Being a native new Yorker I don't come to the Opera alot. It is a beautiful space when you walk…read moreinto where the staircase is and the beautiful chandelier. Getting inside through security and ticket was a bit of a mess but it was fine. What really annoyed me was the fact that the bartender did not tell me that I had to buy a different cup for my drink to bring inside. Yes I did see a sign on top of the bar but wasn't sure what it said maybe this is the sign that explained about the cups and I just missed it. Well anyways, I got just a cup of regular seltzer water. I got the check it was like 9 something. I know it's the Met opera and nyc but come on! I pay this for great tasting coffee. So he gave me the cup and than I asked for a lid and the bartender was rude about it he told me there were no lids and I asked if I could bring into the main theater he said no that i'd have to buy another cup. So I did.. A little over 5.00 for this cup which is pretty absurd if you ask me. Also, they don't have many food/snack options it is not like a regular broadway theater at all. I did see like sandwiches and chocolate bars. Which I am sure are also outrageously priced. The theater itself is beautiful and there are many levels to it. At every seat there is a subtitle little screen since some operas performed here are not in english. This is a good idea. I did not go see the bathroom so I can't talk about that. And as I was leaving I said thank you to one of the workers here and have a good night and he just looked at me and said nothing. For the price of tickets we pay the service just did not deliver.

Of course, this is something you try at least once in your life. The experience is magical,…read moretranscendent, opulent yet approachable. I saw Tristan and Isolde this past weekend. Can't wait to go again. Lunch at the Grand tier restaurant was also next level. Must have the Ora salmon.

I was here for The Nutcracker. The acoustics were excellent. The production was absolutely…read moremagical, with incredible dancers, high-quality costumes, and breathtaking sets that truly brought the performance to life. The staff were friendly and helpful, making the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. I sat in the First Ring, Row C. While I would've preferred Row A, those seats sell out very quickly, so I definitely recommend purchasing early. Overall, I felt the tickets were worth the price. The dedication and hard work these ballet dancers put in much of which we don't see behind the scenes make the final performance even more impressive. Truly a memorable night.

I came here with my mom to see the nutcracker. The performers were extremely talented and I rate…read morethem 10/10. However, I was very disappointed with the staff working in the theater. They were not friendly or helpful assisting guests to their seat which I have never ever experience at a show before especially one that was upscale and the tickets cost as much as they did. They allowed people to talk during the whole show and video. It was insane!

I attended a beginner heels class at The Ailey Extension with Aaron Thomas and left deeply…read moredisappointed and embarrassed. As someone who was genuinely excited to try something new and empowering, I was shocked by how publicly dismissive the instructor was. Aaron moved me out of the front of the class and made a comment in front of everyone implying that those who don't know the steps should stay in the back. This wasn't helpful--it was humiliating. Several people laughed, and the energy shifted from welcoming to shameful in seconds. I've never been treated like that in a learning space. I reached out to the studio about the experience, and the response I got was a rushed, copy-paste message offering me another class without actually addressing what happened. No accountability. No sincere apology. Just a blanket statement saying their instructors are "caring" when my experience clearly says otherwise. If you're a true beginner looking for a safe and encouraging environment to try heels dance--this was not it. I hope the studio takes better responsibility in the future for how instructors treat new students.

Will go again. Felt honored to get a chance to dance at Alvin Ailey. I dance all the time in New…read moreOrleans but a chance to take a class at Alvin Ailey is top tier. I took the Samba-Afro Brazilian dance class. I enjoyed it and body felt great. Will go again when I come to NYC again!

When I purchase tickets to off-Broadway productions, I generally have no idea about the venue…read more Some performance areas are makeshift, others -- like this! -- are sleek and cool. Pershing is a three-theater facility located on 42 Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. The building, designed by Frank Gehry Architects, has everything theater-goers want: a cafe, ample pre-performance seating, modern restrooms, elevators and comfortable stadium seats in the theaters. The show I saw, "Art of Leaving," illustrated six perspectives of marriage with a humorous and entertaining script. I'm a fan of live theater, and now a fan of the Pershing Square Center.

Hey, did attend this place a few times now and I think it is interesting to have the multiple off…read moreBroadway plays at the same time. In the past few months, I ended up seeing Another Shot back in October 2024, which was pretty enjoyable. The staff here was very nice and audience in the theater was about 35 or so people which was not a full house but close to it. Would recommend this theater and hope to go back at some point at least in the next year.

