The National Theatre
The National Theatre
The National Theatre
4
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
Located a stone's throw from the White House and bordering the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site, National Theatre is the historic cultural center for the performing arts in our nation's capital and the oldest enterprise on Pennsylvania Avenue continuously operating in its original designated capacity.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
How to get there
- Metro Center • 5 min walk
- Federal Triangle • 5 min walk
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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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4.0
150 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
70
Average
20
Poor
5
Terrible
4
Stu K
Arlington, VA27 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Just saw Pretty Woman and it was excellent- seen several shows at the National- we live across the River in Virginia and it’s an easy Metro ride, just two block walk from Metro Center if you take the G and 13th St exit from the station. As for some of the comments - the theater is historic (opened 1835, current building 1923) so yes the seats are small to us current overstuffed Americans (I’m one and always try for an aisle seat), there is an elevator and some small hidden restrooms on the mezzanine level. As for prices, if you’re from the DMV you’re not shocked to pay $15 for a specialty cocktail. All in all a great, convenient, historic (Todd Lincoln was at the National the night his father was assassinated a few blocks away) to see a show.
Written 16 December 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.
Lea F
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
My friend and I purchased tickets for the August 21, 2024 MJ musical. We bought the tickets weeks in advanced and was looking forward seeing the musical as we heard nothing but fabulous reviews. Unfortunately, the performance was canceled due to a water line issue. We were told by the theater that our money would be refunded and then we could purchase replacement tickets. To our dismay, we were later told our refund would be processed AFTER we purchased replacement tickets. To add insult to injury, comparable seat prices were considerably more expensive and The National Theater refused to honor the original price for comparable seats. While the water issue was out of their control, the way they handled the situation with their customers was completely within their control. I'm beyond disappointed with the lack of customer service and consideration provided by The National Theatre management. I won't be purchasing a replacement ticket for the MJ musical nor any future tickets from them.
B. Lea Fuller
B. Lea Fuller
Written 26 August 2024
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.
camden19
Winchester, VA392 contributions
May 2023 • Family
The show was great and absolutely funny!! The venue needs updated. Seats are small and uncomfortable, not made for any kind of thick bodies. The snacks & beverages were expensive...$20 for a water, soda and 2 snack size bags of chips. Was easy to get in and out of, just would have enjoyed more if I wasn't so uncomfortable.
Written 8 June 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.
Don E
1 contribution
Apr 2023
The experience has nothing to do with the production. It's more about the venue. First, the venue is old and dated with very uncomfortable seats. If you opt for the box seats, they aren't much better. There seats are crammed and tight, there are very limited bathrooms (especially on the upper floors), and be prepared to spend over $100 if you want a few bottle of waters and snacks. The concessions are a complete joke and way over priced. Come for the show, sneak in your snacks!
Written 3 May 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.
MKJourneys
Washington DC, DC3,333 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Located in the heart of DC just next door to the famous Willard hotel and the White House one more block over.
We had seats on the mezzanine level and the seating is very uncomfortable with seats being very narrow and no room for your feet, which are jammed right up against the seat in front of you. I was no appreciating airline seats that had more room. Not very handicapped accessible, VERY high prices for drinks or snack. Other than that beautiful theatre .
We had seats on the mezzanine level and the seating is very uncomfortable with seats being very narrow and no room for your feet, which are jammed right up against the seat in front of you. I was no appreciating airline seats that had more room. Not very handicapped accessible, VERY high prices for drinks or snack. Other than that beautiful theatre .
Written 31 August 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.
246ate
DC73 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Historic venue, all seats seem good for views of the stage. However, very tight seating especially for tall people. Ticketing is a pain - requires a smart phone and app; will not accept screen captures of tickets.
Written 19 May 2024
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.
EliteTravellers
Ashburn, VA3,267 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Saw the Illusionists last week and reminded me just how magnificent this building is. True without elevators and restrooms are on the second floor but there is no bad seat when watching . Nice bars and go to the second floor for no lines . You can bring drinks and food purchased inside . Lots of parking nearby and if you use spot hero I get very convenient parking at a discount . Several restaurants closed by if you arrive early and walk on E over to 12 or beyond.
Written 8 December 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.
Hello,
We are very glad you enjoyed your evening at and around the National! Thank you for your support.
Best,
Maddie
Written 8 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ER15401
Pennsylvania275 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
My friend and I spent a lot of money on tickets to see a musical at this theatre, and I was excited to score Row A tickets on the balcony section. I was disappointed that the ledge in front of our row was so wide that I, my friend, and most of the other people in my row (all the way across the theatre) had to lean forward in their seats to see the front of the stage! I'm not sure how good the view was from rows further back, but I will never again see a show in this theatre. Such poor planning on their part and it really affected my overall experience.
Written 25 November 2013
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.
