manatee performing arts center

If you like theater at it's finest, then go to a show at the Manatee!The new digs here are fantastic. Lots of free parking, huge lobby, grand theater with comfortable seating and access, gorgeous stage, and oh yes: quality performances!!!! Manatee has a reputation for attracting high quality talent to be in their productions and it shows. Don't miss out-see your favorite (or something new) show here. You will be glad you did!

Recently attended an evening performance at the new (1 year one) Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton, Florida. From the moment we entered, we were very impessed by the friendly and very professional staff. I was amazed at the vass theatre lobby which accomodates a smart-styled gift shop and a beverage bar with chairs and tables for those patrons that come before curtain time. The theatre itself is very large; with a wide proscenium and very deep. It appears it also has a good fly area to store road show type scenery. During the performance of "Tarzan"- The Musical, the sound was well designed and balanced and the difficult "click" track used instead of live musicians, was right on spot. The stage lighting is state of the arts and could work with any production. The big problem with this theatre is the seating. Considering all the money spent wisely in building this theatre, why didn't the designer " RAKE THE AUDITORIUM FLOOR." The first eight or ten rows are impossible viewing for those patrons. A raked theatre would allow all patrons a near perfect view of the stage. If buying tickets for any performance, I reccommend any seats from Rows M thru R. These seats are elevated with a direct view of center stage.JR from Sebring

Very nice facility and the Bradenton Players were really quite good for an amatuer company. Good fun while in Bradenton. Couple this with any of the great eateries downtown on Old Main street and you have a slice of yesterday in a clean modern facility. The wine and beer available pre show and at intermission makes it all the better.

Just over one year ago the Manatee Platers opened their new arts center with "Miss Saigon". We have been supporters of the Manatee Players for several years, and welcome the new, wonderful, arts center. There are two theaters, and the performances by local players are often as good as professional performances in the bigger theaters in the area.

This is a venue for a repertory theater that opened in about 2012. The cheapest seat is excellent. We saw Les Meserables there and it was fantastic.

We were fortunate to see the volunteer run of the show. I can not believe the talent presenting the program ! Wonderful voices, great staging and very professional.The building is beautiful and very accessible. Highly recommend seeing any show there.They have 2 trolleys shuttling to and from parking lots, or valet parking

I love all the shows there, my favorites were Fiddler on the Roof and Our Town! I enjoy their large cast straight plays or shows with ballet, and would recommend they do Anne Frank and Helen Keller soon though, also the actors should get like, a ton of free food, preferably chocolate.

I got there just in time for the last feeding. Snooty is amazing! Unfortunately the other manatees had been released so he was all alone. The staff were knowledgeable. The museum was smaller than anticipated but gave good insight into the area's history. If you are in the area go see it, but I wouldn't drive out of my way due to its size.

Thought the venue was great as were all the actors in this relatively boring show - Mystery of Edwin Drood. The acting company made even that show good so I'd love to see them in a better one. Sets, costumes, direction and all were also excellent. Wonder who chose that show???

We saw "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder by the Manatee Players and it was a very enjoyable evening. The play was very professional, and all the characters were believable. It was nice to meet the cast afterwards, and they seemed very appreciative of their audience. The theatre is very accessible in downtown Bradenton, and presents a varied and packed programme.

Good performance of a classic tale about a classic American. Took our 11 yr old and he immediately commented on the improvement the new facility is over the old. The lead in this show was really adorable and the actor who played PC did a good job even if her Patsy voice was a little in consistent; she sang beautifully over all.

We are so proud on how this organization has grown and how it is exposing local talent to a bigger audience. The new facility makes it look very promising on the type of bigger and better acts and productions that will start coming to the area, making Bradenton as popular and eclectic as Sarasota when it comes to performing arts.

This is a really amazing local theatre. It is located near the waterfront in a brand new building convenient to downtown Bradenton. They opened the main theatre last year and a new small theatre this year. Two shows are going on at the same time and we have attended 3 of the performances in the larger theatre called the Stone Theatre. All three have been excellent.

The New Manatee Players is beautiful. We went to see Les Miserables. It was well done. The cast so talented. Costumes right on. We were able to purchase wine before the show, reasonably priced. Looking forward to seeing Grease next. The shows are also reasonably priced making it affordable for date night. Definitely recommend.

The new theatre is awesome and the level of talent in their current production is off the charts! Can't wait to see the next production!