We went to see Othello on the opening night! It is a classical ballet choreography with some more…read morecontemporary overtones. I loved the dramatic moves, but wish Desdemona was more assertive & expressive of her love. The staging was stylized & frill-free but I appreciated the sharp contrast of dark background & bright sun color costumes. As always, the venue is so inviting!

(Attended 06/18/2024 TU @ 7:30pm): One of America's premiere ballet companies headquartered in New…read moreYork but truly called the world home! I had the great pleasure to see a performance by the internationally-known American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as they opened their 2024 summer season at The Metropolitan Opera House. In years past, ABT came through Los Angeles but now went directly to Costa Mesa's Segerstrom Center For The Arts. With a storied history dating back to 1939, ABT has collaborated with the world's foremost choreographers, integrating tradition with modernity. The Company has showcased masterpieces created for their dancers by luminaries like George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Anthony Tudor, Agnes de Mille, Kenneth MacMillan, and Twyla Tharp, alongside pioneering works by contemporary visionaries such as Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, and Wayne McGregor. In 2006, an act of Congress recognized them as America's National Ballet Company. Though located in New York City, ABT annually toured the United States - performing for 300,000 people annually - and is the only major cultural institution to do so. The Company has made more than 30 international tours to 45 countries. Now that you've had a brief history lesson, how was the evening's experience!? PURCHASE Tickets/Seats ($205.00 x2): For reference, ticket prices ranged from $50.00 - $250.00. Located in the Parterre Rear Level Section 21 Seats 7 & 8, these were in the 2nd level above the orchestra, the 2nd of three rows within the section, provided excellent sight lines that were just off stage right, and comfortable individual seats. Honestly, there weren't any bad areas in the house. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=M9NZEudqTDXq7bIoKrQSiQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw Ticket Service Fee ($2.50 x2): This was unimaginably low and greatly appreciated! THE PERFORMANCE This was the opening night of both American Ballet Theatre's (ABT) 2024 Summer Season and the performance of "Onegin", a three-acts two intermissions ballet with an estimated run time of 2 hour 20 minutes. The story's about "a young country girl, Tatiana, who is introduced to a worldly aristocrat by her sister's fiancé. Onegin instantly becomes Tatiana's heart's desire, though, in his eyes, she remains naive and uninteresting. Thus begins the tale that leads to a tragic duel, a royal marriage, and personal redemption. Based on the verse-novel Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin, John Cranko's majestic and astounding ballet allows the strength and agency of our romantic heroine to shine through." This evening's performance featured Principal dancers Christine Shevchenko (Tatiana) and Cory Stearns (Onegin), and conductor Charles Barker. Everything was beautiful and captivating. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=mFz8jR9GUutvhsLGHpCYcQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw SERVICE None to speak of as it pertained directly to ABT. As for The Met, the online ticket purchase was seamless, the check-in line inside the venue went swiftly, there was no line when we bought our champagne, and security was chill. One cool thing to point out was a unique system of real-time translation called "Met Titles", which appeared on individual scenes mounted on the back of each row of seats for those members of the audience who wish to utilize them, but with minimum distraction for those those who do not; titles are provided to all performances in English, Spanish, and German, and are also provided in Italian or Italian-language operas. Everything was easy-peasy! PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance): We took a Lyft there ($49.00) and a bus back ($2.50 x2). Otherwise, located underneath Lincoln Center was the public 24-hours self-parking Lincoln Center "park and lock" Plaza Parking Garage, with varied rates ($28.00 - $63.00). Buses and subways were also cheaper and efficient options. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE In this case, The Met's capacity was 3,800 patrons with chandeliers throughout. There were several bar locations to get your drink on with short lines, special areas for members only and such, and the requisite souvenir shop. Plenty of natural lighting shone through the large tall glass windows and doors into the lobby, while the aforementioned eclectic ceiling chandeliers lit up the rest. I didn't notice any monitors nor any background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=BJ1FyjTluTgTWgcn9UElJA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw ATTIRE In general, it was a business affair with a suit, tie, and dress shoes. However, I jealously observed many men casually dressed in my favorable t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops - dammit! OVERALL I loved that I was able to see American Ballet Theatre perform in their own backyard - a quasi travel bucket list item. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $415.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tips). And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 5.0 STARS

