The "New" David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 5:59pm

I attended Friday afternoon's performance of THE MESSIAH at Geffen Hall and it was my 1st visit to it since the massive renovation.  The hall is attractive, comfortable and the accoustics are probably the best I've heard in any concert venue. I was able to hear the lyrics without ever checking the score I brought with me.

My only cavil is the multi-gendered rest rooms. I've encountered these in Europe without much thought but here in NYC--and especially  at Lincoln Center--it was awkward for me to  wash up at a very long sink standing between two women; one was spraying her hair and the other was spritzing herself  with  perfume.

I guess I'll get used to it in time.

Updated On: 12/18/22 at 05:59 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 6:11pm

You’ll get use to it. I love a gender neutral bathroom. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 6:15pm

I'll just have to take my glasses off when I use the sink. Hairspray can cause real damage to eyeglasses.

[inception]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 7:04pm

What section did you sit in?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 7:29pm

inception said: "What section did you sit in?"

Second Tier, Stage Left. I like it there because I can look down and watch the musicians play. In February I'll be sitting behind the orchestra in the Partierre section. Gotta try it!

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 8:20pm

I love sitting behind the orchestra for Jazz at Lincoln Ceter at the Rose Theatre, so I'll be excited to sit there sometime at the new Geffen.

You'll adapt to the gender-neutral restrooms, as those are the way of the future.

My main complaint –– not having been inside of it yet –– is that the lobby visible from the plaza level looks kind of sterile & industrial, and not necessarily in a welcoming way.

I'm very glad we have a "new" Geffen Hall.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 8:34pm

The Mostly Mozart Festival has had on-stage seating (at Geffen Hall) and it was quite marvelous. My granddsughter was about 10 years old when she started coming to concerts with me and  that was her preferred seating location.  You are absolutely surrounded by music.

As for the lobby, it's quite cozy and there are plenty of seats while you're waiting for the auditorium to open.

I really think they did a very nice job on this project.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 11:36pm

I recently took in a performance here as well and I really liked the makeover. The seat was comfortable. The lobby was so spacious and the carpet was cushyyyy to walk on, sound in the hall was excellent. I was seated right rear orch and even with the rake of the seating I couldn't see the "top" of the orchestra - I think in the future I'll opt for circle seating as I would have loved to have a better view of the musicians playing in synch, the percussionists, etc. But I will say, the hard floor of the orchestra seems like a questionable acoustic choice (not that I'm an expert) as any time someone with hard-soled shoes, particularly high heels, walked on it, it echoed so loudly. It was particularly distracting when it was during the performance versus before/after/intermission.

Oddly, I don't remember the restroom I used as being gender-neutral. Maybe I didn't realize it because I was at the venue very early and no one else was using it. I agree that it can be a bit of a surprise if you aren't expecting such a thing - that was my experience at the Sondheim, first being surprised that several men were in there, and then sitting on the bench outside it being amused at all the people who were confused about what to do and listening to the discussions about it. lol

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/18/22 at 11:57pm

This is a genuine question: do women still spray their hair? In restrooms?

I have definitely not encountered that in gender neutral facilities.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/19/22 at 12:07am

Please remember that the NY Philharmonic attracts an older crowd and the lady in question could easily have passed for Ann Miller. Yup, lots of spray--and she was using a travel-sized can.

Updated On: 12/19/22 at 12:07 AM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/19/22 at 12:08am

HogansHero said: "This is a genuine question: do women still spray their hair? In restrooms?"

A true missed opportunity in last year's COMPANY revival that they didn't change it to "does anyone still apply hairspray in a gender-neutral restroom? I'll drink to that!"

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/19/22 at 12:52am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "HogansHero said: "This is a genuine question: do women still spray their hair? In restrooms?"

A true missed opportunity in last year's COMPANY revival that they didn't change it to"does anyone still apply hairspray in a gender-neutral restroom? I'll drink to that!""

Go ahead and drink anything but the hairspray.

(I will admit that during my teaching career I used hairspray to keep my hair in place. I never had to re-spray in public, though)