American Repertory Theater

Our first visit to the ART and we were blown away - Gatsby was an excellent show. We love this story and this cast’s exceptional portrayal and unique twist on the plot was delightful. We’ll be seeking out shows at this theater from now on. Everyone working at the venue was so kind, resourceful and helpful too. Amazing experience!

I saw Gatsby here recently. This theater didn't allow phones, so they provided a locking pouch which you'll need an usher or staff member to remove. There was one set of all-gender bathrooms, which were clean, but during intermission, the line gets long. They sell drinks and food during shows as well, and the seats are nice. Even the obstructed view seats aren't too bad!

Absolutely wonderful experience seeing Gatsby: An American Myth at this theater. Truly wonderful. Sooooo much unforgettable talent! I'll definitely seek out shows at this theater again. This was the smallest theater I have been inside, in a very long time (which to me is a good thing when there is music and singing). To pack that much talent into such a small theater is a win-win for everyone who is lucky enough to attend! Truly lovely. I'll not soon forget this experience. I've seen shows in New York on Broadway that were not nearly as good as this show. DO NOT HESITATE if you are thinking about stopping in to see Gatsby. Other things to note: since it was a Sunday matinee, we were lucky and found free street parking right in front of the theater (meters are free on sundays), there are parking garages closeby, theater staff was friendly, attentive, and efficient, lots of good food options within walking distance. The bathrooms weren't too busy. I'd avoid the front couple rows since a better view is had a couple rows back. During intermission they had an area to go if you wanted to unlock your phones (a lot of people did this for some reason), the bar was not busy at all for this show, they had themed drinks, "the gin fizz" was a delight!

went to watch romeo and juliet. good stage. the company is equipped with a small café, toilet and water is one floor down. it gets crowded during intermission. for tall people the seats maybe a discomfort. staff is friendly.

ART always puts on fabulous shows, many that end up on Broadway soon after. It's worth catching a show there when you can!

I just saw Real Women Have Curves. It is amazing & everyone should go see it! Also, their seats are so much more comfortable than others around the area. For parking, I recommend parking at the University Place Garage because the person at the information desk told me it's $14 or $16 for up to 5 hours. I parked at the Charles Square Garage, and I was charged $31 (original/before validation price was $35). Wish I knew about this earlier, but the theatre unfortunately does not keep up with the garage rates so they didn't have this information.

Even the last row is a great seat. Diary of a Tap Dancer was my first show, but I will definitely be back.

What a great show. So glad that I went to this small theater. Seats were great, and very comfortable atmosphere.

Went to see on Opening Night of "THE ODYSSEY", to a pack house! Lots of Buzz and excitement at this Theater and all seats are great seats! Easy to hear and easy to see! I would go again since this experience was very enjoyable! Stage production was 3 HOURS LONG, but grateful that the seats were comfortable and made this long production enjoyable! The actors all did a great job on this wonderful stage!

Nice theater with almost no bad seats. Saw The Odyssey and had a very enjoyable time - good audio system, simple staging that lends for a better theater experience, IMHO.

I cannot believe this is my first time attending the American Repertory Theater... because it is one of the best theaters in Boston. The show was as big as Broadway, with a chorus of 15 performers and no week links. The sets were intricate. The performances were evocative. The musical numbers were original and unforgettable. THE DEAL: The American repertory theater is one of the closest experiences you can get to Broadway... In Boston

By a stroke of luck - and persistence - I managed to snag us tickets to see Gatsby at the ART. The show was absolutely fantastic and we really enjoyed ourselves. The ART is all orchestra seating, so it almost feels like there isn't a single bad seat in the house. Staff were very nice and gave me excellent tips to make a quick bathroom getaway during intermission. They have concession stands on both sides of the theater, but bathrooms are more easily accessible from the right side.

Got $30 rush tickets for Evita and it was FANTASTIC!!! A MUST SEE before it goes to Broadway!!

