In my opinion, everyone should see at least one show at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. And don’t let the word “auditorium” in its name fool you into thinking it’s not worth seeing something in the space.
This is a 1,900-seat theater in the heart of Portland. We saw the “Magic of Christmas” show at the Merrill last December. Even though we were seated towards the back of the house and underneath one of the balcony overhangs, we could see everything perfectly. It might be safe to say that, in our opinion, there is no bad seat in the Merrill.
The Merrill offers you an intimate yet grand setting for a diverse range of performances. As the venue is meticulously maintained and operated by the City of Portland, it retains its historic grandeur while providing state-of-the-art amenities for patrons and performers alike.
Located in the downtown Arts District, Merrill Auditorium is not only an architectural marvel but also a cornerstone for the arts in the region. And you might just walk right by it, if you weren’t looking for it.
Technically, it is located on Myrtle Street. But in reality it sits between an open-air parking lot and City Hall on Congress Street, a main Portland thoroughfare.
Events and Performances at the Merrill Auditorium
Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine, serves as a vibrant hub for cultural events, showcasing a rich array of performances year-round. From symphonies to Broadway shows, this historic venue offers you an extensive selection of live entertainment.
Music and Concerts at the Merrill
The Merrill is home to the Portland Symphony Orchestra. In fact, when we say “Magic of Christmas,” it was the PSO that was playing all of the music.
Other times when you might enjoy the PSO at the Merrill is when they play musical soundtracks from famous films. Sometimes you’ll watch the film live as the orchestra plays along.
For instance, this past spring, there was a performance of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in concert. The auditorium will be showing the movie on the big screen while the Portland Symphony Orchestra plays John Williams’ compositions. So, basically, a live soundtrack to a film you and your family may have seen many times.
Speaking of John Williams, later in the spring, there were concerts dedicated to him and the movies he’s scored, including “Jurassic Park,” “Star Wars” and “E.T.”
On a more contemporary note, some of the concerts at the Merrill are completely out of the classical genre. Recently, they hosted the comedy concert “Randy Rainbow for President,” and later this year they’ll be throwing it back to the 1980s with a dual-headliner concert with Richard Marx and Rick Springfield.
Finally, in spring, the a cappella group Straight No Chaser brought its “Yacht Rock” show to the Merrill. I know that their holiday concerts are super fun. I love listening to “Yacht Rock Radio” on SiriusXM and taking Yacht Rock rides on my Peloton bike. So, now I’m really curious to find out what a cappella Yacht Rock sounds like.
Pinkie bet: my money’s on Toto’s “Africa” being in the set list.
Theater and Dance in Portland at the Merrill
When Broadway comes to Portland, Maine, it comes to the Merrill Auditorium. We waited too long to get tickets to see the Broadway tour of “Come From Away.” We’d seen it on tour in Pittsburgh at the Benedum Theatre and loved it. Next time it comes back to Portland, I won’t wait so long to get tickets.
With regards to dance, you could see one of the following at the Merrill Auditorium:
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
- Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance (though that’s been canceled for 2024)
- Shen Yun Performing Arts
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