Arena is my favorite place to take in a play. The modern stone aesthetics with the loft overlooking the open cafe area is beautiful. Hana Sherif, the artistic director is tapping into so many amazing stories that capture the African American experience in America. The latest hit is Chez Joey which is here till 3/15/26. The play is a 10 out of 10. It's a love triangle story that takes place in 1940's Chicago at a jazz club. Joey is a young ambitious entertainer looking to make a name for himself and has to choose between true love or being bought by a rich baroness who can easily fund his dreams. The dancing and singing is electrifying and steamy, the story is told well and highly engaging. On Wednesdays they've added a complimentary jazz concert from 6:15 to 7pm that takes place in the lobby with seating. Check out Arena's lineup, they are procuring amazing work this season. read more

Arena Stage - Chez Joey set - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This trip to Arena Stage was for Step Afrika Holiday show! We picked up our tickets from the box office and explored some of the season decorations in the lobby. Took some quick pictures with the tree and the arches, then got our tickets scanned and went upstairs. Lots of pretty decorations for the season - one large Christmas tree and a bunch of smaller ones above glistening with white lights. The show was in the Fichandler Stage, which has seats 360 around it - not a bad seat in there! Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show was fabulous! They handed out maracas and other noise makers upon entering the theater. We were in Row D on the North Side, which was amazing seats! The show ran for 90 minutes without an intermission. What a show! The talent of these artists are top notch!! The rhythm, the choreography, the music, the energy, the skill, the talent, the props were so impressive! They get the audience part of the fun throughout the show with the noisemakers, chatting, dance battles, and even two opportunities to join them on the floor to learn some steps! This was my first time seeing this show and I certainly can see how it's a tradition year after year for so many. You can tell all the hard work and dedication of this cast! Bravo to them! read more

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This is a great venue to see local theater at its finest! They also host productions that are performed nationally. They have several stages, clean bathrooms, and nice concession stands. They use reusable drink ware which is great! The staff are helpful and friendly. We have seen many plays there, and most recently, we went to see Fremont Ave., which was fun! The productions are professionally run, and the stages allow you to see up close. The only thing that needs improvement is the parking. It is better for you to go early and find free street parking, take ride share or public transportation, or you can pay for parking at a nearby shopping center garage. There is not a lot of accessible parking close by. read more

Arena Stage - Concession Menu - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great venue. Good service. I like the events they host. I highly recommend. Great bar. read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Happy Birthday to me!! First visit to the Arena Stage located near The Wharf. Enjoyed the truly thrilling electrifying "Chez Joey". Choreographed by Savion Glover. Co-Directed by Tony Goldwyn and Savion Glover. Sizzling jazz performances when the lead singer's big dreams come true but at what cost! Run don't walk! read more

I love this theater - every seat in the house is intimate and a great view. We say Chez Joey recently and it was incredible! read more

Arena Stage - Chez Joey - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I went with a friend to go see Damn Yankees and had an amazing time. I had never been to Arena stage, so was not sure what to expect. It is a pretty large space and I was very impressed with how up-to-date and new it was. The bar was very impressive. I love that it had so many drink options, alcoholic, and nonalcoholic. It also had lots of snack options as well that catered to a lot of different food taste and intolerances. There is also a cute little sitting area to sit and enjoy your pre-theater snacks. I also appreciate that they have multiple options to get into the venue. This was an extremely fun experience. I love the stage set up and it truly feels like everybody has a front row view to the performance. I also thought Damn Yankees was a really great performance. I felt engaged the whole time and felt like I was laughing the whole time as well. I would absolutely be a returning visitor for future performances. read more

Arena Stage - Damn Yankees - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had a great time here. Went to see Damn Yankees opening night. The stage is set up for a 360 view nothing like normal theaters. I truly enjoyed this experience. I truly didn't have any expectations upon arriving. But it was great. The place is pretty clean. They offer complementary parking and there was a happy hour after the show for networking. I really enjoyed the free wine and beer. I will point out the prices are a little higher for concession stand. And this is in comparison to the Kennedy center. But I did have a great experience. read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Damn Yankees knocked it out of the park on opening night! From the very first number, the vocals and choreography were absolutely electric. The way the production transformed the entire theater--turning every seat into part of the stage--was a brilliant directorial choice that pulled the audience right into the storyline. The cast left me in awe. Truly multitalented, with powerhouse performances by Ana Villafañe, Jordan Danica, Quentin Earl Darlington, Neal Joshi, Rob McClure, and an ensemble that matched their energy every step of the way. It's rare to see a neighborhood theater bring this level of A+ talent, including Tony nominees and original (THE OG) Hamilton cast members. This show deserves awards, standing ovations, and all the Bravos--because it's nothing short of spectacular. Do yourself a favor and get a ticket. You will not be disappointed! read more

