The Classic Center — Attraction in Athens-Clarke County Unified Government

We travelled to Classic Theater from Atlanta last night to listen to an acoustic performance (Ray Lamontgne.) The parking attendants and front door staff were helpful and diligent. We were seated in 105 NN and were pleased with our seats. That was until the show began... the two people (man and women) seated directly behind us were very disruptive. In an almost silent room, they continued their drunken conversation that led to disrespectful comments about the artist. After the several attempted "shhh" from other neighboring fans didn't work - I turned around and informed them that: This was an acoustic performance and their talking was disturbing... and I asked them (very politely) to please be quiet. That was not well received and the women got VERY confrontational. My friend went to alert an Usher/Attendant . She found a gentleman (who's name we didn't catch) with a grey mustache. She informed him of what was happening and he escorted her back to our row and had her point them out. During this time, the disturbance stopped. The Attendant stood there for a few moments but as soon as he walked away they continued with a vengeance. This time kicking the back of my chair incessantly in addition to their banter and name calling. People around us got up and left. At that point we moved our seat over and the man kicked his feet up onto my now vacant chair- all the while continuing on with his tirad. The evening came to a closing with the women spilling her glass of wine down my back as she exited the row. As a wife and friend to many musicians and an advid concert attendee, this experience has disturbed me. Music has been known to bring people together, lift spirits and even heal the heart. These artists are on stage pouring their heart and soul into what they do. I would never complain about someone enjoying their self, singing and dancing along. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. These two individuals were mocking the singer/songwriters art and then turned their attention to harassing us. I would ask that the Attendants of the Classic Center Theater be more aware and assist in any future issues that arise. Without crowd control, things get...

This should be a listening room but..... more like a bad dive bar with nice seating. Let me explain. My wife and friend went to see Ray Lamontagne at $70 a ticket. We are avid concert goers and love an intimate environment where we can hear an artist. Apparently people did not come to hear the music but rather drink and be obnoxious. People could be heard all over the theatre cussing at each other and shouting. After several attempts and shhhhhs from the crowd my wife informed a man a woman sitting right behind her that she would like to enjoy the music (they were partying hard and being loud). The lady gets right in my wife's face and tells her "shut the f up, I bought my ticket just like you did". At this point the usher is informed and the usher never offered to move my wife or the disruptive party. Never even spoke with them. Here's how the rest of the evening went. The disruptive couple started a bullying tirade for the rest of the evening. Kicking the back of the chair, putting their feet up on the backs and even poured a glass of wine down my wife's back (the whole glass!!!!!). What happened to my wife is not fair. There are no people in charge at Classic Center to handle unruly guest. If a fight were to break out who knows... not worth the gamble to be unsafe in what is supposed to be a listening environment. The first clue of clientele was the many "Who Who's!!" being shouted all over the theatre during ballads by the opening...

This review is strictly for the theater. I have attended two shows here--one was the Nutcracker and one was a comedian--and both shows had issues. For the Nutcracker, the quality audio of the music--prerecorded--was awful. It felt as though the treble was turned waaay up, and it hurt my ears so much that for part of the performance, I feigned propping my head on my hand so I could plug one of my ears for comfort. For the comedian, it was the lighting. The lighting was simply bad: they just had lights overhead so that the light just poured on the performer's head. His face wasn't illuminated at all, which hurt his performance because you couldn't make out his facial expressions, even sitting as close to the stage as we were. I know the tickets are less expensive in Athens, but unfortunately the quality of the show is certainly less than comparable shows I've seen in Atlanta or other cities. So far, we're two for two, so I'm hopeful that the next show we attend will have no quality issues. Otherwise, though, the staff are all very friendly and helpful--I would give...