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Opera House

2700 F Street, Washington, DC, USA
Seats (approximate)
2146

ABOUT THIS THEATRE

Description

The Opera House is the second-largest theater in the Center, with 2,364 seats. It was designed for ballet, opera, and musical theater. Over the years, the Opera House has welcomed dozens of the world's great dance and opera companies and has hosted some of the most important artistic events of the last quarter century. With its distinctive red and gold chandelier, a gift from Austria, the Opera House makes an elegant setting for the annual Kennedy Center Honors, the nation's highest award for lifetime achievement in the arts.

Parade
Aug 19, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025
Music by Jason Robert Brown; Book by Alfred Uhry; Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Musical Original Drama
Les Misérables - 2022
Jun 11, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025
Musical Original Drama
& Juliet
Dec 17, 2024 - Jan 05, 2025
Music by Max Martin; Book by David West Read; Lyrics by Max Martin
Musical Original
Clue
Sep 17, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024
Written by Sandy Rustin
Play Original Comedy
Mamma Mia!
Aug 13, 2024 - Sep 01, 2024
Musical Original Comedy
Back to the Future: The Musical
Jul 23, 2024 - Aug 11, 2024
Musical Original
Funny Girl
Jun 25, 2024 - Jul 14, 2024
Music by Jule Styne; Book by Isobel Lennart; Revised Book by Harvey Fierstein; Lyrics by Bob Merrill
Musical Revival Comedy
Company
Mar 12, 2024 - Mar 31, 2024
Music by Stephen Sondheim; Book by George Furth; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Revival Drama
Ain't Too Proud
Feb 13, 2024 - Feb 18, 2024
Musical Original
Frozen
Dec 20, 2023 - Jan 21, 2024
Musical Original Comedy
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Aug 02, 2023 - Sep 24, 2023
Book by John Logan
Musical Original
The Lion King - Rafiki
Jun 21, 2023 - Jul 29, 2023
Music by Elton John; Book by Irene Mecchi, Roger Allers; Lyrics by Tim Rice
Musical Original
Les Misérables - 2022
Apr 11, 2023 - Apr 29, 2023
Musical Original Drama
Into the Woods
Feb 23, 2023 - Mar 19, 2023
Music by Stephen Sondheim; Book by James Lapine; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Revival ComedyDrama
Wicked - Munchkinland
Dec 08, 2022 - Jan 22, 2023
Music by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Winnie Holzman; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Musical Original
Hamilton - Philip
Aug 02, 2022 - Oct 09, 2022
Musical Original
To Kill a Mockingbird
Jun 21, 2022 - Jul 10, 2022
Written by Aaron Sorkin
Play Original Drama
Mean Girls
Apr 05, 2022 - Apr 24, 2022
Music by Jeff Richmond; Book by Tina Fey; Lyrics by Nell Benjamin
Musical Original
Jesus Christ Superstar
Feb 22, 2022 - Mar 13, 2022
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by Tim Rice
Musical Revival Drama
Ain't Too Proud
Dec 28, 2021 - Jan 16, 2022
Musical Original
Hadestown
Oct 13, 2021 - Oct 31, 2021
Music by Anaïs Mitchell; Book by Anaïs Mitchell; Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell
Musical Original
My Fair Lady
Dec 17, 2019 - Jan 19, 2020
Music by Frederick Loewe; Book by Alan Jay Lerner; Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Musical Revival Comedy
Cats
Sep 17, 2019 - Oct 06, 2019
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by T.S. Eliot
Musical Revival
Aladdin
Jul 18, 2019 - Sep 07, 2019
Musical Original
Hello, Dolly!