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Very interesting use of space to stage a fresh take on an old classic (Inherit the Wind). I think the creative team should get a special mention for set design on this one. It was nothing spectacular or over the top, but I thought it was pretty imaginative and served the story well. read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It was my first time visiting this awesome space and I cannot believe I missed it for so long! I will be checking their performance schedule more diligently from now on. Stage is very well lit and visibility isn't impacted no matter where you sit, beautifully acoustic and most appropriate stage for any play. The drinks are pretty good, wish they had better snack options for sale. read more

Arena Stage - Arena stage: interior - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I recently saw Chez Joey at Arena Stage last weekend and I was blown away. From the acting, to the live music, the show had me dancing in my seat all night! This was my second show at Arena Stage and I'm continually impressed by the talent! read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A truly beautiful venue. This time we came to see the musical Bedwetter, a moving story full of tears and laughters. Great staff and creative merchandizing (see photos). To follow the theme of the story they are running a diaper drive. Some people actually dragged big bags of diapers to donate. Speaking of which, the downstairs ladies room (by the orchestra) only has two stalls! For such a brand new modern building that is an oversight. Long lines! read more

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Absolutely loved watching 'The Other Americans' here at Arena Stage! Even better, John Leguizamo had a signing session, afterwards, in which he signed copies of his books! YAHOO! Seating is fine, and you can get a clear view of the stage; just be careful of the stages that have pillars/columns that could potentially obstruct your view. The ushers are helpful and friendly, and the restrooms are clean. I just wished they had other food options! Metered and restricted street parking can be found in the area. +well-kept theater +limited street parking in the area read more

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Usually I adore Arena Stage -- been going there for 45 years. But when we were there for A Wrinkle in Time without sons and their families, it was a genuinely unpleasant experience. Certainly some great talent on stage, the performance was much too loud; the words were often so indistinct that many in our group could understand them Hardly any of the songs were memorable. The play was at least a half hour too long. And the air conditioning was so excessive that staff were handing out blankets to those who requested -- except that there were not nearly enough to meet the demand. We will be back, hoping that the place is up to its usual standards read more

What a wonderful venue! I don't know how - after nearly 30 years in DC - I'd never been to Arena (well, I got my J&J vaccine there at the start of COVID, but that doesn't count! LOL). And what a fabulous night for it. The Step Afrika holiday performance was just dazzling. We had a little trouble figuring out how to get into Arena after we walked up from having dinner down on the Wharf. If you're back is to the Wharf - cross over Maine Ave and go around to the right to the 6th St entrance. There appeared to be multiple theaters inside. We were inside the theater on the left as you go up the stairs. It was a theater in the round. No seat was a bad seat. We paid $72 for our seats - and we were maybe 4 rows from the stage. I can't recommend this venue more highly. Everyone was super friendly. The music the DJ was playing out in the lobby was great. The bar was well-stocked. Can't wait to return! read more

Arena Stage - Theater set up for Step Afrika holiday celebration - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Fake It Til You Make It is another great show at Arena Stage. Tickets are delivered to your phone shortly before the performance. Seating is comfortable, show is 90 minutes without an intermission dealing with many relevant themes of the day. read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My first visit to Arena Stage was to watch Sarah Silverman's "The Bedwetter" and the performance was truly world class (and I am not just saying that because my niece played one of the characters). I laughed, I cried, and I was really pleased by the show, it was truly a Broadway-worthy production, without the trip to NY. The theatre is quite intimate so no matter where you sit, you will get a great view of the stage. I liked how there is a nice little concession area (not utilized much during our daytime performance), comedy show area, and a place to do book talks or have intimate signings. Why the four stars? Seats are really cramped and uncomfortable -- this is not usually an issue with me but I could not deal with it here. I'd suggest an exit row if you're someone who doesn't want to feel like you're stuck in a middle airplane seat for an entire show. read more

