I went to see Muscadine Bloodline at the Carolina Theatre and honestly, I can't recommend this…read morevenue enough! If you love live music but aren't a fan of huge crowds and overpriced everything, this theater is a total gem. First off, the vibe here is just cool and intimate. It's one of those places where, even if you're sitting a bit farther back, you still feel close to the action. The acoustics were great, every note and every lyric was super clear, which really made the performance feel special. Muscadine Bloodline killed it, by the way! One thing I really appreciated: the whole experience felt easy and relaxed. Getting there was a breeze and there's a parking garage directly across the street, so no crazy searches for a spot or long walks in the cold/rain/heat. You can literally be inside the theater within minutes of parking. Inside, the concessions were surprisingly reasonable. I was bracing myself to pay $20 for a beer like most venues, but nope, drinks and snacks were actually affordable. It's a little thing, but it made the night even better. Being able to sit for the show was also huge for me. The seats were comfortable, with a good view from just about anywhere. I loved not having to stand the whole time or jockey for space. It's honestly the perfect size, big enough for a killer crowd atmosphere, but small enough that it's not overwhelming. All in all, the Carolina Theatre just nails it for live shows. Great music, chill atmosphere, reasonable prices, and zero hassle. Can't wait to catch another concert here!

First time going to Carolina Theatre to see EarHustle (IYKYK). The theater is lovely, nice…read moreintimate setting. We sat in the 4th row and gelt immersed in the performance but there really isn't a bad seat in the house. Parking was right across the street and reasonably priced. My only complaint was their concessions didn't have much variety. I should have done my research because I went to the event without eating dinner and popcorn just didn't do it for me. I'm looking forward to seeing more shows here.

I recently saw Theatre Raleigh's production of Bull Durham at the Reynolds Industries Theater. It…read moreis located on the top level of the Bryan Center at Duke University. The theater seats around 600 people. Accessible seating is located at the top of the venue. There are stairs to get down to the other rows. They are on the steep side and the heights of the steps are uneven but there are handrails on the two sides. I sat in the front row so I'd assume the slope makes all the rows have a good view as you shouldn't be looking at heads. I'd recommend checking the sports schedules before buying a ticket with the box office as if there is an event you cannot park in the nearby garage but need to park in a lot further away which makes finding the venue harder if you are not familiar with Duke's West Campus.

Old theater on Duke's campus on the top level of the Bryan Center. We attended Theatre Raleigh's…read morerecent world premiere of Bull Durham (which was fantastic). Parking is at a nearby garage. Allow plenty of time for parking, especially if other things are happening on campus. Seating in the theater is quite steep. There's a wide aisle that goes down the middle with no handrails, then more narrow aisles on each side that have handrails. Steps are uneven and you do have to be careful. Be careful where your seats are if you have special needs. We had front row seats, so exiting for the restroom meant climbing back up those stairs.

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!

Steel Magnolias was an awesome experience. Sick a great show and great acting. Very no frills sort…read moreof theater but all the shows I've seen here have been performed spectacularly.

Ok, I would tell you everything, but then you might be in danger, so I'll just have to be careful…read moreto not reveal too much! Here's an idea though of what to expect... Important: CASH bar only! Their website says an ATM is right there. Two of our group went hunting for it and never found it. There IS however a bar in the lobby of the hotel itself (Marriott RTP) that does take a card. Also important: Be prepared to laugh and not take this too seriously. It's about having fun, being entertained, and trying to solve a mystery. You can choose to participate or relax and let it happen. Most everyone (ourselves included) thought it was swell fun to participate. We've been to events like this before, and this one was pretty darn well done! Easy check-in. Very organized. Ahead of schedule all night. We were assigned a table where a salad, rolls, unsweetened iced tea and water were waiting for us. On a side table were a few communal apps of the cheese, veggie, deli meat variety. Overall food was simple, but well executed. Nothing fancy. Nice variety of rolls. Ranch dressing tasted right out of a bottle. Choice of fish, chicken or portabella. (you have to make that choice ahead of time) Three of us had fish, one chicken. Fish was perfectly cooked with a sweet butter sauce, green beans and chunky mashed taters. Simple but tasty. Husband liked his chicken with sweet potato mash and green beans also. Later, cheesecake was brought out along with coffee. Dislike1: I purchased a Living Social for this event around six months before we were actually able to go. Scheduling it was totally aggravating. They only allowed so many vouchers to be used at each event. I'll spare all the details and just say it drove me nuts for awhile, but glad that the Christmas present I gave to Son was finally able to be used in April. Dislike 2: NO drink refills of the cold variety. No more tea or water was presented. (how about leaving pitchers out then?) Coffee refills were offered, which was nice but not everyone does coffee. Dislike3: Ridiculously high prices for photos. Ask for a third of that gals and maybe you'll sell more! Dislike4: No reason was given for who "won" by being the best mystery-solver We were told who won it, but not why. Didn't sit well with some in our group. So 3 1/2 stars would be more like it, but I'm rounding up because I love a good fun mystery, and this was indeed very fun. Actors were entertaining. Do know this is much more FUNNY than a serious mystery. Be prepared to laugh!

