The Most Delicious Performing Arts in Columbus

Curtain Players Theatre

★★★★☆ 4 (2)

"We had never seen to one of their productions, and we were invited to see Robin Hood at the Alum Creek Park Ampitheatre. What a great venue! We were warned to bring chairs, which we did, since the seating is on the ground in an ampitheatre setting. Note that for the future. The sound system is pretty good, but at times things did short out, but overall I came away very impressed. Westerville Park's does it right, the actors were very committed, and it was a wonderful experience of summer community Theatre. Well done....you will be impressed too.I'm going to check out a winter play in their other location."

Jeanne B McCoy Community Center for the Arts

★★★★★ 4.8 (13)

"I remember when they built this, but I just never got around to going to anything. Today we had Baby K's first dance recital, and it was here, and, wow.It's on the New Albany school campus, so there is plenty of free parking nearby (and a playground within sight, which Baby K didn't let us forget.) The building looks relatively small, but the auditorium itself is decent size, with comfy seats, and good sight lines and acoustics. There's a balcony, but I didn't check it out. Dressing rooms and other areas off to the sides. A large curved lobby out front; even when it was packed it was fairly easy to navigate. The lighting and sound were excellent. I don't know how much of the stage work was done by McCoy employees and how much by the dance studio, but it was professional and seamless. This was a great place for this event, and would be perfect for small musical shows, school events, maybe even weddings, etc. I look forward to coming back."

Columbus Children's Theatre

★★★★☆ 4.3 (6)

"Columbus Children's Theater is the place to go if you are a child who wants to act, or for anyone who likes a good show. Over the years CCT has produced many alumni who go on to act professionally. Jessica Grove is currently doing Broadway, as is Valerie Acetta. CCT provides an excellent foundation for the kid who knows they've gotta dance, sing, or work backstage. CCT is open year round for classes and shows. The productions star children both on stage and back of the house. Much more than your high school musical or drama department, this is serious theater. This is reflected in the wide offerings of shows put on.This year will bring classic kids tales like Charlotte's Web and Peter Pan to life. CCT also does drama like Sarah Plain and Tall, and Sundiata. From funny shows to serious drama CCT is worth the spotlight.I love the annual Christmas shows. Usually the onstage version of the Christmas Pageant, this year is going to feature Ebeneezer. Also a favorite is the summer show which lets the older high school crowd show off. The theater itself is tiny and boxlike. The lobby is small and gets crowded with well wishers after the shows. If you can, go to opening night gala events. Be sure to check out the cast bios on the walls.CCT is a great way for any child to have their first initiation to theater. Whether on stage or watching, CCT will give your kid a place to shine."

Weathervane Playhouse

★★★★★ 4.9 (7)

"I've been coming to this theatre for about 17 years or so. Weathervane boasts that they are Ohio's longest-running professional summer stock theatre and it truly does have an interesting past; I suggest reading the history on their website. One of the main reasons that I love this theatre so much is that they are constantly making improvements to enhance the theatre experience for their patrons. The formerly open-air theatre is now climate controlled and enclosed, the lighting and sound systems have been updated, and this year they upgraded the hard plastic seating to plush velvet theatre seats! Their website is easy to navigate and it makes purchasing tickets a breeze. The stage set-up ensures that there is truly not a bad seat in the house. Last, but certainly not least, the talent is phenomenal year after year. Musicals of note that I have seen there over the years are Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, and Phantom. The shows and voices were incredible every time. Plays and comedies are put on there as well and well worth the price of admission. Speaking of which, ticket prices are surprisingly affordable, and if you are a savvy ticket buyer, you can usually find a thrifty Thursday or a "two for Tuesday" performance for a reduced rate. I especially appreciate this because even though I am on a tight budget, I make it a point to take my 12 year old to as many shows as possible because he loves them as much as I do!"

Shadowbox Live

★★★★★ 4.5 (215)

"We always have such a good time here. I bought front row tickets as a birthday gift for my husband for the Holiday Hoopla 2023 show. It's a Columbus tradition! Plus, we are moving in June, so we gotta get our Shadowbox shows in! We ordered the loaded nachos as is our tradition. The drinks are always strong here too fyi. If you've never been to Shadowbox, try it out. The music is always fantastic and the shows are funny."