This is one of my favorite theaters in the area!! Several big-name productions workshopped here before debuting on Broadway! ("Dear Evan Hansen," "Next to Normal"). This theater was Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's favorite! She would often be ushered to the front seats by her bodyguards to watch all the plays. Trust that she had great taste. Former artistic director Molly Smith was a force. She initiated these amazing Power Plays that featured the work of emerging playwrights and explored politics and identity. I hope they still maintain great curation under the new director. Jury is still out on that. Getting to know what they have in store for the future. I recently watched "Cambodian Rock Band" (very moving and historic) and also "The Other Americans" by John Leguizamo (a bit harsh). I admit the ticket prices are quite high, so you have to look hard and download the TodayTix app for deals or lottery tickets. But you do get what you pay for! Any seat is a good seat here, and they're usually comfortable. They sometimes offer discounts to people who live in the local area/neighborhood, and there's a pay-your-age program if you're under 30. Their stages like The Fichandler are very intimate and you feel in close proximity to the actors, which makes for a great, unique experience. But their AV team could kick it up a notch with the volume. It feels like the actors voices are straining when their back is toward you. It's a very beautiful space with the all the windows, wood beams and plush carpet. Lovely architecture. The sunlight spills in during the day and golden hour. In the evening, it's just as regal. Valet parking can be pricey, so metro here if you can. Street parking is very limited. Thankfully it is conveniently two blocks from the Waterfront metro and five minutes away from the Waterfront restaurants (the food options right next door are so-so unfortunately, so plan ahead and make time to walk over). At the theater, they serve light bites and drinks at the bar. They even have some fun seasonal cocktails and non-alcoholic options. There is usually a line, but it moves fast. You can also order ahead, if you like, with their reservation service. The staff is always kind and gracious. It makes me want to volunteer here one day. Grateful to have spots like this in D.C.! read more

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We were blessed to be able to see the play Fremont Street at Arena Stage and it was wonderful! The actors and actress were very talented and the plot was funny and thought provoking. We loved it! read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

@yelp * @yelpdc * #yelpelite @arenastage #artsyfartsy #supportthearts 1101 6th Street, SW #WDC My fellow "Broadway Babe" and I checked out JaJa's African Hair Braiding @jajasafricanhairbraiding at Arena Stage. (Great show! Check it out if you get a chance...) I've been to this venue in the past, but not since the most recent renovation. Everything looks really nice. There are no bad views here, so don't feel compelled to spend extra money for seating. Concessions - Can be ordered in advance. I probably should've opted for this because the line moved super slow. (The patrons were blabbing about random things that didn't involve the menu, so that wasted lots of time...) I got a nice little commemorative cup for about $10. This cup is cute AND you will receive 10% off during your next beverage order when you bring it back! (I love a good deal!) Parking - A bear! Recommend reserving parking at the venue ($30 for non-members), using the @spothero app, or the garage across the street at The Wharf. @thewharfdc There's always something new and exciting happening at #arenastage. #TheatreWeek is approaching, so I'll be back soon! __ I eat. @f.hux I thrift. @DCthriftish read more

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For Arena Stage's 75th anniversary, Damn Yankees graces the stage again on the Fichandler Theater- running from September 9th to November 9th . Damn Yankees showed on Broadway a total of nine occasions from 1955 to 2025; a whopping 1,000 performances during its original production. This fresh 21st-century revamp follows "Joe Boyd" (played by Quentin Earl Darrington) as he sells his soul for one good long ball hitter. "AppleGate" (played by Rob McClure) transforms Joe Boyd into a fresh face "Joe Hardy" (played by Jordan Dominca), leading the Baltimore Orioles to a winning streak after 10 years of empty seats. Arena Stage's revamp of Damn Yankees focuses on the feelings Joe Boyd carries from childhood where no matter how hard his father, an African American man, worked, could only play in the minor leagues. Leaving behind his wife "Meg Boyd" (played by Bryonha Marie), Joe Hardy deals with his feelings of pride, mortality, and regret. Join Arena Stage for their refreshed showing of Damn Yankees, with a diverse cast and wondrous music! read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Attended the "Step Afrika" production at the arena stage over the past weekend. So many amazing things to say so first I'll start with the architecture. The building itself is beautiful. During the day it looks like a regular theatre or just another tall building in DC. At night, the building shines and creates a whole different type of atmosphere. The inside is extremely clean and well thought out. They have a concession stand inside. Just serves, soft drinks, wine, beer and other hard liquor and several snacks to munch on. No hot food but chips, cookies, and other pantry staples. Next the show itself. EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS. Wasn't sure what to expect but the performance was amazing. It really told a story. It started off with the dancers in African attire with traditional drums and slowly progressing through the years until about the 1930s-1940s it seemed, based off the outfits. All the outfits were really well thought out. I particularly enjoyed the prohibition (flapper era) outfits. The saxophone player was also incredible. As well as the live singers. WOW! Last thing I really want to touch on about the performance is the high energy of the performers. From start to finish they brought A LOT of energy. I mean everyone was involved in the show and really into it. The audience as well you could tell was locked in. No photos allowed during the performance but I was able to snap a few of the stage beforehand. This was Yelp Elite event so my ticket was free, but i would have gladly paid to see this performance. Great evening!! read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The seating is cozy and comfortable, with great sightlines from almost any spot since the venue isn't very large. We sat on the lower left side of the orchestra for the show "This Jaja African Hair Braiding," which was fantastic. The staff provided excellent customer service, and as a theatre lover, I will definitely return for more performances. There's parking available nearby, or you can use the wharf garages and take a five-minute walk. read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Wow first time here great venue to watch a play. We went today and saw John Lequizamos The Other American. Aqmazing play with an amazing message and story. Definitely a place to visit. read more

