Broadway needs to open the doors earlier

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 7:16pm

I’m sorry, but when there’s an arctic blast outside and people are freezing to death, this is unacceptable. I usually show up right before curtain, but got into the city earlier than usually and didn’t feel like loitering taco bell 

[MB124]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 7:24pm

That’s nice, BroadwayFlash!

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 7:27pm

I had a thought-out response, and then I reread the original post and realized you are one of the hyperbolic annoyances.

Go get a Crunchwrap Supreme and be gone, troll

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 7:29pm

Merkin2 said: "I’m sorry, but when there’s an arctic blast outside and people are freezing to death, this is unacceptable. I usually show up right before curtain, but got into the city earlier than usually and didn’t feel like loitering taco bell"

You really are an entitled dumbass, aren't you? There's a multitude of reasons they can't. As a frequent theatergoer, you should know why. I'm sure you'll get blasted on here for the bonehead comment and will probably come up with another username by next week.

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 7:33pm

Wow, surprised you actually used a ticket instead of trying to sell it to one of us! And pro-tip: wear a coat.

[Observation]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 8:02pm

Just asking genuinely, why don't they open the doors sooner? Is that a union call? 

 

ACL2006 said: "Merkin2 said: "I’m sorry, but when there’s an arctic blast outside and people are freezing to death, this is unacceptable. I usually show up right before curtain, but got into the city earlier than usually and didn’t feel like loitering taco bell"

You really are an entitled dumbass, aren't you? There's a multitude of reasons they can't. As a frequent theatergoer, you should know why. I'm sure you'll get blasted on here for the bonehead comment and will probably come up with another username by next week."

 

[Kad]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 8:43pm

A lot happens before the audience enters. A lot of the crew are in the theatre a couple hours before curtain running checks of lighting, sound, scenery, etc. Actors with stage combat or stunt work in the show need to be called before half hour to run those potentially dangerous elements.  Many actors show up before their half hour call in order to warm up in the space and run whatever they feel they need to, as well. House staff needs to prepare the house for the audience, which also includes a fire safety check before each performance, as well as preparing programs or anything else. Some of these things could be finished sooner, but some things are best done as close to curtain as possible to ensure things run smoothly and safely.  Basically, once the audience is in the house, nothing more can be done in the house or onstage. There is also the practical matter of if you are opening theaters earlier, you need to pay everybody to be there earlier. And on a two-show day, this this piles up and shortens the break for everybody substantially.

And, frankly, most Broadway houses are physically ill-equipped to comfortably have people just... hang out for an hour before the show. 

 

Updated On: 2/3/26 at 08:43 PM

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 8:49pm

one of the reasons they gave was that the ushers had to stuff the playbills, but that excuse is gone as of a week ago

[MB124]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 8:54pm

Merkin2 said: "one of the reasons they gave was that the ushers had to stuff the playbills, but that excuse is gone as of a week ago"

What’s the excuse for you still having access to this message board?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 8:58pm

Talking to it is not enough. Report every single thread he makes and do not engage. He pmed me yesterday asking how to retain his BroadwayFlash screen name. 

Report and block it.

[Observation]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 9:01pm

oh so interesting! I never realized how much they do is close to showtime. I guess just the logistics of Broadway that so many of us just don’t think of. 
 

Kad said: "A lot happens before the audience enters. A lot of the crew are in the theatre a couple hours before curtain running checks of lighting, sound, scenery, etc. Actors with stage combat or stunt work in the show need to be called before half hour to run those potentially dangerous elements. Many actors show up before their half hour call in order to warm up in the space and run whatever they feel they need to, as well. House staff needs to prepare the house for the audience, which also includes a fire safety check before each performance, as well as preparing programs or anything else. Some of these things could be finished sooner, but some things are best done as close to curtain as possible to ensure things run smoothly and safely. Basically, once the audience is in the house, nothing more can be done in the house or onstage. There is also the practical matter of if you are opening theaters earlier, you need to pay everybody to be there earlier. And on a two-show day, this this piles up and shortens the break for everybody substantially.

And, frankly, most Broadway houses are physically ill-equipped to comfortably have people just... hang out for an hour before the show.

"

 

[pmensky]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 10:41pm

Merkin2 said: "I’m sorry, but when there’s an arctic blast outside and people are freezing to death, this is unacceptable. I usually show up right before curtain, but got into the city earlier than usually and didn’t feel like loitering taco bell"

The house opened exactly when it always does. You chose to arrive early and then treated that as someone else’s failure. Save the outrage for a day when the problem isn’t entirely of your own making.

