The Charles Playhouse

Location: 74 Warrenton St., Boston

Time: Varies by performance

Age appropriateness: All ages

Cost: Varies

The Charles Playhouse, Boston's most active Off-Broadway Theatre space, has had a long and varied history in Boston's entertainment district since its beginnings in 1958.

The Charles Playhouse was originally designed and built in 1839 as the Fifth Universalist Church. Designed and built by renowned architect Asher Benjamin, it became the first synagogue in Boston in 1864, home of congregation Ohabei Shalom.

Later, it served Scottish Presbyterian congregations and the YWCA before its transformation during the Prohibition into a speakeasy called "The Lido Venice", later renamed "The Rio Casino".

The Charles Playhouse, as a theatre space, had its origins as The Charles Street Playhouse at 54 Charles Street, at the base of Beacon Hill. Purchased in 1995 by Warrenton Street Theatre Corporation, the Playhouse continues its legacy of long runs as the current home to two long-running hits.

The critically acclaimed Blue Man Group continues playing to sold-out audiences, since 1995, and Shear Madness has been entertaining Boston audiences for more than 18 years. With a solid place in theatrical history, The Charles Playhouse will continue to be a vital and innovative part of Boston's Theatre scene for many years to come.