America's Oldest · Founded 1808

Theatre FAQs

The list below is arranged in approximate order of your Walnut Street Theatre experience, starting with purchasing your tickets and walking you through your visit to the theatre. Please scroll through the list to search for your particular question.

Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, (2012), Christopher Sutton and Ensemble, Photo by Mark Garvin



General Venue Information
What are the box office hours?
In-person box office hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday-Saturday12pm-showtime on performance dates
12pm-6pm on non-performance dates
Sunday12pm-showtime on performance dates
Closed on non-performance dates
Phone Charge
7 days a week at 215-574-3550
12pm-Showtime (in season)
12-6pm (non-performance dates)

Please Note, the box office staff cannot sell tickets to future performances or exchange tickets during the 30 minutes prior to a performance. The box office will be closed at intermission.

Do you have a coat check?
We want you to be comfortable. Lockers are conveniently located in the mezzanine level lobby area where you can store your coats and other items.
Is there a lost and found at the theatre?
Yes. If you misplace an item at the theatre, feel free to call 215.574.3550 ext. 1 and inquire if it has been found.
Can I smoke inside the theatre?
Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside Walnut Street Theatre.
Is the theatre air conditioned?
Yes.
Are there elevators in the theatres?
Yes there is an elevator up to the mezzanine level and the Independence Studio on 3. Please note that there are steps in the mezzanine.
Are there concessions available at the theatre?
Yes. If you're interested in enjoying a coffee, dessert, snack or beverage during your visit, stop in at Barrymore's Café, located below the mainstage lobby. The café is open one hour prior to the show and at intermission. The walls are decorated with memorabilia featuring members of the Barrymore family, who have a long history with the Walnut and are famous for their work on stage and screen. We also have two other smaller bars, located in the orchestra and mezzanine lobbies, where you may purchase a beverage or snack. Refreshments are available in the lobby of Independence Studio on 3 for productions with an intermission.

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Are there devices for the hard-of-hearing?
The Walnut offers devices to assist the hearing impaired for Mainstage performances. Infrared hearing enhancers are available in the lobby on a first-come, first-served basis; quantities are limited. ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances are available for certain performances. Please view individual show calendars for additional information.

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Is the theatre wheelchair accessible?
Yes, but not all seat locations are. Please call in advance for wheelchair seating, as seating is limited and offered to patrons on a first come first served basis. We have special wheelchair seating in the orchestra level of our Mainstage Theatre. We also offer ADA compliant water fountains and handicapped accessible restrooms on our orchestra level. There is an elevator to the mezzanine level of the Mainstage and to the Independence Studio on 3. Please remember that the seating configuration in the Independence Studio on 3 changes with each production, so it's always best for patrons in a wheelchair to arrive 30 minutes ahead-of-time. In this 80-seat theatre, seating is limited so please make your reservation early. If you have special needs such as aisle or Wheelchair seating, please call 215.574.3550 ext. 6, rather than ordering online.
Can I take photographs or record the show?
No photography or devices are permitted in the theatre during the performance.
Is there show merchandise available?
The Walnut Street Theatre's gift shop has a wonderful array of show souvenirs, theatrical merchandise and stylish jewelry. The gift shop is open one hour prior to mainstage performances, at intermission and after the show.

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Are your shows appropriate for children?
Parents know their children best. Most of our shows have played on Broadway and many have been made into movies. If you are worried about certain themes, a little internet research will help you decide what shows are best for your family. If you have a question about show content, feel free to contact a ticketing services representative at 215.574.3550.
How do I become a volunteer usher?
For information on our Volunteer Usher program, view the Volunteer page or call our Audience Services Department at 215.574.3550 ext. 558.

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Night of Show
Where can I park?
The closest indoor lot is the Walnut Towers Garage, located directly across the street from the theatre, under Wills' Eye Hospital. There is also an outdoor lot just east of the theatre on Walnut Street. There are several other indoor and outdoor lots located within a few blocks of the theatre as well, and there is metered street parking in the vicinity.

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Are there restaurants near the theatre?
There are many restaurants located within walking distance of the theatre. For a list of restaurants that offer discounts to Walnut subscribers, please visit our dining guide.

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What time should I arrive at the theatre?
The Mainstage lobby will open one-hour prior to performance time. You are welcome to spend some time perusing items at our gift shop, viewing our historical displays or enjoying a snack and beverage at one of our bars or the Barrymore's Café. The Independence Studio on 3 lobby opens 30 minutes prior to performance time. Box office hours are Tuesday thru Sunday 12pm-8pm; Closed Mondays and non-performance Sundays. If you need to pick up your tickets at will-call, you are welcome to stop by early and avoid long lines closer to show time.
What should I wear to the theatre?
We do not have an official dress code; however we would encourage comfortable, smart casual wear.
What if I am late for the show?
The theatre is open 60 minutes prior to each Mainstage performance and 30 minutes prior to each Independence Studio on 3 performance. Please allow ample time for driving, dining, and parking when attending your performance. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management in order to prevent a disruption of performance already in progress. In most cases, if you are late you will be asked to sit in the first available seat until intermission. After intermission, latecomers can claim their original seats. Please arrive on time.
What is the running time of the show?
The running time of our Mainstage and Independence Studio on 3 performances vary by show. For specific information on your show, please visit the show page and look for the running time in the right-hand sidebar. Walnut Street Theatre for Kids productions run approximately one hour and do not have an intermission.

