Sanders Theatre
Sanders Theatre
4.5
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- Harvard • 6 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
63 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
11
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Traveldoc
Newton, MA75 contributions
Nov 2019
This is a wonderful intimate theater at Harvard. The structure is almost entirely wooden, and has a warm resonant sound that is instantly compelling. The theater is small, and every seat is great. No blocked view anywhere. There are many events taking place throughout the year. Chamber music is some of the best anywhere. Choral music is spectacular. Plan your trip around an event. You will rarely hear better.
Written January 28, 2020
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.
jroihl
Cambridge, MA1,808 contributions
Nov 2011 • Family
My son was in many Harvard singing groups so I have been in Sanders many times. It could not be build today. The wood with which it is constructed would be prohibitive..
The best seats are in Mezz section D. Check locations of pillars for any seats. Balcony seats near the front have partial view. I don't recommend floor seats which are below the stage and difficult to see past any front row performers.
The best seats are in Mezz section D. Check locations of pillars for any seats. Balcony seats near the front have partial view. I don't recommend floor seats which are below the stage and difficult to see past any front row performers.
Written August 24, 2012
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.
naturegirlcitygirl
cambridge225 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
The Sanders theater is so amazingly beautiful! It has an enormous amount of priceless stain glass windows. I used to walk by this everyday for many years - this building makes me want to be a better person!
Written October 12, 2016
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.
OldRoadWarrior60
Natick, MA386 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
This is a beautiful space.
The architectural details are inspiring, as intended. The building memorializes those from the Harvard community lost in the Civil War. Walls bear stone tablets inscribed with class years, graduates' names and the battles where they fell. Combined with the richly carved wood and handsome stained glass there is the feel of a well executed church of the late 19th Century.
But this is also a performance space and it a treat to see a stage production here. We have twice attended the annual production of the Christmas Revels and enjoyed them both.
A word about the Revels, as another reviewer noted the show changes every year. And few may realize this is a national organization with productions in New York, Washington DC and several other locations. Details @ Revels.org
But back to Sanders Theater, it is a wonderful venue. The acoustics are very good and it an intimate space. I have sat in the front and back of the house and I doubt there's a bad seat anywhere.
And if those seats are not plush they are more like the benches of Old North Church than the punishing old foldups of that other venerable Boston house of worship, Fenway Park.
The architectural details are inspiring, as intended. The building memorializes those from the Harvard community lost in the Civil War. Walls bear stone tablets inscribed with class years, graduates' names and the battles where they fell. Combined with the richly carved wood and handsome stained glass there is the feel of a well executed church of the late 19th Century.
But this is also a performance space and it a treat to see a stage production here. We have twice attended the annual production of the Christmas Revels and enjoyed them both.
A word about the Revels, as another reviewer noted the show changes every year. And few may realize this is a national organization with productions in New York, Washington DC and several other locations. Details @ Revels.org
But back to Sanders Theater, it is a wonderful venue. The acoustics are very good and it an intimate space. I have sat in the front and back of the house and I doubt there's a bad seat anywhere.
And if those seats are not plush they are more like the benches of Old North Church than the punishing old foldups of that other venerable Boston house of worship, Fenway Park.
Written January 2, 2017
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.
Mohemian
Marshfield, MA136 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
I had the pleasure of attending this show two years ago.... Decided to go again... BIG mistake!
The show this year represented many egos that couldn't really decide what they wanted to present..As a result, it was a lot of nothing.
I will never spend my time or money a attending one of these shows again!
The show this year represented many egos that couldn't really decide what they wanted to present..As a result, it was a lot of nothing.
I will never spend my time or money a attending one of these shows again!
Written December 21, 2014
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.
Anne-Christine R
Boston, MA112 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
I go to the Sanders Theater every year to see the Christmas Revels and I love it every time. It is warm and intimate with a lot of natural wood. The hall has stained glass windows. The seats are a bit hard, it's more like a church than a theater but the view and sound are great.
Written July 20, 2017
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.
William A
Quincy, MA41 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
I recently attended a concert with my brother and daughter. For lack of a more accurate category, it was folk music and was even better than I expected. Not to take anything away from the performers, who played their hearts out, part of the experience was the venue. I have also heard classical music and rock music played here and I can't think of a better place to listen to music of any kind. The old world elegance adds immensely to the experience.
Written March 14, 2016
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.
Curtis S
Toronto, Canada42 contributions
Sep 2015
Went to an event sponsored by Harvard Book Store - Lee Child in conversation with Stephen King! Theatre was great - definitely old school, but comfortable enough for an hour-long event.
Written September 10, 2015
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.
Indstrl
Los Angeles, CA166 contributions
Sep 2014 • Business
It was built after the civil war to honor Harvard's dead. The theatre lobby is etched marble slabs, invoking said casualties and stained glass windows to give it a somber, spiritual feeling.
The main theatre is all intricate wood in a 3 tiered amphitheater design, invoking a Socratic style of teaching. Holds about 900. I have never known for the theatre to be open to the public, just for certain large lectures and official Harvard functions. I believe the public can access the lobby (inspiring in its own right.)
The main theatre is all intricate wood in a 3 tiered amphitheater design, invoking a Socratic style of teaching. Holds about 900. I have never known for the theatre to be open to the public, just for certain large lectures and official Harvard functions. I believe the public can access the lobby (inspiring in its own right.)
Written September 16, 2014
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.
jmkma09
Norfolk, MA144 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
Recently attended a performance of the Boston Philharmonic at the Sanders Theater. Both were outstanding! The venue is a lovely, old and characteristic building, symbolic of the heritage of Harvard University. I will definitely look into what other activities are scheduled there since I'd love to go again. Parking in the area is extremely difficult so I would recommend public transportation to Harvard Square.
Written December 29, 2013
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.
AlanT2
Sudbury, MA107 contributions
Nancy, I don't understand why you wrote a negative 1 star review of Sanders Theater? I don't understand and perhaps I am missing something. Being a performer, musician and actor, I love seeing a show at Sanders. If the show is not good, the review should be about the show so I'm not sure what you saw. Sorry. Alan
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sanders Theatre
- Hotels near Sanders Theatre:
- (0.21 mi) Irving House At Harvard
- (0.34 mi) Hotel Veritas
- (0.21 mi) A Friendly Inn at Harvard Square
- (0.21 mi) Spacious 2 bedroom -MIT, Harvard, Central Square with parking*
- (0.48 mi) The Charles Hotel
- Restaurants near Sanders Theatre:
- (0.03 mi) Cambridge Queen's Head
- (0.09 mi) Clover
- (0.24 mi) Mr. Bartley's Gourmet Burgers
- (0.25 mi) Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
- (0.29 mi) The Hourly Oyster House
Sanders Theatre Information
Excellent Reviews | 50 |
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Very Good Reviews | 11 |
Sanders Theatre Photos | 25 |