Burning Coal Theatre is located in the Oakwood Neighborhood in Downtown Raleigh, NC. It even offers…read morefree parking in an adjoining lot. It is located inside the Murphey School Auditorium. The Murphey School was built in 1908 and is the oldest school building that is still standing in Raleigh. It holds a lot of history; in 1960, the Raleigh City School Board met in the auditorium to desegregate schools. The Murphey School admitted an African American student to integrate. The school was closed in 1977 when Wake County took over the school system. In 1991, the building was converted into housing for low-income seniors. The auditorium was not used, though. Burning Coal raised money, took over the space in 2008, and secured a permanent home. The auditorium was converted to a black box theater with about 150 seats. The building was preserved and kept some features like the exposed brick and the 3-sided balcony; the lobby bar was constructed from reclaimed historic wood. I got the opportunity to see a performance of Once at the theatre. Seating is first come, first served rather than assigned. Tickets run about $30 a piece. There is a lobby that sells beverages and snacks before the performance. But only water is allowed inside the theatre. A line forms, and you get inside the theatre from the line; a few people were trying to cut. They did have a lot of the front row reserved, so it isn't totally first come, first served. The first floor seating was on raised tiers and surrounded the performance area. The balcony was also utilized. In Once the cast are both the actors and the orchestra, playing guitars, mandolins, violins piano and the drums on stage.

Some of the most memorable evenings begin in places you could easily drive past…read more That was our experience at Burning Coal Theatre. Tucked inside the historic Murphey School building in downtown Raleigh, the theater's exterior carries the quiet charm of a former schoolhouse with hints of an old church. It's understated in the best way. A bright red door and simple banner signal that you've arrived somewhere special, where the performance not the façade is meant to take center stage. Inside, the atmosphere is refreshingly unpretentious. The lobby feels welcoming rather than formal, and before the performance began, one of the staff members struck up an easy conversation with my husband that immediately made the space feel like a neighborhood gathering place instead of a traditional theater. The intimate performance space wraps seating around three sides of the stage, creating remarkable proximity between audience and actors. There truly isn't a bad seat in the house. We attended *Shadows in Red Light*, a concert presentation of a new musical by Roné Sargent set against the backdrop of New York City's AIDS epidemic. At its heart, the story follows a mother who believes she is placing her infant in temporary foster care and the daughter who, years later, searches for the woman she believes abandoned her. It is ultimately a story about hope, sacrifice, belonging, and the many ways love can endure through unimaginable circumstances. What impressed me most was how little the production relied on spectacle. There were no elaborate sets or dazzling lighting effects competing for attention. Instead, the performers carried every emotional beat through their voices, expressions, and presence. It was a reminder that exceptional theater doesn't require excess it simply requires extraordinary storytelling and gifted artists willing to trust it. During intermission, I noticed the same level of care throughout the venue. The facilities were spotless, the bar offered a thoughtful selection of beverages, and the overall experience felt relaxed and intentionally curated. We skipped drinks only because we were excited to get back to our seats before the second act began. Parking was plentiful, the staff was warm and welcoming, and every detail contributed to an evening that felt both intimate and unforgettable. In a city with an ever-growing arts scene, Burning Coal Theatre remains one of Raleigh's quiet treasures. If you're looking for theater that values substance over spectacle and storytelling over production value, this is the place. We'll absolutely be back.

Visited the theater to watch a matinee, The Odyssey. We bought five tickets but after looking at…read morethe Yelp reviews, we were skeptical of how the experience would be. We were very happy with the entire experience. The seats were refreshed, the recliners all worked for us, the service was excellent. We only got snacks and cocktails so I can't speak for the food. The menu looked good and we will try it next time. The cocktails were basic, the beer a good pour, the prices were concession prices. Be aware that there is a 19% gratuity added to all checks. I cannot speak for all theaters and seats being refurbished. Some looked more worn than others. The theater itself was large and the picture/sound were excellent. I would definitely return!