Columbus Unscripted

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"This group is a great offers a great environment for anyone who wants to express their creativity in the form of performance. I went out to an event tonight and participated in an open mic where I felt extremely supported and welcomed by my fellow performers, and the audience members. If you like to have fun, laugh, and be inspired by talented folks in columbus, check out columbus unscripted and add all of their events to your calendar!"

Invitation To Dance

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"I've taken lessons here, on and off, for years. Invitation to Dance is owned by Stacy and Dana Coil, and I've had lessons with both of them. Sometimes my husband and I take lessons together, and sometimes we take them separately. They are both excellent instructors and made the experiences very enjoyable. I guess that's why we always go back.The dance floor is spacious, there is plenty of room to learn without colliding into other learners. My understanding is that they have other instructors that work for them, but I haven't had personal experiences with them. I do know that Dana and Stacy personally train all of their instructors. I highly recommend this studio for anybody who really wants to learn how to dance, and not just "learn steps.""

Riffe Center Theatres

★★★★☆ 4.3 (19)

"Such a great theater and plenty of leg room. I had no Idea this place was here! My partner grabbed us tickets to see Tom Popa and when he told me it was the Riffe Center, I had to look it up. Parking was easy and used the Riffe Center Parking Garage at 78 South Front Street. It's a smaller garage so we lucked out but my back up was going to be the Ohio Statehouse Underground Parking Garage.Check in was easy and plenty of staff and ushers on hand. Seats were comfortable and nice legged room. I was completely impressed. Located downtown Columbus, the (Jo Ann) Davidson Theatre is part of The Riffe Center Theatre Complex. It is on the third floor of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts (named after Vernal G. Riffe, Jr.) at 77 S. High Street."

Ohio Theatre

★★★★☆ 4.4 (110)

"I've been to the Ohio Theatre twice and both times I had a really great time. I'll start from the beginning. The theatre is located right downtown on State Street across from the Ohio Statehouse. It has an elaborate marquee out front with light up letters that tell what show is currently playing. Parking around the area can be a bit of a squeeze but there are a few parking garages nearby. I don't live far so both times I took a rideshare. They always have security shuffling you across the street in between traffic. A+ for safety. Once inside you'll be blown away by the ornate interior. The entire lobby is gold and the ceiling has a beautiful design, with large chandeliers. The red carpet and curtains all throughout add a certain flair to it. The only thing modern about this lobby is the neon pink sign that reads, "Make it yours, Opera Columbus." The bathrooms are downstairs and there's one bar/concession area with snacks and drinks.As for seating the options include floor seats, along with mezzanine and balcony seats. Both times I've visited I had floor seats and the view was always good. The stage is a good size and neither time did I have issues hearing anything. If you have bad eyes you're in luck because they do have televisions with a closer view for you. I can definitely say that anyone, even if you're not really into theater, should go at least once."

The Nest Theatre

★★★★★ 4.7 (29) • $

"Stumbled upon this one quite by accident. I thought I was buying tickets to a regular performance but somehow it was a student showcase at the end of a series of classes. Tickets were only $10. I feel like we got more than our moneys worth. It was funny. The students were quite good."

School of Rock

★★★★☆ 4.4 (8) • $$

"My seventh grade son started learning guitar at School of Rock about six months ago and it has been an incredible experience. He had never played guitar and three months later he was playing TheWho with six other boys his age with varying skill levels. They were amazing. He had started friendships with kids they share the same passion for music. He gets to learn music that is played on the radio and is popular but exposed him to new styles and artists. I would recommend this for kids who are wild about music. Life changing!"

Short North Stage

★★★★★ 4.5 (25) • $$

"We came to see HAIR. Man, the 18 kids in The Tribe worked their collective butts off. Loved the look of the stage and that the cast roamed around the theatre. Super enjoyable. The bathroom situation is untenable. Small bathrooms and many users. They had to hold the restart after intermission because the lines are so long. Beware."

