dave1606 said: "Anyone who went last night or goes tonight can you let us know the start time? I'm going Thursday and will do the same!
I am thinking of arriving at 10pm. I'd rather not spend hours in the theater doing nothing!"
It started at 10:30! I was the only analog watch-wearer in my area so about every 15 minutes someone asked me for the time. The last time I was asked, it was 10:25 and it began moments later. And it let out right at 1:00 am.
I got there at 9pm and had way more than enough time to wait in line for merch (wasn't a long wait, and there are two merch stands, one on each side of the lobby), wait in line for a bottle of water (LOTS of concessions on both the first and second levels), use the restroom, chat with my friend in the mezz lobby for a good 20 minutes, until we went in and sat down around 9:45. She and I didn't sit together so I was on my own for those 45 minutes (she brought her Kindle to read - smart!) but it was fine. I had a good time people-watching, recognizing some of the hardcore fans I've been seeing at her shows for years, etc.
The volume was almost uncomfortably high, but it was needed when she talked to us because people would scream, of course.
It was one of the best concerts of hers I've been to tbh as far as the overall experience (not as far as song list; nothing will ever beat Re-Invention for me). The no phone thing was awesome and I wasn't riddled with, "omg I should take a picture NO, JUST ENJOY THE SHOW" thoughts I have at every concert. And she genuinely enjoyed it, said she's waited 30 years to play to an intimate audience like that where she could see everyone because we were so close. She chatted a lot, sat down in an empty seat near the front and talked to the luckiest woman for a good 5 minutes asking where she lives and what she does (and drinking her beer - with permission).
Her Polaroid selfie went for $1,000.
She departs the show through the orchestra center aisle; I was 3 people off it and it was awesome to be that close to her while she walked past singing. (I was in the Golden Triangle at the MDNA tour and was very close but she was also like 5' above me on stage.)