Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre is aesthetically appealing in a classic way. The design feels like part of earlier traditional designs, and the gold accented details is a nice touch. There is a sense of elegance when you're inside. After looking it up, it looks like it comes from the 18th-century Adam neoclassical style, and they opened the theater about 109 years ago in 1917. I saw the Notebook when it was playing here. Seats were in the front middle orchestra. You're close enough to see the decorative framing, stage props, the acting and the full panoramic view of the stage. These are definitely some of the better seats in the theater if you want to take in the full stage and still be close enough to the actors. It's a mid-sized Broadway Theatre, so most seats are at least reasonably connected to the stage. The Notebook was actually a great show, and I would highly recommend watching it if they ever put it back in rotation. I have not watched the movie yet, but I heard from the person I was watching with that this show is exactly the same as the movie, except that they skipped a few short parts. read more

Opened in 1917, the theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and was built for the Shubert brothers. It was known as the Plymouth Theatre prior to 2004. It has a capacity 1,079. I had ample legroom in my aisle seat in the mezzanine (I'm 6'3 220 pounds). Men's room in the basement, ladies room on the second floor. Bar lines moved as fast as you would expect at a sold-out show. read more

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Buena Vista Social club is about the golden era in Cuba, with a live band on stage, amazing music, amazing singing. It was obvious why it won a bunch of Tony awards and a Grammy. I took my mom, whos 76, and she recognized some of the songs, bringing her memories of her childhood in NYC( we are puertorican) and the music my grandfather would play. The singing!!! Wow, the 2 ladies that portray Omara(lead) you will get chills. All of the music is is Spanish, but you will "feel" it! Im so glad I took mom. PS..matinee show on a Wednesday, I got 2 Orchestra seats for a total of $268. Those of you who are on a budget, this is the way to go read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Playbill - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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Beautiful theater, very comfortable seats, stair felt safe, friendly, welcoming ushers, good view from balcony. read more

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Absolutely blown away! Buena Vista Social Club is by far the best Broadway musical I have ever seen! I went with my wife and we loved it. I want to see it again with the rest of my family and friends. First of all, the music was so lively. I have never been to a Broadway show where I want to get up and dance in the middle of the aisles. Second, the storytelling, acting and singing was so beautiful and touching. The way they were able to show a story from the past and future was impressive. Third, the dancing was phenomenal. Fourth, the way they transformed the stage for different scenes was amazing. Lastly, they had great merchandise and I definitely brought home bags of gifts for myself and my family. Just unbelievable from beginning to end! read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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The small cramped seats render this a 3 star theater..and that is being kind. I had plenty of room at 4'10" and legs as long as a 4th grader..however the poor man next to me was being hobbled by the seat in front of him. Really, if you are a taller or larger person, you should really reserve an end seat. Possibly the center Orch seats are kinder as the row does not curve. We realized that this was the 4th time we have been to this theater in the last few years for Come from Away, Take Me Out & Life of Pi. On this occasion, we saw Buena Vista Social Club, a fabulous show not to be missed. Rt Orch N 6 & 8. Excellent seats. This is one if not the oldest theater on Broadway..do better, change up your seats. read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - So nice had to see it twice - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

I love this Theater!! the mezzanine hangs in a perfect spot so if you cannot get tickets within the first 10 rows of Orchestra select the mezzanine and you will not be disappointed. The Theater feels intimate, even though it's not necessarily small, but it really gives you good acoustics and great views from upstairs. read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - The view from third row mezzanine - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Came to see Buena Vista Social Club and as all the other reviews say, it is an absolute must see! Theater: I sat in the orchestra, row J on the right hand side. The seating was a bit tight, but the view of the stage was excellent. Broadway Show: 10/10! Phenomenal live music, incredible artistry, a powerful storyline, breathtaking dancing, and nonstop entertainment. Location: Right in the heart of Broadway. Parking can be challenging, so I highly recommend taking the subway. I truly can't stop talking about this show and encourage everyone to go see it. Even if you don't speak Spanish, the music alone tells the story, you'll feel the pain, the joy, and the heart behind this unforgettable production! I'm so impressed and I left wanting to go dancing !!! I'm encouraging all my friends and family to go see it! read more

