I've been coming here for years and just haven't reviewed it yet.... There is truly not a bad seat in the house. I've sat in Orchestra, on the first floor, the grand tier, and the balcony and they've all been great. You can see everything. I have enjoyed every show I've ever seen here (Chicago, Wicked, Something Rotten) as well as concerts (Alison Krauss, Singer/Songwriter) to name a few. The employees are SO friendly and helpful. They go out of their way to make sure you know where you're going and that you're having a good time. I'm always impressed with the customer service when I go. They have those Bavarian nuts that are so delightful and a bar with domestic beers and wines. Quite a few soda options to chose from as well. There is a parking deck right next to the venue and if you get there early enough you shouldn't have a problem. There are other parking decks in the area as well. There are numerous places to eat surrounding the DPAC, so many amazing choices. I would highly recommend buying tickets to see a show here and make an evening of it with one of the close by restuarants or bars. Downtown Durham has become utterly amazing! read more

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"Not a bad seat in the house" It's been nearly 10 years since my last visit, and DPAC continues to be well maintained. Staff courteous, friendly, and helpful. This was my first time in nosebleeds seats and sound quality and unimpeded vision range was great. Leg area is limited. I'll be back! read more

DPAC - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I have been to the DPAC several times for different events and shows. I most recently attended Hell's Kitchen at this venue. When we arrived we parked in the structure near the venue and were charged $10 to park. All of the employees that we engaged with were very helpful and friendly. A variety of snacks and drinks such as pretzels, candy and soda were available for purchase at the venue. The doors opened on time. The venue was a little cold at first and then warmed up later. The sound in the venue was good. The bathroom lines were very organized during the intermission. During this show there was a very strict policy of no phone usage. At another show my watch was locked in a pouch that I kept during the comedy show. It was quickly unlocked after the show. read more

DPAC - Hell's Kitchen - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This was my second visit to DPAC and I have some additional insights from my first visit. The vocals for the performance were incredible and it was nostalgic to hear and some of throwback Alicia Keys songs. The stage presence from this cast was phenomenal and I felt immersed in the story of her childhood and learned so much about her life that I didn't know. Tips that I've learned form my two visits: Arriving early is a must so that you can get to your seat in time to take in the lobby, get a snack, etc. I'm all around a stress free experience, so giving yourself time is essential. There are signs that let you know how to get to your section, however you can always ask. The staff at DPAC in my experience is friendly and professional. read more

DPAC - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Visited DPAC for the first time last night and had a great experience! I was so impressed with how well organized and well-run everything was, from the parking deck attendants to the security/ticket lines to the signs showing you where the end of the bathroom line was lol. Convenient parking garage options and easy to find. It did cost $12 to park though, which was $2 more than I expected lol (DPAC site's know before you go needs to be updated! ) Avoided the long snack/drink lines by going to the bar to grab sodas during intermission - no line there! 4 stars because I found the seats to be rly uncomfortable read more

DPAC - Section 3, Center Orchestra view - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This really is one of the best venues in the country for seeing large indoor shows. The acoustics are capable of being awesome. But do know that it depends on the show and how things are mixed. As season members for the Broadway shows, our most recent show "The Outsiders" was one of the best shows we've ever seen sound-wise. Which makes sense because they won a Tony for it. Love that all the staff at DPAC are always super friendly. They are there to guide you, smile, wish you pleasantries, and just make your experience extra enjoyable. Parking is in decks nearby. Sometimes VIP parking is available in the lot right at the Theatre for a charge, but you can't count on it. Our Broadway season tickets include parking in a couple of the decks, and we choose to use the deck near Burt's Bees and find that it is easy to get in and out of. Do know that alcohol is pricey and only so-so quality-wise. For instance, bourbon choices are Jim Beam or Maker's Mark. In the $18-$25 range for a double, and by double do know that would be a single somewhere else. Wine is also up there in price. Of course you can bring your sippy cup back for a refill and save a buck if you want. Would love to see them offer Italian or French options. A cup of tea will run you around $5.50 which will include two tea bags that you can refill yourself, so that's always a good option. There are snacks available including big pretzels. The best part of DPAC are the shows themselves. They bring the best of the best. Whatever is touring, they give you the opportunity to see it. And there's really not a bad seat in the house. Although I will say the one time I had seats in the back row of the upper balcony to see Robin Williams (yes it was that long ago), my fear of heights left me uneasy the whole time, LOL. Which means I will keep my feet on the ground when I see shows there. The only theatre of this size that we've been in that we found to be somewhat better is the Tanger Center in Greensboro, which learned from DPAC by making more aisles and less long rows, and removing problem tripping areas like the side aisles near the front at DPAC. Otherwise, DPAC is as close to perfect as you can get for a theatre of this size. read more

