Theatre in the Park

Name: Theatre in the Park
Address: 107 Pullen Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA, Raleigh, NC, US
Telephone: (919) 831-6936
Rating: 4.6

4.6(156) Raleigh, NC

Directions Website

About Theatre in the Park

Theatre in the Park offers a diverse range of productions, from beloved classics like 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Dracula' to more adult-oriented fare like 'Forbidden Broadway' and 'The Father'. It boasts a community theatre vibe with friendly staff and clean facilities, and receives high praise for acting, direction, and set design in many of its shows. However, parents should be aware that some modern adaptations, specifically the contemporary rendition of 'A Christmas Carol' with Elvis impersonations and Covid references, have been strongly disliked by patrons for straying too far from original storylines.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families with older children or teens who appreciate live theatre and diverse theatrical styles.Parents seeking a welcoming community theatre experience with a mix of classic and contemporary plays.Theatregoers who appreciate strong acting, direction, and set design.Individuals looking for an accessible viewing experience with good seats throughout the venue.Some productions like 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Dracula' may be suitable for older children and teens, depending on their comfort with potentially scary or dramatic themes.

Why families love it

High-quality performances with great performers and singers (e.g., 'Forbidden Broadway', 'The Father').
Enjoyable productions such as 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Dracula'.
No bad seats; offers great views from any seating position.
Friendly and helpful staff and volunteers.
Clean restrooms are consistently maintained.
Features superb acting (e.g., Ira David Wood, Evan Rachel Wood) and brilliant direction in specific shows (e.g., 'The Father').

Insider tips

Before booking, specifically research the content and style of any 'classic' productions, especially 'A Christmas Carol', if you prefer traditional storytelling over modern adaptations.
Engage with the friendly staff and volunteers for any assistance or information.
Consider attending during seasonal events for potential free treats.
Research individual show content for suitability for younger children, as offerings vary widely from adult dramas to family-friendly tales.

Good to know before you go

If you dislike modern interpretations of classic stories, specifically avoid the current rendition of 'A Christmas Carol' due to its updated storyline, Elvis impersonation, and Covid references.
Avoid bringing very young children to productions like 'The Father' or 'Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits' as they are generally geared towards teens and adults.
The modern rendition of 'A Christmas Carol' has been criticized as 'the worst ever seen' by a reviewer, citing a ridiculous storyline, Elvis impersonation, and Covid references.
The updated 'A Christmas Carol' has been running for multiple years despite negative feedback, leading to calls for it to revert to Dickens' original story.
A reviewer almost walked out twice during the modern 'A Christmas Carol' production due to dissatisfaction.

Value: Specific pricing is not mentioned in the reviews. However, one reviewer indicated that the modern rendition of 'A Christmas Carol' offered poor value, stating 'I can't believe that anyone would pay to see it'. Value perception varies greatly by show content.
Food: No general food or drink policy is mentioned. However, free Halloween cookies and cupcakes were distributed during a specific event, suggesting occasional complimentary treats.
Accessibility: Seating is designed such that there are 'no bad seats' and 'great view from any seat', which may imply good general accessibility for viewing angles.
Safety: No specific safety features or measures are mentioned in the reviews.

What parents say

Lori Fenty

5.0

"Saw Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits. So funny, great performers/singers. Loved the show. Looking forward to seeing more shows. Also saw The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

a year ago

wendy petrohoy

2.0

"I saw Theatre in the Park's A Christmas Carol at the DPAC this past December 2024. I also saw it in Raleigh in 2021. This is the worst rendition that I've ever seen!! While I can appreciate trying to make it relevant and modern, this story line is so ridiculous and to continue to do it year after year is incredulous. I can't believe that anyone would pay to see it (I almost walked out both times) let alone win an award. After so many years it is time to end this nonsense and realign the show with Dickens original story line. End the Elvis impersonation, Covid references and other garbage!"

3 months ago

Denise Rhodes

5.0

"Great show! Legend of Sleepy Hollow. There are no bad seats. Great view from any seat. Community theatre vibe. Staff and volunteers are friendly and helpful. Clean restrooms."

a year ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.