Attended the final performance of 1776 this afternoon. The show was incredible!! The theater is easily accessible with parking only a few minutes away. The staff are very friendly and helpful and made it easy to navigate in the theater. Seating is comfortable but if you are a taller guy you may find it a little tight. I couldn't see a bad seat and it appeared everyone had a great view of the stage. Refreshments were readily available alcoholic and non-alcoholic as well as snacks that could be purchased. The nice touch was the free glasses of lemon water that were available if you choose. Bottled water is allowed in the theater along with the snacks. Definitely there will be a return visit depending on what show is playing but highly recommend this theater.

The AmRep is one of the best places on Earth. Every seat is wonderful. No blocked views. None too far away. There's standing space for last minutes tickets for cheapsies too. I've seen several shows here that then went on to Broadway for pennies on the dollar compared to their eventual Broadway rates AND you're supporting new shows and a growing theater scene.

I came here to see Jagged Little Pill which... well.... if we are rating the venue based on the musical, there wouldn't be enough stars to give. Still, I really liked ART. I thought it was fun to have the touches in the lobby of the musical (the big rolls of butcher paper reading "all I really want" "you ought to know" "isn't it ironic" ... etc...) They also had a great pre-order drink option so you didn't have to wait during intermission if that's something you're into. The bathrooms are downstairs and the line moved swiftly from what I can tell - in other words there are more than just two stalls, ladies... The front of house itself is small and intimate in that even the seats in the back are still good seats. I don't live in the area at all, but I would consider seeing a show here again.

Yeah! I waited for 2 hours 30 minutes! Too late to buy standing or cancel ticket. Another 2 hours and 30 minutes then I got ticket! I was expecting little cheaper but $110 it worth it! Amazing production Jagged Little Pill. And Thank you for the theater fantastic production!!

A simple walk from the Harvard Square T stop, the theater is a few blocks down Brattle Street on the left. There is plenty of room to stand or sit while waiting indoors before the theater doors open. It is a cozy theater with a nice rise between rows so the person's head in front of you doesn't block your view too much, but if someone wants to pass by to get to their seat, you would likely have to make room for them to get by. They validate for parking at the Charles Square Garage (One Bennett St.) and the University Place Garage (124 Mt. Auburn St.). And a coat rack is available in the hallway to the left of the ticket windows. PS - Wild Swans was really good! I also liked how they decorated the walls with artwork specific to the performance. *** 1/2013 *** Pippin was grand! And it was neat - for the circus style show, they had a popcorn/sausage stand out in the lobby! The chicken fingers were crisp and flavorful. Just FYI - local Brattle Street parking is meter till 8pm Mon-Sat with a 2 hour limit. *** 5/2013 *** Pirates of Penzance is a Gilbert and Sullivan musical which I have never seen before even though for some reason "I am the very model of a modern Major-General" exists somewhere in my mind's history... At 80 minutes with a 1 minute intermission, it was terrific fun, with the audience sitting among the actors in an unusual set up, and hurried away whenever the actors were about to perform right where an audience member was sitting. The music was live with instruments residing in the arms of the actors throughout the show. Not only was there the usual bar out in the lobby, and a food vendor situated out there as well (2nd time I ever saw them at an ART performance), but there was a bar INSIDE the theater which was available for patrons during the whole of the two act performance. I had a terrific time! *** 1/2018 *** Bedlam's Sense & Sensibility was AWESOME! So entertaining and so much fun! And my first Theater in the Round style seating experience at the A.R.T. It runs till January 14, 2018. The remaining evening shows seem to be sold out according to their website, but there are still some tickets left for the 2pm shows this weekend... just saying... PS - their mulled apple cider $3 is pretty good.

Jagged Little Pill. Possibly the best show ,I have ever seen. Try to get a ticket ( very hard ) Before it hits Broadway .

