Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre

Loved loved loved the Cyndi Lauper concert at the Wang but the staff here are HORRIBLE. I understand that people can’t take video which is why I am not videotaping anything but the staff are being HORRIBLY intrusive during the show. Multiple times they shone lights on people and touched people and yelled at them during the performance because they were videotaping or more often, because they THOUGHT they were videotaping. Honestly, they need to train the staff to cut it out. It is really AWFUL to have the performance interrupted OVER AND OVER again and it’s not fair at all. CUT IT OUT!

Very beautiful facility with good sight lines from many different locations. Acoustics were good and at the event I was at the sound was mixed well. I found the seats uncomfortable and getting through the lobby difficult do to its small size.

This theater is very beautiful on the inside and outside there’s lots of design work and you can get lost and distracted even from the show with we went to go see the Wizard of Oz and it was a great show the seats are a little too close together but other than that I don’t really have any complaints.

In the olden days, people were smaller. This truth is illustrated best by old seating schemes that still exist today, like the (now uncomfortably) small seats at the Wang Theater. Larger butts and longer legs are only begrudgingly accommodated by these tiny seats with no legroom, and sitting back and relaxing is, well, not an option.
That aside, the Wang is really a beautiful and striking theater, whose intricate and ornate renaissance revival details have been painstakingly restored to create a old-​world luxurious theater experience. It’s the kind of place that almost– almost– makes me wish there was a dress code to further the grandeur of the whole experience.
The view of the stage and sound is OK even from the nosebleeds, though if you can afford it, splurge on tickets closer to the front. We went to see Alvin Ailey, and while I could see the dancers just fine from our seats about two-​thirds of the way up, it would have been a different story had I forgotten my glasses!
Also, be aware that the theater is at a pretty steep slant, a la the Omni theater at the Museum of Science across town. This may freak out the wee ones (I remember being pretty spooked by the Omni when I was a kid).

Recently attended a concert at the Wang for the first time. Very fine location.
Virtually all seats have a great view of the main stage.
The ushers were very helpful and accommodating.
The architecture was marvelous, truly beautiful theater. Can’t wait for my next concert!

Okay so the place is nice, and super expensive. I ordered a diet coke and rum, and they had «diet Rite» instead of diet coke and it was like an 8 once drink for 10 $. And when I wanted to change seats to an area where. there was like 50 empty seats so I could sing and dance without bothering anyone (it was a beatles cover band show), they said I couldn’t sit there because the seats were sold. I knew they weren’t because I saw the seat map a little earlier. Management is weak and they rip you off with drinks. Enjoyed the show and the theatre overall… just coyld be SO MUCH BETTER

The Wang Center/​Citi Performing Arts Center gift cards are only redeemable if you go down there in person to the box office. This means that you cannot use it to purchase tickets by phone or by internet through Ticketmaster, which is a huge inconvenience.
To their credit, they outline this on their website, but for someone who got this as a gift for Christmas, it’s a bit of a pain.
The Wang Center itself is very nice and worth going to.

My favorite venue in Boston. I have seen many shows here and never had a bad seat. It truly is the best kept theater in Boston, it eludes grandeur and elegance. A real beauty!

Saw Annie here. Great show, and amazing theater. The inside is so beautiful. They sell snacks as well. Would highly recommend.

Every time I visit Wang theatre, the one word that comes to mind more than any other is — Grand. I am always in awe of the old historic grandeur of this place more than anything else. It is quite majestic to see the details in every aspect of this old building that has withstood the test of times (and timely upkeep and care). The view from the various corridors is simply beautiful. The paintings, the chandeliers, the embedded sculptures, every thing is pretty.
Inside the theatre itself, the higher up you sit, the scarier the feeling given the steepness and the distance from the main stage. Yet the free flowing art around the grand central chandelier overtakes that fear as soon as the show starts. I haven’t seen too many shows here but the ones that I did, were more on the mellow side. I cannot imagine seeing a high energy concert here that involves people always on their feet, and deeply involved in the rocking process that one is used to at bigger and shall I say — safer venues. This place is not built for anyone standing and watching the concert — period. That would be my only word of caution to anyone who is going to book tickets to see a concert here. The sound system is amazing and you can feel the music all the way to the back, with all the great effects. But given how compact the seats are and how steep the balconies are, it is just suited for a sit down kind of a show where you can sit and relax and enjoy the show. No standing. Forget about dancing. No foot banging at all.
Last but not the least. The staff here is super nice. A mixed age group yet everyone is really kind. Great place in the middle of the city for a fantastic night out.

