Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

The Benedum center is a beautiful venue for any event. The architecture is magnificent. I have been many times and every time I catch myself staring at the chandelier and beautifully painted ceiling. The intimacy of the venue really makes any experience worth a trip to the city.
First tier seats are great. Don’t be scared of them. The front row has a ton of leg room and make for more comfortable experience for the long legged type. (Like me)

We saw 2Cellos here and the theatre is amazing. From the architecture, to the staff and everything else that created the atmosphere, it was perfect. We will definitely be back to see other shows at this venue.

Came for a pre-​Christmas Nutcracker performance, and was very impressed with this beautiful theater. Staff was friendly and accommodating, seating was comfortable and offered a great view, and the theater itself was gorgeous.
The missing star is for a strange layout. The line to the bar at intermission blocked the path to the restroom, creating a confusing mass of humanity. The restroom was down a number of steep steps, and although I’m sure there was a more accessible option, the most direct route was not easy to navigate for this expecting mama.

Let me just start off by saying: this place is beautiful. The bathrooms are clean and I love myself some theater. But they over charge for a lot of the shows. My last show was the cirque holiday dreams show. I payed a substantial amount of money for my seats and they were in the very back row of the first floor. Not only was the top of the stage cut off for us, but one of the ushers decided to pull up a chair behind me, and ended up kicking my chair the entire time. Then she had the nerve to yell at me like I was in high school for having my cell phone out (when I was turning it off as the show was starting back up). I won’t come back here for another small show like this ever again. It was a waste of my money.

This place is just beautiful! All the gold and intricate carved details on ceiling and walls is just breathtaking.

Went to Benedum last night for the Pittsburgh Ballet’s The Nutcracker show, and found the theater to be absolutely beautiful! Benedum one of the main center of the Pittsburgh Cultural District and I saw a wide collection of famous upcoming shows advertised.
The theater on it’s own, is absolutely beautiful with red carpets, huge beautiful chandeliers and gorgeous ceilings. There was also a choir group who were singing christmas carols during the break! We sat at the center orchestra seats at row R, and had no problem with the audio or the visuals. The props used in this show were really beautiful and I enjoyed the show completely!

The Nutcracker for Christmas at the Benedum– can it get any better than that? The stage, the props, the curtains, the costumes– beautiful… My only complaint is the bathroom situation but with such an old & historic building– you gotta expect that. What an awesome show. My only question– why did I wait SO long to see this? I think we’ll make this one of our Christmas traditions.

Absolutely gorgeous venue! And what a setting to watch my favorite music, a Capella, live.
When I heard in the summer that straight no chaser was coming to Pittsburgh, I bought my tickets right away. Having sung in high school chorus I know the difficulties of creating harmony and then even more so without instruments. These guys are not your stuffy Ivy League a Capella group. They have a natural sense of humor without being forced. In other words they are corny but so am I so I love it.
I listen to a Capella on my phone all the time but nothing compares to the rich tones you hear live. And I think the way the benedum center theater is designed just makes the sound resonate.
This venue is so beautiful I felt like I was sitting in the beauty and the beast castle. If anyone is looking for a special events venue I would definitely recommend this.

Beautiful theater! I’ve only sat on the orchestra section, so that’s all I can review. The view from rows L and W are great. The seats seems staggered, so that you will always have a view without breaking your neck.
Other advantages to orchestra section: it’s on the main floor so easy access. You can be out quicker. The bathrooms are located on the floor below, so come intermission time, you can be one of the first ones in the bathroom and not have to wait in line.
They have a worker help with the flow/​line in the bathroom, so that’s a nice touch. They have drink tables/​bar and souvenir tables both on the main floor and downstairs by the bathroom.
Overall, the location is great because theater parking is nearby and there are other parking garages around. Same goes for places to eat/​drink before and after the movie.

Absolutely amazing and beautiful venue. Gorgeous detail in the construction. Saw Alt-​j there. Awesome show, amazing lights. The sound was great for a large space. Seats were relatively comfortable but we didn’t really sit much. Had some amazing roasted cinnamon cashews too. I would love to see more there!

I spent this afternoon at the Benedum watching «Beauty and the Beast». Anytime you go to the Benedum it’s a magical experience. There are grand marble staircases, beautiful architecture, and chandeliers. From the moment you step on to the sidewalk out front you are greeted by gentlemen who open people’s car doors and escort them into the building. There are wonderful employees who check your tickets and show you which way to go. The ushers walk you to your seat and give you a program. I’m blessed to have been enough times that I know which seats I love the best. I’ve never seen a bad performance and have always enjoyed my experiences. It’s sad to leave and walk back into the real world.

