The David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (better known as The Straz Center to the locals), is one of Tampa's real hidden gems. The Straz Center boasts five theaters, the Patel Conservatory, a rehearsal hall, and it's located along the Hillsborough Riverwalk. Each of the performance halls has a unique personality and each venue hosts different kinds of events from touring Broadway, grand opera, jazz concerts, performance art and a free movie series on the lawn.
Brittany and I have been a few times to see Broadway shows in the Carol Morsani Hall which features major productions of Broadway musicals, operas, ballets and orchestral concerts. Morsani Hall is listed as one of the ten best performing arts venues in the country, seating about 2500 people, which means that little ol' Tampa can bring in some of the world's best theatrical performances.
We've seen Wicked, Cats, Evita, Jersey Boys, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. All of the performances were first-class, and it's really nice to be able to enjoy such world-class shows right here in town, without paying the big New York City Theater District prices.
Self-parking is conveniently located across the street from The Straz, and they also offer valet parking, though much pricier. You can purchase drinks and snacks out in the lobby during intermission, and there is a full-service restaurant located on the premises -- though I've never tried the place.
If you like going to the theater, then I highly recommend that you take in a show at The Straz. It's a good excuse to get all dressed up and add a bit of culture to your life.
I had an overall positive experience with a large group of friends recently. No complaints about the staff. We sat in the first level above the floor and found the seats right at the balcony were really low to the ground. Like unusually low. While it wasn't an issue for our 5ft friends, the taller guys were a bit uncomfortable. It also felt like the interior was a bit outdated, which I didn't expect. I was also happy that self-parking was under $10 when my friends (who go regularly) warned that they've had to pay almost $20 in the past to valet (that's kind of obscene). Would I go back? Yeah.
Review Source:I saw Rain - the Beatles experience. This was the first time I have ever been to a theater. Parking was relatively easy. The theater itself was beautiful. Even though there was a lot of people roaming around, the concession stands were fast - and they had a decent variety of snacks to boot. I can't wait to go back!
Review Source:We've been a member for a number of years. Â We've recently been to a number of other Performing Arts Centers around the country and I found myself thinking, "boy, I'm glad we live near the Straz Center to go to our shows". Â The audience seating is much better than other places. Â One complaint I could see is that they need at least 1 other large bathroom set up to handle the intermission rush. Â Every bathroom line is backed up into the hallway. Â Their show schedule could use one or two more larger hits each year, even if they had to bring back a success from a previous year. Â Jersey Boys where are you? Â 5 stars...maybe. Â But having been to a couple of shows in the West End of London in the past few years with their historic ambiance, and their top notch performers ( I mean, Mister Bean playing Fagin in Oliver, the facial expressions alone were worth the money), I give this a 4 1/2 if we could give out halves. Â
We've taken our granddaughter who is eight to some of the shows. Â Some we did not and were glad we didn't. Â You need to google the shows ahead of time and make that decision.
My family has been subscribed to the TBPAC Broadway series for 25 years. Â As the price continues to soar, the quality and variety of shows continues to decrease. Â You would be better off buying individual tickets to shows than having to endure the entire season which always includes a local production of a second rate show that is mandatory with subscription; often shows repeated after only a few years. Â It's a chore, instead of an enjoyable experience most of the time. The shows used to be fantastic, but really, how many times can one see Evita, JCS, Jekyll and Hyde, etc. Â Repeat, repeat, repeat! The quality the shows repeated is a clear indicator that you can't go home again! Â Plays adapted from 1980's movies without the original music; Sister Act and Flashdance were mediocre at best. Â Look out next season an adaptation of 'ghost.' what happened in the 80's should stay in the 80's.
Review Source:What I like about the Straz is that there is something for everyone here from plays, to Broadway, opera, comedy and more. It's very convenient to park at the Poe Garage with the use of the covered walk way on the second floor and the ushers are always courteous and helpful. As far as prices well it depends on the show, buying early and season tickets may save you a few bucks. I'm yet to try the restaurant but if you don't want to try the main Maestro's they also have a Maestro's Cafe (buffet style) and  Maestro's On the River (outside seating). Overall a great place for Arts in Tampa Bay.
Review Source:Very nice venue. Â I've seen many productions here- from musicals to comedians- and it seems to accomodate each act really well. Â The acoustics don't always seem to be great- sometimes it can be hard to hear lyrics to songs. Â Not sure if this is related to the sound design- the sound operator or the performers- I'd imagine a mix of all 3. Â
A couple of tips:
-If you anticipate having to use the bathroom, arriving at close to showtime, or visiting the concessions- don't buy seats dead center. Â There are no aisles that go through the orchestra- only an aisle on either end. Â So, you're having to climb over 30 people to get to the center seats. Â
-The bar near the left orchestra takes credit cards- also has a bigger wine selection. Â Also be prepared to pay $8 for a glass of cheap wine.