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Aesthetic: Clean, modern performing arts venue in the heart of downtown Durham. Experience: We had a beautiful night out at a great venue. We visited to watch the Stardew Valley Symphony of Seasons show, and the venue didn't disappoint. The workers were very kind and helpful during the show, and they were good about pointing us in the right direction. We ordered a water and a beer, and they were exactly what you'd expect, hydrating and a bit overpriced. We would definitely visit this venue again, it was a perfect night out. read more

DPAC - Stardew Valley Symphony - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I enjoy attending shows at this venue. The stadium seating provides a great view of the stage. DPAC is smaller than the larger venues in Raleigh, and has an intimate setting. Parking is a challenge because it takes a long time to exit from the parking deck due to the traffic jam. I wish there was more space between seats for extra knee and elbow room. I try to always book end row seats. The venue sells light snacks, but there is no food available for a meal. I love that I can eat at NanaSteak Steakhouse before or after the show. read more

Great shows at this location regularly..amazing concerts, comedy, Broadway shows and more...

I visited DPAC for the Ben Schwartz and Friends comedy show. I've always heard wonderful things about DPAC and I was super excited to finally go after all these years of living here. DPAC is easy to find and there's plenty of parking surrounding it. There are some bars and restaurants nearby if you choose to make a night out of your visit. The theater itself if clean and the staff are all very welcoming and helpful. The restrooms are clean and there are plenty to choose from. There are also quite a few bars inside and a few food kiosks. We did buy a couple of beers to "enhance" our show. There isn't a ton of seating in the lobby in case you get there early. However, there are picnic chairs outside if you choose to wait in the sun. The seats are comfortable but they're a bit tight together. Acoustics were good, though, we were just here for a comedy show and not for a play. The staff are very strict about rules, so be aware that they are always watching if you take out your phone or (like our seat neighbors), try to steal closer seats. I love how attentive the staff here are. Overall, we were super happy with our visit and will definitely come back. read more

DPAC - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We came to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This was our first play at DPAC, and we had a great time! We were in the orchestra in row BB, and even though we were so far back, we could still see the stage and actors well. The staff we encountered were all very helpful and friendly, and the bathrooms were nice and clean! We didn't try any of the snacks since we ate at Queen Burger right by the theater before the opened the doors. Parking was $15 in the garage, and my only complaint is there isn't direct access from the theater to the garage without going back outside. (Would be nice if you could access from the building!) Overall an awesome experience for my kid's first show! read more

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The DPAC (aside from the baseball stadium) is perhaps the most popular attraction downtown, and for good reason. Every year, there are tons of shows that come through whether it's off broadway, comedians, singers, kids shows, magic shows, etc. I have never gone to one of those events but had the honor of attending the Summit's Christmas service there. Just wow. It's as a beautiful service, with ambient lights, excellent acoustics and stunning decor. The staff is on point, they are quick to answer any questions and guide people to where they need to go. The place is immaculately clean and quite classy. There is also a box office that is open during certain hours where you can also grab some tickets, which is rare in a day and age where everything is done online. Parking is easy, as the East Deck is more than accommodating to guests -- except during a Bulls game though, be mindful of the baseball schedule. Nevertheless, you can always park at the Justice parking lot or the North Deck - plenty of options but be sure to plan ahead. read more