A lot of the reviews point out the deteriorated seats and the last time I went here that was…read moredefinitely true. I was in theater 4 this time and they have recently replaced all of the leather on all of the seats...brand new-ish! I asked the staff about it and they said all but one theater had its seats refurbished with the remaining one to be done soon. I did see several people having issues with the recline function on their seats so they didn't repair that on every seat so I think it's luck of the draw. The recline worked fine on our seats. Food comes with an automatic 19.5% gratuity and you pre-pay for it. There are no "server buttons" on the chairs like at other full service theaters to where you can request a refill. Once the movie starts you are on your own for all of that. All of the food is pretty much $25 no matter what you order...salmon, cheesesteak, hamburgers...all priced the same. Desserts are all priced around $12 (I am including gratuity in the prices). Appetizers $17. Drinks are $8.50 and you have to get your own refills!! Popcorn is a ridiculous $16 once tip is added to it!! Movie theater prices are insane. The food here is actually phenomenal. I got the cheesesteak this time which is a short rib cheesesteak with two pieces of slow cooked short rib, kind of like home cooked roast beef. It was amazing. I'd get it again. I paid like $1.50-2 for upgraded truffle fries which were pretty good. Last time I got the crispy chicken bowl and it was good but not a lot of food. We've had the salmon and it's just okay as well as the burgers. Dinner for two with an appetizer and dessert can easily run you over $100. Add in the ticket costs which were $40 and it's a pretty expensive date night. They do have gluten free buns available and the menu has GF indicators but they can't be trusted. We went to order the fried green tomatoes which are labeled as gluten-free only to find out that they aren't...that's no bueno. Food comes out whenever. Get there 30 minutes before your show and order quickly. If you get behind a crowd during say an opening movie night of SpiderMan then you're getting your food brought to you in the dark and you will eat it in the dark. Get there early. Look at the menu ahead of time. Order as soon as you sit down.

This is one of my favorite movie theaters to go to. They have a nice size theater that can seat…read more460 people or so. Do you want to know what makes this theater so great? Are you listening? Well here is my opinion. 1) You can bring your own snacks, popcorn, drinks, Bojangles, or Wendy's and they are not going to kick you out. 2) They sell concessions dirt cheap. You are actually willing to buy stuff. You can get a drink and popcorn for under $3. Doesn't that beat a $12.50 combo at other theaters. 3) The ticket price. $2.50 for non students, and $1.50 for students. I am not sure if that price is just for NCSU students, or all students. 4) If the above mentioned price is too much, then check the website. They show entire series of films for FREE. If they show a never been released advanced screening of a movie, it will always be free. And many times they will have the director, actor or somebody from the film there. Zach Galifianakis showed up for one of his screenings, after all he did go to NCSU. 5) You can take your kids to the movies there for all of the family friendly movies. 6) All the movies are free during the summer. You know where I will be. Grab a pillow and blanket, head to NCSU and get comfy for your movie. Really, I have seen people walk into the theater with pillows before. I check out their schedule at least once a week, since they do add stuff at the last minute some times. If I am in the area, I will walk in, and check their table in the front lobby. They often place free goodies and promotional items on it. Even free passes to other movies will be placed on the table, so it is worth checking out.

Witherspoon Cinema is the best deal in Raleigh for a movie. There is a guaranteed 2 films a week,…read moreshown on Thursday's and Saturday's. The movies are free and there's free popcorn. Lately the theater had been getting crowded again which really brings back a fun atmosphere to the theater, people clap, and shout, and go along with the movies. The schedule for films can be found online: https://orgs.ncsu.edu/uab/films-schedule/

I went to Alamo Drafthouse for a preview of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and had such a good time! The…read moremovie was amazing, the acting was great, and as someone who loved the original, it was so much fun getting to experience this one at Alamo. One of my favorite things about this theater is that it's more than just somewhere to watch a movie. You can order food and drinks right from your seat, but I also love all the nostalgia throughout the theater. Between the arcade games, old movies, music and little throwback details, there's always something to look at or talk about. They also have a sit-in area where you can grab something to eat, hang out and actually connect with other people before or after your movie. It gives the whole place more of a social atmosphere instead of everyone just watching a movie and immediately leaving. Such a fun experience, and The Devil Wears Prada 2 was the perfect movie for it. Alamo continues to be one of my favorite theaters!