Beautiful ornate décor
Expensive beer
Okay seats
Super strict staff who don’t allow pictures during shows

The interior design of the main lobby and performance center looks really nice! The security wasn’t over the top and the staff were helpful. Those are the only positive things I can say about this theater.
The actual experience of the performance wasn’t pleasant because the seating is HORRIBLE! The seats offered zero leg room, so if you have the slightest of pain from you’re legs down, you’re pretty much f – ked throughout the whole show. Experiencing back or neck pain? These seats have not the SLIGHTEST of inclination, so you’ll be sitting STIFF as a board throughout the show as well! The seats are so close together, a thin woman sat her whole ass on my arm trying to fit into her seat!
I paid $ 60 for the left balcony seats to see Kraftwerk, who did put on a good show, but the sound system wasn’t rocking like the concert venues that I’m used to. I can not EVER sit through another concert in this theater! Not to mention it was very odd to sit down at a concert and not see anyone dancing or even bobbing their heads because they were so uncomfortable. This was my very first time attending a show in this theater and my last without a doubt.

Wow, what a nice theater across from the commons. This is my first theater experience in Boston and I was excited to check this place out. A nice theater, just a bit on the smaller side compared to other theaters i’ve been to. The décor was similar to all the old theaters i’ve been to.
The sound was great, Just a little unbalanced when too many people were singing.
I had orchestra seats and watched The Book of Mormon. This has got to be the best show i’ve ever seen on stage!
Extremely comical, and just plain hilarious! You have to watch this show if you haven’t yet!

Wonderful experience seeing Book of Mormon. Excellent for second half (row L, close to middle). First half I was behind a tall guy (I’m short). Second half I switched with husband, and we were both happy. Theater is beautiful.

Perfect sound! And I mean PERFECT. Beautiful theater!
Two criticisms: 1) The balcony definitely shook and trembled with the crowd rocking out. Kiiiinda of scary. 2) The seats are staggered so someone’s head can be directly in your sightline if you’re short like me.

Recently went to see Alvin Ailey dance company and ended up being a few minutes late. We were told that we could not go to our seats until the next intermission per the rules of the dance company and not the House. We walked all the way up to our Balcony level and were told we need to go back down stairs and we could be let in the back to watch. We walked back down stairs (several flights) and was told that this was not true and that we should be able to watch from the balcony upstairs. The female usher assured this and called a «manager» over who radio’d someone else just to confirm. She brought us back upstairs and told scolded the person who told us to come down stairs in the first place. So she walks us partially upstairs and we find the rest of our way to the back of the entrance, walked in and a man, Bill starts yelling that we are not allowed to go in. We keep walking in and two more people are yelling at us (there are a group of us now) to get out immediately. Bill actually grabs my girlfriend by the arm to keep her from going any further. People are upset and everyone is yelling including Bill, to us, like we are a bunch of childrenl. They keep explaining that it is the dance company’s rules and not theirs. The woman who told us we were allowed to go back up there was no were to be found and then another «manager» explains to us that we just cannot go in and he is very sorry but it is the house rules. Fine. it’s all good. The part that sucks is that place is terribly managed and the people that work theire on not on the same page. We missed the first act. Sat for the second 20minute act and then left. It was also so hot in there and someone’s breath was horrendous that i couldn’t even enjoy myself for the 20 minutes that I sat. Probably won’t go back. i’ll stick to PPAC and Trinity rep.

the wang is AMAZING! I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house. We were dead center of the front row of the balcony and it was incredible. As my friend pointed out, there are expertly sculpted naked curvaceous women EVERYWHERE!

I attended an Theresa Caputo Event recently at this facility. It was without a doubt the most beautiful performing arts center that I have even been to. The Architecture was absolutely gorgeous, from the art work to the marble and everything in between made you want to stop and stare. The stage/​seating area was just as nice. The chairs are very comfortable and they where well maintained. They were far enough apart that you are not shoulder to shoulder with the person sitting next to you. The sound system was proficient, not overly loud and clear enough to hear exactly what was being said. The distance between the back rows and balcony seats to the stage itself was close enough to still enjoy the program without squinting.
The least impressive thing was the ticket line and entrance into the facility. There was no where to move and you were corralled into a tight waiting area, filled with vendors. IF you are disabled I suggest you get there early and asked to be seated ahead of time– otherwise you will be standing and waiting.

beautiful venue!

