Looking to see a play or a spectacular, unforgettable show? You don’t have to go to New York City to do it. Philadelphia has many renowned theatrical venues and offers residents and visitors a vibrant cultural life. We offer a closer look at a list of the city’s best theaters and their unique features. More at philadelphia-trend.
The Forrest Theatre
One of Philadelphia’s most popular theatrical venues is The Forrest Theatre, which was built by the Shubert Organization in 1927. It is located at 1114 Walnut Street in Center City and has a seating capacity of 1,851.
The building’s construction cost $2 million. It was designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp. The new theater was named in honor of actor Edwin Forrest, who was born and worked in Philadelphia in the 19th century. The building was renovated in 1997, partly to make it more accessible.
Since its debut performance in 1928, hundreds of productions have been staged at The Forrest Theatre, including musicals, Broadway comedies and dramas, Yiddish theater productions, and dance programs. The list of shows can be viewed on the venue’s official website, which always has a schedule and announcements.
The Walnut Street Theatre
This theater was organized back in 1809, making it one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in America. The building is located in Center City Philadelphia on Washington Square. It began its journey as a circus and only later was transformed into a full-fledged theater. A dome was also added to the building, making it the tallest structure in the city at the time. The theater was later renovated by renowned architects such as William Strickland, John Haviland, and Willis G. Hale.
Today, the Walnut Street Theatre building is a National Historic Landmark and also remains the official State Theatre of Pennsylvania. Here you can see a variety of comedies, dramas, musicals, and even children’s shows.
The Walnut Street Theatre has hosted performances by world-famous artists, such as Audrey Hepburn. For each season, the theater’s management creates a detailed schedule that audiences can view in advance to choose something of interest. The theater also offers subscriptions, which have been purchased by over 50,000 patrons. This is a truly record-breaking number that proves the uniqueness and appeal of this venue.
The Miller Theater
This venue has had several names and was also known as the Merriam Theater and the Sam S. Shubert Theatre. It is Philadelphia’s largest permanent venue for touring Broadway companies. The theater is located at 250 South Broad Street in Center City.
This building, like The Forrest Theatre, was built in 1918 by the Shubert Organization. From 1972, the theater was owned by the Academy of Music, and later by the University of the Arts. In 2016, the building was acquired by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and the theater was renamed the Miller Theater.
It is worth noting that producers Lee and Jacob J. Shubert built this theater in memory of their brother Sam, who died in a railroad accident. At that time, they created two theaters: one in Philadelphia and another in New York. For the Philadelphia theater, they found a site with a partially dilapidated building. The architects were able to use the preserved marble staircases from the old hall in the new theater’s interior design. The building had seven floors. The theater was located on the first, while the other six floors were occupied by offices. The architect was Herbert J. Krapp. The building was renovated in 1958.
Later, in 1986, the stage and sound were modernized. In 1991, the theater was renamed in honor of John W. Merriam, a local entrepreneur who was on the board of directors of the University of the Arts and actively supported Philadelphia’s cultural development.
In 2022, the theater was renamed again. It is now known as the Miller Theater in honor of Alan B. Miller, a board member of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. He donated funds for another restoration of the building.
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia is a wonderful place to see a dazzling Broadway show, listen to famous musicians, or take in a unique artistic event. It occupies an entire city block and features a unique 150-foot-high glass roof. The center was named in honor of philanthropist Sidney Kimmel. It is owned by Kimmel Center Inc., The Philadelphia Orchestra, Philly Pops, Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Curtis Institute of Music.
This is the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, which is one of America’s “Big Five” symphony orchestras, and it hosts jazz, rock, dance, and many other types of music. The Ensemble Arts Philly spaces also house the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and the local ballet and opera companies.
Under the vaulted glass ceiling of this grand structure, there is a large shared lobby for all the venues, as well as the following halls:
- Marian Anderson Hall (formerly Verizon Hall) seats 2,500 and is the main performance hall. It houses an organ by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, which is the largest such instrument located in a concert hall.
- The Perelman Theater seats 650 and is equipped with a 75-foot (23-meter) diameter turntable stage. This allows the hall to also be used for live music concerts.
- Above the Perelman Theater is a roof garden named in honor of Dorrance H. Hamilton.
- On the lower levels of the center is the SEI Innovation Studio, a 2,688-square-foot (249.7 sq. m.) “black box” theater.
- The center also has numerous conference rooms and halls for smaller performances and concerts.
The center is a popular venue in Philadelphia and is open seven days a week. The building can be toured as part of a free excursion to admire its unusual architecture. It is a true temple of the arts, of which the city’s residents are proud.
The Arden Theatre Company
This professional theater company consists of three theaters: the 175-seat Arcadia Stage and the 360-seat F. Otto Haas Stage, located at 40 N 2nd Street, and the 100-seat Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre, a block away from the main building. In addition to the performance halls, the buildings house offices, production shops, rehearsal spaces, and educational classrooms.
The company was founded in 1988 by Terrence J. Nolen, Amy Murphy, and Aaron Posner. Initially, it operated out of the Walnut Street Theatre Studio. After the end of its second season, the St. Stephen’s Performing Arts Center helped them establish a separate 150-seat theater and combine all necessary production facilities under one roof.
In 1994, the company purchased a building, renovated it, and created a larger and a smaller hall, a two-level lobby, and space for rehearsals and offices. This construction contributed to the economic revitalization of the neighborhood, as it brought jobs and, after opening, increased foot traffic.
Over the years, more than 90 productions have been created, including 24 world premieres. The theater has repeatedly received grants and awards and also has its own drama school and educational program.
These are some of the most famous theatrical venues in Philadelphia, but this list is by no means exhaustive. The city has a rich culture and numerous events to suit every taste.
