Citizens Opera House

🎭Review: Citizens Opera House🎭 ⭐️9.5/10⭐️ Citizens Opera House stands out as one of the premier performance venues in the United States, offering an exceptional guest experience from start to finish. Its central location in Downtown Boston makes it easily accessible by foot from many parts of the city. The guest services team is particularly noteworthy for their professionalism and courtesy, ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience. During the 20-minute intermission, staff managed high-traffic areas like the restrooms efficiently, helping lines move quickly and minimizing disruption. The venue also provides thoughtful amenities, including a water bottle refilling station with cups and a flexible snack policy, enhancing overall convenience and comfort for patrons. We attended a performance of Back to the Future, which was visually stunning and impressively staged. The theater’s advanced technical features contributed to an immersive, futuristic experience. While food and beverage prices are on the higher side—a common trait among performing arts venues—it’s a minor drawback in an otherwise outstanding visit. Overall, Citizens Opera House delivers a top-tier cultural experience with excellent service, modern amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Beautiful venue to watch a show. Seats were basic but comfortable. Sound was good. My only complaint is the bathroom situation. They are located downstairs and it's a bit chaotic despite the theatre's best efforts to organize it. That's the downside of an old theater I suppose.

We recently enjoyed a delightful date night at the Citizens Bank Opera House in Boston to see The Book of Mormon, and it was an unforgettable experience. The Citizens Bank Opera House is a beautifully restored historic theater that exudes elegance and grandeur. The ornate architecture and plush seating create an inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. The acoustics were excellent; we could hear every word and note clearly, making the performance even more enjoyable.  Overall Experience: From the moment we entered the theater to the final curtain call, the experience was seamless and enjoyable. The staff were courteous and efficient, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. The combination of a stunning venue and a top-notch performance made for a perfect date night.

This is a fantastic venue with helpful staff. We saw back to the future the musical here and it was really well done. Very much worth it if you can get the Bostix discounted tickets.

I recently went to the Citizens Opera House in Boston to see the Italian group IL VOLO 2025 tour, and it was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was somewhere truly special. The theater is beautiful, with classic decorations, soft red seats, and a warm, welcoming feeling. You can tell it’s a place full of history and love for the arts. IL VOLO was absolutely incredible. Their voices gave me goosebumps, and the way they connected with the audience made the night feel very personal. They sang with so much passion, and you could tell they were enjoying every minute just as much as we were. The sound in the Opera House was perfect — clear, strong, and full of emotion. The staff was friendly and helpful, and everything was well organized. I felt comfortable and taken care of from the moment I arrived. The lighting and stage were simple but beautiful, letting the music shine. This concert will stay in my heart forever. Both the place and the performance were unforgettable. I can’t wait to go back for another show. The Citizens Opera House truly offers a magical experience.

I love this theater. I’ve been here several times and have enjoyed each show. The theater is just fabulous, ornately designed. It feels grand and luxurious. The seats are very comfortable and I have not had a bad experience ever. The acoustics are great and there is no bad seat in the house.

It was a cloudy Sunday early March, perfect day to go and watch the Boston Ballet. It was wonderful orchestrated and with a modern twist of choreography. The show keeps you interested in every “theme”. What made it over the top is that my wife liked it!!! Nice and no stress afternoon!!!

I went with my daughter to see Romeo and Juliet. My daughter's first time at a Ballet, she loved it. The atmosphere was electric, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The Opera House was magnificent. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We will be back.

Seeing a show at the Opera House is a must while in Boston! Came here for Les Miserables and had a fun night. The opera house itself is beautiful from the lobby to the theater. It's very picturesque and I suggest looking around the different rooms and areas to take in all the beauty. They serve drinks and sell merch for each show which is cool. The shows are top notch as it's Boston's Broadway so expect to be wowed. I've seen a couple of shows here from Anastasia to Phantom of the Opera and it's always a very professional production. Our seats were Orchestra Right, Row P and we were very close to the stage. Only thing was since we were off to the side, some parts of the stage was obstructed. However I'd rather be closer and have this as being in the balcony is very far and the actors look so tiny making it harder to see. All in all a fun night out! Bonus: accessible by the MBTA

