Agree! I tend to avoid bathrooms and concessions. I go to the theater, go to the bathroom BEFORE I go to my seat, and then stay in my seat. I am a small person, with a fully able body, and no need to stretch my legs or anything. If you need more frequent restroom usage, or to get up and stretch, or are a larger person, it is NOT comfortable. And yeah no, I'm not paying for concessions when I just paid so much on a ticket, I can't afford that.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

I feel all of this.

@davebowker1113

Ай бұрын

I think you’re in the wrong business. Broadway is still a cool unbelievable experience The theaters are mostly old Therefore. seats will be old May I suggest spending your money at a spa--more comfortable for u

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

@@davebowker1113 We're gonna disagree there. All businesses have to evolve. Netflix was a DVD distributor then pivoted hard to streaming, then creating its own content. Movie theaters used to be sticky and have rickety small seats and they evolved. Businesses have to match consumer demand. Broadway has evolved *very little* in 100 years. We don't have our audiences back, and that should be telling us to CHANGE. It's time to update the experience.

Yes yes yes! It’s telling that I saw more Broadway shows when I was younger and had less money, but more tolerant of being very uncomfortable. The bathroom situation is gross. The leg room hurts. Premium prices for a non premium experience indeed. Hope this changes. Broadway is sooo special!

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Agreed! I just want the experience AROUND it to match!

I’m chronically ill in a way that has left me housebound. I would love it if more shows had proshots for people to buy or rent online. I also think that it would be cool if they started selling tickets to live-streamed performances. There are always gonna be hardcore fans willing to pay good money to see things in person since there’s just an irreplaceable kind of magic to seeing things up close, especially shows with interactive aspects. But there’s so many people who would love the world of broadway who don’t have the ability to engage with it either because of physical reasons that stop them or from financial barriers.

@Exiled.New.Yorker

Ай бұрын

As a disabled old urban hermit i think its criminal that the NYPL does not make its collection available online. I'd bet half this pathetic Ontario Disability check that there isnt a show earlier than '85 that they DONT have proshots of, but you can onky view them in person and iirc, by appointment.

@mjsteele42

Ай бұрын

I have watched Come From Away on Apple TV at least 10 times over the past couple years. I would love to have more shows to watch. I don't live in New York and will probably never get to see shows being performed by the original cast (I do watch tours when they come to town).

@behindthemirrorofmusic4351

2 сағат бұрын

Agreed. I keep wondering if there is a way that online "Housecam tickets" could become a thing in future ...

Thank you for this. First time I've seen a video addressing these issues. If I had to name the number one complaint for myself, it would be the seats. For the love of God, make them just an inch wider. Add a little more space to the seat in front. I get so angry whenever I hear about a Broadway house being renovated with new seats and they replace them with the same stupid tiny configuration that was there before. Curious to see what the Palace theater did with their reno.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Palace theater reno is GORGEOUS. The lobby is honestly *ridiculous* and the traffic getting in and out is going to be truly horrendous. However, the seats inside are nice!

@Exiled.New.Yorker

Ай бұрын

The seats are awful. The buildings however, cannot be changed. Theyre historical landmarks built into each other, reaching from property line to property line. The only way to put in those cushy movie seats would be to reduce the seating to 2/3rds of the current numbers, thus driving ticket prices even higher via the rarity scale. So as great as Ben is at The Palace, if they put in new seating they ELIMINATD at least... okay, im gonna guess between 50 and 70 patrons PER SHOW, who will not get to see said shows, as the season is only as long as natural physics permits.

I'll be honest, when I saw the video title, I assumed you were going to talk about the seats and accessibility and leave it at that. All of these other things never occurred to me because for whatever reason, I approach going to the theatre not unlike getting on an airplane: I just want to get to my seat, settle in, and enjoy the show with minimal disruption from the people around me. I see a ton of shows, so I guess I don't look at it as a "night out" and expect to treat myself. I don't buy merch, concessions, or (usually) go to the bathroom. I wear a heated vest (because I'm always cold) and keep gummy bears in my purse and I'm good. But of course the seats are uncomfortable and it only takes one guy manspreading in the seat next to me to make it that much more uncomfortable. I actually have gripes with the queuing experience to get into the theatre. Mickeyjo has talked about the culture shock about most Broadway theatres not having foyer space, so they don't open the doors until 30 mins before curtain - leaving you standing in the elements on the *very spacious* sidewalks - and then it's a rat race to get to your seat around everyone else trying to get to concessions, merch, and bathrooms, all crammed into the last 30 mins. Adding a foyer space would be a major undertaking but it would make the experience much more leisurely and probably encourage more drinks and merch sales.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

I soooo agree with the foyer/lobby idea. It's also about having to pay house staff earlier because they're on the clock earlier. Some theaters have these spaces, but producers don't want to pay house staff earlier than necessary. Aaaaall about the $$$

Yes! Non premium experience at luxury prices says it all… you have to wonder, what is the breaking point for change in the industry? What would theater owners and producers have to see to really make these investments? West End is a fascinating comparison… Concessions are affordable and they have ice cream at intermission and I feel like more people partake because they can!

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Literally every part of West End is more reasonably priced BUT actors aren't paid nearly as well and I'd imagine that extends all the way to the top. Not sure what the solution is. I'm glad our unions are as strong as they are here, but we're def contending w a different financial situation.

