I love theater design, as well - but have never been led to find the Sondheim Theater necessarily UNappealing? (I suppose I have only been there twice.) It's unusual that it's subterranean - with orch. at the lowest level. The back of the balcony is close to the stage though - so that is a positive in terms of contemporary theaters. About the only thing I agree to on most opinions here is the poor Henry Miller/Sondheim theater street presence. The facade is landmarked so that maybe why more hasn't been done to expand signage somewhat?
The 1st Bway theater that I was ever in was the Gershwin (then called The Uris) & it was a huge disappointment to me. Thankfully I got myself into a beautiful old jewel box space the next day & it squashed my disillusionment.
The question posed here earlier "Name a contemporary Bway theater that you do like?" is a good one? Here are the 7:
Sondheim (even though utilizing a little of the old Henry Miller Theater, we can safely call it a new contemp. theater rather than a restoration, right?;
Circle in the Sq.;
Foxwoods;
Gershwin;
Marquis;
Minskoff;
Vivien Beaumont.
(The Friedman would be considered more of a restoration than a contemp. theater, right?)
So, are some of us bemoaning the lack of historical character in our beloved industries newer spaces that are not antique? Or, after pondering the specific list, is the consensus that Sondheim theater is the worst of the contemporary ones? I say not. I even say it's one of the best of these.
Updated On: 11/1/12 at 01:31 PM