Editor Pick
Walnut Street Theatre: Intimate and Historic
- July 14, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
zabelle from Portland, Connecticut
The main reason I decided to go to Philadelphia at this particular time was to see Les Miz one more time. I have walked by the Walnut Street Theater many times but I have never attended a production there before.
Dating from 1809 the Walnut Street Theatre is the oldest theatre in America, having been in continuous operation since then. It has been designated a historic landmark and is also the Official State Theatre of Pennsylvania. With over 50,000 season ticket holders it is the most subscribed theatre in the world.
You will be in very good company seeing a show here since Thomas Jefferson, Groucho Marx and Bill Cosby have all visited the Walnut Street Theatre.
For this production we were seated in the front section of the balcony. I requested an end seat so that I could have an unobstructed view, unfortunately the side of the aisle I was one did not jut out, it went in. Since I don’t know the theater I counter on the woman who sold me the ticket to give me what I asked for, she didn’t, that was disappointing but that was the only thing that was. I was able to see almost the entire stage.
The theater is not huge, it is quite intimate. Row GG right behind us would have been a good choice since they are high above the walk way and have all the leg room in the world which since it is an old theater we did not have. I wasn’t able to cross my legs with any ease. The seats though were red velvet and quit comfortable. It isn’t a glamorous theater but it was very nice.
The cast was local not a traveling Broadway Tour. The depth of the talent was amazing. We have seen this play at least 6 or 7 times and this was right up there with even the London Cast. I would not hesitate to come back here for another show.
Prices were not cheap, out seats cost $70. We walked both ways from our hotel the courtyard by Marriott, which was at 13th. The theater is between 8th and 9th on Walnut. It is about an 8 or 9 block walk. We did it in about 20 minutes.
There is a café called Barrymore’s on the lower level but we didn’t go there so I can’t tell you anything more about it except that it opens an hour before the performance and is open during intermission.
To find out what else they are offering this year please visit their website at Walnut Street Theatre
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