So I was gifted some tickets and I'm in a wheelchair. I called and explained that my tickets were not accessible. They did put me in center row in a handicap spot. There is an elevator for wheelchairs. The blue man group was very entertaining. read more

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The Playhouse: SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on you for charging $69/piece for the balcony seats Section J, Row BB seats 19-23! I have never had such bas seats and pay such a high price for them! This is complete robbery. It says limited view- what it should say is shitty view aka can't see much. Miss half the show. I am extremely lucky that this was my third time seeing Blue Man. Unfortunately, someone I was with (a 9 year old) it was their first time. I had them move into better seats as I sat in the crappy seats for the whole show. The family behind me had 4 girls ranging in age from 6-14. I felt AWFUL for them. Should have thrown the money down the toilet. They couldn't see! One last bit... at the end I stood up in front of my seat and an usher came up and told me to stay out of the aisle. I WAS IN FRONT OF MY SEAT! The Blue Man Group: Show was 1.5 hrs. I paid $230 for 1.5 hrs. The show was short. It was nothing new or interesting from other shows I have seen. To be honest, this show was the most uninteresting out of all three Blue Man I have gone too. Other venues had larger stages so more action took place. This was less drumming, less paint banging, less audience interaction. It's not to say what they did they didn't put effort forth. It's to say that Chicago did it better. The cast members walked around afterwards. You could take photos with them . The travelling show in RI did it better. If you stick around you need to make some changes, keep people coming back. Keep them interested and want to spend the money to keep watching. The had the people on the floor in the front put on ponchos. WHY? They only sprayed water once into the audience! If I had paid the $225 for a seat in the front I would be PISSED! read more

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Do yourself a favor and put your phone on airplane mode or turn it off once you go down the stairs into the basement theater. There's no signal and you're there to enjoy the show anyway. Oh and better yet use the bathroom beforehand since the one here is less than desirable. It is all the way on the top left side with a few turns down a mini-labyrinth. Real estate is pricey so the bathrooms are extremely cramped. They also have this raised platform for the actual 2 toilet stalls. Why is this necessary for the porcelain throne? You also need to be careful swinging the door open since it will block the person in the other stall from getting out. Of the many theaters I've visited in Boston this one is a notch above the Orpheum in terms of comfort. If you have front row seats you're sitting a table of 4 or 5 chairs probably with strangers and the chairs are pushed together so close they are touching. (No elbow room!) They are also eclipsing the table next to you. The red chairs farther back are in the foldout movie set director chairs. (Is that the correct term?) Not sure if they are more comfortable but they look roomier. I have only been to this venue for Shear Madness. (Check out the review for that as well.) However, I imagine for Blue Man Group (on the list of things to do) they have splash zone warnings along with ponchos. They have a full bar in the back, but I'm not one to pay exorbitant prices at any venue if it can be avoided. Just enjoy the show folks in this extremely intimate setting. Aside from the security upon entering who gave me grief for non-existent metal in my jacket all of the other staff were relatively helpful. read more

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Always a great time, plenty of variation between performances throughout the year. Ideally located near good restaurants for pre-theatre fixe. read more

So normally I only review food places (I found my niche and I'm not digging myself out) but I am also a singer and therefore must review my favorite karaoke spot in the city. I saw Shear Madness here at the downstairs theatre and it was an interesting space but both it and the play were kind of meh to me. The upstairs lounge and its karaoke, on the other hand, are perfection. Cheap drinks, a spacious set-up that allows for intimate group discussions AND large crowds, friendly servers/bartenders and a huge song list with an awesome DJ make this place the best spot to get your karaoke on. Oh and free admission is icing on the cake. I've come here twice in a handful of months to belt out some of my favorite diva songs and never had a bad time. There are a lot of regulars and there are just as many newbies but one thing that really sets this place apart is the incredibly supportive, inclusive atmosphere. Singing "Like a Prayer"? People will get up and help sing the chorus with you, gospel-style and everything. Your drunken friend pole-dancing in conjunction with someone's performance of "Lady Marmalade"? Everyone, including her party, will cheer him on. And unlike a lot of karaoke joints, there are a fair number of REALLY good singers who aren't shy about showing off their pipes (ahem) and when that happens, you're treated to some truly fantastic performances. :) read more