Actors' Theatre of Columbus

★★★★★ 4.6 (13)

"I expected to grade this four stars. Previous performances of this summer's must-do, four stars--if not three--is apt. Three though is a bit harsh for a free, community centered play--it's Columbus after-all, not LA or New York; though there has been a few summers of my discontent. This year's though was excellent, at least for Richard III now playing Thursday through Sunday until August 2nd. Cleverly set and costumed as a 1950s gangster tale, the play is still acted in its original language. The character are dressed in gangster suits and mob queen dresses foreground a mid-20th century cityscape. I love the creative change of some characters to accommodate the setting --Richard's servant here is a clipboard holding personal assistant, the court recorder is now a notepad nosey daily reporter, the regal messengers become heavy with a Brooklyn accent, the executioners are gun toting hit men. It all worked and was entertaining this year. I also applaud the acting. The lead, Dickie 3, was played well by Geoff Wilson. I also loved Beth Josephsen as Elizabeth Woodville, Edward IV's queen consort. She really remade Elizabeth as a strong mob-wife who could go shoulder to shoulder with the men. Of course you may not be familiar with Shakespeare's plays, or like them from force readings during school. Seeing it is different; you need not worry about archaic turns of phrase or Tudor court diction. You can easily follow along with context and tone of voice. The plays are meant to be seen acted anyways, not read. Of course some background could help so I suggest reading the history of Richard 3 online, or watching a documentary beforehand so you'll better understand. With two Henry's, two Richards, two Edwards, three Elizabeth's as well as the fact that each noble can go by their endowed name as well it can get confusing. ( there is a reason why they make you memorize the Kings of England in Shakespeare classes.) They do more then Shakespeare. Later in the season they will do a comedic run-through of literature that sounds like good parody and satire. I'll be there. It is free but please donate. You can bring a chair but I prefer a blanket and a spot near the stage. Don't forget bug spray. I was eaten alive because I forgot; my kingdom for some DEET."

Capitol Theatre

★★★★☆ 4 (5)

"Saw Cherish the Ladies. They were great. Really great. The Theater had some issues though. The concession stand was poorly understaffed resulting in long delays. And they also had lighting issues. Whoever was doing the lighting had an off night. The acoustics are fantastic."

Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Right next to the justly-famous McCoy, on the New Albany Schools campus, is another great performance space. The amphitheater faces 161, with a nice grass seating area and a paved pavilion behind that. Plenty of parking in the school lots or across 161 by the library and market. Saw the Reaganomics, an '80s cover band. Sound was great. Seating and sightlines were great. Big open stage, lots of lighting mounting area above. The place is new, and clean, with easy access and handy restrooms. Staff were helpful and friendly. Definitely coming to other events here."

Allegro Studios Llc

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"I was taking lessons at Allegro before it even existed. I've known Jodi since I was in middle school, when she first started helping me so I could get over my performance fears in Solo and Ensemble and to be skilled enough for Hilliard Darby's choral program. She cares about teaching and helping you grow. She understands everyone's skills and goals are different. You won't have the exact same plan as the person in the next room, but it means you're growing the way you should in order to succeed. After I was "done" with voice lessons (when I left for college), I took piano lessons. They also offer guitar, small group ensembles and recitals! I've worked with many staff members when I needed to switch my day/time and they are all incredible people. Jodi is very specific when hiring and won't settle for someone who isn't the right fit for the students.I would say voice lessons worked well for me. I sang at Carnegie Hall in 2018. Years of practice and building my skills led me to that stage. Thanks, Jodi!"

Available Light Theatre Company

★★★★★ 4.8 (4)

"We went to the new season fundraiser last night. They raised lots of money for "pay what you want". We got a preview of their next show Falsetto. The troupe also showed great versatility in their sketch work. As a plus we got to eat some great Katzinger snacks. Make your way to the new season, support local theatre, and have some Columbus fun. We are big fans."

