south orange performing arts center

Have attended two live theater performances and a couple of movies. Overall, a very nice venue, though parking can be a bit of a challenge depending on when you attend. The live theater is nicely put together, comfortable, and reasonably priced. I do wish they had more diverse offerings, though.

This is a fantastic concert venue. Sound is fantastic, seats and sight line good. Lots of great shows of all types, there has to be something for you. You do not have to pay NYC parking prices. Restaurants in town are walk to and also great.

Parking is always an issue here due to a movie theater, SOPAC and the municipal lot handles both facilities and the downtown shopping area. The facility is clean and comfortable with available refreshments including a liquor serving bar.It is a small room so every seat is good.

On Thursday Dec.18, 2014 my wife and I took in a pre-christmas concert performance with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. It was our 1st. time to South Orange, New Jersey and the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). Overall it was a nice night out. The venue is small and intimate, only 400-500 seats including a balcony. Not a bad seat in the house. The sound system was fantastic and the seating was fairly comfortable. The Art's Center is right adjacent to a New Jersey Transit train station which actually was a blessing. The parking lot offers free parking after 6pm. The lot was somewhat full with commuters cars but we did find a parking spot. The parking lot is a 2 minute walk to the theatre.Also, the parking lot is well lighted. We arrived about 45 minutes before the show and decided to explore the town of South Orange. Only a 3-5 minute walk away we found a village diner, burrito bar, Cold Stone ice cream shop, and a Dunkin Dounuts and that was just right around the corner from the venue. The town was quaint and inviting. The personnel at the theatre were both warm and welcomming. Although the lobby was somewhat small this was an excellent venue to see a show.Last but not least, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. were fantastic. After so many years in show business they sounded great. Billy Davis Jr. explained how he was originally from St. Louis, a real hotbed of Blues, then preceded to sing two blues songs that had the crowd on there feet, excellent. An super fantastic show, in a nice quaint town, inside a small intimate venue. Will definitely go there again!!!

Nice place to see a live show. Very intimate (i.e. small) but they are getting some names here and if there is someone you like definitely go see them here, especially if you're an Essex resident. Then certainly close enough for a live show.

A really ideal place to see some great musicians and other performing artists. Not quite big enough to get some of the big names, but if a favorite of yours is playing here (like John HIatt, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Manhattan Transfer---all part of the 2014-15 season), get tickets! You may not find a better intimate concert venue in the N.Y. metro area.

The SOPAC is a great theater. They don't just show movies, they have classes you can take and preformances by many different people. It is very well kept and the popcorn is great! Parking isn't always that bad, sometimes it gets busy on weekends. It's great to see a movie, then eat somewhere in town.

This is the best venue I've been to by far! It's so small that shows sell out quickly. There are a few rows in the Orchestra section, then about 18 rows on the Lower Level. The Balcony area is small, too. Not a bad seat in the place! They sell drinks which you can enjoy in the lobby, or purchase a refillable "sippy cup" and bring your drink to your seat. Parking can be an issue.