signage of upcoming shows. While Philly doesn't have Broadway, it is a venue that can be compared to the nicest of theaters and a great selection of traveling bway performances. Unfortunately, I cannot say that there's not a bad seat in the house. There are actually plenty with obstructed views and limited angles of the stage. Luckily there are websites like Goldstar and Groupon that allow for those seats to be discounted. I can't forget to mention the restroom. The lounge area leading to the stalls was simply beautiful. Finally, the ushers I encountered were all friendly and polite. The Academy of Music should be a place every local and tourists visits at least once, multiple times if you are a lover of the arts.

The Academy of Music is a fantastically beautiful venue. It is architecturally hard to beat. The ornate ceiling is gorgeous. The balconies next to the stage are striking. The whole theater area is pretty. The hallways outside the theater are nice. And, while it's current under renovation and behind scaffolding, the facade feels very classy. While the Kimmel Center was designed with more contemporary acoustics engineering, the acoustics at the Academy are still great and top notch for a venue of its vintage. Warning: the venue has a few pillars, and so some seats above the lowest level have obstructed views. But every seat that doesn't have a pillar obstructing the view is great. Concessions at these places are never super cheap, but their Garces-run concessions offer decent drink and snack options for prices more reasonable than most movie theaters. I visit more years than not to see the Nutcracker Ballet. I've also seen another ballet, a couple of symphony performances, a Bob Dylan concert, and more. All good experiences. A part that will hopefully soon be outdated: Currently, Covid policies are an issue everywhere: I find the whole issue depressing and won't love any place's policies, but, whatever I might think we should do, they handle it professionally and more sensibly than many places. They have a vaccine mandate and had enough people near the entrance when I went to this year's Nutcracker to check everyone's vaccine information without it causing any notable delay. They accept photos of a vaccine card and a couple of the apps as verification. They were appropriately nice to the little kids in our group who had to show negative test results because they weren't eligible to be "fully vaxxed" yet. They had a mask mandate inside. They were fairly relaxed about it in the areas where they serve food and drinks outside of the theater area, where there was enough room to "socially distance," but didn't allow food or drinks once you went through the doors to your seats. In the theater area, they had ushers stationed with signs to remind people who "forgot" that they had to keep their masks on. I've been to venues where they had rules that weren't enforced at all, upsetting some patrons, and others where the enforcement was distracting (and one with both problems). They struck a balance of upholding their rules quietly, and mostly firmly but without being bothering people over quick, minor errors or being disruptive to the show. There was a little girl in the seat across the aisle from me who loved the show and occasionally got so excited that her mask came off... if her mom didn't notice, they'd smile at her to signal it but got that she was doing her best and let her handle it. They seemed to be trying to exercise some judgement about how to make sure everyone could enjoy the show. I was also impressed that when we had a couple of members of our group who couldn't make it due to Covid exposure, they offered credit for future shows even though we knew kind of late. I'm sure the policy will become more restrictive, but it added to my sense that they care about their customers' experience and will try to be fair even if it's a hassle/loses them money.

So the seats in the amphitheater section are the shortest, steepest most uncomfortable seats I have ever sat in. If you are on the sides it is a very limited view. Almost so much that I can see less than half the stage. Not sure how they can sell these seats and live with themselves. I guess take the money. I think I am going to need a chiropractor after this performance. The family circle level is not much better on the sides but the chairs are at least comfortable. Staff is really helpful and nice

I was just here to see Aladdin! Treat for myself for landing a new internship. Amazing performance, amazing cast. Totally blown away and satisfied my inner kid completely. However. If you buy seats, and one of them ends up being Section D of Family Circle, row E, seat 20? Call and ask them to move your seats or ask for a refund. I didn't pay 85$ to watch a pillar take center stage. I was craning my neck back and forth for an hour. Luckily seat 24 was a no show by the end of Act 1, so I swapped seats and had a perfect view of the entire stage. Do not let them sell you seat D, E, 20, it was the biggest rip off considering the view the seats two down from me on either side had for the same price.

I've had multiple experiences at the Academy of Music, and while the shows have always been spectacular, it's rather disappointing when the physical establishment that houses these wonderful musical experiences. When my wife and I watched Carmen in spring, and we were sweltering in this theatre with minimal ventilation. I was not a fan of the overhead close captioning screen as the words are difficult to make out with the antiquated LED display. The seats are also very uncomfortable and there is an inadequate amount of leg room regardless of which seat you are in. I still don't think you should avoid a particular show if it's playing at the Academy of Music, but just be aware to dress for all occasions.