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What a great theater just saw Buena Vista Social Club perfect venue for this Broadway show opposed to the oversized overpack theaters. If you have a chance to catch a Broadway show at this theater definitely take that opportunity read more

Had the pleasure of taking in the Spectacular BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB at one of NYC's oldest theatre, which opened in 1917 as the Plymouth Theatre. If you sit in the orchestra level you truly get a feel like you've stepped back in time. The star of the show is Tony Award and Lortel Award winner Natalie Venita Belcon, Best Actress performance. I brought my mom and family to see this show after stalking tickets for over a year. Was lucky to snap up 2-for-1 tickets, offered twice a year by the Tourism + Conventions and The Broadway League. The joy experienced at this show will be with me forever. Watching my mom dance in her seat was priceless. She listened to songs from her youth and I remembered some from mine. During intermission I purchased her the CD[Yes, people still own and use CD players], and I grabbed myself my usual magnet, per tradition. Even if you don't speak or understand Spanish, it isn't a necessity. You'll feel the love, warmth and angst the characters are going through. Don't miss this show, you'll carry it with you forever. read more

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The theater, notably the seats, is just okay--uncomfortable seating and once again, tall people's heads obstructing views. Most theaters do not have rows constructed on an incline. The interior is pretty and ornate but it was the production of Buena Vista Social Club, currently playing here, that merits 5 stars and beyond. A toe tapping, want to get out of your seat production that tells the true story of the Buena Vista Social Club in Cuba, 1958. A time that was war torn and volatile. While all songs and dance numbers were performed in Spanish, you don't need to know the language to feel the vibe and energy of this show. Absolutely phenomenal. The group produced an album in the late 90s and went on to winning a Grammy and performing at Carnegie Hall. Accomplished! Dance your way to this Broadway gem of a musical. You'll thank me later. read more

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Face it; if there's a show you want to see, you're not going to research theaters before buying tickets. But in case you do .... Another in the chain of Shubert Theaters, the Schoenfeld opened in 1917 as the Plymouth Theater. In May 2005 renaming took place, honoring Gerald Schoenfeld, long-time president of Shubert. I think the theater is beautiful but not, in my estimation, as comfortable as contemporary venues. My seat was about the same size as an airline seat (in coach!) with less leg room. Though I was behind a tall person, I was able to see the stage without craning my neck. We sat at the end of row H in the mezzanine. When you climb the 31 steps upstairs -- no elevator! -- the entrance is behind row K. Pretty convenient for us! PLUS a four-stall ladies' room is off row K, so I was able to dart out during intermission, pretty much at the head of the line. While this is a review of the theater, I'll add something about the show: Buena Vista Social Club. See it! It's wonderful! Can't wait for the vinyl recording -- I still listen to records -- to come out later this year. read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Not a bad view from one of the highest rows - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Play: 5++ Theater: 3 Scored tickets for a Friday night performance of Buena Vista Social Club @ the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in September. Once again the "parking Gods" were on our side because we lucked up on parking and had ample time to stop for a bite to eat. The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (formerly know as the Plymouth Theatre prior to 2004) is a Broadway theater in the NYC Theater District. Originally opened in 1917, it has 1,079 seats across two levels. Both the facade and the interior are designated as New York City landmarks. With the typical tight seats and minimal leg room you're in for a somewhat torturous seating experience. By far one of the most uncomfortable theatres I have been to. However, Buena Vista Social Club is so Brilliant you can almost overlook the extremely uncomfortable seating as you are engulfed in the rhythm and high energy of this fabulous production. We were just blown away... The Cast... AMAZING! The Music... PHENOMENAL! The Singing & The Dancing... EXTRAORDINARY! The History & The Culture... ENLIGHTENING! I went in blind (no research) but I heard great things and I was not disappointed. While much of the production, all the songs and dance numbers are performed in Spanish, you don't need to be fluent or know the language to feel the energy and catch the vibe of the show. It is a Clapping, Toe-Tapping, Seat-Dancing, wish you had the space to get out of your seat and Cut-A-Rug kind of production. As they relive the true story of the actual Buena Vista Social Club in Cuba, 1958. A scary and volatile time for Cubans, this group found strength, courage and a form of escapism through their talents and love for music. After seeing this show, we left full of emotions and with an appreciation for Cuban cultural. Along with a clear understanding of why Buena Vista Social Club was nominated and Won so many 2025 Tony Awards! Just A Note: This is a MUST SEE show! Treat yourself to see this show you'll leave the theatre wanting to head straight to JFK for a direct flight to CUBA. Buena Vista Social Club, merits more than 5 STARS! read more

