Theater Etiquette & FAQs

The Ticket Office is located in the State Theatre lobby and is open Monday-Sunday from 11:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. Hours vary when we have an evening performance and will also vary during the summer months. Call 216-771-8403 to receive updated hours. To order tickets, call 216-241-6000, 866-546-1353 or purchase online here. For subscription plans and packages, call 216-830-7221 or click here.

Ticket Office holiday hours:

December 20-23: 11:00am - 8:00pm

December 24-25: Closed

December 26-28: 11:00am - 6:00pm

December 29-30: Closed

December 31: 11:00am - 6:00pm

January 1: Closed

Yes; and attending a show at PlayhouseSquare is always more fun with a group of friends, family or other acquaintances. Plus, groups receive a variety of benefits in addition to ticket discounts. To learn more, contact Group Services at 216-664-6050 ext. 1 or visit Group Tickets.

Have you heard about PlayhouseSquare Smart Seats™? Smart Seats™ offers $10 and $20 tickets to a broad variety of performing arts engagements at PlayhouseSquare. Find a listing of Smart Seats™ shows by visiting our  Smart Seats™ page.

The PlayhouseSquare Garage is located at East 15th and Chester. The Garage offers a covered walkway (re-opened October 2011) from the Garage into the theaters. The walkway is accessible from the 2nd floor of the Garage and elevators are available on each parking level of the Garage. Purchase parking in the PlayhouseSquare Parking Garage in advance and save! Parking is just $10.00 online ($12.00 on-site). Parking passes may also be purchased at the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office (located in the State Theatre Lobby) during normal business hours. Purchase Parking Pass Online

For curbside drop-off, please do so on the Euclid Ave. side of the theaters. If your party requires special needs or curbside wheelchair assistance, please call 216-771-8403 in advance of your show and we’ll be happy to help.

For information on group bus parking, please call 216-664-6050.

Yes! We offer a wide variety of classes for a range of ages and skill levels. Classes for adults, teens and children are held in the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare which is located at 1375 Euclid Ave. For an up-to-date roster of classes, please call 216-771-4444 ext. 3338 or visit playhousesquare.org/community.

We wish for every guest to have a wonderful, unforgettable experience during their visit. To provide that assurance, we ask that all noise making devices (cell phones, pagers, wristwatch alarms) are turned off and that, when possible, our guests remain seated during all productions while keeping chatter to a very minimal level.

Candy wrappers and other noises made by food or beverage consumption can also be a distraction, so we ask that you keep this in mind during the show. Exceptions apply depending upon the nature of show or concert.

Consider subscribing to our free PlayhouseSquare e-Alert newsletter to receive a monthly e-mail that includes updates on upcoming shows, events, workshops and more. Sign-up for the PlayhouseSquare e-Alert.

Visit the PlayhouseSquare Online Store for the most complete selection of official Broadway merchandise including clothing, posters, accessories, CDs, DVDs, and musical scores. Visit our online store at playhousesquarestore.com

We provide handicapped and visually impaired seating, companion seating, wheelchair curbside pick-up and enhanced hearing devices for our guests. Click here or call 216-771-8403 for more information. (Please note that our historical theaters do not have elevator access.)

Yes. Everyone must have a ticket regardless of age. Children under two years old are generally not permitted in the theaters. At designated performances children of all ages are permitted, however, everyone regardless of age must have a ticket. **All children must be seated with an adult. Any person disrupting a performance or inhibiting the enjoyment of an event for guests may be removed from the theater without refund.

Unfortunately, video and/or audio taping is prohibited in our theaters. Cameras, including those on cell phones, are also not permitted.

Yes. Our private rooms as well as our spacious lobbies are available for rent and feature professional catering by Sammy’s. Please call 216-348-5274 or visit our Special Events section.

Yes. When not hosting shows, our beautiful theaters act as dynamic settings for weddings, wedding photography, business meetings, receptions and even movie shoots! We can customize an event to suit your every need. Call 216-348-5274 or visit our Special Events section.

Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable! PlayhouseSquare is your performing arts center and we want you to feel most welcome regardless of wardrobe. The type of performance is often the best indicator of what is appropriate (i.e. rock concert vs. opera performance).

Men often wear casual slacks with a button down shirt and jacket while others opt for jeans and a polo shirt. Some men even prefer wearing a suit. Attire for the ladies varies from dresses and skirts to pants and jeans. Regardless of your choice, we want you to feel comfortable enough to truly enjoy your experience. Please feel free to call 216-771-8403 for more specific advice.

We suggest you arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled curtain time. Arriving early allows you time to leisurely park, visit the facilities or concession stand and find your seat without disrupting other guests’ show experience.

During our Broadway Series shows, you may also join us in the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare for our Broadway Buzz pre-show talk, which takes place one hour prior to your scheduled show. For more information about our Broadway Buzz program, visit our Free Broadway Buzz Events page.

There are many fine restaurants located in the PlayhouseSquare district. Find out who’s in the neighborhood, hours of operation and what each restaurant has to offer by visiting our Hotel & Dining Guide.

We offer a variety of items such as candy, cookies, soft pretzels, sandwiches, wraps, mixed nuts, Coca Cola products, bottled water & coffee. At some events, popcorn & hot dogs may also be available for purchase. Our bars serve a selection of beers, wines and spirits. You may use your American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover Card at the Palace, State, Ohio, Allen & Hanna Theaters.

Please note: Food & beverage selections vary by performance and patrons may be prohibited from taking these items into theaters for select shows or performances. Signs will be posted in the event food & beverages are not allowed in.

During scheduled performances of the shows in our Broadway Series, we are proud to present Broadway Buzz, a 30-minute discussion that starts one hour before each of the show. Brought to you by our Community Engagement and Education Department, Broadway Buzz will help you better understand all that goes into bringing these rich stories to life on the big stage! Please join us for this free event which takes place at the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare and take the opportunity to learn more about the show you are about to see.

After select Thursday evening Broadway Series performances, we offer post-show chats with cast members. This is your opportunity to hear what it’s like to audition, tour and perform in a Broadway show! To find out more about Broadway Buzz programs, visit our Free Broadway Buzz Events page.

The Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare is the headquarters for WVIZ/PBS & 90.3 WCPN ideastream and PlayhouseSquare’s Community Engagement and Education programs. As a collaborative project between ideastream and PlayhouseSquare, it serves as a place for arts, education, technology and ideas. To find out more about the Idea Center, visit ideacenteratplayhousesquare.org.

The best seats are largely available to Broadway Series and Children’s Theater Series subscribers and donors of PlayhouseSquare.

These groups are often given priority access to seats before the public because of their philanthropic giving and long-term commitment to PlayhouseSquare. Members of the Donor Circle are given access to the absolute best seats, followed by series subscribers.

In addition to getting the best seats currently available, both receive advance notice of offers on other PlayhouseSquare performances, discounts and advantages from sponsor organizations, the ability to exchange tickets for other performances when applicable and a dedicated subscriber coordinator to handle your requests.

Learn more about becoming a donor by calling 216-348-5260 or by visiting our Giving & Support page.  Learn more about becoming subscriber by calling 216-664-6050 or visiting our Series, Subscriptions & Packages page.

We are a not-for-profit organization. As a presenter of shows, ticket revenues are not enough to keep the theaters operating and maintained. Therefore, we must independently raise more than $4 million per year. Donations assist with this fundraising effort. To learn more, click here.

We are so very proud of our dedicated team of more than 2,000 volunteers, affectionately known as the “RedCoats” due to the red jackets they wear as part of their uniform. They provide an invaluable service to our guests as ushers, ticket takers and more. Many are retired seniors with a passion for the arts.

For more information on how to become a RedCoat, visit our Volunteering page.

We also have a special volunteer program for high school students called “STARS”.