Benedum Center, Performing arts theater in the Cultural District, Pittsburgh, US
The Benedum Center is a theatre and concert hall on Penn Avenue in the Cultural District of Pittsburgh, housed in a building with a symmetrical facade and tall entry portals. Inside, multiple tiers of balconies line the side walls, and plaster work with gold details runs across the ceiling and railings.
The building opened as a movie house in the late 1920s under the name Stanley Theatre. In the 1980s, it was extensively renovated and renamed after businessman Michael Benedum, whose family foundation contributed major funding to the restoration.
The hall serves as the home stage for Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, which perform their full seasons here. On performance nights, the lobby fills with people dressed up for the occasion, giving the place a festive feel.
The main entrance is on Penn Avenue, and the auditorium seating spans several levels reached by staircases inside. Arriving early is a good idea on show nights, as the coat check and lobby can get crowded before curtain time.
The original chandelier from the 1920s still hangs over the main floor and is dimmed when the performance begins. Many visitors only notice its full size once they step inside and look up.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
