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Google Rating

4.8
Based on 804 reviews
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Rachel
4 months ago
Excellent production of 39 Stairs. We were so impressed by the acting and overall performance. We will be back!
Melissa Harness
5 months ago
I've seen many plays here. Small, but awesome historical venue. Always a great show.
ELISABETH ST JOHN
5 months ago
Great, innovative acting and staging for "39 Steps.". We loved it!
Allan G. Duncan
5 months ago
Current show, a Broadway revival of 39 Steps is a don’t miss. Hilarious, engaging and nothing short of awe inspiring in what these character actors seamlessly pull off in two hour roller coaster of a ride. Shout out to the director!
Christine Freeman
5 months ago
This historic theater is an architectural delight. The staff is exceptionally friendly.
Sanjay Gupta
6 months ago
Charleston is home to a thriving arts scene, including the Dock Street Theatre, America's first permanent playhouse.

America’s first theater – designed solely for theatrical performances. It was built in 1736, was remodeled several times, and now serves its original purpose. It is also one of the most photographed buildings in the city
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Built on the corner of Church Street and Dock Street (now known as Queen Street), the Historic Dock Street Theatre was the first structure in America built exclusively to be used for theatrical performances. Flora, the first opera performance in America, took place at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.

Now owned and managed by the City of Charleston, the Historic Dock Street Theatre (soon to enter its fourth century as the heart of Charleston's artistic life) is home to many of the City's finest cultural institutions.
Janell Drakeford
6 months ago
John McRae
6 months ago
We went to see Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Excellent production by a super cast. It's one of my favorite literary pieces!! Theater is very old historic location. If you are in the side balcony, a few characters on your side of the stage may be a little hard to see, but such scenes are brief in this play.
Anoop Kaul
6 months ago
Historical theater - enjoyable experience.
Judith Alexander
6 months ago
Bill and Val P
6 months ago
My wife and i relocated from NY three years ago. We have attended many live NYC performances on Broadway, Radio City Music Hall and Lincoln Center. We know what it takes to perform before a live audience. Tonight we attended the performance of a Christmas Carol and were completely entertained. The performers, costumes, choreography, and scenery were all excellent. The venue itself was simply a throwback in time. We are now fans of this venue
Jim Green
7 months ago
Exceptional
Vickie Rotzko
7 months ago
It was wonderful all the songs they sang were fantastic
t
7 months ago
First time attending a show at the Dock Street Theatre and it was AMAZING!!! We sawa Christmas Carol this past weekend and just can't say enough about how incredible the performance was! It had some freshness but still stayed true to this classic Christmas production!! BRAVO to everyone involved!! The theatre itself is a beautiful playhouse intimate without being too small. We can not wait to come back!!!
aaron holmes
7 months ago
It was a wonderful play with great acting and great singing! (A Christmas Carol)
Dwayne Russ
8 months ago
It's a great setting for a show.
A.N.C Sunflower
8 months ago
For anyone wondering, floor seats are not fat friendly. Stick to the balcony or the accessible seating in the back row on the floor. No other notes.
Mark Hood
8 months ago
Beautiful building
Eileen Pruette
8 months ago
We saw that the Orchestra seats are straight back pews with dividers so on the advice of another reviewer, we opted for the balcony seats which at least have a little more room. But also absolutely straight-backed. I felt like I was being punished for something sitting in those seats. Would have been best if this thing had burned down - not everything historic is worth saving.
James Markson
8 months ago
Great venue
AMJWJ
9 months ago
Excellent show. Seats are not comfortable but I've had back surgery.
Patrick Cook
9 months ago
robyn empey
9 months ago
Wonderful small theater.
Purlie Victorious was comical but sureal.
Angel Gaiser
9 months ago
I loved the theatre. I went on opening night and had a delicious meal provided by Salthouse Catering. The actors were great, the story was wonderful.
Zachary Serrins
9 months ago
A can’t miss for any Charleston visitor!
melissa dorman
10 months ago
Fiddler on the roof was really good. Would definitely recommend.
Lorrie Ahern
10 months ago
Joseph Harness
10 months ago
1313lorenz
10 months ago
Holly Dapolito
10 months ago
The theater is pleasant and well ventilated. Has a historic feel. No bad seat that I could tell. I saw Fiddler on the Roof and it was fabulous. Orchestra was wonderful and sound was clear and concise throughout the show.
Lynn Kornya
11 months ago
Such history.. every seat has a great stage view!
Chaise
11 months ago
A beautiful and historic theater.

