Santiago is known for its theater, from large-scale productions to one-person monologues put on at a local cafe. However, it might be difficult to find a production that interests you because newspaper listings typically advertise the title, address, and telephone number, nothing else. Ask around for recommendations, either from the hotel staff or at a visitor information center, such as the kiosk at Paseo Ahumada and Paseo Huérfanos, which typically have complete theater listings and can suggest particular acts.
The following are some of the more well-established theaters in Santiago. Four theaters in Bellavista offer contemporary productions and comedies in an intimate setting: Teatro Bellavista at Dardignac 0110 (tel. 2/735-2395), El Conventillo at Bellavista 173 (tel. 2/777-4164), Teatro La Feria at Crucero Exeter 0250 (tel. 2/737-7371), and Teatro San Ginés at Mallinkrodt 76 (tel. 2/738-2159). As the name implies, the nearby Teatro La Comedia at Merced 349 (tel. 2/639-1523) hosts comedy, but it is better known for cutting-edge productions. In Las Condes, try the Teatro Apoquindo at Av. Apoquindo 3384 (tel. 2/231-3560). The cultural center Estación Mapocho at the Plaza de la Cultura s/n (tel. 2/361-1761) hosts a large variety of theater acts, often concurrently.
If symphony music, ballet, or opera is your thing, you won't want to miss a performance at the historic downtown Teatro Municipal at Agustinas 749 (tel. 2/639-0282). The National Chilean Ballet performs here, with contemporary productions that might be danced to the tunes of tango, Chilean folklore, or Janis Joplin. Visiting orchestras and the Fundación Beethoven play at the Teatro Oriente at Avenida Pedro de Valdivia between Avenida Providencia and Avenida Andrés Bello (tel. 2/251-5321), from May to late September; the ticket and information office can be found at Av. 11 de Septiembre 2214, #66. Teatro Universidad de Chile at Av. Providencia 043 (tel. 2/634-4746) hosts ballet and symphony productions, both national and international, throughout the year.