On May 16th my best friend and I went to go see the Jagged Little Pill the musical . Both of us are big Alanis fans . Ok, I am one of the biggest Alanis fans that you will ever meet. I was counting down the days until the show . Neither of us have ever been to this venue before . Our seats were perfect . The staff were so helpful and polite . The place was spotless and the bathrooms were so clean. The cast was absolutely amazing . You couldn't pick a better cast for each roll. Their voices were outstanding . The show was funny , sad, happy , energetic, didn't drag , slightly political ( poking fun ) . The Acoustics in this place were amazing . I honestly didn't want the show to end . It was a sold out show and at the end of the show they got a well deserved standing ovation!! We will definitely be back for another show as soon as possible . We had such a great night and we were singing all night . Bravo

Tickets are community theater expensive (only 25!) and the quality of show is off-broadway great. I love this theater!

This is one of the greatest things about living in Cambridge. ART has Broadway caliber plays for much lower prices and in the comfort of your own neighborhood. Check out the calendar to find a show for you. We've seen three shows here in the past year, and they've all been great. Nice Fish was an excellent two man comedy by the great Mark Rylance. It premiered here in Cambridge before debuting on Broadway. And Fingersmith was a Victorian drama. Everything has a very high production value. The theater is not huge. Maybe 300 people? So there aren't really any bad seats. There is limited concessions, so plan ahead. The coat check is a self serve, and is kind of a nightmare of similar grey wool coats in the winter. That is my only knock on the place. Otherwise, it is a great spot in a great city. Totally worth taking your out of town guests. This is not community theater!

This review is for the 0 Arrow Street Location: Mad props to any place that has live goldfish at the ticket counter. That is awesome. They also have large, comfy couch like seats for you to relax on while waiting for friends before the show starts. You can sit down and stare at the fish till your peeps arrive. The theater itself is a nice, intimate venu. However, as you walk in, be sure to veer to the left and not the right, regardless of where they try to steer you. The seats on the left side are way more comfortable than those on the right. Also, they have great student discounts. Remember to show your ID.

Saw the heart of Robin Hood here and absolutely loved it! The seats were comfortable and not too crowded, so you really feel like you were a part of the set. The set was beautifully designed and super creative, and the performance was great! I loved how engaging the actors and musicians were. They have very strict rules about cell phones being off, which makes the experience so much better. The American Repertory Theater is a local gem, and I will definitely be back for future shows!

This review is for the Donkey Show at the Oberon. BEST. NIGHT. EVER. After two hours of disco and dancing, my cheeks actually hurt from smiling so much. It's pure enjoyment! Lovely glitter-covered, pasty-wearing, roller-skating, disco-dancing enjoyment. I don't want to give any spoilers, but anyone who likes FUN will love this show! Girls night out? Perfect. Friends visiting? Done. Grandma's feeling saucy? Absolutely. Make sure you get a ticket for the floor and you'll find yourself in the middle of all the action - perhaps even part of the show! Nothing is certain in life except for death and taxes and the fact I will be BACK to the Donkey Show!!

Such a quaint theatre, I love it! I recently caught Alice vs. Wonderland here, and it was fantastic! Between falling down a rabbit hole and eating flying cupcakes, they belted out Radiohead's "Creep", Lady Gaga's "Poker Face", and a ton of great, classic songs that somehow went along with the theme of Alice in Wonderland perfectly. Granted, I arrived late, couldn't find my friends (and didn't want to have to sit on 16 people while trying to find my seat in the dark), so I stayed at the top of the theatre and watched the show sitting next to a group of 7 year olds mesmerized by the world of theatre. BUT, the show was great regardless, with some standout performances. And made me feel 7 again. YAH! It's a small theater, so it makes any show feel a lot more intimate than it would in a huge sell-out theatre. They showcase some incredible shows here--I hear The Donkey Show is really good. Very camp and hilarious. I think this would be a great place to take friends in town for a short visit, b/c they have shows every weekend, and you're bound to find something good here. Yay, major fan! It made me remember just how much I've missed great theatre productions.

Bold, daring, intelligent theater. Great acting, amazing set design, and imaginative productions of everything from Shakespeare classics to a stage adaptation of Wings of Desire. I dare say this little theater in Cambridge offers a more thrilling experience than anything I've seen in New York.