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If you're entertaining visitors, DPAC should be at the top of your list! They offer an incredible lineup of Broadway hits, concerts, comedy shows, and seasonal events, and the experience is always first-class. The theater is clean, easy to navigate, and located near plenty of restaurants, so it's perfect for a fun evening. I always take guests here, and they're blown away every time. Highly recommended! read more

DPAC - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I'm so happy to have access to Broadway quality shows close to home. The venue is always clean and the staff is always extremely nice. The snack and drink options are good. The amount of restrooms is excellent for those quick intermissions and they have some to direct to make the process as quick as possible. read more

Ease On Down. I purchased a Center Orchestra seat in Section 3 Row V for The Wiz tonight on Ticketmaster. I have been eyeing tickets for this production for over a year now. I missed their first premiere in New York when Avery Wilson and Deborah Cox starred in the show. What I failed to realize is that they were not casted in this production. I want to take some time out to thank my fellow yelpers who chipped in to help with all the planning logistics for my first visit to DPAC. YOU CANT WIN . Parking Downtown in this area was a challenge for a Saturday night with a local baseball game going on. Luckily, I scored free parking in the American Tobacco Campus garage. The staff was kind enough to waive the $10 Fee when I mentioned The Wiz. It literally felt like I was Dorothy trying to navigate to DPAC. After spending over $100 on a ticket, I refuse to pay for parking. The American Tobacco Campus aka The Bull Pen connects you to DPAC, so it's a quick 4 minute walk from the North & South parking decks. There are plenty of eateries you can access in the Bull Pen as well. I advise you arrive 1.5 hours ahead of opening. Upon arrival, I quickly made it through security and the ushers were very kind and helpful. They escorted me to my assigned row and I was very satisfied with my seat selection. Sect 3 Row V, Seat 113 puts you Center stage ! I advise only purchasing Orchestra seats for the venue. This is a large venue with a small stage ! I don't advise purchasing Grand Tier or Balcony seats. It would be impossible to see anything sitting up that high if you do not have 20/20 vision. I made it a point to use the restroom upon arrival. The intermission is too short and there are way too many people and not enough space. During Act I there was a technical issue with the set design and they paused the show but failed to communicate why. The cast scurried quickly off the stage. I found this tacky and as a result many people left their seat assuming it was intermission. When they learned that it wasn't, they had to all rush back to their seats creating a disturbance. This also scared me because we did not know what to believe was occurring. An emergency of some sort. Someone should have made an announcement! I WISH I WERE HOME The Wiz is my favorite movie and I have enjoyed other live performances of it. This one was not a favorite for me. The choreography and vocal talent was enjoyed, however I didn't enjoy the digital set, or this rendition in terms of the writing and stage play. The audience became overly rowdy with the comedy parts of the script and it was redundant and annoying after a while. TEENIE TEENIE TEENIE !!!!! DPAC appears to pack the chairs in the theater but the stage is not within view for every seat because it's too tiny. I prefer the Martin Marietta Center in Raleigh over DPAC. It just isn't worth the commute downtown Durham and the fight or high price for parking. read more

DPAC - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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DPAC is such a wonderful venue. Every time I visit, the experience is top notch: from Broadway shows to concerts, the performances are always incredible. The space itself is beautiful, the acoustics are excellent, and the staff is welcoming and organized, which makes every event run smoothly. It is one of the best places in the Triangle to see live entertainment, and I could not recommend this venue more. read more

DPAC - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Came to see Six! Definitely one of the favorite shows I've seen. Everyone that works there is super friendly and helpful.. Well and has a good atmosphere. Has a snack bar only purchased candy. read more

What a great venue! We sat in the first row of the second section and had plenty of leg room with a great view of the stage but honestly there really isn't bad seat in the house. The staff were friendly, the parking was easy and reasonably priced. Can't wait for the next show! read more

Dpac is going downhill with their production s and lack of adhering to long standing rules of respectful practices like allowing so many late comers in at so many times that the interruptions become unbearable to watch the production. That was Hell's Kitchen. Then we attended stereophonic which was such a bad production that we left during intermission. The description seemed like the story of fleet wood Mac but was a horrible rendition. I know that I will do my Homework better next time. I was offered free tickets to the naked magicians for my concerns. Really DPAC show some class. read more

