American Repertory Theater

The American Repertory Theater, A.R.T. to everyone who knows it, is Harvard University's professional theater company, based in Cambridge and widely counted among the most important regional theaters in the country. Its track record is the headline: "Pippin," "Waitress," "The Glass Menagerie," and "1776" all originated or had major productions here before transferring to Broadway.

The company runs more than one space. The Loeb Drama Center handles the mainstage productions, while the OBERON nightclub-style room hosts the more experimental, format-bending work. Programming swings from classic revivals to world premieres of brand-new American theater, so the vibe shifts hard depending on the night and the room.

The real pitch here: catching something at A.R.T. before it opens in New York is one of the actual cultural advantages of living in or visiting the Boston area. You get the work first, and often in its rawest, most exciting form, before the polish and the Playbill. Cambridge makes for an easy outing too, with plenty of spots around Harvard Square for a meal or a coffee before curtain. Come curious, leave with a show you can say you saw early. Find American Repertory Theater shows on Evil Tickets and reserve your seats.