I saw The Nutcracker here last weekend and had a wonderful experience! The skill and professionalism of the dancers was truly incredible. I was also impressed with the costumes, lighting and "special effects" on the stage. This performance definitely gets you in the mood for the holidays and the entry way into the Opera House is also fully decked out in holiday decor. My one complaint is that the line for the women's bathroom was obscenely long and there was no one monitoring the line. In fact, the line was so long it took me five minutes just to figure out where it began. There must have been over 100 people in line during the 20 minute intermission. I suggest they install larger bathrooms or allow a longer intermission so people can be comfortable while watching the second half of the show. I will definitely be back for another ballet, but plan to use the bathroom before the show and go to the Cafe Nero down the street if I need a restroom during intermission.

While it is difficult to match the quality of New York's theatre experience, the Boston Opera House comes pretty darn close. The theatre itself is absolutely stunning, gorgeous period appropriate decor, but tastefully restored and modernized, as needed. Recent traveling performances, included Les Miserables and Hamilton were spectacular. The staff does their best to keep security moving and handling the crowds through the tight lobby. Two complaints: 1) For Les Mis, the staff did not enforce the seating hold. Audience members were given ample notice that the show would start promptly at 7:30pm. Inexplicably, the ushers continued to seat late arrivals until nearly 8:00pm. Our view of the prologue was blocked by ushers and patrons walking in late and using their cell phone flashlights. Very distracting and in very poor taste. 2) While no fault of the theatre, the lack of etiquette by some patrons was appalling. People using Apple watches, cell phones ringing, etc. during the performance was so rude. I wish the ushers would have removed these people at intermission.

beautiful facilities, but very inaccessible! no handicap bathrooms and staff member not helpful with the fact that disabled person in my party couldn't stand in line for 30 minutes to use the bathroom.

What a perfect spot for a night out in town. Located in Downtown crossing near the commons, the Downtown Crossing Macy's, and Chinatown, the Citizens Boston Opera House has become somewhere I frequent as of late and I'm absolutely loving it. It's so fun getting ready and having something like an upcoming show to look forward to. I love watching live performances and my experience never fails here! The decor, stunning. The staff, friendly and helpful (you'll know exactly where your seat is and get walked directly to it in no time). The drinks/concession stands are a bit pricey but honestly nothing crazy. We got a beer, white claw, and box of m&ms for $23 and I was honestly expecting it to be more so that was a plus. The parking, pretty convenient with a garage right across the street as well as some street parking (we found a meter right outside!). Now onto the show -- Moulin Rouge!!! I haven't stopped thinking about it. I'm obsessed. The theater really helps everything come to life on stage. Stunning sounds, art, decor, production, the whole shabang. I can't wait to come back again (hopefully soon)!

I got to explore the three ballets that are part of Boston Ballet's Winter Experience program - Raymonda, Petal and To Be One today. I had a good view from the mezzanine center right section. The dancing, sets, costumes and score was breathtaking! The Boston Opera house is conveniently located a quick walk from the Chinatown T stop on the orange line in downtown Boston. There are many good restaurants and bars in the area. I came here to see the nutcracker last year and it's always lovely to come back!

Seeing a show here is like stepping back in time. The building is past theater and half museum. The walls and ceilings are full of gold leaf, marbled pillars. This is not just a theater... It's a time capsule!

They don't allow me to bring in paper print out tickets. Horrible service by default.

Retrain your rude ushers! Our tickets were on the mezzanine level half way between floors two and three. The usher would not let us in on the second floor and made us climb several flights of stairs only to climb back down the stairs. He also gave us serious attitude when we told him the usher on the other side of the second floor told us to see him to go through. We paid a lot of money for tickets and that was a clear and ridiculous power play.

Stunning opera house that was originally built as a movie theater in 1928. The Boston Opera House originally called the B.F. Keith Memorial Theater was named for a vaudeville actor. It was designed by Thomas Lamb, an architect who planned many lavish movie theaters. It was acquired prior to opening by RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpeum) just prior to opening. The theater featured films and live vaudeville in its early days. Bostonian Joseph Kennedy was an early owner and his family later on helped to restore this theater after its future decline. Senator Edward Kennedy and Boston Mayor Thomas Marino were instrumental in obtaining landmark status for old movie house. It cost $38 million to restore. Today, it is the home to many Broadway plays and The Nutcracker. Beautifully restored historic theater.