Ticketing
How do I access my digital ticket?

Easy as 1-2-3!

MUST be done on a mobile device. Ticket barcodes will ONLY appear on a mobile device.

  1. From an Internet browser on your smartphone device, visit the Walnut Street Theatre's website (walnutstreettheatre.org). Your tickets will not appear if you are using a PC. We will scan your tickets directly from your smartphone screen.
  2. Select the purple box in the top right corner showing 3 horizontal lines, and then choose 'My Subscription Account' from the dropdown menu. If this option is not on your screen, make sure that you typed the website correctly. (Common mistakes: using “.com” instead of “.org;” using “theater” instead of “theatre”)
  3. In the top right corner of the next screen, select the round icon with a little person inside.   This will open a window prompting you to log-in using your Ticketmaster credentials.  If you do not have a Ticketmaster account, select 'Sign Up' at the very bottom of the window, and you will be walked through the process of setting up your new TM account.
    PLEASE NOTE: In order to see your Walnut tickets, the email used to create your Ticketmaster account must be the same as your Walnut account.
  4. Once you have successfully logged in, the round icon with a little person should be replaced by a circle with your first initial.
  5. Select the box in the top left corner showing 3 horizontal lines, then choose 'Tickets' from the dropdown menu.  This should bring up a list of all your upcoming events for the 2021-22 season.
  6. Hit 'Select Event' for the performance for which you would like to see your tickets.
  7. Under 'My Tickets’, you should be able to see the exact location of your seats (for example: Sec MZLEFT, Row G, Seat 301); select any seat, and your digital ticket will appear!  This digital ticket will include a square QR barcode, which is what our ushers will scan in order for you to gain entry to your performance.
Can I print my tickets at home?
PDF tickets are not available to print from home. With mobile ticketing, your phone is the only way to render the ticket digitally. If you do not have access to a smartphone, you can pick up the physical tickets at the box office.
How do I set up my account?
Starting with the 2021-2022 season, ALL ticketing will now be digital! This will allow you to securely manage your subscription touch-free, including exchanges, transfers to friends, and entry to the theatre.
  1. Visit am.ticketmaster.com/wst/ on your web browser.
  2. Select the person inside of the circle in the top right-hand corner.
  3. Select “Sign Up” at the bottom of the page.
  4. You must sign up using your email address associated with the Walnut Street Theatre to see your tickets.
  5. When you have finished setting up your account, you will be brought to the home page.
  6. Select the box in the top left corner showing 3 horizontal lines, then choose 'Tickets' from the dropdown menu.  This should bring up a list of all your upcoming events for the 2021-22 season.
  7. Hit 'Select Event' for the performance for which you would like to see your tickets.
  8. Under 'My Tickets’, you should be able to see the exact location of your seats (for example: Sec MZLEFT, Row G, Seat 301); select any seat, and your digital ticket will appear!  This digital ticket will include a square QR barcode, which is what our ushers will scan in order for you to gain entry to your performance.
What are premium seats?
A small number of seats in prime locations are available for select Mainstage and Independence Studio on 3 performances. When you purchase these seats, a portion of your ticket price is a donation to Walnut Street Theatre. Your donation gives you access to prime seat locations and your contribution helps support the art on the stage and Walnut Street Theatre's highly successful education and outreach programs.

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Do you have group discounts?
We offer discounts for groups of 15 or more on select performances. Please call 215.574.3550 ext. 4 and we'll help you get the best seats and prices for your group.

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If I cannot attend my show, can I get a refund or exchange?
We do not offer refunds on tickets. Subscribers can exchange up to 2 hours before their scheduled performance time or donate their tickets back to the theatre for a tax-deductible donation. If it is more than 24 hours before your performance, single ticket buyers may exchange their tickets to another performance of the same show for $10 per ticket, plus any applicable upgrade fees.

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What should I do if I've misplaced my tickets?
Welcome to Digital Ticketing! No more lost tickets or last minute scares at the box office. Our ticketing is now completely digital and can be viewed directly on your phone. No need for physical tickets! No more lost tickets or last minute scares at the box office. You can pick up any physical ticket at the box office if you do not have access to a smartphone. If for some reason you have a physical ticket and have misplaced it, please see the box office prior to your performance time. For more information on digital tickets see "How do I access my digital ticket?"