The Bushnell Performing Arts Center

Came here to see the Final Fantasy symphony!!! I've been so excited to see them again and this time they performed at the Bushnell, which is a beautiful theater in a clean and well maintained location. The theater itself is quite large and at the time provided many different amenities, including valet (which we used. It was very straightforward and easy to locate), merchandise, multiple food and drink options, as well as a professional staff who were all friendly and helpful. They offered assistance for directions as well as gave information on future performances that we might be interested in. The bartender was very quick which I appreciated considering the long line she was tending to. The staff inside the theater who helped guide everyone to their seats greeted us with a smile, and helped maintain an orderly seating process. It was a very positive experience for me and I think most other attendees. Also, it was nice to see some people dressed up both in cosplay, and in more formal outfits. And I appreciate the uniform that the staff were wearing. I think it made for a more authentic, symphony experience. I'm looking forward to coming back and hope to see the other theater next time.

I got to see Josh Johnson perform live with intro by Mandel and set by Logan Nielsen. I 2022 I got hooked on the JJ Sow podcast with Logan, and followed Josh Johnson's prolific brilliant comedy ever since. I was wowed, delighted and laughing through the entire show! Bravo! ❤️ 🎯 👍

Loved the performance! However, the seats are tiny and lack cup holders which stunk. Beautiful theater regardless, just wish the seating was more spacious and accommodated beverages.

By far one of the best theatres in Connecticut. They have brought amazing Broadway productions to this place and they have been spectacular. We have gone to so many of them. All great shows. The theatre is very spacious, providing plenty of space between you and the row in front of you. The acoustics are great so the singing and acting is great. This place proves you don’t have to travel to NYC, to catch a great show.

Great old style theater work modern lighting and acoustics. In town for the music educators conference at the convention center, the Bushnell was the ideal venue for orchestral and concert bands as the culmination.

Great venue with easily accessible free parking; good security and comfortable seating as we enjoyed the West Hartford Public Schools Inter-Elementary Music Festival.

I've been here many times and have had amazing experiences every time! The staff were so helpful and amazing! It has such a welcoming and safe environment

The Bushnell Theater in downtown Hartford is an absolute gem! From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with stunning architecture, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and an air of rich history. The seating is comfortable, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house—every view feels intimate and immersive. The acoustics are phenomenal, making every performance, whether a Broadway show, symphony, or special event, a truly unforgettable experience. The staff is always friendly and professional, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable visit. The Bushnell consistently brings world-class entertainment to Hartford, making it a cultural hub for the region. If you’re looking for a night of top-tier entertainment in a beautiful setting, The Bushnell Theater is the place to be! Highly recommend! 🎭✨ Warm regards, Dennis Schleicher, YouTuber with over 90K subscribers and content creator on Instagram

The Bushnell is absolutely stunning, and the staff couldn't have been more friendly--I'm not sure what took me so long to finally see a show here! My family went to see Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live, and it definitely won't be our last visit. Navigating Hartford can be a bit stressful, but The Bushnell is conveniently located just a short drive from the highway exit and was easy to find. They offer free event parking in a lot right across the street, which made things even easier. We entered through the side marked "Box Office," where we found a cozy little café serving coffee, baked goods, salads, and sandwiches, along with the Box Office counter. From there, we passed through a small entrance where our tickets were scanned and we went through a quick security check. That led us into another lobby area. We arrived about an hour and a half before showtime, and it was already busy with people. The was merch was being sold on the third floor, and the line for T-shirts and light wands stretched through much of the building (and beyond!). It was a little confusing figuring out where to go next, but a kind staff member helped us out. He let us know that theater doors would open at 6:30, and since we had balcony seats, we'd need to take the elevator. Inside, the theater was breathtaking. From the walls to the ceiling, every detail was beautifully preserved--it's a treasure. Our seats were in the front row of the balcony, offering a fantastic view of the stage. They were fairly comfortable, though space was a bit tight. Recording or photography wasn't allowed during the show, except for the final five minutes, staff held up signs before the show. As for the show itself--it was incredible! High energy, visually stunning, and a whole lot of fun. I've been to a few other theaters in the area, but The Bushnell easily ranks as one of my favorite experiences.

