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