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This is a review of the current production of Buena vista social club at schoenfeld theater. I was presently surprised that I got mid mezzanine tickets through tdf passport. This seat has a fantastic view of the stage, it was not too close and not too far. Additionally, leg room was comfortable enough for me to not feel too cramped. The entrance to the theater was easy to find and the check in process was so fast. They didn't waste much time with checking in bags. The acoustics of the theater was fantastic as well as the lighting. read more

We had a wonderful time watching Buena Vista Social Club with my MIL. We arrived an hour early and they started allowing entry around 30 minutes prior to curtain time. Entry was seamless and the staff was very nice. We were presented with our playbills and shown to our seats. We had central orchestra seating in the second row which was great because we were right up front but the view was difficult for my kiddo to see, despite being given two boosters to raise her up in her seat. I always suggest getting seats in the first few rows of the mezzanine. Yea, you have to walk up the steps but you get a bird's eye view of the entire stage and considering this show took place on two levels, you have an advantage for some of the scenes that were in a balcony setting. The cast was amazing, the music was phenomenal, and we had a wonderfully emotional time. The seating is thigh, so make sure you plan ahead if you use the restroom often. It's not easy to move about the rows, so if you tend to use the bathroom often, grab a seat in the back, closer to the aisle. The show was 2.5 hours long and after around an hour, we had an intermission. The bathroom break was efficient and despite the long lines, everyone moved through relatively quickly. They also gave handicap access bathrooms located on the ticket floor, otherwise you will gave to make your way downstairs to the other restrooms. The theatre was clean and they provide concessions and merch for the show. They even had someone coming around the seats, selling waters and snacks. We had a great time and I would love to come back to this theatre for another show. read more

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REVIEW: "Buena Vista Social Club" at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on July 5, 2025. I had never seen as long a line of ticket holders as I did for the Saturday matinee performance of this vibrant musical, and it was refreshing to see the rich ethnic diversity of the crowd. The moment the music started onstage I could see what brought people out and pay Broadway ticket prices to experience this show. A group of gathering musicians started playing "El Carretero", and the cast was casually assembling onstage getting into the sound. It became clear from the outset that the music would be centerstage. The 1997 album that inspired this show has long been on my playlist, so most of the music sounded familiar. Directed by Saheem Ali with a book by Marco Ramirez, the Havana-set story bounced back and forth between pre-revolutionary 1956 and 1996 when a young producer tried assembling his favorite older musicians to record the namesake album. The early focus was primarily on Omara, the younger sibling of a singing sister act. Although her sister had them lined up for a record contract in the U.S., she met a trio of young musicians she never spoke with before even though they've played back-up for her in the past. They hung out and played at the Buena Vista, a club in an across-the-tracks neighborhood which her family disapproves. The early scenes featured colorful costumes and some wonderful choreography, though the dialogue and dramatic situations were a bit clunky and heavy-handed. Of course, the imminent threat of revolution changed everything, and we find out in the more resonant 1996 scenes what happened to everyone. Omara had become somewhat imperious as a retired recording legend which Natalie Venetia Belcon fulfilled perfectly. Isa Antonetti played the youthful Omara with grace and spirit, especially in the dance numbers. The rest of the cast is fine, but it was truly the musicians who stole the show from start to finish. RELATED - Love Broadway shows? Here's my collection of shows that l've seen and reviewed over the past two decades: https://yelp.to/rOrYtDDp0l read more