We have not seen the show yet but I have to comment on the food menu tonight at the cafe... The staff is always welcoming and the service so fast. The menu unfortunately was awful tonight. I had the chicken salad wrap and I could not eat it. It had an awful taste- my husband said it was the dressing on it so we switched our food between us - he had the smoked turkey and cheddar sandwich which was okay. I truly wish the Bushnell and their vendor the Max group would create a better menu for these great events....I do love their baked sweet treats- always delicious!!

We saw the Lion King musical and it was such an amazing, emotional experience!! I grew up watching Disney VHS and this was truly a magical thing to see in person. I was truly touched when I heard the Khoisan "click" language used within the songs by Rafiki. It was such an amazing, authentic, cultural appreciation shown through the musical!! We had front row balcony seats and were able to see everything from the top aerial view (birds, elephants walking into the isle, Simba running out of the pride lands). Mezzanine will be my choice next time to see the detailed a LOT better.

This year was my 1st time attending this beautiful holiday event. My friend invited me as it's her 4th time coming to this event and told me I wouldn't want to miss it. She was absolutely right as It's a great way to start the holiday season in full force. It was their celebration of 100 years of the Travelers Chorale concert that has been going on from back in the day. The performance was so unbelievably beautiful to sit back and enjoy the music. The beautiful music they all sang together and produced an unbelievable talent and they also played their instruments with one of the local orchestras. The talent of the travelers employees and the hours that goes into a concert is priceless. It was so great to be up in the Mezzanine seating up high looking down of the orchestra playing all together. It was a complimentary holiday concert w a donation of can goods to help the food banks and they collect like 50,000 worth. There is also another concert they do for the springtime in May that I plan to attend again.

We saw Wicked. The total performance was absolute perfection. The Bushnell is beautiful with plenty of free parking in the area. But how about letting people sit in their seats and don't make everyone wait in the lobby so long as it gets more and more packed. That part was miserable.

Concert free at bushnell- Christmas . Was amazing . Lovely choral group and music. They hold 2 concerts per year. You will certainly be relaxed and revived.

This theater is so charming. I love the art deco design and that despite its capability to hold nearly 3,000 people, it feels small and cozy. I've seen several shows here, from musicals to game shows to stand up comedy. Each time, the entry process was super smooth and easy, the line for concessions moved quickly, and the view from our seats was great. I recently read that Mortensen hall has the largest hand painted ceiling mural of its type in the US. It is really pretty and looks so cool in the various lighting situations.

The Bushnell is one of the best parts of Connecticut! I've been to several shows they've hosted and have never been disappointed. It's a gorgeous building with lovely offerings. Recently, my partner and I saw Tootsie! We always leave laughing and in high spirits. Thank you to everyone on staff who ensures we have a safe, clean, and fun place to have fun! Can't wait to come back!

sure thing, 4 stars (off broadway ones!) i like the venue itself, very ornate, good seating, however, maybe its time to revamp those seats, lots of love handles hanging off the sides these days and overflowing into other people seats, if youve been, you know. i liked the free parking, although, prepare for getting out of a garage with 2000 other people, we booked it and got out pretty ok, although also no signs to the highways, so we got stuck in the pedestrian traffic anyway, damned if you do. heres to a little culture in our hartford lives.

The theater is nice but needs to update the seating for larger people not everyone is a size 6. Very narrow rows, the staff were really friendly.

Very dissapointing ticket policy and box office of this institution. I bought tickets for my mother and a friend to see The Wiz as a Christmas gift back in December. I called recently as my mother must unfortunately undergo an emergency surgery making it that she will be in recovery during the week of the show. I explained the situation and kindly asked if something could be done, a refund, a credit, anything. I was stone-walled immediately with no empathy or flexibility. I genuinely couldn't believe it.

Enjoyed the lion king broadway at the Hartford Bushnell. If you are planing on using the free parking lot they have definitely get there early.

Show was . This is my first time here and the theater is beautiful and well run. Try not to park in the garage or go grab a drink after the show as we were stuck in the garage for over a half hour. Overall, can't wait to come again. ​

Great evening at the Bushnell last night. I love the atmosphere even before you come through those doors.The musicians outside,the parking lot attendants,the lights and posters are all so inviting and welcoming.Zoe was super nice and helped us navigate through a sea of people on the opening night for Hadestown!!Love all the volunteers and coats check is always appreciated!

