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All 5 Staunton Attractions »

American Shakespeare Center

10 South Market Street, Staunton, VA 24401
877-682-4236
Ranked #1 of 5 attractions in Staunton
5.0 of 5 stars 116 Reviews
Type: Theaters
Owner description: The Blackfriars Playhouse is the world's only re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre. "Stunning", says Frommer's. Located in historic downtown...... more » Owner description: The Blackfriars Playhouse is the world's only re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre. "Stunning", says Frommer's. Located in historic downtown Staunton, VA, this 300-seat Renaissance theatre offers productions of Shakespeare and classic plays year round that the Washington Post says are "shamelessly entertaining" and the Boston Globe says are "phenomenal...bursting with energy”. « less
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116 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Dallas, Texas
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
Reviews in 37 cities Reviews in 37 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 26, 2012 NEW

It is a nice theatre with nice peole running the show. The actors were quite good and we enjoyed the show- good price. They let you move down to the good seats once show has started, do not buy the expensive seats. The seats were wood and were not comfotable but remeber this is a copy of the original theatre.... More

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cleveland, oh
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012

ASC presents Shakespeare's plays as they did at his time. It is an amazing, wonderful theater experience which will enhance your appreciation of his plays. The cast is first-rate, energetic and entertaining. A delightful experience, at very reasonable rates.. More

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Baltimore, Maryland
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2012

I've never seen such energy. The performers were totally into their roles which, of course, change from play to play and within each play. They sing and perform before the performance, at intermission; 8 or 10 people can sit on stage with the play and be included appropriately from time to time. We will make attendance from Baltimore in the... More

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See 3 more reviews by Groveland for Staunton
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2012

After seeing A Midsummer Nights Dream on a Friday evening, I scrapped the rest of my plans in order to see both The Winters Tale and Tis Pity at the Blackfriars Theater. The theater itself is gorgeous and transports you to another era. The quality of the acting is superb and the music played before each show and during intermission... More

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See 2 more reviews by Cara C for Staunton
Rochester, NY
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 30, 2012

In a Shakespearean design theater (the Globe), and done in the style of that era, this was a very unusual experience for the audience. We were delighted with the professional acting, the clever staging, and the overall ambience of this theater, and would go again. When the whole cast lined up to perform really modern dance steps we were taken... More

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Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Top Contributor
738 reviews 738 reviews
Reviews in 224 cities Reviews in 224 cities
761 helpful votes 761 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 15, 2012

This theater was built to look like the original Globe theater in England. They put on shows every week of the year with a number of shows being presented over a period of time. The productions, acting and direction are all excellent. If you are in the area you should not miss going to see at least one show by... More

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Staunton, Virginia
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 13, 2012

The American Shakespeare Center, at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton (built to recreate Shakespeare's only indoor theater, and unique in the world), presents his plays as you've never seen them before. Lively, fast-paced, easily understood, highly charged entertainment that will leave you stunned by the talent shown by the ASC troupes of players. No scenery changes that slow down the... More

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See 14 more reviews by BigReader for Staunton
Arlington, Virginia
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 12, 2012

The American Shakespeare Center gives you an authentic feel for the setting Shakespeare's plays were performed. I've been to many performances over the years. The actors use Elizabethan English yet their acting is SO good even those not familiar with a story line have no problems understanding or enjoying the performance. The acoustics in this building are perfect. There is... More

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See 2 more reviews by Lisa B for Staunton
charlottesville
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 9, 2012

My husband and saw the final performance of "Richard III" and really enjoyed ourselves. The interior of the theater is a replica of the Globe and that was interesting in itself. We had balcony seats and i wish we'd gotten there a little earlier so that we could've gotten either the lowest or highest balconly row center-stage seats rather than... More

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See 3 more reviews by oriahlee for Staunton
Staunton, Virginia
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 8, 2012

Excellent representation of Shakespeare's plays. Cast is always top notch and entertaining. Have seen more than ten plays and each has been superb. More

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See 4 more reviews by Pamela24401 for Staunton

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