Flat Rock Playhouse

Flat Rock Playhouse is a well oiled machine. I've attended a few more performances since my last review. The playhouse has limited parking, so they do a tremendous job at getting everyone parked in an orderly way and using the available space. There are a handful of people directing the traffic and I got to watch this time as the bench was in the shade. I was impressed. Expect to be greeted multiple times as they really appreciate you coming to a show. They have a concession stand and a gift shop. The quality of the actors brought in is always fantastic.I saw Mamma Mia over the summer and Dirty Dancing this last time. I wished I lived closer so I could attend more performances. I do attend as many as I can a year.

A great way to support theatre arts in WNC by attending a performance at this Asheville area non-profit community theatre. We recently saw Cabaret there (the late 90s revival, not the most recent "Cabaret At the Kit Kat Club" currently on Broadway). The play itself was well done. The staging and acoustics were 1st rate and the performances were generally quite good. Costumes...not so good. In terms of the venue: parking is rows of cars in tandem (meaning if you were to hate the performance and decided to leave early, you can't get out of the parking lot until everyone else leaves at the end). There's just not room enough on the site for a regular parking lot to handle the cars associated with the number of seats in the theatre, which is pretty large. The seats are comfortable, but the floor is not very sloped -- so if someone relatively tall is sitting in front of you in the next 1-3 rows, you'll be looking at the back of their head blocking a chunk of the stage. Summer A/C level was good, but I had condensation drip on me from an A/C unit above me several times during the performance (which actually felt pretty good on a hot, stuffy summer night).

The 2023 Christmas show was my first time at Flat Rock Playhouse. It was truly wonderful. I was very impressed with the selections and the quality of the music. If their music director put that show together and arranged all the music, he is truly an artist. There were so many upbeat songs presented in lively and sometimes humorous performances. The costumes were lovely and the dancing, especially students from Pat's School of Dance, were just extraordinary. I'll certainly go again-maybe even a second time THIS year.

Visiting from a big city, we were pleasantly surprised to find such an amazing local production in The Ring of Fire. The cast is so talented on many levels (actors, singers, musicians). This theatre is a hidden gem!

My first time at this theater, at the Christmas show. The music was good,could have done without the dancing,& the MC needs replacing...Alot of time was wasted with him talking,telling jokes,& trying to be funny! I didn't pay $50 to listen to him,,,that time that he wasted,could have been used better with more Christmas songs...won't be returning.

Another excellent performance here today. Proposals by Neil Simon. Poignant comedy with many twists and turns kept us entertained for two hours. There is one intermission. The audience didn't seem to be on call for the first scene and only a few got the subtle humorous comments. But by the second scene they were warming up and "getting" it. The scenery was simple but excellently done, with the mountain house reflecting various times of day and the lake background transforming from dawn to evening to lend credibility to the story. The trees, trunks and branches were spot on with realism, looking just like a real forest. This was the first time in years that I've attended a performance that wasn't a musical, and I'm pleased to report that this latest drama endeavor was every bit as entertaining as the musicals.

We got free tickets to go here from someone who was in one of the shows. We went to see "Music of the Movies". Plays are not something I have really been to in the past and a lot of times we don't go out at night because it tends to be expensive. We are glad we experienced this and would definitely returned. We came up and got our tickets from will call, went into the theatre and were kindly shown to our seats and given a brochure on the show. The bathrooms are located outside so if you have to go ahead of time, just show up a couple of minutes early. They do have plenty of stalls. I noticed a concession stand but did not partake. They had a live band playing all of the music and well seasoned actors performing. The brochure (which we read later) had a little bio on each one so you could understand them a little better. We had such a great time! The music was fantastic! The musicians seemed really into it and the lady playing all of the wind instruments was especially impressive. Two of the characters were very theatrical, I had never seen that before, and it was very fun and different. Three of the singers really stood out to us. Capturing the songs perfectly but in their own way. The dance performers were also very entertaining. Really a fun way to spend the evening! We have to go back and see more shows now!

My MIL and her boyfriend enjoy coming here for performances and thought my husband and I would enjoy their Christmas Spectacular on our first night in Hendersonville. Besides only knowing a handful of songs (I'm Jewish so my Christmas song repertoire is pretty limited and of course Jingle Bells was not on the list of performances this evening), I could really appreciate the combination of vocals, dance, and instrumentals that came together to present a beautiful performance. Actually, I was extremely surprised at the caliber of performers in this small town show! I also really enjoyed how there was some slight narration throughout the evening that guided the viewer through the history of the Flat Rock Playhouse. The acoustics in this venue were excellent! The seats, well, they remind me of movie theater seats before the trend towards reclining leather seats, etc. The oddest part to me was that to use the restrooms (at least for women) you walk outside and then into the restroom, which makes 0 sense....Anyways, the concessions is nice albeit outdoors. You can bring your beverages of all varieties into the theater. Parking was also strange-they direct you into parking spaces that are blocking everyone in and you cannot leave until the people in front of you decide to get into their car and leave. Also strange-the theater doesn't open until a certain time yet there are huge crowds outside beforehand despite all having assigned seats. As others have mentioned, NO PICTURES OF ANYTHING! I think it is really fabulous that this theater exists in a small WNC town and offers a nice evening out that often cannot be found outside of a larger city. Again, the caliber of performers was amazing-and not just for a small town but some of the best voices I have heard in the theater in years! They do all types of shows throughout the year and I highly recommend a show if you are in the area! Despite having a very limited knowledge of Christmas music, I enjoyed the show, particularly the dance and instrumental aspects, and would return in the future for other performances!

WOW!!!! We saw the Christmas Carol, and I must say, what a great little theatre!! This is no small town high school style production. Everything was top notch from the sound system, props, lighting and especially the performers. By far the best talent I've seen this side of Broadway. A cozy setting with real comfy cushioned seating. It has a snack shop at an outside building with chips, cookies and water, sodas, beer and wine.

I have been visiting my parents in Flat Rock once a year and they make sure we see a show every time and it never comes up empty. Between the actors and music and stage. I look forward to seeing and hearing everything. I posted before and you all never let me down. Congratulations on all the work you do...front and back of the house. It's worth the trip from Philadelphia every time. Top notch staff as well! Jersey Boys was the last one I saw and am jealous to miss Shawshank.Sincerely, Jeff Moe