@fairamir1

Ай бұрын

Who says things need to change. Funny.. I am 55 and this is the first time I have heard people complain about the seats and bathrooms.

I never understand why generally speaking it’s so much simpler getting into a London theatre and it’s so much more chill than when on Broadway. Like I guess ultimately there’s typically much more foyer space in most London theatres. Entering Cabaret in London was a breeze

@kitsworld

Ай бұрын

I agree. I've been seeing shows in the West End since the late 70s and never once had an uncomfortable experience. I never felt the need for drinks or snacks, and bought a programme and souvenir brochure on my way in. I'd take my seat, stay in it (including through the interval), enjoy the show, and leave. Simple. Broadway sounds horrible. Also, I always sat in the centre of the front row, directly behind the conductor. Usually I'd pay £30 or so - ridiculously cheap - because the theatre assumes no one wants to sit there. Happy me! I was never bothered by a baton in my eyeline. I almost never even noticed it. It would be nice if the seats were wider and softer, but really, I'm not complaining. IT'S THE OTHER AUDIENCE MEMBERS WHO MAKE THE EXPERIENCE HELLISH! TALKING, CRUNCHING, MUNCHING, SLURPING.... GRRRRR!!!!

If they can totally reconfigure theaters for 'Cabaret' and 'Here Lies Love' for example, it is completely possible to improve the seating experience. I'm 6'1" so not exceptionally or unusually tall in 2024. 'Hadestown' will hopefully play for another decade because it will take a lot to get me back to the Walter Kerr Theatre. When Jujamcyn sent me a follow up email to provide feedback on my experience, I said that a two and a half hour flight on Frontier Airlines at a fraction of the price would be more comfortable. I live near Philly and have traveled to NY 3x so far this year for Broadway and have 3 more shows already booked so I know I'm probably helping them to maintain the status quo. But, every now and then, I get a comfortable experience like at Playwrights Horizons or Park Avenue Armory and, otherwise, I just have to brace myself and hope that the show experience transports me enough to forget how uncomfortable I am.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

THIS!!! Wow you hit the nail on the head--if theaters can LITERALLY OVERHAUL THEIR ENTIRE INTERIOR FOR *ONE* SHOW, they can certainly update their interior seating.

@bridgetcamobrat7900

Ай бұрын

For real!! I’m disabled and plus sized with wide hips, there’s VERY few venues where I’m comfortable. I can rarely go up the full flight of stairs for the mezz/balcony so I have to always pay the premium to be in the orchestra. Even when in the orchestra I still often struggle with the seat sizes so a lot of the time I opt to get an aisle or a disabled seat, but sometimes even those are inaccessible. My recent worst theater seating experience was at the longacre when I went to see lempicka. We got tickets from tdf or something, so I didn’t get to pick my seat. We were in the mezz second row from the rail in the middle of the row. I was in EXCRUCIATING pain by intermission because I could NOT fit in the seat at all. The lady next to me was all huffy about me touching her but I couldn’t control it at all. Normally I’d try to ask the box office before curtain if they can switch me to orchestra or at least an asile seat but it took me so long to get up to the seat to look at it that I had less than a minute to decide and everyone had to get up to let me in the row. The house manager was AMAZING with the situation and helped figure out a solution (a folding chair by the entrance doors) very obstructed view but at least I wasn’t in agony! (One of the ushers was upset tho because that was where she normally sat during the performance but the house manager reassured me that it was okay for me to sit in the seat) When I saw Tommy and sweeney todd it was a very obstructed view but it was on a soft cushion chair without armrests so I had loads of space for my wide hips! My current favorite theater is the James earl jones because I can be on the mezzanine or the balcony because they have an ELEVATOR TO ALL FLOORS! Helps with my mobility issues and the seats aren’t too too small either!

@ruthspanos2532

Ай бұрын

As a short person, I sometimes wonder if they could just put petite seats up front and larger ones in the back? I know it’s totally unrealistic. Maybe they could just have seats able to raise up, but only with the ushers confirmation that a patron is short?

At a minimum theaters should have at least one “extra room” row for people who are taller or broader. Even regular chairs in the back of the orchestra could make a huge difference for a considerable portion of our population (and possibly increase revenue). I heard of one man who always buys two seats due to his body size so as not to inconvenience others and it broke my heart. Similarly I have a 6’2” friend reluctant to see Stereophonic cuz he is always uncomfortable and hates hearing the huffs from people around him. Most people aren’t aware there are options like accessible seating and regardless, it’s an unnecessary and embarrassing hassle to have to contact the BO and ask for an accommodation.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Super interesting. Someone else commented that if we can totally reconfigure the theater a la Here Lies Love, there's literally NO REASON we can't update the seating--and that's so, so spot on. We're overdue.

@bridgetcamobrat7900

Ай бұрын

The “accessible seating” options aren’t even always accessible! The marquis has transfer seats but you have to go down an entire flight of stairs to get to them! And they’re still a full side to the seat unlike the one at the belasco which you have a bit more room

@Exiled.New.Yorker

Ай бұрын

@@bridgetcamobrat7900 historical building, protected inside and out.

@bridgetcamobrat7900

25 күн бұрын

@@Exiled.New.Yorker the marquis is definitely not a historical building.

