Signature Theatre in Arlington's Shirlington Village is one of the most acclaimed regional theaters in the country. Known especially for its musicals and its long association with the work of Stephen Sondheim, it received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 2009, and its intimate stages make even a big musical feel close and personal.
A night at Signature usually means more than a show. Shirlington Village's main street is lined with restaurants, so dinner before curtain is part of the tradition. This guide covers how to plan the evening: getting there, parking versus a drop-off, timing dinner and getting home afterward, whether you live nearby or are staying in Reston, Tysons or near Dulles.
About Signature Theatre
Signature's home is a purpose-built venue on Campbell Avenue in the heart of Shirlington Village, in a building it shares with the Shirlington branch of the Arlington Public Library. Inside are two theaters, the larger MAX and the smaller ARK, which allow for everything from full-scale musicals to small plays. Both are relatively intimate, so there are few bad seats.
The season typically mixes Sondheim and classic musicals with new works, plays and cabaret performances. Shows, dates and performance times change each season, so check Signature's official website for the current schedule, ticket options and venue policies before you plan the rest of your evening.
Shirlington Village: Dinner on Campbell Avenue
Shirlington Village is a walkable pocket of Arlington with restaurants, bars, cafes, a movie theater and shops clustered along Campbell Avenue and the surrounding blocks. Many theatergoers eat within a short walk of the theater, which makes dinner before the show easy.
On performance nights, restaurants fill up before curtain time, so reservations help. Let your server know you have a show; most places near the theater are used to diners with a curtain to catch. A common pattern for an evening performance is to aim for dinner about two hours before curtain, leaving time to eat without rushing and walk to the theater. We do not recommend specific restaurants here, since they change over time.
Parking Garage or Drop-Off?
Shirlington Village has parking garages and some street parking, and many theatergoers drive and park. On busy evenings, especially weekend nights with a sold-out show, garages fill and finding a spot close to the theater can take time. After the show, everyone leaves at once, and the exits from the garages and the village can be slow.
A chauffeured drop-off avoids both. The chauffeur drops you at the restaurant, you walk to the theater after dinner, and the chauffeur meets you outside after the final bow. For an anniversary, birthday or date night, it also means nobody has to skip the wine at dinner or the drink at intermission because they are driving home.
Getting There
Shirlington is just off I-395 in south Arlington, convenient to Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and downtown DC. From Tysons, the drive typically runs via the Beltway or Route 7 to I-395; from Reston and the Dulles area, via the Dulles Toll Road and I-66 or the Beltway. Evening rush hour can be heavy on I-395 and I-66, so for a weeknight show, allow plenty of time if you are coming from the Dulles corridor.
Your chauffeur will choose the route based on traffic that evening. Tell dispatch your dinner reservation time and curtain time when you book, and we will plan the pickup to get you there on time.
After the Show
Performance lengths vary, and some shows run longer than the listed time, especially on opening weeks or with talkbacks after the performance. Rather than guessing, give us the curtain time and the expected running time listed by the theater, and the chauffeur will be in place for the end of the show. An hourly booking keeps the vehicle with you for the whole evening, including any after-show drink in the village.
For guests staying at hotels in Reston, Tysons or near Dulles, a ride back after the show avoids a late-night trip on unfamiliar highways. The drive is straightforward at night, when traffic is usually lighter than it is earlier in the evening.
Matinees, Weeknights and Weekends
Signature typically offers evening performances and weekend matinees, and each has its own rhythm. Weekend matinees pair well with a late lunch in the village and an early drive home, with lighter traffic than a weekday evening. Weeknight shows are often less crowded in the restaurants but put the drive from Reston or Tysons in the middle of rush hour, so leave earlier than you think. Saturday evening is the busiest time in Shirlington Village, with full restaurants and the most demand for parking - the night when a drop-off is most worth it.
Whichever performance you choose, it is worth arriving early enough to collect tickets, find your seats and settle in. Both theaters are intimate, and seating latecomers can be disruptive, so theaters often hold late arrivals until a suitable break in the performance.
Special Occasions
A night at Signature is a popular choice for anniversaries, milestone birthdays and proposals. For a couple, a Business Sedan or First Class Sedan seats three and is comfortable for an elegant evening. For two couples or a small family celebration, a Chevrolet Suburban seats five and a Lincoln Navigator seats six. For a larger group outing - a book club, office team or extended family - a Mercedes Sprinter seats up to 13 and keeps everyone together.
If you are planning a surprise, tell us when you book; the chauffeur can coordinate timing quietly with the person arranging the evening.
Planning Tips
A few habits make the night smoother:
- Buy show tickets first, then make your dinner reservation, then book the car.
- Arrive at the theater with time to spare - latecomers may not be seated until a suitable break.
- Check Signature's website for current venue policies on bags, food and drink.
- Agree on where the chauffeur will meet you after the show, such as a specific corner on Campbell Avenue.
- Keep your phone charged so dispatch can reach you if plans change.
Booking Your Evening
We provide chauffeured evenings to Signature Theatre and Shirlington Village from Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Tysons, Reston, Loudoun County and Dulles-area hotels, with a flat rate confirmed before you book. Share your dinner reservation and show time, and we will plan the evening around them.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Signature Theatre?
Signature Theatre is on Campbell Avenue in Shirlington Village in south Arlington, just off I-395, in a building it shares with the Shirlington branch library.
Is there parking near Signature Theatre?
Shirlington Village has parking garages and some street parking, but they fill on busy nights and exits are slow after the show. A chauffeured drop-off and pickup avoids both.
Where can we eat before a show at Signature?
Shirlington Village has many restaurants within a short walk of the theater, mostly along Campbell Avenue. Make a reservation and plan dinner about two hours before curtain.
Can the chauffeur wait until the show ends?
Yes. With an hourly booking the vehicle stays with you all evening, and the chauffeur meets you at an agreed spot after the final bow.
How long does it take to get to Shirlington from Reston or Tysons?
It depends on traffic. Evening rush hour on I-66, the Beltway and I-395 can be heavy, so allow extra time for weeknight shows, especially from the Dulles corridor.