Alley Theatre

The Alley has been at it since 1947, and the Tony Award on the shelf tells you this isn't a community-theater operation - it's one of the most respected regional companies in the country. The building itself is a piece of work: a distinctive brutalist structure in the downtown theater district that looks more like a castle than a playhouse, which somehow fits the drama happening inside.

There are two stages, and which one you want depends on the night. The 775-seat Hubbard Stage is the traditional proscenium room for the bigger productions, while the Neuhaus Stage is a black box built for experimental and small-cast work - get a ticket there when you want to feel like you're in the play, not watching it. The Alley has a habit of developing shows that go on to national attention, so you're often catching work early.

Year-round programming keeps the lights on across the calendar, mixing classics, contemporary drama, and new writing. Find upcoming Alley Theatre shows on Evil Tickets and lock in your seats.