Metropolis Performing Arts Centre

I have several opinions on this place. One, My child took a class here several years ago and the instructor called my child be the wrong name every class.
Second, I saw the Christmas Carol production mentioned in the previous comments as well and completely agree! Terrible! I had seen it in past years and do not remember feeling this way. I agree, it was the script and the direction, but it was also the performances — lack lustre and amatuer.
Third, I have read numerous articles over the years about how the state and the city needs to keep bailing them out of tax debts and otehr debts — yet, I continue to see postings about how they are auditioning children for their shows and heanding them PAYCHECKS! Complete mismanagement — there are probably dozens of local children who would do this for free. Why should my tax dollars be spent to support something like this. If I read about someone bailing this place out becasue they can not figure out how to manage it my head will explode!

I have been going here for two years now. Most of the productions are very entertaining. If you are looking for something different to do, then try this venue.

The executive director reached out to me and explained the reason for the strictness on phone usage which is per the request of the performers and out their control.
I respect that and for that, I’m adding an extra star. I still plan on returning here one day if they host another show that interests me.

Wow We just LOVED this theater!!!
One of our Christmas traditions is to go to the Goodman downtown and see Christmas Carol .The prices have gotten so high we thought we would try something less expensive. What we normally spend on 1 ticket at the Goodman was what we paid for 5 tickets .
It was truly amazing !!!
The acting, singing, costumes were perfect .
I was worried it was going to have a current twist to it but it was as good as the Goodman, Please keep it traditional !!! The theater is super clean, the staff was very helpful and the theater itself is so cute. We can’t wait to catch future productions .
So Glad we found this theater — best kept secret. The restaurants in the area look yummy too.

Was here for a vendor event. It was decent. Nice bathrooms. Decent food. Haven’t been here for a performance. I have been in the theater portion last year for a similar afterhours event. It’s a very nice space. Would love to come back for an actual performance. It’s pretty elegant. Parking is great too next door is free on Sundays!

I don’t log in to Unilocal often, so when I did today and noticed (manager?) feedback on a review I had supposedly written, I realized my account must have been hacked. I love Metropolis and always have. They’re not perfect, but it’s hard to survive financially in that business and I think highly of them. My husband and I have seen at least a dozen shows there and enjoy the theatre and the area.
I am changing my password and will contact the web admin — not sure what else to do since it looks like the review might have been removed.

Great little theater (300 sits) with a very unique atmosphere. I had a pleasure to see quite a few productions and never left disappointed.

Great small theater with friendly & helpful staff. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, the seats are comfortable, sound system is excellent & the restrooms were spotless. It’s an intimate enough venue that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. We have seen Spamalot there, 49 Steps & also a couple of different Second City holiday/​Christmas productions & had a fabulous time each visit. Whoever does the casting does an excellent job because everyone has been such great actors & performers.

The current show, A Christmas Carol is a tragedy. Years ago the show was wonderful. Now it is a disturbing and terrible show. It’s not the acting that’s the biggest problem, it’s the script and the director; they should be fired immediately. The show is not a heartwarming joyous change of character, it is about a bitchy wife and unbelievably bad ghosts (2 of 3 anyway). Christmas Present is now a large woman dressed in victoria secret. It’s horrendous. Christmas Past is two characters, one male one female. What is the point? How is this better? The message extraordinary effort doesn’t lead to extraordinary success is terrible. This show sucks so bad it has to be done by design. Fire the management.

This is a superb performance space. The stage is a semi circle, somewhat between a conventional proscenium setup and a thrust stage. The seats are pretty narrow, but comfortable. The show we saw was The Last Five Years, a fairly rare musical. The two leads were excellent, and the male lead belongs on Broadway. The six piece orchestra handled the complex show with great aplomb. I’ve seen the show four times, and this was by far the best production I’ve encountered. In fact, imaginative directing made this better than the Broadway version. Despite being a very long trip from my home, I’ll definitely return when they produce another show of interest to me.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me every time we buy a subscription of four tickets — shame on me! Haven’t seen a decent play here in years, yet I continue to subscribe in hopes that our support will improve the productions. Thumbs way down on their production picks. Thumbs up for location.

I’ve seen a few shows here, and I’ve got to say, I kind of love it! It’s a small theatre, but I really haven’t found a bad seat in the house. I’ve sat in the front row, I’ve sat in the back row, and I’ve sat all the way on the side and each time I was able to see facial expressions and everything going on.
Most recently, I was here for a Second City show and right before it started, they set up this little cabaret table with 4 chairs in front of the front row. That was obnoxious considering the people in the first row then could not see around the people sitting at that table. So, that was unnecessary and not worth any ticket up-​charge IMO.
Bathrooms are big (no lines!), parking isn’t bad (street and garage parking), and there are plenty of restaurants around if you want to eat before/​after. If you live in the NW burbs, you really can’t beat the convenience. It’s nice to have a place like this in my ‘hood.

