Omaha is home to the nation's largest community theater, the Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. (tel. 402/553-0800; www.omahaplayhouse.com), founded in 1925 with the help of Marlon Brando's mother and where Henry Fonda made his acting debut. It's also home to one of the nation's oldest children's theater companies, the Omaha Theater Company for Young People, 2001 Farnam St. (tel. 402/345-4849; www.rosetheater.org), founded in 1949. The 1927 Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. (tel. 402/345-0606; www.omahaperformingarts.org), restored to its French Renaissance splendor, is home to touring shows and concerts, while the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th and Douglas streets (tel. 402/345-0606; www.omahaperformingarts.org), hosts the Omaha Symphony (tel. 402/342-3560; www.omahasymphony.org) and other musical events.
Old Market, a renovated downtown warehouse district, is a good place for a nighttime stroll. The Upstream Brewing Company, 11th and Jackson (tel. 402/344-0200; www.upstreambrewing.com), housed in a turn-of-the-20th-century firehouse and with outdoor seating, offers handcrafted beers and root beer on tap, as well as New American pub fare ranging from steaks and sandwiches to pizzas. A good place to hear music is Sokol Underground, 13th and Martha streets (tel. 402/346-9802; www.sokolunderground.com), where many Omaha bands get their start, while Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. (tel. 402/345-7575; www.theslowdown.com), is the place to hear nationally touring indie bands.
