This is a beautiful theater. Pretty much all seats in the house have a good view. They have some original furniture on display in the hallways. My wife and I attended the ballet there and all the staff - from security to the ushers - were very friendly and helpful.Be aware that there it can be hard to find parking nearby in the weekends, especially with the construction going on. One of the garages only takes cash but most of the garages around take card.Great place to watch a performance

This Place is just Totally Gorgeous and Amazing. This is a Must Go if your in Downtown Richmond, Virginia... You will never forget it...

Amazing architecture! The ceiling is cool! So amazing! The architectural skills and how well things were built in the early 1900s (built to last). The view of the stage was amazing from all points of view. Thoroughly enjoyed my visit to see the performance of the Richmond Ballet Nutcracker!!

Love this venue, and love RVA Symphony! An absolute wonder of a venue.

Visited the Center to see Red Velvet. Very nice venue for intimate theater. Love the multi theater facility format. Ushers were very helpful and guided us well.Wish there was a cast marquee on display. M&Ms cost $4.50

Performances are always great, but the staff never seem prepared or equipped to deal with the amount of people. Security lines stretch around the block and will make you late for the performance; parking is a nightmare, and the cash-only attendants will run out of small bills. All of these problems would appear entirely foreseeable.

Great old theatre come see a show sometime, apparently built in 1902 but don’t quote me on that, working here today so if you’re around pop on in and say hi

Beautiful theater. Friendly staff. Great place to see a show

The place is great! It was a little crowded, but I could hear the performance from out in the hallway and the stage was huge. They have a balcony and great staff. Overall, I would love to come back!

Had the pleasure seeing Lang Lang in this beautiful theater.

The theater was beautiful and the seats were comfortable and easy to find with the help of staff members. You can purchase alcohol and take it into the theater which was a huge surprise. We were at the end of the drinks line during a 20 minute intermission, got drinks and cookies, and made it back with time to spare. Plenty of bathroom facilities. A great experience overall.

Our daughter bought tickets for herself, her father and me to see Home Free at this facility. I have fond memories of movie dates here. It was previously called the Loews Theater way back in the 60s. Since the theater was downtown, we always dressed up to go to movies there (but, hey! we always dressed up in those days)! Then the theater changed its name to the Carpenter Center. Nothing changed, still ran the best movies in town and still dressed up. Now it has this new name Dominion Energy.... it has been mostly restored and I get the same feeling of specialness that I did when I was 17 or 18 or 19 and going out with a special boy on a special date. I believe the style is Italian with cherubs and statues about. There are no bad seats but our seats (row 2 in the center balcony) were excellent!!!! The performance by the group was great and we had a wonderful evening here. Cant wait to go back.

What an incredible example of theater architecture from the late 20s!

Beautiful old theater with excellent sounds system. Easy to access off highway. Handicap accessible, however parking is in rear of building or across the street. On-site parking is tight, although there are nearby garages that might be more suitable for cars larger than compact models. Bathrooms are more than adequate and even with a full house there werent long lines. Seating is old and uncomfortable and theres little leg room for anyone with height accept in the few handicapped seats which the docents dont automatically offer to those in wheel chairs. Plenty of dining choices within walking distance to make a night out of it.

The sound for the venue was spot on and the seats were nice as well

An absolutely beautiful performing arts center with very talented performers across all of the arts.

Beautiful decor. Great acoustics. Excellent shows.

Good sight lines and acoustics. Rows are a bit cramped and seats less than ideal. Traffic and parking can sometimes be an ordeal. Clean restrooms and excellent staff, including the volunteers.

Taste of Richmond was amazing! Got lucky and met the planner of the event! She was better then any of the vendors and they were excellent. Im a fan of any event attached to her!

Great venue to see Ghost. The staff was friendly and the acoustics were amazing.

Gorgeous theater. Wish we were closer to attend more evens here.

