Winter Garden Theatre

My husband an I had a lot of fun seeing the School of Rock today on 2÷13÷16. We sat in row Q, left most aisle seats in the center orchestra. The seats were comfortable, not too cramped, covered in velvet… I might have tried to get a little closer but to be honest I think there are few bad seats in this theatre. The cast was marvelously talented. The kids were simply amazing as they sang and played their instruments live. I thought I’d be disappointed comparing the actor/​singer who played Dewy to Jack Black, but he really did such justice to the character and was so high energy. There is a preview on the shows website so you can take a look and most of the actors in the video are the ones in the show presently at the time of this review. I forgot how much I enjoyed the story… as silly as it might have been. In fact, I think I actually got the message of the story a little better this time.

Went here for School of Rock, last time I was here was for Cats. The venue is cozy. Although dated its comfortable. The staff was friendly and helpful. The concessions were «normal» priced for this type of venue. It is confusing as to which side to enter on. Overall a good place to see a show.

Stopped by the theater this week to catch the play «School of Rock»
We settled into our seats once the play started it was nothing but great entertainment.
I have seen the movie & I have to say don’t even remember the movie like that but will definitely remember the play what a great show.
The cast was great but the real winners of this show was the kids … Wow what a talented group the energy, the singing it’s insane such great talent at a young age.
Alex B who played Jack blacks role was really good & even resembles mr Black a bit.
The rest of the adults served their purpose In the show lollll they all did a good job as well but let’s face it the kids really made the show… They were amazing & really made the show worth watching for me I have to say the play was a lot more entertaining than I thought it would be.
Upon entering the theater not much to be said, nice size theater.
During intermission we took a bathroom break & walked around a bit, upstairs bar & bathrooms ran smoothly.
Great fun show, lots of energy & catchy songs that will probably be stuck in your heads for days.
Definitely worth checking out we really enjoyed our selves.

Came to see School of Rock and it was incredible. The theater is great and the seats in the rear orchestra were perfect. The only thing is one of the people I went with was sitting in front of a vent and was uncomfortably cold throughout the show. That seat was U104

REVIEW OF «School of Rock: The Musical»:
I saw this the week that it started its previews, and you couldn’t tell it hadn’t been running for months. It was hilarious and debut-​ready. It’s funny and the performances by the 13 kids were stellar. The girl playing Summer is a standout (what is she: like 10?!?) and all the kids on the instruments were great (the boy playing drums rocked it hard). Best song was the opener («I’m Too Hot For You») but «Stick It Too the Man» was pretty catchy too.
So on that note, my only problem was with a lot of the songs: they stink of Andrew Lloyd Webber. After you’ve heard music from someone like Robert Lopez, Webber seems very… ‘old Broadway’ which made all the music seem a bit too Starlight Express. Is it too late to have someone more modern update the songs? Take the rock humor of Rock of Ages the lyrical awesomeness of Book of Mormon, and you would have had the presumptive Best Musical winner in 2016.
That said, I loved this musical. Best I’ve seen in a while and I laughed often throughout (watching the girl on bass «emote» still makes me laugh thinking about it). I would go see it again and provide they’re not really easily offended, I’d suggest you go with your whole family.

When you imagine what a Broadway theater should look like, you imaging the Winter Garden. It’s a grand and beautiful space befitting its age. But you know what also comes with age? Horribly creaky floors and doors on the Mezzanine level.
Oh boy. It wasn’t the patrons who kept opening and closing that squeaky door on the right side. It was the staff. Please someone give them an oil can. And a hoverboard. That door and the floor during the last night of the production of Wolf Hall, gave me fits. It sucks that my memory of such a great production had to be marred by haunted house worthy sound effects that didn’t come from the stage.
And a curtain wouldn’t be a bad idea either. The blinding light from the other side of that creaky door didn’t help matters at all.

Booster seats and hearing aids… I just discovered these are in all theaters. If you are short or hard of hearing, you will truly appreciate this perk.
Ok…
This stately theater is more spacious and seems roomier than other theaters in the district. It us the perfect setting for Tudor England — contrasting but supporting the aura of the play, which is the thing…
The best seats are always center orchestra or side balcony if that is the best you can do. I actually thought it would be rather fun to balcony over the stage.
I felt that the acoustics were a tad bit muffled, but that could be because we had to sit beneath the tier… Sold out performances will do that to you if you are not quick to buy.
You really do not have a choice as to which theater to attend, your show will go on, regardless of your approval of the venue, but this one is a true historic gem and makes the evening all the more worthwhile.
Another tried and true historic venue to have a quick bite is #RubyFoos, which is a few steps away. Just sayin…

I seen Momma Mia here 10 years ago when I was 12. Then I seen Rocky back in July. The Theatre is very big compared to a lot of the other Theatres in NYC. The staff there was very, energetic, & helpful during the Rocky production. I was sad that Rocky had closed. It was a great production. When I was in NYC this weekend I noticed they are getting ready to put another production in Rocky’s place.

