Phoenix Theatre

What a Gem. This is the perfect venue for local theater. They even have a bar and resto that is good! Saw «when you wish» the Disney story and it was very good. Cannot wait to return to see more shows. Phoenix is fortunate to have such a wonderful venue!

I saw two different shows in the same week and both venues are comfortable, the staff is helpful and friendly, and so is the audience. Although I was visiting, everyone was so welcoming I felt right at home! The performances vary but I saw a festival of several shows one night and a full scale musical the next night. I enjoyed both which is saying a lot since I have access to all NYC had to offer.
Do not hesitate to see some fun theatre and enjoy this space.

it’s been too long since I’ve been to a show or concert since there always seems to be a conflict in my schedule. So I tried to book tickets for Evita on line and I thought the whole procedure was too cumbersome. Just what I need, to create another password. So I decided to call the Box Office during the week since I refused to create a password. But of course, I was too engrossed working for The Man and time slipped away with no bookings. My wife finally was able to get a couple of tickets in the second row for an Evita performance.
I thought the sight lines were great and the seating was comfortable with cupholders in front of you. I enjoyed a beer that I purchased during intermission. It’s a great venue where all seats seem to be good seats and there was no problem hearing the dialogue and singing from the stage. Parking was a breeze. It was an enjoyable evening.

My Husband and I planned a Birthday outing for my 36^th birthday and we agreed on seeing a play at Phoenix Theatre. Since we both enjoy jazz and we both like several songs by the singer Billie Holiday we thought «Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill» would be a suitable choice.
This turned out to be the worse choice we could have ever made. We arrived on the day of the show and bought out tickets for $ 147.00. They were good seats that were up close and centered. The lady at the ticket counter was hesitant to sale us the tickets and asked us if we were sure that was the show we came to see.
As soon as we were seated I understood her hesitation. This play is not meant for the entertainment of blacks. My husband and I were immediately insulted and appalled by the language of the play. There was frequent use of the work N***** and the actress went on to make demeaning jokes about blacks. We endured the verbal abuse for about 5 or 6 minutes then walked out on the play. We were humiliated. We asked for a refund and were given the card of the person to contact. After contacting this person she refused to give us a refund and offered to give us tickets to another performance. I don’t feel that the $ 90.00 valued left stage tickets were and appropriate resolution to this incident. I will never return to this theatre and I would like a refund.

It’s always a good time! It definitely beats TV. Support the arts and have some fun. It’s a great venue and small enough to feel very cozy. Sit near the front to feel close to the actors. There is some great talent.

I went to the Phoenix Theatre this afternoon with my wife to see Evita! Evita! is a good musical. I have seen it many times. I will not write about the musical much.
My wife, and I went to the Phoenix Theatre. We found the grounds to be very nice. They have a nice garden just outside the theatre, perhaps part of the Museum complete next door.
The reason I did not give 5 stars is more to do with the musical, Evita! It was good, but in many ways, because I was perhaps «spoiled» when I was younger seeing Evita, prior to the Hollywood attempt, I remember a few things differently. Specifically, there is one song that Hollywood added to the story, that was performed this time, but that never existed when I saw it many years ago in Chicago. Also, the actress who played Evita had too deep a voice for the part. The songs that are sung as Evita, require a really high soprano, and I do not think that she was able to hit those high notes as originally scored. I could tell the actress was straining. There were times that the voice was just too low or too deep.
Anyway, if there is another play or musical that is interesting or arrives soon to The Phoenix Theatre, I will venture back. More likely, I may venture across the street at The Phoenix Opera.

This is a modern performing arts venue. I’ve seen several different shows here over the years. This year we saw the Wizard of Oz in the big theater.
The seats are slightly cramp as far as elbow space and the rake is not as steep as I would like for getting a clear view over and around the patron in front, but your imagination will soon be wisked away by talented performers and amazing stage sets that you’ll soon forget about any discomfort.
There is a smaller theater that has a higher rake. The seats are still pretty close together. I saw opera singers performing holiday classics in this smaller venue. The stage was a lot more worn and barren than the bigger stage in the adjoining hall, but both locations had cushioned seats, wide aisles, and comfortable temperatures for the two hour performances with 15 minute intermissions.
There is a nice, modern bar between the two theaters. Patrons gather here before and after shows as well as during the intermission for drinks and snack items. Sometimes the bigger theater concession stand will also open up to serve special treats like hot chocolate with whipped cream. Get it. It’s worth it.
My family loves supporting the arts by attending shows at the Phoenix Theater. They have package deals each season, and this is a great way to save money and avoid waiting in line at the box office. We will certainly continue to support our local and traveling performing artists at this location.