The atmosphere and delightful music...made for a perfect evening

Cool place. A little expensive.

Beautiful theater. This is a good place to take family to see a show. The staff are friendly and helpful. Even in a packed theater, no problems to get concessions or get to a restroom.

We took our granddaughter to the childrens symphony. It was fantastic. I believe there is a Christmas concert for children on November 30th

Fine place to see a performance... parking isnt bad.

Saw Dream Theater in concert, had a free seat up-grade and the acoustics were of good quality.

Beautiful Theater The manager very accommodating and the staff of ushers, guards, bartenders doormen were all very polite and informative.

There is a lot to like about this place but unfortunately two things brought down my experience. Mostly one thing.Its right off the interstate and easy to get to if you dont live or work in Richmond. There is a lot of close parking but it isnt free and they only take cash. Its beautiful and clean. The staff were friendly and courteous, at least until the show started. More on that below.Now for the negatives. The seating is very tight. There is very little room to work with when people want in or out of the seating. The venue itself is fairly small. The doors opened at 7 but they didnt open the concert hall until 7:30. This left a large crowd of people standing around in tight hallways making hard to get to places like the merch table, restrooms etc.My biggest problem is the no photo and video policy. I understand the types of show this venue sometimes puts on. They probably do plays, orchestras and other types of shows where this policy makes a lot of sense. They dont want people live streaming the show or disturbing others. Same thing with a movie theater. No one wants to be disturbed by rude people on a cell phone.However, I was there for a Dream Theater concert. Dream Theater is a rock/metal band. A lot of places have policies against certain camera lenses unless you buy some kind of media pass. Not Dominion Energy Center. It is a full ban on all photos and videos, even with your cell phone. Even at a rock/metal concert.I was in row Q, which is the back of the first floor. I stood to gain the most from a policy like this but I understand that when I go to a concert, people like to take photos and short videos. Want a 30 second video of the guitar solo? Not at Dominion Energy Center you dont. You dont have to do anything that sticks out like blocking others or recording the whole show. You just have to have your phone out. I just wanted some pictures of a band I paid $88 (before fees) to see.Once the show started, what was a friendly and courteous staff took a turn. They literally walk the aisles walking in front of and reaching over people to enforce this rule. I would compare them to distracting drunks who get up multiple times throughout the show and you have to let them through. Except it was the staff enforcing a no photo policy. They were rude in how they went about it. No please and thanks but rude gestures and an aggressive tone.I could be wrong but the worst part is that they appear to discriminate based on how much you paid/your seat. My ticket was $88 and I wasnt able to take short videos and pictures at a concert. I didnt see them tell anyone in the front section with $300 tickets to stop. Full disclosure, I was told twice.I would have liked to know about this policy before I bought my ticket. Not in the email after buying the ticket or somewhere on their website because I didnt buy my ticket on their website. I have sent an email to the venue asking if it this policy was requested by the band or was a decision made by the staff.Its a shame that I will gladly pay more or travel further to avoid this venue over something so normal as taking pictures at a concert. Instead of enjoying it to its fullest I was left disappointed each time I wanted to capture a cool moment and thought about the staff coming back over or watching as they constantly approached others throughout the show.

Great venue. Classic 20s movie house. Beautiful and ornate.

The sound system is MUCH improved! Great customer service. Thank you.

This place need to replace ALLLL the chairs in tbe facility

Great acoustics! Love this place for ballets and operas

This is an amazing venue for a concert or show. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, the seats are roomy with a good amount of leg room. There are no bad seats in the house all of them have a great view of the stage .

Very nice theater. One complaint I have is the seats are definitely dated. Parking is available but is not free.

The efficiency and friendliness of the staff. The decor was amazing

Acoustics were excellent. The seats are too close together. My husband and I are tall people, so it was very uncomfortable for us.

Very nice venue, sound system was incredible and great view from my seat! Would definitely come back and check out another show!

