Booth Theatre

The Booth is a classic, intimate Broadway theater, with great sight lines and acoustics. There are only two levels – orchestra and mezzanine (or, as we say in English, floor and balcony) – and a seat in either offers the theater goer a sense of involvement with the play that is often lessened or lacking in larger venues.

I have to agree with the previous reviewer… HUGHIE was mildly interesting and I did feel that some lines were patched together by Forest Whitaker because they were missed. Maybe I should give him credit because he did the majority of the talking for an hour but I have seen other one-​man plays that were flawless.
I usually tell people they should go see a play I’ve seen, but not this one. As well, the play was probably only 50 – 55 minutes long because it didn’t start on time but ended at 3:05p. For Broadway money, there should have been two short plays presented.
I got several emails beforehand from Telecharge telling me to not be late because latecomers would not be seated, but that was not true. The poor usher was exasperated because she had so many late people to seat, and it ended up being a distraction as we watched the performance. I definitely understand why people were late — that entire area is impossible to navigate through due to surrounding construction and traffic. If possible, take the subway there or give yourself at least one hour to park (and I’m talking about parking in a LOT — so many of them were full and parking was hard to find),
I had an aisle seat in the last row of the mezzanine. VERY uncomfortable because I have very long legs. So uncomfortable I am starting a database with theater seat details because I don’t want to go through this again — thank goodness the play was short. This experience makes me only want to buy orchestra theater seats in the future. I was going to do that for HUGHIE but the only seats available for this matinée were all the way in the back of the orchestra. I generally feel that most mezzanine seats are better than any seat in the rear orchestra.

Good theater, bad play. Avoid «Hughie» like the plague. Not only was it boring, but also the actor kept forgetting/​confusing his lines. It’s also only an hour long, and feels like 3. I went with discounted tickets and felt bad for everyone who paid full price to see Forest Whitaker.

Beautiful architecture AND space?! I’d never been here before seeing Hand to God and now it’s my second favorite theater location (Music Box is #1). I’ve only been on the main floor, but the view and the acoustics were perfection. Highly recommend attending anything here!

REVIEW OF «Hand To God»:
I had heard Hand To God was offensively funny so I was expecting Book of Mormon (which was the most offensive musical I’ve ever seen and also the funniest musical I’ve ever seen). Well this is no Book of Mormon: it wasn’t as overly offensive as Mormon (though it did pass it in a couple of ways in Act 2) and it wasn’t nearly as funny. It was more like the non-​musical parts of Team America: World Police had a love child with the non-​musical parts of Avenue Q and they left it to be raised by the dad from Full House who had moved from San Francisco to Cypress, Texas.
Speaking of, when I saw Hand To God, Bob Saget was playing the part of the pastor. He was the least funny of the five actors in the play, but it wasn’t his fault: he just had the least funny lines. He actually acted the part well. The best lines are saved for a sock puppet.
I did laugh a lot particularly in the second act which was much funnier than the first. The funniest moment of the entire play is when there are three diametrically opposed things happening at once. I don’t want to give it away, but the actors, puppets, and audiences are all doing very, very different things at one point in the second act. You’ll know it when you see it, and I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.
I wouldn’t go again, but I would recommend it to the right sort of person: someone who didn’t get offended at Book of Mormon, liked Avenue Q, and thought those two musicals would have been a lot funnier without all that damned music all the time.

I have to say, I don’t normally put any thought into what theater a play is being presented in, but this theater made me cognizant of that for the first time and it’s not a good thing. From the arbitrary will call policies (can’t release tickets that I’ve paid for to me until 6:30pm, a half hour before the show?) to the surly ushers (scolding and clapping at you for walking the wrong way, yelling at other customers to put away their cell phones away while they are clearly shutting them down), I’ve never been treated like this at a Broadway show before. No wonder the theater is empty on a Thursday night. The play was great, the staff, not so much.

Everyone from the front desk, to the ushers and staff who greeted us, to the women who directed us through the door, was exceptionally rude and condescending to myself and my clearly pregnant wife. We attended the matinée show on Saturday Sept 12, and the only person who didn’t present us with a rude attitude was the gentleman selling candy. We are regular theater goers and this behavior shocked us both.