My 7yr old even said it was beautiful the wizard of oz guys is the best cast and directors music composers there is ever! They out do Hollywood Broadway all that I loved it even better than the movie please go while you can!!!

great lovsl production of musical chicago
rivals broadway production
not a bad seat in the
house

We have been to this theatre many times in the years we have lived here. We recently purchased tickets for the Wizard of Oz and paid about $ 400 for premium tickets.
Yesterday in the mail I received a promotion from the theatre regarding this particular show advertiising 50% off on premium tickets. I was a bit upset about this so I called the theatre.
The answer was «there’s nothing I can do about that.» Not a good answer — not great customer service. She didn’t even say she would see if she could do anything. They should be bright enough to figure some customers who bought the tickets not long ago would be upset receiving this «offer.» I will have to think about attending this theatre in the future and will be mentioning this to friends. By the way I have never written a review like this before.
A very dissatisfied customer.

A Phoenix institution which has changed so much from when we knew it as «Phoenix Little Theater» and many if us had worked on or been UB one if those community productions. Well, it sure isn’t little anymore! The new management has taken it from a cowtown community theater to a real professional venue with growth and expansion galore! The addition of the black box theater is great but the seats are terrible. The mainstage us as it always was and it is a nice little theater. I have seen a lot of plays, musicals and comedies there for many, many years. U have enjoyed some if them and some if them were absolutely terrible. However all of them were a small escape from reality which us what theater us all about — a suspension of disbelief. Phoenix Theatre has done that time after time.

This place has so much going for it. When you enter from the north, you would expect a grand stage, as the entry is through a gateway in the Phoenix Art Museum, well-​lit with colorful LEDs. Before the show, there’s a courtyard with sculptures you can look at while you wait, and there’s a bistro across from the theater where you can have dinner or a glass of wine before a show. Inside, however, the theater is quite small. The downside is that it means some shows can sell out quickly, but it also means you’re pretty much guaranteed a good seat. Seating is «cozy» and intimate, which is mostly good for shows, but it’s also my only real complaint. The chairs aren’t very comfortable and they’re packed in like those on an airplane.
I typically go to see the Nearly Naked shows (no, not always in the nude) as they never disappoint. The shows are really good. Too good, sometimes, for a theater with limited seating. Oftentimes the shows sell out, so they can take some advance planning. They have seat cushions to make the chairs more comfortable, but I’m not sure if they belong to Nearly Naked only or for all companies performing there, as I haven’t seen performances by any other company.
Part of me wants to get opera glasses, but they are unnecessary at this theater. It would’ve looked funny to use those for «Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical» though. Still, I’ve seen «Rent», «The Rocky Horror Show», «Evil Dead: The Musical», «Blood Brothers», «Killer Joe», «Times Square Angel», «The History of the Devil», «Valhalla» and many others in this theater, and compared to others I’ve been to, you get a much better experience with top-​quality productions in this smaller setting.

The staff and volunteer here are very nice.
The building is a quaint size… And any seat of the theater I can imagine being a good seat. I watched 2pianos4hands, so the side seats were actually better I think because you can see the pianists move their fingers.
At the bar, they have a decent sized collection for wines, beers, and cocktails. There are happy hour prices before a certain time… And today offered coupons for happy hour prices for post show.
I asked the conceierge — For those who have hearing loss, they have an FM system and personal neckloops, which are good options for those who have hearing aids with telecoil or for those who do not have hearing aids. Message me if you have general questions with these type of devices. I would be happy to provide general information.

This is my second time to the Phoenix Theatre. The first time was watching Monty Python 2 years ago. I thought the cast did a pretty good job then. But most recently I went to see Mary Poppins. The show was fantastic! I was grinning ear to ear the entire time during the show. It brought me back to my childhood. The entire cast was wonderful, but the actor who played the character Bert definitely stood above the rest. I loved the Step in Time part. I definitely would go again!

