Amanda H.
Yelp
Madlab is no snob.
This venue supports arts of all varieties, whether it's housing a play (which it does most frequently), an art show, live music or an improv comedy troupe. And it perhaps could not have a more appropriate moniker. Madlab also acts as a breeding ground and experimental haven for emerging playwrights, artists and musicians.
It's been a while since I've been able to make it out to a show (I live out of state, or that wouldn't be the case), but the last performance I caught was called Split. It was written by a playwright who was extremely new to the scene, and who was also on hand (although he was from Pittsburgh or Philly) to play a set of his original music after the show (highly entertaining - dude was hysterical) and on the way out, we stopped in the lobby, which also acts as the gallery, to check out the "Too Much Photography" exhibit of local photographers' works. Turns out a friend of mine was showing some of his work that night, unbeknownst to me. As you can see, the price of a ticket = an entire night's worth of art experience. Not a bad deal.
The performance space is intimate (I mean, freakin' TINY), but the company makes clever use of what they've got. Madlab also offers snacks and soft drinks before the show and at intermission (cash only).
The building is a little tricky to find, parking a little less so. It's directly on the corner of Broad and Long - that part's easy. Problem is, you can be looking straight at it and not realize it's there. The building used to be a mechanic's garage, I think, so this is not your mama's theater.