THE PLUG OF PLUGS, FIVE STARS, TWO THUMBS UP, A+++++ I just came from the WORLD PREMIERE of what will undoubtedly sweep the next Tony Awards for Best Musical and best... and, and, and... It's right here in Harvard Square at the A.R.T. Get your tickets now before it sells out- because IT WILL SELL OUT. Then off to Broadway it goes to make show biz history. The New Musical: Finding Neverland was the best theater experience I've ever had in my life as an audience member. I will remember the magic of tonight for as long as I live. Thank you Polly Laurelchild Hertig for including me on your birthday celebration for this most memorable nights ever! This musical will be Iconic. Show business giant, Harvey Weinstein was in the audience tonight for the first performance. He was all smiles and looked so pleased. He knew he had just launched what will be an historical gem. The cast and the whole ensemble are the cream of the crop. I'm keeping my play bill. I never do that. It will be worth something someday. I've never seen an audience so moved to tears and joy. PLEASE, PLEASE, DON'T MISS THIS. Go with your family, friends, kids young and old. If you need someone to go with, I'll see Finding Neverland again and again. Seriously, this really made my week and maybe even my year. Thank you again Polly. I love you. Happy Birthday. http://americanrepertorytheater.org/events/show/finding-neverland?gclid=Cj0KEQjwur2eBRDtvMS0gIuS-dYBEiQANBPMR3zXyjXPFNxG-k04W3vpiDWhSHIISnXnA2jVq5UD1m0aAi2N8P8HAQ

I am just a theater fan. I like it anything on stage, live show. I like theater better than movie. Well, you'll pay a lot more than movie for sure but , you know, I just get tired watching TV , movie, computer monitor and cel phone monitor. Theater is easy on your eyes. This theater is well built, feels like you are in the open-air theater. It is more casual, relaxed and modern design. I do recomend this place no matter what is showing there.

I saw Donnie Darko here which I didn't like that much, as it was merely a copy of the movie with running in place of scene changes. Luckily, I got my tickets for free. As for the theater itself, perhaps it was that the director that did not utilize the stage, but it was essentially set up like an enormous black box. I felt that with so much space, set changes may have aided with transitions and taken away some of the "kicking-and-screaming our way through this-story-as-fast-aswepossiblycan" feeling. It may be that there is little room for sets in the wings, but with such a large stage, a proscenium and wings could've easily been built to make some room. I just wasn't impressed with the utilization of the space. I think this is definitely an interesting space though. I suppose I should see a show under other direction for a more thorough judgement.

The ART was hard for me and my friend to find due to not being familiar with Cambridge, due to being lost we were a few minutes late and we had to wait a few minutes to be seated. Before we were seated we were informed that our seats had been given away due to a cast members family member coming in as a surprise, therefore we were seated a few rows back. No seat is a bad seat, but still I rather sit where I was suppose to be sitting. The actors and set were great though I found this show to drop the F bomb way too much. I was too the point where I was like oh my god are they serious, just about every other word was f---. The best part was the gay guy in a thong banana hammock, yeaaaaa baby! Good show, very funny.... I got the tickets from a fundraiser, not really my thing but I'm sure this is something other people would really enjoy it.

What a beautiful space. Cambridge-funky without losing its aesthetics. I've only been to one show, but can't wait to go back and see how it is set up for different styles of theater. Also they have a liquor license! How many theaters can say that? Oh p.s. I just realized I should note that I was at the smaller of the two - Zero Arrow Theatre.

Why are they always naked? Every play I have ever seen at the ART has incorporated some manufactured excuse for someone on stage to drop trou at some point during the production. Not that there's anything wrong with the human body or anything, and if the script or interpretation calls for it then I say go for it, but, like, NAKED SHAKESPEARE??? Really, ART? I'd comment on the plays themselves, but I'm always so distracted waiting to see how they're going to work in the obligatory gratuitous nudity I'm not sure I'd be the best judge.