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 6:56am

They send emails telling us to arrive 45 minutes beforehand.  I’m sorry Broadway, but stop saying this bunk if you won’t open the doors til 30 minutes before

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 7:27am

Merkin2 said: "They send emailstelling us to arrive 45 minutes beforehand. I’m sorry Broadway, but stop saying this bunk if you won’t open the doors til 30 minutes before"

it's never been 45 minutes prior, you dolt!! Go away!

[Huss417]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 7:54am

TheatreMonkey said: "Wow, surprised you actually used a ticket instead of trying to sell it to one of us! And pro-tip: wear a coat."

I hear adding gloves and a hat adds to the ensemble as well. Also what is the current list of how many names BF is up to on here? We have to be well into the double digits by now.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 8:03am

Merkin2 said: "I’m sorry, but when there’s an arctic blast outside and people are freezing to death, this is unacceptable. I usually show up right before curtain, but got into the city earlier than usually and didn’t feel like loitering taco bell"

Go hang out at the Marriott 8th floor  you’ll be fine 

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 8:05am

I know it hasn’t, but it might be a good reason to explain why there are long lines to go see a Broadway show.  I’ll go see stuff at PH, Laura pells, signature, public, mtc city center, Atlantic, the shed, studio seaview, no problems.  Broadway is the problem. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 8:16am

Merkin2 said: "I know it hasn’t, but it might be a good reason to explain why there are long lines to go see a Broadway show. I’ll go see stuff at PH, Laura pells, signature, public, mtc city center, Atlantic,the shed, studio seaview, no problems. Broadway is the problem."

Incorrect. You are the problem!

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 9:08am

Huss417 said: "TheatreMonkey said: "Wow, surprised you actually used a ticket instead of trying to sell it to one of us! And pro-tip: wear a coat."

I hear adding gloves and a hat adds to the ensemble as well. Also what is the current list of how many names BF is up to on here? We have to be well into the double digits by now.

When I was in the city I chose fingerless gloves and hand warmers. For me it's highly better than regular gloves.

[pmensky]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 1:17pm

Merkin2 said: "They send emailstelling us to arrive 45 minutes beforehand. I’m sorry Broadway, but stop saying this bunk if you won’t open the doors til 30 minutes before"

Well, you could always end the criticism here by screenshotting and posting the part of the email that says to arrive 45 minutes early. 

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 4:20pm

I do love when a show is in a space where food and drink can be enjoyed and heading to your seat is just walk of a minute or two.  It can also add a vibrancy and community feeling as people sort of move en masse.  I wish London and NYC had more of these spaces, but am grateful when I get to frequent the ones that do.

[JT2030]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 4:34pm

Agreed - it does make for a more relaxing experience, especially with the price of tickets.

There's sorta no cut and dry answer for most Broadway shows, for many of the reasons well articulated earlier in the thread (additional costs for staffing, technical prep for many shows - I know Cursed Child has lengthy pre-performance fight calls, which are quite critical for the safety of everyone onstage and off.)

And then there's the practical matter of space - New World Stages immediately comes to mind as to having the capacity for a large number of people to enjoy the lounge spaces and bars while the individual theaters themselves prepare to open.

And every venue I'd imagine would *love* the added time for concessions and merchandise sales. But take an example like The Walter Kerr - it's one of my favorite venues, but it's just not really suited for a few hundred people to be lingering in before they're able to be seated due to legitimate performance prep.

A worthy discussion to say the least - some restaurants I'm friendly with look at those long lines of people waiting and wish they could have someone flyer those crowds with a happy hour offer since they don't need to be waiting (which I believe isn't allowed for a few reasons.)

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 5:31pm

Just to add on to what Kad said, the theater cannot open to patrons until "The House" is given over to the House Manager and staff by the production. Don't know that it is consistent in every theater but in my experience the Stage Manager will call out "The house is yours". After that, the House Manager can open when ready.   

Updated On: 2/4/26 at 05:31 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 5:58pm

The Broadway houses that have the space to accommodate early arriving patrons inside do- mostly the more modern or modernized venues like the Hudson, Sondheim, Haimes, LCT, to name just a few have ample interior space in the form of actual lobbies or lounges. But most Broadway theaters are quite old and many barely even have lobbies at all. 


But literally no theater venue lets audiences into the actual house early. It is not the audience’s to enter until the pre-show work that needs to be done is done, regardless of weather. Plan accordingly or learn how to kill time like a goddamn adult. 

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 6:24pm

Yeah exactly, it’s so nice going to Signature or the Laura Pells, Public, real community feel.  

There are many broadway theaters that have big lounge areas in the basement like the Music Box or Neil Simon.  The Todd Haimes as the 5th floor, can’t wait to see what they do to it after the renovation. Got my Hiptix for Fallen Angels, April 18, last preview before opening