We went here recently to see a play and it is one of the most beautiful places to go to see a play, musical or any event for that matter. The seats were super comfy for a place with so much history. They take very good care in the upkeep and maintenance of the facility. The sound here is amazing. You can hear every note and instrument in crystal clear sound from about every seat in the building. The staff is helpful and friendly. That made for a terrific event as well.

This is one of the best venues in the world, except for the size of the seats as you sit closer to the stage. During the year there are so many opportunities to enjoy the arts in Philadelphia. Everything you want to see or hear can be found at the Academy of Music. I have seen some of the best Broadway shows performed here and enjoyed them immensely. The performances by Opera Philadelphia are outstanding and are of the highest quality of musical excellence. I could go on and on but I suggest you try them for yourself. Think you can't afford it? You will be surprised, check the website for deals and if you are daring generally two hours before many shows they sell discounted tickets. These tickets are often sold at a 50% discount or greater for prime seats.

I love going to see shows and concerts here. The venue is obviously very beautiful. I have sat at just about every angle you can sit at and have always been able to see, despite how short I am. I have even sat at the very top section before. Sometimes I have gotten a bar in front of me (with fair warning when buying the tickets) but it was never to the point where I couldn't enjoy the show. I find the seats comfortable but they are on the smaller side. I love attending the Broadway series shows here; it's always a great time!

Got sold tickets that YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING. The picture of our "limited view" was a lie. We left at intermission. Waste of money.

Came to see John Mulaney. Excellent and beautiful venue. Only complaint was the temperature was a little on the warmer side but otherwise everything was amazing and beautiful.

This theater is beautiful, no question. But even if these theaters closer to where I live are not quite as grandiose as the Academy of Music, I would still take any other theater I have been to, in both DC and NYC, over this one. This theater has a LOT of bad seats. There are many seats where the stage is blocked by a column, and there are even seats located directly behind a column. I checked the View From Your Seat website and I was genuinely shocked at some of the seats they actually sold to people. From my past experience with obstructed view tickets, you may miss like 10-15% of the action on stage (like anything to the far left or right of the stage) but here... If you are about to purchase any "obstructed" view seat, its basically guaranteed that your view could be 50-75% blocked by some massive obstruction, or you will at least be craning your neck for the entire show. The amphitheater was incredibly uncomfortable. The stairs were very steep, almost like a slightly tilted ladder. It was so cramped that you cannot walk past people at all, even when they are standing up to let people pass. There is no leg room at all. I knew that I was paying for obstructed view seats, which is fine, but I am genuinely shocked at how horrible the view from certain rows of the amphitheater was. Our seats were blocked by a bar, but at least we were able to get away with sitting hunched over the entire performance to be able to see everything. However, the seats behind us, which were "not obstructed" and sold at a higher rate, had a significantly worse view and their view of the stage was completely blocked by the rail. Unfortunately, my experience here was completely marred by a young, undisciplined child whose mother could clearly care less about their child singing loudly and occasionally shrieking during the show. I am genuinely shocked that a parent actually thought that Mean Girls was an appropriate show to bring their 7-8 year old kids to. They constantly kicked the wall behind my seat, sang along to all of the songs, even attempted to throw toys over the rail and down the steps. If this parent happens to be reading this review, shame on you. This particular problem isn't the theater's fault, but holy moly. After reading pages of reviews here, this seems to be a normal problem here, yet it is not one that I have ever experienced at any other theater. Yes, maybe this theater may look more elegant than other theaters, but they have a ridiculous number of bad seats that should not even be sold to patrons. If you come here, the lower price tag of amphitheater or limited view seats are absolutely not worth it.

I saw my second show here last night and I think that calls for a review. First, during Christmastime I saw the Nutcracker and last night I saw Wicked. Both experiences were exceptional. This theater is gorgeous. They have a huge, sparkling chandelier and the whole feel is like you were transported back in time to an old-school show. I'm not the tiniest of people and I think the seats are bigger than the tiny, tiny NYC Broadway seats. We sat up high, but in the center of the stage and we still had a great view. The ushers were knowledgeable and very friendly guiding us to our seats. I wish they were more strict because people were on their phones/talking around me during both of my visits and that is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. In all, I will definitely be back here and I recommend you coming for your taste of culture and art as well.

My first time at this theater and I was definitely not disappointed. It was very accessible to public transportation and there was also parking available in close proximity to the theater but we prepared to spend close to $30. I sat in the amphitheater section of the theater which is at the very top. I had gotten tickets that were no obstruction but there was a slight obstruction if you are in the second row from the bottom. The staff was very courteous and the theater was very clean. The seats had plenty of leg room and the seats were fairly comfortable for the age of them. As far as the show that I saw, Les Miserables, it was amazing. The actors were so professional and the outfits and stage made you feel like you were on Broadway. I will definitely be back to see another play soon!

