ENCHANTING!
I am absolutely in love with this little theatre. It has been exquisitely renovated. Everything from the antique lounging furniture in the halls to the seats and bathrooms are world class. I have been to see several shows there and have sat in the "worst seat in the house" and in front center, also in the balcony. Even the "worst" seats are fantastic. The lobby is over the top also. Very historical and classy. Every performance I have seen here has been made special just by being performed in this magical space. One can't help but stare at the gorgeous walls, ceiling (well, everywhere) and be moved.
The staff is always so professional and polite. It wasn't until recently when I had a very negative performance hall experience (elsewhere) that I really began to appreciate how wonderful the staff of the Tennessee Theatre really are. I am going out of my way to visit again soon just so I can tell them how much I appreciate all they have done for their fans and their city. They are a huge positive presence in the community. No wonder fans are so dedicated and return year after year!
I am trying to get my boss and his wife to join me at a show there soon. Now when is the last time you were so impressed with a place you wanted to take your boss!?
I visited the Tennessee theatre when Mary Poppins came into town. I was very pleasantly surprised as I would never have expected anything so grand and beautiful in little old Knoxville. Don't get me wrong, I love Knoxville and I think it is an amazing city but I certainly did not expect this caliber of amazingness in Knoxville.
The amount of thought and detail that went into the renovation was very elaborate. I thought I had been transported to a different world when I stepped through the doors. The acoustics are excellent and  the seating arrangement was well optimized. I got the least expensive ticket and sat in the limited view area but didn't feel like I missed a thing.
I am so thankful I live in Knoxville and cannot wait to see another show here.
This is a beautiful, beautiful venue, visually, sonically, and historically. Â We're really blessed in Tennessee to have these fabulous palaces for classical music. Â The TN Theater, while maybe not having the traffic or notoriety of the Schemmerhorn in Nashville, is certainly its equal, though a fairly different animal. Â I'd rather hear a symphony or a violin concerto in either of these two venues before even thinking about some of the more renowned halls in America like the Kennedy Center or Carnegie Hall. Â
The Tennessee is a classic movie palace dating from the early 20th century (1920s I believe?). Â It's a grand, baroque hall with elegantly decorated columns, walls, and that gorgeously-decorated oval-recessed thing in the ceiling (sorry, I tried looking up technical terms in theater architecture, but the internetz failed me here). Â
The whole building exudes class and elegance, and makes anything you're hearing or watching just seem many times more grand. Â The sound is great too. Â Dynamic symphonies and rock acts sound equally majestic here, but it still has the delicacy to transmit all the subtleties of a lone violin or acoustic guitar. Â The only thing you may regret seeing here is something that belongs in a place where you can comfortably stand and flail, as the seating just isn't made for dancing. Â
Anything else though, and you'll feel like you experienced a production fit for a king.
Great sound! The Tennessee Theatre has a classical beautiful design and style. The ceiling is done quite fancily. There are two bars, one at the entrance and for some of the bigger shows a smaller room with drinks upstairs for the balcony seats. The lay out makes for a good show from almost anywhere in the theatre.
Review Source:Beautiful theater but not the greatest place for a rock concert. Â You really can't move around and get into the music.
Other than that, it's totally beautiful, super clean (even the bathrooms), and drinks are worth the price. I'd love to see a play or dance show here. I will be back for something other than a rock concert.
$26 Million in renovations has truly paid off!
Elaborate, uber-ornate details abound on every wall & the ceiling. This theatre is GORGEOUS! Feels almost like you're in a palace of some sort.
We've seen 4 Broadway shows here. Â
The caliber of talent is good but nothing like the real thing. I'm not sure where they get the tour group, but it's definitely NOT the official Broadway tour group.
If there is a reason to go to the Tennessee Theater beyond  being in this historical space, GO.  Just being in the theater is a show in itself.  It takes you out of Knoxville to another time and place....you could be in any major city on the planet!  It's a small theater and there isn't a bad seat in the house.  I love the balcony ~for dance performances especially.  The Tennessee Theater is ornate, colorful, and is an amazing venue for any performance.  This is a must see and be in Knoxville.  Enjoy!!
Review Source:I won't break the trend of five star reviews for the Tennessee Theatre. It's well deserved. This place is amazing and it seems like every seat in the house is good. The acoustics during a recent Knoxville Symphony performance were grande. The seats were comfortable for a two hour performance. If you're going to something fancy, don't be afraid to dress up! You won't be alone. Parking was available nearby. Le Parigo two blocks away makes for a nice fancy dinner before coming here. The chocolate shop near Market Square is nearby for a nice after performance treat and coffee, though you'll likely have to dodge the roving bands of drunken thirty somethings. Note: the restrooms are downstairs (an elevator is also available).
Review Source:I've been in theaters all over the world, and this theater ranks as one of my favorite in terms of unique beauty and refurbished charm. Â I have probably been to around 50 shows there, if not more. Â Considering how old and wide the venue is, the acoustics are great. Â There is every genre of performance here and it's well worth your time to see any type and expect a good experience. Â Plus, you can grab some gelato practically next door at Coolato Gelato.
Review Source:There simply are not enough compliments that can be showered on the Tennessee Theater to do it justice. When you step through the doors you literally feel as if your stepping back in time with the beauty of the decor. Have been to more then a few shows here from orchestral to bluegrass (The Avett Brothers) and the acoustics get better the farther away from the stage you get. Kinda odd I know but if you ever get a show to go check it out. For pre game festivities the very nice Downtown Brewery is about 2 blocks down the street serving up microbrews at a reasonable price.
