Themed dinners and theatre make for the perfect night out in Auburn, New York

Tonight kicked off the 68th season of the Rev Theatre Company as we were transported from the city of Auburn to the center of the Bronx in the 1960s. I first attended a show at the Rev last fall, when my best friend and I saw Bonnie & Clyde. We had such an amazing time enjoying dinner and a show. So believe me when I say that tonight was even more magical. Prison City has stepped up their game in their partnership with the theatre. Instead of just creating signature cocktails, they have created entire prix-fixe menus themed around each show in the season. And it’s all served in their new speakeasy. Combine that with a ticket to the theatre and you have the perfect night out in Auburn.

“The Opening Act” Themed Dinners at Prison City Brewing

During previous seasons of the Rev Theatre Company, Prison City Brewing partnered with Cellar & Folly Whiskey Company to create signature cocktails for each show. But this year they’ve expanded on that partnership. Now they have full menus themed for each show.

Served in Prison City’s new speakeasy (The Armory, located below the downtown brewery location), each show has a signature prix-fixe menu. For $45, each person chooses an appetizer, entrée, and cocktail from 3-4 options each. Dessert is available as an add-on for $7.

A Bronx Tale Prix-Fixe Menu

Since the musical takes place in the Bronx in the 1960s, the signature menu reflects the Italian culture that prevails on stage. Appetizers include arancini, fried mozzarella, Caesar salad, and Italian wedding soup. As for the entrées, the options are Sunday sauce rigatoni with meatballs and sausage, chicken parmesan, Italian beef sandwich, and Sicilian baked cod.

If I could have married my arancini, I would have. The risotto balls were perfectly crisp on the outside, yet had melty cheese inside. Served over a pool of red sauce with fresh basil and a dollop of ricotta, it was heaven. Similarly, the Caesar salad was delicious with a pleasant surprise of shaved breadcrumbs adding a unique, but scrumptious, texture to each bite. Both of our entrées were equally as good.

Keeping on theme, the cocktails available are the classic espresso martini, a blood orange negroni (made with Prison City’s brand new blood orange gin, and a limoncello spritz. Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options are also available.

Although dessert is not included in the prix-fixe menu, you can be sure that we both ordered one of the enticing options. I got the citrus olive oil cake, topped with marscapone and candied orange, while my friend opted for a classic tiramisu. The third option was a mini cannoli duo.

Why is Auburn called the “prison city”? Discover more about the city’s dark history with a ghost tour of Auburn.

About the Rev Theatre in Auburn

Celebrating the start of its 68th season, The Rev Theatre Company was founded in 1958, when Susan Riford and the Auburn Service League created the Auburn Children’s Theatre. There’s a ton of interesting history to dive into over their nearly-70-year history, which I touched on in my previous article about the Rev.

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse

There are many things that make shows with the Rev Theatre Company unique, and the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse has a lot to do with that. The circular structure of the building creates an intimate, but not uncomfortably small, setting for the audience. With seating for approximately 500 guests, it creates a cozy atmosphere. The domed wooden ceiling allows for great acoustics and has a beautiful & historic globe light fixture at its center.

One-of-a-kind Shows

The other remarkable thing about Rev Theatre’s shows is that they are all truly unique. Unlike the shows you’ll see at the Landmark in Syracuse or the Kodak in Rochester, the performances at Merry-Go-Round are not traveling acts. Instead, the cast for each show is hand-selected for this singular string of performances.

More than just the cast, music, and choreography, the stage itself is a work of art. Each set is designed specifically for this theater. And unlike typical theatre sets, it does not change throughout the performance. Instead, the crew uses various lighting and props to distinguish between the settings and scenes throughout the show.

Tickets to the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse

Season tickets for The Rev Theatre Company

The playhouse’s season complements the Landmark Theatre’s in Syracuse. The Rev season goes from June through September, with 4 performances each year. Each show lasts for 2.5 weeks, offering several opportunities for folks to see them all.

$40 under Forty

One of my favorite parts about The Rev Theatre Company is its “$40 under Forty” ticket specials. The sale is valid on a select few performances for each show and is exactly what it sounds like. $40 tickets for attendees under 40 years old. The Rev is passionate in their efforts to get younger crowds more interested in live theater.

To reserve your $40 under Forty tickets for the first Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday performance for each show, you must call the box office. (315-255-1785)

Other Discount Tickets

In its efforts to support the arts and the greater Auburn community, Rev Theatre has a few more ways to get discount tickets. Rush tickets for students are available for $25 for any seats open 30 minutes prior to the show start. Military discounts are available for all veterans and active duty military. Eligible attendees can purchase up to two tickets for $65 each by phone or in person. Group discounts are also available for folks attending in large groups.

The Rev Theatre also has a “Pay What You Will” option for those who cannot afford a typical theatre ticket. These tickets are limited and available in person only. Interested guests can visit the box office the Thursday or Friday before each show’s run, or after 5pm the day of each performance.

The Rev Theatre’s 2026 Season

The 2026 season marks 68th year for the Rev Theatre Company, and they’ve got some incredible shows lined up this summer.

• A Bronx Tale – June 3 through June 20.
• Tarzan – July 8 through July 25.
• Carousel – August 12 through August 29.
• Rock of Ages – September 16 through October 3.

Additionally, they have a new summer concert series, also held at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, to extend the season. This year we can look forward to ABBA and Rat Pack tribute bands.

Extend your evening in Auburn

If you’re looking for more things to do in Auburn to make the most of your night out, you’re in luck. Auburn is one of my favorite places to visit and I go often. For delicious cocktails (using spirits made in town), check out Cellar & Folly Whiskey Company. They just opened a beautiful new bar in downtown Auburn and they have a long list of signature cocktails. Or if you’d prefer mead, head over to Combgrown Mead, where owner Elaine creates delicious flavors of carbonated mead.

Planning to spend the whole day in Auburn? Then you have to visit at least one of the city’s museums. Auburn is steeped in history, particularly when it comes to women’s suffrage and the Underground Railroad. Choose from the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, the Seward House Museum, or the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park.

Lastly, if you get to the theatre early, you can always take a stroll through Emerson Park and enjoy scenic views of Cayuga Lake. Plus, you can stop at the bar outside the theatre and grab a drink to bring in with you. They are served in reusable Rev Theatre cups – with lids!