-If you park near the Howard Johnson hotel, you can actually enter from the side of the building by the river (and not have to walk around to the front)
-I find the best seats for a musical to be about row K-O, seats 10-15.
Wonderful just wonderful. When you walk in it feels like your in Disney World. The lights and the music. The restaruants are awesome. If you eat outside try the Burger on a pretzel bun. The broadway shows were outstanding, we saw Sister Act. I would want to whatch it over and over again. Next stop, Mary Poppins.
Review Source:I love the Straz Center! From their large theaters like the Morsani Hall to their more intimate rooms like the Jaeb Theater, the Straz is a great place to be any night of the week! They stay current on their shows, give an array of different acts and showcase many pieces that are straight off of Broadway. Also, the staff is very helpful and courteous not to mention that their tickets are always at excellent prices.
No matter how old or young you may be, you will be sure to find a show that you enjoy here!
I'm in awe how this place manages to juggle both the younger and older generations. One night they'll have a trendy comedian or a band (Bon Iver!) and other nights they'll have a Broadway type shows. There's just enough formality that it keeps everyone happy. But I never feel like it's too stiff or formal. I really like all the bar stations inside and outside the event. Typically, there's at least four inside and two outside. If the ones near the main door are crowded, go all the way to the back... the line is usually shorter. And the parking situation, which should be a nightmare, is handled well. Get there an hour + early, park low in the garage and grab a drink at Taps. By the time show comes on --- you'll be pumped up.
Review Source:Given the choice between attending a show here, or in Orlando, we'll choose the Tampa center every time. The overall experience is light-years ahead of the tiny Bob Carr, and worth the extra drive time.
Incredibly direct access to and from the freeway as well as convenient and reasonably-priced parking make it easy to arrive and depart. The acoustics in the main hall (Morsani Hall) are stellar. I've found staff all to be very pleasant and friendly. And the riverfront location gives a nice place to pass time before a show.
There is onsite dining, though I haven't experienced it. There are also other halls besides the Morsani, but I'm always there for Broadway touring shows.
The one negative to me are the dinky restrooms, a flight of stairs down from the main floor. But hey, I'm a guy, so I don't have to deal with too long a line.
Today was our first time at the Straz Center to see Jekyll & Hyde. We have season tickets on the aisle in orchestra, costing a small fortune for my husband and myself. I want to say that in all my theatre-going years, I have never come across such rude a group of ushers as I have in this theater. Not only did they talk to each other during the show, they shined their flashlights pointing late people to their seats (3o minutes late!) and chatting with them, while we are trying to watch a very expensive performance. One of the older lady ushers, kept flashing the light on her watch. This was so disturbing that I had to contain myself from telling them all to sit down and shut up. The nerve. Whoever is in charge with these people, please retrain them. When the play starts, they should not be speaking and shining their flashlight toys in patron's eyes.
Review Source:Love this place the Ushers all have character and the place bustles with creativity. Wonderful seating and even better shows.
Jobsite is a small theater they do an amazing job and anything goes this is my go to Thursday activity! Jobsite will keep you on your toes and very entertained!
I visited the Straz Center for the first time on Saturday for their 27th Taste the Best of Tampa Bay. I never knew that such an elegant venue was so close to the Tampa Museum of Art and the surrounded area. The event was three stories high - filled with vendors and was able to handle a busy crowd of what looked like more than 1,000 people all rushing for food samples and drinks. The employees there were all courteous and the inside was fitting for a venue that hosts operas and plays. There were plenty of tables and chairs outside looking out to the waterfront, though the best waterfront view is at Curtis Hixon Park nearby. I appreciated the bridge that connects the parking garage to the center. They have a restaurant there that I have yet to try, but maybe someday I'll make it there for a try.
Overall, I was happy with the venue and look forward to visiting it again for a performing art performance someday.
This is a great theater to catch a broadway play, musical, or comedy show. Â We have gone here twice to see the Nut Cracker. Â The theater is small enough that most seats offer a great view although on our last visit we were seated on the right corner of the balcony and it was not the greatest view. Â
Parking is reasonable and convenient to the theater, although I would skip the stelleto heels unless you are getting dropped off at the door. Â Drinks and snacks are available during intermission. Â I believe a glass of house wine was about $5 or $6.
The tickets aren't cheap, but compared to New York and Las Vegas they are quite a deal. Â If you love going to the theater I would suggest becoming a member to get discounted tickets and first selection of tickets.
I went to the Straz for a free night at the symphony due to an organization called Young Philanthropic Tampa. All I can say is beautiful place with extremely nice people working there.
The acoustics were also fantastic and I don't think there is a bad seat in the house. I will definitely be returning for many more performances.