What an experience!! I came for the first time to see Wicked and both the show and the theatre blew me away. I sat Row E ORCH RIGHT and it was a great view. The seats were comfortable, breath-taking stage, and the lights and visual effects were A+. There are a few bars placed around, some lounges, and the bathrooms are so beautifully decorated. My one biggest piece of advice is to plan ahead to go to the bathroom and get drinks before intermission is over. They give a warning by flicking the lights but the bar line was so long that I was stuck outside for a whole scene. The TVs they use to display the show to outsiders was not good quality at all so that was my only downside to this experience. But it was my fault so hoping no one else will need to use the TV. Overall, highly highly recommend coming here for a show.

What, did you expect me to come and give a 100-year old theater anything less than five stars? I've seen the Nutcracker here twice now. I saw Annie and the Wizard of Oz here when I was in high school - it never fails to deliver. The shows are great, sure - but it is the building which we are in awe of. Phenomenal artistry, the bathroom alone feels like I should be paying a cover-charge. Have you SEEN the delicate roses carved in the marble fireplace in there?? Geez Louise. We park at Lafayette Garage to get to the theater quickly, and it's an absolute frickin' delight to walk up to the theater. Looking forward to our next adventure to the Opera House.

Beautiful opera house in downtown Boston. The architecture is stunning! The musical itself was a very well done performance, but compared to a lot of other venues I've been to in NYC, London, Chicago, Cleveland, etc, it was very well run and efficient. There were ushers to get you through everywhere without too much crowding. Usually the womens restrooms during intermission are a nightmare but they had very well trained ushers to get you in and out. Even getting the Uber afterward was super easy. Beautiful building, performance and great experience! Would love to see Hamilton or To Kill a Mockingbird here!

We came to see Wicked and boy were we impressed. The theater was absolutely beautiful, definitely one of the top three theaters I've been at. The theater literally did not have a bad seat in the house. The seats were comfortable, you did not feel cramped, plenty of room to be able to watch the show. The aesthetics and audio were perfect. I will definitely come back to watch any other production held here.

It's like watching a show in the Sistine Chapel. We saw Hadestown, sat in the orchestra in seats P 5&7. Hadestown was a soulful spectacle, and watching it surrounded by white marble columns and elegant frescos brought the experience to another level. Our seats were good but we were under the balcony overhang. I'd recommend either the mezzanine or the closer orchestra seating. The main take home is that if you're thinking of doing a show in Boston, definitely choose the Opera House over the many other venues available.

Beautiful, beautiful building. If you don't enjoy the show you've come to see, at least you can admire the ceiling? The 2004 renovation did this place justice, it really did. Some of the seats in the back corners don't have great views (you get what you pay for, seat-wise), and the crowds can get overwhelming. But I've never had a truly bad experience here, and I've lost track of how many times I've visited.

The Nutcracker is always such a whimsical performance to watch. Everyone in the audience is captivated by each of the dancer's talent. I was in awe and couldn't take my eye of the stage. The theater was decorated so beautifully too. This is my favorite time of year and I am already looking forward to returning next year!

Love the Mezz seats in this theatre! Saw My Fair Lady here and I couldn't praise it more. Clean and classy! Made for such a romantic date night

As tonight's performance was lining up to pass thru tight security, you can't help but notice the history all around this landmark yet WICKED IS ABOUT TO BLOW YOU AWAY! To a full house this production only has a few more days in Boston yet I needed to see it again. All the main actors gave the performance of their lives and it felt as if they were performing just for you! It brought laughter, tears, sympathy and many other emotions the audience experience thru each character part! The electric energy was intense and this Opera House was a perfect Venue for WICKED! Looking for to Hairspray in the Fall!

Beautiful building with lots of nice lobby space. Even my "obstructed" seat was great! I was very impressed with how quickly the bathroom lines went during intermission. That part is important!

Exquisite to say the least! We came here for the nutcracker ballet performance and it was a great night. Great drinks and they are friendly and helpful! Amazing architecture as well.