The fams and I recently came to see the Blue Man Group here and it was quite lovely. From the time we arrived to the time we left, the staff was especially personable and helpful. At the door, our bags were searched, tickets were checked and we were directed on where to hang out before the theatre opened up for seating. Everything from the lobby/bar area, to the restrooms and the theatre itself were super clean! It was also small enough that any seat in the house was a great seat. The Blue Man Group is very interactive and actually moves around the audience to interact with the folks in it. So, if you are seated in the lower level, you will most likely see them get in peoples' faces or they may even get in yours. Anyway, the overall experience at this theatre was excellent! read more

Like many others, I saw the Blue Man Group at Charles Playhouse. When you enter, there's a lobby area with some interactive displays and a little bit of seating. The real action happens upstairs where you'll find a small single-level venue with high ceilings and fairly spartan decor. Pretty much all of the seats have a good view, including every seat in the center section (even the ones in the back), though a few of the side seats have issues with the view being partially obscured by columns. I went on a weeknight, so there were still plenty of seats available and we were told to move up once the show was about to begin. Small spoiler: the Blue Man Group will shame you publicly if you get there late, so give yourself plenty of time! (unless you like the attention, of course) read more

Very small venue. Some of the seats are underneath the balcony making it very difficult to see the whole stage which was needed for the blue man group. Other than that, you feel like you're right on top of the stage. Good experience. read more

I've seen both Blue Man Group and Shear Madness at the Charles Playhouse and of course enjoyed both thoroughly. Blue Man group is awesome. However, this review is for the staff of the Charles Playhouse. I recently made a HUGE mistake with my tickets and was freaking out. The woman with whom I spoke at the Charles Playhouse was incredibly helpful and kind in remedying my problem. It's so nice to work with people who understand how to properly treat a customer. read more

This review's primarily for the Charles Playhouse Lounge and its karaoke night on Friday's. The theater is as good as whatever's playing there (usually Blue Man). Excellent karaoke. The DJ has a selection that rivals DJ Paul B's at Asgard. He's wired into house A/V, so he isn't carting an amp and a tiny TV around with him. Best of all, he has mics on stands. There are certain songs you just need to sing with a mic on a stand, as opposed to flailing about loose in your hands. Decent beer selection and you have to deal with the crowds from Rumor, W, the Liquor Store and every damned club after closing. But that's not the Playhouse's fault is it? Is it? If it is, tell me, because I will cut them. read more

For a host of reasons that seemed good at the time, we went here for Friday night karaoke. There's apparently a lot of other stuff that goes on here; I can't comment on any of it. It wasn't the most traumatic experience of my life, but A) It's karaoke, and not the chill drunk K-town kind either. B) There are a *lot* of people doing it. C) They're all really, really strange. D) The bar (while priced quite reasonably) left something to be desired in terms of selection. To elaborate on "C" just a bit: Take a few hipsters trying to make the Michael-Milken-ca.-1987 look fashionable (seriously), add in the entire cast of Hairspray, and a double handful each of people who are way too young for this and way too old for this. Some sing well, some sing poorly, and some seem to be trying to find out what would have happened if Andy Kaufman had been a member of the Sex Pistols (answer: I would have been annoyed). Strange. It was kind of fun; I've spent worse nights doing more expensive things. But, after closing time, wading through the mass of 21-year-olds rich kids milling around in front of Rumor next door, I couldn't stop wondering what the hell had just happened. read more

Had a great time at karaoke last friday night. Think HS drama club except everyone is in their late 20s or 30s and rocking out after work. Very fun place, very reasonably price drinks, and a decent chance you'll see a blueman in the crowd after 11 or so read more

Blue Man Group IS the best show in town. You need to go. I even hear if you go to the ticket place in Fanuiel Hall the day of the show, you can get a really good deal. I have never tried it, so if it's not true, don't hold it against me, but it is worth a try. read more

This is a small theatre so all seats are close to the stage. We saw blue man here and were in the "poncho seats." The poncho seats are not like the splash seats at sea world and chances are you will not get splattered with anything. There are balcony seats here but I suggest the main floor for a true experience. The balcony guests were just looking down at us during the finale when toilet paper and giant balls were consuming the main floor. They also have a lounge with a bar, flat screens, and pinball games to hang out in before the show starts. read more

