My first visit to the Paramount Theatre was to see Water for Elephants and I'm so glad I was…read moreinvited! The interiors and lobby areas were absolutely gorgeous, with ornate details and an elegant, old-world feel. It was lovely to take everything in before the show began. The performance was fantastic, and the acoustics were excellent. We were seated very high up, almost in the last row at the top. I was pleasantly surprised by the clear, unobstructed view and had no trouble seeing the performance. There were also some perks to being upstairs: the upper-level restroom and bar were less crowded, and the nearby stairs made getting out during intermission and after the show quick and easy. A tip: arrive early! While waiting outside for a friend, I noticed the security line getting longer closer to showtime. The stanchions ran along the sidewalk and extended into the street, so I imagine the wait could be substantial for more popular shows. Security itself went smoothly. If you have Paramount Club access, keep in mind that staff occasionally directed guests from the backed-up main line into the priority entrance, so that line could get busy too. A beautiful theatre and a wonderful first experience. I'll definitely check out another show this year!

We had great seats M2 N seats 13,14 Seats to see boz Skaggs…read more Great view, great down, place is old and beautiful. Only problem is the sound person needed some work. But overall great venue to see events, shows, etc....

I had so much fun attending the Empire strips back, at Cornish Playhouse. The theater was first…read morecome first serve but I don't think there was one bad seat in the place. It wasn't very big so the experience felt intimate. The show was sexy, funny, and interactive. I would see it again.

We were here this weekend to see the show The Empire Strips Back. It's a pretty playhouse with…read morecomfortable seating and great sound/lighting effects. Checking in and finding our seats was quick and easy. At intermission, they had beer, wine, and a good variety of snacks to choose from and let you bring them into the auditorium, which was generous. The facilities were clean, and the staff we interacted with was friendly and helpful. Lighting and audio worked well during the whole show. Nice place and fun show.

Ok this place is super cool. I can't believe I only found out about this venue recently!…read more To get to the theater, you go around the corner from the bar entrance and through this back alleyway door. It feels very covert, like you need to know a guy who knows a guy with a password to get in. You can also enter through the bar (I think). We initially went through the side door to get our tickets scanned in and then went in and out of the bar between acts to grab a drink. We weren't able to bring drinks into the actual theater, but not a huge deal. If anything, keeps the venue cleaner. There aren't any seats, just tiered standing platforms. Honestly, even with it being packed, I felt like we had a pretty good view of ~80% of the stage. The one thing I will say is that with everyone standing, you would think there'd be more movement/dancing. But alas, this is still Seattle and most people were bopping their heads to the music while I just wanted to swing around and feel it in my soul.

This theater is definitely full of character and history. it was built in 1917 and is in an obscure…read morelocation. There is available street parking however it can be tricky and limited due to the narrow streets. The theater shares an entrance with a jazz bar which provides a comfortable seating area to enjoy a drink while waiting for a show. We came to see the Rocky Horror Burlesque Pastie Show and was impressed at the capacity of this small theater. Beyond the hallway, patrons are immediately welcomed to second bar and a sea of padded chairs. The theater was packed with Rocky Horror Picture fans with some proudly wearing costumes of their favorite characters. The show started a little later than advertised however we were kept entertained during the slight delay. The seats were comfortable and we had an unobstructed view of the stage. This was our first time seeing a Rocky Horror Show in burlesque and we didn't know what to expect. Audience participation was encouraged and specific names (which I will not repeat) were yelled out when either Brad or Janet took the stage. Overall, a wonderful group adventure night full of sing-a-longs, heckling, and cocktails. Drink prices and show tickets were cheap compared to other venues.

This place gives me that old school feel. I went to watch my favorite Maddy Smith on a Friday night…read moreand it did not disappoint. The venue was small and made for a great experience! The stage needs some sweeping but I guess it adds to the aura. Place is just a little bit hard to find for people who have not been in the area.

Another one of the cool fringe companies carving out a niche in Seattle theater. Every time you see…read morea company struggle, another company, or ten, reminds you how well things are going for it--as of this writing, Annex is coming up on its 25th anniversary. "Longer than some of you have been alive," as our host and master of ceremonies reminded us last night. Yeah, if only. Now, when I say "cool companies," I am most definitely not talking about the auditorium here. Evidently, "HVAC Installer" is not a role that gets credited in the program at most smaller companies, so they never cast for it. Now, I get it. That's a toweringly massive expense for a small independent theater troupe. But, yeah, it was pretty warm and sultry in here on an August evening last night. But that's not what matters. What matters is the cool vibe they have set up, and how that feeds into the chances for artistic success. You walk up a couple flights of stairs clearly hammered together by capable volunteers, and find your way into a space that has done just enough to pull it all together: 100 or so seats in an intimate auditorium, exactly two seats in two very intimate unisex bathrooms, a highboy table to serve as the box office, and, most importantly, a large and welcoming bar. The prices on beer, wine, cocktails, and candy are very reasonable. The service is charming at every turn. Most importantly, the programming on the boards is adventuresome and ambitious. The Strange Misadventures of Patty, last night, was a very uneven play mounted with great enthusiasm and invention by the company. Marianna de Fazio was fantastic in the lead. Looking forward to seeing more productions here in the future.

I came here on Jan 27 2024 for the Alice in Shadowland show. The facility was beautiful and clean…read more Staffs were friendly and courteous. Restroom was appreciated. We enjoyed the show very much! Parking in Cap Hill was always a challenge so some of us took the light rail. I found the Seattle University Campus parking lot and just walked from there.