I'm from Melbourne, Australia. I travel to Broadway every year to get my fix of shows and take it all in. I agree with you on so many points. In regards to the lines at the bathroom, I just run to the nearest hotel and use the restrooms in the lobby. You can get up and back within 15 mins. Scope out where the bathrooms are at the closest hotel to your theatre and make a mad dash over. Beats standing in line.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Running to a bathroom outside the theater is PRO LEVEL but such a great option. Crazy that we even have to consider this!

@Newhorizons4u

Ай бұрын

Also in Melbourne - the theatre experience in Melbourne is superior to Broadway in every possible way, aside from the performance calibre and the fact we just get touring productions.

How much of this is because Broadway theater ownership is basically an oligarchy? Also, do theater owners see the theatergoers or the production as their customer? Because even if audiences are down, there is clearly still a lot of demand to rent theaters.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

99.99999%. It's a damn shame. But it *is* affecting longevity of shows and the bottom line, which (I hope) is the point at which theater owners start caring enough to fix it.

I think regional theaters are figuring this out much better than Broadway.

@wmjoh1

Ай бұрын

Absolutely. In LA you can pre-order intermission drinks. As a result I’d have one pre-show and one at intermission. In NYC I buy none simply to avoid lines for the bar and the bathroom.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

@@wmjoh1 This is super interesting to consider. To be fair, most regional theaters don't contend with the same kinds of permitting and historical designation obstacle AND the whole structure of non profit vs commercial is totally different, but you're totally right. Better, less expensive concessions. Updated theaters. Etc!

They need to redo the seating in theaters. When you consider that your audience numbers are down, you can reduce the number of seats and make them larger and more comfortable.

Yes! My biggest complaint in seeing shows! Can't wrap my head around the outdated seats other than to cram as many people in as possible. They are soooo inaccessible, and the biggest pain to squeeze by other people awkwardly and be so uncomfortable the whole time. Some people may be larger now, but their dresses were larger back then, and just as many people needed to pee, so what's the deal!?!

Ive also started using the mens room at intermission, what i did in my full flapper dress get up at Gatsby! 😅

@bridgetcamobrat7900

Ай бұрын

I always do this! I have since I was like 16. (And now it’s even easier and safer because I look very androgynous)

I understand it’s a strain on front of house, but opening the doors earlier would be great. I def want security to be thorough and have time to go to the bathroom and climb 7 flights of stairs to the cheap seats. You’re also right about the chaos at Cabaret; a truly incredible theater redesign that I felt I couldn’t enjoy fully because it’s still a tiny theater where lobbies and bars are not meant to hold everyone at once. And my number one gripe: Ice in drink cups. It absolutely disturbs the show hearing people have ice rolling around in their plastic cups.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

I'm so with you here.

@DrBitchcraaaft

Ай бұрын

The funny thing is if you go to Europe they don’t actually put ice in their drinks lol

Right on! Each theater tend to have its own “culture” and for me I tend to have better experiences at ATG/LCT/Disney theaters. @4:30 I think most theaters are chaotic due to lack of legible signage. Most signs are tiny and they need to enlarge them or make them clearer. @5:46 I agree Creative Goods merch have really good merch! @7:00 more bathrooms! Yes! They also need more accessible restrooms (most only have 1.) The best Broadway experience tend to be those where the show is clearly not sold out (70% or less full) since it’s not as crowded and bathroom lines are shorter.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

100%. Disney is brilliant with queue experiences and that extends to the Bway experience! And fully agree w the rest of this!

I feel this SO HARD. Also- the Hudson has the biggest seats on Broadway. ;-)

Apologies, this will be an essay. For me, some of this rings true and some of it I'm fine with, but I do realise it won't be the same for everyone. And it's important to note that I come to NY twice a year to binge shows, so I've got a routine with it all that helps make the experience right for me, however for the causal theatregoer that maybe sees a show or two a year a lot more of this video applies. Also if you're spicy brained or have a physical disability a lot more of this video applies. So firstly, I don't personally have an issue with getting into the theatres, maybe it's not as nice as the UK as there is rarely lobby space, but the line to get in, scanning the tickets, getting my bag checked and getting to my seat is fine. I do tend to show up 30-45mins before a show start to get settled, so this probably helps. My issue with getting into the theatre is more to do with a mix of rude/entitled patrons that show up late and the entire concept that they are allowed to do this. I get that things happen, but I don't think theatre managers should give more of a grace period than the first number, esp when most shows already start 5-10mins late. Its disrespectful to everyone, whether that be FOH staff, the other patrons or the company on stage. Secondly, the bathroom situation. What the actual.... Again if I compare to UK theatres, we have similar bathroom issues in that we don't have an amazing toilet to patron ratio, however for some reason everything is just worse on Broadway?! My 'hack' for lack of a better term is that I go before the show starts and I don't drink much through the first act, therefore I won't need to go again in intermission because it is just INSANE. If you're in the middle of a row, you're royally screwed and it will take the entire intermission for you to get through the line to do your business. On this note, the 'hack' is to get an aisle seat (or as close to as possible), I do also tend to get an aisle seat for other reasons as I'm short at 5"3, and often otherwise it's almost guaranteed some 6"4 giant is going to sit in front of me and block my view. If I did have a middle seat then it wouldn't be the end of the world room-wise for my legs, but I am borderline plus size so width can occasionally be an issue. The other reason to get an aisle seat is that the bar line, while not quite as heinous as the bathroom line, can still get ridiculous, and after spending most of act 1 not drinking, I like going to the bar and having a drink for act 2. I used to have a drink for both, but the prices have inflated so much that it's unaffordable now. I like trying a signature cocktail, it adds to the experience for me, but $36 for a tiny bit of alcohol topped up with soda?! really?! A non-premium experience at premium prices is correct. If you have a plan then you can have a better experience, but the point is you shouldn't need to plan in this way!

