Great venue for a show. First time here. Acoustics were great and not a bad seat in the house! There is a bar with beer, wine, and a few snacks on each floor -- note you cannot bring food or drink into the theater, so give yourself enough time before the show Seats were comfortable and there was parking in the area. I would return, despite the 1.5 hr drive (no traffic)! read more

Ulster Performing Arts Center - View from Left Balcony NN 118 - Performing Arts Near Me - Kingston, New York

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The John Batiste/Jack DeJohnette show was very difficult to see from the 5th row. Batiste was hidden behind the piano and DeJohnette was towards the wings and hidden behind a gong. After the show we wandered around trying different rows and seats. IMHO there are zero seats with good sight lines. It's odd and we were very surprised. Was it designed this way? Yes and no. When a theatre orders new seats they tell the manufacturer how many seats they need in the hall, sometimes how many seats per row. Either way the seat manufacturer figures out what assortment of chair widths will work. Yes, that's right. All chairs in a row may not be the same size. If you've ever said "hmm I thought these chairs were wider" you got one of the small chairs. This is part of why people buy subscriptions - year to year they keep the same seat, one that isn't small. Sadly as much as I loved visiting Ulster I will not go back to see a show at this venue. NOTE: The UPAC website has outdated recommendations for restaurants. Several restaurants had closed permanently or were not open for dinner. Definitely need to call yourself and confirm hours and availability for the evening you intend to be there. read more

I like UPAC very much and have been here several times over the last 5 years. The sound quality is very consistent (saw Todd Rundgren last year and was blown away) and have also seen a few comedy shows which were also very good. The seats are comfortable and it's an intimate enough venue that there really aren't any bad seats in the house. My favorite spot is the front of the balcony. They serve drinks and snacks and aren't terribly overpriced - as venues of this type often are. They bring in some really great national artists in addition to much of the local ballet, theatre, etc Recommended! Do be mindful that this is not like a big city venue, so keep your expectations in check. The parking can be a bit wonky, but I've never had to park so far away that it was a huge burden. read more

Please train your ushers appropriate use of flashlights when seating patrons. I cannot tell you how many times I was blinded by the beam of a flashlight while I was seated during the show. It was rude and distracting. They were also very loud, speaking at full volume while the show was going on. I will not return for another show here unless this gets addressed. Seems like common sense to NOT shine lights in peoples eyes. read more

Film series is aces, the staff appreciates the "audience participation" if you dress to suit the show. Great, cheap place to start a Friday night out. I have attended music & dance events as well as comedy. the seats are all great, sound is remarkable. the reconstruction of the interior of the theatre is remarkable. Become a member and enjoy the season. read more

Ulster Performing Arts is a nice place to see things but beware. They rent the facility out to other venues. I went to see a Christmas Carol there and it was a ballet. There was no mention of it being a ballet. We thought it was a small version of a Broadway Play. Other people also walked out . I spent 90.00 on the tickets after walking out in 15 minutes. They would not refund my money. They also misrepresent themselves because they think because it says it is put on by the "Ulster Ballet" they we know its a ballet. Businesses who sponsors activities/shows does not reflect the content of the show. This review is more about the Ulster Ballet Company and also the manager at the window, a gentleman was very rude. read more

I had a wonderful time here when I saw The Beach Boys with Brian Wilson and Al Jardine. This was a must see event for me, and I would have paid anything, but the ticket was reasonably priced and the seat was great. A little small, but I'm a big guy. Beautiful stage and detailed interior, and I will definitely be back soon. The Ushers were wonderful, and my only problem was I was new to the area, and totally forgot where I parked my car. My own fault, and I'll know better for next time. Even the people helping with parking were Saints. One Woman offered to help me find my vehicle, but my shame made me refuse. I eventually found it, and even that didn't dampen my mood. Nice looking surrounding area as well. I'll get there early next time and explore the town. read more

I went here the first time last night with my family to see "Yo Gabba Gabba Live!" and it was a lot of fun. I've driven by UPAC many, many times but there was never anything drawing me in to go there. It is for all intensive purposes, a clone of the Bardavon. I would definately go back there knowing that it IS really nice inside. Much better than I expected. I thought it was going to be this run down type of place. It kind of had a scaled-down Beacon Theatre feel to it. read more

Today's trip to UPAC was actually a success with a few glitches. For an off-Broadway stage show, the performance was okay. As for location, I'd rather see a Broadway show. Anywho, when I pulled up into the area of UPAC(Ulster Performing Arts Center), I was immediately directed into a lot to the West of the theater. It's not in the best part of town, yet, it's not in the worst part of town either. THe lot was a bit full, but figuring how close I came to viewing time, it figures(we were the last car, before they closed the incoming gates). Anywho, I had to stop at the box office first to pick up tickets. The sign on the outside door, says to pick up tickets on the inside window. No problem, you'd figure, there'd be signs up and everything...and their employees would know and could direct you to their window. Not a chance! I didn't see the windows, and when I mentioned it to the one employee, he motioned up ahead of him, as if just past the ticket-taking agent. Seconds later, figuring this wasn't the right location, I looked around. There it was, as you enter, it'll be right over on the right. No sign mentioned exactly where the box office could be found. I picked up my tickets(that I had won on the radio), and I continued through. The scanning process was successful and in I walked. It took a few employees to point me to the right "Aisle" door that my seat was located in, but it wasn't too awkward. When I got to the correct doorway, the usher brought us in. We still had five minutes before the show started, by now. Anyway, we sat down and looked through the program guide. It looks okay. We waited, and we waited and we waited a few minutes. 5 minutes after they were supposed to start, the Master of Ceremonies came on and mentioned some general knowledge information about the theater. Quite cool. The performance was okay. Although you could barely hear the transition noises from oncoming transitions of scenes, there was a little bit. I didn't mind, I knew it wasn't Broadway nonetheless. The experience was pretty cool. I'd been to many different performing arts performances, but it was the general idea that I didn't like, and almost pushed me to leave at Intermission. It was ballet, and not too many men like ballet. But the fact that I won tickets to something(feeling lucky), made this trip a success! As I exited, I noticed a few sign boards outside the doorway, they do have some classic performing arts performances upcoming(The Sound of Music and a few others, along with, later this holiday season, "The Nutcracker"). For the price I read in a magazine that came from the place, the price people were paying was decent. However, for the few children that actually were present, I was awful surprised that there was no mention of a "Children's price" for this holiday showing-matinee of "A Christmas Carol", but there was a reduced senior citizens and membership rate special for those who are eligible. Seating looked new, the seats worked, and didn't squeak, but, figuring into the equation, the place looks old, and, inside the theater, it looks like the Roman Coloseum, and with two levels of seating areas, performances are always a good thing. Take in a show here every once and awhile, but be sure to check out the fine details, as knowing them, could save you some hassle later. read more

Went to UPAC recently to see Buena Vista Social Club..... Great venue.... we were very close to the stage, but it didnt look like any seats were too far away..... They had some beers and treats available in the lobby area..... The ushers were very friendly and helped us find our seats.... Outside, they did a great job with getting everyone out of the parking lots in a timely manner.... I would definitely go there again.... read more

that is a really incredible old theatre in perfect condition - its giant. you wouldn't know how big it is by looking at the entrance. it's not in the best part of kingston but that has recently got better and there are police to help with parking and watch your car while you are inside. people dress up and it is a very nice experience. it is pretty large so if you get a seat way in the back you will be very far away from the stage. read more