Nice little theater, not a bad seat in the house! Was here on August 30, and the A/​C was working overtime– in fact, I wish I had brought a jacket! Nice, efficient employees and clean bathrooms. (Just don’t go right now– they’re showing Hand to God, and it’s a dud.)

Great place to see a show. Really polite and kind staff. Great lighting techs, great sound engineers. ¹⁰⁄₁₀

Puppets you say? Puppets on Broadway? Oh well you know I’m going to see this now! So a friend told me about Hand to God and while describing this puppet mastery I’m sure my facial expressions exhibited numerous WTFs. Who on earth would pay to see a puppet show? Well it turns out… me!
This theatre is smaller than others I have been to, but that’s what i like about it. It gives you that intimate I’m seeing a weird play kinda vibe. It’s in the heart of Broadway and looks clean and well maintained (although I didn’t visit the restrooms– the true test of being well maintained!)
Pretty much no matter what seat you get, you will have a decent view of the stage.
I never laughed so much during a play! Honestly one of the most unique plays I have seen to date.
I may or may not have tried making a puppet with some of my friend’s sock when we got home and he wasn’t looking. Let’s just say I’ll keep my day job!

My future Broadway diva daughters really wanted to see «Hand to God» and I had yet to attend a Broadway play, so I said WTF let’s do it! Daughter who lives in UWS of Manhattan suggested going early to the Booth to get «rush» tickets. These were very reasonably priced and easy to purchase, for a show nominated for multiple Tonys, and even though they were almost back row of the mezzanine, cashier said it’s a small theater, you won’t be disappointed. She was absolutely right. The view and the sound were just fine. A little hard to see the shaded nuances of the actor’s expressions, but still not bad. The theater itself is ornate and beautiful. Seating is a little tight, but not intolerable
2 Jack n’ Cokes were a tad pricey, but again, considering the show, I was ok with it. We attended the Friday, June 5^th performance on the eve of the Tony Awards, and you could sense the excitement and optimism of the cast and the audience. Even though it didn’t win, this play was still great and thought provoking, and I laughed so hard my sides ached afterwards.
The theater’s location also was advantageous to us as Junior’s Restaurant (see my review) is next door. Also, next to Juniors is a parking garage. For logistical reasons, I had to drive into NYC (ugh!) and the garage was $ 50 for about 5 hours, but at least it was close by.
All in all, although all the expenses combined were a bit much, I had a very memorable time with the whole family attending a great play at the venerable Booth Theater. I’d definitely patronize this theater in the future.

A little bit on the older side of theaters and not as ornately renovated. But, it is a great view wherever you sit! I was in the back row of the mezzanine for Hand of God and saw the entire show perfectly so don’t worry about the back row!

I saw The Elephant Man on January 15^th, 2015. Bradley Cooper’s work was truly moving. The entire cast was solid. I was still thinking about the play the next day.
One problem with the theater: I got bit by a huge bedbug. I actually held it in my hand and didn’t think it was a bedbug as it was so huge. After doing some research, I realized that it was, in fact, a bedbug.
I called the theatre to inform them and they said that they would «alert the facility».

Bradley Cooper on the Elephant Man was superb. The venue provided a very intimate atmosphere and the play although simple in deco was touching and very well staged.

Bradley Cooper in The Elephant Man — a tremendous performance and based on a true story. Do not miss this limited engagement!
The theater itself is located in the heart of the Theater District just west of Broadway on 45^th street. It has one of the lit on marquees on the top of the building, which I just love. The space isn’t huge and must have been recently renovated or well kept up because the architecture and painted details looked splendid. The seats were a bit cramped from a depth standpoint — we were seated in the center orchestra section and to even let people by us going into the row for seats was a trick. As with most theaters, beverages and snacks are available at a rather steep price, both at the concession stands and from some people walking the aisles before the show and during intermission.
As for this show, I truly cannot say enough about the stellar cast — Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola. Bradley, who has reprises his role as the main character, John Merrick from its earlier run at the Williamstown Theater Festival, exudes the complexity of his character with ease. After the initial introduction to him, you are instantly captivated by all that is left unsaid yet still so pronounced in his embodiment of the role of such a profoundly disfigured yet intensely intelligent and thoughtful person. Patricia Clarkson, who plays Mrs. Kendal, quickly charms the audience at her introduction yet goes on to show her sensitive, kind side with the deep friendship and love she has for John. Not to give too much away, a scene with such raw emotion involving Mrs. Kendal and John’s characters brought the audience to tears. Alessandro Nivola, a new actor to me, was engaging and compassionate as Dr. Frederick Treves — the man who singlehandedly pulls John out from under the clutches of his dark, enslaved past and provides him with his first ever «home».
This play reminds you just what people are capable of — from the worst of our nature to the best. Go see this before its short span on Broadway is over.

