The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts is a 2,300-seat venue in a beautifully restored 1904 vaudeville and silent-film palace just off the Common. It was nearly demolished in the 1990s after years of decay, then rescued and reopened in 2008 after a $32 million restoration. The interior — gilded plasterwork, a grand chandelier, painted ceiling — is worth a look in its own right.
The programme runs from touring Broadway shows and concerts to comedy, dance, and occasional film screenings. If you are in town for an evening, check what is on; even a mid-tier touring act is a good excuse to see the building in working order.