I've long been mystified by the standard 8pm curtain time for performing arts. It's too early for a non-rushed early dinner, and too late for a late dinner for any show that's over 2 hours (most). I live in the urban hellhole and not too far from most major venues, but if attending an orchestra show meant that I had to brave the highways back out to the burbs at 10:45 and then get up and go to work at a respectable hour the next day I probably wouldn't bother very often.
7pm really should be the standard.