I have always loved the Bushnell! Intimate seating and amazing plays without all of the hassel of going to New York or Boston! As a plus size person, I do appreciate that they can accommodate for plus size individuals and have specific seating available, however they are typically able to recommend seating as well. I typically feel more comfortable on the aisle seat in Orchestra or in the plus seating area. Otherwise I love the concession stand and their themed drinks for each performance. They really go above and beyond!

This was my first time at the Bushnell. The facility was an amazing looking place. I am from NYC and have been to Broadway shows but this place has them beat! This is the perfect venue to check out performances, enjoy the sights of the city and look at the history this building has to offer. The sound quality is fantastic, the staff is friendly, a very clean area, they offered hand sanitizer to all the attendees. The seating was great not a bad seat in the house. Thank you for reopening after times and for anyone like myself who never been it's a must see.

What an amazing show!!! I was in awe the entire time. We somehow had front tow seats which were spectacular. Parking was free and right across the street. Of course the entire theater leaving at the same time took awhile--be sure to back into your spot to leave easier. Can't wait to go back for more shows!!!

Went to see Hadestown and it was amazing! I always enjoy going to see shows here. There are no bad seats. The building is absolutely gorgeous. It's seen so many shows and entertainers in its 90+ years. Bathrooms are very clean. The staff is very helpful. Love the free parking!!

Saw Mean Girls here! The show was fantastic. Not a bad seat in the house. The venue is quaint. Snacks and beverages for sale as well! Great option to see a local show for a reasonable price!

The Bushell is one of my favorite attractions of the city of Hartford. I've gone many times in he past 10 plus years to see a variety of musicals such as Mama Mia, Dirty Dancing, Newsies, Rent, Carol King's Beautiful, Motown, and many others. I've seen comedy shows and a couple of concerts. I personally don't think The Bushnell is the best venue for concerts, but they don't host them here too often. I personally like to purchase tickets for shows in person. They can also be purchased on their website, or on the phone for an additional convenience fee. The parking lot is conveniently located across the street, it is free, and there's always plenty of space. The theatre has just under 3000 seats available. No seat is a bad view. I'm always impressed with the productions, the sound quality, the actors, and the performance as a whole. As far as concerts I've seen John Mellencamp and Diana Ross. They both have large songbooks, and while the performances were great, I feel like there was a time pressure to wrap up by a certain time. Neither of the artists preformed certain songs I was expecting from them, because there the time was limited. The Bushnell stage is intended for musicals its best to keep it for that purpose. The most recent show I saw was the Pretty Woman Musical. This was exceptionally well done. The leads and the supporting actors were all amazing, their vocals and stage presence had my eyes on them the whole 2.5 hours. I left happy! If you're looking for a quality theatre experience The Bushnell will not disappoint!

Great theater with . . . Get ready for it, FREE PARKING. All venues should have free parking The venue was quick checking COVID vaccine cards and IDs Had three stations set up. Will call was fairly quick. Brandon Baker was so pleasant and polite. Kindness is appreciated

Everything was swell but the most memorable apart of my first experience was the Oreo brownie. I am not kidding my life is changed. I'm not a theatre person. I will be turning into one for that Oreo brownie. I never write reviews. Except when a brownie is so good I'm changing my life course for it. Get the brownie. Get the tickets. Get the rose. Have a ball.

It's a beautiful and spacious venue with ample seating and several different levels, rooms, and areas for congregating.

I love the Bushnell!!! Everyone of our visits have always ended up with a resounding BRAVO! The productions are excellent and the fact you don't have to deal with the hustle and bustle of NYC makes it a plus. The theater is beautiful, practically no bad seat in the house. The staff at the Bushnell is always great and helpful. We drive up and park (no parking fee) which makes it even better. In addition the seating is great, you actually have space between you and the next row. We have been to several productions and can't wait to go again. Keep bringing quality productions and we will show up again and again.

Prior to being dragged to see The Grinch this old grump really dug in his heals. This live stage version of the Grinch's journey to a life changing evening was very well done. The cast, young and old, fabulous. Lyrics stayed true to the great Dr Seuss' story of spirit, redemption, and the simple un-hyped meaning of Christmas. I'd have to say it brought out a little more Holiday Spirit in this Old Lump of Coal. Happy Holidays!!!