I've only been here once to see A Christmas Story, but I really liked this venue. Â I'm used to going to the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center here in Orlando, which is very similar to the David A. Straz Center, but I think that the seating arrangements at the Straz Center is set up much better and allows for a better viewing experience. Â I did not like the parking situation though. Â I parked in a lot that charged me $5 which was on the complete opposite side of the front of the building and took a while to walk to where I needed to be. Â That was the only negative experience I had at the Straz Center. Â So all in all a great place to go see a show.
Review Source:I am a bit behind in reviewing this but 3 of my friends and I went to see Motherhood on Friday, August 26 at 8PM at The Carol Morsani Hall . The theater was FREEZING and they stuck us at a table so far to the side of the stage that we could not see anything that was going on during the performance on that side of the stage. Â We booked over the phone and asked the woman specifically if we would be able to see well from there and she assured us we would.
They absolutely should NOT have sold tickets for that table. The show was very good but the venue should be ashamed that they would sell those seats. Oh and when you think about spending the money for tickets, don't forget the $8 parking fee.
The Carol Morsani Hall is pretty nice, very large. Saw Black Star (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) perform here. Pretty surprised to see them perform at the Straz, but it worked. Acoustics were pretty decent for this show. I hope they come back. The pre-function area is large. They have drinks there as well.
Overall, this is a good place to start if you want that New York Broadway experience or if you want to prep for it before you go.
We drove over from Orlando to see Mary Poppins. Coming from the Bob Carr in Orlando, this place was Radio City.
It's comfortable seating with ample concourse areas make it a nice place to see a show. It's easy to get to and and only drawbacks are parking and surrounding restaurants being too far away.
As good a facility for Broadway touring companies and other stage productions as you'll find anywhere in the South. Acoustics are outstanding, and large enough to accommodate a good sized crowd.
The quality of productions is always top rate, and rare is the major company that doesn't stop in Tampa. Morsani Hall, the biggest of the facility venues, compares favorably with any of the great halls in the region. I've been to similar facilities in Durham, Atlanta, Miami, and others, but this is the best I've seen.
What makes it such an outstanding landmark for the area are the other venues in the complex. The Shimberg Playhouse is just 130 seats, but I've seen a couple of really good small community theater style productions there. I also saw one musical act in Ferguson Hall, which is almost a mini version of Morsani, and it was just as comfortable and appealing as it's larger neighbor.
The Patel Conservatory does great work with arts programs for young people in the area for both music and theatrical performance. Having an option for students to pursue this in the area is invaluable.
Tampa gets a rap as not as culturally aware as other cities of the same market size, but I don't think that's fair. There's many good museums in the area, but TBPAC is probably the best evidence that Tampa is a great city for the arts as well.
Tampa is lucky to have such a venue. I've been coming since it opened and always enjoyed myself. I've seen fabulous shows here.
They have got parking down. You can valet park or get there a bit earlier and park in the garage (with a covered walkway) or in parking lots right around the building. Also after the show exiting is not bad.
My family has had season tickets to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for as long as I can remember. It was here that my love of the performing arts was developed and fostered, and so this place will always hold a very special place in my heart. All of the venues at TBPAC are amazing in their own ways and for their own purposes, but nothing makes my heart flutter like a seat at the center of the giant, majestic, Carol Morsani Hall. It is this facility that attracts most of the major Broadway shows that pass through here, and there is nothing like the energy of that room during a packed performance.
TBPAC also self-produces a few shows a year, which are usually top notch. My favorite of these are the operas, which are presented in the Carol Morsani at the same level of production and performance one might see at Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall. These events are truly spectacular and I would recommend them to anyone who might be able to catch one.
Their most recent foray into internally-produced productions is a new original musical entitled 'Wonderland,' which I paid an unfortunate $79 to sit through last weekend. Words cannot express how disappointed I was by this show. The dialogue was unoriginal, the characters undeveloped and the music uninteresting. The show simply did not reach the high standards I have learned to expect from TBPAC.
However, a lifetime of quality productions is enough for me to let this one pass, so long as it doesn't happen again, and I will happily award TBPAC the 5 stars it deserves, despite 'Wonderland.'
I was here for Wonderland tonight, and fell in love with the theater instantly. Â It was filled with lovely people who greeted and seated me in the friendliest manner possible.
The seats were very comfortable and not too close together for tall people. Â I wish all theaters were this comfortable.
The restrooms were clean and stocked with towels and toilet paper.
You can see this place next to water while driving on I-275. Â It is very easy to find and parking isn't as bad as one might think. Â Every time I came here for a show, I parked right next to the building. Â The overall feel of the place is kind of casual/formal, depending on your showtime and the audience you will be watching it with. Â Usually afternoon shows are more casual and evening shows have more formal feel. Â The seats are pretty good or maybe I just been lucky. Â I was able to get seats right in the middle every time so far. Â I was able to see the stage pretty clearly, obviously if you have a person with big head in front of you, you might have to adjust.
The only thing that kind of bothered me a bit, the armrest kind of sucks.
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