McCarter Theatre Center
McCarter Theatre Center
4.5
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
McCarter Theatre Center is recognized as one of the country’s leading theaters, and is the only organization in the country that is both a professional producing theater and a major presenter of the performing arts. With this identity comes a unique commitment to creating, developing and producing new work for the stage, reinvestigating classical theatrical repertoire, and bringing the best of the world’s performing artists to Central New Jersey.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
268 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
55
Average
13
Poor
6
Terrible
9
G_♥️’sVaca
Lavallette, NJ11 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
This review is more about A Christmas Carol rather than the theater which has always been clean and comfortable. The play however was a bit disappointing. Old Joe was cast as an adult woman who clearly had the voice of a woman which really took away from the “old Joe” character, it was not believable. Scrooge’s character did evolve but we thought he could have been a stronger force from the beginning. The most disappointing aspect was curtain call. After bows, the music changed to a trendy modern day song where all the actors started free style dancing. It took the play from a professional production to a high school performance. There was no need for that! We felt the escape to merry old England was quite quickly deflated because of it. Hopefully next year the production will return to its original roots.
Written January 14, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
worktotravel14
Trenton, NJ4,267 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
McCarter theater really curates a wide range of powerful performance and artistry. I've felt lucky every time I've experienced a show there. They have also been vigilant about following best COVID-19 protocol, including their encouragement of indoor masking. We were able to see two to three shows and yes, I sneak a shot of the stage for memories (not during the show). These photos are of the main stage, but we also love the feel of the smaller halls and have seen very powerful performances.
Written January 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen
Houston, TX40 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Such a cute theater with good sound system! The line for the bathroom is horrendous, but that is inevitable for a full show. The theatre is clean and well maintained. I wish that we knew this was in NJ. We booked tickets from New York City theater and it was not clear that this was in a different state.
Written January 1, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy T
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Family
Not worth it - this theater has gone downhill. I grew up in the area and took for granted the excellent performances that used to happen at McCarter under former artistic director Emily Mann. I finally got around to seeing A Christmas Carol again after 15 years and the whole evening was a mess. The QR codes on the tickets did not load on either my or my husband's phone. The woman at the ticket booth told me quite rudely to "fix my phone" before my we insisted that she print the tickets for us. There were two technical failures during the performance when the set broke and then again later when the curtains did not completely rise. I understand issues happen, but two is a lot for a professional theater company. The actors were subpar, at least three of the adults, all major characters, were almost completely intelligible. I can't say whether it was due to poor acoustics or poor acting skills or some combination of the two. In an effort to "spice up" the performance there was such an overuse of theatrical smoke that people in the audience were constantly coughing throughout both acts. I appreciate that some abridging of Charles Dickens' original work must take place to translate this to stage, but the addition of a random itinerant merchant (Joe?) and his many wares, was unnecessary and served to take Victorian classic about generosity and turn the focus instead to our modern-day obsession with material gifts. When I attempted to exit the theater after the curtain finally fell and the house lights came on, an usher rushed over to scold me for opening the door. Thinking I had mistakenly used the wrong exit, I apologized. As it turns out, the door was fine to use but the usher was weirdly furious that I had the temerity to push the door open before she reached it. That was the bizarre cherry on top of a totally miserable experience. I will not be returning or recommending anyone to see A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theater.
Written December 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheri D
Yardville, NJ509 contributions
Dec 2022
We visited to see Dickens' A Christmas Carol and unlike the other reviews, we really enjoyed the performance, a different version for sure, but good. We thought that it was professionally done and appreciated the diversity and the telling of the story from a different viewpoint. The theatre itself isn't really accommodating for those with disabilities. There are lots of steps, not so well lit so they can improve upon that. I had had knee surgery a few weeks before, not even a knee replacement, but I had to be careful and take my time. Lots of steps to go down to the restrooms and as far as I know, I know of no elevator although these days, that seems impossible and in fact, should be required. Parking is also tough in Princeton so going early to any performance is advised. Overall, the venue is popular for plays, concerts, etc.
