Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
#1Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 2:51am
I was at NEWSIES tonite & even though I really enjoyed the show, I found myself very disappointed with the unattractive Nederlander Theatre. How can the same co. responsible for the richly restored AMSTERDAM, also use the NEDERLANDER Theatre which has very little visual integrity? The upstairs uses a different color scheme than the grey downstairs. Ushers seemed bored & uncaring - while just across the st. the same co. maintains a high profile for a new show (Aladdin). What gives? Why, in an industry that makes thousands a wk., can't a co. be displaying highest integrity in ALL their theaters?
Updated On: 3/29/14 at 02:51 AM
#2Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 2:54amThe Nederlander is owned by...the Nederlanders. Disney just rents it to house Newsies. Completely staffed by Nederlander employees.
#2Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 2:58am
Thank you assjb4ever for helping me understand the various ownership/mngmts of the theatres. I obviously am struggling with comprehending the differences. Has anyone else ever seen these insane far side orch. seats set sideways on a sloped floor? I really wish I had taken a pic to share here.
Updated On: 3/29/14 at 02:58 AM
chewy5000
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/09
#3Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 3:46amYou raise a good point though. After a recent trip, my parents were astounded at how some theatre owners can justify having such cramped and uncomfortable seating.
KathyNYC2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/10
#4Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:36am
No theater is perfect. The New Amsterdam has the smallest bathrooms ever. If you are in that huge mezz, there are I think 2-3 stalls to use without running up and down stairs.
I also felt that sitting in the middle of one of the first rows of the mezz, if there was a fire, I would be dead without a doubt. It took a ridiculously long time to exit the theater at the end of the show...because too many people feed into the same narrow areas.
The Nederlander while not overly attractive...seemed more people friendly to me. Maybe it was just my perception and not totally accurate..but that's how I felt.
I do agree that it's shocking how much money is being charged in some theaters for certain seats that I as a relatively slim 5'4" woman can barely fit into.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#5Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 11:37am
The Needs and Dis have been "in bed" for a while. The Dis screwed up and lost the better Neederlander houses. So they were given the Neederlander as charity and it paid off really well for both with the NEWSIES.
GreasedLightning
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/11/14
#6Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 3:20pmU rly lk 2 use abrv. whevr pssbl, dnt u?
broadwayworldreader
Stand-by Joined: 7/6/09
#7Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 3:36pm
@curtain-- can you expand on that? What's the story there?
Not to thread jack, but the comment about the bathrooms in the NewAm reminded me how awful the men's bathroom is in the court. LITERALLY A CLOSET. You have to open and close doors to navigate your way through there.
ARTc3
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/13
#8Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 3:36pm
The Nederlander worked perfectly for, Rent. It really felt like a squatters space and the poor quality of the theater seemed almost a design choice.
Anyway, now that it has been made clear that producers more often than not don't own the theaters that their shows perform in, the title to this thread seems misguided. However, a thread that discusses the layout, acoustics, sight lines, comfort, design of our beloved Broadway temples is a great idea. Hmmm? Does it exist already? Not sure.
ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.
#9Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/29/14 at 3:40pmart-I am sure such threads exists in abundance. Interestingly enough, the Nederlander (which doesn't need a second "e") was renovated post-Rent. So these complaints are about the new and improved version. Perhaps it is time again lol.
#10Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/30/14 at 11:55pm
Artc3, YES! I have such love of taking in the richness of our "temples" - it just doesn't seem to happen at this one. The boxes aren't too bad looking (it appears to have just 2 seats in each sides 2 sections). The standing room 'windows' at the back of the orch. are interesting. But esp. w/tkt costs as they are, surely they can, & should, do a MUCH better job with refurbishment!? Shows like NEWSIES are also geared toward highly impressionable young people - so I think we need to do a better job with giving the best in shows AND theatres.
Updated On: 3/31/14 at 11:55 PM
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#11Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant
Posted: 3/31/14 at 1:41am
"I also felt that sitting in the middle of one of the first rows of the mezz, if there was a fire, I would be dead without a doubt. It took a ridiculously long time to exit the theater at the end of the show...because too many people feed into the same narrow areas."
Just keep in mind that in most theaters there are emergency exits that are not used at the end of a show while the audience is leaving. It wouldn't necessarily be the same situation if they were evacuating the building.
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