This review is for "Sleep No More." It is a new show co-produced by the ART and Punchdrunk Productions out of the UK. It is the most innovative and inspiring piece of theater I have seen in a very long time. It is a total immersion and engages all of your senses, fusing elements from Macbeth, Hitchcock, and more. Sleep No More is set in a giant old school building on Route 9 in Brookline. When we arrived, we were directed to a little path off to the side and then entered and the adventure began. We were welcomed to the "hotel" by a 40's bellhop and a jazz singer and taken onto an elevator. We were all given masks to wear and I soon ended up separated from my friends. Also there's NO TALKING as you walk around and explore! It's not scary so much as surreal. You can go at whatever pace you want - stumble upon crazy scenes - unexpected things happen. Choose to just dart from one thing to the next, or maybe follow one particular character around for the whole night. I don't want to give too much away but if you are like me, your first thought upon leaving will be, "I need to go back!" I was talking to someone after the show and she said she's gone ten times and still hasn't seen everything. That's because you create a different experience every time. It's like soaking your soul, mind, and body in a big bowl of rich juicy art stew for several hours. One thing to remember is that although it is (kinda) the story of Macbeth, it's not a very literal or linear version. So if you expect a direct storyline from start to finish, or approach it in an analytical way, you may get frustrated. I found it was more enjoyable when I just gave myself up to the experience and let it happen, even if I didn't exactly understand everything. More emotional than intellectual I guess - although I expect that people pick up on more of the meanings and influences the more they go. Layers upon layers. After the show I was all, "Oh my god! I loved the part where a guy was naked with a goat head dancing around to a pumping beat in strobe lighting!" And my friend was like, "I didn't see that but did you see the live eel swimming in a bathtub upstairs?" "NO!" And so on. Clearly this requires a repeat visit.

I am not sure what appeals about this place. Difficult parking to get to mediocre shows. I've been going since I was a kid, several decades ago. I was even an intern there 25 years ago. I loved Christopher Lloyd despite his engaging the downward spiral of shows no one cares about. It's like the academics have gotten further and further away from accepting any projects which take a risk. Oh, yeah, risk is they get naughty and show a naked part. That's it. That's all they can garner. Porgy and Bess had an amazing cast. But as I sat outside afterward drinking a tea and having a cookie from that wonderful place almost next door, some locals saw me reading the program and asked me the same I always hear: "Was it any good? Why don't they do shows we actually might get interested in? I haven't been able to stand it in twenty years." I looked them over like maybe I should know them, but I didn't. The price is really high for a theater event. They think it's Broadway or something, but Broadway doesn't even cost that much. I shake my head. I enjoy art for art's sake, but that aint it. I don't know what to do with those people. They need somebody still breathing to step in and take over. Academic Runamok Theater. A.R.T.

I've seen quiet a few plays here. The theater is very intimate and you can see the stage perfectly even form the last row. I suggest getting the cheaper tickets in the front but on the side. Island of Slaves was hilarious and is typical of the Repertory. They take old works and interpret them in a totally bizzare and inventive way. No Exit was excellent and I hear its coming back. The only reason I did not give it 4 stars is because of plays like Chekovs Three Sisters..that play was butchered beyond recognition..a bit too interpretive. Otherwise, i'm considering buying a season pass. Updating the review because the ART has gotten progressively weirder and weirder without any added value. Once they stuck superman into Julius Caesar I had to draw the line...

Its pretty much impossible to have a bad seat (I'd avoid the lowest rows). The bathrooms are 'gender-neutral' but really, so long as you have urinals, that isn't a reality. The women avoided that bathroom... Lighting was pretty decent but the sound needs a major update. Beau has been did lighting through college and during HLS (helped run the production his second year). I came out feeling as though Parody has a better sound system. Pretty much confirmed this when I told my beau that individually, the actors sounded fantastic but together, well, they sounded shrill. Maybe its a good thing that funding was secured for a new theater in Allston?

