Returning to the Hangar Theatre felt like coming home. We got lucky enough to catch a performance of "Matilda", sponsored by the wonderful Running to Places Theatre Company. The evening turned into a lively night. Watching the young cast navigate those first-night jitters with such grace became a joy. The audience felt their excitement in every note. Walking through those doors brought back a flood of memories--most notably, our best man Andrew's wedding. Rare to find a space that can host both life's biggest milestones and the budding dreams of local actors. The Hangar has built a reputation for excellence. I feel proud to support it. read more

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Giving four stars for now until I can FINALLY see a show indoors here! I went to see Sweeney Todd in their gorgeous outdoor stage just to the back of the theatre proper. Parking was a breeze which was really nice - the theatre is also conveniently located so you can hop right back on the road and head home after seeing a show if coming from Rochester region. I loved that they served finger lakes wine at the concession stand, and all of the volunteers and staff I encountered were wonderful and helpful. We went on a HOT day, and I wish for the outdoor stage they would have sprung for a covered option. The bulk of the audience were boiling by the time the razors came out, and we still had two hours of murderous fun left to go. The show itself had its great and not so great moments (I am not sure if it was a budgetary thing but the set for this show was...off putting. I don't need to be reminded that they're eating humans in word form on the set - there's a Greek chorus to remind me every other scene! Also, there were pretty severe issues with the mix and sound. Forgetting to turn actors mics back on, inability to hear the orchestra at times, etc.) Overall the cast and team at Hangar absolutely did the best they could given the circumstances all theatres are being forced to operate under right now, and I am SO GLAD to be out watching theatre and making snide comments about sets again! If there's a show you love playing here - go go go! Broadway talent and stardom in FLX! read more

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I've now seen 2 adult productions (Once on This Island & 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and 2 children's productions (Lily's Purple Plastic Purse & If You Give A Mouse A Cookie) at the Hangar Theatre and the easiest way to describe the experience has been "WOW!" Every inch of each production has been fantastic. I grew up in the theatre and studied it in college, and I have seen A LOT of theatre in my life. The shows I've seen at the Hangar were as professional as it gets, from acting, directing, and musicians (when applicable) to technical aspects like lights and sound. Can't wait to see another show! read more

Been to several productions and never disappointed. Bodies was a wedge production, in the wedge of the lobby and after the regularly scheduled performace. It was thought provoking and interesting. I would like to see how it develops. read more

The Ithaca theatre scene is strong. And diverse. The Hangar is a wonderful mid-size venue that chooses not-your-standard-summer-theatre fare. The shows are often thought provoking, sometimes controversial, but always entertaining. There's usually at least one family-friendly option per summer outside of the kid-centric "Kiddstuff" series. This is a professional theatre employing local talent and importing additional artists from around the country. Also, I got married here! If you're looking for a fun and unique event venue, this is it! read more

Just a note: the Hangar Theatre is not actually in the Clinton House, (that's the Kitchen Theatre, which is also quite good) although, tickets can be bought there (it's the info bureau). The Hangar is near Cass Park, off of Rt. 89 (801 Taughannock Blvd). The Hangar puts on great shows in an old airplane hangar, the first time at one is always interesting. The shows are often community events, and it's hard to go without seeing someone you know. Having volunteered there briefly, my only warning is that it's located in a flood plain. Careful in the rain. read more

I recently attended a matinee performance of Chicago at the Hangar Theatre in Ithica as I am a huge fan of this musical. I have seen this show on Broadway, in Toronto, and two other regional theatres, and none of them came close to doing what Michael Barakiva did with his direction of this production; it was truly an innovative, captivating, stellar show! Using elements from cirque and magic, along with some really creative re-imagining of some of the dance numbers, especially "Razzle Dazzle" and "Me and My Baby", I was taken back to the wonder I felt the first time I saw the show. Mr Barakiva is definitely a director worth following, and I am really looking forward to seeing what he does with "A Doll's House, Part 2" in August. Ithica is a three and a half hour drive from where I live and for Chicago I did both parts of the journey and the show in the same day. This was my first time in the Finger Lakes district of NY; it is beautiful, so I think I will stay for a couple of days this time! read more

Just saw "Chicago " -fantastic 5 Star production ---broadway quality! Go if you get the chance -you will not be disappointed.

The shows so far this season have been better than the Hangar's recent average. 39 Steps was very good and Man of La Mancha was outstanding. It's a shame that administrative choices made it so difficult to enjoy the artistic efforts. Show times are different from night to night, which is bad enough, but they weren't listed anywhere! Not in the local newspaper or the other local newspaper or the website or the lobby of the theatre... not even in the Hangar's own program!! I wanted to return to see Man of La Mancha a second time and literally gave up in frustration. Which directly relates to the level of distraction during my attendance at a recent performance. There were a large number of latecomers climbing over me to find their seats and a repeated opening and shutting of doors to a very brightly lit lobby. I literally missed about 20 minutes of the show at its opening. Any theatre struggles with how to accommodate late seating, but when there is no effort made to inform the public of show times, it significantly increases the number of people who will assume that the show begins at the traditional 8:00PM time. Management, please make some effort to minimize this problem by dimming the lobby lights during show time and clearly posting show times. You may wish to reconsider your late seating policy as well, or at least stabilize the schedule so times are consistent. You have left your poor house manager with little choice but to contend with a steady flow of distraction. The community is expected to love the new (quite expensive) renovations, but I was dismayed. The design choice was stark, modern, and brightly colored, which is quite a clash with the historic quality of the building. Would it be in good taste to gut the inside of a historic home and furnish it with modern chrome furniture? The only nod to the historic significance of the building is a few black and white photos on the wall. I truly expected a better sense of history and time period from a theatre, of all places. It just makes the Hangar look like it is trying too hard to be a chic, modern Manhattan bistro. While reasonable folks may disagree about asthetics, I was surprised that the renovation did not even address functional issues. The "cafe" is not user friendly in the least, as one must stand in the lobby in long lines waiting to be served from one small window to get a cup of coffee just in time to toss it out before returning to the performance. Did no one consider how to serve a large theatre audience in an efficient manner? The new seats are comfortable, but now include very bright "aisle lights" at the end of each row, lighting up the theatre to the point where the entire audience is easily viewable throughout the performance. It is very distracting. There is a reason why audience lights fade to dark (or they should) during a performance. I would give the shows themselves a 5-star rating. It is frustrating that the administrative emphasis has been on the "newness" of the shiny building renovation rather than complimenting the architecture and history of the building and, most especially, enhancing the ability of the audience to appreciate the show itself. As it stands now, that which is "new" seems only to interfere with the theatrical experience. read more

Awesome theater, fantastic shows, everyone is so talented and good at what they do. Bravo!

I saw my 1st hangar theatre production tonight! What an intimate and awesome space. I am used to shows in NYC and other bigger venues and it was a nice change to see a show so up close. Lots of information about other shows was available and definitely somewhere I will be visiting again! read more

I have great memories of hot nights in the cool hangar theatre watching plays. I have seen so many shows over the years.

Just moved to Ithaca last August. I purchased season tickets for this summer's season. I've now seen both "I Lived, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti" and "In the Heights." What a gift this theatre company is to Central NY. If you have a chance to see a production I urge you to go. This place is fabulous!!!!!! read more