Open letter to Broadway theatre owners and house managers -- TURN UP YOUR A/C!

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/25/21 at 2:35pm

I've been back to see 5 Broadway shows so far -- including shows in Shubert, Nederlander and Jujamcyn houses.  Some have been worse than others (hello Minskoff and August Wilson!) -- but all of them have been uncomfortably hot inside.  We're still having 80 degree days -- so please turn UP your air conditioning!!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 9/25/21 at 3:02pm

JSquared2 said: "I've been back to see 5 Broadway shows so far -- including shows in Shubert, Nederlander and Jujamcyn houses. Some have been worse than others (hello Minskoff and August Wilson!) -- but all of them have been uncomfortably hot inside. We're still having 80 degree days -- so please turn UP your air conditioning!!"

You obviously have not yet been to the Brooks. We are freezing in here. (Not complaining).  I’m wearing a T shirt, long sleeved blouse, vest and heavy sweater every day. And a number of patrons bought SiX sweatshirts before the show because they were cold. 

Updated On: 9/26/21 at 03:02 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/25/21 at 3:07pm

Glad to hear about the Brooks. No I haven’t been to that one yet. Hopefully the others will follow their example.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/25/21 at 3:37pm

As of the other day at "Six", it was very uncomfortable in the house until about an hour in.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 9/25/21 at 4:29pm

I run warm and it felt nice at the Barrymore last weekend, but I was sweltering most of Act 1 at the Ambassador. They need to also account for heat being trapped in the masks but lowering it a few degrees.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 9/25/21 at 5:03pm

This is a new one for I am always bringing a sweatshirt to attend the theatre. The Friedman in the winter is like the time I visited Anchorage, Alaska and I would not recommend wearing your tank top and gym shorts while sitting in the first few rows of the Beaumont.

 

 

Updated On: 9/26/21 at 05:03 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 9/26/21 at 2:07pm

I don't fully know what I'm talking about here but it would seem to me that a cooler theater would better help control spread of viruses? Also, I would think that theatres have more significant air purifying filters within their HVAC systems and perhaps it affects their overall output?

[HogansHero]

Posted: 9/26/21 at 2:32pm

morosco said: "I don't fully know what I'm talking about here but it would seem to me thata cooler theater would better help control spread of viruses? Also, I would think that theatres have more significant air purifyingfilters within their HVAC systems and perhaps it affects their overall output?"

First of all, since no one is allowed in without being vaccinated (or in rare cases tested), this does not seem likely to me as a reason. Second, I don't know that there is any data suggesting that cooler is safer. I suspect the culprit is the transitional season. This is not the first time that theatres (and other places) have had a hard time figuring out what the ambient temperature is going to be. I have no idea why that is but in big spaces it seems to be the case. Having said all of that, like you, "I don't fully know what I'm talking about here."

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/26/21 at 2:39pm

You’re never going to make everyone happy as far as temperature is concerned but right now where literally every person in the audience has their face covered, I think it’s best to lower the temp and just assume most people will run warmer than usual. Because even last night when they theater was very comfortable, people were still fanning themselves with Playbills all throughout the show.

[OldTheatreLover]

Posted: 9/26/21 at 10:07pm

I am always warm in theatres plus I always wear a jacket and tie. Most often, I have to remove the jacket and loosen the tie before I pass out. That said, you haven’t experienced true theatre heat until you’ve seen a show in London in the summer. During Miss Saigon, I couldn’t wait for the helicopter scene thinking it would blow some air around. It didn’t... 

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 9/26/21 at 10:10pm

This is why I wear shorts and comfortable clothes when it's still hot out. I'm always hot as it is and I can't stand how hot some of these theatres. I don't mind wearing a mask but if I had to sit in a hot theatre wearing one I'd be miserable.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 12:00am

Yesterday the Circle-in-the-Square was pretty stuffy.

