Benedum Center
Benedum Center
4.5
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- Dede KPittsburgh, Pennsylvania2,700 contributions2 enthusiastic jazz thumbs up!We just love the Benedum Center. Not only does the CLO put on amazing performances, but the building is a museum in itself. Each time we go, we take in the architectural beauty maintained in this beautiful theater and its halls. The lighting..so many different wall sconces and chandeliers throughout. The wallpaper adds a modern vintage feel. The hand rails going down the stairs have gorgeous designs as well. We always love our seats. A good time is sure to be had by all when attending a performance!Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 September 2023
- SannaFinland838 contributionsGreat for shows, well-thought out logisticsThe Benedum Center is a nicely maintained events venue with great decor. Good shows and logistics taken into consideration better than at neighboring Heinz Hall. For example, it can be easy to get lost, and also the nearest restrooms during intermission get very crowded. However, Benedum had solved this problem by having an attendant direct visitors to bigger (and cleaner) restrooms when lines started to form (something that Heinz Hall could also benefit from). Although we didn't test it out, Benedum also has an app you can use to order your refreshments for intermission, and allegedly it's faster than standing in line. One thing I wish they had was a year-round coat check, because especially in the more affordable seats, storing your outerwear is tricky and it gets crowded and hot. They do have lockers, but we didn't have any coins on us at the time of our visit, which are required to operate the lockers. Overall we had a good time here and members of our group enjoyed the show. Everything was rolling smoothly and it was a nice experience.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 March 2024
- dargram132 contributionsGreat Customer serviceJennifer is one of the best customer service representatives that I have ever dealt with. Today she assisted me in obtaining reservations for three shows so that they would not interfere with my season ticket holder reservations 2024/25 season. She went the extra mile..great worker Jennifer.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 26 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
244 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
43
Average
7
Poor
5
Terrible
4
fungusart
Pittsburgh, PA33 contributions
Jan 2022
As a 20 year member of the Trustarts of Pittsburgh I have seen many great performances in a wonderful place. . I went to see "Oklahoma " at the Benedum Center for the arts. It was not the play at all but a terrible artistic dance interpretation of the play. About half the audience walked out at intermission. Managements excuse for bringing this awful thing to Pittsburgh was customers should research the reviews first. WARNING...... The next play is "Pretty Woman" If this is another fake representation of the real play the Trust Arts will loose hundreds of season ticket holders.
Written 6 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angie Morini
71 contributions
Feb 2020
Am a subscriber to the PNC Broadway series and have been for several years. I have noticed that the accoustics or it may be the lack of clear diction on the part of the actors, but it is difficult to hear the words at times. Thinking that it may be my hearing, but others around me and with me thought the same.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy T
Bridgeport, WV527 contributions
Dec 2021
Someone gave me a ticket to the Nutcracker, which is a wonderful holiday tradition. It was great to see all the little girls all dressed up to see the ballet. The theater itself is beautiful. It seems like all seats would be great. A great experience.
Written 26 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dede K
Pittsburgh, PA2,700 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We just love the Benedum Center. Not only does the CLO put on amazing performances, but the building is a museum in itself. Each time we go, we take in the architectural beauty maintained in this beautiful theater and its halls. The lighting..so many different wall sconces and chandeliers throughout. The wallpaper adds a modern vintage feel. The hand rails going down the stairs have gorgeous designs as well. We always love our seats. A good time is sure to be had by all when attending a performance!
Written 14 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JEDMAD_9
Montgomery County, PA183 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Benedum Center is the former Stanley Theater that was built as a movie and live entertainment venue in 1928. With seating for 3,400 when first built it now accommodates 2,800 for ballet, opera, musical theater and concerts.
I recall the theater best as a venue that showed mid-week double feature matinees including first run films for $2.00. It was so big, I could always find a seat removed from anyone else, get lost in the film and enjoy the lunch I smuggled in with me.
After the Stanley closed as a movie theater (in the mid 70's) it became a very popular hall for rock concerts that didn't need arena size halls. It began to fall into disrepair and was purchased by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust that refurbished the theater in the 1980's.
Today, it is home to the Pittsburgh Ballet and Opera companies.
For the first time in many years, I went this weekend to see a traveling company production of Evita at Benedum Center. While Evita isn't a favorite show of mine, I wanted to see the "Stanley" again. I had a seat in the first row of the "Directors Circle" that provides outstanding views for theater, opera or dance. But, I couldn't resist walking to the top balcony row during intermission just to see the view again. Post intermission, I moved to the first balcony tier to watch the balance of the show.
Who says you can never go home again?
The theater is great. Every young person should see what a real "movie palace" was like in the heyday of the Hollywood studios. This is one of the best examples anywhere.
It isn't quite so glamorous as Heinz Hall (in the next block) . . . but its worth the visit.
By the way . . . the Evita production was good. But, I really came to see the old Stanley again.
I recall the theater best as a venue that showed mid-week double feature matinees including first run films for $2.00. It was so big, I could always find a seat removed from anyone else, get lost in the film and enjoy the lunch I smuggled in with me.