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

The fact that SO many people are commenting saying they forgo concessions so they DON'T Have to deal with the bathrooms is WILD. How much are concessions losing out on for this reason alone? And yes--your last point ABSOLUTELY hits the nail on the head. I love that you're a superstar in terms of planning and strategizing all of this--but why should you have to? Shouldn't the expensive entry point offer at LEAST a *comfortable* experience?

Speaking of analogue/digital, why is it impossible to change a ticket date online? I've had a few x where I was sick and couldn't make a show. The only option is to being your unused ticket to the box office and 'post date' if there's availability. If not you made a trip for nothing. I had 5 tix for life of pi the night the canadian wildfires turned the air orange with choking smoke. We didn't want to risk our health going out, particularly since I'm asthmatic. They refused to change our tickets.

OMG...you just blew my mind with the thoughts about movie theaters vs Broadway. OMG.

@larrybeagle66

Ай бұрын

I would pay to see a simulcast of a Broadway show in a comfortable movie house with a reclining seat and a drink. I know. Not the same experience. But I'm too old to be uncomfortable for so long.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

@@larrybeagle66 I am *such* an advocate of pro-shots and livestreaming. And I totally agree with this. I adore live theatre, but if I could sit in a movie theater with reclining seats and food delivered to me and watch a Broadway show? I'd probably do it.

Excellent ideas from someone with a far more unique perspective than most of us patrons out here.. I went to NYC this spring for the first time in over a decade simply because it is financially out of reach of most folks who then have to think about going to Bway like they think about DisneyWorld…plan and save…plan and save. The simple fact is that everything related to the experience is just too expensive. I distinctly remember the furor when MISS SAIGON started charging $100 for the most prime seats in the house. And now that would be considered a bargain. Rush tickets are a great pathway, as are TKTS options when the pickings are good. But the event itself…going to the theatre…is still magical…unless you run into a tall person in front of you, have to pee at intermission, realize you’ll need a second mortgage on your house to buy the tshirt, or have to weigh the options of personal bankruptcy in order to see a new musical. All that said…great video!

@ruthspanos2532

Ай бұрын

Excellent point! As a short person, I can handle the tiny seats, but I actively have to choose seats in the balcony to provide the height needed to see a show in case there’s a taller person in front of me. This is for all theaters, though.

The Hudson post-renovation is not bad. There is more leg room than in most theaters.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Agreed! My fave seats on Broadway!

I also have gripes with the sound. I hate that I pay top dollar and many times can’t make out the lyrics of a song in a musical.

@Exiled.New.Yorker

Ай бұрын

Im sorry your disabilty inhibits, but if you ask ahead, they may be able to help. I hear these days they can even jack into your own hearing aids via bluetooth!

Testify girl!!!! I am 6'1". I don't live in NYC but do try to get there to see shows 3 to 4 times a year. Loved Shucked. The Mezzanine and Balcony seats just aren't an option for me. I am not joking here. I literally could not walk down the stairs after seeing Funny Girl in the Mezzanine/Balcony. PSA. If you are taller than 5'4" the Mezzanine/Balcony seats are not for you. For me it is a game of finding the perfect orchestra seat on the isle for close to $300- $400! Forget about TKTS they choose the seat for you. I am wrapping this rant up. I LOVE Broadway but 3-4 shows a year simply isn't possible while adding the expense of traveling to NYC in the mix and paying $300-$400 a ticket. I am going stay home more now. I am starting to enjoy reading more.

I agree with all your points. I have really bad knees so sitting in those tight seats on broadway for too long always hurts. Getting into the theatre on broadway usually has a line around the corner vs. theatres in Toronto usually has multiple doors open to enter in from so there isn't as long of a line to get in. There should be multiple washrooms on each level/floor (orchestra/mezz/below the theatre) or a separate entrance and exit on each side of the washroom with signs to direct people on where to go so there isn't people trying to go in and out though one door.

@itskatharinequinn

14 сағат бұрын

Agree with every bit of this!

The bathroom situation is the worst. The red/green on stalls is super awesome but still we need more bathrooms. On the Broadway Upclose tour of the Hudson they talked about the era in which theaters were built was when it took ladies a LONG time to get dressed so they tried not to go to the bathroom while out of the house. Then landmarks rules limit what changes can be made. But come on something must be able to be done to improve it. Funnily enough the evening of the tour I saw Merrily and chose the bathroom line that went to 4 stalls. Someone eventually came and said there were more downstairs but I had finally gotten close to the door & didn’t yet know it was only 4 inside.

@josephlim6854

Ай бұрын

This is why I don’t order anything at the bar before intermission (as I will know I’ll need to pee during intermission!)

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Theater owners DEF rely on the "historic landmark" designation as an excuse to renovate at criminally slow paces (I'm still livid NO THEATER renovated during the 1.5 years Broadway was dark. Like I recognize some of that time would've been unsafe but certainly PLANS could've been made at least during that time. It's crazy to me. I do love the Hudson theatre seats, however 💁🏻‍♀️

@Bug715

Ай бұрын

@@itskatharinequinn yea the lower level seats were nice during the tour. We were second to last row. I’m short and my shins had marks from the row in front of me. 🤣 But the show was amazing so that’s what’s important.