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Saw Buena Vista Social Club- wasn't sure what to expect and went in blind. Loved. It. The theatre was well managed, the bar was FAST and so friendly. read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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Came to the Gerald Schonfeld theater to enjoy the brand new production of the Buena Vista Social Club musical and it was fantastic. The theater is very nice, but I wish that these nostalgic venues would try to find a way to incorporate theater type seating. As tall a I am, I sat behind another tall gentlemen and it was not easy to experience the production without an obstruction. As far as the musical was concerned, it was FABULOUS. I enjoyed the dancing, extraordinary musicians, stage sets, and historical portrayal of the burdens of that era. Do not hesitate to experience this memorable musical. You'll enjoy the history lesson and celebrate every moment while dancing in your seat. read more

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I came to the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre to see BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, and was just blow away. The music, the singing, the dancing, the culture/history, the costumes....the list goes on and on. There's a reason they were nominated (& Won!) for so many 2025 Tony Awards! Treat yourself and see this Broadway show! You'll leave the theatre with a piece of Cuba in your heart, and light on your feet. read more

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Bathroom line went fast, good leg room at the seats, though the seats are a bit narrow. This is my second time at this theater. Both times it has been a wonderful experience. The staff are very efficient and good at crowd control/navigation. Both shows I've seen here were also excellent quality. I mean I know that has to do with great acting and writing and lighting and costume design etc, etc. Still, this place has a good vibe to it (and not every Broadway theater does for me). I would gladly come back even if it wasn't a show I knew anything about. read more

Came here to see Buena Vista. Show was good but seats in the mezzanine area was tight and uncomfortable. read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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Went to see Buena Vista club and it was fantastic. The theater was cool since it's so hot out and spacious.

Mezzanine is the best place to be so you could see above stage, for the best vantage point, if you're watching The Notebook. The front of stage has a small river built into it and you (or rather the main characters on stage) will experience a real rain. Those special effects are best seen from elevation, so get mezzanine seats. Be aware that the first two rows of mezzanine slightly obstruct the view of the river, so you should get third row mezz and up (so C seats and up). The seats are more on the spacious side, which is convenient. The Notebook was not the most tear wrenching or touching show I've seen, but it was decent for a sentimental love story. Many audience members were tearing up. And getting alcoholic reinforcements from the bar to hold through till the end. Some scenes felt a bit too drawn out and unnecessary. The cast was terrific. read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Mezz B 114, center seating, isle seat, slightly obstructed view from the front - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

A Night to Remember!!! Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway Seeing Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway last night was an unforgettable experience. There were eight of us in the group, and we took up most of the front row center. Some of us were born in Cuba and came to the U.S. when we were young. Others, like me, were born here. But we all felt something deep and familiar that night. The music and singing were incredible. There's truly nothing like live Cuban music. It's full of energy, heart, and soul. You don't just listen to it, you feel it. From the first note, we were completely immersed. What made it even more powerful were the parts of the show that spoke about the Cuban Revolution. The stories of those who had to leave, those who stayed, and how life changed for everyone brought up so many emotions. It was personal. Some scenes brought back real memories and reminded us of what our families went through. We all wished our parents could have been there with us. They would have loved it and felt seen in a way that's hard to describe. The show was more than entertainment. It was a tribute to the Cuban spirit, to resilience, and to the music that keeps our culture alive. We've already bought tickets to see it again. I can't recommend it enough. The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre is a solid venue with great sound and a classic vibe, but front-row seats were a mistake. Spent most of the show looking up and side to side trying to catch the full picture. It was the only spot with 8 seats together, so we made it work, but next time I'm aiming for a few rows back, way better perspective. read more