After the Stanley closed as a movie theater (in the mid 70's) it became a very popular hall for rock concerts that didn't need arena size halls. It began to fall into disrepair and was purchased by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust that refurbished the theater in the 1980's.
Today, it is home to the Pittsburgh Ballet and Opera companies.
For the first time in many years, I went this weekend to see a traveling company production of Evita at Benedum Center. While Evita isn't a favorite show of mine, I wanted to see the "Stanley" again. I had a seat in the first row of the "Directors Circle" that provides outstanding views for theater, opera or dance. But, I couldn't resist walking to the top balcony row during intermission just to see the view again. Post intermission, I moved to the first balcony tier to watch the balance of the show.
Who says you can never go home again?
The theater is great. Every young person should see what a real "movie palace" was like in the heyday of the Hollywood studios. This is one of the best examples anywhere.
It isn't quite so glamorous as Heinz Hall (in the next block) . . . but its worth the visit.
By the way . . . the Evita production was good. But, I really came to see the old Stanley again.
Written 14 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike K
Huntington, WV292 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Beautiful concert venue hosted by an older staff that appears to be troubled to work there.
Hospitality was very poor once the building had been entered. Box office staff was the lone exception.
Building is famous due to the PBS concert tapings that have taken place within.
Management needs to encourage staff to be customer friendly. It may take a while. The staff was extremely tired and unfriendly.
The building deserves better!
Hospitality was very poor once the building had been entered. Box office staff was the lone exception.
Building is famous due to the PBS concert tapings that have taken place within.
Management needs to encourage staff to be customer friendly. It may take a while. The staff was extremely tired and unfriendly.
The building deserves better!
Written 24 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MySable
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States42 contributions
May 2015
Beautiful, refurbished theater which showcases Broadway hits, popular musicals, and great holiday shows. If you or your companion is in a wheelchair, there is a platform on the back right of the orchestra level which accommodates 2 wheelchairs and two companion seats. Need to ask for the right-side platform. They can also take out certain seats on the orchestra level to accommodate a wheelchair.
Written 7 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gina N
Harrisburg, PA2 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
I purchased tickets to an opera at the Benedum. Between the time I purchased my opera tickets to the Benedum and the date of the performance, the Benedum instituted a “no large bag” policy, as if they were an airline. I did not know about the policy and could not have known about the policy. I took the bus and had no place to stow my bags. Surprised was I when I was refused admittance to the show. One of my bags could have fit into the other, but the ushers already counted them as two when they saw them separately. I was offered no problem-solving by any of the coarse and unfriendly ushers, the police officer who refused to search my bags (waste of a salary, yes?), and the ticket-taker who refunded my money. Any of them could have treated me as a guest or a customer, offering to show me to coat check or the 2 sets of lockers upstairs. I was instead treated like a culprit. I ending up stowing my bags behind the counter of the Greyhound station, walking back and forth through a seedy part of town, and re-purchasing a cheaper ticket. Once inside, I was underwhelmed. The stage sets were sparse and unimpressive. The pit orchestra musicians overpowered the singers. I did not leave singing any of the songs. The opera itself was not worth all the trouble I took to get there.
Written 17 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy M
Pittsburgh, PA51 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Saw Matilda the Musical at the Benedum and was very disappointed. You couldn't understand anything sung or said on stage. This musical is very dark and people are taking their children to see it. The show is about a young girl whose parents never wanted her and who goes to a school where the principal is a man dressed as a woman and is mean to the children. The show doesn't even have a happy ending because the parents still didn't want the girl and she ended up being taken in by her teacher.
Written 2 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clint B
McHenry, MD194 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
43 years ago on 9/18 she agreed to make her life with me. I've been blessed ever since. So, our celebration included a return trip to Pittsburgh and this lovely venue. It is a gem with beautiful architecture and wonderful shows. This time it was "The Lion King". Wonderful music and always interesting staging. We will return.
Written 18 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is every performance a certain dress code? What about kids shows?
Written 31 March 2018
I don’t think there’s a dress code but, there’s just something about dressing up for the theater! 😊
Written 31 March 2018
They do not sell items like popcorn and nachos. It is a very old theater so they want to minimize selling things that could wind up making a mess. They do have a selection of candies for sale as well as fresh salted and sugared nuts. The also sell bottled water and you can buy their reusable cup with a lid for soda or spirits.
Written 9 February 2018
I have never been in downtown Pittsburgh, and I am going to see Josh Groban at the Benedum Center on September 17th (this Thursday). I am going alone. I am a women, of course worried about safety. The show starts at 7:30 pm and may go until around 10:30 pm (?). I was thinking of staying at either the Hotel Monaco, the Fairmont, or Renaissance. Is it safe for me to walk before and after the show to any of these locations? Or would it be better to park in one of the ramps, and just stay at a hotel farther away? Although it looks like the ramps are just as far as the Hotels. I thank everyone in advance for your help. Deb
Written 16 September 2015
I'm terribly sorry I did not read my emails yesterday to advise you whether it was safe to walk from the Benedum to your hotel. You would have already been there and selected your hotel. I hope you really enjoyed your evening downtown tonight.
Kitty Swansbra
Written 18 September 2015
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