I was given some great tickets for Elections and Erections here. First time and I'm a huge fan. We sat at a table and could drink throughout the show. Drink while watching a play! Brilliant! They open indoor layout was very inviting and gave me ample chance to mingle with the lovely people there. Modern motif with no pretension. In the future, I will look here first for plays.

Just saw Jagged Little Pill here on Saturday night. What a great show! Wonderful little theater that seats around 500. Not a bad seat in the house! The new musical is just fabulous! I have already bought more tickets to see it again. love love love!

After some seven or so seasons as a subscriber, I continue to be astounded, entertained, and stimulated by the ART. Last weekend we went to see "The Seagull" and as soon as I walked into the theater and saw the stage I said "This is not your Uncle Vanya's Chekhov!" Janos Szasz is a directing genius. Just after Christmas we took our two eldest nieces (11 & 6) to see "Aurelia's Oratorio" -- their first introduction to the theater, and they were entranced. Few of the plays are really suitable for children, though: it's intelligent, often challenging, and reliably engaging theater. Highly recommended!

Robin Hood was amazing. We sat in row E 28. Perfect to view all the the stage, props and the shenanigans of the cast! Amazing community theatre would go again. Truly hope they keep their prices down so the actual community can attend. To the cast of Robin Hood, nicely done!

I attended the ART's recent production of "Sleep No More," a new work by Punchdrunk. I love theater, and was a techie in school and generally think of myself as having a good handle on the theater realm, but this show/experience went far beyond anything I have ever seen/done before. Best acting, best sets, best value; one of my most memorable nights in Boston to date. I can't say too much without ruining the experience, just GO. Grab a friend, your running shoes, and your imagination, and GO. Go now, go again at Halloween, go with your best friend, roommate, boyfriend, save your lunch money to afford the $25 ticket, GO. Oh, and (re)read MacBeth beforehand, or you'll spend a really long time trying to remember who the "good guys" are. Since this is an ART-general category, here's the link for this particular show, which was held at an abandoned school in Brookline Hills (but an ART production all the same): http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/events/show/sleep-no-more

I really like this theater because you have a great view of the stage no matter where you sit. It's a smaller theater, so definitely more quaint and cozy. I saw The Tempest recently. Amazing play! Loved the magic. Loved the movement. The actors had plenty of room on stage and through the audience to move around. They do serve alcohol. The location is fantastic in Harvard square so you can easily grab dinner/drinks before or after. The lines for the bathroom can be long but I felt it moved quickly. Great theater. Would love to see another show there.

The A.R.T. is fantastic and is a gem in the Cambridge/Boston community. They push the boundaries of theater and produce high-quality work. I've seen almost every single play here for the past 2 years. I loved All the Way, a play featuring Bryan Cranston from Breaking Bad. It was awesome--House of Cards meets Breaking Bad. Last night, I saw Witness Uganda. Everyone should see it, but it's especially important for those involved in the Peace Corps, international development, aid, non-profits, and for anyone that wants to "help people." The music is outstanding and combines musical influences from a range of eclectic genres. Annual student memberships are only $10, seats are only $15. This is a steal, considering the high quality and years of work that go into each production. If you're in the area, definitely come to a play here. Otherwise, you're missing out on an important cultural institution in our community.

Have been to a few shows here. Always great! Feel so fortunate to have a word class theater in Cambridge! Just saw Glass Menagerie, and it was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! Wouldn't be at all surprised if the Broadway rumors were true.

Sometimes I feel that I'm a harbinger of positive change but then I figure I'm probably using that word incorrectly. I'm pretty sure that the Sox lose more when I go to Fenway than when I don't, and in the case of the ART I had season tickets for several largely uninspiring years and stopped subscribing right before Diane Paulus came to town. So we've been going to select shows, including most recently Pippin. I've loved Pippin since my teenage years when I played a supporting role in our high school production of it. Believe it or not, Diane Paulus' version was even better than ours. Hahaha, but goofiness aside: YES. The first act was the best live performance of any kind of show I've ever seen. I hear they're going to Broadway and I fully intend to slyly manipulate my aunt who lives in Connecticut and likes going to Broadway sometimes to get us tickets.