Jun 04, 2019 - Jul 07, 2019
Music by Jerry Herman; Book by Michael Stewart; Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Musical Revival Comedy
Miss Saigon
Dec 11, 2018 - Jan 13, 2019
Musical Revival Drama
Anastasia
Oct 30, 2018 - Nov 25, 2018
Music by Stephen Flaherty; Book by Terrence McNally; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Musical Original
Hamilton - Angelica
Jun 12, 2018 - Sep 16, 2018
Musical Original
On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan
Jan 09, 2018 - Jan 28, 2018
Featuring Music Produced and Recorded by Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine; Book by Alexander Dinelaris
Musical Original
An American in Paris
Dec 12, 2017 - Jan 07, 2018
Musical Original
Musical Original Comedy
The King and I
Jul 18, 2017 - Aug 20, 2017
Musical Revival ComedyDrama
The Sound of Music
Jun 13, 2017 - Jul 16, 2017
Musical Revival Drama
Chicago
Apr 04, 2017 - Apr 16, 2017
Music by John Kander; Book by Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb; Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Musical Revival Comedy
Wicked - Munchkinland
Dec 14, 2016 - Jan 08, 2017
Music by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Winnie Holzman; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Musical Original
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Oct 05, 2016 - Oct 23, 2016
Music by Adrian Sutton; Written by Simon Stephens
Play Original
The Phantom of the Opera
Jul 13, 2016 - Aug 20, 2016
Musical Original Drama
Kinky Boots
Jun 14, 2016 - Jul 10, 2016
Music by Cyndi Lauper; Book by Harvey Fierstein; Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper
Musical Original
Matilda The Musical
Dec 15, 2015 - Jan 10, 2016
Music by Tim Minchin; Book by Dennis Kelly; Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Musical Original
Musical Original Comedy
The Illusionists
Jan 06, 2015 - Jan 11, 2015
Music by Evan Jolly
Special Original Magic
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Dec 16, 2014 - Jan 04, 2015
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by Tim Rice
Musical Revival Comedy
Evita
Sep 30, 2014 - Oct 19, 2014
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by Tim Rice
Musical Revival Drama
The Lion King - Gazelle
Jun 17, 2014 - Aug 17, 2014
Music by Elton John; Book by Irene Mecchi, Roger Allers; Lyrics by Tim Rice
Musical Original
Elf
Dec 17, 2013 - Jan 05, 2014
Music by Matthew Sklar; Book by Bob Martin, Thomas Meehan; Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Musical Original Comedy
Sister Act
Oct 29, 2013 - Nov 10, 2013
Musical Original Comedy
Million Dollar Quartet
Sep 24, 2013 - Oct 06, 2013
Musical Original
Musical Original Comedy
Anything Goes
Jun 11, 2013 - Jul 07, 2013
Musical Revival Comedy
Irving Berlins White Christmas - 2012
Dec 11, 2012 - Jan 06, 2013
Music by Irving Berlin; Book by David Ives, Paul Blake; Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Musical Revival Comedy
Jekyll & Hyde
Nov 20, 2012 - Nov 25, 2012
Music by Frank Wildhorn; Book by Leslie Bricusse; Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Musical Revival Drama
War Horse
Oct 23, 2012 - Nov 11, 2012
Songmaker: John Tams
Play Original Drama
The Addams Family
Jul 10, 2012 - Jul 29, 2012
Music by Andrew Lippa; Book by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice; Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Musical Original
Memphis
Jun 12, 2012 - Jul 01, 2012
Music by David Bryan; Book by Joe DiPietro; Lyrics by David Bryan, Joe DiPietro
Musical Original
Come Fly Away
Apr 17, 2012 - Apr 29, 2012
Concept and Book by Twyla Tharp
Musical Original Dance
Billy Elliot The Musical
Dec 12, 2011 - Jan 15, 2012
Music by Elton John; Book by Lee Hall; Lyrics by Lee Hall
Musical Original
Les Misérables - 25th Anniversary
Sep 27, 2011 - Oct 30, 2011
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Original French text by Alain Boublil, Jean-Marc Natel; Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
Musical Revival Drama
Wicked - Emerald City
Jun 14, 2011 - Aug 21, 2011
Music by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Winnie Holzman; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Musical Original
South Pacific
Dec 14, 2010 - Jan 16, 2011
Musical Revival Drama
Hair
Oct 26, 2010 - Nov 21, 2010
Musical Revival Fantasy
Mary Poppins
Jun 29, 2010 - Aug 22, 2010
Musical Original Spectacle
Young Frankenstein
Dec 15, 2009 - Jan 10, 2010
Music by Mel Brooks; Book by Mel Brooks, Thomas Meehan; Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Musical Original Comedy
The Color Purple
Jun 30, 2009 - Aug 09, 2009
Musical Original Drama
Legally Blonde
Dec 16, 2008 - Jan 11, 2009
Music by Laurence O'Keefe, Nell Benjamin; Book by Heather Hach; Based upon the film by MGM; Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, Nell Benjamin
Musical Original Comedy
The Lion King - Gazelle
Jun 24, 2008 - Aug 24, 2008
