Updated 18:31, September the 22nd, 2008
So there’s this area called “The Theatre District.” Guess what they have there. Well, yes, they do have a lot of beggers and people who may or may not be prostitutes, but there are also a bunch of places to catch a great show. There are several ways of getting cheap tickets, which we detail in the sidebar, but you can also check out 
www.bostontheatrescene.com.
| Boston Center for the Arts Theaters in residence at the South End’s BCA needn’t worry about a lack of box office. The Stanford Calderwood Pavilion has all the appropriate amenities for a new theater complex. The Virginia Wimberly Theatre, (the Huntington Theatre Company’s second stage, which is presenting Jose Rivera’s “Boleros for the Disenchanted” in October), has great acoustics and perfect views, but the lack of a center aisle makes getting to and from your seats clumsy and uncomfortable. Hint: don’t sneak a Big Gulp in with you, and you won’t have to wizz. The smaller Roberts Studio Theatre, home to SpeakEasy Stage Company, boasts state-of-the-art everything, making it the perfect black box space. The BCA’s 142-seat Plaza Theater, though functional, isn’t the greatest place to watch anything longer than 90 minutes. Old, uncomfortable seats worn from age and use just don’t cut it once you’ve sat in the newer theaters. Again, Big Gulp=a bad idea. 527-551 Tremont St., Boston. MBTA: Orange Line to Back Bay. 617.426.5336. |
| The Colonial Theatre Some of the biggest shows in the history of Broadway got their start 200 hundred miles north of Times Square at Boston’s Colonial Theatre. Since opening its doors for “Ben Hur” in December of 1900, the famed theater has been churning out hits and misses longer than any other venue in the city of Boston. Why did we say “famed” theater? For starters, the song “Oklahoma!” was written on the table outside of the ladies’ room. The lineup for the next few months includes a pre-Broadway engagement of “Brigadoon,” which is basically like a rugby drink-up after dancing lessons (Oct. 14 through Nov. 9) and your mom’s favorite torch singer, Harry Connick, Jr. in the Gershwin musical “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” (Dec. 16 through Jan. 11). 106 Boylston St., Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Boylston. 617.880.2400. |
| Central Square Theater The City of Cambridge has partnered with MIT to create this brand new theater. Boasting a 200-seat main stage black box theater and a smaller, more intimate Studio Theater, the state-of-the-art facility is home to the Nora Theatre Company and the Underground Railway Theater. Professional productions, classes and collaborations with other artists and companies will add a vibrant theater presence to an already bustling Central Square. 450 Mass. Ave., Cambridge MBTA: Red Line to Central. 617.576.9278. |
| Cutler Majestic Theatre Literally right around the corner, the elegant Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College has one of the busiest marquees in town. Since re-opening in 2003, the beautifully restored theater has become home to Handel and Haydn Society, Emerson Stage and Opera Boston (their production of “Der Freischutz” runs from Oct. 17 through Oct. 21). It’s also becoming the perfect place to enjoy ballet, comedy, theater and music. If you just want to check out exactly how elegant it is, go to the Maj’s free open house on Sept. 14. 219 Tremont St., Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Boylston. 800.233.3123. |
| Citi Performing Arts Center The Citi Performance Arts Center’s cavernous Wang Theatre has been filling their 3,600 seats for dance programs, single concerts (Chris Rock was here in June) and big shows like the upcoming musical version of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (their exclamation point, not ours, and it takes place Nov. 26 through Dec. 28). Be forewarned that in a room this size, there’s a reason the cheap seats are so cheap. You want to be able to see and hear what you’re paying for. 270 Tremont St., Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Boylston. 617.482.9393. |
| Wilbur Theatre Next door, upstairs from the popular nightspot Aria, the intimate Wilbur Theatre sadly remains dark much of the time. Tennessee Williams once appeared here in a flop called “Battle of Angels.” The last show to be banned in puritanical Boston, “Hair,” also played the Wilbur. But nothing of note has happened here since the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” closed in December. 246 Tremont St., Boston. MBTA: Red or Green Line to Park Street. 617.423.4008. |