Very much agree with your points ESPECIALLY seats and curtain call. I'm 6'5 and went to see the tour of Moulin Rouge in Charlotte NC at the Belk theatre. I sat second row in the Mezzanine and my legs kept cramping up throughout the entire show. Not to mention I was filming the curtain call when one of the ushers yelled at me for filming and asked me to leave. :(

I have had many experiences, mostly good, but some bad. It does depend on weather and which theater we're talking about. Standing outside in the rain waiting to get inside does suck. What baffles me about the bathroom thing is that I usually am among the first couple of dozen people to get inside and upstairs. People around me will come up too, sit down for a second, then have to go back downstairs (depending on the theater) and go to the bathroom. I mean, it's assigned seating. You don't have to claim your chairs. Go to the bathroom before you come all the way up. And why do people bring large bookbags? There's nowhere to put them. They end up in their laps. FOH staff are always polite and helpful. Never a bad experience personally with them. You are spot on with a lot of these points. Even if I don't experience all of them, I can see that other people do.

As someone who lived in NYC and started attending Broadway shows 40 years ago ... ..I now have such little interest to see a Broadway show. Too many of the productions are mediocre cash-grabs catering to pre-adolescent sensibilities and the attention-deficit tourist crowds. The performers aren't to blame, it's's the quality of the material being produced.. Are there exceptions? Of course there are! But a great show on Broadway shouldn't be 'the exception.' What's worse is that I know damn well there are exciting, intelligent, creative and original musicals being written, but nobody wants to take a chance on them. Can someone please unplug the jukebox already? I refuse to pay $200.00 to watch 2 1/2 hours of karaoke.

GREAT VIDEO, the whole experience for me going to a broadway show is always a hassle. You hit every nail on the head with this video 😊

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

I wish it weren't the case, but it's so crazy to me that we just expect audiences to keep rolling in when our experience never evolves?

Thank you! I am 6 foot 3 and most theatre seats are awful! They’re still using the same seat dimensions and row depths as they did in the burlesque age. PEOPLE ARE BIGGER! I know this means the theater has to lower the number of seats they have . But you are absolutely right if the stats are uncomfortable, I will not go to that venue anymore.

For example, my family has been a theater going family for ever, it’s our mutual hobby/love. The process of getting my elderly mother in and out of a Broadway theater has become the main deterrent to going - not the ticket price, as high as that can go, we’re lucky and we can generally afford it - it’s the overall experience. It’s chaos, it’s cramped, it’s yelling (a lot of times by the staff) it’s rushing, it’s rudeness. I get the theaters are the sizes they are, but how you mange crowd control is something that can be affected. Maybe it’s timed tickets to get into the theater, maybe it’s doing the preorders (of concessions AND merch) before arrival and during the show, maybe it’s simply letting people in if they get there early - I never understood holding us out until 20-30 min before, let us in, let us buy the merch and the drinks and use the bathroom for goodness sake, it’ll be less than the eventual final number of people so a chiller time, and then when you’re trying to rush us to our seats at the last minute there will be less us us to rush to our seats. Heck, offer incentives to get in earlier, like cheaper drinks earlier in the evening, first come first serve free gift at the merch counter - you won’t convince all of us, but you’ll get enough of us in earlier to alleviate some craziness. It’s that New York myth of how charming and wonderful a crazy and unpredictable place NYC is, which I can tell you as a NY got old really fast (fix yourself MTA). The more we allow for this craziness the less the casual theatergoer is going to want to come back and make this a habit, and you’ll be left with the relatively small clan of nimble theater lovers that can really only afford the rush and lottery priced tickets - do you want that big Broadway? Then figure it out.

Regarding the Broadway experience vs. the movie experience: Broadway has, in general, better product (especially considering Hollywood's attitude of embarrassment when it comes to musicals), yet the movies have far better comfort. Combining the superior product with superior comfort should not be too much to ask.

Broadway has become unaffordable and elitist. The ticket prices are astronomical. Look at who’s filling the seats. I LUV musical theater and have become a rush ticket baby, it suits my wallet.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Avg household income of Broadway theatregoer is 271K, so: yep. And yet--the experience does NOT match what I imagine the demo is looking for.

I am a big person, and different theatres are comfortable and others are unbearable. And age of the buildings is part of the issue but Radio City is an old theatre and the seats are way more comfortable then any broadway theatre. There needs to be a standard of comfort for these theatres.

When it comes to merch, they need to have more plus size shirts available for purchase. Shows need to have apparel that’s bigger than an XL.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Totally agree with you here!

