Bring It On - House Management

[JoeMaMa2]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 11:48pm

Let me start by saying that I am a crazy Broadway fan. I see, on average, 4-5 shows per month. I work in theatre as well. Needless to say I am so disappointed at Bring It On The Musical and the house management. I picked up my tickets at 7:15 and got on line. The doors opened at 7:40 for a SOLD OUT audience. Finally got in at 8:15 and not only did the show start BUT they wouldn't seat me until the first number was over. Than they had put people in our seats and told us to just sit wherever. REALLY?? I have NEVER seen this happen before. What a waste of money.

PS - the book was pretty good (funny) the cheering was excellent not happy about set and music. I WOULD recommend it

Updated On: 7/14/12 at 11:48 PM

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 12:20am

Was there only one ticket-taker working the door? That seems like a long time for them to get the house in, especially considering that (I'm pretty sure) the Balcony is not being used for this production.

[PReeves2]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 1:06am

that's not a welcome anyone wants to receive after spending how much $$$.

[mikem]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 1:11am

I'm sorry to hear that. If you got in line at 7:15, there must have been hundreds of people entering after you. I'm surprised they started the show with that many people still entering. Was it completely chaotic?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 1:19am

Because they are probably working very hard to make this look like a BWay Show and not a tour, the crew et al may be working up to the last min and that makes for late curtain arisal.
But there's no excuse for sitting you late because they can't handle the crowd.

[Leadingplayer]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 3:19am

You should write to the Jujamcyn Corp and ask for a refund or discount on another show.

[Leadingplayer]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 3:19am

You should write to the Jujamcyn Corp and ask for a refund or discount on another show.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 6:47am

I have never heard of any of these things happening, ever. The only explanation (and I'm not saying excuse) is that the stage manager forced their hand by one, not allowing them to open the house and then two starting the show without their ok. That would also explain the ushsers attitude to sit anywhere. They very well felt shat upon.

Which doesn't make it right.

I would have asked to see the House Manager at intermission. I would have demanded my seats at that time, as well. At this point I agree with the above poster that tells you to send a letter-to the house manager, Jujamcyn Corp and the producers of the show.

As also mentioned above, there must have been hundreds of people behind you, and you couldn't have been the only person with this complaint. But this is the part that makes the story sound odd -- there would have been HUNDREDS of people without seats, where were they all standing during the first number? I can't believe they could have gottenn house management to keep them all quiet. But if all as you say is true, they will be getting MANY complaints -- certainly not from everyone, but from enough -= to back up your story.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 8:01am

Possible explanation for the seating issue.- at the moment the curtain goes up, lots of people start scurrying into better seats. it's like mice when you turn the lights on.
Then, you have late seaters and btw, it's up to the production, not the house, when you're allowed to seat late seaters. Very often, it's after the first song or two. When you attempt to seat the late seaters, very often you find people already have moved into them. Please don't assume that the ushers SAT them in those incorrect seats, they didn't!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 9:36am

If all happened as you say it did (and I have no reason to believe otherwise), then it sounds like a massive failure on the part of the stage manager. They're the one who tells the house staff they can open the house, and then they're the one who gives the ok to start the show (which should be done in consultation with the house manager). It sounds like they caused the house to open late but the refused to hold the curtain.

I agree that a letter is in order.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 9:38am

This sounds off somehow. If indeed it happened the way you said it did, contact Jujamcyn as Leading Player suggested. Jujamcyn is quite good about these things, and IIRC, actually has someone who reads these boards and has proactively righted wrongs posted about here before being contacted.

Good luck and let us know how that worked out.

[jetts7]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 10:06am

That is really weird. Why would'nt they wait for the audience to get in? I would also write a letter to Jujamcyn.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 10:11am

Yeah, it's entirely wrong for you to be penalized for being "late" due to the theatre's mistake.

[JoeMaMa2]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 11:00am

I talked to the house manager at intermission. She was very nice and apologetic. She explained that the house opened late because the cast was rehearsing stunts for the show. Which I understand - the stunts are crazy. She said they started the show before it was 'all clear' outside. I was in the MEZZ and there were at least 50+ people not seated at my door alone. Then after we were seated people had to move around because of the 'sit anywhere' policy. I will say that I have met Jordan Roth several time because of work and he was so nice to me about the whole thing this morning. I understand that there was some major confusion between the house and stage manager.