Not to be confused with the Bots-done Opera House, which is run by Bots and so is both automated and awful. So I was able to see The Nutcracker a little while back, because we were staying in Boston where the old girlfriend that is extremely obsessed with Opera and shows and playhouses is currently living (and I imagine she'll never leave, she loves it so much). I've now been to like four or five of the beautiful palaces that Boston has to offer, and this is one of my favourites, and the show was amazing. I didn't actually ever think I'd like Opera, and I may never go to another Opera (you never know), but if I die with this having been the only Opera performance that I ever go to, then it will have left a great memory of Opera for me. In fact, the only thing better than the Opera itself was the beautiful building it took place in.

I was very lucky to win the "Hamilton" lottery. Run, don't walk, to see a performance here! The venue is absolutely stunning.

BEAUTIFUL theater that was originally built in the 20's (as a movie theater), but began operating as an opera house in the 80's, and just renovated in 2004. Visited here to see the Boston Ballet perform the Nutcracker. The performance itself was amazing, as was the actual theater architecture, aesthetics, and audible. They also had beautiful decorations up for Christmas; the theater was just breath-taking!

Beautiful but the sound was off and it was difficult to hear at times. That was a disappointment. Rating 4 stars because my daughter loved My Fair Lady.

Love the opera house -Big fan of the Broadway in Boston productions have seen Hamilton, Dear Evan Hanson and Beautiful just to name a few ! Best seats for me are in the dress circle!

I watched nutcracker. The music was nice. The venue is small. The chairs are small, restrooms are not enough. Not good interior design for everyone to see the stage well. The traffic in front of the opera house is literally insane.

BEAUTIFUL and stunning opera house. Saw The Nutcracker 2 nights ago and loved the experience! A must-see for anyone!!

Enjoyed ON YOUR FEET - the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan at the Boston Opera House with my sister. Enjoyed the open bar and great appetizers. This old theater has a man-operated elevator and huge stairways. The seating was good, a little tight for the knees but what theater isn't. Great place, great show.

I was so excited to come see Nutcracker for the first time as well as my first time in this Opera House. The location is fantastic, in the theater district within walking distance from Downtown Crossing and Chinatown. I used Spot Hero to grab our spots at the Hyatt $20 which was directly across the street but did see many other places to park on the way. We were also out of there quickly after the show and on the highway within minutes! The venue is absolutely breathtaking - the details are so ornate - I absolutely love older theater venues for this reason. The prices for snacks and liquor weren't over the top and outrageous, we got a decent glass of Cabernet which was filled well for $10. There are a lot of stalls and the bathrooms were clean - also an area right near the bathroom called the lounge for sitting. Our seats were right up front but Orchestra Right. We had a fantastic view with the exception of two scenes where there was a tiny bit of obstruction just for a bit - but we were able to be so close to the stage and the orchestra which was great. The show itself was wonderful and I can't wait to bring my little one once she is older which does bring me to my next point - there were many little kids there, and some were wonderfully behaved and of age while others I think were too young, one child directly to the right of us was having a coughing fit and it was distracting but worrisome as well - I almost wanted to grab the child and bring her outside for a drink and a break. There were staff members that were able to take drink orders from your seat prior to the show and during intermission but we needed to stretch our legs anyway. The seats were standard and quite honestly probably double the size of TD Garden from what I am hearing about them!

This was my second time to Boston Opera House. So beautiful throughout. I truly enjoy seeing shows here. The bathroom situation during intermission can be tricky, but the ladies working it keep the crowds moving fairly well.

Boston opera house aka Citizens Bank Opera House Tickets was so stunning when my wife and I went there a while back to see the Lion King. There are parking garages very close walking distance which was nice. I'm looking forward to going back again. I def suggest going if you get the chance.

The bathroom line moves quickly during intermission, just be sure to pay attention to the attendants. They will announce which stall is open, and they will expect you to take that stall. **Cheap Seats** The Boston Opera House frequently offers up seats to shows through the Lucky Seat Lottery and with Student/Senior rush tickets. Get on their mailing list to find out when these kinds of affordable opportunities are available.

