Rome Theater

Roman theater has an illustrious history, from Terence down to the moment that Nathan Lane first donned a toga in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Current shows are mostly toga-less, thankfully, and Rome is host to a number of quality productions—though not as many as in some other European cities. Shows range from mainstream musicals to black box experimental theater and are mostly in Italian. In summer, most theaters close, but the city-wide Estate Romana festival features numerous performances in open-air theaters. Ancient Greek and Roman plays are performed in Italian at the ancient theater in Ostia (see Daytrips). For info on plays and musicals in English, check tourist offices or the English section of Roma C’è.

Teatro di Roma. The Teatro Argentina and Teatro India are home to the Teatro di Roma company. V. di Torre Argentina 52 (Teatro Argentina) and V. Pierantoni Luigi 6 (Teatro India) (☎06 68 40 00 111 and 55 30 09 61, box office 68 40 00 311; www.teatrodiroma.net). Teatro Argentina: bus #64 from Termini or tram #8, right off V. Arenula. Teatro India: bus #170 from Termini or #780 from P. Venezia. Hosts plays, concerts, ballets, and festivals. Box office at Teatro Argentina; on performance days, open Tu-Su 10am-2pm, 3pm-7pm, and 8pm-10pm. When there are no performances, open M-Sa 10am-2pm and 3pm-7pm. Performances €12-27, students €12-22. AmEx/MC/V.
Teatro Colosseo, V. Capo d’Africa 5A (☎06 70 04 932). B-Colosseo. Walk down V. dei Fori Imperiali past the Colosseum, then go right through P. Colosseo; V. Capo d’Africa is 2 blocks down on the left. Mainly shows contemporary and avant-garde Italian plays. Occasional English productions. Box office open Sept.-Apr. Tu-Sa 6-9:30pm. Tickets €10-20, students €8. AmEx/MC/V.
Teatro Sistina, V. Sistina 129 (☎06 420 07 11; www.ilsistina.com). A-Barberini. Turn right on V. Sistina from P. Barberini. Among the biggest mainstream theaters. Past productions include Can-Can, Rugantino, L’Anatra all’Arancia, Sister Act (in English), and The Who’s Tommy (in Italian). Tickets from €17.
The English Theatre of Rome, P. Montevecchio 5 (☎06 444 13 75; www.rometheatre.com), near P. Navona. Puts on 1 or 2 plays in English per season. Tickets €15.