We need to soundproof the theatres- Page 2

[JSquared2]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 1:29pm

Kad said: "That petition no longer seems to be available."

 

Guess it solved the problem and was no longer necessary!

 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 1:57pm

Between pedicabs, endless construction, and just generally increasing crowds in Times Square, it's not getting any better.  Those pedicabs are the worst, they should at least come to an agreement with theatre owners to hold off on noise until the show they're at is over. Yes, those of us that are frequent theatregoers get that it's part of the deal, but I'm sure for a lot of tourists, if they're seated by an outer door, it can be really distracting.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 2:02pm

For once, I agree w/ BroadwayFlash.

I don't think theaters need to rush to incur the costs of doing this, but whenever a renovation of any scale occurs, it would be nice for it to be considered to help bring down the infiltration of the street noise. I was once at a show and an ambulance was stuck in traffic right outside the exit doors for several minutes, siren blaring so loudly I couldn't hear the dialogue. It's not like the ambulance can turn off its siren, nor can the traffic be dealt with, but a layer of soundproofing on those doors could have helped dampen it. We don't need high-end, full-scale soundproofing to make a difference.

But also, the pedicabs need to be banned. They're a scourge on tourists, traffic, and anyone who dislikes Jay-Z & Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind." Not to mention they had that whole smear campaign against Glass House Tavern when the tavern decided to not let them use their restroom anymore + warned patrons of their exorbitant pricing...

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 3:05pm

The extent to which external noise negatively impacts my theatre-going experience depends to some degree on the nature of the show I'm seeing. During a contemporary show like A Strange Loop, not so much; in a period show like Phantom of the Opera, sirens and pedicabs definitely broke the spell. The anachronistic nature of a modern police car siren during "The Music of the Night" was always highly intrusive to me.

Updated On: 11/21/23 at 03:05 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 3:23pm

It's not just the pedicabs. It is also people driving through Times Square blasting music from their cars thinking it is cool. The evening I saw "A Strange Loop", traffic stalled on 45th and a car blasting music was sitting right in front of the theater. It went on for about a minute or so and stopped. I was told they asked the people to turn the music down as it could be heard inside the theater. I have experienced this at a few theaters. The rear orchestra of the Belasco is where I have heard it the most. And the last time I was in there, we could hear music coming from somewhere inside house left. It sounded like it might be coming from next door. It went on and off for about half an hour and then stopped. 

I agree that as houses are renovated this problem should be taken into consideration. But I also wonder if they even have to wait for that. If soundproofing doors will help the problem then that should be able to be done. But these are older buildings and just doing the doors may not stop all of the noise.  JMO

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 3:37pm

It's much more complicated than just adding insulation or stronger walls/doors, and like I said above I'm sure the landlords have explored options and decided that it's not financially feasible or wouldn't be effective enough to spend the money on.

I wonder if the new Palace being up high off of street level will help? Does sound bleed still happen in the Marquis and Gershwin?

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 7:14pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "It's much more complicated than just adding insulation or stronger walls/doors, and like I said above I'm sure the landlords have explored options and decided that it's not financially feasible or wouldn't be effective enough to spend the money on.

I wonder if the new Palace being up high off of street level will help? Does sound bleed still happen in the Marquis and Gershwin?"

Is your certainty that landlords have already explored this based on your belief that it is logical they would have done so or do you have some firsthand knowledge that some of them have?  I ask because a lot of logical solutions are often never explored if there is no constituency demanding change.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 11/20/23 at 7:37pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "It's much more complicated than just adding insulation or stronger walls/doors, and like I said above I'm sure the landlords have explored options and decided that it's not financially feasible or wouldn't be effective enough to spend the money on.

I wonder if the new Palace being up high off of street level will help? Does sound bleed still happen in the Marquis and Gershwin?"

I've never noticed street noise at Wicked, but that theater feels incredibly insulated/separated from the street.

I'm not sure why it's "much more complicated than just adding insulation" - soundproofing is a common activity for entertainment venues that specialize in audio, and other than navigating landmarking and preservation rules and the obvious financial hurdle and of course fire safety, I'm not sure what else you're implying is an obstacle.

Updated On: 11/20/23 at 07:37 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/1/23 at 1:44pm

Thought of you all.

Bottcher Takes Dead Aim At Loud, Scammy Pedicabs In Hell's Kitchen