Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Attraction in Cape Coral

My mother in law is almost 90 years old and in a wheelchair. She doesn’t choose to do much because it can be so complicated and stressful for her to manage because of her limitations. So she spends her days in a routine of TV and meals and reading. Every weekday, her day includes watching “The Price Is Right.” She never misses it. She loves the show. So we bought her tickets for The Price is Right Live show at the Barbara Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Meyers this past winter and made sure we would make it as easy as possible with the purchase of a handicap seat and companion seats. She looked forward to this event for months. She worried about things, (little things to us…big things to her), like would we be seated right next to her, how far from the entrance would we have to park, what she should wear, etc. etc. etc.

Today was the big day of the show! She literally stopped drinking water at 11 am, because that is what handicapped people do so they don’t have to worry about using public bathrooms. She chose the right outfit and shoes to feel pretty, but comfortable and safe…it took her an hour to choose. She was ready an hour in advance because she was so nervous and excited. She went through all the difficulty of getting in our vehicle…which is no small task for her and generally makes her very nervous. We left the house a little after 1 pm to make the 45 minute drive, so we could park in handicapped parking and be at the handicapped entrance by 2 pm when it opened. She was so thrilled as we waited and saw all the people with name tags and special t-shirts. Shortly after 2 pm an usher indicated that there was a problem with our seats; there was equipment in the way, but they were working on it. Fifteen minutes later we were told by the usher to go to the Box Office to talk with her supervisor about the problem with the seats. Ten minutes later, a woman finally spoke with us and told us that the equipment could not be moved. She gave us two alternatives…regular seats in the middle of a section, (which clearly was not an option with my mother in law in a wheelchair,) or a refund. I told her neither was acceptable and asked to speak with a manager. We waited another 20 minutes until we spoke with the General Manager. All the while, my mother in law watched while everyone else... some with wheelchairs, some with walkers, and some regular patrons all move past her and into the theatre’s seating area. The GM indicated that there were no other seats and no other alternative other than a refund. At 3 pm as the last patrons entered we wheeled my mother in law out of the building and back to our vehicle. She once again had to go through the difficult task of getting into our vehicle to go home. She was devastated.

I have no idea how a situation occurs where a show is allowed to put equipment in that space. It literally is a violation of the federal law that requires handicapped access. Our seats were bought months ago, so it wasn’t a situation where the need for that space for handicapped seating wasn’t known. But even if that wasn’t the case, that handicapped seating space must be kept available for someone who may walk up and buy the wheelchair accessible seats on the day of the show. That’s the law. I heard the explanation that no one knew the equipment was being set up there by The Price is Right staff. I understand the infinite logistics of any show. However, I know that is someone’s job…A stage manager or house manager or general manager…whoever is the liaison to the traveling show’s producer or staff. Someone did not do their job and as a result, a ninety year old woman in a wheelchair who spent months looking forward to seeing The Price is Right and hours getting ready and going through so much trouble in order to be there, sat and watched every other patron go by her to their seat, while her seat was not available…could not be made available…could not be replaced, Honestly, that is...

BUYER BEWARE....

We learned rush tickets can be purchased for shows. We recently picked up rush tickets for Funny Girl. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY on any show here!!! Here is why...and I hope someone from the theater sees this and fixes the issue.

Rush tickets are only in the balcony. As we sat for the show, and the overture started, the sound kind of muffled. As the performers came onto stage and started singing, we could not understand words. Everything sounded muffled and SO HARD TO HEAR. So frustrating. At intermission we asked for help, and thought maybe something was wrong with the sound. We were told, "Thanks for the feedback, we will look into it". Well, after intermission, many people in our area of the theater left. Almost all others were having the exact same experience. Most people gave up and played games on their phones.

I then went back and read other reviews...please SEE HOW MANY people have reported this and the theater has done nothing. SO SAD, and what an easy fix. You have a sound/acoustic issue and you are a professional theater. I have heard better sound at middle school/community performances.

Please reply and let me know if when this issue is fixed. When it is, we would love to visit again. The performers seemed great. Just wish I could hear and understand them. Oh and yes I hear just fine, I am 45 years...

Went to see "To Kill A Mockingbird" today with my wife. We have been going to events at BM for 35 years and this may be our last. The main floor lady's restroom is under construction (was told by others that it has been for over a year) and you have to either walk upstairs or take an elevator upstairs or go outside to portable toilets. My wife can't climb many stairs so we went to the door to the temporary ouside woman's toilets. We were told that she could go (with a hand stamp to get back in but NO MEN ALLOWED). The guard said we had to use the elevator or use the stairs to the ladies bathroom on the 2nd floor if I needed to assist her walking. Why in the world can't a husband escort his spouse to the outside facilities door or steps. The process of going upstair on the slowest evevator in Fort Myers and then standing in a crazy long line is beyond accepitable for someone with balance issues using a cane. None of these issues were disclosed at the time of ticket purchase, only with the reminder was emailed 2 days before the show. Then at intermission my wife needed to take some medication so I purchased a bottle of water and tipped 18%....the cost was $6.29....now that is extreme price gouging.

BTW....the show was outstanding but we will no longer go...