Benson Theatre

What Plays There

Benson Theatre hosts concerts, comedy, theatre, film screenings, workshops, lectures, and celebrations. The current calendar leans toward concerts, comedy and improv, and cabaret and variety, burlesque and drag nights included. The venue also rents out for private events. The theater puts it this way: "We're more than a traditional community theatre. We are a theatre for the community". Whatever kind of night you're after, there's a decent chance it fits somewhere on that list.

New shows go up on the calendar all the time, so the most reliable place to see what's actually coming is the theater's own events page, or the upcoming events listed right here on this page.

Tickets and Box Office

Every show on Benson Theatre's events page has its own Buy Tickets link, and the platform behind it varies by show — some route through Eventbrite, others through Zeffy. The site doesn't post box office hours, so buy ahead through the listing for the show you want.

Prices vary by show, too, and some listings give a starting price, such as "From $10" or "From $20". One current listing splits doors and show time separately, like "Doors 7, show 8".

Want to be sure your ticket is real? Start from the Buy Tickets link on Benson Theatre's own events page.

Inside the Theater

The room seats 180 with flexible seating, or holds 235 standing, across a floor that reconfigures depending on the show. That flexibility starts at the stage, which runs 25 feet 9 inches wide by 20 feet deep on restored hardwood with more than three floor configurations, so you might find theater seats one night and a standing-room floor close to the stage the next.

The restoration kept the building's Art Nouveau bones: a gilded 1923 proscenium arch dressed in red velvet, hand-painted murals, Deco chandeliers, and the Mammel box office, set against exposed brick. Full climate control, an L-Acoustics line-array sound system, and a 16K laser projector with a 16-by-10-foot motorized screen round out the room, so it doubles as a real screening space when film is on the bill.

Getting There and Parking

Benson Theatre is at 6054 Maple St., in Omaha's Benson Creative District. Options nearby include:

• A public parking lot at 2729 N. 61st St., a short walk from the theater.
• On-street parking along Maple and Military: a two-hour limit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., no limit from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., and no parking at all from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.
• Partner lots that open at certain times: Cavanaugh Law Firm's lot evenings and weekends, and Immanuel Lutheran Church's lot from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Skip the Haney Shoe Store lot and the area directly behind the theater. Neither is available for event parking. If you'd rather not drive, Metro Transit (ometro.com) and Mode Shift Omaha both serve the area.

Venue Policies and Accessibility

Benson Theatre's site doesn't post a bag policy for shows, so if that matters for your visit, call ahead at 402-991-4333. Age limits are set show by show, so check the listing for yours before you bring anyone under 18.

Accessibility is where the theater gets specific. The building has ramped access throughout and a dedicated elevator to every public level. It offers an induction hearing-loop system and audio-descriptive devices on request, a compression swing for neurodivergent guests who need one, and a universal-access adult changing station on site. American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish-language support are frequently available. Wheelchair and companion seating isn't broken out anywhere on the site, so ask about it when you call. The theater asks that you reach out at least 48 hours before your visit when you can, at 402-991-4333, so staff can have what you need ready.

The theater's rental policies, which apply to any event booked there, spell out two rules for the room: outside alcohol isn't permitted, and posted capacities are set by fire code and can't be exceeded.

Food, Drinks, and Amenities

Carrie's Oasis, the theater's lobby bar, is operated by Abraham Catering, which holds the liquor license for the building. That's why outside alcohol isn't allowed: all bar service runs through the theater's licensed bar.

Where to Eat and Drink Nearby

Benson Theatre sits on a stretch of Maple Street with plenty of options before or after a show.

Benson Brewery, at 6059 Maple St., pours Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. and Sunday from noon, closed Mondays, with a Hoppy Hour Tuesday through Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. and all day on Sundays.

Au Courant Regional Kitchen, at 6064 Maple St., serves Thursday through Sunday starting at 5 p.m. and is closed Monday through Wednesday; reservations are recommended, and phone reservations are taken after 2 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, at 402-505-9917. Walk-ins are also welcome at the bar.

Ted & Wally's, the Benson location at 6023 Maple St., scoops ice cream and also serves food from A Taste of New Orleans.

Our pick: Au Courant Regional Kitchen, if you're making a real night of it. Book a table before the show, since it's only open four days a week and reservations are recommended.

The Waiting Room Lounge, at 6212 Maple St., is on the same street if you want to make it a two-venue night.

Tips for a First Visit

• Plan parking before you leave the house: the public lot at 2729 N. 61st St., on-street spots on Maple and Military (two-hour limit until 5 p.m.), or a partner lot depending on the night.
• Leave outside alcohol at home. All bar service runs through Carrie's Oasis, the lobby bar.
• Bag, age, and accessibility policies aren't posted online, so call 402-991-4333 ahead of your visit; give accessibility requests at least 48 hours' notice when you can.

Grab your ticket, find your parking spot, and let Benson's old theater do the rest.