Beautiful, clean venue with friendly staff. Parking is free and only a short walk away. Concession stand prices were cheaper than Boston. Sound quality was great from the balcony. Took a long time to get to our balcony seats since you can only get up via an elevator. Balcony is very steep, saw a lot of elderly struggling to do the steps so please take that into consideration when buying tickets.

I do love the Bushnell - inside and out, the building is beautiful. They are a well organized machine when it comes to a show - employees exactly where you need them to be, patient people positioned outside to make sure no one is run over crossing the street, and a fair amount of seating to wait for the doors to open. Their employees are also amazingly kind - I have been moved to a new seat because of their observation and consideration. Which brings us to the downside of the Bushnell - the seats are small and don't have a great deal of leg room (specifically the balcony and mezzanine). Definitely read the seat details online because some are wider and/or have greater legroom than others. The last show I went to, I didn't realize my seat was right against a wall (it was an aisle seat) and the person in the next seat had already claimed the armrest. But because their people are amazing, it was fixed! Parking can also be stressful, especially if you're like me and hate city parking, but there is a lot open across the street, and if you get there early it's no problem.

we went yesterday to Funny Girl, paid $160 for ferry from NY, $150 ea for the 2 tickets, and, because of the storm saw 1/2 a show after they cancelled after intermission! I understand why they did, safety concerns, but I was hoping to see an offer for reciprocation in my e Mail , I found on social media they offered people to return today, not guaranteeing the same seating of course. who knows if they'll even have seating for everyone? and what about these unfortunate people like ourselves who come from out of town at an expense, do they think we can just get there like the locals are going to do without a hassle? I find this insulting and extremely not caring for the paying customers and I won't be coming here ever again!

Beautiful theater & really probably not a bad seat in the house! We sat balcony front row middle & had a great view of the stage! We saw Hamilton which was outstanding! I have to say after watching the Broadway version on Disney I didn't think anything could be better but the actors that we saw perform last night far exceeded any expectations I had & I will say I can't wait to see another live performance!! I laughed, I cried but mostly importantly I enjoyed every minute of the show & the talent I witnessed last night literally gave me goosebumps!! Highly recommend seeing Hamilton live if you have the chance! My daughter & I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! The Bushnell is a beautiful historic theater! Gorgeous interior & they did a beautiful lighting up of the walls for Pride month too!

One would expect only 4 or 5 star reviews for a theater with some of the best acts coming through Connecticut. And there's a lot of history in this building, and its existence really helps bring life to downtown Hartford. I do have some complaints, though: The seats, at least in the balcony, are very tight and close together. I came here for a winter performance of Alvin Ailey, and everyone in the balcony was sweating and struggling to get in and out of our seats. It just really wasn't that pleasant. Also, I hate to say it, but I find most of my interactions with the people who work here very negative or unpleasant. During my most recent time, I got chewed out for not buying my tickets directly from the Bushnell, and the folks handing out programs couldn't care less about the patrons. Maybe I'm expecting too much. If you can get over these issues, though, it's easy to say that it's better to have the Bushnell around than not. I wouldn't hesitate to come back for a show that I really, really wanted to see.

We love the Bushnell, we've seen Stomp, The Waitress, and most recently Shen Yun, the theater is rife with just breathtaking architecture and paint and molding. The shows are always done exceptionally well, not different from Broadway at all. The parking is free across the street, but can get tricky if you don't get there at least 30 minutes before the play. The prices for water, snacks, and adult beverages inside are movie theater marked up high, but expected. The bathrooms require stair climbing and descending so be forewarned if you have special needs of any kind.

I've been here many times- for the Hartford Symphony, for the Nutmeg Ballet, and next door at the Mortensen Theater for Diana Krall and Westside Story. I love this place! The halls are beautiful and the acoustics are great. I have yet to have a bad seat. There is ample parking across the street, a short walk to the theaters. There is always a variety of shows going on, and prices are reasonable (compared to NYC!). I hope to see and hear many more shows at this fantastic venue!

