About Plays & Players Theatre
Plays & Players Theatre is a highly-rated "hidden gem" in the Rittenhouse neighborhood, lauded for its historic, cozy, eclectic, and beautiful "Broadway-style" ambiance. It features consistently excellent performances by talented actors, particularly the 1812 Productions troupe, which specializes in sophisticated comedy and satire. While a school uses the venue for its plays, the primary productions reviewed are geared towards an adult audience. Parents seeking high-quality acting and a unique theater experience for older children (teens) or family outings where adults are the main audience will find it appealing.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with teenagers or older children who enjoy sophisticated comedy and satire.Parents seeking a high-quality, 'Broadway-style' theater experience without leaving Philadelphia.School groups looking for an accommodating and well-equipped venue for their own theatrical productions.Anyone looking to discover a 'hidden gem' for local entertainment in the Rittenhouse area.**Teens/Older Children (13+):** Potentially suitable for older children who appreciate sophisticated comedy and satire, given the nature of the 1812 Productions. The mentioned shows ('The Play That Goes Wrong', 'This is the Week That Is') are typically geared towards a more mature audience.
Why families love it
- Consistently excellent performances by talented actors, including named individuals like Jen Childs and Tony Braithwaite, and the 1812 Productions troupe.
- Specializes in comedy and satire, with specific productions like 'The Play That Goes Wrong' and 'This is the Week That Is' being highly praised for comedic acrobatics and being a 'perennial crowd favorite'.
- Historic, cozy, quaint, and eclectic theater described as having a 'Broadway style' aesthetic.
- Warm welcome from knowledgeable volunteers and staff.
- High-quality cast, with most actors noted to be in Actors' Equity.
- Excellent sound quality and a guarantee of 'not a bad seat in the house'.
Insider tips
- If seeking content for younger children, parents should specifically research guest productions or school events hosted at the theatre, as the resident company specializes in adult comedy/satire.
- Consider booking tickets online as the venue is described as a popular 'hidden gem'.
- Arrive with enough time to navigate the Rittenhouse neighborhood and soak in the 'cozy and eclectic' atmosphere before the show.
Good to know before you go
- Bringing very young children or toddlers unless specific age-appropriate programming is confirmed, as the resident productions are adult-oriented comedy.
- Expecting traditional 'kids' theater' entertainment or amenities (e.g., character meet-and-greets, interactive children's shows) from the primary production company reviewed.
- Reviews do not provide details on child-specific facilities like changing tables, booster seats, or dedicated children's programs, which is critical for a 'Kids Theaters' business.
- Crowds
- No specific crowd levels or busy times are mentioned. However, being described as a 'hidden gem' and 'perennial crowd favorite' suggests it can be popular, especially for specific shows.
- Value
- No specific pricing details are mentioned in the reviews. However, the consistent high praise ('excellent', 'perfection', 'blown away', 'Broadway style') suggests that patrons perceive good value for the quality of performances and venue experience.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned in the reviews. The comment 'not a bad seat in the house' refers to view, not physical accessibility.
- Safety
- No specific safety features for children are mentioned in the reviews.
What parents say
"I love this little theater! The talented actors who form 1812 productions continue to hit it out of the park. This was my second time seeing a performance here. It was excellent! Jen Childs and Tony Braithwaite are both hilarious and very talented. I will definitely be returning soon. Truly not a bad seat in the house is also a plus.👍🏻❤️🙂"
2 weeks ago
"This is a hidden gem in Philly! I am so glad I found these tickets online. First, the theater is so cute and quaint. Also, the 1812 troupe was perfection in The Play That Goes Wrong!"
2 months ago
"Historic, cozy and eclectic theater tucked away in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. We were welcomed warmly by knowledgeable volunteers and staff. The cast performances were excellent: the program noted that most are in Actors' Equity. We were blown away by the comedic acrobatics of their "Play that Goes Wrong". We learned that this production company specializes in comedy/satire. Their perennial crowd favorite is, This is the Week That Is."
4 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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