Gershwin Theatre vs. Ford Center for the Performing Arts?

[eandan]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:28pm

Gershwin Theatre vs. Ford Center for the Performing Arts

The Gershwin is bigger (1933 Seats) then the Ford center (1839 Seats)..

I like the Gershwin..

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:33pm

The Gershwin WAS bigger.. they redid it.. it now seats less than the Ford Center.. currently, teh Gershwin seats 1,773 and teh Ford Center seats 1,813 as per Playbill.com's weekly gross charts..

The Ford Center has a larger stage and is newer and more technologically up to speed...


AND teh Gershwin looks like an airplane hanger where as the Ford Center is a BEAUTIFULLY designed theatre.. large, spacious, good views, and WONDERFUL architecture and detailing....


FORD CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ATRS

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 3:20pm

The only show I saw at the Gershwin was the revival of 1776 and it was too big for the show. It would be perfect for something that doesn't require much connection with the audience. Shows that rely more upon effects than subtlety in staging or acting.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 3:40pm

I saw the recent revival of Oklahoma and Wicked at the Gershwin, and I have seen 42nd Street at the Ford. I definitely prefer the Gershwin for it's comfortable seats with pleanty of leg room, but that's the only thing I like about it. It is too spread out (a nice trick to make it look like there are more seats than there actually are). The Ford Center feels much more like a Broadway Theater should feel. I would take the Ford Center over the Gershwin any day.

[actorboy]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 3:52pm

When the Gershwin was being built in the 1970s, the architect spoke about how everyone wanted to be "on the floor" in a Broadway Theater, that is, in the orchestra section. So, it was built with a lot of seats downstairs and many fewer seats upstairs in the mezzanine. While no longer the largest Broadway house (because the mezzanine was made smaller prior to Oklahoma!), it certainly feels like it if you are seated in the orchestra section, which is very wide and deep.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 5:44pm

I love the Ford Canter, but I'd go with the Gershwin. It's always been one of my favorites, is not my favorite.

It's beautiful and spacious, not to mention the two show that have played there are amazing. But so are the two shows at The Ford. Umm...Well, both are great theaters-hehe. I really don't have a preference, I guess.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 5:46pm

the GERSHWIN?!? BEAUTIFUL?!?

[bob8rich]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 5:49pm

The Gershwin is my favorite of all the theaters I have been to in New York (although I have yet to see anything at the Ford Center to be able to compare). The Gershwin is also rather special to me as it was where I saw my first ever show on Broadway - "Sweeney Todd" at the then named Uris. It is also where I saw my most recent Broadway show - "Wicked" a few weeks ago. (And these two shows also rank very highly among my list of favorite shows I have seen.)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 6:03pm

The Gershwin is a big barn. Sit up in the balcony & you might as well be on top of Mount Everest