The only plausible murder in this sham of a "show" was of good taste and believable acting…read more If anyone can be bored to death, then the Dinner Detective is to blame for the crime. Detective Noel chewed the scenery with her soap opera one note delivery born out of community college summer acting programs or a month as an intern at summer stock. Someone tell her the pink hair trend is over and her forty-plus year old self should catch up. Why do they need a 23 minute preamble before the actual "show"begins? For 75$ why did they serve crappy Duncan Hines boxed cake? C'mon. The entree was ok, a saving grace, and the friends at my table were fun and understood how stupid it all was. If you need a particular brand of torture and a reminder of why "dinner theatre" is a lie and an affront to actual quality entertainment- have at it. But I warned you.

The Forest Theatre is one of the very best places to see a performance on UNC's campus. It's a 100…read moreyear old stone amphitheatre surrounded by trees and hosting performances ranging from giant puppet shows to concerts. I saw one of the Paperhand Puppet shows there last summer - the great venue played a huge part in the surrealist entertainment of the show. I believe most of the shows at the Forest Theatre are coordinated by Playmaker's Repertory Company, but tickets are only sold at the door. Admission is usually $10 for adults, with a discounted rate for kids. The Forest Theatre is a beautiful place for weddings, as well.

The Forest Theatre is a beautiful part of UNC's campus. It's a great spot to check out even if…read morethere's nothing officially going on here. I've walked by while some weddings were taking place, it seems like a really cool and scenic spot for a wedding.

I love DPAC! When we moved to NC from the DMV a few years ago, I was so worried I wouldn't get to…read moresee as many musicals as I was used to being so close to the Kennedy Center, the State Theater, the Lincoln Theater, and DAR, but DPAC is all of those, all wrapped into one. I get excited to see what the Broadway package is year over year. I've seen some classics and a few newer shows and they have all been exquisite. The stage products is great, the different price points of seating are great (although I'm terrified of the 3rd level, it is really high up there!), the staff are always so friendly and helpful, there are good concessions and the pretzels are always fresh! There is a photo booth that I frequent every show we go to, which I love. There are bars on every level,and although I wish there were more stalls in the bathrooms, as it gets hectic, but they bring out a person with a sign to show where the end of the line is, so that's cool. They get music, musicals, drag, and comedians, so there is something for everyone. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend scheduling a visit.

Wine was good $24 for a glass!!…read moreService was good Ambiance was good I don't recommend sitting in the nosebleed we had to leave early

Nice older venue that's been well maintained. Lot of history here! We saw Audra McDonald and the…read moreacoustics were flawless. Seats comfortable. View good from row G on the left. Good signage, had no problem finding our seats. Friendly folks at the door. Clean, nice restroom, with surprisingly less of a wait than I would have expected after a 90 minute show. Only issue is PARKING. Plan accordingly, as there isn't any that we could find on campus, at least not while school is in session. There is plenty of public parking behind Franklin Street on Rosemary, and it's a short walk. TIP: The Carolina Inn is within close walking distance. Great spot for a before or after drink, snack or meal. Of course Franklin Street is full of places as well.

