A CHRISTMAS STORY will play The Theater at MSG. WHY?!?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:05pm

I love this show but God, do I hate this theater with a passion. Ugh..why!?!? http://www.playbill.com/news/article/178935-A-Christmas-Story-The-Musical-Will-Play-Theater-at-Madison-Square-Garden-This-Holiday-Season

Updated On: 6/10/13 at 02:05 PM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:08pm

I've actually never been there but wanted the chance to see this show since I missed it last year. Is it set up like a normal theatre? In my imagination it's just MSG with part of the arena blocked off.

[dreaming]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:09pm

Why in the world couldn't they get the Marquis? I thought for sure they'd get it and hold it until something else comes in the spring (The Bodyguard was rumored).

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:16pm

It's a cavernous, uncomfortable, ugly, charm-free "theater" with horrible sightlines. It's just so unsightly...and based on almost everything I've seen there, no matter what, you feel like you're 50,000,000 miles away from the stage. Updated On: 6/10/13 at 02:16 PM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:18pm

My god that looks dreadful. The stage seems so tiny compared to how far across the seats go. Not sure about this one.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:19pm

This theater has 5,600 seats. It's not meant for small, intimate shows, but for huge shows like Cirque de Soleil.

[eperkins]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:42pm

Other seasonal shows have been done there as well. I think the large size is what attracted them - they can potentially make a lot more money there. Also - that isn't an Equity house is it? I was thinking it was some other union, so maybe cheaper union-wise as well to be there?

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:43pm

"WHY?!?"

The same reason this Christmas movie marathon was musicalized in the first place $$$ At least they have popcorn!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:45pm

I meant "why" as a rhetorical "I love this show...why does it have to be in this awful theater?!" way. I realize they're doing it to make more money. Just wish it wasn't at the expense of the theater-goer, in terms of being able to appreciate and enjoy the show they're paying so much to see.

I wonder why they didn't take the Marquis. Updated On: 6/10/13 at 02:45 PM

[Pammylicious]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:54pm

Because you can get a ticket for $49 and its probably decent. That means you can take the wife and kids to the theater for a 11 am show.....they have evening performances less often than morning performances.

Weren't they renovating the theater?

[anmiller07]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:55pm

5,600 seats?!?!?!?!? Just how well did this show do last year? Even if it was totally sold out, this is four times the size (seat wise) as the Lunt. Wow. They must be expecting huge crowds. I wonder how much money they are saving by not using Broadway contracts. Is there any chance this might be Non-Equity?

[bdn223]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:58pm

I think the theaters the producers didn't like the theaters they were offered in all honesty. The only theater available at least that we know is the Marquee, which in all honesty is not tha great of a theater.

[jaxandmci]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:58pm

They probably went with that big, ugly barn because of the number of seats. They will most likely sell as many tickets--if not more--in this year's 2.5 week-long run at MSG as they sold last year at the Lunt-Fontanne over nearly two months.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 3:00pm

The Marquis is a GREAT theatre for a season show like this. It's big, but A Christmas Story would fill it. It's right on the main stretch of Times Square, so tourists will see the marquee. And there isn't a bad seat in the house, which is important for a show with big ensemble dance numbers, which this show has.

[anmiller07]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 3:02pm

The Tony performance really made me want to see this; now I need to make sure I get a good seat. I've seen Beyoncé in smaller venues than this. I'm glad it's coming back, but wow. Do shows at this theater use a jumbotron/video screens? Updated On: 6/10/13 at 03:02 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 3:10pm

The ceiling looks so low. Is it really just that one level of seating?

[IronMan]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 3:16pm

Yes, it's one level. And it's also a Union house.

After their Tony number, I really wanted to see this- but NOT HERE. There is no way in hell that I'm paying to be in that cavern where they will probably make it 'snow' at the end for the sake of the children.

[eperkins]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 3:22pm

If you buy a seat closer to the stage and in the center, you will have a great view. Way back or way to the sides - no. That's up to you.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 3:32pm

The ceiling is very low, but all the seats are fine. It is a barn and its really like a stadium more than a theatre. Believe me there will be large groups of kids and strollers and popcorn. No Jumbotrons.

That said, I'm glad they're putting something different in there. Frankly, this is the best opportunity for a show like this. I wish Radio City did something else, you know? It is also really neat to have it near Macy's, really great draw for tourists. Also as someone mentioned families might actually be able to afford tickets!

[IronMan]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 3:32pm

The problem for me isn't being able to see- it's that in order to fill that space, the show will have to be bigger. Bigger sets, bigger sound, and worst of all, bigger acting. You can't just wink in a space that big- you'd have to over-exaggerate so it could be seen 50 yards away.
That's one of the things that killed Young Frankenstein (IMO)- subtlety just wasn't possible.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 3:34pm

The online ticket fees for this venue is ridiculous, from $14 to $29. On top of the ticket prices that is a big hit to the pocket. This is a huge venue, the rear seats are quite a distance away, probably better off just buying the cast recording. : )

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 4:00pm

Nope. Hell to the no. Won't be going back to see it again. Anyone who's ever seen a "family" show in this barn will tell you that you're lucky if you can hear anything on the stage since there's absolutely no attempt to keep anyone quiet during the shows. Kids scream, talk, run around. Parents talk on their phones, scream at their kids. It's seriously like being at a F*CKing circus. No way in all of hell that I'll be seeing this again. And I was really looking forward to it.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 4:02pm

Also is there an orchestra? I'm not certain, but I think the Christmas Carol I saw was a track.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 4:09pm

"It's seriously like being at a F*CKing circus."

That is a fact. I think the house lights are up slightly as well.

[followspot]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 4:34pm

Ugh. Are they doing it on ice?