If you are looking for information about community rush, read on. There is conflicting info on the Kimmel website and ticketphiladelphia.org about when you can get the discounted tickets. For 'Broadway' performances, the box office opens 2 hours before the show, not 5:30pm (for evening performances). And the ticket price is $30 flat, no additional $ for fees and taxes, despite what the website says. I took a chance and went to see "If/Then" tonight. Paid $30 for a side parquet seat, which retails for $95...music to my ears.

We went to see Verdi's Requim this past weekend and the show was amazing. We had an issue with the seats in the Family Section which were VERY uncomfortable. No leg room whatsoever and the back was at a 90 degree straight up angle. Scrunched the entire time. With that being said, the reason I am giving 5 stars is two reasons: 1. The show was amazing 2. I called Opera Philadelphia to give feedback regarding the issue my wife and I had with the seats and they took care of me. No hesitation. The gentleman I talked to was able to help me and truly hear my concerns. Swift, smooth, and very customer friendly. We will definitely return for another show.

I've been attending shows at the Academy of Music for years, including musicals and orchestra performances. A relatively aged venue by American standards, the seating is a little cramped, as there's a greater use of vertical space. Their architecture is ornamentally classic than expansive (the opposite of the Kimmel Center). Note that support columns prevent some seats from having a completely unfettered view of the stage. The most visually appealing show I've seen here was Wicked (for those who read the book, the show is less dire). The colorful costumes and set pieces fit the story perfectly. The cast was spot-on, and the role of Elphaba was performed amazingly by an understudy (I actually cried during the show). Be sure to catch the Philadelphia Orchestra there. Recommended!

Came to academy of music on a Friday night for phantom of the opera in November 2017. Full house. The chandelier is beautiful and the act could not be better. Maybe this is because I bought the nosebleed seat but the seats are incredibly uncomfortable. I'm 5'3" so I had enough leg room but still felt like needed a back massage afterwards. Maybe the more expensive seats will buy you better view and more leg room. Be advised tall people!

Lovely interior with decent bathrooms- stalls give you room to maneuver. Sat in Balcony seats (H), row C. Great view of stage except for the very far left. Disadvantage in that you have to turn your body to the left or get a sore neck due to keeping your head towards the stage. They have great shows though!

The most beautiful theatre I have ever been to! This is old world glamour at its finest. The room is covered in gold, from the walls to the fixtures. The Academy of Music opened its doors in 1857, which makes it the oldest opera house in the country. The New York Times wrote an article when it opened, describing the opera house as "magnificently gorgeous, beautifully lighted, solidly constructed, finely located and brilliantly ornamented." I think that describes this space to a tee. No amount of words or pictures can capture the beauty of this place. My photos do it no justice. You have to see it for yourself.

I love a good theater production and the Academy of Music has hosted some awesome shows! I've been here for Annie, Matilda, Once, Lion King, Dirty Dancing, The Illusionists, Wicked, and We Will Rock You, with varying seat selections and always had a good time. My biggest tip is to GET RUSH TICKETS. My family and I used to do the whole Times Square tkts thing, wake up at 7am, get the train, line up with 800 other people, and still pay $200 a ticket. Here in Philly, you check the website the week of to make sure what night they have rush tickets, you show up 2 hours before the show (maybe 2.5 hours if you really are worried or have more than 2 people, but the window only opens 2 hours before), you bring $30 cash per person, you make sure you have a body for each ticket (although I've sweet talked my way out of this with a phone call to a friend and a pleading pout), you go get dinner/ lunch, and you return in 2 hours for a great show! The line moves fast and the tickets may be far up or limited view (just cock your head to the side and you'll be fine) but for $30 it's so worth it, the tickets you get full price are often $75 to $100 for the same thing. A few pro tips: -You can buy a sippy cup and bring booze into the show. -Bathroom lines can get long so you better make a beeline for it at intermission. -Sign up for their emails if you're a student and you'll have access to $10 tickets for certain shows.

What an absolutely stunning historic space. No show really required, because you can spend all kinds of time looking at the beautiful interior features of the building. The seats are still retro-sized, meant to cram people in like sardines, but again, the places is so divine, you hardly notice. Check out the chandeliers, the ceilings, the many details. No marquee here either, which helped me surprise my husband for a show for his birthday. Love the original gas burning lamps outside as well. Just brilliant all around.