Downtown Portland is the city’s hub for live theater, including visiting Broadway productions. Portland’s Centers for the Arts encompasses venues that offer theater, ballets, opera, concerts, and films.

Of all of Portland’s Centers for the Arts’ venues, Keller Auditorium is the one where you’re most likely to catch a show. The venue opened in 1917 as the Portland Public Auditorium and was the city’s first publicly owned venue. The auditorium was almost completely rebuilt in the late 1960s. Only 17 percent of the original structure was incorporated into the new building; the rest was replaced with a more modern exterior. As it stands today, the theater seats 2992. The auditorium got its current name in 2000, after Portlander Richard B. Keller donated 1.5 million to Portland’s Centers for the Arts. The Keller Auditorium’s 2017-2018 season features Broadway productions like The Bodyguard, The Book of Mormon, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Hamilton, Les Misérables, and The Phantom of the Opera. The Keller Auditorium also hosts other live events, including performances from Oregon Ballet Theatre and family-friendly shows like Shopkins Live!

The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is another of Portland’s Centers for the Arts’ venues. It was called Portland Publix Theatre when it opened in 1927 and became the Paramount Theatre in 1930. There were plans at one point in the 1970s to replace the Paramount with a parking garage, but Portland’s citizens resisted the change, and the venue still stands today—renamed after a family of donors who helped to save and revitalize the building. The building is well-known for its 65 foot vertical PORTLAND sign. It seats 2677 people in orchestra and balcony levels. In addition to orchestra performances, concerts, and dance shows, the Schnitzer Concert Hall also hosts appearances from touring performers like Bill Murray, Trailer Park Boys, and Hillary Clinton.

What’s the best place to see theater in Portland?

The Keller Auditorium is probably your best bet. Most of the Broadway shows that come to Portland will perform at the Keller. The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is a good place to look as well, especially if you’re looking for live celebrity appearances.

What theater can I see in Portland this weekend?

Scroll up to the “Events this Weekend” section to see what theater is happening this weekend in Portland.

Tips

If you’re looking for dinner and a show, Portland’s Center for the Arts has a number of available restaurants that open two hours before an event is scheduled to start. ArtBar & Bistro and the Keller Café are the center’s two major dining options.

How much will I pay to see theater in Portland?

Portland is one of the top theater destinations in the country, with a wide variety of venues and performances. Fans of all types are able to find a price point they’re comfortable with. For a look at ticket prices for upcoming theater, scroll to the top of the page and see events today, this weekend, and this week.

What show should I see while I’m in Portland?

Portland has many options available for live entertainment. Check out the listings above to see what you can attend tonight, this weekend, and further in the future. You can also visit our Theater Page for all available shows.

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