My girlfriend & I decided to book last minute tickets to see the Lion King & it was one of the best experiences. While we were in Section 10, the view was still great! The DPAC did a great job managing the crowd flow & offering a free Photo Booth ! I'd recommend this facility any day for a fun date night! Food: I grabbed a water & housemade cookie! the cookie was gone before the show started but overall, beautiful experience in a well kept facility. read more

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My cousin took me to see MJ The Musical while in town for my birthday last year. The DPAC is a nice venue. We ended up staying at a nearby hotel to enjoy the surrounding area. The drinks they offered were tasty. Loved the Photo Booth for the show. Would definitely go to more shows when in town. Staff were friendly. read more

DPAC - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I saw my first show at DPAC with my friends and it was amazing! Our view was excellent even though we were on the side. We saw the & Juliet and it was just phenomenal. They had a merch table and concessions. I did not get anything, but they had a lot of different options. Hopefully I go to another show soon so I can try concessions next time. The staff was helpful and friendly as well. Can't wait to go back. read more

DPAC - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I have been to DPAC twice in one month, first to see a solo performing artist (Gregory Porter) and then to see a play (Hell's Kitchen). The view of the stage and the acoustics are phenomenal in this venue. I have even sat on the last row of the theater and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience because I could see and hear everything. What I love most are the discounted community tickets, which help to provide access for 'all' Durham community members. If you're coming to DPAC, arrive early enough to park on the street (you will be glad you did). It makes entering and exiting so much easier. And the staff - volunteers and employees are exceptional (always gracious). read more

I finally had the pleasure of visiting the Durham performing arts center and I was absolutely delighted. The environment was very welcoming and spacious. There were many vendors with many different options for snacks and drinks. The bathroom situation was wonderful. During the time between opening act and the main act, they had a line set up with workers directing women into the bathroom, so that there was never any time the bathrooms weren't full, which was absolutely amazing. I loved the seats in the performance hall. It was very roomy and very comfortable. The sound was amazing. The lighting was amazing. Everything was absolutely wonderful. read more

DPAC - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We saw the outsiders last night. The show was great the venue is always good. The service was awesome! We didn't get any food this trip!!

I love the diversity of talent we get at DPAC! I came with my adult children to several Broadway shows over the past year, but tonight we enjoyed NC's own Fortune Feimster! The staff has relaxed the weapons check and streamlined entry hugely in the last few times I've been here. I was worried I'd have to take my pocket knife back to the car, or check my keys, but I walked right through all the detectors and we trudged up to the third floor. Even at that height, the sound and sight lines are great. Ushers did a great job of seating latecomers during the warmup act, and the main show went off without a hitch. If you live in Durham, check to see if you can get community pricing for any shows you might consider. We went to Chicago and Les Mis for $15 a seat, and the seats weren't too bad. Much cheaper than if we'd have paid full price for the same seats! read more

DPAC - Chicago! Not too shabby for Durham Resident seating. - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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We are spoiled here in Durham having such a truly incredible play house right in our backyard. My recent trip to DPAC was to see a production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which was maybe the best play i've seen since 'Lion King' in terms of stage direction and design. We were gifted some amazing seats, a parking pass and access to the presidents club. This is of course not the way most people can experience DPAC, but if you can I'd highly recommend the parking pass and president's club to go for the full complimentary experience. The building remains beautifully designed with a unique layout that is yes, next to the city jail ( a result of poor long term city planning). DPAC always has a busy performance schedule with programing for everyone. Its also located near lots of places for drinks and food before or after the showing and lots of parking options as well. If you love the theater this is a perfect venue. read more

Best night out and performances are just like being on Broadway. Treat yourself to a night out with the theater or a performance!

