A performance given in 1793 on the name-day of Catherine the Great afterthe play written by the Empress herself marked the beginning of the civictheater of Penza. However, the troupe found its permanent home as late as in1916 in the People's House named after Emperor Alexander II, on MoskovskayaStreet. After the Revolution of 1917, the theater was named after the People'sCommissar of Education Anatoly Lunacharsky.
A terriblefire in 2008 almost destroyed the old building, and a new magnificent theaterwith luxurious interiors and excellent acoustics was built in the same place ayear later. Don’t miss the Penza Regional Drama Theater,since famous Russian directors put plays on its stage, and its performances areaward-winning at the best theatre festivals!