Kathy G
Kensington, MD9 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
I had a horrible experience taking my 86 year old disabled mother to see the matinee of Porgy and Bess yesterday. National Theatre is not disabled or elderly friendly. There is no valet or on street handicapped parking available. When I called to get information on the best place for handicapped parking, there was no information on handicapped parking and there was no one to speak to about handicapped parking. The recording directs you to the website, which talks about parking garages and metered parking, etc., but not handicapped parking. There was no available street parking so we chose the closest parking garage to the theater to park in. There is minimal handicapped parking available in that garage, and we were forced to park in the lowest level because handicapped parking was full. My mother would have had to climb 2 flights of stairs just to get to the level with the handicapped parking, so we were forced to walk up 2 ramps. Once we got to the handicapped parking level, the signage to National Theatre pointed to STAIRS!! There was an unmarked freight elevator, which we took that up to the lobby of the office building next to the theater.
After the performance, the guard in the building housing the garage was directing people to the stairs down to the garage because she claimed the freight elevator was "out". Just to get to the handicapped parking level required going down 2 flights of stairs. I complained, as did other numerous theater patrons, and I forced the guard to let my mother sit in a chair behind the guard desk as my mother was not able to go down the 3 flights of stairs to get to our parking level. In fact, there was a combination lock on the door to the lowest level of parking and I was lucky enough that the guard gave me the combination. Other patrons parked on that level were not given the code to get to their car.
After waiting 25 minutes in line to get out of the garage, I had to double park in front of the building and I found my mother waiting outside in the cold and dark. The security guard disappeared after numerous people complained and because she did, my mother -- who is 86 -- was worried I would not be able to get in the building to retrieve her.
We both loved "Porgy and Bess". We both hate National Theatre. I take my mother to the theater a few times a year, and we will NEVER go to National Theatre again. I recommend Arena Stage for elderly and disabled patrons -- they are extremely disabled and elderly friendly.
After the performance, the guard in the building housing the garage was directing people to the stairs down to the garage because she claimed the freight elevator was "out". Just to get to the handicapped parking level required going down 2 flights of stairs. I complained, as did other numerous theater patrons, and I forced the guard to let my mother sit in a chair behind the guard desk as my mother was not able to go down the 3 flights of stairs to get to our parking level. In fact, there was a combination lock on the door to the lowest level of parking and I was lucky enough that the guard gave me the combination. Other patrons parked on that level were not given the code to get to their car.
After waiting 25 minutes in line to get out of the garage, I had to double park in front of the building and I found my mother waiting outside in the cold and dark. The security guard disappeared after numerous people complained and because she did, my mother -- who is 86 -- was worried I would not be able to get in the building to retrieve her.
We both loved "Porgy and Bess". We both hate National Theatre. I take my mother to the theater a few times a year, and we will NEVER go to National Theatre again. I recommend Arena Stage for elderly and disabled patrons -- they are extremely disabled and elderly friendly.
Written 27 December 2013
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.
Joanne
Cancun, Mexico80 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Love going to The National Theatre during their Broadway Series. They offer a lottery for most shoes in the Broadway Series. We have gotten lucky and received orchestra seats for $25 each (cash) during the lottery! Great way to see more shows without breaking the bank. The theatre is intimate and sound for our shoes this year was fantastic! We also learned tonight that they offer The Morning Show throughout the year on Saturday and kids are free. Performances are at 9:30am and 11am. Reservations are required. I can’t wait to bring my friends’ kids!
Written 13 December 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.
Hi Joanne,
So glad you participated in our Broadway at the National Lottery and won! We hope to see you back at the theatre soon.
Best,
Maddie
Written 8 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Best place for pre-show dinner with my 21 year old son who likes simple traditional food?
Written 10 December 2018
Many restuarants right there. Plan ahead and reservations recommended.
Written 1 February 2019
First time going to a theater production. Taking my teenage daughter to see Les Mis. What should we wear? Casual, church clothes, fancy? Help! Thanks!
Written 19 December 2017
Agree... you'll see all ranges of clothing. I typically wear a blazer/chino and my wife will wear a dress (but not a wedding guest level dress). I would recommend something nice... meaning more church clothes than jeans/sneakers. After all, how often do you get to the theater? Make it fun!
Written 20 December 2017
Nice late night restaurants nearby for after show?
Written 2 November 2017
Old Ebbitt Grill. Make a reservation on OpenTable.
Written 15 November 2017
If you're early, there is metered parking on the street in front...not sure when the meters are in affect or what the maximum time limit is. We were there on a Sunday night and there is an underground garage on 13th ST NW....we paid $11 for whole evening...elevator brings you into the Marriott's lobby...walk out to Pennsylvania Ave and voila, the theatre is right there!!!
Written 28 December 2016
Are there any good tickets to shows playing while we are in DC from 8/13 to 8/21? Appreciate any help.
Written 13 June 2016
Agree with Gail E. Wolf Trap is also a fun evening under the stars.
Written 28 June 2016
I want to see Motown at national theater . How is the view of the stage from row E in the balcony
Written 18 November 2015
We sat on row 5 in the orchestra section (down front), and don't know what the view from the balcony would be like.
Written 18 November 2015
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