Dear Evan Hansen--Touching, modern tale told through the eyes of Evan. Finding himself in a quandry, he strives to fit in and travels through loneliness, acceptance, truth, and comes to his home. Wonderful play, great singing and songs, and my favorite on stage play. If you have a chance, don't miss this. The Boston Opera House is a well taken care of iconic theatre with baroque style features and opulently decorated, a great home for the Boston Ballet. Just beautiful to look at.

This place is stunning. Went for the nutcracker this year and it was just beautiful. Seating is hard it you have a tall person in front of you- even if you are super close to the front. They offer lots to drink and buy while you wait and you can bring them in. You also don't have to coat check, which I hate to do so I brought my jacket with me. The matinee is for all the kiddos so just be prepared for that- but it didn't matter much at all! Parking is around the corner in the next building and that can be absolute hell if you don't Hall ass to your car- be prepared to wait forever--- so just walk or Uber.

Good show tonight. Lots of energy. Good venue, old school opera house. Lavishly decorated. Seats were pretty small. Took a long time to get out of there.

The 5 star rating is for Hamilton! The best show we've ever seen! The actors were amazing. It was like a concert, cirque de soleil, movie, gymnastics and dance all in one. The venue is old/historic and charming. Negatives ...the seats are very tight with very little leg room. Exiting the theatre is painfully slow. Some ushers were very friendly, a few weren't. We parked at the Lafayette Garage which is barely a block away on a Sunday night so it was only $20. Reasonable $$ and easy to get in and out.

We saw Romeo & Juliet performed by the Boston Ballet here. Incredibly beautiful, moving performance. I also liked that the ballet company was diverse. It was the first time I've seen the role of Juliet in any medium held by an Asian, Misa Kuranaga. Magnetic and so talented. She wasn't the only Asian; there were also Koreans and Chinese. As an Asian female, it was an extra special experience. Would highly recommend.

What an awesome place. Went to see Hamilton here. I hear most Broadway shows come here. Very elegant and beautiful place. Getting out was somewhat of a problem and took a while as I was sitting near front row. I look forward to my next show.

Amazing ornate interiors greet you as you enter the lobby of the Opera House. It's a huge soaring performance space gilded in gold leaf with a huge balcony and ample seating. We were fortunate enough to see a touring Broadway musical, Something's Rotten on a Saturday night in January 2017 at the opera house. The performance was wonderful made all the more pleasant in this beautiful setting. If you have a chance to visit, don't pass it up.

I love the Boston Opera House. We see Broadway shows here and enjoy the Nutcracker. Today, for a gift I received on Mother's Day, I went to see Swan Lake. How was it? I'm not sure. The two insufferable brats behind me never shut up. The mom chatted loudly about the story line while the kids kicked our seats, screamed, and poured candy on the floor. I'm not sure why boxes of candy are allowed if you're charging over $100 a ticket, or why kids under 12 are allowed to a three hour ballet either. I love the venue, but today was a disappointment that completely ruined our experience.

I've been here for the Nutcracker, a few broadway shows, and the TEDxCambridge TED talk several years ago. It's a great venue and while there's twists and turns to find the restrooms or your seats, it's pretty manageable. Walking past the chandeliers in the main entrance hall and up the lavish staircase sets the stage for a good night.

Aladdin 8/2018. We were lucky enough to get tickets to Aladdin on it's final week in Boston. It was a spectacular show full of sparkles, magic and wonder! Family friendly. The cast was diverse. The Boston Opera House is beautiful. Not a bad seat in the house. We were in the Left Dress Circle and the seats were comfortable and more spacious than the Emerson a block away.

Beautiful old world theater. The staff were friendly and moved people along quickly and so many great seats. I would highly recommend.

Place is beautiful. Went this week for Hamilton. Glad I was able to chose my seat when purchasing tickets as an aisle seat is highly recommended. Very right squeeze with no leg room. The guy behind me had his long leg crossed over next to my head. Pay attention to the set as you want to get in the bathroom line before intermission. It was jammed packed. One way in and one way out of the venue so it's a madhouse leaving

I went on a Saturday night to see Love Never Dies, in short it's basically a sequel to Phantom of the Opera. 10 years pass and Kristine goes back to Coney Island and discovers that her true love, the phantom is actually still alive, and that he's been faking his death for the past 10 years. The play was phenomenal, I think partially because it was in the Boston opera house, the singing echoed all the way to the balcony where we sat, it felt as if we were in the front. The view wasn't too bad at all either, I mean for 20 dollars, you can see and hear everything perfectly. The ceiling decorations were gorgeous, felt like I was in a museum. Summary: Overall great theater, amazing experience. The only trouble is beating the mob out when the show is over. It's like a swarm of bees heading out of the bee hive.

