TheatreSquared — Attraction in Fayetteville

I adore live theatre. Theater? We're gonna go with theatre (since TheatreSquared is what I'm reviewing). I went to TheatreSquared for years when it was right across the street. The venue was a little dated, but I loved the space. I was sad when I heard they were shutting it down and rebuilding it. I was afraid they would make it larger and lose the intimate feel for which the theatre is so well known. But praise be, I was wrong. The new theatre is gorgeous. There just isn't any other word for it. It has a modern feel with a lot of clean lines both inside and out. There is a lot of glass and wood and concrete. There is an adequate amount of seating. It isn't terribly comfortable (that's my chronic back pain speaking), but get there about 30 minutes before the production and you can grab a snack at the cafe and snag a seat at one of the tables. But it's what's inside the theatre that's the most important (and it's why I posted so many pictures of the stage and theatre seating, to give you a feel of what I'm writing about). It's about half the size of a movie theater (maybe not, but it feels that way) and it curves around the stage. There truly isn't a bad seat. Unlike the Walton Arts Center (which I also love, mind you), the stage is surprisingly close. And it's incredibly intimate. There's just something about it that you can't get anywhere else. Unlike going to a movie, you are connecting with the actors on the stage in a more human and personal way. You get completely wrapped up in the play's momentum. Their tears are real tears. They're so close you want to comfort them. Because of the closeness, you get lost in the set design. When we saw "All The Way" the stage was very intricate. It intertwined the stories of Lyndon B. Johnson and Martin Luther King, Jr. with all the characters weaving in and out of the scenes. The play was incredible. We were almost uncomfortably close. It felt like we were in the play, in a way. This is a great segue to talk about the type of plays that come to TheatreSquared. "All The Way" was released in 2012 by Robert Schenkkan and won a Tony Award for Best Play in 2014. Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) played the lead on Broadway. And although we did not see Bryan Cranston (sadly), the actor we did see did an incredible job. This speaks more to the quality of plays. Each play we have ever looked up comes stacked with awards a mile long. I've never even looked up a show that didn't come with accolades galore. Our premier show at the new theatre was called Royale. I'll take you through the whole experience. We walked in and I think we were 2nd or 3rd row (this is a great point, the 1st row is a bit below stage-level so I would recommend being a smidge higher). We were stage right a few, probably 5-7 seats from the middle. The stage was insanely close and it was set up as a quarter of a boxing ring. So there we sat,  looky-loo'ing around the auditorium (which seems like a word that's too big for where we were) and talking about the stage. The play was highly regarded and had won multiple awards, but I wasn't 100% excited to see a play about boxing. And how in the world were they going to put on a play about boxing with 1/4 of a boxing ring? Like many times in my life, I was completely wrong. The play was incredible. There were 5 actors and although the backdrop of the story was boxing, it was more than that. It was about civil rights and racism and the sacrifices we make for family. The acting was phenomenal. They tackled boxing like a dance. Both actors standing next to each with the emphasis of a stomping foot representing a boxing it. The coup de grâce came after the performance when the entire cast came out for a Q&A session. We went to celebrate Valentine's Day and bought "Date Night Tickets". I highly recommend this. For $75 we received a glass of wine each, a shared brownie, and 2 seats wherever we wanted to sit. A regular ticket was about $50 each for premium seating (where we sat) so this was a great deal. And the play was well worth it. Go, have a great time, and...

TheaterSquared – A Cultural Treasure in Northwest Arkansas

TheaterSquared is truly a cultural gem in Northwest Arkansas! Every visit to this intimate, beautifully designed theater is a special experience, where you can always count on high-quality, professional productions. The performances are consistently outstanding, with a perfect blend of local talent and national-level production value, making it a must-visit for theater enthusiasts.

One of the things that sets TheaterSquared apart is its commitment to offering a diverse range of shows—from thought-provoking dramas to heartwarming comedies and everything in between. Every production is crafted with care, creativity, and an attention to detail that is evident from the set design to the performances. There’s always something new and exciting to look forward to each season, ensuring that theatergoers will never be bored.

The venue itself is modern and comfortable, with excellent acoustics and sightlines from every seat. The staff is welcoming, and the entire atmosphere feels like you’re part of something special. It’s clear that TheaterSquared is dedicated not only to creating great performances but also to fostering a love for the arts in the community.

Whether you're a long-time theater lover or someone looking to enjoy a night out, I highly recommend TheaterSquared. It's a true treasure in the region, offering unforgettable performances and a top-tier...

I love the new TheatreSquared art space. It's an excellent place for the community to experience the arts or just come to relax and have a cup of coffee. You can also buy a craft cocktail based on the show, a glass of wine, or a local craft beer and enjoy them in a glass within the event space. It is very intimate and makes you feel a part of the family.

My wife and I have seen several shows and they are all very well done, providing a perfect cost effective alternative to the Walton Arts Center. I am always impressed at the level of the technical skill and craftsmanship of the sets, as well as the lengths that they go to ensure EVERYONE has a wonderful time. I think one of the things that really blew me away, was what they did for parents with high energy children during the Christmas Carol performance. TheatreSquared provided them a space on the second floor that was streaming the show, so no one had to have an interrupted viewing. I mean who thinks of that!?

Whether you are going for the ambiance or for one of their many excellent shows, you will find yourself both enamored and amused with the TheatreSquared art space. I can't wait to see what they have in store...