We'd heard stuff about Alamo Draft House and always wanted to try it, and finally took the time to…read moredo so. We hit it up for two movies. Mandolorian and Grogu, then Toy Story 5. We went for the full experience, food, etc. Place is a bit out of the way for us, and in an odd location for such a nice experience. They have movie ambiance everywhere, even VCR Movie rental. The reason for three stars has nothing to do with the film experience, that's top notch. The problem is, the cost to quality ratio for the food just doesn't work. I unfortunately for my wallet have a big family, and we brought six people first time and five the next time. $400 night. Also between the two showings pizzas disappeared which was .. odd. They weren't amazing but they were better than 75% of the pizzas made, but again the price points is the challenge. Tack on the 18% delivery charge, and it's bank breaking. I get we gotta pay people but at that price, tacking on 18%, and at that 'meh' quality holy cow man. If we were talking fresh hand made stuff great, but between ordering, grill time, time for delivery, just not worth the $200 in food (or more) and we didn't really get anything outrageous like alcohol or tons of snacks, we're talking drink + popcorn + meal. I want these kind of experiences, but the cost makes this not sustainable for us. food and tickets for six people, second time I trimmed it back as I set expectations ahead of time but still was a multiple-hundred dollar afternoon. When all the TV/Movie press is 'why no one going to theaters' it's bills like this is why, even as a couple we could easily see $70-100 night. Something is broke, not sure it's Alamo's fault either this is a symptom of a larger problem. Feels like something 'in the middle' is tacking things into the pricing that breaks it all, bunch of middle men stealing $ without adding value.

I've walked by this building many times and often forget that there is a small theater in there. I…read morewas even in the lobby area for an open house event but it wasn't until recently that I attended an event in the actual theatre. Seating is limited but seats are comfortable and spacious. I know they have occasional free screenings here but I'm not sure where those are listed. Nice reuse of industrial space. I'll have to research this venue and its offerings more closely.

Full Frame Theater is a place for LOVERS! Located in the heart of American Tobacco Campus, you…read morecan't help but notice the old fashioned, neon-at-night, knockout sign including lightening boltZ and POWER PLANT blazing bright along the top along with the black-and-white FULL FRAME THEATER text. You should know, going to see a show at Full Frame is rather difficult to do during the year. The building itself, which houses offices on the top floors, an impressive boiler room and a LOVELY art gallery next door {Power Plant Gallery} is open to the public during the day for typical office hours. It IS WORTH IT just to stop in during the day, because the building is AMAZING! Truly one of the MOST spectacular sites to see in Durham, this old power plant has been converted into a fully functioning theater, venue and office space. Besides its use of the theater for special events, it also houses the Full Frame Film Festival offices [a WONDERFUL annual international event dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of nonfiction cinema. The festival takes place from morning to midnight every April, showing 100's! of films, discussions, panels and brings in people from all over the world to experience Durham hospitality at its finest!]. But Full Frame Theater is MUCH MORE then just the film festival, they show FREE documentary screenings May through November, although typically only once a month on Durham's Third Friday Art Walk. Tickets are free, but you must reserve a ticket the morning of, beginning at 9am. The theater itself is a DREAM. State-of-the-art projectors, HD resolution, surround sound, comfy seating: amazing, amazing, AMAZING! When you think of a refurbished power plant theater, you might think: OLD fashioned, restored, not great quality BUT lovely space. Well, Full Frame is not only an amazing building with lots of history BUT a great theater as well! You walk through the front door of the theater, and immediately are located in the old BOILER Room of the power plant: hard to describe because it's just so impressive, but think brick exterior, massive windows, polished concrete floors; contemporary while in a historical setting. This building has been standing since the 1930's and should be celebrated along with its partner and Durham icon: the Lucky Strike Smokestack and Lucky Strike Water Tower! So visit with lovers, visit with friends, visit with family, just VISIT this iconic site. AMERICAN TOBACCO CAMPUS: rendition by your's truly [Rose L.]; of Full Frame Theater! __________ I_ _I I L I I U I I C I I K I I Y I I I OO I *o* I OOO I * * I OOOO I S I OOOO I T I OOOO I R I OOOO I I I ___OOOO___ I K I I FULL I I E I I FRAME I ___I______ I_______I THEATER I ____ I I___________ I I I ___________ I I I I I I I I * I * I I I _I_____I_____ I_ I

