Enjoy Live Theater North of Boston

If you enjoy live entertainment, the communities North of Boston are the place to visit with a wide variety of theatrical groups and performance venues for shows including plays, musicals, and orchestral/band concerts. Here is a quick guide to some of our favorite venues in the  area offering theater productions, plays, concerts, musicals, and more! 

The North Shore Music Theater

Want to experience a professional theater production in a truly extraordinary venue? The North Shore Music Theater (NSMT) in Beverly, Massachusetts is the place to go. With six musicals a year, a celebrity concert series, and kid’s shows performed in a uniquely round theater, the NSMT is a must-visit on the North Shore. 

This 1500-seat theater has been in operation since 1955 and has become one of the most attended theaters in New England, with approximately 250,000 patrons annually. As of 2010, Bill Hannity took over as the new owner and continues to produce a musical subscription series annually including a yearly production of A Christmas Carol, celebrity concerts, children’s programming, and year-round education programs.

The shows produced at NSMT are not only professional but there is not a bad seat in the house as it is performed “in the round.” Visit North Shore Music Theater to find out more about upcoming shows and their availability. 

The Cabot Theater 

Also located in Beverly, Massachusetts, The Cabot Theater is an irreplaceable North Shore treasure. Opened in 1920, originally as a vaudeville and silent movie venue, the Cabot has evolved into a one-of-a-kind venue that has welcomed thousands for performances. 

The architecturally distinguished building has undergone a multi-year, multi-million dollar renovation to not only restore parts of the theater to its original 1920s grandeur but to upgrade and modernize all current systems to enhance the live experience. 

With a new Board of Directors and Executive Director, the group responsible for renovating and saving the theater is set on the mission of being a steward of the historic theater. Visit The Cabot Theater online to view the full schedule of live performances and films throughout the year. 

Firehouse Center for the Arts

Further North of Boston, visitors of Newburyport, Massachusetts have the opportunity to experience performing arts at the Firehouse Center for the Arts. This 191-seat theater is active throughout the year with Firehouse Produced events such as live music performances, theater productions, and youth programming as well as partner presentations and arts education programs. The Firehouse for Performing Arts also is home to the Institution for Savings Gallery on the first floor which hosts 12 art exhibits each year.

Explore the comprehensive calendar of events on their site and become a member of this vibrant North of Boston organization. 

Rockport Music/Shalin Liu Performance Center

Just up Route 128 in Rockport, Massachusetts you will find the Shalin Liu Performance Center overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean. Opened in 2010, the Rockport Music Shalin Liu Performance Center is home to spectacular views, superb acoustics, and signature presentations of the Rockport Chamber Music Festival. 

This festival includes over 20 concerts, as well as pre-concert lectures, open rehearsals, and free events for families. In addition to this robust festival, the Shalin Liu Performance Center hosts the Rockport Jazz Festival, as well as a diverse series of classical, jazz, folk, world, and pop music concerts. You can also watch HD broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera and England’s National Theatre and films. There is truly something for everyone here. 

Visit the full schedule of concerts and take in the visual and auditory beauty of the Shalin Liu. 

For more theater and musical performances explore the North of Boston “Theater & Arts” section to find more venues and performances across this region of Massachusetts.