Written April 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill B
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Couples
My family and I have been to McCarter to see A Christmas Carol annually for the past 20 some odd years. We were so looking forward to seeing this again after co-vid, however, we were beyond disappointed in this new version of Dickens classic. The scenery and overall production paled in comparison to prior performances. Typically people are on their feet at the end applauding the play. This did not happen this year..nor should it have.
If McCarter does not return to its prior production, we sadly, will not be returning anymore either.
If McCarter does not return to its prior production, we sadly, will not be returning anymore either.
Written December 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rae M
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Couples
We have seen A Christmas Carol probably a dozen times over the years and I was always very impressed about the performance but this year was so disappointing. After looking at the program I realized perhaps it was going to be more progressive with a woman playing Ebineezer. It was just plan weird because she was playing a man. And Bob Cratchett who was played by an Indian / Pakistani actor who at times was making Spanish references was just odd. The United nations cast was not even the issue it was more the changing of the script and weird dance at the end. Don't mess with a classic.
Written December 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rae C
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Family
So, I thought it would be nice to take my husband and adult children to "A Christmas Carol" for the holiday. I had not been in a few years but have attended many years in the past. In the past I was always impressed with the caliber of the performance. As soon as I realized scrooge was a woman I was like this is horrible. It was the worst performance I have ever seen. The menagerie of ethnicities was odd to say the least and I can't believe a Christian person would of messed with the original production. If I could I would of asked for a refund. My son and daughter said nothing until we got in the car afterword and proceeded to tell me it was "weird" and disappointing. We will not be returning....
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoardwalkRunner
New Jersey170 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We’ve seen this several times but the 2022 rendition was terrible. They made it clearly a woke until you choke casting and disclosure with a lackluster performance at best. The production was lifeless and void of any emotion. Won’t be back unless it goes back to traditional A Christmas Carol Story as it was intended.
Written December 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anthony c
Trenton, NJ43 contributions
Jul 2020
We have been to McCarter countless times Maybe once to see a show at the Berlind were we disappointed. We are looking forward to starting anew with a new director and a new lineup of shows and music. The questions below were somewhat foolish. The last time were at McCarter was in November 2019. We been there with friends and many times it was just the two of us.
If i may digress for a moment. The lineup under Emily Mann was somewhat fuddy duddy meaning very old school with the same shows coming back year after year. We have seen some outstanding musical offerings like the Do Wop Project; A night with Janice Joplin was incredible; Million Dollar Quartet etc. I hope the offerings under the new director improve and expand., none the less we will return!!!
If i may digress for a moment. The lineup under Emily Mann was somewhat fuddy duddy meaning very old school with the same shows coming back year after year. We have seen some outstanding musical offerings like the Do Wop Project; A night with Janice Joplin was incredible; Million Dollar Quartet etc. I hope the offerings under the new director improve and expand., none the less we will return!!!
Written June 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is appropriate to wear? Is there a dress code? What do we wear?
Written December 11, 2017
No, there's not a dress code. I'd say wear casual date-night clothes.
Written December 12, 2017
It is my first time to your theatre. Is viewing good from all seats or which locations do you highly recommend?
Written October 23, 2016
As noted, the McCarter is a relatively small theater and all of the seats are good. I prefer on the aisle in orchestra but also like the first row of the balcony. The acting is always excellent in the plays, which are my preference.
Written October 24, 2016
Ticket prices vary with the play/event and performance selected. Range is varied as little as $25 for some plays/performances to about $60-$80 depending on day, seats selected, etc. McCarter Theatre Center has a great easy to use website to answer all your questions. McCarter is a professional theater w/plays, music, dance events. They have won a Tony for best regional theater and for the recent "Vanya, and Sonya and Shasha and Spike." Easier to travel to and certainly much more cost effective than NYC.
Written March 15, 2016
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