The Huntington Theater has been a professional theater in residence at Boston University since 1982. It is not clustered with many of the other playhouses in the theater district, but it is only a short cab ride or subway ride away from any point in the city.
The theater itself, with seating for 890, is quite lovely. The ornate gold gilding that decorates the walls and ceiling around and above the stage compliments the dark blue color of the theater’s interior. While the balcony is high—-we were in the next to the last row from the VERY top--the stage is in plain view to all. We enjoyed a show by George Bernard Shaw, January, 2002, called Heartbreak House. It was a wonderful production, and I would expect this company to hold high standards for all plays included in its six-show season. By the looks of the house, our play appeared sold out.
My only complaint about my experience at the Huntington would be a common one at many theaters across the country: cramped seating. With a crowded house, my legs had about as much stretching room as a passenger in the middle seat of an economy flight on an airplane. This is livable for a One Act. But for an almost-3-hours long play? I can’t speak for the seats below the balcony, but I would say the show had better be good for anyone to endure the arrangement up top! (Our show was, and we did.)
Tip: Tickets for the theater are often expensive. Go to Bostix outlets for half-price, same-day purchases on a number of shows playing in Boston. We saw outlets in the Faneuil Marketplace and Copley Square. The outlets open at 11 a.m. We were told (and found to be true) that the best tickets for popular shows sell quickly, and all the best seats will likely be gone by noon.