Regardless of the show playing, what's your least favorite and most favorite bway theater?

[Juli]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:40am

Half the expirience seeing a show is sometimes the theater itself. I theater that is nicely decorated, well situated, or a theater the could do with a bit of leg room or just maybe some more stage...

Although Wicked is not my favorite musical (which must be a shocker seeing that I'm still in school) I do have to say that my orchestra seat at the GERSHWIN was admirably comfy. The treater it not overdone on the lobby the point is across of what the show is about. No doubt this was a god theatre being pretty large and spaceous. I do have to say that (and I'm breaking my own rules by talking about a show) Wicked could work well in a smaller theater to make the emotion just more personal, instead of it being more like a parade of pretty green clothing.

To me the NEIL SIMON however changed decidedly on where I sat. My first time seeing the show I had Mezzanine seats. I must say that because the Neil Simon mezzanine is a bit of a rise the show seemed more of a concert and I got a pretty perfect view of the show from up there. The second time I got seats in the back orchestra, but the seats suddenly felt a bit cramped, not the mention there were fold out chairs behind me with other people as well. I'm not sure if the chairs are there because other chairs just couldn't stay up anymore, or if the theater wanted mroe attendance. The front of the mezzanine also cut the top of the stage and I wasn't sitting to far back. I must say I saw a woman whose rather hefty body was uncomfortably placed resting on the arms of her chair.

Now while I realize a show can afford whatever theater's open nowadays this is in no way meant to discuss the actual show itself. I do think that of course mood and just sometimes what show you saw can change your opinion. The time I disliked the NEIL SIMON I was at a Matinee with A LOT of school groups who felt like this was the KISS revival tour....

Any thoughts on other theaters?

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:53am

I felt extremely comfortable in the Gershwin. It was definitely the perfect temperature with the perfect atmospheric decorations that gave the perfect theatre experience. And I loved Wicked anyway. :)

I hated the Nederlander, though. It was just too, too big for me. I've had experience with huge theatres here in Los Angeles, but I just didn't care at all for the Nederlander. The look, though intended for Rent, was just disgusting to me. I felt like I was sitting in an unfinished dump. It didn't make me feel bohemian, or make me appreciate the poor life of the characters -- it just made me feel like I wanted to leave.

[Juli]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:55am

Well the Nederlander I guess was done in the 90's trying to evoke the 80's, so the style now could do with a more in my opinion with a streamline approach to the same ideals.

[JarNerdAV]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:42am

I hate the Marquis. It has absolutely no character. I always feel like I've wandered into a generic convention center in some generic city. Oh....and for some reason, the Marquis always seems to have busload after busload of senior citizens at every show I attend...not that there's anything wrong with that. They just move kinda slow.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:46am

I loved The Helen Hayes and Imperial theatre.

I HATE the Richard Rodgers. I had to sit in the back and you can't even see the top of the stage. It killed my neck bending down to look at it.

[PJMPirate]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 12:17pm

hmm... trying to think of where the shows I've seen were playing...

LIKE
Imperial
Al Hirschfeld
Eugene O'Neill
St. James

DISLIKE
Marquis (no soul)
Golden (way too cramped)
Gershwin (too big, hated the lobby)
Hilton (too big)
Majestic (seemed a bit run down to me)
Broadhurst (seats are fine, but with the low roof it just seems claustrophobic in there to me)
Schubert (I was in the top level... scary, no room, crappy view)

Bear in mind that I didn't hate any of these... I just preferred the others... I guess if I had to pick a theater to see a show in it would probably be the Hirschfeld.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 12:37pm

I LOVE, like adore the Majestic, Gershwin, Booth, Imperial and St James. The only one I had any real problem with was the Richard Rogers.

Updated On: 11/20/06 at 12:37 PM

[Hank]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 12:38pm

I have mixed feelings about the Marquis, what it lacks in charm, it more than makes up in comfort, and sightlines.

I recently saw Grey Gardens from the balcony of the Walter Kerr, and those seats should simply not exist. Not only were they obscured, but the sound didn't carry well up there. Also, the lines for the men's room were horendous. I can sympathize with what women go through anywhere.

New York real estaste being what it is, theatres must make do with squeezing in as much as possible into tiny building lots. At least the Marquis didn't have this problem.

As for picking a favorite: the August Wilson, despite it's location a bit far uptown. I really prefer being around 44th or 45th Sts, except for the Shubert's balcony.

[avab802]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:05pm

I'm not really a fan of the Gershwin. It's a giant cave. Not to talk about a show, but just for comparison, I saw Wicked at the Gershwin and at the Apollo Victoria in London. While the Apollo Victoria has more seats than the Gershwin, the way it's laid out makes it feel more intimate.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 2:19pm

My favorite is the Al Hirshfeld. Not just because of the show playing there, but the theatre is so cozy, comfortable, and historic-looking, but cool. :)

Least favorite...the Minskoff.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 3:11pm

Love the Gershwin 'cause it's the only theatre with leg room.

Not crazy about the Vivian Beaumont 'cause it's not in the theatre district. They've done some great stuff there though. And Contact and The Frogs.

[Boq101]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 5:09pm

I like the Vivian when Piazza played there simply because it fit so well. I hate it when shows are done in the 3/4 stage but staged incorrectly, and that can sort of damage your view of the theater as a locale.

I do like the Gershwin's leg room, it's the best place to fall asleep. Of course between Idina and Jennifer Laura Thompson I had no chance to do that.

The one theater that I think is just TOO HUGE is Radio City during the Tony awards. No offense but I'd rather see the awards at the Gershwin or some other BROADWAY theater were it doesn't seem so distant.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 5:13pm

Just saw Grey Gardens this weekend and the Walter Kerr is AWFUL for leg room. It's so cramped!

[loverly]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 6:31pm

The New Amsterdam is lovely.

The Minskoff belongs in suburbia.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 7:28pm

Adore:
The Shubert
New Amsterdam

Like:
O'Neil
Hirschfeld
Golden

Hate:
Marquis Theater- no personality at all!
Gershwin theater