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I have been to two plays at Arena Stage, and I would recommend this venue for those looking for more theatrical productions in DC. Arena Stage has three different stages depending on the performance. The last show I saw was on the Fichandler stage, which has the stage in the middle with seating on all sides. The seats were a bit cramped and it was a bit hard to hear sometimes, but the performers did a great job of giving everyone a view of what was happening. The location of Arena Stage is great, it is about a 5 minute walk from Waterfront station. It is also at the end of the Wharf, so you can go enjoy a restaurant before or after your show. As a casual viewer of plays, I would say Arena Stage has lesser known productions that they show. They won't have the well known plays like the Kennedy Center or National Theatre. They are the same quality, just lesser known. The prices for tickets I found to be a bit high here. Though if you are 30 and under, definitely check out their pay your age program. read more

Arena Stage - Fichandler Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Our first time here and it was outstanding! Beautiful place which is very well run with helpful staff and plentiful restrooms. It was easy to get to via the Metro too. We saw Damn Yankees which was very entertaining. The 360 view was really engaging. The dancing was terrific! I highly recommend Arena Stage and Damn Yankees! We will be back for other shows. read more

I can't speak highly enough of the Arena Stage Theatre. I have been a season ticket holder for years and just last November moved from the Washington DC area. There is really good theatre in my new location but I will miss the professional and varied offerings that Arena Stage always presented. On my travels back to DC, I will always add as part of my visit an evening or matinee performance at Arena Stage. read more

Wow. Jordan Donica in person. That voice. If you haven't been to Arena Stage, this is the one you need to see. Damn Yankees. A stellar cast, great view from all the seats and wonderful music. Start smiling from the first scene and keep smiling all the way home. read more

After living in D.C. for 15+ years, I finally made it to Arena Stage. Now I know I was missing out all of these years. Seeing the superb "Step Africa" with my five-year-old daughter, here's our experience. 1) Space: The theater is massive with several stages inside and slick design around every corner. My daughter and I went 45 minutes before our performance to explore the space and enjoy the view of the Washington Monument from the rooftop terrace. There are plenty of restrooms and a concession stand with food and drinks, including wine and beer. 2) Staff: Everyone was friendly and helpful from the ticket people to the staff inside the theater directing traffic. 3) Parking: Parking onsite is $30 online or $27 day-of on a first-come, first-serve basis. We parked a few blocks away for free in Southwest Waterfront. 4) Area: It's near the Waterfront Metro with many neighborhood gems nearby like the Duck Pond, the Titanic Memorial, etc. The newer District Wharf is a stone's throw from the arena with plenty of tourists and subpar restaurants. read more

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I've been here many times now for shows of all different kinds, from plays to musicals, to dance performances and a mentalist show. All are performances at the highest level. They have multiple venues within, including the larger theater and a black box theater. They consistently have a creative season with many unique offerings. The location is also lovely by the water. read more

Went here to watch a play for a ladies night out! There is limited street parking nearby -- took about 20 minutes to find a spot. After 6:30 pm, the street parking is free. We came here to watch "Sanctuary City," which is a play about young American immigrants who sought to make a life for themselves in America. I thought that this play was quite fitting for a pre Thanksgiving adventure to help remind us of how fortunate we are and to also be appreciative of those who are working hard to make a living. This play particularly touches me because my parents are immigrants to the United States and had to figure out how to live in a foreign place without speaking the language. Arena's organization is also not for profit -- meaning they're able to feature smaller performances as well. The small royalties from Dear Evan Hansen paired with commissions allow for these performances to flourish. Enjoyed the play and definitely will be watching more musicals! read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Got to see A Wrinkle in Time Sat night show. Amazing!! Teens are tough on vacation & I brought 4 to the show. They were on the edge of their seats. I even caught 2 with some tears... The vocal talent on that stage was spectacular. Local to the Wharf ...walkable, DC Must see theater & show this summer. read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Had a fabulous date with my husband on a weekday evening seeing a heartwarming romantic comedy, "Holiday". We had several good laughs and were completely invested in the drama. It's definitely a holiday escape, and It's a must-see! The play was staged on The Fichandler Stage, an epic, four-sided auditorium, with steeply raked seating tiers with bold, earthy exterior design. Audience members are never more than eight rows away from the action. The cast came out from all corners of the stage and even from below! And what's a show without a trapeze? :) During the intermission, I had one of their specialty drinks, Anita's Flowers, and my husband had The Mary Pickford, Jr. a non-alcoholic drink. They were both surprisingly very good. I highly recommend ordering any drinks or snacks in advance. "Holiday" has two intermissions but they are only 10 minutes each! Absolutely beautiful and has magnificent architecture. Upstairs had an overlook where you can see the DC streets. So definitely arrive a little before your show to enjoy this experience as well. Paid street parking, as well as garage parking, are available. read more

