River Center Theatre for Performing Arts — Attraction in Baton Rouge

I'll start out by saying that the facility itself is great. It's clean, state of the art, great amenities. But every time I go there there's always at least one staff member who is really rude. This most recent time we were there for a dance recital dress rehearsal and the center wasn't open to the public. I was coming in and they had locked the doors. My wife was waiting for me in the lobby when another person for the rehearsal walked up. She asked the employee standing up front if she could let him him in since she knew him. The employee said "Do you work here? You don't. I have to lock him in." My wife said okay, but please don't sit down because my husband is coming and you'll need to let him in, too." It was raining and she didn't want me to stand outside in the rain while the employee walked from her little booth to unlock the door. The employee yelled at her "I'LL UNLOCK IT WHEN HE GETS HERE" and then went back to her little booth. When I got there and she let me in, she said "I'll have to get you a bag for your umbrella," but my wife was standing right next to the rack for umbrella bags so she just grabbed me one. The lady said to me "I guess she want to work here." I told her "She's just helping out." There is always, ALWAYS, at least one employee there with an attitude...

So excited to finally see a performance at the River Center... yet, arrived 1 Hour early to ensure close parking and easy seating and even though tickets for 2 were well above 2 hundred dollars, EVERYONE (INCLUDING ALL DISABLED) were forced to wait outside in the cold night air until doors opened... THEN, when doors Finally Opened we were again forced to wait in the halls for an extended period until someone finally allowed the auditorium doors open! Once inside, I discovered that we all enjoyed a theatrical production sitting Snuggly inside a preposterously Tiny can of sardines. Aside from the major problems, everything else was wonderful! The audience was happy to finally witness the performance company and the workers did a great job controlling the hall & the people.

You guys get a 2 out of 5 because it's outright ridiculous to stuff people that pay an Extremely High Price to feel like a sardine just so you bring in more money!! The only perk was a $4.00 bottle of water which again is all about the money!! In such a small town, you should be able to draw people from much of the state if you Just make it welcoming for the 3 hours that YOUR GUESTS will...

On Wed, Feb 14, 2024, El Debarge was scheduled to perform at the Baton Rouge River Center Theater. I purchased a ticket for my sister in law, who adores the singer. She drove from the New Iberia area after working hours to attend the mid-week concert. It was scheduled to begin at 7:30pm. It began an hour late. There was an unrelated community award presented during the concert. And after 3 performers, a DJ, a comedian, and practically 3 hours of delay, it was announced El Debarge was not performing (in attendance). To add salt to the wound, I contacted the theater two days later to inquire about a refund. I was directed to Ticketmaster where I purchased my ticket. Unfortunately, the information provided to secure the refund was incorrect (does not align with TM policy). Furthermore, it causes me to conclude this as intentional avoidance, lack of accountability, and just poor management. Not only has my sister in law missed the one artist she loves but I am...