Caught the matinée of The Elephant Man Saturday12/​20/​14. BTW… Bradly Cooper did an excellent job.
Grand old theater on Broadway which was designed at a time ‘when theater goers where shorter and more narrow. My suggestion is to hit the powder room (in the basement) first and than find your set. Take advantage of intermission to stretch your legs even if you only stand at your seat.
I noticed beer and wine available on every floor and it’s a bit pricey, a double glass of wine $ 23.00, That’s a quick 25.00 :/​However you do get a cute cup with lid for future use.
Be sure to make reservations after investigating restaurants on Unilocal.While the area offers many, they can vary greatly.

There are two listings for this theater… anyway; we saw an evening performance of «The Velocity of Autumn» two days ago and we really liked it. Not only were the performances terrific, but the storyline has humor as well as poignancy. Also; the theater’s interior is lovely, there’s sufficient legroom & the seats are comfortable (neither of which are typical at old theaters), and both of the ushers we talked to were incredibly friendly.

«The Glass Menagerie» is a wonderfully delicate play that explores the darker depths of human emotion. I’ve never read the book, so I didn’t know what to expect. Contrary to what many have noted here and in other reviews, I don’t think Cherry Jones was that stellar. Her accent came across as extremely fake, which really hurt the delivery of her lines. On the other hand, I do think that Zachary Quinto and Celia Keenan-Bolger’s performances were quite powerful. The silences and purposeful pauses in this play really brought it all together, and it really gives the audience an opportunity to digest and understand what is really happening on stage.
It’s a simple play. But it’s a lovely one.

There is a long line outside at 645 P. M and the play starts at 7P.M. Hmmm that can’t be our line. Wait… It is :-(that’s a first!
So the entrance for the theatre is VERY small. Outside there isn’t many people to help and the same goes for inside. The theatre is very narrow. The bathroom is all the way downstairs. Lots and lots of steps! I was winded and I workout so I feel bad for anyone over 40. But I really appreciate the austerity of this place. The dim lights and vintage furnisher makes for the matureness of the play. I didn’t enjoy Glass Menagerie AT ALL. But that’s because I’m a big kid inside. Ill stick with the musicals. And although the seat cushion was very soft. There is not much legroom. I sat on the Mezz level, seat 102 great view until the actors moved to the very front of the stage… Everyone would tend to lean forward. Overall, beautiful theatre!

We walked up a couple hours before the show and were told to wait and see if any one didn’t claim their ticks as it was a sold out show. We went and got a bite and came back an hour later and the lobby was packed. We were told that there were two balcony seats available, but we had to pay cash as the original ticket holders already charged them and that is the only way they could swipe the dough! Oh! Did I say that! Made me feel like I never left Chicago! Cute little theater that doesn’t have a bad seat. We were about 30 feet from Miss M over looking the stage. Comfortable seats with a birds eye view. If their were a fire though, we would all be screwed as people couldn’t even manage to get down the stairs with any sort of semblance.
Now about the show that has nothing to do with the star rating! If I had a tamata or do you say tomata, the little lady would have been wearing it! Did I really pay two hundred and eighty four dollars to hear this broad complain for almost two hours? She lit about 25 cigarettes and sat their bitching about her life as Sue Mengers! I know I’m in NY, but I could have gone to a deli and for the price of a pastrami I could have listened to old people ca-​fetching and it would have been more enjoyable! I did go thru the playbill and managed to give her a couple of goatee and eyebrow combos. That took all of 6 minutes! Pass on the I’ll Eat you Last!