May 14, 2026. We went to the Al Hirschfeld theater to see the play Moulin Rouge, the musical…read more Very ornate designed lobby constructed in 1926 and renovated recently. This play has been showing here since July 25, 2019, and we saw it in 2022. At $57 on www.tdf.org it was a no-brainer decision to see it again. I never understood the plot very well, but incredible costumes, stage design, singing and dancing make this musical a winner to come back again and again. Now for $57 we got seat in rear mezzanine row T in the farthest corner from the stage, with nobody behind us, and our backs to the wall. Only way to reach the seats was to climb 20 rows up from the rear mezzanine. At the nosebleed level we could see the stage without obstructions, even with row S in front of us fully occupied with adults, due to staggered stadium seating, with speakers right above us, along with air conditioning vents. Come intermission time wife had to go down 20 rows to the base of the mezzanine and then wait in a line going down another 20 stairs to the orchestra level to reach the women's bathrooms. And there was a long line for the men's bathrooms on the rear mezzanine level. 1424 seats in the audience in a fully sold-out event, but they have 20 women's toilet stalls. Fortunately, we had aisle seats, as it took my wife all of the 20-minute intermission to make it to the bathroom and return to our seats going down and up 40 stairs. And she had to do this before the play restarted, as once the lights went out, the stairs were unlighted.

Al Hirschfeld was a celebrity caricaturist. As a child I looked for his work in the NY Times, if…read moreonly to hunt for his daughter's name -- NINA -- which he incorporated in his drawings. Widely celebrated, often focusing on Broadway, this theater now bears his name. The facade and interior are designated landmarks. Constructed by vaudevillian Martin Beck in 1924 the theater has beautiful features. Like most of these century-old venues the comfort-level doesn't hold up to today's expectations. Most noticeable, the basement level women's restroom. (Tip: go as soon as you get there. Lines wrap around and become ridiculously long.) I developed an appreciation of Broadway from my mother. From the age of ten we celebrated my birthdays with a Broadway show, proceeded by lunch in a celebrated restaurant. We'd seen The Rink (underrated, but quite good) and Dracula (Frank Langella was perfect!) at the Martin Beck, which was what the Hirschfeld was then called. Today's production -- to celebrate my husband's birthday -- was Moulin Rouge. T, not a B'way aficionado, loved it. I did not. If you see a parallel with Puccini's La Boheme, you're not mistaken.

Knowing is half the battle. I was talking with the director of this theater group whom told me…read moreabout his groups production of As You like it. It's a large space that the Ophelia theater group worked hundred's of hours to put together. Very awesome that they are giving back to the community within the Boys and Girls club while also entertaining theater goers. It's a little tricky to find the theater but we eventually did. It was night and we walked passed the sign but the second entrance to the Boys and Girls club directs you to go back. (They are working on improving signage). There are beverages available and eventually they will have hot drinks as well. Great for the cool weather ahead. The show was great, it was the first Shakespeare play for me and I enjoyed it. It was humorous and musical. I honestly didn't understand all that was said but the context is easy to pick up and by the end of the show I got it. I look forward to the groups future productions and what they do with the space next. There was mention also of the space being available for others to rent out. That'd be cool if you have a show or production you want to put on. Check them out.

Long time fan, first time reviewer of this wonderful company! Passionate people making quality…read moretheatre accessible in the middle of Astoria. The professional level they're able to achieve in a black box space they legitimately converted from a dance studio is inspiring! I've seen multiple shows here, from Shakespeare to LaBute to Musical Theatre they always exceed my expectations. They usually provide cheap drinks and a friendly environment as well. :)

I can't believe I'm the first one to review them!…read more I found their staff to be welcoming, with the one fun snarky staffer which you expect to find at most any smaller theater company. I like what they've done with the church space. They have ample space for larger productions, including ample lighting equipment. The acoustics aren't the best, but they're not horrible. The performers with better, stronger chops were easily heard, and you didn't have to concentrate too hard to hear the lighter voices. The chairs are about as comfortable as padded folding chairs are going to get. There is some wooden bleacher creaking going on, which can get annoying when you have an antsy audience member. And you do have the occasion issue of being able to hear the performers crossing behind you and whispering as they prepare for their entrance. But for $18 tickets, it's really not bad. The production was solid, and the location was easy to find.

Went to see their production of the musical Raisin this week and how great it is. I loved the…read moreoriginal production (1974) and this is the first NYC revival since then. It's a big cast that does well with the material. The set was excellent, the choreography well done and the orchestra very tuneful. The orchestrations were a bit different from the OBC recording - more jazzy I think and We Don't Do That Anymore less caustic/snarky (which is not how I like that song). The theatre is in a church; the folding chairs were really uncomfortable and the basement bathrooms stunk. But i do recommend he production and will keep an eye on them for other interesting theatre choices.