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Thankful to the person who bought my tickets to go see an amazing show. I just love how Theaters look so vintage. This one has three floors. You have a bar and two bathrooms on the lower level. Where i took these amazing bathroom pics. Lol. On the orchestra level they have a bar as well but this one only serves drinks. Food and snacks will be at the lower level bar. Upstairs in the mezzanine they have bathrooms and some souvenirs. I didnt get to check this bathroom out because the line was too long, even tho this was were our seats were. Enjoyed my show sipping on my wine which costed $35 for a double. If u sip slowly it can definitely last the whole show. Plus i didnt wanna have to get up and miss any parts of the play. The only part i dislike about theaters is how close the seats are to eachother. I feel like they didnt think it all the through when building this masterpiece. read more

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Came to see Buena Vista Social Club and it was FANTASTIC!! I cant recommend it enough. The live band, the dancing, acting were all top notch. It took me back to my childhood when my dad would play Compay Segundo's song. It also reminded me of how resilient, powerful and humble regardless of the obstacles put before us. I would totally watch this again. We stayed till the end and were able to get some of the autographs from the performers and actors. They were all so humble, and kind. It was an honor to meet them all. GO SEE IT!!! read more

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The theatre is very pretty. It is also big. There are lots of bathrooms, although on the mezzanine floor, there are only four stalls in the women's bathroom, but if you go downstairs, the bathroom has 16 stalls. The bathroom was clean. They should put a soap dispenser for each sink, but they had soap for every two sinks. The seats are very tight. The space between each small makes it very uncomfortable for people's legs. A few people complained that their knees hurt. It's hard to stretch unless you sit sideways. The Notebook was a good show. It was long, and I think they could have cut out two of the songs. It was enjoyable, but at times, I was confused as different actors played the same roles. read more

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Beautiful theater with stunning architecture and a welcoming atmosphere. We enjoyed an amazing show -- everything from the performance to the acoustics was top-notch. Definitely recommend visiting if you have the chance! read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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A broadway show to never ever ever ever forget thanks to this adorable little theatre. We came to see the Sunday show for the Notebook and got there about 10 min before the show started. Checking in was a breeze and they let us in pretty quickly and right away showed us to our seats and handed us our playbill. We sat in the first row towards the left and you do have a little bit of a hard time seeing since the stage is really what covers it. Thankfully, they had booster seats HA! I felt like I was a kid trying to sit in a restaurant but hey, gotta do what you gotta do! To say The Notebook on broadway is one of the best things I've seen in my whole life is a huge thing. I've loved the film since it came out, Nicholas Sparks is incredible. The representation of the book did it justice and MORE. The director and play writer and cast are absolutely something to fall in love with. Maryann and Dorian (older Allie and Noah) stole my heart. There wasn't a dry eye in the room EVER. From the moment it starts til the moment it ends, it's a show that moves you and reminds you of romance. Pro tip: GO WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER!! What an experience to have shared. I surprised my hubby on a date here and he too was obsessed. It hits all age groups no matter what and seeing everything from up close (so close we could see their spit when they sing hehe) truly made the difference. I'm sure no matter where you sit at this theatre watching The Notebook you will remember this forever. Bottom line: go see the most incredible broadway show ever. You will leave there loving Jordan and John (young Allie and Noah). They do such an incredible job portraying that love story and all the feels. Soooo obsessed with it! I will say, we needed a good hour after the show to recoup from the emotional rollercoaster haha! SO. WELL. WORTH. IT. read more

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I'm only rating the operations. The play you see is up to you ENTRANCE - very organized and quick to get through security SEATING - this is a real plus. There is ample leg room here. Your knees aren't squished INTERMISSION - one note when the lights they close all con-sessions right away. If u r on line you lose out read more

The show is amazing and as a Cuban American who left Cuba around that time, it actually made me cry. The music and the story was fabulous. The time passed so quickly I was questioning why the lights came on, it was intermission! read more

Best show on Broadway..I felt I was there, in Cuba...the music, exceptional, the dancers were fantastic , the singing amazing!! Bravo to the cast, especially Natalie Venetia Belcon, what a voice, Brava!! I must return, soon! read more