This was my first visit here and I have to say I WILL be back. I came to see the show «Memphis» and it was spectacular! When I first arrived, I went to their magnificent bar which is in their front lobby. I expected beer & wine however they had a pretty extensive specialty drink menu and quite a few beers to choose from — choices choices choices. I ordered a Stella & the bartender said it was still Happy Hour — WHAT! Happy Hour HERE? Yep it’s true people — till 7pm if I’m not mistaken. My beer was $ 3 — seriously. For the intermission — I preordered my drink and a snack which was beautifully waiting for me mid show at the HAPPY HOUR PRICE. I ordered a Devil’s Kiss cocktail and a flourless chocolate chip chocolate cookie (thats A LOT of chocolate). The cocktail was lovely & the cookie was HUGE & deeeeeelicious. I could only have a few bites & it took me three days to eat the rest. Now for the stage — it is not a large venue and the acoustics were very good. I was in row E (left side of stage) 2^nd seat from the aisle. No obstructions and I could see everything. I will definitely keep my eyes open for upcoming shows and visit here again. LOVE a good show that doesn’t break the bank!

Terry T and I watched Les Miserable at Esplanade AMC when it was showing. That was my first experience with the musical, and I was hooked. So, when I saw Les Mis was being performed at Phoenix Theatre, I was beyond ecstatic – in fact, I was slightly aroused. And who better to accompany me than the lovely Terry T. Incidentally, Terry has seen the production multiple times, so I was concerned this wouldn’t hold up to her expectations. I, on the other hand, was just excited about seeing this musical (and staying out late on a work night, Tee hee!)
Now, I have to admit I started comparing this production against the movie. So I initially was thinking, «Wait, Fontine was brunette» and «Hugh Jackman delivered that line differently» before I allowed myself to be consumed by the musical. Because it truly was beautiful and masterfully played out on the modest sized stage. It received Terry’s seal of approval. Bravo!
A couple of things I think really contributed to my enjoyment of this musical were 1) the lovely senior citizens who were bused in, and their darling commentary during the production; and 2) killer seats, front row stage left. They reminded me of the wicked seats Robert M scored through the lottery in San Fran for Wicked.

Really disappointing customer service experience.
I purchased tickets originally to see the production of Pippin. Being a frequent flyer at Gammage, the Herberger, the Phoenix Symphony, etc, I was really excited for my first experience at the Phoenix Theater. Also I heard great things about the show.
We found out the day of the show that the production was cancelled due to an injury in the cast. Completely understandable and I was happy to reschedule. Due to travel for work, the only other show I could make was the last showing on Sunday.
Unfortunately, I was delayed due to weather in the East Coast and missed the show. The Phoenix Theater box office has rather limited phone hours and I was unable to get a hold of anyone. Finally, on the day following the show, I spoke with a person who basically refused to help me in any capacity.
I would have been happy with a refund, an exchange, a coupon for a cookie, anything. But instead the Phoenix Theater took my money ($ 180) and said «Sorry.» Surprising given the fact that I’ve found other venues very accommodating (looking at you Gammage). I am in a customer-​focused industry, and simply taking a one’s money while offering nothing in return is incredibly poor service.
Sincerely,
Not-​one-​to-​leave-​really-​bad-​reviews-​often

Phoenix Theatre consistently puts on excellent productions. As a jaded ex-​New Yorker, I was honestly worried about finding «culture» when I moved here. Never fear. Between the theatre here and the touring productions elsewhere in Phx, and the opera, ballet, and symphony (not to mention Spring Training and the beautiful Phoenix Art Museum), I’m not missing out.
Definitely worth subscribing to their season.
And be sure and arrive early, they’ve renovated the lobby (and added a black box theatre for more intimate shows), with a snack bar (sandwiches a bit overpriced but reasonable pre-​show drink prices) and a bar-​bar for hanging out.

Had never been to this theater, but saw «White Christmas» last night. Wow, wow, wow! I was worried because sometimes regional theater companies aren’t up to national standards. But not here. Every member of the cast was outstanding. There were some big production numbers and every detail was perfectly arranged and presented. I wish I had a photo of that final scene were everyone is dressed in their red and white or green Christmas costumes in front of a large tree and lighted wreaths, with snow falling in the background. Gorgeous.
As for the theater, it was surprisingly small, which turned out to be a real treat as the proximity to the actors made the production more enjoyable rather than viewing it from a distant balcony or 60 rows away. There is a very nice bar, and there was live music prior to the show. At intermission, cookies, chocolate squares, and brownies were $ 2 — about the price range as other theaters in the area.
Parking did not seem to be a problem, but finding the lot and theater was not clear at first. When you turn into the entryway, there is a small sign showing that the theater is further back and you have to zig. Once there, the parking lot was big (flat, no garage).

I visited the Phoenix Theatre last night with friends to see White Christmas and really enjoyed myself! The redo of the theatre is great… absolutely love the new look!
Every seat is great and the tickets are reasonably priced!