Made our way out here for the Kevin James Comedy Tour. I had never been in this part of Durham, it is very inviting with a cool vibe. The DPAC is located next to the minor league baseball team......which I now want to make it out to a game.....restaurants all around and lots of parking decks. The center itself is really nice, clean and easy to access. Their security was a breeze and they along with the door greeters were super friendly and welcoming. Everyone was helpful and we quickly found our seats. They have some snacks for sale along with soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. We just got a soda and water because we had gotten dinner outside prior to the show. The venue is warm with lots of cozy seating. The sound and lighting were great. Once the show was over we were able to walk out pretty quickly. The venue itself is a five star. My only complaint is in the parking garage, even though they are conveniently located near the venue, they only had one elevator and lots of people waiting. The good thing is that even though it looked like a jam packed nightmare , we actually got out pretty quickly. Parking attendants have it set up perfectly and you are on the road home within minutes. Overall a great experience and definitely will try to get to more shows here! read more

Definitely add parking to your ticket to make your experience more enjoyable. The parking attendants were friendly and helpful. We got there a little early and didn't have to wait outside terribly too long. They have quick bits of food and good selection of drinks (alcohol and non-alcohol). The bathrooms were clean and the attendants helped move things along. There is nothing worse than waiting for a stall in the women's bathrooms. The seating was very comfortable and there is a cup holder in front for your drinks. The sound system and acoustics were pretty good. I saw the group Bush and their lighting was pretty good. There is a lower section and two balconies. I love the fact that even if you sat in the back row, you can see the stage pretty well. Overall the facility is clean, security is on point and the staff were very efficient. Can't wait to go to another show. read more

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We got seats for the Hip Hop Nutcracker for our anniversary. One of the great things about DPAC is that you can find free and pay parking all over in walking distance. We found free street parking. We arrived 30min before the show began and the staff was professional in security as well as ticket checking. There was staff outside the building as well as inside welcoming us to DPAC and helping you find your seats. Extremely professional as well as pleasantly helpful. The staff was also helpful as well as very nice with those physically disabled needing assistance. The DJ played sounds from the 70s through the 90s leading up to the event as well as during intermission. Kurtis Blow MCed the event as encouraged audience involvement in singing songs for the 1st 30min. Then the show began and it was amazing. We plan to see it next year if it comes back to DPAC or to Raleigh. We have seen numerous plays and this is in our Top 3. We encourage people of all backgrounds, colors, races that grew up in the 70s through 90s to see this play. It was a mixed group and everyone had a great time. read more

DPAC - Hip Hop Nutcracker - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The Durham Performing Arts Center is a good venue for concerts, shows and musicals. They offer a good variety of performances. There are a number of parking garages nearby. Some of the seats do have an obstructed view which is surprising for a newer venue. They also need more restrooms as there are not enough for the Grand Tier as the balcony section uses these restrooms as well. I've enjoyed the backstage tours I've taken here. read more

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Absolutely a fantastic experience. The security/staff were all on point as well.. I actually enjoyed myself a lot tonight, if I were to critique anything, and I mean I'm having to pull strings, but the fact is they had such limited items for food related concession. I couldn't help but be disappointed. I mean, the options were basically hummus and a pretzel, they didn't even have cheese. They just had a pretzel and if you wanted salt or unsalted, you could get it with Mustard at best (I feel like there's a reason for that limited selection-but I am not aware of what that would be) they have a fine beer selection and I think they even have liquor. So I would say bring some more in way of snacks. It's not like we can bring snacks in. All that said, aside from the traffic jam leaving which is obviously the normal thing when you're leaving a concert, I mean, there's really no issues. I would say be patient because I've been sitting in the garage for like 30 minutes waiting for traffic to move but once moving is good. But the access to the artist is incredible, I saw Travis Tritt tonight and the show is incredible, the sand was incredible, I got to see the band as they were leaving through the side stage door, it was really really cool and overall a wonderful experience. To the staff, I have to say great job with security and being helpful. That, but not least the facilities were all clean, both the overall environment and the bathrooms. read more

Nice theater. The staff is very friendly. We enjoyed the Back To The Future Musical. The performance was fun!