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Very fun evening! Enjoyed Mindplay, loved the staff, appreciated the beautiful space and met new friends. Perfect evening. read more

Arena Stage - Some Photo Booth fun before the play - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I recently saw the musical, "Catch Me If You Can." It was amazing! Entertaining, so much talent. The cast were all so engaging! The venue is in SW, Washington DC. Only a few blocks from the Waterfront Metro Station on the Green line, about an 8 minute walk. The overall structure and the architect is beautiful to look at. The building has a unique circular shape with a lot of glass. Once you go inside and they collect the tickets, you can go upstairs and relax in the bar/lounge area. They offer drinks and snacks for purchase. The bartender made the recommendation to pre-order snacks or drinks in advance for the intermission because the line would be too long. I saw the musical on the Fichandler Stage. What makes this theater unique is the way the seats are situated to surround the stage, like a circle so there is no bad seat. Every seat is a great seat. Great venue to see a show or any production! read more

Arena Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Saw the new musical "American Prophet", and it was AWESOME! It's a musical about Frederick Douglass' life with added calls to arms. The music had clear black gospel and blue/jazz roots that sounded great! I loved the Arena Stage, the venue was very intimate, and all the staff and ushers were very kind. There is a mask and vaccination mandate for the shows as well. The theatre is tells stories with DC flags and 51 state flags hanging to the store that sells many racial justice books. I was honored to see "American Prophet", and highly recommend people go see it. I will say the intermission didn't seem long enough, and we did not have enough time to use the restrooms and get drinks before we had to go back in, but that's me nitpicking. read more

Arena Stage - American Propher - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I have been patronizing Arena Stage for years; it's finally time that I give them a review. Arena is a beautiful venue with three separate (and very different) stages, so they can maximize what they put up during the season. The box office staff is always friendly and efficient, and have been very kind in the past if I've been delayed getting to the theater for an extraordinary event and help me change my tickets. The ushers know exactly where you need to go. I subscribed for one season, and was always pleased with the customer service I received when I had questions or needed to change my tickets. (The free ticket exchange is a huge benefit if you subscribe!) They have discounted ticket programs for those who qualify. Get on their email or mailing lists to get discount offers on a show by show basis. They also work with TodayTix, but if you can't make your performance they can't do exchanges. Parking is *expensive* there and the garage is on the smaller side. Reserve your parking when you buy your tickets/subscribe so you're guaranteed a spot. Sometimes they fill up and cannot accommodate people without reservations. During the week you can sometimes find street parking nearby, but that's never guaranteed. The green line is about a block away and there are a few buses that drop off nearby, so you're better off taking public transit anyway. Arena is always staging interesting, new, groundbreaking and creative productions; even the classic musicals and plays are given a modern twist. I have no doubt this will remain the same with the new artistic director. It's always worth heading to Arena to see a show. You won't be sorry. read more

I guess this review is a little late for me! Arena Stage is definitely in my yearly rotation of shows I always have to come see (although I'm still sad I missed Dear Evan Hansen back in the day) But I guess most recently I learned about their history of programming Black Theater which makes me appreciate them even more. Thank you to the August WIlson biography for giving them lots of shout outs which gave me an insight into the history of the theater. I did see Jitney a few years ago there and I did have tickets to Seven Guitars (but my performance was cancelled due to Covid) but I love that they still regularly put on not only shows by A.W, but other minority playwrights which really was something he championed. PS super grateful to Arena Stage for the teacher discount. I wish I could give them more than 5 stars. read more

Lovely location, there was ample street parking around the area. Service was speedy inside, the staff were very helpful and welcoming. They have a great concession stand and there's even the chance to pre-order your drinks! The seating is comfy and you can see the stage clearly no matter where you're seated. read more

Arena Stage - Outside - Performing Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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