[QueenTwinnied]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 12:03am

I completely agree. I saw Hamilton on tour the other day and it was very stuffy, especially with the masks. I was wondering if it had to do with the upgraded HVAC system that inactivates viruses.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 1:05am

HogansHero said: "First of all, since no one is allowed in without being vaccinated (or in rare cases tested)"

It's not as rare as you think. Theatergoers who aren't vaccinated (or fully vaccinated) are being directed to get a rapid test for admittance (at least at the Shubert houses). There have been a few for each performance.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 1:13am

^Correct. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 9:53am

Fosse76 said: "HogansHero said: "First of all, since no one is allowed in without being vaccinated (or in rare cases tested)"

It's not as rare as you think. Theatergoers who aren't vaccinated (or fully vaccinated) are being directed to get a rapid test for admittance (at least at the Shubert houses). There have been a few foreach performance."

ok but that's still rare epidemiologically. Part of this living with covid thing is that we have to recognize that it is not going away but that the risk for vaxxed people is far less than being hit by a car/bike/etc on the way into the theatre. Right now we also have the extra protection of the masks. The point, however, is that there is nothing in the protocols regarding the temperature of the house.

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 10:03am

Does anyone know what the Ambassador and Walter Kerr are like? I'm seeing Chicago and Hadestown at the end of this week and would like to know what the temperature is like before I go.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 12:32pm

Nolan LuPone said: "Does anyone know what the Ambassador and Walter Kerr are like? I'mseeing Chicago and Hadestown at the end of thisweek and would like to know what the temperature is like before I go."

I was at the Walter Kerr a couple weeks ago in a box seat and had to put on my jacket during intermission. That said, I was still very comfortable. I typically run pretty hot so I appreciated it being cool in there.

I also saw SIX last Thursday and comfortably wore a light sweater the entire time.

 

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 5:09pm

Yes, the Walter Kerr was cold when I went on the 8th. And this is coming from someone who does get hot easily and I was wearing a Kn95 mask.

[stoptheworld38]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 5:36pm

Saw Hadestown matinee on Saturday and was told theatre is kept cool year-round. I found it to be quite comfortable - someone cool but not chilly enough to put on the jacket I had with me.

[South Florida]

Posted: 9/27/21 at 5:53pm

HogansHero said: "Fosse76 said: "HogansHero said: "First of all, since no one is allowed in without being vaccinated (or in rare cases tested)"

It's not as rare as you think. Theatergoers who aren't vaccinated (or fully vaccinated) are being directed to get a rapid test for admittance (at least at the Shubert houses). There have been a few foreach performance."

ok but that's still rare epidemiologically. Part of this living with covid thing is that we have to recognize that it is not going away but that the risk for vaxxed peopleis far less than being hit by a car/bike/etc on the way into the theatre. Right now we also have the extra protection of the masks. The point, however, is that there is nothing in the protocols regarding the temperature of the house."

Where is Hogan's Heroes, it used to be on Sundance?

 

Updated On: 9/27/21 at 05:53 PM

[nealb1]

Posted: 9/28/21 at 6:59pm

For all my shows this past weekend - "Moulin Rouge," "Chicken & Biscuits," "Little Shop" and "Chicago," the temp was just fine.  

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 9/29/21 at 11:21pm

I saw The Lion King last night and the Minskoff was pretty cold. I was fine with my sweater but it was definitely the coolest theater I've visited so far. The folks around me were discussing it at intermission so it was noticeable.

[bigjoec2]

Posted: 10/3/21 at 6:42pm

Whoa, we've had completely opposite experiences.

Went to Hadestown on reopening night, and I have never in my life been colder in a theater. Long-sleeves, blazer and jeans and I had to sit on my hands because my fingers were uncomfortably cold.

[bway0]

Posted: 10/3/21 at 7:02pm

I always found Walter Kerr to be very warm. Same with Circle in the Square. I’d be very thankful if they turned up the air conditioning and it stayed that way since we’re going to wear masks in the theatre until further notice.