When you've had enough of the cheesy aromas that prevail in the so-called "theater district", head to this locale for a refreshing breath of creativity and original theater. Mostly smaller productions, experimental work, and the occasional one-man show. I've seen some shows that were plain stunning, some that were full of ideas - but I couldn't necessarily appreciate all of them, and some that were unmemorable. Beyond the shows, one has got to appreciate how management lets artists do their thing, take risks, and experiment.

I'm in a bit of a quandary. We saw THE GLASS MENAGERIE tonight, and the production was excellent. Unfortunately, our experience with the staff was less than excellent. Our tickets were changed from a snow-canceled performance and the company did not--as they said they would--contact us with results of their rescheduling form, so that I had to call the afternoon of the first preferred date. The agent I spoke with on the phone was brusque and complained "We've been on the phone all day with people." Yes, that's your job, as is pleasant customer service. Tonight at intermission, my partner took a photo of another couple (friends of ours) and we were descended upon by a most unpleasant house manager who demanded to see his photos and who shrieked "I have to see you delete the photo." Her manner was peremptory and patronizing. More flies with honey, more flies with honey. The productions are a delight. We've loved most of what we've seen under the new regime (well, except for AJAX, but that was beyond saving). It's good that the ART is interested in presenting theatre which is both artistically important and of interest to audience members. Customer service, alas, seems to have been left in the era when the ART didn't really care if there were butts in the seats.

Off-Broadway sized theater with legitimate Broadway-status productions with tickets as low as $25!? HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG? Answer: You can't. I only wish I had come more often. I've seen a few shows here: Glass Menagerie, The Heart of Robin Hood, Witness Uganda, and most recently, Finding Neverland. All were first-rate, mind-blowing, and imaginative in so many ways. I've sat in their many different seating configurations and while sitting house center is certainly the best, even the side-seating/obstructed view seats are still pretty good. FYI: standing room in the back is not a bad deal and there's a rail to lean against, but only available when the house is completely sold out. Plus three of the four shows I saw here either transferred or are planning to transfer to Broadway, so you can always brag to everyone about how you saw it first (and for cheap)! Because the theater is relatively small, the tickets go pretty quickly. I learned that the hard way by missing out on a couple shows. Best of all, they offer some really great student discounts/student memberships which makes it incredibly affordable. And even if you're not a student, the tickets still run on the cheaper side when compared to other theaters. Plus, I totally don't mind supporting a not for profit theater vs. some of the money-hungry theaters across the river. The building itself is sort of unremarkable, but who cares. The lobby is equipped with a bar that sells snacks and booze. The bathrooms are on the smaller side, but I hear they recently have finalized plans to re-do them? If you live in the area, you must check out this gem. Their seasons offer a variety of different shows appealing to different interests, and I'm sure theater lovers/likers/apathetics alike will find something to love here!

They have a really good variety of shows, and if you are a student, you can get a good deal on season tickets. There is also the Loeb Experimental Theater, where many of the shows are free and written/done by Harvard students. Some of them are pretty strange, but hey, its free. Call ahead.

I love having good theater so close by! I've seen plays here since I was a kid and the quality has consistently been good to excellent. I loved Copenhagen, which was performed several years ago, and most recently saw Endgame, which was done really well, though the play itself is vaguely disturbing. I've seen plays in both the main stage and black box theater at the Loeb Drama Center, but have yet to see anything at the Zero Arrow over on Mass Ave. Hopefully that will change with Trojan Barbie. Also the student ticket deal (5 tickets to be used any way you want for $60) is fantastic.