Hey Katherine, great video. With your permission, I'd like to give my two cents based on MY experiences as a theatre goer (Again, these are strictly my own opinions and I welcome debate): 1. Getting into the theatre - While I never actually had any issues with that, I would agree there should be some stuff the theatres should let us know in advance like what are we allowed to bring in or what time does the house open. I would also argue that maybe as a way to decrease stress, houses should start opening a little earlier (even opening 45 minutes before the show as opposed to 30 minutes can create a huge difference in the experience. 2. Concessions - Normally I don't like to buy concessions at the theatre, I don't usually drink and I usually just get something to eat in advance or keep a granola bar in my backpack. Having said that, it truly is crazy how high the prices are and how uncomfortable it is when you have 5 minutes and there's a 3 mile long line at the bar. When I went to see The Lion King in London last summer, I used the online order option (There were QR codes on the backs of seats and all around the venue) and it was indeed a very fun and calm experience for all involved so I agree with you that it should be implemented more widely. 3. Merch - Again, similar problem as the concessions (prices and long lines). I usually check in advance the merch options in different shows and decide what I'm gonna get before even getting to the venue, but that's only if the merch can be found in the show's website. I think the QR codes and deliver to seats is a great option here as well. 4. Seats - Ironically, the reason I don't like going to the movies is because of how comfortable the seats are. I don't know why but for some reason these old seats really help my concentration and add to my enjoyment of the show. I do agree however that sightline, legroom and most importantly accesibility issues are still very common in the theatres and need to be dealt with. 5. Bathrooms - No objections here. Seriously, either add bathrooms or extend the intermission (or both?). 6. Curtain Call - This is a fun subject for me as I like to take curtain call pics and videos, especially if I'm seeing covers or special performances, but it is still a bit confusing. Some shows don't allow it at all, some only at certain performances, some are absoultely cool with it (On occasion in my local area, performers would even ask audience members to send them the curtain call vids). Wether or not curtain call pics and videos are allowed should be decided by the production, but once decided, it should be clear to the audience on what the policy is (For example, Andrew Lloyd Webber urging fans to film the curtain call in Bad Cinderella) These have been my two cents

New seats - wider, with more legroom. Options for people without tickets to purchase merch and pick up at the theatre Livestreams or digital rentals of proshots available during the run (yes, people who have seen the proshot will still want to see it live if they live nearby and can afford to do so) No food/drink in the auditoriums Reduced visibility seats sold at lower prices and listed as "audio only seats" More bathrooms Theatre call-times for showing up and entering so there isn't a crush (or something to help this, anyway) No seating of latecomers until intermission (I hate the interruption when people are squeezing in front of me after the show started) And maybe even bouncers for the aggressive patrons, because things are getting bad and the house staff shouldn't have to deal with that.

On broadway are the male bathroom lines usually shorter than the female one? Because here in Australia they certainly are. I can go in and out of the bathroom at intermission with time to spare. I went to a theatre recently at intermission and was able to get in and out of the toilet and back into my seat. Meanwhile there were probably women who started queuing at the beginning of intermission and were only busting getting into the bathroom.

As a plus size babe with a tall partner MYGOD is sitting in a broadway theater uncomfortable. I’ve had borderline panic attacks because of how much the arm rests dig into my hips, we HAVE to hold hands and buy an aisle seat to have space to not fully tuck in our arms. I would gladly pay more per ticket to have a bigger seat. The ONLY comfortable seat I’ve sat in was Wicked, and it’s only because of how gigantic that theater is.

What I find "uncomfortable" but even more simply annoying is the lack of theater etiquette. I was at a Broadway show today and was thinking about how people behave like in a movie theater. Hello there are actors performing live, not the same! I experienced loud plastic wrappers (during very quiet moments), someone eating peanuts (smell & hello people have severe allergies), ice shaking, & whispering. Thankfully not this time, but I have been disturbed more than once by someone who thinks it ok to be looking at their bright phone--no! The worst are the theaters with poor rake & not staggered seats & someone's big head in your view. I have a routine which works well for me to avoid the common issues of restrooms & lines. I am on line to enter no later than the 30 minutes ahead. I immediately go to the restroom & then grab my magnet, sometimes vice versa. I sit & stay until the end of the show & then I stop in the restroom again afterwards unless I want to go to the stage door more quickly. I skip the overpriced concessions & often grab a Juniors cheesecake slice afterwards. I can wait to eat or drink for a few hours! Having been in many of the theaters, I will say some are definitely better than others.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

I love your theater going strategy :) But yes--you're totally right. Especially when so many people are crammed so tightly together, you're going to be keenly aware of what people are doing next to you, and there def needs to be an overhaul in theater-going etiquette. At the same time, I've been yelled at by an usher for doing literally NOTHING and it made ME (who has seen literally hundreds of bway shows) feel sad and small and not want to return to the theater so I can only imagine how that would dissuade a Broadway newcomer from returning. I'm not sure what the answer is.

@karalynne7616

Ай бұрын

@itskatharinequinn Thank you 😊 Yes, keenly aware of everyone around you! You would hope people had more common sense to know how to behave without being told. But we all know many people lack! Is a basic courtesy to think about how your actions affect those around you too much to ask? Apparently yes, because too many are absorbed in their own world & pay zero attention to their surroundings. I am sorry you dealt with a grouchy usher, they definitely exist! And yes, I could see that give a certain reputation to newcomers who decide "Forget it, I'll stick to the movies!" Great topic, thanks for the video & extra thoughts 🤗

Seating will always be my #1 issue (width, leg room and even height of the seat.) Being plus size, tall and also having most of my height in my legs is a gamble for seats. When I am buying tickets, I need to sit aisle for my own sanity at least knowing I can stretch out one leg. If it's not being uncomfortable sitting in the seat itself, some seats are way too low to the ground for us tall folks with questionable knees. I accidentally bought an accessible seat at the St. James for Spamalot and was OVER THE MOON when they dragged over a rather large, cushy chair for me to sit in. 100/10 experience. I only have done TDF once for &Juliet and decided I'd just take the seating for what it is... luckily 5th row orch at the Sondheim has a walkway in front so did not have to worry about leg room. The seat comfort was decent compared to most other shows in that row. I have seen the show twice since, the second time I was first row end on the mezz and the arm rest was mobile and I kept it up the whole time. Most recent trip I was back of the orchestra, again on an aisle, with no mobile armrest and that was a pained experience but I dealt with it... almost felt like the seat was more narrow at the back of the orch. Even if they remove one row from each section and maybe 2 seats across, divide that up to make additional room all around. At least an extra half-inch will save my thighs from having bruises and knees from hurting.