Arlington Heights is not my usual stomping grounds, so didnt know this little theater existed, until we came across a show that looked interesting and funny.
I’ve since put this theater’s schedule on my things to follow. Very impressed with the facility, and local area. Lots to do.
I know it’s a short running show, but I highly recommend Shakespeare– Abridged. One of the funniest things the wife and I have see in a long time.

We came here to take in a comedy show. This was my first time at the Metropolis, and I was pleasantly surprised! The shows are reasonably priced, and I love the small, intimate theater setting. We had seats in the back row, and I could see all of the facial expressions of the comic. Great view. The seats were super comfortable, and the bathroom was huge so I didn’t have to wait in line forever.
The downside to me is that this theater is located in downtown Arlington Heights, and I hate downtown Arlington Heights. It tries really hard to be a little Chicago… particularly with the parking situation there. I recommend coming early because you will be circling forever looking for a parking spot on the street. The garage is bogus. My friend mentioned that the garage parking on all floors is free after 6pm. Wrong. I got a $ 25 parking ticket. Come on Arlington Heights. I know you’re in «Crook» County, but you’re making a crapload in taxes from the people eating/​drinking in these establishments. Put some friggin’ free parking in!

I had the pleasure of seeing my very first Tonic Sol-​Fa concert at the Metropolis on March 9, 2013.
The downtown Arlington Heights area is adorable and I find these smaller, intimate theaters to be such a great thing.
The Metropolis is nice. Nothing fancy, but it’s perfect for taking in a musical guest, a play, etc.
The staff was pleasant, the theater and restrooms were clean and it’s conveniently located by a parking garage and local eateries.

my girl took me here 4 my bday last week 2 c an improv comedy show with 2^nd city. it was pretty funny cuz i was crackin up out loud! its small venue so it doesnt seem like there would b any bad seats but we were in the middle section towards the front so it was great. it i totally forgot that ive been here before but as i stated from my previous review this place was cold! i mean, it was freezin outside so u’d think they would have the heat on but apparently not. turn up the heat people!

A great little performing arts venue in the heart of Arlington Heights downtown!
They let you bring beverages into the theater, they’re attached to a Mexican restaurant, the bathrooms are big enough to accomodate the crowd at intermission, it’s all good enough for me!
For the Second City performance, they also had little tables set up right at the foot of the stage… I can’t imagine that it would be great viewing from there, but it was a cool way to approximate the downtown Second City experience.
They have some good shows coming– definitely worth checking out!

Throwback drag show at the local theater? You bet your bottom dollar (just like Annie) I’m there!
The theater itself is small– but all that means is there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Great sound quality, everything is easily viewed, perfect for interactive shows or audience participation– as proven by our show, ‘The Andrews Brothers’, and my rather dashing date, who was brought up on stage for 2 musical numbers and was such a good sport (I have to give him a plug on this one) that the rest of the audience thought he was actually part of the show. I mean, he’s certainly handsome enough to be in showbiz. That’s for sure. #WinkWinkHubbaHubba
Anyway, we were the youngest people in the audience… by about, erm, I’d say 50 years. No joke. I didn’t know what to expect but I had read all of the reviews for our play and everyone seemed skeptical at first but unanimously won over in the end. My story is no different. Loved it and was thoroughly entertained the entire time. I’d even go so far as to say I’d see it again. (Yay, Hawaiian Number!)
It looks like this theater has a pretty wide variety of shows– anywhere from children’s to adult theater and musicals to drama. I, personally, wouldn’t mind hitting up their take on Stuart Little.
I would defo recommend checking out this theater and any of its shows based on my positive and memorable experience here. In fact, I’m thinking that buying some MPAC gift certificates for family members this holiday season might be the perfect way to gift.
Quick tip: Shut your phone off BEFORE you go into the theatre. Those usher ladies mean business… well, that and your cell service will cause crazyhorriblenailsonachalkboard interference noises over the stage microphones if in use during the show (allegedly).

There are a couple of reasons I am fond of Metropolis. First of all the versatility. Their are so many different productions. They have really great comedy shows, some famous singers and also productions from their very own Metropolis School of Performing Arts.
Secondly, l, the theater is intimate and comfortable and they have a restaurant on the premises for a before or after theater meal. They also have a full bar for a refreshment before the show or at intermission. Plus. it’s such a great location. You’re in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, with dozens of restaurants, shops and lovely parks and fountains all close by.
I have been to several shows at Metropolis, but I recently saw «Mulan», performed by students of their ‘summer camp’. It was pretty darn good for a group of kids in grade 4−8^th. They did a fantastic job with this Disney musical. I think we might be seeing a few of them on Broadway soon :)

This place is perfect! it’s a small venue in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights. We saw After Dusk but before daylight, a spoof on the twilight series. We paid $ 18.00 for our tickets which, is a great price for improv.
Not only was the show hilarious, but the venue is beautiful. Its not big, so there isn’t a bad seat in the house, they do have assigned seating and ushers to assist you to getting to the right area.
The seats are standard theater seats so small people fit comfortably tall and large people do not.
The show I attend was at 10pm and they have a small bar area prior to entering the seating, you can order drinks, including alcoholic ones and bring them into the show with you.
For the price and quality of entertainment I would come again!