Bossy Grrl's Pin Up Joint

★★★★☆ 3.7 (42) • $

"One of the few places that retains the former spirit of the off-campus streetscape, Bossy Grrl's slender space in the Hudson, High radius fills the niche of novelty nicely. Dressed as a Victorian brothel--the bay windows flanking the door are shrouded by white lacy curtains-- the hangout acts as a coffeehouse and gamer room as well as a bar. It seems to be everything but an actual brothel. Cabaret-ish ( they don't serve food), burlesque ( of which have parties periodically) is the feel here. Combined with the vintage interior of the old North Columbus buildings and the place has a offbeat charm. The space features uneven exposed bricks alternating randomly in different shades of red, faux chandeliers with bra after bra--red, black, cotton white-- intermixed with Mardi Gras beads hanging from them. Add the poster-art adorned with classic woman of the night in red lusty lace, garters, fishnet stockings, and underwire cups and you have a sexy possitive atmosphere that I really enjoy. In there is also a stage where they have open mike nights. And a back room with a long wall sofa, some cool lamps, and a darker, punkish feel. I came on a Sunday and it was a lazy, toned down afternoon. There was just a gaggle of regulars playong vintage computer games. The bartender ( owner) was very open and talkative and served me well even though he was in the games with the regs. They had several cool crafts on tap. Their cafe mocha was decent. I think this is more a bar than a coffeehouse ttytt. Though the mocha wasn't bad at all.I'll certainly return for open mic or other creative deal."

Little Theater Off Broadway

★★★★☆ 4.3 (4)

"This is one of the best local theatres in the Columbus area. My son and I started coming here regularly several years ago after we were blown away by their production of The Addams Family Musical. Prior to the performance, I had asked several locals about the theatre and was simply told that it was small, hence the name. Thank you, Captain Obvious. So, with not much to go on, my expectations were pretty low. Even so, the ticketing system for this theatre is ridiculously antiquated. To reserve a seat, you have to leave a message on their answering machine. Make sure you have lots of time on your hands when doing so because you will have to sit through a greeting that goes on forever with no way to bypass it. If there is a way, please let me know how. The message will ask you to leave your information and that your call will ONLY be returned if there is a problem with your reservation. I am the type of person who wants confirmation of my reservation. Because this theatre is a good 45 minute drive from my house, I want to feel confident that my reservation is in good order. Not surprisingly, since coming here my reservations have been botched twice. Once, I left my message several days in advance, but It was never received. Last week, my message was received, but my seats were given away to someone else who also (supposedly) had my (very uncommon) last name. Highly unlikely, in my opinion. In both instances, we were accommodated with seats, but I would have been upset had we been turned away. Aside from that hassle, we adore this theatre. Yes it is small and seats less than 100, BUT the productions are spectacular! I was amazed at how much they could do on such a small stage. Choreographed dance numbers, intricate sets, top notch voices and reasonable ticket/concession prices make this historic theatre an absolute treasure in Grove City. I have not seen a bad production yet and I highly recommend the musicals. Tons and tons of talent and not a bad seat in the house!"

Center Stage Players

★★★★☆ 4 (3)

"If you love musicals, this is the theater company to watch. If you don't think you love musicals, this is also the theater company to watch. Known for staging shows both traditional and outlandish, CSP's recent season included The Rocky Horror Show, She Loves Me, Sweet Charity and Reefer Madness. As you can see they're down with variety. Columbus' only all-musical troupe, they seem to have honed the art. Their current home is Axis Nightclub, which gives the shows a dinner-theater quality (the full bar is open during shows). Performances are always intimate, and frequently include audience involvement of one kind or another. Don't be surprised if a zombie brushes past you at some point or an actor lands in your lap. (Sometimes literally - the stage is unusually shaped and on the small side and actors have been known to fall off during rehearsal...)It seems the rotating group of directors each have their own style, but all have a wicked sense of humor and it shows. And while the quality of show can vary ever so slightly as the cast and production staff change for each show, I've never experienced a show here that wasn't highly entertaining and worth my ticket price."