I love the Benedum. Really there’s not a bad theater in Pittsburgh, but this just has my heart. Recently just saw the Nutcracker, but have seen many a show here.
Plenty of parking garages in the vicinity so not a far walk once parked downtown. Great restaurants nearby.
Pricing is good, too. I love that they offer discounts to teachers. Yay! They also do student rush tickets, too I believe.
Trust Arts gets a great selection of shows to come to Pittsburgh so you can see a great Broadway series production in your hometown or if you visit Pittsburgh. And, in that case this is something to do on your visit.
I sat most recently in the orchestra seat which are nice. I prefer the director’s circle above so you don’t have to dodge a head in front of you. I did once sit in 4^th row orchestra and well, that’s pretty damn awesome!
I will always be back to this theater.

I came here to watch ‘Annie’ while in Pittsburgh and was pleasantly surprised. The center is beautiful and well maintained. The staff are friendly and keep the crowds moving in the right direction prior to the start of the show and during intermission.

The Benedum Center is home to some of the finest productions currently on tour. I’ve seen some of these musicals on the Broadway series in the cramped Broadway theaters themselves so it is refreshing to be able to see that same show from a larger venue.
It is true that if you have seats to the far right or left then you will miss both the scenery and what happens on that side of the stage but that is true with most any theater. I find that if I am unable to get good seats and must sit far away or in the balcony then I bring some «opera» glasses to help me get a close up of the stars and the action.
In addition to musical theater the Benedum Center offers special performances like the Nutcracker or special singers or groups depending upon the time of the year.
Normally the CLO now has this new gimmick going on where they will take a picture of you for free in front of a show marquee and then post it on Facebook so you can download the image.
It does have handicapped accessible access as well as free listening devices for the hearing impaired.
They do have narrow areas for gift shopping as well as for purchasing beverages and snacks on two of the levels along with the basement. On the first tier there are lounge areas where you can just relax before or during intermission. The rest room lines are long but move quickly enough so that you can return to your seat in time for the 2^nd act.
They also offer some VIP packages where you get special «perks» along with better seating for more money. I am taking advantage of one of these perks next year and will update this review to see whether or not my investment was worth it.
Sadly however, they don’t always inform you of special name entertainment unless you are a donor. I’ve missed out on a couple of these attractions for that reason. Still the ticket prices are way less than what you’d pay to see the same show on Broadway and I feel it is worth your money.

Went to my second performance here and now I can attest that the orchestra level seats are the ones you will want. Trust me, your seating will be SOOOOoooOOOO much more comfortable. I didn’t realize that cheaper seats mean more cramped seating. The upper tier seats I had the last time were severely cramped. I’m only 5’5″ and my knees were up against the seat in front of me and there wasn’t going to be any leg crossing from that level.
However, the orchestra level seating was fine and I wasn’t cramped at all. There is a chance though that heads will be in your way as where we were seated in orchestra center maybe 10 rows back was at the same seating level as those in front of us. We were able to move over one seat and it resolved that issue thank goodness.
The ladies restroom downstairs looked to be a long line but it moved quickly and smoothly. There was an attendant ushering us to open stalls around the corner that we weren’t able to see if not for her. Thank you!
It’s a beautiful venue and would get my 5 star rating if seating on the upper tier were comfortable. Alas, take your 4 stars and purchaser, beware.

