Nicest or favorite Broadway Theater. - Page 2

[forgetmenotnyc]

Posted: 1/9/15 at 8:52pm

The restored vintage houses are probably my favs: New Amsterdam & Belasco. Friedman is comfortable but interesting decor is lacking.

I def. miss the beauty & grandness of the old Mark Hellinger.

I like the Ambassador for it's totally original position of the house & stage that angles into a corner.

Anytime I get directed to unusual exits, I love seeing a different aspect of a theatre.

Richard Rodgers/46th & Majestic have those unusual orchestra sections that start to incline after like the first 12/15 rows, so that the back of the orch. can feel like you are in a mezz.

The side front mezz of St. James is a fav.

The Palace's side elevated orch. sections are fun & the mezz is great.

Hirschfeld boxes have some of the most frightening drop-offs for those sitting on the edge looking down. I love that theatre's stained glass doors in the back of the orch. & the 2nd fl. gallery space.

I'd like to learn about the various theatre's dressing rooms access to stage, esp. after seeing 'Birdman.' Imperial has neat stair layout from what I've seen.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 1/9/15 at 9:18pm

Lyceum. That's a special one for me, for sure.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/9/15 at 9:50pm

New Amsterdam
Lyceum
Belasco

[wonkit]

Posted: 1/9/15 at 10:10pm

For me, the Belasco for beauty and the Barrymore because I have seen so many wonderful performances there.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/9/15 at 10:46pm

I totally forgot about the old Mark Hellinger. It started life as Warners Hollywood an old vaudeville theater. The original entrance was on 7th Avenue next to a huge Playland.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 1/10/15 at 1:02am

Being 6'5, I like whatever theater I can fit in. The Marquis is great! But, i will see everything, everywhere. Worst experience I most recently had was finally sitting in the orchestra at the Belasco - that was miserable. The mezzanine isn't bad, though!

[Fantod]

Posted: 1/10/15 at 1:17am

The worst theatre leg-room wise is the balcony at the Geary theatre here in San Francisco. I physically could not fit into the seat all the way (and I'm only 6'1")

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 2:43pm

I love the St. James and the Winter Garden for all the history. I also love how dark and haunting Studio 54 is

[Patash]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:50pm

What?  No mention of the Vivian Beaumont?

[mattporter17]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 5:02pm

I think the Gershwin's so nice. It really is made for Wicked at this point. They're gonna have to do some pretty serious renovations if/when Wicked ever closes.

[mattporter17]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 5:08pm

"The worst theatre leg-room wise is the balcony at the Geary theatre here in San Francisco. I physically could not fit into the seat all the way (and I'm only 6'1")"

 I'm sure you're right, but this is a thread about Broadway theaters.

[Scott19]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 7:49pm

I've always like the Broadhurst.

 

[acekatherineplumber2]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 11:23pm

I love the New Amsterdam!

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 11:27pm

Love the Gershwin and Marriott Marquis for their comfortable seats and the Broadway for the beautiful chandeliers.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 12:41am

Faves
Booth - perfect jewelbox
Belasco - wonderful details in recent renovation
New Amsterdam - astonishing terra cotta

Also appreciate:
The 44/45th St Shubert houses: Shubert, Broadhurst, Shoenfeld, Jacobs, Imperial
The comfort at the Sondheim & Marquis
The old beauty of the Lyceum, Nederlander & Richard Rodgers

Still to see (so can't evaluate)
Winter Garden, Music Box, Majestic, American Airlines, Ambassador, Gershwin, Minskoff

Updated On: 6/24/15 at 12:41 AM

[LoveJessieMueller]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 1:14am

I'd have to say the Sondheim or the Beaumont!

[notalwaysontime]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 5:30am

My experience is limited, as I've only been in 5 Broadway theaters, but the Schoenfeld was the worst for me in the balcony, because the small leg room space mixed with the hight of the seats in front of me = torture. The top of the seat in front of me hit right at my knee, and just cut into me the whole show, it was so hard to get my legs in a way that they weren't pressed into that edge.

My favorite of the 5 though was The Broadway, by far, I found it really comfortable, and beautiful, and there was kind of a warm fuzzy feeling I got while I was there. (But that part could have had to do with me being there for Cinderella/seeing Laura live for the first time.)

[aj88]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 8:32am

I agree with most of the general consensus that while the newer theatres are more comfortable, they are also the worst in terms of the architecture.

I had seen a lot of shows around 1998-2007 but have only started seeing more since moving here recently so a few theatres I haven't had the pleasure of revisiting and can only vaguely remember them (such as the Broadway and the Imperial).

I do think of the newer theatres, I agree The Lyric (nee Ford and Hilton and Foxwoods) is the one that has the most charm along with the comfort...and what a great lobby. Granted I am also a little biased since my first show was Ragtime so I have those fond memories.

Since the remolded the Miller and it became the Sondheim, I find while it isn't exactly "charming", it is definitely a very sleak theatre unlike the Marquis or Minskoff.

As for the beauty:

New Amsterdam

Belasco

Lyceum

and if only the Mark Hellinger were still a Broadway house. It is truly stunning. 

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 8:38am

The Belasco is absolutely breathtaking now that it has been restored. I would also say that it's become more comfortable, as well. I sat in the balcony for both of the Shakespeare plays and for HEDWIG and did not feel horribly cramped. 

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 8:57am

Vivian Beaumont, hands down. That retractable thrust stage and deep proscenium make for some jaw-dropping stagings. Thanks to its layout, the whole orchestra feels intimate and close to the stage, which, combined with the massive size of the stage itself, makes for powerful and unique Broadway experiences.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 9:11am

Maybe we can offer the Times Square church the Lyric and cash & and offer they cannot refuse in exchange for the Hellinger. We could than have another theater to rename & a real theater instead of a barn on 42 nd street.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 9:33am

^ Who are "we"?

[PJPan]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 10:23am

I'm definitely partial to the Booth, the Shubert, and the Music Box.

 

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 6/24/15 at 10:40am

My favorites are the Vivian Beaumont, St. James, and the Broadway.