Haven't they put in more seats when they renovated theaters? I was going to the theater decades ago and I'm a tall person. I don't remember it all being so uncomfortable and people being treated like cattle. No horrible cramping of knees. It didn't happen. The producers have changed things to make more money. All you could buy then was a souvenir book and a tiny orange aid. Why should anything change if people don't like the experience but are willing to pay the prices? You'd jave to be an idiot as a producer to change anything if they complain but stil come. I only go now if somebody takes me and even then I'm super choosy about what I'll see. Offer me a free ticket and more often than not I'll say no.

I love buying magnets but I don’t for a lot of Broadway shows unless I really loved the show because they are so boring! Literally any magnet with any other shape and/or texture other than rectangle of the show poster I would buy in a heartbeat

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Broadway merch def needs some love. But Creative Goods continues to be my fave of the options out there.

Perhaps if the three Broadway theater owners would hire more than ONE security person to search through bags the entrance lines would not extend to Eighth Avenue and make going to a Broadway show more unpleasant than going to a bowling alley. Patrons need to wise up and simply stop purchasing tickets. Prices will come down and circumstances will improve. Until then there is no reason for theater owners to change anything.

Broadway is starting to feel more and more like airports and flying. Being corralled, people in pyjamas, people on their phones, talking throughout the shows...I hate it.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

You're not the first person to say this, but I totally agree and the thought is frankly blowing my mind!

@joseparron7771

Ай бұрын

Bingo!!!

i missed the opening of the second half of Sweeney Todd because the bathroom line is TOOOO long!! And American-sized stairs (each step is too tall) that I have to walk from the very top of the theater all the way to the basement, just to use the bathroom is crazy. I was walking all day as a tourist and my legs are hurting already. Then cramped into the super narrow seats for 1.5 hours. Then try to hike up and down the stairs to go to the bathroom. Then cramped into the seats again for another 1.5 hours. My legs and knees are done! Great Gatsby, Cabaret, Stereophonics, I'm talking to you all. I do have a strategy of getting in the theater 30mins earlier to go to the bathroom (figure out the layout of the theater) and buy merch, then go to the bathroom again during intermission. This way I already know where to go and I can go directly to the stage door after the show is done. Coz you really only have limited time to line up at the stage door and wait until it's not too late to go home.

I have a moderate handicap, use a cane. I read reviews about a theater and horrible it was for able body people. Much worse for handicap, esp those more so than I. (like bathroom on 2nd floor, no elevator, not even a handrail!). There was much more, including things you said in this post, so I said no way, not going. The SHOW reviews were wonderful, great talent, performances; but the building was lousy-and unsafe.

Seat replacement should be done across the board - full stop. You may have to downsize the number of seats in the theater in order to make more room for today's plus sized humans. So if a theater holds 1500, cut out 500 seats, and bring it down to 1000. The biggest problem with Broadway houses is that they are old and considered historic buildings. My guess is that there are laws against changing and remodeling certain buildings that have been given historic status - owners get tax breaks. So yes, while remodeling the bathrooms or staircases, etc. should be done, it literally may not be legally allowed - or the buildings aren't big enough to accommodate such a huge renovation. You have to also remember that in the old days, concessions were sold - so many people didn't have to get up and pee at intermission, thus you didn't need enormous bathrooms. The only solution may be to eventually demolish old theaters (which would be depressing) and start from the ground up, building taller buildings that go up vertically to accommodate these modern requirements. It is, indeed, a VERY expensive, luxury experience now. I haven't seen a physical Broadway show in over a decade, and I miss it tremendously.

Fundamentally, I think most Broadway theatres are too small to accommodate 2024 audiences. Not just referring to seat size (though that is definitely a thing), but the physical common spaces are inadequate to facilitate security processing, access control, merch/bar, ushering, box office, and overall audience volume. Of course theatre owners (and producers) want to sell as many seats as possible in a single performance so there is always going to be pressure to maximise capacity, meaning minimising seat width, leg room, and circulation space in the auditorium. And as the costs to produce on Broadway continue to rise, the chances of anything changing are pretty slim. I really REALLY would like them to demolish and rebuild the Shubert. I don't think that house is fit for purpose in its current state.

Do we have to build a better theatre experience on Broadway? Is that a hard & fast rule?

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Unless we want to continue to dissuade patrons from returning, yes.

