During this wonderful time of the year, I enjoy going to uplifting places that put you in the mood…read moreto celebrate the Holiday Season. So this Wednesday, that is precisely what I did. After being awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants, businesses, and entertainment venues, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Mill Mountain Theatre, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Located in the Center In The Square building, in the heart of Downtown Roanoke, Mill Mountain Theatre is a professional regional theater presenting musicals and plays year-round. It is the gem of the performing arts of the Star City of Roanoke. Ever since I was a kid and watched a Broadway Musical for the very first time at the young age of 12, in New York City, I was inspired by the acting, by the plot, and by the meaningfulness of the words of the songs. The musical was Pippin, with Pippin played by John Rubinstein, and featuring Ben Vereen as the leading player. Then while living in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, I had the privilege of enjoying one of my favorite musicals, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," with the main character Joseph, played by Donny Osmond, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. But even if this all sounds like a great experience, what is even greater is that I had the opportunity of visiting over 50 community theaters in New England while I was living there. From small theaters in farms where the seats were haystacks, to theaters in small towns in which the seats escalated upwards to be able to accommodate enough people to watch the show, to dinner theater where you were able to enjoy a meal in a cozy room with a stage, where the play was performed. Today, after having dinner at the Six and Sky Rooftop Grille, located in the same building as the Mill Mountain Theatre, I came down to the first floor to watch "A Christmas Story." As I arrived to the entrance of the theater, a very friendly and welcoming lady volunteer, scanned my front row, center ticket, and showed me to the entrance hall that led into the theater. Once there, another gentleman volunteer, took a look at my ticket and showed me the way to the front row seat. The stage was not the largest, but a perfect size to put on a great number of good plays. They did an excellent job building the set scenery with a nice collection of props. The actors did an almost flawless performance in which you were even able to see their character's personalities transformed into their own. It was a very impactful production. It effectively used humor to engage the audience while tackling the serious and important subject of bullying. This blend often helps make the serious messages more relatable and memorable. The intermission served as a time to relax and maybe visit the beautifully designed consecion stand for some refreshments. After the show, it was nice to find that a door led directly to the parking building where I had parked my Lexus. In conclusion, the Star City of Roanoke and its community is enriched by having this very unique little performing arts center. By bringing people together for shared learning and cultural experiences, this theater fosters social connections, community pride, and a greater sense of belonging.

The That's So 70's concert was surprisingly pathetic. The band was impressive; however, several of…read morethe vocalists were consistently out of tune. Most of the songs were miserable. I had to leave at intermission. I am baffled at how Mill Mountain theatre has allowed this performance to take place. Certainly, better singers are available through local high schools, colleges and churches. I did express my concerns to the theatre manager. He seemed bewildered and oblivious to my concerns.

The Lincoln Theatre was opened in 1929 and its history is quite fascinating. My friends live in…read moreMarion and wanted me to see the local offerings. We went into the theater shop midday and they asked the lovely woman running the theater if we could have a tour? She was in the middle of getting ready for that night's Rocky Horror Picture Show, but in true sweet Southern hospitality, cheerfully let us in so we could look around and she could talk to us about the establishment. The theatre was lovingly restored in the 1980s by locals who turned it into a nonprofit. PBS broadcasts its Song of the Mountains show here monthly. The woman we spoke to was working on grants to bring in movies and other performances to the theater. It would be a great venue for all of the above. As I had an early flight home the next day, we didn't come back to see the show, but I truly believe this is a gem to be checked out in Marion.

Perfect venue in a small town, have seen great entertainment here! All seating has great views,…read moreprices are reasonable

