Roundabout Theatre/Studio 54: Beguiled Yet AgainWhat is it with
Roundabout Theatre's
Studio 54 that makes essential parts of the theatregoing experience so needlessly unpleasant? Perhaps I mustn't kick it around, but seems I could write a book.
As
regular readers may recall, my February visit to Studio 54 had me paying full price for Row B Orchestra seats
outside of the sightlines. The ushers in their little den of iniquity could have cared less.
My latest outrage occurred just this past Sunday afternoon, when after waiting and waiting
and waiting for the line for right mezzanine seats to physically place me inside the actual theatre space (that
alone took nearly 15 minutes), I then learned that they had run out of
Playbills. Zip.
"Run out of Playbills?" I asked the befuddled usher.
"Yes, they didn't print enough for us," was her response.
Bothered and bewildered, I went downstairs at intermission. One Studio 54 hand told me I could buy a souvenir program. Right. Maybe in the United Kingdom, but not on my beloved Broadway. Yet.
In truth, no one seemed to care. Certainly nobody bothered to say, "I'm sorry."
As it turned out, I found a discarded Playbill upon exiting the theatre and scooped it up.
What do I care for a Playbill? Well, I realize times are tough on Broadway, but for a
theatre aficionado like me, Playbills are essential to the overarching experience. In this case, not only would I have been able to tell who's who in the production or the crew responsible for my enjoyment of the show itself, but I would also have been able to share a private chuckle over this month's unfortunate feature story on
Christian Hoff, who had been set to star in
Pal Joey, but has since been replaced by
Matthew Risch. Playbills are forever.
Shame on the Roundabout for not having the foresight to have a requisite number of these keepsakes on hand.
If you're attending tonight's performance, I just hope that they've received a new shipment, or else you're out of luck in figuring out the cast and crew. Talk about doing it the hard way.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Christian Hoff, Matthew Risch, Pal Joey, Playbill, Roundabout Theatre, Studio 54
Saturday Afternoon In Studio 54 With Bad SeatsRegular readers
will know that when it comes to theatre seats, I prefer to be up close and personal with the stage, so when it comes to buying tickets, I'm usually pleased when an opportunity to purchase Row B seats pop up.
Dear readers will also recall that I offered a
very favorable review of the Broadway revival of
Sunday In The Park With George.
Great show.
Pity about the seats.
When I arrived at
Studio 54 a week ago Saturday, I had that rush of adreneline I get when the usher directs me to the front of the theatre. But when my party of three reached our seats in Row B (seats 7, 9 and 11), we realized that two of the three of us were literally outside the sightlines for the left hand side of the stage. Never mind that we paid
exactly the same price as those with prime center orchestra seats.
There was so much jostling and complaining --
by the people in seats B 3 and 5 -- that they eventually got reseated in the center. Since all this occurred literally right before the show began, the three of us had little choice but to stay put. However, we each moved over two positions.
Now, I realize that the
Roundabout Theatre Company is a not-for-profit operation, but to charge the
same price for these terrible seats and
without any warning that the view is obstructed is just this side of criminal.
So,
caveat emptor to anyone who's purchasing tickets to this wonderful show. If you're offered seats near the front on the sides, either ask what discount you'll receive or flatly refuse. Otherwise, you'll walk away feeling as cheated as I did.
And that's no Sunday in the park!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:Sunday In The Park With George (The SOB Review) (February 22, 2008)
Ever Had A Front Row Seat? (October 1, 2008)
Labels: Broadway, Roundabout Theatre, Studio 54, Sunday In The Park With George, Theatre Seating
"Sunday" In Studio 54 With Roundabout
Casting is yet to be announced, although
as I stated on Monday, one would hope that every consideration be given to allowing Olivier Award-winning actors
Daniel Evans and
Jenna Russell to reprise their West End performances on this side of the pond.
This will clearly be an eagerly anticipated musical for anyone serious about Broadway theatre. I'll keep you posted on the casting choices.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, First Word On New Show, London, Musical, Olivier Awards, Revival, Roundabout Theatre, Stephen Sondheim, Studio 54, Sunday In The Park With George