Charles Playhouse gets the job done and is overall an A-OK theater. You can see either Blue Man Group or Shear Madness, the longest running play in the world. I have only been to Shear Madness here, so I'm unsure if there are different performing spaces for each of these shows. Therefore, my review will be based on my experience seeing Shear Madness here. Every staff I encountered here was reasonably friendly and polite. We got student rush tickets for $20 and there was no issue at all with this. $20 cash and we were given our tickets. As an out-of-towner, I particularly enjoyed the strong Boston accent of the box office guy. On point. The first thing I noticed upon walking down the stairs to the left was that this was a small theater. It seemed clean, though perhaps slightly worn down. For $50 a pop (we were lucky with the student discount), I was expecting a larger, more comfortable space. However, four chairs pushed together so close they touching each other with a teeny tiny table barely big enough to hold my purse was a tad bit absurd. We were lucky that the house wasn't full, so we didn't end up having to share our table with anyone else (I use the word "table" loosely--it's more like a stand). If it had been full and we had paid the full price, I would not have been a happy camper. All that being said, I had a VERY enjoyable time at Shear Madness; it's a hysterical show and I highly recommend it. read more

Most people know this venue for its popular shows, Blue Man Group and Sheer Madness. But I want to talk about the Charles Playhouse bar. Great place to hang out after a Blue Man Group show. Many local theatre employees, patrons, and hipsters hang out there. The drinks are cheap, the staff Best Karaoke ever! read more

The home of Blue Man Group. I have never been there before so I didn't know what to expect. They have kinda like a waiting room/bar downstairs (they accept credit cards as well) and the really cool part about it is if you buy drinks you can take the drink with you and enjoy it during the show. The theatre is small but cozy. I fits maybe 100 people or more but the way is set up it seems small. If the have empty seats they move you closer to the stae even if you bought a cheaper ticket. Overall, not bad I even liked it!! read more

A small theater more on the Spartan side than most others I've been to. Saw the Blue Man Group here last year and it suits their performance well with the closer quarters. read more

Came here for the Blue Man Group show. Very nice. Helpful and cheerful staff. We had some really good seats. Definitely worth coming back to see again. read more

Charles Playhouse - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

What a super cute theater! The staff couldn't have been more pleasant start to finish! We went to see Blue Man Group on a snowy and rainy day. The staff was on it, opening the doors earlier than usual to help get folks in quickly. The bag check at the door was quick and easy. The lounge was a good size, had a cool interactive display that the kids enjoyed and the bartenders worked quickly but with a sincere conversation with each customer. Getting to our seats was easy and almost every seat in the theater is a good one. We sat in the balcony and while we couldn't see things happening directly below us, the camera that projected on stage fixed that. Seats were comfy and the theater well managed and maintained. This is a great intimate theater and we were happy to be there. Ample parking in close proximity and many restaurant options in the area make this a fantastic venue! read more

Just so you don't make the same mistake I did - Charles Playhouse no longer has the "volunteer usher" program. The review that stated this is old and they have not had the program for 2 years. So you CANNNOT usher and see the performance for free. Sorry :( (I will officially review after I actually go here!) read more

I went to the Charles Playhouse lounge on a Friday Night (March 11th, 2011) to check out their karaoke night and it was AWESOME! Got there at about 9:30pm and the bar was dead, but it had a certain charm to it like i was in the movie Swingers, so i stuck around. As the $3 pints of PBR started to flow, so did the crowd into the bar. By 11pm it was hopping with a friendly crowd that loved to sing their hearts out! The staff was extremely friendly, and by the end of the night they gave us our last round for free. I could not have had a better Friday night experience! If you're in Boston on a Friday I highly recommend this place! Plus they have an autographed photo of wrestler Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake behind the bar... it was my type of place! read more

