If you’re looking to catch a good Broadway show, you may automatically think of planning a trip to New York City. But not so fast… North Carolina has plenty of options for great theater, from the coastal region of the East, all the way to the west side of the state. So, why not combine the trip with a visit to the beach or the mountains and experience the best of both worlds!
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte
Located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is a site to see, both inside and out. Its unique design and exterior wall of windows catches your eye before you even step foot through the door. While inside, you’ll find three different creative spaces – Belk Theater, a contemporary European-inspired theater with a state-of-the-art lighting system and world-class acoustics, while still maintaining an intimate atmosphere, as well as two smaller theaters – The Stage Door Theater and the Booth Playhouse. Together, the Blumenthal has hosted numerous Broadway favorites including The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast and Kinky Boots, as well as sensations like Stomp and the Blue Man Group.
Armour Street Theatre, Davidson
Located just up the highway, about 30 minutes north of Charlotte, is the small town of Davidson – home to the Davidson Community Players and the Armour Street Theatre. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, this small theater seats just over 100 guests and hosts a variety of shows including The Diary of Anne Frank, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and First Date – a musical about the contemporary dating scene. The Davidson Community Players have been named one of the finest non-professional theater companies in the Southeast, drawing an audience of more than 12,000 visitors each year.
Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock
Officially designated as The State Theatre of North Carolina, the Flat Rock Playhouse is open for a year-long season of Broadway musicals, concerts, dramas and comedies at two locations – the 506-seat Mainstage Theatre located in the village of Flat Rock. Although the main theatre resembles a barn on the outside, inside you’ll find state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Here, you can take in everything from Seussical the Musical and Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, to The Music of Bob Segar and 3 Redneck Tenors.
North Carolina Theatre, Raleigh
North Carolina Theatre, Raleigh’s professional, non-profit theatre company present six Broadway shows each season at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh, including favorites like The Wizard of Oz, Gypsy, Camelot and Newsies. They also offer dance and acting classes, host student productions and run an outreach program where actors, musicians and technicians from New York City go into local schools and teach workshops on a variety of subjects.
Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Wilmington
Thalian Hall, located in downtown Wilmington, is one of the oldest theaters in the country, having been in operation since 1858. Every year, the theater welcomes more than 85,000 visitors to nearly 500 performances including shows, musical events and films. The ornate decor inside is hard to match from the large columns, rich tapestries and large chandeliers to the grand balconies and high ceilings. Among the wide variety of shows you can see here are Broadway favorites like Oliver, The Bridges of Madison County and My Fair Lady.
Triad Stage, Greensboro and Winston-Salem
Triad Stage is a professional, non-profit regional theater serving the communities of the Triad Region, including Greensboro and Winston-Salem. The Pyrle Theater, which was named one of the best regional theaters in America by New York Drama League, is located in the historic downtown district of Greensboro and features both a 300-seat theater and a smaller, 80-seat cabaret space. Catch a classic here like A Raisin in the Sun or South Pacific or for a more intimate experience, visit the Hanesbrands Theatre in Winston-Salem. As part of the uniquely-designed Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, the theater offers a variety of productions including theater, dance, music and film. At only 244 seats, it provides an intimate experience for guests who come to see classics like Our Town and A Christmas Carol.
Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham
Located in the historic American Tobacco District, the Durham Performing Arts Center is a sleek, contemporary theater that has seating for 2,700 guests, as well as state-of-the-art lighting and sound. It is ranked as the #4 theater in the country and hosts over 200 performances every year, including concerts, comedy shows, concerts and touring Broadway productions. Purchase a Broadway package and see some of the most popular shows including The Color Purple, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and The Sound of Music.