Many of us are aware of the Southwest Virginia Ballet (SVB) through their yearly production of the…read moreNutcracker, presented in the Berglund Center for the Performing Arts. But few are aware that it is a premier non-profit, pre-professional youth dance company, based in Roanoke, Virginia, and currently celebrating 35 years in the Roanoke Valley. Established in 1990 by Tess (Terri) Post, SVB is a significant part of the Roanoke Valley's artistic landscape and has achieved recognition locally and beyond. Its mission focuses on making pre-professional dance training accessible, enriching the community through dance, and providing performing arts experiences for all ages. They provide free training to young dancers in the region and offer outreach programs for underserved individuals across Southwest Virginia.  For the Southwest Virginia Ballet's 2025 Nutcracker, they are featuring a live orchestra, the Viena Light Orchestra, composed of professional and pre-professional musicians, from different countries, and conducted by Dr.Wayne Gallops. The Ballet also has a new Artistic Director, Laurence Blake, making it a performance one can't miss. What better way of understanding what the Southwest Virginia Ballet is all about, than going in person to watch this performance of the Nutcracker. And that is precisely what I did. Having obtained a front row center seat, I was able to watch an amazing performance, from the main roles to the most insignificant ones. And as I watched the performance, I thought to myself how learning ballet and performing significantly boosts youth self-esteem by fostering confidence through skill mastery, providing an outlet for self-expression, building resilience against challenges, promoting a positive body image, and creating a supportive community, leading to increased self-worth and a stronger sense of self-assurance both on and off the stage.

Southwest Virginia Ballet is an award-winning organization whose mission is to provide the highest…read morequality dance experience to as diverse a group of young people as possible -- all for free! Every year dancers at Southwest Virginia Ballet perform "The Nutcracker," filling the Performing Arts Theatre at the Berglund Center for four performances over three days in December. These same dancers step on stage for free demonstrations at Elmwood Park and the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, as well as ticketed performances in Roanoke and across Southwest Virginia. SVB is the only organization in our area to create performances of such high caliber with student dancers alone. It's a group that draws ballet dancers from Blacksburg, Henry County, Botetourt County, Galax and beyond. They come together to a newly renovated studio in the Roanoke Industrial Center every Saturday from August through May.

I've been attending Endstation summer productions (both at Poplar Forest and at Old City Cemetery)…read morefor two summers now, and I recommend their productions. For one thing, I just love community theater. There's something fresh about it that you just don't get at an overpriced Broadway production (and believe me, I know - as a former NYC-er, I've been to my share of shows on and off Broadway). Plus, the venues for summer productions have included outdoor spots like Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest estate, for Shakespeare-inspired productions two years running, and Old City Cemetery for 'Our Town' (the grounds of which lent the production an unparalleled poignancy). I stop short of 5 stars, because it's not always been clear whether there will be refreshments available, and at the most recent Poplar Forest production, there was only a booth with hard cider -- no nonalcoholic options at all. But all in all? A great time. Bring a lawn chair, your own snacks and beverage, and slather on some bug repellent (it's summertime in central Virginia, after all....can we say no-see-ums and skeeters? We sure can), and bring something with which to fan yourself, if southern humidity makes you sweat. And then settle in and enjoy the show. And wait for the unexpected magic of fireflies coming out in the deepening twilight in the second half of the show. Better than footlights at any other venue you've been to, I'm willing to bet.

Endstation Theatre Company has become a summer community tradition in Lynchburg. The quality of the…read moreacting and production is superb! You won't want to miss the 2018 season...it is sure to be one of the best!

Awesome professional quality live theatre. Do yourself a favor and catch a performance, you will…read morenot be disappointed. I saw "Dracula: The Musical" there last Halloween and it was great!

Wonderful performing arts center. Professional & amateur actors who love their craft. I have never…read morebeen disappointed with any of the plays I have seen. Seating is comfortable & you are high enough above the row in front of you to avoid having your view blocked.

Never actually been here for a movie but on Sunday morning it is Hope Chapel. Joe Volpi is an…read moreamazing pastor and continuously bringing a great message from God. The movie theater is beautiful old fashion. It has second level seating and the tickets are very cheap.

If you are just passing thru and looked it up on your phone, this spacious renovated Art Deco…read moretheater is worth a trip from 81 or wherever you are. It's surrounded by several blocks of good restaurants.

Went tonight to see A Bold Stroke for a Husband. The theater is beautiful and the performances…read moreoutstanding. During intermission, the cast came out and sang/played two pop songs, which was just unexpected and fun. The staff were helpful and friendly. I recommend you come out and see a show here.

my first time here was in february 2020. i loved it as much then as i do now! the cast is always so…read moreimpressive and the crowd work always makes it super fun. i can't wait to come back!