Review Source:The first time I went to the Tennessee Theater (for one of their Rocky Horror showings), I spent a good part of my time just distracted by how utterly beautiful the theater is. It was built in the twenties, and the influence of that era can definitely be seen in the gilded architecture and the heavy, red drapes.
I went there most recently for a concert where I sat in the right side of the balcony. The view was actually a lot better than I thought it would be - because the theatre isn't TOO large, I still felt pretty close up. In fact, I've been here about three times now, sat in completely different places each time, and never had anything close to a bad view. The rows are kind of narrow though, so if you have to get up or anything, prepare to say lots of awkward "excuse mes" as you wonder if you smashed your rear into that one guy's face like you think you did.
A word of warning though! This is standard at a lot of concert venues apparently, but just in case you (like me and my fellow concert goer) did not know: if you need to leave the actual building during the concert, for a smoke break or whatever the case may be, be sure to get the ticket takers to scan your ticket as you leave. It's not really stated clearly on the tickets and there were no signs, so we went outside during intermission and almost weren't allowed back in - but luckily, the staff is gracious and understanding, and remembered us coming through the line the first time.
I love going here for concerts, shows, whatever. Â There's not a bad seat in the house, and it's a beautiful venue. Â We are very lucky to have this theater.
HOWEVER, I really really wish that when the show starts that people STAY in their damn seat! Â
We saw Bonnie Raitt there last month and it was completely RUDE and annoying how people kept getting up and going out for whatever...drinks, to pee...you name it. Â And, people should get a life and leave their cell phones in the car or at home for goodness sake. Â Some chick almost bumped into us because her face was in her phone. Â
It's a shame that people are so self-absorbed.
This is a great location for shows. Â The interior is absolutely gorgeous. Â If you decide to order a cocktail before you go into the theatre, you better hope you have an airplane bottle with you too. Â The drinks are weak, so spice it up and bring in a flask or airplane bottle so you will feel a buzz instead of your pocket lacking on cash flow because of the drink expenses.
Review Source:Absolutely the best concert venue in K-town. Â I've seen a variety of acts here from Nickel Creek to a magician to having my senior Prom here! Â So I have lots of great memories attached. Â It is beautiful and classy. Â It's not overwhelmingly big, but not tiny either. Â The perfect amount of seating in my opinion.
I always choose floor seating b/c I like to be closer to the action, but I know those who are balcony die hards. Â
I heart Tennessee Theater (and did you know it was in the movie, October Sky... they blanked out the T so in the movie it read ENESSEE Theatre :) Â (they were supposed to be in WV in the movie!)
this venue is just about perfect. small, comfortable, great sound, charming, beautiful, easily accessible... perfect. it houses a gorgeous wurlitzer that rises into the center of the stage. seriously, how cool is a wurlitzer? the guy who plays it is a really great guy and he knows his way around those endless keys like it's nobody's business. no matter what you are going to see there, it's going to be great. what a rennaisance.
Review Source:This little theatre, located in downtown Knoxville, has won my heart. Â I daresay, after all of the restoration it has been through, that it's beauty may rival the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Â But it does not rival its size!
But that only worked to my benefit when seeing Morrissey perform there the other night! Â The less people vying for his attention, the better! Â Seating about 2,000 people, it makes it a great venue for cozy events!
You can tell they have spent many years rebuilding the theatre to it's original glory. Â Rich, lush draperies and crystal encrusted chandeliers abound, and the Spanish- Moorish design of the interior reminds me of the Fox in many ways. Â Make sure when you get into the theatre itself you look up at the ceiling when the room darkens- the shimmering blue ceiling will hypnotize you!
This theater is indeed one of the most beautiful venues I've ever stepped foot inside. Who'd have guessed Knoxville would be home to such an impressive sight. It reminds me somewhat of the Fabulous Fox in Atlanta . . . for this theater to poop on! That's right, I'm dogging out one of my hometown's theaters for some out of town action.
The intricate designs that were restored here are amazing. The bathrooms were clean and spacious. The staff were just what you'd expect in the south, courteous and helpful, with an added bonus of having great stories to tell. I was there to see Keller Williams and recently String Cheese Incident had played the theater and that really brought the hippies out in droves. These two older ladies checking tickets upon entrance into the theaters were telling me how there was some damage caused to some plastic protectors they have up on the balcony and then the other one says "and my the smell was so bad I thought we should just discharge the sprinkler system and give them all a good shower" . . . touche.
Anyways, my seat for the show was front-row and to the left. The stage is raised just enough so you could still put your arms on it from where I was. My only beefs was the way security was handling the crowd. Or in some cases not handling the crowd since they let some obnoxiously drunk frat brats muscle their way into my row without tickets and proceed to scream at the top of their lungs about how it was Biff's birthday. We get it Biff, you're excited and wasted to boot, but he's still not going to play your request b/c he's busy trying to play his set. They were however throwing folks out of my section for poking smot. Albeit they were blatantly exhaling upwards onto the stage while Keller was covering Afroman's Tumbleweed, but still disappointing to see calm kids get yanked for that while Biff's busy busting my eardrums.
This beautifully restored performance hall theater is a must-visit, should you be traveling to Knoxville. (Most of the local residents are already patrons--or they should be!)
Appropriately grandiose, in the grand tradition of 19Th Century performance theaters, and yet intimate; executed with an early 21st Century vibrant-yet-respectful color palette, coupled with superb acoustics (would you expect anything less in the geographical ground-zero of traditional American music?) the Tennessee Theater is an aesthetic and aural tour d' force.
...and if you happen to be seeing the likes of EmmyLou Harris or Mark Knopfler (or the both of them together!) perform there--God will have indeed smiled upon you. Â A prayer of gratitude is due.
Well-done, Knoxville!
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