Generic Theater
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Generic Theater offers an exceptional, intimate theatrical experience featuring highly talented actors and ambitious productions, often tackling 'edgier' and current themes. It's renowned for providing 'brain food' and sparking engaging conversations, making it a unique and thought-provoking choice for families seeking more than just entertainment, all at a bargain price for the quality.
Key Highlights
- ✓Consistently features very good actors and impressive talent, often with small casts handling multiple roles.
- ✓Known for ambitious, 'riveting large-scale musical' and 'powerful drama' productions (e.g., 'Blood Brothers', 'Flyin' West').
- ✓Offers an intimate theater experience, allowing close proximity to the stage.
- ✓Productions are frequently described as 'edgier' and 'speak to current events', providing 'brain food' and fostering discussion.
- ✓Staff is eager to help patrons.
- ✓Achieves amazing sets and production quality despite operating on a budget.
Standout Features
- ⭐High caliber of acting and directorial talent, with specific actors like Shawna LAWHORN and Tara MOSCOPULOS receiving praise.
- ⭐Engaging and thought-provoking choice of plays that spark conversations.
- ⭐Intimate theater setting that enhances the viewing experience.
- ⭐Dedicated and helpful staff members.
- ⭐Strong production value for sets and overall staging, despite budget constraints.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Book tickets well in advance for popular shows as they are prone to selling out quickly.
- →Prepare for tight, potentially uncomfortable seating; wearing light clothing and bringing a small cushion might enhance comfort.
- →Be aware that cell phone service will likely be unavailable while inside the theater.
- →Consider arriving early to secure potentially better or less cramped seating.
- →If sensitive to noise, be mindful that close quarters may mean hearing neighboring patrons (e.g., chip bag rattling).
- →Great opportunity for families with older children to engage in post-show discussions.
- →Front-row seats can be a great value, mentioned at $20 for a large-scale musical.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Seating can be 'crammed in like sardines', 'uncomfortable and hot' with 'no leg or arm room'.
- ⚠Cell service is spotty or non-existent due to its location in the basement of the Scope.
- ⚠Popular shows frequently sell out, turning away waiting list patrons due to limited venue capacity.
- ⚠The venue's small size and external scheduling conflicts (e.g., Chrysler Arena) prevent extending runs of popular productions.
- ⚠Visibility and advertising are noted issues, with some locals finding the theater 'secret' or hard to discover.
- ⚠Alcohol ('Booze') is available but considered 'a little pricey'.
Price & Value
Offers excellent value for the quality of the productions; front row seats were noted at 'only $20' for a large-scale musical. While general ticket prices aren't specified, this suggests a very affordable entry point for high-caliber theater. Alcohol ('Booze') is available but is considered 'a little pricey'.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned. The basement location and descriptions of cramped seating suggest potential challenges for individuals with mobility impairments, though this is not explicitly stated in reviews. Spotty cell service could also be a concern for emergencies.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Alcohol ('Booze') is available for purchase, though reviewers noted it is 'a little pricey'.
- •A chip bag rattling was heard, suggesting some forms of snacks may be permitted in the theater, but no explicit policy is detailed.
🚗Parking Info
- •Located 'in the basement of the scope', implying parking would be associated with the Scope Arena/Venue complex. Specific parking instructions or costs for Generic Theater are not detailed in reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Can be very crowded, with seating described as 'crammed in like sardines'.
- •Popular productions frequently 'SOLD OUT' and 'turned away waiting list patrons', indicating high demand and limited capacity.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features or measures were explicitly mentioned in the customer reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you or your children are highly sensitive to crowded, confined spaces, or potential heat.
- • If you require consistent cell phone connectivity during an outing.
- • If seeking purely lighthearted, non-challenging, or traditional children's entertainment (due to 'edgier' themes).
- • Bringing very young children who may not appreciate or sit through 'powerful drama' or 'edgier' content.
- • Attempting to get tickets last-minute for highly anticipated productions, as they often sell out.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Flex Pass
$70Duration: throughout the 2025-26 regular season
Save on four (4) tickets usable in any combination throughout the 2025-26 regular season.
