Barter Theatre — Attraction in Abingdon

There is only one word for the experience we had last evening attending the Barter Theater for a performance of "To Kill a Mockingbird"...FLAWLESS. Well actually there are many more words to describe the incredible experience my husband and I had. I am now 73 and I saw the movie of the same name when I was 12, in 1962. I read the book later. Harper Lee wrote a powerful story to illustrate man's inhumanity to man simply on the basis of a person's race. And for that 12-year old at that time it made an indelible mark on my soul. Last night the staging, the performances, the emotions it invoked...it nearly brought me to tears considering and empathizing with the incalculable number of times people of color had to suffer injustice and prejudice in this country. It also brings to mind the powerful lyrics of Bob Dylan in his song "Blowing in the Wind." And if you are reading this review, I urge you to look up those lyrics and read them. What a treasure to have such a wonderful theater and performers bringing live theater to your area! If I lived here I would see every play offered...at least once. I am going to be telling everyone I know about Abingdon, Virginia and The Barter Theater. I'm not on Tik-Tok (mercy, no!!) But I have an ability to influence be very persuasive. I love to organize friends for road trips!! Thank you to all of the people involved in producing and acting in one of the most impressive and emotional evenings I've ever experienced at a live performance! Bravo to all!! Tomorrow evening we're attending "Clue" and can't wait to be at the Barter again! We'll need some comic relief after such a...

First experience with Barter and I have very mixed feelings…

I saw their production of “Frozen” which was spectacular! Loved every minute of it!

However, anytime outside of the show was awful. Worst customer service I have EVER EXPERIENCED. We chose to pick up our tickets from the Box Office and there was a mix up with the name (which could easily be on us), but instead of working towards a solution, the lady got smart with us about putting it under a correct name. Eventually they were found. Misplaced because we ordered over the phone and there was a misspelling in our name. I guess the manager, Niki, came up and resolved the situation. She told us to make sure we spell our name the next time we make a reservation. The other woman basically threw the tickets at us.

We went over to concessions, which was a mad house. I expected nothing less. A small area with a large pack of kids trying to snag Elsa wands, basically a mini Disney World. The man working the counter didn’t fully know what was happening. Very overwhelmed and showing it. I just needed a coffee and two cookies and it seemed like the end of the world. While I was putting my payment away, which didn’t take long, he started talking over me to the next guest and then had the nerve to ask me to move along. Very rude man. The same thing happened during intermission with another man who was seating before the show. Must be a theme. He was very rude to the ushers and made a lot of snippy remarks. We got scolded because we got scanned in downstairs instead of upstairs where our seats were.

Overall, good theatre, poor...

Barter is the best professional theatre in the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia area. It is also the "State Theatre of Virginia". We have gotten season tickets for several years, and love coming up to Abingdon for dinner and a show.

My only beef with Barter is their recent change in ticket policy. Previously, we used to be able to buy a certain number of tickets per season, and then "spend" those tickets on whatever shows we wanted. So if just my wife and I went to a show, then we would "spend" two tickets. But if we wanted to bring another couple with us, then we would "spend" four tickets from our season pass on that show. But about two years ago, Barter changed their policy so that each pass was for one person for a particular number of shows. So therefore, when my wife and I want to bring another couple, then we have to purchase additional tickets for that couple at a significantly higher price than our season pass price.

That said, dinner plus a Barter show in Abingdon is one of our favorite things to do for date night. If you are coming from out of town, an overnight stay at the Martha Washington Inn across the street is...