| Shubert Theatre Across the street, the more intimate Shubert Theatre has, unfortunately, been dark quite often lately as well. At 1,600 seats, it shouldn’t be too hard to find something appropriate for the quaint little theater, but aside from the Boston Lyric Opera, there’s little going on at the Shubert either onstage or at the box office. 265 Tremont St., Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Boylston. 617.482.9393. |
| Symphony Hall www.bso.org www.celebrityseries.org Symphony Hall is home to the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops and nearby Jordan Hall also hosts a ton of other musical happenings designed to give you some pure, uncut culture. The Celebrity Series also brings in the heavyweight humorist David Sedaris (Oct. 12) and Sweet Honey in the Rock (Nov. 2). 301 Mass. Ave., Boston. MBTA: Green E Line to Symphony. 617.482.2595. |
| The Opera House Don’t let the name deceive you. Ain’t no opera at this here Opera House. The sophisticated feel of the elegant theater is a perfect antidote to the urban jungle right outside the front door. This fall you can see the longest-running American Broadway musical in the history of the universe, “A Chorus Line,” (Sept. 11 through Oct. 5), and our girl Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde: The Musical” (Oct. 28 through Nov. 9). And if you’re feeling ’80s via early ’60s “Dirty Dancing” gets a re-working from the actual creator of the movie (Feb. 7 through March 15). This whole process of turning movies into musicals is a great idea, but why don’t they consider movies like “X-Men” and “Bourne Identity”? 539 Washington St., Boston. MBTA: Orange or Red Line to Downtown Crossing. 617-931-2000. |
| Charles Playhouse/Playhouse Lounge Not everything in Boston is big. Two of the area’s most successful theater events happen nightly at the Charles Playhouse just behind the Shubert. “Blue Man Group” is upstairs and the haircut comedy “Shear Madness,” which is approaching its 29th year here, is down. Both productions have a student rush deal, where tickets can be as low as $20 one hour before show time. 74 Warrenton St., Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Boylston. 617-931-2787. |
| Lyric Stage at the YWCA Just outside of Copley Square, the Lyric Stage Company has been not-so-quietly making theater magic in their home on the second floor of the YWCA building since 1990. The 250-seat space is perfect for the oft-awarded company that’s been dubbed “Boston’s Off-Broadway.” This fall’s lineup includes the legendary Tony-winner “Follies” (Sept. 5 through Oct. 11) and David Mammet’s newest political satire “November” (Oct. 17 through Nov. 15). Seriously, who better to remind you to vote than the playwright who practically holds the copyright on the F-word? 140 Clarendon St., Boston. MBTA: Orange Line to Back Bay. 617.585.5678. |
| Boston Center for the Arts Theaters in residence at the South End’s BCA needn’t worry about a lack of box office. The beautiful new Stanford Calderwood Pavilion has all the appropriate amenities for a fabulous new theater complex. The Virginia Wimberly Theatre, (the Huntington Theatre Company’s second stage), has great acoustics and perfect views, but the lack of a center aisle makes getting to and from your seats clumsy and uncomfortable. The smaller Roberts Studio Theatre, home to SpeakEasy Stage Company, boasts state-of-the-art everything, making it the perfect black box space. The BCA’s 142-seat Plaza Theater, though functional, isn’t a great place to watch anything longer than 90 minutes. Old, uncomfortable seats worn from age and use just don’t cut it once you’ve sat in the newer theaters. Perhaps the tenants (who pay handsomely for the space) should stage a rent strike! 527-551 Tremont St., Boston. MBTA: Orange Line to Back Bay. 617.426.5336. |
| The Factory It’s not the prettiest, nor the most comfortable theater in town, but the 49-seat Factory Theatre plays host to some of the finest fringe Boston has to offer. Don’t be put off by the entrance off the parking lot behind the Piano Craft Guild. Though it’s not easy to find, it’s worth the effort. Solid productions by fledgling Orfeo Group and the popular Rough & Tumble folks have proven it’s worth checking for their ever-changing production schedule. Not a bad place to put on your own show either. We suggest you go see the David Mamet play at the Lyric, learn how to swear dramatically, and then put on your own show here. Call it “X Men: The Musical.” 791 Tremont St., Boston. MBTA: Orange Line to Mass. Ave. 617.817.6600. |
