MadLab

The name of the troupe escapes me now, but I really enjoyed «History Boys» at MadLab. The acting was well above what comes to mind with «community theater.» The seating is limited, but there’s not a bad seat in the house.
I’m not sure if it’s MadLab or the troupe, but there’s some kind of «pay what you want» system for shows. How cool is that? If, right before showtime, and there are still seats available, you can just show up and pay whatever you want for them. $ 5, $ 2, $ 200, whatever. What a great way to make art accessible to all, yet still keep profits intact.
The entrance area is a bit sparse, but there’s a little coffee stand to keep you from snoozing through shows. I kinda wish there were a little bar– offering a limited selection of beer, wine, and maybe a signature show-​themed cocktail. Oh well, maybe in the future.
MadLab is a little hard to find on the quiet side of downtown, but if you know where to go there’s plenty of food/​bev options for before or after your show. The El Camino Inn/​Little Palace/​Dirty Frank’s strip isn’t far, and neither is Due Amici or Latitiude 41, if you want something snazzier.

This is my favorite community theater spot — trendy performances, carefully edited casts, fun crowds, and a very comfortable, tidy theater space. This theater tops CAPA and at least equals Short North Stage for me (although Short North is more musically inclined??)
Pro-​tip — this place is SUPER non-​descript from the outside. You gotta look for the door, hard.

We went to see «the History Boys» last night at the MadLab. Available Light Theatre utilized MadLabs space for their performances. What a great space! Like another review stated, there is a section of the parking lot directly adjacent (south side) to the ML building, which was very convenient. The seating is like a movie theatre and you can see the show space anywhere you sit.
The performance we saw was a «pay what you want,» but I’m assuming the cost will vary depending on the show.
MadLab is a great locally run space that supports local art, performances, and more! Check it out!

I had such a great time at the show I stayed for the stand up.

Such a nice new venue!
I came to see Happy ⁹⁄₁₁ this past weekend and really enjoyed myself. The room is very spacious and has tons of seating.
This is the place to see new exciting theatre in Columbus. Be sure to check it out.
You can park in the lot directly adjacent to the building. They also have a very helpful map on the door of the theatre if you’re unsure where to park.

Great time. I went to see a production of Love in the Time of Comedy over the Valentine’s Day weekend. I had a great time. Great cast. Affordable fun and an excellent date venue.

Madlab is no snob.
This venue supports arts of all varieties, whether it’s housing a play (which it does most frequently), an art show, live music or an improv comedy troupe. And it perhaps could not have a more appropriate moniker. Madlab also acts as a breeding ground and experimental haven for emerging playwrights, artists and musicians.
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to make it out to a show (I live out of state, or that wouldn’t be the case), but the last performance I caught was called Split. It was written by a playwright who was extremely new to the scene, and who was also on hand (although he was from Pittsburgh or Philly) to play a set of his original music after the show (highly entertaining — dude was hysterical) and on the way out, we stopped in the lobby, which also acts as the gallery, to check out the «Too Much Photography» exhibit of local photographers’ works. Turns out a friend of mine was showing some of his work that night, unbeknownst to me. As you can see, the price of a ticket = an entire night’s worth of art experience. Not a bad deal.
The performance space is intimate (I mean, freakin’ TINY), but the company makes clever use of what they’ve got. Madlab also offers snacks and soft drinks before the show and at intermission (cash only).
The building is a little tricky to find, parking a little less so. It’s directly on the corner of Broad and Long — that part’s easy. Problem is, you can be looking straight at it and not realize it’s there. The building used to be a mechanic’s garage, I think, so this is not your mama’s theater.