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Nice theater. I didn't really get to explore or look around too much, but it isn't as large as some of the other theaters I've been to in the theater district, but it certainly wasn't a hole in the wall. I went to see a few productions here, such as the life of Pi, come from away, and notebook. The staff seem friendly enough. The bathrooms are all downstairs, and if you want merchandise, it is as well. All in all, I didn't have complaints. Since the theater is small, I'm not sure if there's a bad seat in the house. read more

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I came here to see "The Notebook" which is such a tear jerker, but I wanted to give my opinion about the theater itself. The outside was super cute and I had not issues, but the inside was pretty tiny. I'm sure it's meant to be for smaller shows which I get, but the seats themselves were so squished together. I was basically shoulder to shoulder with the stranger next to me, and my knees were touching the seat in front of me (I'm 5'3). I would give this 5 stars because of how beautiful it is but the seats I just could not get over. read more

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We came to the Gerald Schoenfeld theatre Saturday August 31st to see The Notebook. I'd say this was a bucket list item for my wife, but she's been to a show on Broadway before. We got tickets for the 2 pm show, it didn't disappoint. One thing to me that's smart is having the bathrooms, concession stand for drinks & snacks, and apparel stand all downstairs separate from the theater to cut down on crowding. I've got to say though, whether it's here, and Orpheum theatre where we regularly go in San Francisco, they don't have big enough bathrooms for crowds that big. People are going to go to the bathroom during intermission or afterwards, meaning big crowds, it'd be worth the investment to restructure the bathrooms to accommodate larger crowds. Glad we caught this one before it's gone for good in December. read more

A beautiful theatre. We caught the 2pm showing on 2/17 of The Notebook. The staff were hard working and helpful. The play was FANTASTIC!!!!! The building is conveniently located. The seats are tiny, and the space is tiny. But, it is so worth it. The bathrooms were actually kinda large. A few stalls, but very clean. Overall a beautiful theatre with lots of hidden architectural gems! read more

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Awesome staff! It was clean and comfortable. It was well worth the money. I enjoyed the show and the smell was very pleasant which made it all around a good time at the Theatre. read more

This theater is absolutely GORGEOUS. Beautifully appointed. Acoustics are great. Seats were staggered, but naturally the tallest person in the theater was seated directly in my line of sight. The staging of "The Life of Pi" was perfectly done. I wasn't able to take advantage of their assistive hearing devices, because my friend wanted to rush to our seats, but the theater does have them. The attendants were mostly friendly and helpful, although the first person with whom we spoke mistakenly directed us to the wrong section. The next two people were kind. This theater is truly reminiscent of the old days of Broadway. We went to a Sunday matinée, but it really feels that one should be elegantly dressed for evening performances, although it is unlikely that the theater has a dress code. It would be fun, though. The vibe is definitely evening dresses and fur stoles, or black tie with white silk scarves and opera pumps. I'd love to return to this theater and sit in a box, and imagine that it's 60-70 years ago. read more

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Loved this venue. Seats are comfy! Bathroom was clean. Staff super nice! Line for drinks moved quickly! read more

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Loved seeing Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway, but the experience of the musical was slightly marred by the seats feeling as if they were in economy class on a budget airline. Broadway is a marvel and creating space in a City for several hundred people to see a fantastic musical in a City of 8,000,000 is no small feat and I don't mind sitting shoulder to shoulder with my neighbor, but shoulder on shoulder is a bit too close. I was thrilled to see a packed house with a number of celebrity sightings, but the theater experience is best served in some degree of comfort. I did appreciate the fact that there were refreshment sellers walking about prior to the start of the play and during intermission - so there is an awareness of creature comforts. Back to the play, I have listened to the music from Buena Vista Social Club for some time and I am always struck by the joy of the performers even when they are often singing of sad experiences. I had my doubts how this incredible music could be translated into a cohesive musical, but they were quickly laid to rest with this outstanding production. read more