Fabulous theaters around the world
There are theaters known for their stage and technology. There are theaters built with historic character. There are theaters with fantastic sound and acoustics. And there are theaters with lobbies, entrances, and chandeliers grand enough to inspire a play of their own.
There is something magical about theaters. As a child, a ballet premiere meant going to CCP all dressed up and watching performances I truly loved and studied for eight years. I would spend the whole day dreaming about the night to come–what to wear, what to eat, which ballerina I would see.
On a short trip to London, I took my teenagers to see Starlight Express. This was a musical that first appeared in 1984 by Andrew Lloyd Webber, a story about a rusty steam engine and a race with other locomotives.
The synopsis seemed so childlike to my kids, but we were surprised with a theater and stage built just for the musical, with tracks going around the whole place and around the audience. This was adapted in 2025, with stage actors dressed as locomotives skating around us through those tracks while singing, with matching neon flashing lights. What a treat it was!
This fascination with beautiful stages and theaters led me to list down some places I have seen and would love to see–something to add to my bucket list.
Teatro Della Scala
Milan, Italy
Situated near one of my favorite streets in Milan, Brera, Teatro alla Scala is an opera house that hosts all kinds of performances–from opera to ballet to musical performances. It was inaugurated in 1778 and is associated with the La Scala Theatre Academy, a renowned music school.
Sydney Opera House
Sydney, Australia
The Sydney Opera House features beautiful architecture, often described as resembling sliced oranges or sails. It was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and completed by the Australian architectural team led by Peter Hall. This was so beautiful that it became a landmark of Sydney.
TCL The Chinese Theare
Los Angeles, United States
TCL Chinese Theater is one of Los Angeles’ most famous movie theaters, home to the biggest IMAX. Its entrance façade resembles a Chinese pagoda, with massive coral-colored columns, Chinese masks, and a bronze roof. It is also known for its Forecourt of the Stars, where you can see nearly 200 celebrity handprints and footprints.
Palais Garnier
Paris, France
This opera house has two auditoriums and is open for day tours. Known as the most famous opera house in the world, the Palais Garnier has often been used as a backdrop for famous films. In 1896, a huge chandelier fell from its support onto the crowd, killing one person. This tragic incident was the inspiration behind the opening sequence of The Phantom of the Opera.
Bolshoi Theatre
Moscow, Russia
The Bolshoi Theatre houses the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera, known as one of the best companies in the world. As a child, it was my dream to be part of this ballet. Although my ballet idols were Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev, they were from the Kirov Ballet–another renowned Russian group.
Royal Opera House
London, United Kingdom
Also known as Covent Garden, this historic venue has witnessed centuries of performances and undergone numerous renovations, blending its rich heritage with modern structures to adapt to the times.
Metropolitan Opera House
New York, United States
Also known as the Met, it has the largest seating capacity to date. The institution has had two homes: the original structure, built in 1883, and the new opera house, completed in 1966, at the Lincoln Center. The current opera house is a modernist piece, distinguished by its starburst crystal chandeliers in the main lobby.
Vienna State Opera House
Vienna, Austria
This opera house is a beautiful example of Renaissance Revival architecture, renowned for its acoustics. It is also the venue of the annual Vienna Opera Ball. I clearly remember this theater from Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, where Tom Cruise famously jumped off its roof.
National Centre for the Performing Arts
Beijing, China
This modern structure, designed by French architect Paul Andreu, resembles an egg and is considered the largest theater complex in Asia.
Harbin Opera House
Harbin, China
This ultramodern structure, built in 2015 by MAD Architects, is a sight to see. I must take a trip to Harbin just to take a look at this theater. The architecture itself is striking, with an interior layout that houses two theaters–a smaller one and a larger main hall for major performances. Its sleek, metallic form also has a huge outdoor space.
Cultural Center of the Philippines
Pasay City, Philippines
With all the opera houses I have seen and still want to see, the CCP remains one of my favorites for its brutalist architecture.
I may also be biased, since it was designed by Arch. Leandro “Lindy” Locsin, where I trained in his office as a new graduate. I even had the chance to work on its rehabilitation while with LV Locsin Architects.
No matter how old it gets, the structure still inspires awe with its huge curves and massive grand staircase. I love waiting for performances while seated and admiring the fiery red-orange HR Ocampo tapestry covering the stage.