We are all entitled to our own opinions, right? Well here's mine:…read more Parking: 5 Location: 5 Decor/ambiance: 5 Customer Service: 5 I was able to visit this theater this pass weekend and really enjoyed this place. They have lots of awesome plays on their roster list. The location and parking situation is perfect. There is a nice big, clean parking deck off to the side of the theater and its full of parking spaces. We experienced FREE parking on this past Sunday. Looks like everyone at the play was able to park in that deck for free. The building serves as a theater for plays and its also a museum with lots of cool artifacts and trinkets. The theater was sorta cold but it was super clean. The ladies working the box office were super nice. The ushers who helped us find our seats at Titmus were super nice as well. NCSU fine arts department is some kind of awesome!

As a long-time theater fan, I'm usually at the DPAC or Raleigh Memorial Auditorium for shows. But…read morethankfully an invite to check out Hairspray at University Theatre came my way, courtesy of Yelp (thanks Holly!). Currently running at Talley Student Union, the University Theatre group did a fantastic job with Hairspray for this show. From the programs, sets, costumes and performance, I was really impressed with the entire production. Very professional and polished for a student group. The theatre itself is comfortable with good views everywhere. I would have liked a bit more oomph from the sound system but the audio mix did improve later on in the show. And a small wine and beer bar was pouring out adult bevvies for $4 to $5 a glass. So slow round of applause, NC State University Theatre, great performance and look forward to my next visit...

This art center has so much to offer! Stage performances, art exhibits, classes and more! There is…read morepublic parking in the lot and street making this a convenient location to access. We look forward to participating in the community events coming up.

The event of jazz band was excellent. However, the seats were so uncomfortable. I felt like I was…read morein a cramped box. No room to extend my legs at all. It was worse than an airplane seat . I was in row G. After the event, sat in row C not cramped at all like row G. I stood up for the second half of the event, the seats were that uncomfortable. I am only 5 feet 2 inches.

Playmakers SYT never disappoints! GO SEE "Hello Dolly" for…read moregreat, professional quality entertainment. Wonderful dancing, acting, singing, costumes, sets, humor, and the classic music performed live. You'll forget your watching high school students who've worked hard at all aspects of theater, n a summer intensive with the stellar, adult professionals Playmakers brings together. We have a world quality GEM, right here at home in Chapel HIll!

I was looking forward to this puppet show as they refer to it. It was creative, innovative and…read moreeducational. I loved the story they presented, the music was great and everyone loved the show. It's a little hairy getting to the actual location, as you have to walk along a very busy road on the UNC campus, and it's a narrow path to follow. I think they should figure out a safer way to enter the theatre, and they don't have safety railings on the steps getting in. But, I understand the theatre has been there a long time and I guess it works. Many of the puppets were ruined from the hurricane that came through here a few months back and a location near UNC volunteered to help rebuild the lost puppets and money was collected from the community. It's a wonderful example of community coming together to support such an amazing theater. I enjoyed the show and the interactive pieces were great for kids and adults.