This theater was not at all what I expected. Tucked down Warrenton Street, it is a spot I'd have not found unless I was intentionally looking for it. The box office was functional, completely free of any bells and whistles, but efficient. Then you walk into the lounge area. I seriously felt like I was in a flashback to a bowling alley the mid eighties. I love this place for that! The tables/ benches/ bar stools/ bar itself- all made me flash back to childhood memories of being dragged along to my parents' bowling league. So many places are always updating and trying to look flashy and trendy. Others have knocked it, but I liked the authentic feeling here. The drink prices matched the setting well, which was also a bonus! Speaking of those drinks, they could also be carried into the theater area itself. The night I was there, it was configured for a Blue Man Group show, and I had the impression that this place is always used for Blue Man Group shows? The space itself was much smaller than I expected, in a good way, very intimate and it seemed like everyone in the space was part of the show. read more

This is a very intimate theatre in the Theatre District in Downtown Boston. With only 2 levels there aren't many bad seats in the house. Take in a play at the Charles Theatre and make sure to see Blue Man Group. The show is amazing, full of energy and creativity! Price is high but if you check out the kiosk next to Faneuil Hall you can score half price tickets. Highly recommend seeing a show. read more

Charles Playhouse - Blue Man Group at Charles Theatre!! - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Love this place! It's a little rough around the edges but definitely a great place. I went to see Sheer madness (it was awesome), I can't stop raving about it! If you haven't seen it go. As we approached the box office to pick up our tickets I noticed their set up. It was easy to understand and no feelings of where do I have to go for tickets. The clerk was efficient and quick and we didn't have problems with our tickets since we had acquired them for free and they had been called-in and pre-ordered by a third-party. Fast and efficient. As we walked down the stairs to get seated we came into a cozy room (everyone knows what cozy is if you live in the north end or a studio on Newbury St. lol) it was well set up, making maximum use of the space available. At first my SO and I thought it was an old strip club, but later found out it used to be a synagogue. Oops! Its set-up is: stage, surrounding the stage, the sitting area and in the back is the bar. Off into a corner are the bathrooms, they were clean. Drinks for 2 came up to $28, a Cpt. Morgan w/ coke and some extra rum. Worth the visit and money to keep this place alive. read more

Well I saw it this Saturday. The show itself was alright, but I find it weird that blue man mocks pop culture when it itself is pop culture. Ain't it the pot calling the kettle black. And let's make a bunch of ass jokes for ten minutes while spraying paper. Yea, that's art. I was really turned off by the staff though. When you approach the building there's a screaming security guard: nothing says family fun like that. And a word of advice for the theatre staff: Razor. It was like walking onto a pirate ship when I got my tickets scanned. Finally, the interior of the building is disgusting. A bunch of old, dingy, tubes really need to go. And the bathroom's are filthy, I'd get tested if you sat on one of those toilets. read more

Forget about Blue Men, Shear Madness or whatever show you are going to see: THIS PLACE HAS A KILLER BAR!!!! The manager was awesomely welcoming, poured a great rum and diet, and invited us back (in the state we walked in there, that says a lot about him:) )! The Friday karaoke is not only fun, but there is impressive talent (including some people in my group) and the host plays BINGO in between sets. BINGO and karaoke!!?!? It's awesome! His two favorite things were my favorite things this last Friday (well, after the drinks). The actual bar is pretty cool too. It may be copper, whatever it was, I was pawing it with each order. Also, the bathroom and hallway to it is awesomely mirrored. Seriously, go in there just to see. It is a great mind f**k, especially after a couple. I bet it would be pretty fun even sober. Will definitely be back. read more

Went to see Mike Dorval's Trials of Love at Charles Playhouse Lounge on Saturday 3/17. Its a comedy show that tackles relationship problems of couples that attend. The problems were super funny and the solutions super funny! The opening comedian was hilarious and the host comedian Mike Dorval was hilarious! It happens every Saturday at 8:30p. Its enjoyable for singles as well as couples. I went as a single person and plan to attend again. If you're looking for a night of laughter you won't be disappointed! Nice bar in the lounge too. Check out this website for information: http://www.trialsoflove.com or type in Trials of Love on facebook or twitter. read more

Went to see The Blue Man Group here the other day. The first thing that struck me was how small the theater was, which isn't a bad thing because it gives it a very intimate and personal feel, it just wasn't what I was expecting. I actually splurged for higher priced tickets so we would have a good view, but after seeing how small the place was I could've saved money and gotten tickets in the last row and still had a perfect view. All in all our experience here was wonderful and will be going back again. read more

