Raise the Curtain for Boston’s Live Performance Scene

Just Take the Train to See a Show in Boston

New York City isn’t the only place bustling with live entertainment. In Boston’s own Historic Theatre District, you’ll find plenty of performance venues home to live theatre, music, dance shows, comedy shows, and so much more! Skip the traffic and take the journey to South Station or North Station, two of the Commuter Rail stations in Boston that can get you to the theatre district. You can even take the train to Back Bay Station since there are several restaurants around the area to eat a delicious dinner before the show.  Plus, if you decide to see a show on the weekend, plan out your trip and make stops along the way of your journey with the $10 Weekend Pass that lets you get off and on at any stop as many times as you want on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Spend a weekend in Boston, where one day you might take the train to see a show and the next day explore other sites along the Commuter Rail. Embrace the magic of live theatre and see a show with a little help from the Commuter Rail. 

Note: The following Commuter Rail Lines that travel to South Station include Fairmount, Framingham/Worcester, Franklin/Foxboro, Greenbush, Kingston, Middleborough/Lakeville, Needham, and Providence/Stoughton. The Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport, and Fitchburg Lines travel to North Station.  The Framingham/Worcester, Franklin/Foxboro, Needham, and Providence/Stoughton Lines also go to Back Bay.

Boch Center

The Boch Center, originally called The Met, has been entertaining Boston audiences since 1925. It is home to two different historic theaters; the 3,600-seat Wang Theatre, and the 1,500-seat Shubert Theatre. These venues showcase all kinds of live entertainment from concerts, comedy shows, theater, dance, and lectures. Catch a Broadway-like performance, enjoy some improv, and even watch talented podcasters tape a live episode. Browse The Boch Center’s upcoming shows and events.

How to Get to The Boch Center from the Commuter Rail 

Directions from South Station:

• Walk 0.6 miles to The Boch Center via Essex Street

You can also take the Silver Line and other MBTA subway lines. Use the Trip Planner for help.

Directions from North Station:

• Ride the Orange Line outbound towards Forest Hills
• Get off at the Chinatown Stop 
• Walk 0.3 miles to The Boch Center

Directions from Back Bay Station:

• Ride the Orange Line inbound towards Oak Grove
• Get off at the Chinatown Stop 
• Walk 0.3 miles to The Boch Center

Wilbur Theater

Right near The Boch Center is another theatre, The Wilbur. Operating since 1914, this 1,200-seat performance venue offers audiences a home-like atmosphere. Catch live comedy performances from big names like Jimmy Fallon and live music from artists like Gavin Degraw. Many of the comedy specials you see on Netflix were filmed right at this theatre! 

How to Get to the Wilbur Theatre from the Commuter Rail

Directions from South Station:

• Walk 0.6 miles to the Wilbur Theatre via Essex Street

You can also take the Silver Line and other MBTA subway lines. Use the Trip Planner for help.

Directions from North Station:

• Ride the Orange Line outbound towards Forest Hills
• Get off at the Chinatown Station 
• Walk 0.3 miles to The Wilbur Theatre

Directions from Back Bay Station:

• Ride the Orange Line inbound towards Oak Grove
• Get off at the Chinatown Station 
• Walk 0.3 miles to The Wilbur Theatre

Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre

The Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College, built in 1903, is the second oldest performance venue in Boston’s historic Theatre District. Purchased by Emerson College in 1983, you’ll find dance shows, plays, musicals, dance shows, and several original works by the college itself, including ArtsEmerson, a professional arts organization that presents local, national, and international performances. 

Plus, towards the end of the school year, Emerson’s performing arts students put on a grand musical that is open to the public. If you’re interested in exploring Emerson’s other performance venues, check out the Paramount Center on Emerson’s campus.

How to Get to the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre from the Commuter Rail 

Directions from South Station:

• Walk 0.6 miles to the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre via Essex Street

You can also take the Silver Line and other MBTA subway lines. Use the Trip Planner for help.

Directions from North Station:

• Ride the Orange Line outbound towards Forest Hills
• Get off at the Chinatown Station
• Walk 0.2 miles to the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre

Directions from Back Bay Station:

• Ride the Orange Line inbound towards Oak Grove
• Get off at the Chinatown Station 
• Walk 0.3 miles to The Emerson Culter Majestic Theatre

Emerson Colonial Theatre

Another theater along Emerson College’s campus is the Emerson Colonial. This venue is the oldest continually operating theatre in Boston and was home to the debut of some of the most famous Broadway shows including Anything Goes (1934), Follies (1971), and most recently, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and the Kristen Chenoweth musical The Queen of Versailles. 

Whether you’re interested in seeing a Broadway show, getting immersed in the world of ballet, listening to live orchestras, or learning new things from an “author talk,” the Emerson Colonial Theatre has it all! You can also buy an Ambassador Lounge pass and enjoy a drink 60 minutes before showtime.

How to Get to the Emerson Colonial Theatre from the Commuter Rail

Directions from South Station:

• Walk 0.5 miles to the Emerson Colonial Theatre via Essex and Boylston Street

You can also take the Silver Line and other MBTA subway lines. Use the Trip Planner for help.

Directions from North Station:

• Ride the Orange Line outbound towards Forest Hills
• Get off at the Chinatown Station
• Walk 0.2 miles to the Emerson Colonial Theatre

Directions from Back Bay Station:

• Ride the Orange Line inbound towards Oak Grove
• Get off at the Chinatown Station 
• Walk 0.2 miles to the Emerson Colonial Theatre

Citizens Bank Opera House 

The Citizens Bank Opera House is the place where Broadway comes to Boston. The venue first operated as a movie theater in 1928 but eventually transformed into a live performance venue in 1980. The Citizens Bank Opera House is home to touring Broadway shows and the Boston Ballet, where you can watch New England’s favorite holiday family attraction The Nutcracker. 

How to Get to the Citizens Bank Opera House from the Commuter Rail

Directions from South Station:

• Walk 0.43 miles to the Citizens Bank Opera House via Essex Street

You can also take the Silver Line and other MBTA subway lines. Use the Trip Planner for help.

Directions from North Station:

• Ride the Orange Line outbound towards Forest Hills
• Get off at Downtown Crossing
• Walk 0.2 miles to the Citizens Bank Opera House

Directions from Back Bay Station:

• Ride the Orange Line inbound towards Oak Grove
• Get off at the Chinatown Station 
• Walk 0.2 miles to the Citizens Bank Opera House

*From North Station and South Station, you can take a rideshare to all the theatres above. 

Discover Discounted Ticket Prices at Boston’s Several Theatres 

BosTix is an event ticket seller where you can enjoy live theatre at many of Boston’s performance venues at a discounted price. Find BosTix discount tickets online or in person at the ArtsBoston Booth at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. 

If you are a college student and have a valid student ID, check out if any of these theatres offer discounted tickets. The Boch Center offers student discounts on a show-by-show basis. At the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, ArtsEmerson productions offer $10 day-of rush tickets. The Emerson Colonial Theatre offers rush tickets based on the show and availability. At the Boston Opera House, rush tickets are available for select performances.   

Ride the Commuter Rail today and explore Boston’s thriving theatre scene.