Includes:
- •4 tickets
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Clyde’s
Weekends September 26 – October 12, 2025
Standard ticket pricing applies (Play category)
In CLYDE'S, a truck stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption. Even as the shop's callous owner tries to keep them down, the staff members learn to reclaim their lives, find purpose, and become inspired to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich. Written by Lynn Nottage, Directed by Leila Stephanie and Maryanne Kiley.
Desperate Measures
Weekends January 16 – February 1, 2026
Standard ticket pricing applies (Musical category)
When the dangerously handsome Johnny Blood’s life is on the line, he must put his fate into the hands of a colorful cast of characters including a mysterious sheriff, an eccentric priest, a narcissistic governor, a saloon girl gone good, and a nun out of the habit. Together, they face uncharted territory as laws are broken and hearts are won. Before the sun sets, will they be able to rise up and pull off the greatest act yet, or will Johnny be left hanging? Book and Lyrics by Peter Kellogg, Music by David Friedman, Directed by Patrick C. Taylor.
POTUS Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Weekends March 13 – 29, 2026
Standard ticket pricing applies (Play category)
An uproarious Broadway debut by playwright Selina Fillinger, POTUS Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive is a riotous comedy about the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world. Written by Selina Fillinger.
📅Booking Policy
- • Tickets can be ordered online.
- • Tickets can be purchased in-person beginning 1 hour before performances at our underground theater box office.
- • Purchasing tickets online is highly recommended.
- • Tickets cannot be bought at the Chrysler Hall box office.
🚗Parking Information
- • Scope Parking Garage (St Pauls Blvd & E Bute St) offers direct access. Drive to the bottom level (U) and follow Generic Theater signs to the underground entrance.
- • Scope Garage is a paid parking facility operated by the city of Norfolk.
- • Alternative paid parking garages: Charlotte Street Garage, Bank Street Garage, or MacArthur Center.
- • Sometimes free street parking may be found nearby.
- • Cast, crew, volunteers, and patrons are charged for parking in Scope Garage.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Amanda “MommaBear” Boedker
a year agoWonderful little theater productions with very good actors. I do hope they find something bigger to have shows in, we were crammed in like sardines and there was someone behind me rattling a chip bag right in my ear, the seating situation made it uncomfortable and hot at times with no leg or arm room to stretch out in or to even sit comfortably. However It wouldn't deter us from coming back to see another production.
Jeff Jones
a year ago10/24/21. Blood Brothers. Impressive that this small theater company was able to pull off this riviting large-scale musical! The talent brought to stage here was impressive: TWELVE actors combined to play more than 20 roles. Shawna LAWHORN pulled off a sublime performance of Mrs. Johnstone. And I was particularly BLOWN AWAY by Tara MOSCOPULOS, whose powerful voice and austere, dispassionate temperament were perfect for her role as Narrator. I've seen other fun and great performances here in this intimate theater. And what a bargain - front row seats for only $20! ===== 10/1/23 "Flyin' West". POWERFUL drama of Black American homesteaders in Nicodemus, Kansas, 1898. Great stage swansong for Director Terrance Afer-Anderson who will now direct his efforts to a few film projects and (overdue) books! This final performance of "Flyin' West" was SOLD OUT - turned away waiting list patrons. GT was unable to extend performances of this monumental production due to scheduling conflicts with Chrysler Arena. Generic Theater must find its own venue! Can anybody spare $3M???
Alexandra Weller
6 months agoFun theater with great performances, usually a bit edgier than other theaters in this area. Booze is a little pricey, staff is eager to help. It is in the basement of the scope so cell service is spotty
Eva Hendrick
a year agoThe play Flyin West was great! So entertaining& engaging. This was my first time at the Generic Theatre and I was born & raised in Norfolk. It is not only underground , but secret too! I will want to see more. Please find ways to advertise the productions at this theatre. The cast of Flying West where truly talented.
Valerie M
a year agoI love the plays they choose. Edgy and speaks to current events. We always leave with something to talk about. Great entertainment and brain food. I never saw a show there that I didn't like. They do an amazing job for the sets and a budget. Great talents.