My review just adds to what has already been said. The building, inside and out, from top to bottom is absolutely breathtaking. I wanted to take pictures of everything. I feel like part of seeing a show is admiring the magnificent architecture and ornate details. The arena is pretty small and intimate so every seat offers good view. I was seven rows from the stage but on the far right. Next time, I'd pick a seat in the middle just because I love symmetry :) I went to see the Nutcracker with my friends for a festive night out and was not disappointed. I was surprised by the amount of children that were there; it really is enjoyable for all ages. I love how everyone can keep their cell phones off and just enjoy a show; Shakespeare would be proud. There's no dress code but I def recommend dressing a bit fancier. There's plenty of restaurants and bars you can enjoy before or after the show. I will definitely be back soon.

My wife wanted an activity to look forward to while in school, and bought a subscription for us to the Boston Opera House. As subscribers we have tickets to six showings at the Boston Opera House. The first show we attended as subscribers was 'Fun Home.' It was a moving musical and a touching story, I plan on reading the book by Alison Bechdale. For those struggling to coming out LGBT, or anyone in the community for that matter, would be interested in this story and should look into it. It was our first night, which also was the night for the opening event. The subscribers night was a mingling of fellow subscribers of this seasons theater. There were bars available with a modest selection of beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks. The hors'douvre was smoked salmon on brioche points from Legal Seafood (delicious). We were provided a tour and given a history on The Boston Opera House, shown pictures of its hay day, and learned of the rehabilitation process required after the theater had been dark for over a decade. The outside is modest and unassuming. The foyer entrance is as grand as is tall and impressive. There is an initial shock if you had never been before because one would not expect such a sight. Beautiful ornate carpets, plaster mold ceilings with intricate designs, marble and stone as part of the architecture. A grand staircase and lower lobby to gather. The fireplaces are ornate, and all are different because the guy that designed the place brought them back from his tour in Europe. These were fireplaces that were installed elsewhere, purchased, and moved to Boston. That boggled my mind and further adds charm to the Boston Opera House. The theater is also grand, the seats were beautiful but designed for people of the late 19th and early 20th century. I felt a little uncomfortable due to my size. But not so much that I didn't enjoy the performance. Another nice feature, there is a parking garage which is across the street which was a huge bonus. If you like architecture, see a show at the Boston Opera House. If you like theater, see a show at the Boston Opera House. If you want a nice date-night, see a live production rather than a movie, or just do something different, go to The Boston Opera House.

I got my sister and I tickets to see the production of Dear Evan Hansen at the Citizens Bank Boston OperaHouse. I'm from the Boston area and I've been just so many shows in Boston I honestly can't remember if I had been there before. I'm certainly sure I hadn't been as an adult. It is a beautiful venue in theater district in Boston right next to the Paramount theater. I was able to purchase my tickets easily online. You must have them printed upon arrival. It's recommended to get there 30 to 45 minutes early to avoid lines. We showed up about 40 minutes early and did not have to wait in line. We were able to use the restroom, take pictures at the step and repeat, and grab snacks and drinks before the show started. There are ushers all around who will escort you to your seats. The seating is pretty close together so you don't have a lot of room in front of you or on either side of you. I would recommend trying to get an end seat to free up a little bit of space, but just know that you'll have to get up a lot when the show is starting and during intermission. Overall, the space is beautiful and has a great cultural and theatrical environment to it. There is an orchestra, mezzanine, and limited side balcony seating. Prices vary per production. I'm not sure about parking but I would recommend taking a Lyft or Uber. The shows here are of incredible caliber and the space is perfect for it. The acoustics are great, the lighting is perfect, and the building itself is beautiful. You can also purchase a membership that gets you about 6 to 8 shows per season at discounted prices and access to their VIP lounge before, after, and during intermission each show. Q