A nice place. Especially the interior. Old style. Very beautiful. We like it and deffinetly will come again

Beautiful venue, lots of detailed décor to take note of, both on the ceilings and the walls, in and outside of the theatre space itself. The sounds and acoustic in the performance space were great.
Few caveats: expensive drinks and food (as expected), there can be long lineups to get into the theatre space initially, there are some uneven spots in the aisles, the seats aren’t as drastically heightened as one might expect so depending on where you sit and who you’re behind, you might find it hard to see the stage. As well, during intermissions, the lines for bathrooms are really long. This was the first time I’ve ever seen a line for a men’s restroom!

One of the most beautiful rooms in all of Boston. The dome is very ornate and the staff do a great job preserving it’s over the top glory.
I’ve been to a bunch of concerts here, and one law school graduation («humble brag»: it was my own). View and Auditory wise — there isn’t a bad seat in house. I sat mid-​balcony for Neil Young and I felt like he was in my living room. The sound was pristine — incredibly intimate, and you could hear every note on his acoustic guitar. I sat in the nose bleeds for Ryan Adams– sound was a little shakier, especially during his electric moments but you could still make out every word. I personally have not experienced any obstructed views. Floor is awesome too — although– the view from the further back seats might not justify their higher price tag. If your only floor option is the deep back — the tier one of the balcony offers a better view at a lower price tag.
Comfort-​wise: the balcony seats ARE THE WORST. I have tiny, stubby legs, and they still felt cramped. There is no wiggle room between seats — you are crammed in like cattle. Seats always leave my hips and back killing me far into the next day.
Show Info: They generally host a lot of comedians: Lena Dunham, Lewis Black, Sinbad (???), musicals, and old time-​y singer-​songwriters: Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Ryan Adams, Dr. Dog.
Tickets are expensive. $ 50 will get you nosebleeds — second to last row for Ryan Adams. $ 150 gets you an aisle, mid-​orchesta for Leonard Cohen.
Depending upon the show: rush and student-​rush tickets may be available. Check the box office on the day-​of to grab some steals. Follow the Wang on Facebook for occasional give-​aways and discount codes.
Random:
$ 8 for small domestic beer — Cash only at some of the vendors
Box Office opens two hours prior to the scheduled performance.
By City of Boston ordinance and/​or Wang Center policy — shows end at 11 pm sharp. This means that sometimes there won’t be an encore.
Check prior to the show to see if there are any late-​seating rules. My boyfriend was locked out of the first 15 minutes of my law school graduation because he was late to take his seat. Despite a protest led by a very angry father of a graduate — late comers were not seated until after the ceremony was way on its way. For Neil Young — late comers were not seated until after the completion of the third song.

Gorgeous theater, evokes Broadway glamour. The acoustics are incredible as well. The higher seats usually have a good view of the stage but you can be far away in the upper levels. Sound is preserved.
The ushers here are all over the age of 60 and can be quite forgetful. I just caught Ryan Adams here the other night and you could hear his voice in the rafters and the guitar soloes echoed through the hall with crystal clarity. If you have an act in town at this venue pay the extra money to see them; it was absolutely incredible

Went to see Annie this weekend. Worst experience I’ve had in my 20 years seeing shows. I’m not referring to the actual show. I was looking forward to a romantic night out, not a night out with Annie, so I was already sour.
This is just factual type stuff for other visitors to this theater.
I don’t think snacks should be allowed in the theater. Main reason why is we were sitting way in the back, so not only do I have no idea what the actors look like, I couldn’t hear because the man sitting next to me ate popcorn loudly through the entire first half. The seats are also pretty small, so I had to share my seat with him also. He was sort of on top of me :(
If you are going to see a show (theater) here, I would not recommend the second part of the balcony unless they are $ 20 or under. Then maybe it would be worth it? We were in row BB.

Seats a little too short for my liking.
Beautiful theatre. Gorgeous ceiling with ornate carvings.
Excellent sound.
And RAIN the Beatles??? Totally amazing!

I didn’t win a car here, but I won memories that will last a lifetime.
AHAHAHA JUST KIDDING. I saw a show here.
It’s obviously a pretty gorgeous venue. They run a tight ship in terms of getting and keeping people seated. The bathrooms are in a huge intimidating basement. +1 star for that.
I don’t really know what to say. The quality of your experience here will be directly related to the quality of the act you’re seeing, right? But you’ll feel fancy walking in, and you’ll fancy sitting down and looking up at the fanciness. And then you’ll hopefully just feel pretty overwhelmed with love leaving it because I hope you saw something awesome there.
You can apparently bring snacks and drinks to your seats. That’s a nice thing.
I mean, you’ll go here if something you want to see is here. And I think that’s a smart move. It’s a nice (if pricey) place to see a show.