south miami-dade cultural arts center

This is a beautiful multi-venue center, now offerring a host of programs. Their large mainstage venue is presenting many more productions in a beautiful state of the art house - ranging from Mummenschanz to Serraphic Fire to limited Broadway tours and known musicians.Their black box theatre presents smaller scale professional theatre productions from several theatre companies.Their Lab Theatre is now the permanent home for New Theatre, which just closed a highly acclaimed production of 12 ANGRY MEN, and will next present a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of WOMEN PLAYING HAMLET, as part of a dynamic season of six plays.The House staff - box office, ushers, house managers, concession servers - are all super well-trained, and totally there to serve their customers in the best way possible.While a long drive for some to South Miami-Dade County, those who live nearby need to support their programs monthly, and those who live further north, need to come down and experience it. You don't have to pack a picnic basket for the journey - many restaurants nearby, and a glass of wine, other beverages and snacks available at their concessions.

I went with three friends last night for the first time - parking was fairly simple but the lot is small so get there early. Staff were very friendly and helpful. We had seats in the front row of the balcony row A - we will avoid this in the future because there is a bar that blocks your view so we had to sit way back or lean forward in order to see the show. Fortunately the show was so fantastic and so perfectly executed that we were lost in the fabulous musical from the minute it started and after a while, the bar didn't bother us. They have toilets on every floor, but unfortunately only three stalls in the ladies room so there was a long line as usual. There is plenty of legroom in the seats so even if you'll tall there's lots of legroom and the seats are very comfortable. However the person who designed the building did not do a very good job with the stairways because at the end of each level there's a short staircase which only goes down to the next level - it doesn't go all the way back down to the lobby. People were getting very confused. At the end of the show there's only one elevator from the balcony to take people back downstairs and it did take a long time to exit. Also the stairs are very steep in the balcony so if you're going with anybody who's disabled or who has knee problems it is something to bear in mind. Sound was loud, clear and way better than the Arscht center downtown. Fabulous Broadway performance of Guys and Dolls - and ticket prices very good at $35 each. Will definitely return. Take a jacket - it's chilly inside. There is an Applebee's and an Olive Garden close by for pre-theatre dinner.

What a wonderful play....Warm. Humorous. Intelligent. Great story and fabulous acting. I left pondering the various issues at hand.

I have lived in Cutler Bay my whole life. When I saw them building this venue I was fascinated. The shape of the building looked very interesting. I had not visited the venue until this year. There was an exhibit called Erth's Dinosaur Exhibit. While catered toward children I was able to see the venue and found out that it was very reasonable priced, very comfortable and has a variety of shows. I definitely plan on going back!

We came from northern Maine to enjoy the International Jazz Festival at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center for our anniversary in May, 2014. The show was great, Giovanni Hidalgo, especially, was amazing (as always). Too bad more folks didn't show up to see and hear the show and support the center. I hope the Festival continues - would love to hear more Latin Jazz!

Have visited this place quite often this year as my Grandaughters School activities and Venues are held here xmas shows Ballet Recitals not a super large auditorium great sound and brand new facility with plenty of parking

Designed by Miami's world-renowned Arquitectonica International, Inc., the building itself is a moving aesthetic experience, which you can best appreciate by arriving well before the performance you have chosen. And what a variety of performances there are! The 966-seat Main Stage theater is appropriate for concerts, dance, and theater. The Black Box Theater seats a maximum of 129 patrons and is ideal for more intimate performances, such as jazz artists in a cabaret setting. Check the season's shows at smdcac.org, pick one that coincides with your visit to Miami and your personal preferences, and experience this cultural gem at bargain ticket prices.The major disadvantage for tourists staying in Miami is the long drive to the Center. Allow about a half-hour from Coral Gables. For late night dining after the performance, try Flanigan's on Dixie Highway in Pinecrest or Titanic Brewing Company, just west of Alex Rodriguez Park on the UM campus.