One other thing -- can we start shows earlier at night, especially if they are two and a half hours long?? Taking the subway/bus/walking home that late at night is scary and it's just exhausting to get home so late. Some shows are beginning to start earlier, like 7pm, please more of that! When they start at 8pm?? A musical that then goes until 10:45pm with intermission, you won't get out the door until 11pm earliest, you won't get home until midnight!! Not to mention if you want to stay and stage door. And it's probably exhausting for the actors. Even for the 7pm shows, you'll get out of there around 10pm if you don't stage door, get home at 11. So it's still super late. Is 6:30pm possible? I don't know what the answer is, but it's an issue, I think.

@daniellelyon5294

Ай бұрын

At least one night a week!

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Omg I'm such a granny I love a matinee

I have never seen a broadway show…. I am missing out!! But what I have learned from this is, wear depends, carry some snacks and be prepared for weather while waiting for the doors to open!

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

That's right! And I hope that changes soon 💛

One experience made me laugh and cry a little bit... a lady was getting angry at a worker during intermission. She was so upset that there were no family bathrooms so she could help her 5 year old to the bathroom. Fair point, right? Except it was Sweeney Todd... who the hell brings a 5 year old to a show where a SLEW of actors get their throat slit on stage with very visible fake blood running down their chests and then get baked into pies?? Get that poor kid out of there! Also.... I've been to quite a few theaters and I am convinced the builders were just really into frottage. I have never been touched by so many strangers. Shout out to the guys who still manspread even if it meant full thigh action.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

This made me giggle 😂 I mean: the lunt fontanne (former home of Sweeney) was also the home of little mermaid, right? Family restrooms definitely would be useful there 😂 honestly Disney is the expert in queuing and traffic, let's get them back in the LF and fix it 🙈

@fairamir1

Ай бұрын

A 5 year old does not need help going to the bathroom....at 5 I walked 3 blocks back and forth to school alone every day.

@ruthspanos2532

Ай бұрын

Funny story. To be fair family restrooms are essential for adults with disabilities who need assistance. My uncle used have to take his wife into the ladies room. Aren’t Broadway audiences skewed older? When I see touring companies, the audiences are often past retirement age.

The newly refurbished Palace. has the most uncomfortable seats I have ever encountered. The men's room had 4 urinals! 4!... Ridiculous! I have long legs. I need an aisle seat to be able to stretch at least one leg. Center seats especially in the mezzanine and balcony are hellish!

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Also the lobby 😬and entry/exit.

Yes (to all this), and… Love the Booth, the Schoenfeld, the Jacobs, and the Golden, but the outside situation 30 min. before curtain is just unholy. How many people have stood far too long in line for the wrong show? Gotta be a better way!

@karalynne7616

Ай бұрын

I was at the Jacobs today & agree, it's a good one! Many more restroom stalls than some & the Orchestra rake + the way the seats stagger are excellent!

I think most theaters are comfortable.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

That's awesome! I wish I felt that way.

I actively don't buy concessions because of the screwed up restroom situation, so how much money are theaters losing from that? And yes, Creative Goods merch is my fav, small items especially.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Eh, unsuspecting tourists or first timers are still going to get their crappy overpriced drinks I think. But I feel you!

@kathleenewing3673

Ай бұрын

@@itskatharinequinn True, touring theaters are much better set up.

What did I miss? ⬇️

Concessions and merch are the ridiculous prices that they are because theatre goes are paying those prices.

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

Eh, I know a lot of folks who abstain or bring their own snacks because concessions are so ridiculous! And I def think the merch game could be vastly improved

Audiences in large part have themselves to blame for Broadway being a less enjoyable experience than it used to be. They don't come to the theater dressed nicely and well behaved. They think it's funny to be lectured like children about unwrapping their candy and not recording the show; or fun when Patti LuPone breaks character mid-performance to bawl somebody out so that's all you end up remembering about the show. They allow themselves to be gouged by junk fees, and it sours the experience to realize they've paid too much for it. They move into empty seats closer to the stage after the lights go down, so there's a big mess when the people who belong to those seats finally show up and the people who moved lie that the usher sat them there. (The great Lena Horne once looked up to the balcony during one such snafu and said "You about through up there?") They spoil the show for their neighbors by talking through the performance. Their ears have gotten lazy so the actors have to wear microphones with the cords dribbling down their necks, making them look like robots. And don't get me started about the effing phones. People often complain about the air conditioning being up too high. Actors have learned that a chilled audience is an alert audience. Imagine what it must have been like before air conditioning and they had to close down the theaters during the summer months. Broadway theater seats, at least in the older theaters, are mostly the same size they always were; something else might have gotten larger. As for the bathroom, pay your little visit before leaving the house, as Mama always told you to. Or get to the theater early and use the facilities then.

" the luxury around it is not a luxury experience"....who ever said it was supposed to be .....?

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

The $200 ticket.

@fairamir1

Ай бұрын

@@itskatharinequinn No sorry...

price is a major issue.......also tired of all the "messages" in the shows.......just want to go have fun....not think...

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

The message of it all is tricky--art moves, art is political, and ALSO sometime I just wanna laugh. So I can totally feel this. And yes: the price is exorbitant

@fairamir1

Ай бұрын

If you just want fun go to Disneyland......theatre is more than just here to " entertain" you . Depending on the show it should make you think...and feel...

God I can’t watch this complaining??? Please go away

@itskatharinequinn

Ай бұрын

I'm working to improve an industry and experience that I love. Want to make me go away? Click out of the video, buddy. :)

@jaska7

Ай бұрын

I can't watch all this complaining! Now, let me take this time to complain about it. 🙄