My main suggestion would be for them to up their snacks game. Your choices are a candy bar or a small bag of Smart Popcorn... The staff seems a bit hit or miss - some were very friendly and others were just not. read more

My first time to this theater and to see Blue Man Group was a success. I loved how intimate the theater was and the show was unexpectedly funny and interactive. The theater itself has two bars, one on the main level and one upstairs where our show was which was convenient. The greeters were very friendly and available to answer any questions and help you find your seat before showtime. Overall, this wasn't a huge theater but, like I said - intimate which I enjoyed. The Blue Men came out after the show in the downstairs lounge and it was great to get up close and even take a photo, if you wish. The location is great as well, located near Chinatown so tons of restaurant options before hand which is always a plus. I will be back! read more

nice small theater so all the seats are 'good' seats! we had a blast and really enjoyed 'blue man group' during our visit... though i've already seen it in Vegas before but definitely it's a different experience since it's so close to the stage! each one of us got to take a pic with one of the three blue men after the show too! good times! read more

Charles Playhouse - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Came here to see "Shear Madness". The second stage theater is small but the intimate setting is perfect for this interactive show. We lucked out getting six tickets at the last minute (all near each other). Though we were in a chilly section of the theater, during intermission we received upgraded seats to the Director's section as a part of the "Witness Relocation program". (We didn't even request it.) The show is fun. The theater is great. It's a great entertainment option when in the city. read more

Extremely small theatre in Downtown on a hidden back street which becomes Kneeland/Stuart once you walk a block north. I went here with Artem F. to see Blue Man Group and we had a great time. There is a live band above the stage and nice bright lights. The theatre is small so the "Blue Men" are able to approach people in the audience and pull them up on stage. I liked this place, we sat in the Orchestra Section C, but any seat is a good seat even on the sides. read more

Nice small theater on a back alley road. The place is lively and intimate and the show (Blue Man in this case) is very humorous and interactive with the audience. We had some great seats for coming in last minute before the show. You can purchase student rush tickets for Blue Man at $30 per ticket, cash only and you can only purchase two tickets per valid student ID. Theater was just over half full on a Saturday evening. We got the student rush tickets and along with it pretty good seats. Great times. read more

This place certainly is not the Greek Coliseum, but its small size and interactive environment makes up for everything and more! I saw the Blue Man Group with my gf yesterday and had the most amazing time ever! Not really certain if this is a review for the actual Charles Playhouse for Blue Man Group, but if you are a Boston (or hell, even a Mass resident), you gotta come here for the Blue Man Group performance, it was the best thing I've seen, period! I've never laughed so much in my entire life. Performance: 5+ stars Seating: 4 stars (they were ok...) Parking: 2 stars (it's either $$$ or take the T) read more

I LOVE the Charles Playhouse! I've seen Shear Madness at least five times, and this is the PERFECT venue for the show. Once you descend the staircase, you really feel like you're in a different world -- a bit old-fashioned, but very homely and welcoming. Cheap, easy bar. Good chair layout. Will definitely be coming again next time I'm in Boston. Keep Shear Madness 4eva!!! read more

We came here for a bachelorette party. It was really a nice time. It was not too crowded and we had a whole section for ourselves. Everyone was very friendly and what I loved most was that they had a pitcher of water on the side of the bar. I didn't have to ask the bartender for water, I could just pour myself a glass whenever I felt like it. The DJ was funny and nice, he let my group sign up for as many songs as we wanted. Overall, great experience and a fun night out! read more

We had the great pleasure of seeing the famed " Blue Man Group" at this playhouse. It was a hoot! We had so much fun, laughing and being amazed. This would be a fun filled night to take a guest in town or a visiting guest to delight. There are so many fabulous restaurants down here in our Boston "Theater District" that you could just make a memorable night of it. It is indeed a small venue but that is part of this shows magic that makes it an intimate and cozy experience. You could not enjoy a show such as this in a venue like the opera house. It would lose much of the effect this show has to offer. I highly recommend to see this show at this venue. I can not vouch for the other shows as I have only seen is one here, but I do hear good things about " Shear Madness" as another local hometown favorite. read more

Not only is the Playhouse great, but the Blue Men are too!!! A hillarious skit and a seemingly great location pre and post show with great bars and restaurants nearby! read more