I attended a play here on 11/14/18 called White Snake which had an all Asian cast. It was…read morealternating with another play during it's run from mid Oct-mid Nov for ReAct Theatre: Seattle's Multi-ethnic Philanthropic Theatre. The play we saw was in the larger of the two theatres. Very intimate sitting not too big pretty sure everyone in the theatre would have a good view no matter where they sat. The company I work for actually help build the building so it was nice to actually go inside at least this part of the building. Definitely a wonderful venue. The lobby is nice and open and there are plenty of places near to grab a bite before a show.

May be Seattle's Best Venue! The showbox is historic, its…read moreintimate, it has stunning interior and makes you feel like you are at one of the secret shows in the days long past. If one of your favorite bands comes here, you will have an amazing, close and personal experience! The drinks are good, fairly reasonably priced. It is an STG location, so the service is good and consistent! The Showbox is one of those Seattle venues where the atmosphere is almost as memorable as the show itself. The historic architecture gives the space a distinctive character, while the interior combines old-school concert-hall charm with a gritty, intimate rock-and-roll aesthetic. The exposed brick, high ceilings, dark finishes, and vintage details create a setting that feels authentic rather than overly polished. What really makes The Showbox special, though, is its size. It is large enough to accommodate a great crowd but small enough that you never feel disconnected from the performance. There is an intimacy to the room that makes even a larger touring act feel like they are playing a much more personal show. The sound quality is another major highlight. The relatively compact layout means the music feels immediate and powerful without losing the clarity of the instruments or vocals. You can actually hear and experience the performance rather than simply watching it from a distance. Whether you're standing near the stage or farther back in the venue, the acoustics help create a consistently immersive experience. Overall, The Showbox is a fantastic place to see live music. The unique architecture and decor give it plenty of personality, while the smaller footprint, strong acoustics, and close proximity to the stage create the kind of concert experience that larger arenas simply can't replicate. It feels like a true Seattle institution--and exactly what a great live music venue should be.

This is a moderate sized venue on 1st avenue very close to Pike Place. It is standing room only,…read morewhich I don't love, but for people who do, it's fine. The staff were all super nice, they have a coat check, and the sound quality is good. I enjoyed the show, but it is always a bit tough as a short person. Drinks are on the pricey side, so consider pre-funking somewhere else.

Nice, cozy, intimate "off broadway " (literally) theatre. Great place to see a small play or show…read more There are many good restaurant and bar options nearby. Staff and volunteers at the magic show I attended were exceptional. This would be a great place for a date night, or night out with friends.

It is no surprise for readers that every square inch of land and building on the West Coast is…read moreunder fierce economic pressure to level up to a higher rent or price. The arts, including performing arts, need space to make their work, and telecommuting is not a substitute. Examples are theater and dance performance. They need weeks, months, even longer, in person, as a group, in a heated space where jumping and pacing is not going to destroy their feet and bodies on up. This is one. Thankfully it is part of Seattle Central Community College, an institution who can resist the pressure to tear it down for apartments, condos or tech workspace, and play the long game of cultural evolution. It's back-to-back down Harvard with the Egyptian - that cinema space has found a home with SIFF. The Erickson rents their space to other performers and I saw my friends' performance there. The area is a parking nightmare weekends, but there is a paid parking garage at Harvard and Pine. Regular Seattleites probably know all the South Capital Hill parking angles better than I do! Of course the area weekends has many options for before and after a show. The theater itself has a respectable lobby. The house has comfortable seats and is small, intimate, with no sightline or sound issues. The lobby has a few couches and a bar. The two large restrooms are for everyone. Everything is neat and clean midscale. The sound is good. The stage has a good floor, but I don't think they have linoleum. There is really no fly space and no side stage area. The stage is not small, but it is smaller than the Meany and Paramount. All in all, the space hosted a great guest performance in a great active nightlife location, and in a comfortable, clean, and audience-friendly space. They have their own calendar on their website covering home and guest performances here and in another of their halls: https://theatres.seattlecentral.edu/event-calendar

I'm always surprised when I realize that I haven't written a review. I have literally never seen a…read morebad show at SPT. Tonight I saw Jurassic Parking Lot, and my belly hurts from laughing so hard.

A Very Die Hard Christmas -- Seattle Public Theater…read more For 33 straight years, my sister (WCP) and I have watched Die Hard and Die Hard 2 every December. A few years ago, a friend introduced me to this parody play -- and now it's officially part of my holiday tradition. I come back year-over-year because each production is different, clever, and full of new surprises. This year's version was one of the best yet: Upgraded set pieces, including a tall wall with TWO vents and working doors Smartly updated jokes and swapped-out 80s references Fresh additions to the villain list (shoutout to Huey Lewis & The News and Vidal Sassoon) And a perfect recreation of the iconic vent scene where McClane mutters: "Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs..." followed by "Now I know what a TV dinner feels like." This was my 3rd time, my friend Mary R's "don't ask how many," and my sister's very first time. The show was hilarious and high-energy -- but honestly, the best part was watching WCP react to it for the first time. Pure holiday magic. Seattle Public Theater nails the humor, nostalgia, and chaotic joy of Die Hard while giving audiences something new every December. If you love the movie, love parody, or just want a holiday show that's totally different from the usual lineup, go see this. Highly recommended. Yippee-Ki-Yay, Seattle.