Live performance has a charge a screen can't match. The actors hear you laugh, the orchestra fills the room, and no two nights are quite the same. The performing arts cover a lot of ground: plays and musicals, opera, ballet and modern dance, symphony and chamber music, and touring productions that pass through town for a week or two.

You don't need a big city to find good work. Regional and community theaters, college drama and music departments and summer festivals stage strong shows for a fraction of the price of the big houses, often in small rooms where every seat is close. Outdoor amphitheaters and Shakespeare in the park are some of the most relaxed nights of the year.

The Date Activity

A show is a classic date for good reason. You share something for a couple of hours, then have plenty to talk about afterward. Pick by mood: a comedy or a musical keeps things light, while a drama makes for a deeper conversation over dessert. If you're unsure, a well-reviewed musical is hard to get wrong.

Make it a full evening with dinner before the show, booked early enough that you're not watching the clock, and drinks or dessert nearby after. Matinees make a relaxed daytime date and are often cheaper. For a show with the meal built in, try a dinner theater, or keep the laughs going after the curtain at a comedy club.

On Your Own / With Friends

Most theaters offer group rates for larger parties, and some add a backstage tour or a post-show talk with the cast. Season subscriptions are a good deal if your group will go several times a year, and they usually come with better seats and easy exchanges. Planning a bigger night out? Map out dinner, the show and drinks after in the planner.

Going alone is easy and surprisingly enjoyable. Single seats are often available even when a show looks sold out, and some theaters sell last-minute rush or standby tickets at a discount.

Good to Know

Arrive fifteen to twenty minutes early; latecomers are often held in the lobby until a break in the show. Turn your phone fully off, and don't take photos or video during the performance. There's rarely a strict dress code, but people tend to dress up a little for evening shows, opera and the symphony. The front of the balcony often has a better view than the far sides of the orchestra. Look for student, senior and day-of discounts, preview performances and pay-what-you-can nights, and check the running time and age guidance before you book.