I highly recommend catching a show by the Charleston Stage theater company!
Luke L
a year ago
Absolutely beautiful inside. Public restrooms were very appreciated
GEORGE STOLL
a year ago
Abigail Lee
a year ago
We just happened to pass by this as we were exploring Charleston for the first time. It doesn't cost anything and you can just do a free will donation. You're able to go around the entire building unless it's blocked off by a rope. You can walk into the second level of the theater and even the old bar. I definitely recommend just to stop on and in and check it out! The exterior is absolutely stunning and you feel like you're walking back in time when you see the theater.
Mark Whittaker
a year ago
Joel Kaplan
a year ago
Beautiful theater in the heart of downtown. Wonderful acoustics without microphones.
scooter scute
a year ago
Katherine Niven
a year ago
The chamber music is wonderful. Innovative and moving.
Kevin Krawchuk
a year ago
Great venue
PokerGator
a year ago
The theater itself was amazing, 5 stars. The seats were comfortable with plenty of other room for the average size person. A little hard to see if somebody over 6 ft tall is sitting in front of you but still enjoyable. If you have a coughing problem, bring cough drops or something.
Steven Arnold
a year ago
Had a wonderful time and Beautiful was magnificent. The venue is a must see location and experience.
Marjorie Howard
a year ago
Wonder production of Beautiful!
Jeff Evans
a year ago
Authentic Charleston experience and an always interesting and entertaining mix of plays and musicals.
John Majors
a year ago
This theater brings us to Charleston.
Robert Erb
a year ago
This was our first trip to the DST. The changes and renovations that this building has seen over the centuries has not lessened the experience of drinking in the historical significance of the place. We felt transported back in time as we watched “Beautiful” the Carol King Musical. A great evening.
Thomas Crossman
a year ago
Very nice venue to watch plays and concerts. We listened to the Plantation Singers and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
Mario Mccoy
a year ago
A beatiful and historic theater. A must see when visiting Charlston.
Tom Wingard
a year ago
Steven Greene
a year ago
A trip to bountiful. Great play and acting
I love this intimate theater the play chicken and biscuits was amazing
rick robinson
a year ago
Intimate theatre puts you close to the actors. Historic and welcoming environment for the best of Charleston
Yvonne Atkinson
a year ago
Tina
a year ago
I had never been to the dock street theater before. I Thoroughly enjoyed the play Chicken and biscuits. The theater is really small and so are the chairs. Just keep that in mind , but it really is a good way to kill an evening. Of course , it's downtown , and there is no parking nearby , so you'll have to park in one of the garages, Pay and walk unless you're really lucky And find a spot close by.
Lovely theater and an amazing cast in Chicken 'n Biscuits. Recommend the show and the theater!
Nicholas P
a year ago
It’s located in the French Quarter neighborhood of downtown Charleston. I did a self guided tour because I read online that it was one of the most haunted places in Charleston. I didn’t experience anything while I was there but it is free if you want to roam around. They also have shows throughout the year, you can check on the website for what’s coming and how much are the tickets. I highly recommend checking out the interior and having a seat. Even if you’re not checking out a show, it’s still very cool just admiring the old architecture. Just a note it is handicap accessible.
The most beautiful Opera House I have been in. You can do a free self tour when your in Charleston SC what a Beautiful City
Karen Meissner
a year ago
Billy Stanley
a year ago
Kady Reed
a year ago
Great place
Love this place. I’ve been at least a dozen times. Never disappoints. Would highly recommend!
ann king
a year ago
Fabulous night. We saw A Christmas Carol and it was delightful. Love the authenticity of Dockside and its unique history.
Russell Brant
a year ago
1st Christmas without my husband of 52yrs+ . Thank you for the joyful time tonight. You all made this old girl smile, laugh & cry. ❤️
Have seen Christmas Carol and Prom here. Prom was well-performed. Christmas Carol was OUTSTANDING! Venue is beautiful. Historic, but well-maintained. Seating is not heavily sloped, so shorter patrons may have some trouble seeing behind taller patrons, depending on where seated (I had a 7-year old, but luckily we were able to move back a row).
Dock Street Theatre is classy and elegant with rich history and architecture making its location very special. Clue was a professional, entertaining, and meaningful performance and the acoustics were vibrant and unburdened by outside noise.
We love that Dock Street Theatre is small because it gives you the feeling of being kept close to the performance.
Floy Work
a year ago