| Huntington Theatre Company main stage The Huntington Theatre Company’s main stage on Huntington Ave. could also use a good overhaul. Though the acoustics aren’t great, onstage you’ll see some of the most incredible sets ever built, and some kickass original drama, including the world premiere of “How Shakespeare Won the West” (Sept. 5 through Oct. 5) and Tom Stoppard’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll” (Nov. 7 through Dec. 7). 264 Huntington Ave., Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Hynes/ICA. 617.266.0800. |
| Wheelock Family Theatre The Wheelock Family Theatre has its own unique acoustical challenge. The happy and not-so-happy kids that flock to the family friendly facility can’t always sit still for the entire production. It’s a wonderful noise problem to have. All kids should experience the joy of theater in such a welcoming environment. If you have a (really) little bro or sis who wants to visit you at school, this is where to take him or her after the Children’s Museum. 200 The Riverway, Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Fenway. 617.879.2147. |
| Loeb Drama Center/Zero Arrow Theatre If you happen to find yourself on the other side of the river, the critically acclaimed American Repertory Theatre calls the Loeb Drama Center its home. The 556-seat space is just what you would expect from a theater of this caliber. Great seats, perfect acoustics and a front of the house staff that operates like a well-oiled machine, to say nothing of the cutting edge productions this fall, like the surreal magic show that is “Aurélia’s Oratorio” (Nov. 28 through Dec. 28). She’s the one in the drawer on page 3. More intimate (and sometimes more out-there) ART productions like the world premiere of “The Communist Dracula Pageant” (Oct. 18 through Nov. 9) are staged at their Zero Arrow Theatre. 64 Brattle St., Cambridge/Arrow St., and Mass. Ave., Cambridge. MBTA: Red Line to Harvard. 617-547-8300. |
| Arsenal Center for the Arts The New Repertory Theatre finally has a new home in the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown. The facility boasts two stunning performance spaces and some of the finest equipment available. Unfortunately the location isn’t easily accessible via public transportation. The New Rep folks claim it’s just a bus ride away, but you have to get to Central Square to catch that bus. And at the end of the night it can be a long, cold wait in the dark for the ride back to the Square. 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. 617-923-8487. |
| Anywhere they can No story about theater space in Boston would be complete without the written equivalent of a standing ovation for the enterprising Actors’ Shakespeare Project. Throughout their relatively short lifespan, the ASP has made ingenious use of available, and often unconventional, performance spaces like the Old South Meeting House and the basement in the Garage at Harvard Square. Shakespeare may have said “all the world’s a stage” but the Actors’ Shakespeare Project is proving it. Check their site this fall to find out where in the world they’re going to put on “The Merchant of Venice” in early November. Venue subject to change. 617.547.1982 |
Cheap tickets
Here’s how you can see the best theater and not have to live on pizza for a month just to afford it, oh, wait, you live on pizza anyway, don’t you?
Located in unmissable circular buildings in the middle of Copley Square and Faneuil Hall, ArtsBoston slashes prices on select tickets by almost half sometimes with their BosTix program.
‘Copley Square, Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Copley, Faneuil Hall, Boston.
MBTA: Green Line to Haymarket. Tue-Sat: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 617.262.8632.
SotM offers two-year membership for only $35, which will get you huge discounts.
332 Congress St., Boston, MBTA: Red Line to South Station. 617.338.1111.
Check out this site daily, and you could get to see any of the Colonial Theatre or Opera House productions for as little as $25.