The Arts Castle

★★★★★ 5 (5)

"WOW! What an amazing place!!I used to take yoga classes here with Kit Spahr who was a fantastic instructor with the most relaxing voice and demeanor ever. I would love to be more like her if I wasn't so much like me. Haha!While it was quite a way for me to drive (from Grandview), I started seeing it as my little escape. Given the nature of yoga, obviously no cell-phone are allowed so my connection to the outside world was nixed (happily) and while the trek through rush-hour traffic was tought, it was always well worth it in the end. While I didn't find anyone else taking the class particularly approachable or quick to befriend, in a weird way it was another (positive) element to my 'escape'. I didn't have to engage in surface conversation, make promises to call, or say goodbyes to anyone as I left. Easy in and out and feeling better than I did before. There were so many AWESOME classes offered at the Arts Castle aside from Yoga...jewelry making, wine tasting, puppetry, tai chi, music, Lapidary and more! I would take them all if I could afford it! This is a gorgeous little town, a gorgeous building (literally looks like a castle) and a great place to escape."

Otherworld

★★★★☆ 4.2 (237) • $$

"Otherworld is an art experience, some of which are interactive puzzles. It's part photo op, part art museum, part funhouse. I would say it's for "all-ages" but I think teenagers/young adults would get the most enjoyment out of it, and be able to follow contextual clues hidden in the experience.We have been to the Philadelphia location, which has a lot of similarities to this one (the funeral section, the office, the basement, etc). So while we spent each $30 on tickets, we did about an hour here - not the fault of the talented designers, but more to see what is different and what is unique from the other version. If it's your first time, or if you want to read every piece of lore, it could take up to 2-3 hours to do everything.I do think there's something that could improve the experience. A map, a physical thing to carry around and check things off (even if areas are unfinished or marked with a "???" to not spoil a surprise) would be nice to see. I ended up taking a picture of the fire exit map to help with navigating and make sure we didn't skip anything, which I recommend until they have a real map to hand out for everyone.Overall, it's a unique experience and worth your time to check out."

Judy Dollenmayer Studio of Dance

★★☆☆☆ 2.3 (3)

"really disappointed. i wanted to sign my daughter up for class here ... but i called 3 times, left multiple messages and even emailed them. i've heard nothing back. i will be going elsewhere."

1st Steps To Broadway

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"I can't say enough good about this program. Angie, the proprietor, is a wonderful instructor who uses technique-based teaching. I have four daughters who have studied dance most of their lives. One is getting ready to be a performing arts major at Heidelberg University. 1st Steps to Broadway's approach made all the difference. Most programs are "recital" based; that is, they work toward teaching dancers the steps for a routine and not much more. But Angie's program develops skills and technique and the whole dancer. I wish we had found her years ago."

Southern Theatre

★★★★☆ 4.4 (37)

"My first event at Southern Theater was to see a sold out talk with Rick Steves! This theater is smaller than Ohio Theatre, but a cozy smallness, nonetheless. The theater seats here follows a "steeper" floor plan, which makes for a more pronounced "stadium seating". The ceiling of this theater is beautiful, as it's the oldest standing theater in the city. It's hard to describe the intricacies fully, just trust me and go see it yourself. A beautiful place to dress up and see a theatre or musical performance! Oh, and all of the guest services people I interacted with were very pleasant and knowledgeable about this historic landmark."

Palace Theatre Columbus

★★★★☆ 3.9 (83)

"Beautiful Historic Theatre with the entrance located in the base of the LeVeque-Lincoln Tower complex. The theater has great acrostics and no matter where you sit there doesn't really seem to be a bad seat in the house.Parking was easy. We always park at the LeVeque Tower parking garage for a set fee.It is always fun to attend an event here but this was an especially a good time as we had a friend come in from Greensboro, NC for the Tori Amos concert.Tickets were waiting at will-call, we picked them up, and in we went. It was a packed house and everything moved smoothly. Helpful hint is the upstairs bar generally has a shorter line than the downstairs especially before the shows as folks tend to gather at the lobby bars.Great show and love attending events at the palace. The charm of this place is remarkable, it's like stepping back into the 30's (with updates). Make sure to grab a show, play, or an event here is you have the opportunity."

Columbus DanceArts Academy

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"My daughter had a wonderful time here!It was a four day class in which they dress up as Disney princesses and do a dance routine. My daughter loves frozen. It was ages 4 to 6. They have classes for pop music dance and other stuff too. The teachers were great, they know how to work with kids. There were a few boys in these classes too. My daughter had so much fun!"