Music by Elton John; Book by Irene Mecchi, Roger Allers; Lyrics by Tim Rice
Musical Original
My Fair Lady
Dec 25, 2007 - Jan 20, 2008
Music by Frederick Loewe; Book by Alan Jay Lerner; Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Musical Revival Comedy
Musical Original Drama
The Light in the Piazza
Dec 19, 2006 - Jan 07, 2007
Music by Adam Guettel; Book by Craig Lucas; Lyrics by Adam Guettel
Musical Original
Little Women
Jun 27, 2006 - Jul 23, 2006
Music by Jason Howland; Book by Allan Knee; Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein
Musical Original
Wicked - Emerald City
Dec 20, 2005 - Jan 15, 2006
Music by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Winnie Holzman; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Musical Original
Hairspray
Jul 12, 2005 - Aug 21, 2005
Musical Original Comedy
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Dec 07, 2004 - Dec 26, 2004
New Music by Jeanine Tesori; Book by Dick Scanlan, Richard Morris; New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan
Musical Original Comedy
The Producers - Max
Jun 22, 2004 - Aug 22, 2004
Music by Mel Brooks; Book by Mel Brooks, Thomas Meehan; Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Musical Original Comedy
Aida
Jul 09, 2002 - Aug 18, 2002
Musical Original Drama
Cinderella
Dec 18, 2001 - Jan 13, 2002
Musical Original
Kiss Me, Kate
Jul 03, 2001 - Aug 05, 2001
Music by Cole Porter; Book by Bella Spewack, Sam Spewack; Lyrics by Cole Porter
Musical Revival Comedy
Beauty & the Beast
Apr 25, 2001 - May 13, 2001
Music by Alan Menken; Book by Linda Woolverton; Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice
Musical Original Comedy
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Jul 04, 2000 - Jul 30, 2000
Music by Frank Wildhorn; Book by Nan Knighton; Lyrics by Nan Knighton
Musical Original Comedy
Titanic
Jul 07, 1999 - Aug 22, 1999
Music by Maury Yeston; Story and Book by Peter Stone; Lyrics by Maury Yeston
Musical Original
Show Boat
Jun 02, 1998 - Jul 19, 1998
Musical Revival Drama
Show Boat
May 26, 1998 - May 31, 1998
Musical Revival Drama
Dreamgirls
Jan 20, 1998 - Feb 15, 1998
Music by Henry Krieger; Book by Tom Eyen; Lyrics by Tom Eyen
Musical Revival
Smokey Joe's Cafe
Dec 23, 1997 - Jan 18, 1998
Musical Original Revue
Musical Original Drama
The King and I - 1997
Apr 16, 1997 - May 18, 1997
Musical Revival ComedyDrama
Damn Yankees
Dec 10, 1996 - Jan 12, 1997
Musical Revival Comedy
Beauty & the Beast
Jun 01, 1996 - Sep 29, 1996
Music by Alan Menken; Book by Linda Woolverton; Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice
Musical Original Comedy
State Fair
Jan 02, 1996 - Jan 28, 1996
Musical Original Comedy
Hello, Dolly!
Sep 12, 1995 - Oct 08, 1995
Music by Jerry Herman; Book by Michael Stewart; Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Musical Revival Comedy
Crazy For You
May 16, 1995 - Jun 18, 1995
Musical Original Comedy
The Who's Tommy
Dec 20, 1994 - Jan 22, 1995
Musical Original
Musical Original Drama
The Will Rogers Follies
Dec 21, 1993 - Jan 30, 1994
Music by Cy Coleman; Book by Peter Stone; Lyrics by Adolph Green, Betty Comden
Musical Original
Musical Original Drama
Guys and Dolls
Apr 13, 1993 - May 30, 1993
Music by Frank Loesser; Book by Abe Burrows, Jo Swerling; Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Musical Revival Comedy
The Secret Garden
Dec 22, 1992 - Jan 31, 1993
Music by Lucy Simon; Book by Marsha Norman; Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Musical Original
Aspects of Love
Aug 27, 1992 - Sep 27, 1992
Musical Original
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
May 12, 1992 - Jun 14, 1992
Music by Buddy Holly; Book by Alan Janes; Lyrics by Buddy Holly
Musical Original
Bye Bye Birdie
Dec 25, 1991 - Jan 26, 1992
Music by Charles Strouse; Book by Michael Stewart; Lyrics by Lee Adams
Musical Revival Comedy
Musical Original Drama
Grand Hotel
Dec 06, 1990 - Jan 06, 1991
Musical Original Drama
Starlight Express
Jun 12, 1990 - Jul 15, 1990
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe
Musical Original Comedy
Sarafina!
Apr 24, 1990 - May 27, 1990
Music by Mbongeni Ngema; Written by Mbongeni Ngema; Lyrics by Mbongeni Ngema
Musical Original
Gypsy
Aug 09, 1989 - Sep 17, 1989
Music by Jule Styne; Book by Arthur Laurents; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Revival Drama
Into the Woods
Jun 21, 1989 - Jul 16, 1989
Music by Stephen Sondheim; Book by James Lapine; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Original Comedy Drama
Musical Original Drama
Drood!
Apr 05, 1988 - May 01, 1988
Music by Rupert Holmes; Book by Rupert Holmes; Lyrics by Rupert Holmes
Musical Original Comedy
HMS Pinafore
Dec 30, 1987 - Feb 06, 1988
Lyrics by W. S. Gilbert
Musical Revival ComedyOperetta
Cabaret
Sep 10, 1987 - Oct 13, 1987
Music by John Kander; Book by Joe Masteroff; Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Musical Revival Drama
Aren't We All?