I was here for a show last night and mostly enjoyed the experience. The show was phenomenal and I loved the digital set (along with physical props.) I was seated in the balcony and could hear and see everything which leads me to believe there isn't a bad seat in the house. I was surprised to see them serve chips as that's a very noisy food to eat during a show. I was a bit annoyed with that aspect during the show especially after intermission. They didn't open the doors until a half hour before the show started which is normal practice but due to the large amount of people showing up early it lead to a bit of confusion. The building itself is beautiful and clean. The bathrooms were well taken care of and the bars seemed to be fully stocked. If you don't like pepsi products and you don't drink alcohol, that leaves you with 4$ water. We parked on the street which is free after 6 and we were glad we did because the event parking lot was a big ole traffic jam getting out of there! We will definitely come back here for another show in the near future.

In the four years since I first reviewed the Bushnell after seeing "Million Dollar Quartet", I've been back nine times, so I guess that after my tenth visit I'm due for an update. I've seen some great shows here, of which the very best were The Book of Mormon, Beautiful, Kinky Boots, and The Music of Michael Jackson. The pretty good shows were Ukulelist Jake Shimabakuru, The Music of the Eagles, Pippin, and Million Dollar Quartet. The "Just OK" shows were The Spy Who Loved Me (James Bond movies and TV spy show music), and some Harry Potter themed show I took my son to. The Bushnell experience is simply stellar -free parking in the huge lot across the street, dozens of helpful volunteers to escort you to your seats and answer any questions, and places to grab a snack, a coffee, or a cocktail. And the theater itself? Well to state it simply, it is gorgeous and spectacular. The word "opulent" comes to mind - just check out some of the Yelp photos. What a wonderful place. And in an ultimate Yelp random twist of fate, sitting next to me at The Book of Mormon was fellow Yelper Kelly C!

Loved my experience at the Bushnell theatre its a very unique and grand place for performance art. I went to see Le miserable.. I was WOWed with the performance and stage setting how they transformed from one scene to another.The live orchestra made it even better.I'm even thinking of getting season tickets. The seating is really tight and if your seated behind a tall head ( actually they were not ever that tall) it blocks your entire view or just get a bit more expensive seats. They have a cafe just outside of the box office and happy hour drinks at the bar inside... the bar had complimentary hors d'oeuvre before the show. Parking is easy plenty around the building.

I love the Bushnell. I have seen so many shows here. They have two different spaces for performances. Mortensen Hall is the larger venue, and is where the large shows, such as Broadway performances, are held. The Belding Theater is smaller and more intimate, there are truly no bad seats in this theater, so if you have the chance to see a performance here, definitely do! You would never guess that the performance day operations are largely volunteer run. The ushers are so professional, and are well versed in facts related to the performance as well as general Bushnell information. While not smaller "community" theater, we still want to ensure that the Bushnell stays around for a long time, so please patronize the theater whenever you can!

I saw Hamilton here and it was fabulous! Beautiful theater, nice drinks, and easy parking. Can't wait to return and see another show!

Seth Meyers was brilliant last night (9.20.2019). The only reason I didn't make this a 5 star is Sam Sanders the NPR moderator tried multiple times to pull Seth and make this a political conversation. We need to thank Seth for recognizing the bait and taking the true high road. Thanks for sharing your life!

I have been to the Bushnell for different events ranging from musicals like the Lion King and shows like Cirque Dreams Holidaze, I've never been disappointed. I will say that it is a small venue compared to the XL center that have bigger shows. There will always be a crowd drawn here to enjoy a date night show while feeling all fancy. Located near the capital building, you can find paid parking in the lots of street parking making it pretty easy to park provided that you get there within a reasonable time. Access to nearby restaurants and Bushnell Park makes it well worth the time to get there early and explore Hartford. They have different stations inside that sell merchandise, food and drinks. They have a happy hour in the summer time that you can get a drink for about $5. I had a Jack and Coke and was happy with the portions for sure. You can find snacks and candy for the kids and sometimes complimentary cheese and crackers for some events. Getting in is pretty easy with many different entrances that quickly check bags and scan your tickets. Seating is the only thing that really kills the last star for me. You are close to your neighbors which isn't bad if you are near family but makes it a little awkward sharing an arm rest with a stranger. I would highly suggest that you park closer to Bushnell park away from the lots as you will have to deal with the large crowd exiting the Bushnell that could make traffic a little congested and with so many different ways to get out of Hartford, you'd be a fool to put yourself through that needless headache.