Awesome theater. Vintage old America. Great decor. Nice place for VCU graduations.

Great musical venues hosted here.

Beautiful theater and venue. Originally Carpenter Center. A Richmond landmark. Parking is generally available in lots around theater.

We saw Menopause, The Musical.. Our orchestra seats were restricted view because of a large speaker at the corner of the stage. The sound was not clear, but maybe thats our age. Its a beautiful venue.

This place is beautiful. Saw Home Free perform there. The acoustics made for a fantastic performance by an a capella singing group. Will definitely go back.

Clean historic inexpensive parking

I love this place but downtown parking sucks!

RPS All City Choir was AWESOME!!!

Awesome opera here. Best show I have seen in years. Great acoustics. I will definitely be back.

Great place to visit I really appreciate the opportunity have met so many people in one night.

Love seeing the Richmond Symphony and the Nutcracker!!!

Great venue for Performance arts.

This is always a preferred venue. Its easy to get to, parking is convenient, nearby and inexpensive. Plus it feels safe. The acoustics are good and the view is good, even from the back. The seats are not that comfortable but there is enough room for normal size people.

Absolutely wonderful! Our family saw Sesame Street Live at the Carpenter Theatre. This was our sons first experience with a live performance of any kind. The show started right on time, the attendants were so helpful and patient, and the theater itself was beautiful! The staff truly made this such a great experience overall. Everyone was so incredibly helpful and kind. Honestly, this was such a good experience that we are looking for more shows that our family will enjoy. We will be back!

Pretty good theater. Could maybe use more security and more efficient exits.

Good venue for seeing headlining comedians (my most recent have been Hannibal Burress, Dave Chappelle, Tom Segura). Seats are comfortable and most have a decent view, but I would advise not to sit past row O on the floor (there is a nice incline to the rows before O but for some reason it levels out after, so for the majority of Tom Segura I was staring at the back of a guys head in the P row). Also as with every venue, drink prices are inflated. Luckily there are numerous options to pre-game in the surrounding blocks. Suggest hitting one of the excellent restaurants or bars nearby and save yourself the hassle inside.

Great venue for almost anything other than a music concert.

Super nice and very classic theater. The seats seemed a little dated though.

Very interesting building.

Beautiful! Wonderful place to hold the All-State choral performances.

Great acoustics in a historic location. Richmonds fine arts home.

Went for a departmental organized event. Great location spacious and nice ambience

The venue is gorgeous, not only inside but outside as well. The accoustics carry sound from stage to upper balcony. But of course as the venue of choice for classical and opera as well as spoken word performances, we should expect nothing less.

The theater is only of the best in Richmond. It is new and clean, well maintained. They do host good shows. Deals are sometime very good. Seats are a little too close in the front rows. I am 57, and I find it uncomfortable.

This arts center in the middle of downtown hosts Richmond Symphony. I took my kid to audition for youth orchestra. Wow, this building is elegantly built, secure and modern. They have a beautiful theater for live performances. They conduct csmps and claases and the rooms have nice acoustic features (padding, curtains etc.)Well, this building is money spent well to encourage arts in Richmond. I am sure the social benefits reaped are worth a city.

This is an excellent place to see a performance. It is small and intimate, but beautifully decorated with attention to detail. The seats are very comfortable, and I dont think there is a bad seat in all of the theatre.

Very nice and clean Center. Very spacious

Had an awesome time and the staff was very polite! Were from Virginia Beach and came the day of the show to get tickets and the woman helped our party of 5 to find seats together. We really appreciated her help!

This was the first time I have ever been here and oh my goodness! It is absolutely breathtaking! This is something I definitely want to experience again!

Very nice historic theater. Well maintained.

This theater is a gem. Gorgeous and there are no bad seats in the house.

Good meeting place for an evening of professional live entertainment

The interior is beautiful but as a taller individual my knees were in the seat in front of me.

