Disney Theatricals Theatres seem terribly inconsistant

[forgetmenotnyc]

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

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 2:54am

The Nederlander is owned by...the Nederlanders. Disney just rents it to house Newsies. Completely staffed by Nederlander employees.

[forgetmenotnyc]

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]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 3:46am

You 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]

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]

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]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 3:20pm

U rly lk 2 use abrv. whevr pssbl, dnt u?

[broadwayworldreader]

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]

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.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 3/29/14 at 3:40pm

art-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.

[forgetmenotnyc]

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]

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.