Dec 10, 1985 - Jan 05, 1986
Written by Frederick Lonsdale
Play Revival Romantic Comedy
West Side Story
Aug 31, 1985 - Sep 21, 1985
Music by Leonard Bernstein; Book by Arthur Laurents; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Revival Drama
My One and Only
Mar 08, 1985 - Apr 14, 1985
Musical Original Comedy
Zorba
Sep 05, 1984 - Oct 14, 1984
Zorba
Sep 05, 1984 - Oct 14, 1984
Zorba
Sep 05, 1984 - Oct 14, 1984
Music by John Kander; Book by Joseph Stein; Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Musical Revival
Nine
Mar 31, 1984 - Apr 22, 1984
Music by Maury Yeston; Book by Arthur Kopit; Lyrics by Maury Yeston
Musical Original Drama
Woman of the Year
Jan 10, 1984 - Feb 12, 1984
Music by John Kander; Book by Peter Stone; Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Musical Original Comedy
Private Lives
Aug 16, 1983 - Sep 04, 1983
Written by Noël Coward
Play Revival ComedyRomantic Comedy
show Boat
Mar 24, 1983 - Apr 16, 1983
Musical Revival Drama
Annie - Third National
Aug 31, 1982 - Sep 26, 1982
Music by Charles Strouse; Book by Thomas Meehan; Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Musical Original Comedy
Sugar Babies
Jun 15, 1982 - Jul 03, 1982
Music by Jimmy McHugh; Book based on traditional material written by Ralph G. Allen; Lyrics by Al Dubin, Dorothy Fields
Musical Original Revue Comedy Burlesque
Little Johnny Jones
Jan 10, 1982 - Feb 02, 1982
Music by George M. Cohan; Book by George M. Cohan; Lyrics by George M. Cohan
Musical Revival
Annie - First National
Jul 31, 1981 - Sep 05, 1981
Music by Charles Strouse; Book by Thomas Meehan; Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Musical Original Comedy
Barnum
Jun 04, 1981 - Jul 12, 1981
Music by Cy Coleman; Book by Mark Bramble; Lyrics by Michael Stewart
Musical Original Comedy
Sweeney Todd
Oct 23, 1980 - Nov 29, 1980
Music by Stephen Sondheim; Book by Hugh Wheeler; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Original Thriller
Oklahoma
Aug 07, 1979 - Sep 09, 1979
Musical Revival Comedy
Peter Pan
Jul 18, 1979 - Aug 05, 1979
Peter Pan
Jul 18, 1979 - Aug 05, 1979
Music by Mark Charlap; Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh
Musical Revival Comedy
The Wiz
Jun 15, 1978 - Jul 30, 1978
Music by Charlie Smalls; Book by William F. Brown; Lyrics by Charlie Smalls
Musical Original Comedy
A Chorus Line
Sep 15, 1977 - Nov 05, 1977
Musical Original Drama
Pippin
Aug 02, 1977 - Sep 03, 1977
Music by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Roger O. Hirson; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Musical Original Comedy
Porgy and Bess
Jul 12, 1977 - Jul 31, 1977
Music by George Gershwin; Libretto by DuBose Heyward; Lyrics by DuBose Heyward, Ira Gershwin
Musical Revival Opera
Fiddler on the Roof
Jul 13, 1976 - Aug 07, 1976
Music by Jerry Bock; Book by Joseph Stein; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Musical Revival ComedyDrama
Hello, Dolly!
Dec 30, 1975 - Jan 24, 1976
Hello, Dolly!
Dec 30, 1975 - Jan 24, 1976
Music by Jerry Herman; Book by Michael Stewart; Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Musical Revival Comedy
Odyssey
Dec 17, 1974 - Feb 02, 1975
Music by Mitch Leigh; By Erich Segal
Musical Original
Gypsy
Aug 12, 1974 - Sep 01, 1974
Music by Jule Styne; Book by Arthur Laurents; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Revival Drama
Seesaw
Jul 16, 1974 - Aug 03, 1974
Music by Cy Coleman; Book by Michael Bennett; Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Musical Original Romantic Comedy
A Little Night Music
Mar 19, 1974 - Apr 13, 1974
Music by Stephen Sondheim; Book by Hugh Wheeler; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Original Romantic Comedy
Good News
Jan 30, 1974 - Feb 16, 1974
Musical Revival Comedy
The Student Prince
Jun 19, 1973 - Jul 08, 1973
Music by Sigmund Romberg; Book by Dorothy Donnelly; Lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly
Musical Revival Operetta
Candide
Oct 26, 1971 - Nov 13, 1971
Musical Revival Comedy