Gorgeous venue! David Cross would have been more enjoyable without the lady sitting behind me adding to his joke and trying to start a slow clap every 5 mins.

Great facility. Water pressure in mens bathroom sinks on first floor is poor.

Beautifully restored theater is a comfortable place to see your shows....the seating is arranged so most have a good view of the action.

Beautiful and great acoustics. What a place to enjoy a concert

Delightful venue. Parking lot was right outside, but was expensive and the machine was unfeasibly slow!

Beautiful venue. The balcony seats give a great view of the stage. Saw the John Williams concert here last week and it was excellent!

Parking is absolutely horrible. We drove around and around for the Taste of Richmond-all lots full and very long lines to pay for parking. Will not be going back to this event. My advice, get there very very early to find some place to park, Otherwise, your nerves will be fried.

Nice theater with an old fashioned feel.

Wonderful theater for show or bands

Wonderful venue. I saw the Richmond Symphony with guest soloist, Susan Greenbaum. The symphony & Susan were marvelous. Not a bad seat in the theatre.

Diana Krall concert was fantastic. Acoustics were fabulous, stage lighting was beautiful. We will be back!

Love ballet, musicals, etc. Remodeled facility. Truly an amazing establishment. Very pleased Richmond is blessed with a venue which provides opportunities to experience culture & the arts. Bravo!

Beautifully restored piece of Americana. Just one of many structures giving the inhabitants of Richmond a reason to be proud.

On August 8, I purchased tickets online hat were labeled VIP and the tickets I printed were also labeled and designated VIP. The tickets are to an event to be held at Carpenter Theater in February 2017. Today on August 11 I received an email and more than 1 phone call stating that the tickets and offering were not VIP tickets but for a significant amount of more money, I could have VIP tickets. In fact, the email requested me to discard my tickets and reprint them so they would not read VIP. At first this seemed like a scam, and in fact I am not convinced otherwise.This sounds just like a bait and switch scheme that you would expect with a different type of business.Tomorrow, I will refer this to the Richmond BBB to see how they suggest resolving this.Does anyone have better ideas?10/22/2016 POST -Upon filing a complaint with the Richmond VA BBB, I received a call from the manager, Ms Vogt of the Carpenter Center. She apologized for the miss-hap with the tickets, promised to issue the correct tickets as we made the purchase for and we eventually received the correct tickets in September. I commend the take-charge attitude of Ms. Vogt and correcting a mistake that happened in her absence. This is a wonderful example of a manager focused on Excellent Customer Service! WELL DONE!!

Puddles put on a great show!

Very grand and old fashioned looking

In a word... opulent.

Dont listen to the bad reviews. I come here more than once a month for either the symphony or a show. The staff is very helpful. The theatre itself is absolutely beautiful. Parking is like any downtown parking but, really, five bucks for a spot in a garage is a bargain compared to New York or Philly. I normally park on the street just because its free, I know the city well, and Im young and dont mind walking two or three blocks. The restaurant choice around the theatre is a little poor. The best places though would be the Penny Lane Pub, The Capital Ale House, or the Trevis (which is maybe eight blocks down). Dont be afraid to come here, the shows are always awesome.

Great place for date night

Home Free Country Christmas was rocking RVA

Performance was amazing. Paying for parking is always a disappointment.

Really good venue for live arts

Amazing experience. Its a gorgeous building. I highly recommend going there.

The Dominion Arts Center, formerly known as the Carpenter Center, has been a Richmond fixture for a long time. Whether youre here for a ballet, musical, orchestra concert, forum, or even dance recital, its a beautiful and comfortable venue for all types of events.

I went there for my sub sons performance the place was nice and clean

Great parking if you are visiting the Capital or General Assembly.

Antebellum intimate theater. Not a bad seat in the house.

I never saw it before the renovations but now this place is beautiful. I went to see the Nutcracker and it was a very good performance.

A very beautiful place. Seating is comfortable.