Tips for Enjoying the Theater
(Picture frame is one of my favorites from Two’s Company – similar here)
Going to the theater is one of my favorite things to do to unwind and enjoy time with my hubby or girlfriends. Living where we do in the D.C. area, I try to take advantage of all of the area’s offerings as often as I can. You can find fabulous performances wherever you are since many of the top ballet companies (and even broadway shows) travel to perform all over the United States and the world. Here are a few tips for your next evening out:
Attend with your date or in a group. A night at the theater is a perfect way to spend date night, especially with many nearby restaurants offering a pre-theater pre-fixe menu. I also love going with a group of my girlfriends. It’s a great way to catch up and break the cycle of happy hours. My girlfriends and I make it a point to grab dinner and bubbly beforehand and pick out spots to meet up during intermission. There is so much to talk about during those 15-20 minute breaks. You can often get a discounted rate with a larger group, too, though it does involve a bit more purchasing and Venmo coordination. It can be worth it for 10-15% off and guaranteed seats together.
Read the synopsis beforehand. This is a helpful hint whether you’ve seen Swan Lake twice or are going for the very first time. Take a few minutes before you leave (or in the ride over – as long as you aren’t driving, of course) to search for the synopsis of the play, ballet, or opera before the performance. This is especially helpful for operas as they are normally in Italian, French, or Spanish. It’s nice to know the general idea behind it so that you aren’t glued to the super-titles the entire night – and the same goes for ballet (except there are no super- or subtitles in most ballets). Even if you’ve seen the performance before, keep in mind that it may be a different version or choreographer. Take note of the intermissions – how many, how long, and when they are – as they often differ from performance to performance.
Check the evening you’re going. Opening night at the ballet or opera tends to be a bit on the dressier side, so make sure you check the performance calendar before you go.
Consider investing in chic opera glasses. As if you needed an excuse to go searching for a pair of antique mother of pearl opera glasses. I have my eyes set on a pair of Lemaire opera glasses for the upcoming season. I also love these and these. A group of girlfriends and I frequent the Kennedy Center and we’ll often sit a few rows back in order to grab seats together or if we’re seeing several performances over the course of a few weeks. Opera tickets tend to be a bit pricier and also a bit longer (most are 3-3.5 hours versus a 2-hour ballet).
Mix it up. If you’re selecting a few performances to attend, pick a few of the classics and mix in a few modern performances. It’s much like learning about interiors. You have to get outside of your personal aesthetic from time to time to draw inspiration (more on that here). Some of the most bizarre performances have sparked the most interesting discussions among our group.
Check out the parking situation. Many venues offer discounted parking for ticket holders, so make sure that you check this ahead of time. Try to carpool if you’re going with a group, or meet up for drinks and split a cab on the way over to the theater. This eases your “commute” to the theater and ensures less time spent in the parking garage and more time toasting to the upcoming show.
Finally, if you’re going to a performance at the Kennedy Center, be sure and grab a bite on the rooftop beforehand and always pre-order your bubbly beforehand to skip the line at intermission. Enjoy, and see you at the Terrace Cafe!
