"Its one thing to say the theatre is inconvenient; it's another to say that the drug gangs make the venue untenable to navigate."
That's true but there's no way to avoid the fact that most families who are the target audience for this show perceive getting caught in crossfire in this area as a dealbreaker even though it is about as likely as getting mowed down by an out of control vehicle while crossing Columbus Avenue with the light.
It's got to be frustrating because people who live in the neighborhood will understandably opine that it's sometimes exaggerated the crime perception per personal safety, though one can't minimize you have to be careful, especially with families.
From all accounts it's a gorgeous renovation and it would be a shame if they can't get the right mix of shows/concerts to keep it viable as a venue. "Annie" is a head scratcher I would admit because it would seem that musical has been over saturated.
I went out there for Open House NY, found it a stunning space & passed all these huge homes - so I think this thread is overwhelmingly negative. I would be very interested in picking up some of those comps. -esp. on a Wed. or Sun. when I'm off - so if anyone knows how to get them, I would really appreciate the lead.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
One big problem is Annie simply has had one revival to many. It suffers from over exposure.
Another is it is really out of the way. It is one thing to walk a few blocks in Times Square. It is another to have to schlep to another borough. These 2 things alone were deadly for Annie. I also understand the cost of the tickets is on the high side.
The best use for the venue appears to be concerts. A Broadway show in this vast space is simply a mistake. The safety issue needs to be decided by each person going.
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Broadway Star Joined: 9/17/03
I totally agree that the the crime/safety comfort level is an individual choice. It's not a matter of minimizing people's concern but also think it was a bit insulting/condescending to imply that anyone going was walking into a warzone.
Hundreds if not thousands use that venue.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
DIRECT FROM MICHAEL MUSTO'S FACEBOOK FEED:
I took the subway to Brooklyn tonight to see "Annie" at the Kings Theater (which I loved), and on the train, I heard a kid who couldn't have been more than six years old say to his mother, "I thought The Hobbit was sexist and not a good movie, but I liked it." Wha????
So take THAT scaredy cats.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
Swing Joined: 11/26/13
Swing Joined: 12/31/69
I went last night and didn't die. No snipers or drug wars, though there were a lot of little kids that had to go poopies in the middle of the show. What did you watch on Netflix last night, Roxy? They had a big sign with your name on it in the middle of Act One. If you weren't such a scaredy-cat, maybe you'd take the subway out to Brooklyn like Michael Musto did last night and go see it.
Oh, and anyone worried about where to get eats or drinks: right around the corner from the Kings Theater on Duryea Place, maybe a hundred feet off Flatbush Ave, sits Delroy's Cafe, a Jamaican place with takeout in the front and a bar in the back. I'm about to heat up the rest of the Rasta Pasta I brought home after the show. Also recommend the Brooklyn Lager on tap and both the fish and beef tacos.
Updated On: 12/17/15 at 12:02 PM
A friend of ours went with an acquaintance to the matinee yesterday
The theater was a sea of empty seats. It is magnified by the sheer number of seats in the theater. They were able to move down from the mezzanine
They did not save that much as the aquaintence took a $30 cab ride each way as she did not want to go into the neighborhood any other way. It ends Sunday so it is rapidly becoming a moot point.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/19/05
Are you people from New York? Afraid to go there. There are no Elmos, No cookie monsters. My high school graduation was there.. Was there for a couple of concerts. Its gorgeouis. Nice Old Navy outlet and some other stores. Take to the Q to Beverly Rd and a walks ,It'ss Ditmas Park .
This the most racist stupidest thread that I've ever seen on the board,. its embarrassing.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
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