Dublin Dance Centre & Gymnastics

★★★★★ 4.6 (12)

"Just finished up my daughters 4th birthday party here. The kids had so much fun, and the teacher was great with the kids, and a huge help with set up and tear down of the food & party stuff we brought.Highly recommended!"

School of Rock

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"My two older kids 17 and 15 did song writing camp this week at School of Rock in Gahanna. They had a great time! Thank you to Christian their teacher. My oldest even learned the basics of drumming. Not to shabby for a week. They gave a concert the last day of camp where they performed their original songs."

Lincoln Theatre

★★★★★ 4.8 (22)

"This theatre has possibly the most important music history of any venue in Columbus. I'm aghast that it has yet to be reviewed. Originally opened in 1928 as the Ogden Theatre, the Lincoln was created specifically to serve the African-American community in Columbus. It boosts at having hosted the first ever performance of the one and only Sammy Davis Jr., who made an impromptu stage performance at the age of 3. Other legends, such as Count Basie and Cab Calloway, played the theatre in its heyday. The neighborhood fell on hard times during the '70s and the Lincoln sat abandoned for 40 years, nearly facing demolition repeatedly before being added to the National Registry of Historic Landmarks. It's recently undergone an amazing renovation costing 13.5 million dollars, a renovation that I watched from my bike as I rode to and from work and school while living in the King-Lincoln District in 2008. The theatre has been restored to it's old beauty and is a sight to behold. It currently houses over ten local arts organizations, including Columbus Children's Theatre, The Jazz Arts Group and the OSU Dept. of Theatre. I can only hope that its success measures up to expectations. It's an incredible facility and a cornerstone in the revitalization efforts of the KLD."

Wexner Center For the Arts

★★★★☆ 4.3 (53) • $$

"This is a really cool art gallery. It's free for OSU students.The exhibitions seem to mostly be modern art. Or at least that's all I've seen when I come. It's not a huge place, but it's worth your time. Give yourself maybe an hour to soak the whole thing in.The space itself is really open. They have security standing around as well. Probably because someone had used a gun to shoot and ruin some of the art work a few years ago. They have a coat check as well. I think because of safety. And I totally understand that.There is also a movie theatre in here for specific showings and a little cafe that is ever so popular, Heirloom.Anyway, thankful for free art galleries! It's a fun thing to do on campus."

King Arts Complex

★★★★★ 4.8 (4) • $$

"This is a great facility with wonderful programming. I attended this year's MLK Day Open House, which was packed. While it does have a parking lot, it was full when I arrived, so I found nearby street parking and headed in. There is a lot of amazing art all throughout the hallways, and then there is a nice large art gallery space to explore as well. The hallway art is interspersed with historical displays and exhibits, including a space dedicated to jazz musicians (including clips of their music) and another that looks back at slavery. There are two auditorium spaces, which for the open house, were open all throughout the event with a variety of speakers and performances - the schedule was available as you walked in, which was nice. The staff and volunteers were friendly and helpful!"

The Columbus Mystery Company

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (29)

"In Kentucky we have a murder mystery company and cast that I've witnessed several times. Their scripts rotate monthly, but I became a bit bored after watching them about three times. Soooo, I was excited to learn that The Murder Mystery Company was coming to Equus Run Winery from Columbus, Ohio. Their production was way different than the other one. Some can interpret that to be good, but I didn't. I want to sit back and relax, enjoy my wine and dinner and entertained. This show was way too interactive for my liking.I think there were only 3 different cast members and they started their act by mingling way before the show, while we were still up doing our wine tastings. It was then, prior to the show that they chose one person from each table to act as a "suspect". What do you know, I was chosen. They wanted me to go from table to table and ask questions in exchange for the bribery dollars... which I didn't quite understand, because I seemed to won at that and had about five of the paper bills and hadn't a clue what to do with them at the end. What was the prize or recognition?The wine was good (as always). The food was catered by a different company and was good too. So luckily, the night prior to Valentine's Day wasn't too much of a flop. I definitely wouldn't recommend it or bring a friend."

Generations Performing Arts Center

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Both of my kids go here it is close to uptown westerville next to two parking areas. The instructors are great my kids love coming here for dance lessons."