I recently caught the theater's run of "Cabaret." I was very much looking forward to it because I'd read about the development of the local production in the Globe, had never seen "Cabaret," and was excited about seeing Amanda Palmer after missing her stint with the Boston Symphony last year. The Oberon theater is an intimate venue with small round tables on two levels and a standing space. In addition to the stage, there's a loft space above the bar and the orchestra plays above the standing room-only space. The actors use all the space to tell the story so you may have to adjust your viewing at times to make room for their dramatics. The musical itself was fantastic. I've never seen the live or the movie versions. Scantily-clad men and women, some dressed in drag, made up the ensemble supporting the emcee played by Amanda Palmer. She and the actress playing Sally Bowles had the best voices. I admit that for me, "Maybe This Time" is now going to be owned by Kristin Chenoweth when she performed it on "Glee." However, the show's title song was among the best I've heard. Sold-out crowd. I think this may have been one of the first fine art performance venues where I didn't feel like the minority youth - my friend and I were in the majority of the standing room because we couldn't afford the seats. The company puts on some great shows so I hope to catch more in the future.

It's always really hard to separate the experience of a theater and company from the quality and experience of the productions, since the experience usually informs the other....if I like the show, usually my opinion of the theater contributes or is influenced by my liking the show. That being said, I REALLY enjoyed the A.R.T.'s pre-Broadway preview production of Pippin...thought it was phenomenal. Acoustics were great, for all the classic songs of the show. I bought an obstructed view ticket, which was really because it was the front corner seat on the aisle, with people passing in front of me to get to their seats, but I could see everything on stage very clearly, and obviously with lots of leg room since i was sitting on the aisle. I even got to be really close to some of the actors, who ran and wandered through the aisle as part of the show...including a pivotal scene where Pippin has his shirt off...man, that guy is ripped. The theater was larger than I thought it would be, and a short walk from the T...and not far from one of my favorite places- Burdicks Chocolate. The theatre company has been pretty successful of late, with a building reputation of putting on shows in preview before they head to Broadway. Not so much a hidden gem anymore, but a solid option for theatre entertainment.

This is a great theater with great, high quality shows. More than that, their Loeb Drama Center is intimate enough such that you feel like you are getting great seats no matter where you sit. To prove my point, go to http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~loebinfo/loebinfo/loebdata.html and scroll all the way to the bottom to see REALLY good diagrams of how seating is arranged at the Loeb Center If you are a student, the best deal around is to buy a tax-deductible student membership. For only a $10 donation, you can get $15-25 seats anywhere in the theater -- no joke. I saw Porgy and Bess in a center, 3rd row seat for $25. There's no way you can beat that price.

$15 for third row seats -- you can't beat that. We went over the weekend to watch the play Cardenio, a lost play attributed to Shakespeare. The set was amazing, and we really felt like we were sitting in the cloister of a Umbrian monastery. The actors were fun, entertaining, and captured our attention for the 2.5 hours, and the seats were mostly comfortable. The bathrooms are located on the basement and second-floor level, and there's a nice little booze stand right outside the main door. I would have loved to grab a glass of wine from the stand (can't drink right now) and gone outside to the courtyard with the beautiful landscaping and fancy lights (too many smokers - gag), but the wait for the bathroom killed my 13 minute intermission. We signed up for the email list, and will definitely return for future performances.

Came here for Gatz, a 7 hour play (8 hours if you include the one hour break for dinner in between). Since I can't really review the play itself on here (though I highly HIGHLY recommend - one of the most amazing cultural experiences I've ever encountered), I'll say the seating was extremely comfortable given the fact we were sitting there all day (though I did bring a back pillow just cuz I was in for the long haul), and the seats were set out in such a manner that there was no fear of being able to see over the person in front of you - it was an ideal sort of quasi-stadium seating that I wish more theaters had. Also, it was very smoothly run and quite reasonably priced, with an option to order dinner there in between from Chez Henri, which was also quite delicious! Would definitely like to hit up the ART again soon, and if you can still get tickets suggest you go see Gatz post-haste!

We saw Cardenio there... Play was OK..... not spectacular More of a traditional theatre... Seats were comfortable and since it wasn't full we managed to move closer to the stage I liked the theatre especially the outdoor courtyard with the strings of lights -- great place to sit with a glass of Pimms (or substitute your fav summer EtOH beverage here) on a summer evening...