To say I was frustrated last night would be an understatement. But I usually see shows alone or with one other person - last night I brought 5 people to see this because of the cheering. (former cheerleaders) So, I was somewhat embarrassed.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 11:14am

Thanks for the update, but this just gets curiouser and curiouser. You know Jordan Roth well-enough that you spoke this morning and yet you continue to choose to air your grievances here? Was the situation not handled to your satisfaction even after your conversation?

Last question - were you, by chance, comped last night?

[JoeMaMa2]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 11:22am

Wasn't comped. I guess I was just so 'angry' that it got the best of me. I need to learn to sleep on these kinds of things. In a much better place this morning. I will say the staff was nice when I chatted with them. So, this was probably just a one-time mistake.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 11:25am

You're entitled to vent.

eta: I tried to send you a pm, but you don't accept them. I'd just remind you that this is a public forum, and Jujamcyn does have some who reads it - so since you work in the business, and that brings you into contact with Roth, you might want to bear that in mind in the future when you post. FWIW.



Updated On: 7/14/12 at 11:25 AM

[sidneyfalco]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 11:50am

We're talking about last night, Friday, right? I saw the show as well... I got in line to enter the theater around 7:45, and got in, used the bathroom, and got to my seat by 7:55. I did notice a bunch of people still being seated when the show finally began but I find it really hard to believe that any of them arrived at the theater before I did.

[JoeMaMa2]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 12:59pm

Thanks ghostlight2, you're right. I'm usually not a complainer, and I don't usually post (just read) these forums. I guess it was the fact that I brought people with me that threw me over the edge. OOPS - chalk it up to instant childish immaturity! I should have had a drink at the bar at intermission - would have relaxed me!
But, as I said - the staff was very polite. :)

[TheresaG]

Posted: 7/15/12 at 10:45am

I was there last night. I arrived about 7:35 and was surprised to see a line of about 5 people. The staff was actively moving people in very fast. I had to wait for others in my party for about 5 more minutes outside and the same activity continued; very good at getting people in. This is not to say it was a small crowd inside; I was in the orchestra section and it was sold out. Side boxes were filled; didn't see the mezzanine so I can't speak about that.

By about 8:05, it looked like the crowds were all seated. But no show. A few minutes later, a countdown clock on the stage started a 5 minute countdown after which the show started.

All in all, not bad for a Saturday night. BTW - I liked the show a lot.

[JujamcynTheaters]

Posted: 7/15/12 at 5:59pm

JoeMaMa2,

Thank you so much for taking the time to post about your experience on Friday night at the St. James Theatre.

I am so sorry about the delay that you experienced in getting in to the theatre that night and then again in getting to your seat. I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for you and everyone else in your position that night.

Jujamcyn Theaters takes full responsibility for the missteps that night, and while we now understand what went wrong on Friday night and what we need to do in order to prevent a situation like this from happening again, we would now like to make it up to you so that you can continue to be "a crazy Broadway fan" at one of our theatres!

Please e-mail us directly at [e-mail] so we can make it up to you.

Thank you for writing. Your feedback is important to all of us and we look forward to making your theatre going experience better.

Warmly,

Hal Goldberg
Vice President, Theatre Operations

[willep]

Posted: 7/15/12 at 6:23pm

JujamcynTheaters, keeping it classy as always.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 7/15/12 at 9:18pm

Jujamcyn - you're the best!

[ArtMan]

Posted: 7/15/12 at 10:16pm

Mr. Goldberg, you are a true professional. I applaud your immediate response and your honesty for admitting that your company did indeed, do something wrong, and have made a committment to your customer to make it right. Please take the time to read my thread on your competition, Nederlander and specifically Herschall Waxman. Maybe you can give him a few pointers on customer service.

[JoeMaMa2]

Posted: 7/15/12 at 10:57pm

Mr. Goldberg & Jujamcyn,

Thank you for acknowledging me and my issue. Your staff was very comforting that night and you have made up for my issue. I believe a friend has already emailed. I appreciate you taking the time to rectify the situation and listen to your customers.

I'm still and will always be a CRAZY Broadway fan.

Thanks again.