What's that you say? A performance space that's younger than my grandfather? At UNC? Surely you…read morejest! At a university renowned for old, crappy arts spaces, Memorial Hall is a breath of non-crappy air. It's enormous, well-appointed, and actually draws some decent shows. I actually got the opportunity to take a tour through this place, all the way down to its technical bowels, and it's pretty fantastic. The seats are comfortable, the staff helpful, and the ambiance charming. Ticket prices vary by show, but that's to be expected. If you don't come here, don't let it be because you're worried about the theatre.

My brother convinced me to join him at Mettlesome when I was in town recently. My visit coincided…read morewith a visiting group who performed live sketch musicals. As a huge fan of both comedy and musicals, I was intrigued and I was blown away by the talent. The venue itself is easy to find with lots of parking and there is a decent amount of seating available for a smallish space. I got to meet some of the Mettlesome members through my brother and look forward to returning for one of their own shows!

Came to Mettlesome last night for a show and had a great time!…read more Parking was easy because Mettlesome is part of the "Golden Belt Campus," which basically just seems like a bunch of buildings in a complex with a nice little outdoor area. The front of house staff were helpful and nice, tickets were very affordable ($8), and the theater also sold reasonably priced beer and wine. The show started on time and was entertaining! I was a bit surprised that there was a short intermission halfway through the show since it was only an hour long, but that may just be a unique part of the "Show and Tell" performance. Overall, I would definitely come back here - it was a lot of fun!

I loathe to posit myself a professional, but coming from NYC and being a lifetime theater…read moreenthusiast, I feel compelled to declare that I have sat in many, many theater seats. I left both performances in this space not thinking "This was an amazing experience 'For Durham'" but rather, "this was an amazing experience, that I will remember for the rest of my life". I rank what happens in this tiny space as one of the most reliable, top tier theatrical experiences... anywhere. Just GO, and thank me later

From the owner: The Ward Theatre Company is populated with an international ensemble, all of whom have completed…read moreMeisner Training with Artistic Director Wendy Ward. Their work has been called "movies on stage," in reference to the intimate environments in which they perform their work and the authenticity of the ensemble's acting. Originally founded in New York City in 2005, the ensemble has performed in Philadelphia, Melbourne, Australia and now has its home in Durham, North Carolina.

Came here as a surprise birthday activity for someone who wanted to try out virtual reality. As…read moresoon as we walked in, we were ushered into our area (as long as you book an appointment and complete the waivers online ahead of time). I booked two people for 70 min each. The staff was very helpful and super into describing how things work and throughout the experience. The walls are padded for the possibility that you walk into them, which I did a couple times. You have a staff member also warn you if you're going to hit the wall or even the person you came with, which I also did. As for the game selection, there are popular games such as Among Us and the light saber to music. We asked for suggestions since there were so many options. Some you can play alone or some you can tag team with or play against the people you came with. In our 70 min session, we probably played 5 games, trying out a full round for each game. I suggest Battle Magic for the Harry Potter/wizard fans out there (don't forget to look up, down, and behind you!). Even if you're not into virtual reality or playing video games, I'm sure it would be interesting to watch as a spectator as you can see what the players are seeing on a TV. They have some light refreshments available for purchase. Merchandise is also available for purchase in a wide variety of sizes. Transactions were almost completely touchless. You can pay with the card used to book or you can pay with another method. I suggest wearing something comfortable as some games will have you bend and move around. If you have a longer session, wearing comfortable shoes as you will be standing a lot. You may experience a little dizziness during and after if you're not used to immersive experiences since it really is a whole world you're in. I save 5 stars for the really great experiences and this one is one of them!

A big thumbs up for my first VR experience…read more We took a group of 6 here and the team running this place were rock stars letting us know what to do. We played for 30 minutes which in hind site was not enough. It took us a while to figure out the controllers if that makes sense. Here are some tips. Let people know your name. We picked names like 'hero' which was cute but no one knew who I was until we were all screaming at each other our game names and forgetting Arrive a few minutes early so you get your full 30 min or whatever. There are disclaimers you sign. Etc. Listen to the rules and tips. In several games I was several minutes in before I figured out why I could not teleport or something. I should have listened better. It was fun though. My nephew had his birthday party here and said it was good. I would come here again.