I went here to see Rocky. The audio and visuals from mid-​orchestra were clear as can be. The venue was perfect for this particular show and the staff did an amazing job of converting the theater into what felt like a real boxing arena for the «main event» against Apollo Creed. The seats were pleasantly comfortable, yet unsurprisingly tight. The staff got everyone in and out promptly. My only gripe with this place is the concession prices. I overheard one of the staff members advertise a small bag of M&Ms for $ 5 and I read one other Unilocaler mention sangria was available for a bargain at $ 23. I’ve been to other theaters in this district, but this one by far is charging the highest prices.

Great theatre! Very nice staff, roomy seats and beautiful architecture. I have now seen two very different shows here, Mama Mia and Rocky, and amazed by the versatility of the venue. Rocky, in particular, has a set that requires a lot of theatre changes and one portion actually extends out and takes up the center portion of the theatre. Prices for drinks are about normal and they sell candy, etc as well. The lines for the bathroom at intermission are very long, but move amazingly fast. Lots of legroom and space for taller people and the seats are set so all have a good view. A nice venue for shows!

This is one of the best broadway theaters because there is a lot of leg space. The staff are amazing and nice. I had a problem with my tickets and they helped me. They did not give me a problem about it. Great broadway theater. Rocky is playing here and it was a «knockout» and a «hit».

3 and a half days in NYC and I want to do it all! Having previously visited New York a number of times and having hit the usual tourist suspects of Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Top of the Rock etc — I wanted to take it one step further this time by hitting a Broadway show on a Saturday night, soaking up the atmosphere of the streets and buzz as everyone gets excited about what is coming up ahead!
I like to think of myself as being pretty organised when it comes to holiday plans and I managed to bag a single ticket for the almost sold out «Rocky the Musical» that was still in the previews stage of development at Winter Gardens. I could only get a ticket for the upper back parts of the theatre ($ 80) but looking at the layout upon arriving, this wasn’t a problem as I had a near perfect view of the stage.
The venue itself is a classic theatre and was a lovely intimate setting to visit and watch this great show unfold. I’m not doing a review of Rocky but you have to go and see this show, it’s so good. In fact it’s amazing what the venue does in terms of a modern set and special fx in a classic theatre — just go and see it and you’ll be blown away like I was!
The only thing of note apart from them having the usual concessions stands for the breaks is that this part of town isn’t great before or after to get decent quality food. You’re venturing very close to Times square territory and it’s home of the chains, average and tourist fodder. I went to Gotham pizza for a couple of slices before the show but it was average at best — probably best to plan ahead and have a bite to eat a few blocks east or west if you’re hungry.

Beautiful :). Mamma mia is great!

Nice venue for a broadway production. Not too big. Good Sound. Snacks must be made of gold though: two regular sized soft drinks and two small boxes of candies cost $ 28!!!

Seeing mamma Mia with my mommy. My favorite broadway show ever! Yes, I’ve seen wicked.

Very entertaining! Love the music, sound, story :)

When you attend a Broadway Show you come to expect a few things.
1) Large space (I mean it is BROADWAY).
2) Classy venue (Reference above remark).
3) Classy patrons (Dress to IMPRESS).
4) Clean bathrooms (this one is just my pet peeve but it is nice to have in ANY venue).
5) GOOD PERFORMANCE (Mamma Mia — reference my Mamma Mia review). This is perhaps the single most IMPORTANT reason to watch a Broadway show. And it certainly DID NOT disappoint. CHEERS!
And of course from one foodie to another. There is always the more EXPENSIVE option of eating out around that area afterwards. I mean what is a $ 100 ticket without the $ 40 per plate dinner afterwards. Or before if you like a full belly before the show (no tummy grumblers here).

I really love this theater. Not the musicals they house. But the theater itself. It is SOOO grand and just makes you feel like you’re walking in to magic before the curtain even rises! The usher staff were nice when I was there. The seats were relatively comfortable. And our balcony view was great. If they’re housing a show you’d like to see, be assured that you’re in for a treat with the venue!

«Mamma Mia» was the first musical I ever saw on Broadway. It exceeded all my expectations, in part because the venue itself (the Winter Garden Theater) was so majestic. My three girlfriends & I were seated near the isle, about ten rows back & I remember craning my neck & being in awe of the sea of theater goers.
My parents raised me & my sister on ABBA (as well as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, the Beatles & Led Zeppelin) so I knew every word to every song. I’m not saying I’m an ABBA fan (you won’t get me to admit that) but I am *very* familiar with their music.
The actors were amazing, extremely talented & energetic. Their energy flowed into the audience making this production the liveliest show I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Plus, I loved the storyline involving a free spirit taking on so many lovers & later not knowing who her baby daddy is! Intriguing stuff.
We bought tickets at the theater the day of the show, paid full price (upwards of $ 100; this was before we knew about TKTS, but you live & learn) & had 80’s Swedish pop music stuck in our heads for the rest of our trip.

Ugh. Mamma Mia. Sap, sap and some more sap. Definitely not the right show for me. Yah, the set was okay, and music was well, Abba… It’s a fun play, and for girly girls that enjoyed the Hollywood production, you’ll probably like the Broadway version better!
I’m just glad I didn’t pay full price for these tickets (thank you TKTS!).