I LOVED the Charleston Literary Society presentation this year. My only complaint is the uncomfortable seating at Dock Street Theater.
Dusty Painter
a year ago
Reejaa !
a year ago
Tyler Bartlett
a year ago
billie hayes
a year ago
Poor condition, unbelievably small
Deborah Marsh
a year ago
Fabulous
Barbra Berger
a year ago
Volunteers and staff have you feeling appreciated for coming to their theater. Shows are professional and very entertaining and meaningful.
DEBBI POLITANO
a year ago
This production of The Prom was fabulous! Broadway can’t top this performance. I thank you to the lovely lady behind the ticket counter who helped us trade tickets so easily. We needed chairs in the back so my husband could stretch his new knee out and she made it happen! Love this historic theater and I love walking down Church Street at night after the performance.
Todd Prien
a year ago
Production was great and the cast is very talented.
Frieda Mackey
a year ago
Mark Hood
a year ago
Quahog
a year ago
We have been season tickets holders for Charleston Stage at Dock Street Theater for many years and have almost always enjoyed their plays and musicals. The present production is The Prom, a lively musical addressing some current issues faced by today’s high schoolers. Without a doubt it was an exceptional performance. The choreography was outstanding and the singing and acting, certainly off-Broadway quality or better. The staging was limited but very inventive and cleverly changed. Overall one of the best, if not the best, productions we have attended at historic Dock Street. We see several Broadway plays a year and this was truly a broadwayesque performance. It’s here for a couple more weeks so you still have a chance to see this exuberant production. We give it a rare 5 clams on the coveted Five Quahog Rating Scale.
Cindy Smith
a year ago
Court yard before the play was so relaxing and beautiful. Prices for drinks are very fair!
Susan Kraber
a year ago
This place is a treasure!
We love this theater. Wish they offered drinks though.
J IW
a year ago
I loved the musical we saw, which was Lightening Thief! All the shows I see at Dock Street are more enjoyable b/c of the unique atmosphere and the history and beauty of the theater. You should go to at least one show here.
Mark Missett
a year ago
Just a quick stop but we want to go back. The receptionist was so kind.
jeff mclendon
a year ago
karen diethelm
a year ago
Cool little piece of history
Roberta Mazyck
2 years ago
Always love going to the Dock Street Theatre, it's a magical place. This last play was awesome, I enjoyed it so much.
Thomas York
3 years ago
Just saw the performance of A Christmas Carol. Great experience. It’s always a pleasure to watch when the actors are so obviously enjoying their work.
Where to begin. We arrived very early due to dinner plans and arrived in a heavy rainstorm. While enjoying the sound of the rain amongst the architecture, we took photos and just admired. When we finally went inside, we were greeted by incredible volunteers, purchased a book of history and were allowed an opportunity to speak to the one and only, Richard. A volunteer usher that had been attending the theater since being a young boy. The time he took with us and our son was incredible. We were then escorted to our balcony seats and watched a show, The Play that Goes Wrong, in which we laughed so hard our tummies hurt. The actors and actresses are so talented, funny and on point. The atmosphere itself is special, that’s the only word for it. You must do this if you’re visiting, it is a MUST. (I only wish this were the play you would see as I imagine that elevated our experience for sure). Even if you’re a native, don’t miss this ability to come here regularly! Just WOW!
Kyle Dahl
3 years ago
Overall: A great theatre experience. We'll be back for sure!

The good: First time at the theatre and we loved it (Murder on the Orient Express). The actors were great and the charm of the theatre really shows. We had an "obstructed" view in the balcony but there was only one corner of the stage we couldn't see, and it seemed like the production knew to utilize the center of the stage to minimize that issue. Production value itself exceeded our expectations, given the size of the theater. The size of the stage is a lot bigger than it looks, and the costuming/props were great (given the surely limited budget). Ushers and ticket checkers were friendly, and the bathrooms were clean.

The not-so-good: The chairs in the balconies are not comfortable. I know that it's the oldest theatre in the US, but these chairs aren't from back then. After 2 hours, it starts to really bug you. That's about it though.
Cathleen Thomas
8 years ago
I love the history and enchantment of this theatre set among the most beautiful churches. The Charleston Stage Co. puts on great performances here and we have really enjoyed each one we have attended. The word work and courtyard here are also beautiful sights, with or without a show!

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