The process to get in the door for the Wanda Sykes show was horrible. This is terribly organized and no one knows what they're doing. While I understand that comedians require phones to be in pouches this facility has no idea how to efficiently orchestrate such a huge project. It's 30 mins past the start time of this show and there are hundreds of us wrapped around the building waiting on a dang pouch. This is insanity read more

We had a fabulous experience! From the parking garage to the theater doors! Friendly and helpful staff. Clean! Very efficient process! ... putting south Louisiana venues to shame read more

This is a beautiful theatre, with excellent sightlines throughout and good sound. It is home to all kinds of performances from concerts by famous artists to plays, including Broadway favourites like Chicago and Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Wicked, Six! The Musical and many more. DPAC is located in the heart of the city at the head of the wonderful and historic American Tobacco District, it is served by two parking decks, with red-coated volunteer guides stationed all along the way, so you won't get lost or fall victim to crime. It is also surrounded by several dining establishments for a pre-show meal, including NanaSteak right outside the front door, plus it has snack bars and lobby cocktail bars. One major design gripe--for a $50 million dollar facility, they failed to provide rest room facilities for the upper balcony, which is where you will be unless you have been a subscriber for years, so you are forced to descend to mezzanine level and wait in a ridiculously long line (it is terrible for women) for one inadequately sized room and pray you can get in and out before intermission ends. The elevator lines are also long. This is owned by the city; it is operated by the Nederlander Organization, the second-largest owner of Broadway theatres in the USA. I call it the jewel in Durham's crown. We bought tickets to see Chicago. It was Olivia Holt's 2nd performance as Roxy and WOW! She was awesome! My fiancé and I are very familiar with Chicago the musical, we know musicals are open to interpretation of directors, and this show did not disappoint! The cast was amazing. They had great chemistry, Billy Flynn (Erich Bergen), Velma, Amos, and Fred were so so good. We loved the simplicity of the set with the interactive orchestra (bravo to the conductor!). There are not many costume changes, which did not bother us like other reviewers as we love seeing different takes on this long-running musical. It was fresh, modern, fun, sassy, and entertaining. The cast was spot on, never out of breath, amazing vocals (Mama (Charity Angel Dawson) and Velma (Kimberly Marble), on the vocals ... WoW! A MUST SEE!! read more

DPAC - Moulin Rouge! The Musical! - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This is a great venue. Almost all the seats are good. Parking is convenient and ingress and egress are easy. read more

DPAC - The stage before the show. - Performing Arts Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I attended a performance of the touring Broadway musical "Shucked" while on vacation in Durham and had a wonderful time! The staff at DPAC are top notch. From security to concessions to seating they are extremely well organized, friendly, and efficient. read more

I love the shows that DPAC puts on but the seats are super tiny and uncomfortable. I'm not a tall person around 5'10" but I have long legs and they hit the seat in front of me. The seats sit low to the ground so my legs also have an upward angle that's very uncomfortable and there's not much padding--I will probably bring a pad to the next show and this should help with some of my issues. I'm also broad at my shoulders. Last show I went to, Hadestown, there was a rather large person next to me who basically spilled over into my seat across the arm rests. With the low angle of the floor (ground level) I couldn't see over the person in front of me, so I had to sit to the left but lean my head to the right in order to see--it made it very uncomfortable. The seats just need to be a bit wider and further apart. If you're a smaller person and super skinny with shorter legs you will be fine, but bigger people should know how tight it can be. If anyone needs to enter or exit the entire row has to stand up. People on the ends move out because the space is so tight....expect to be touched by those passing. Cup holders are down low and attached to the seat in front of you, they are impossible to see in the dark. They do have metal detectors and gun sniffing dogs at the doors and check bags. So don't accidentally forget about your pocket knife or if you're a CCW person leave it at home or in the car. There is also no official coat check but customer service may hold your jacket for you. It's a bit of an issue in the winter time if you have a big coat as there's no where to put it with the small seats, I ended up sitting on mine. Seating generally starts about 30 minutes before the show but you can enter the building about an hour before the show. They have a $5 unlimited coffee bar you can buy a cup for. They typically service wine and some overpriced drinks, pretzels and some other snacks. There aren't enough bathrooms so during intermission there is a huge line especially for the ladies room, ushers will hold signs indicating where the line starts. Plenty of parking in their lot and additional parking can be a short walk away. I recommend eating at Viceroy's and parking in their lot then walking down to the show. Many times this parking lot will be free on the weekends. read more