This was the first time we had been at the Bushnell. The building is beautiful, enormous and awe inspiring. The ceiling painting is gorgeous. The waiting area is huge with comfortable seating. The was beverage service was nice since we couldn't find any water fountains. However $3 for small water is way to expensive. Lesson learned. We went to see STOMP which we were really excited for. We got tickets for mezzanine, thinking it was better option then balcony. While STOMP was beautiful, we were so uncomfortable. Three stars because the seatings are so narrow that you are squeezed between people. Then there is my 6ft husband trying to squeeze his long legs with out pushing the seats in front of him. I love the shows that stop through here, I can't justify being uncomfortable the whole time while trying to enjoy the show.

This was my first time here and I saw The Illusionists, and I was impressed at how beautiful the theater was and how nice the volunteers were. A man even held the door open when we walked in and when we left, greeting us with, "enjoy the show," and "drive safe."

An impressive theater, they just don't build like this any more. Each room is different, the mouldings, ceilings, walls, fireplaces, everything is impressive. There's plenty of street parking, and food/beverage vendors. The shows are impressive as well. I saw the 1903 circus, and found the acoustics excellent, and we could see the entire stage from fairly high up on the mezzanine.

We Love everything we see here, whether its a musical, a stage show, or the Symphony. I have never been disappointed with a show I have seen here. The staff is always helpful and eager to please.

Came to see Waitress last night. Beautiful theater, good parking across the street, clean, newly renovated lobby, and good concessions. I felt that the sound system was a bit muffled, but other than that I would definitely come back for other shows.

I'm sure, I'm not the only one has ran late to see a show at the Bushnell. You first have to find your seat, grab some snacks, a drink and wait impatiently for the show to start. You really don't have a chance to really check out your surroundings and discover how amazing it is . Today, I was able to slow down. I took a tour of the Bushnell. Our tour guide Clint, was extremely knowledgeable. I don't want to ruin the tour highlights on this review for you. However, I do want to say, that I learned about the theater's history, the architecture designs, the amazing views and stories. Clint really knows his stuff. I found myself looking forward to the next room and what Clint had to say. You can tell he loves his job. He was always smiling. I am not sure if I would have given five stars to the Bushnell prior to my tour. In my previous visits, I thought it was a cool theater to watch watch a show. Now, thanks to Clint, the Bushnell received five stars from me. Clint deserves more than five stars because he gave me a new appreciation for the theater. If you can make the time, I highly recommend taking the tour with Clint. You'll thank me later.

Went to see Lion King for the first time, it was very creative and the music was excellent. The story was as good as I remember it; made me want to watch the movie. Definitely worth a second viewing! Nala stole the show!

So I got tickets to Circus 1903 through groupon, they didn't have this list ready so will call took extra time. For the inconvenience they upgraded our seats to sixth row center orchestra isle seats. The theater it's self is gorgeous I have been there many times and have always had great experiences.

Review for those wondering what the view from the cheapest ticket (balcony) may look like. Show & Seat: The Book of Mormon - Balcony Section C, Row M, Seat 227 (last row, end seat). View: Fine for me considering it was only $37 ($29 + service fees). I will note that this seat was close to the entrances so light was shining in. If that bothers you, I'd buy a ticket in the middle rows. You can see all scenery & cast members. Now, obviously from this far away, you cannot see the actors faces, but that's the balcony for you. Seats are on an incline, so you don't have to worry about someone's head blocking your view. Parking: easy and free in the lot across if you get there early. If you don't want to deal with traffic getting out, leave when cast is taking their bows. Refreshments: Water $4, Coffee $3, Beers for around $8 Why I give it 5 stars: Nothing beats the feel of NYC Broadway, but this is a steal for the price and the great thing about these shows are it is broadway-level talent! I'll be visiting The Bushnell more!

When I first moved to Connecticut, I was a little nervous about how the theater scene would be. In my head, at least I could always go to the City to see a show. But thankfully for The Bushnell, I have not had to! The Bushnell has consistently had such good broadway circuits that's come through. I've seen so many good shows, and for a reasonable price. The Bushnell itself is beautiful. A juxtaposition between the old and the new. The seating is also great. I am able to get good views, even from the balcony. There are bars everywhere, and you can easily access refreshments, albeit at a premium, given where you are.