Take it from a former musical theater nerd – the Benedum is the best venue in town! The ornateness of the décor, including the huge central chandelier, and the comfort and pitch of the seats make this theater as much a pleasure for the audience as it must be for performers. The sight lines and acoustics are wonderful, so you can rest assured that no matter where your seat is located, you’ll be able to see and hear all of the action.
As a major fan of the performing arts, I visit the Benedum several times a year to see various shows, and I’ve seen performances of every cultural group in PGH with the exception of the Ballet Theater (that should change next month, however)! The only one that doesn’t perform here is the Symphony Orchestra, since they own Heinz Hall one block over. I’ve seen musicals (Broadway Across America, CLO), the opera, and a concert (Brit Floyd, a Pink Floyd cover band), all of which the Benedum has accommodated seamlessly, despite huge stylistic differences in the performances. Every time I’ve gone, no matter where I’ve been seated (usually second tier, once all the way in the far corner), I’ve had a wonderful time, so I have many fond memories, and look forward to many more.
About the only major drawback of the Benedum is the smaller size of the women’s restrooms, relative to Heinz Hall. However, at least there are restrooms on multiple floors, unlike at the Byham, where the restrooms are in the basement. The trick to beating the crowd is to not waste time in leaving the auditorium to use them as soon as intermission starts – preferably, as soon as the curtain starts to fall!
If you’re interested in seeing a behind-​the-​scenes view of the Benedum, one little-​known fact is that a (free) tour is offered during the day. All you need to do is call in advance to reserve a time. I once took this tour with a group a couple of years ago, and it was really cool to see the lesser-​known parts of the theater, including the dressing rooms, scenery storage areas, beneath the stage, the catwalks, and stand on the stage, looking out at the house – something I haven’t done since my musical theater days! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and was full of interesting facts about the Benedum and its programming, which made the tour informative, as well as entertaining.
In sum, you can’t go wrong with the Benedum, no matter why you’re there! If you’re a friend of the performing arts – and even if you’re not – I highly recommend it and its programming for a good time.
That concludes review #200!

I’ve been to the Benedum plenty of times (all for musicals) and I’ve always had a good experience. Being a fan of the theater, it’s always fun to put on some nicer clothes and see a show.
The theater itself is beautiful. Complete with a huge chandelier and detailed ceiling art, the place itself is a sight to see. The hallways and staircases are a bit old, but it gives it a nice vintage feel to better your theater experience.
One complaint I do have is the «lobby» area is kind of small making leaving the theater a bit of a hassle. Not to mention, the merchandise and snacks stands are there as well, making everything even more tight.
Also, just a little tip… Being a college grad paying my student loans, I unfortunately don’t have enough money to get front row seats. I usually buy the bargain seats in the back for $ 10-​$ 20 dollars. What’s cool is once the show begins you can move up to seats that aren’t occupied. You may pay $ 10, but end up sitting in a $ 40 seat. However, be prepared to be a little lost. It’s hard to hear what some of the actors are singing due to being way up at the top and not being able to read their lips. I’m sure the sound feedback has a lot to do with it as well.

I am a 5-​star fan of the Benedum. I get to visit about 3X a year and it is a huge treat.
Recently got to see Joe Bonamassa, who played 2−½ hours. LOVE HIS MUSIC. However, Joe + Benedum was not a 5-​star outing. Was his gear just too loud? Maybe. I’m not a music-​ophile-​ista of any kind, so I cannot offer an armchair solution. The instruments were fantastic and yes, I know: He’s a guitar guy. But he’s also a vocalist and that was completely drowned out.
The crowd was definitely from everywhere with a huge nod to the Harley-​Davidson brand. That kinda caught me by surprise.
So I cannot wait until my next Benedum adventure shows itself and I will see Bonamassa every chance I get. And yes. I’d do the exact combo again. But both of my 5-​star favorites will get 4-​stars if I have to sing in my head (well, maybe a little seeped out, couldn’t be helped).

It’s hard to say anything about the Benedum that hasn’t already been said. It is a beautiful theater and we are lucky to have it in Pittsburgh. I have seen many musicals and concerts in the Benedum and every time I am here I always get this feeling of admiration like entering a classy ostentatious ballroom that I feel is perfect the way it is yet is reminiscent of a different time. Maybe something like entering Jay Gatsby’s mansion in the 1920’s.
The seating is also a plus, I have never sat in an area where I couldn’t see and I am vertically challenged so it’s nice to know that even seated in the back I am able to see the show before me. I look forward to many more visits in the future, and every time I walk past the Benedum I do gaze at it like a historic monument. Again we are lucky to have you in the Burgh.

I must admit that I have only been to the Benedum Center twice. Most of the shows that I’ve seen in Pittsburgh are at Heinz Hall, so I was looking forward to checking out the Benedum again.
Though not as grand as Heinz Hall — or as new and compact as the O’Reilly Theater — the Benedum Center is that just-​right-​in-​between size that works for a lot of musicals and other random shows and events coming through Pittsburgh.
Tonight, my husband and I saw the Alton Brown Live show. I had a great time and really look forward to returning in just two days for Porgy and Bess!