Cleveland Public Auditorium — Attraction in Cleveland

Before my very first visit, because I was not familiar with this venue, I called and spoke to someone to inquire about the closest parking as well as the best entrance for wheelchairs, due to the fact that I would be attending with my special needs adult son, whom I would be responsible for pushing. I was told that the best parking was the Willard Parking garage across the street, and the best entrance was the front of the building (I also asked if they were positiveif this entrancewasbest, and was told yes). Upon arriving, the advice on parking was on point, but the front entrance was a large set of stairs that were not accessible at all. A stranger that was entering offered to assist me in lifting my son and the wheelchair up the flight of steps, and we managed to get into the building. Upon entrance, I found it difficult to recognize the employees from the spectators when trying to locate help in finding our seats in the ADA section of the auditorium due to it being a 90's theme game where everyone was wearing team jerseys. Our seats were actually wonderful. We could view the game without navigating through a large crowd or narrow seats. My first thought was how wonderful it was to have access to a refreshment stand in close vicinity to our seats.....until I tried to make a purchase, and was told that this stand was for visitors that had an all you can eat pass only. I was not aware that this option was available, nor did I know HOW to purchase it. I was told that the general concession stand was upstairs. I'm not sure if an elevator was available to that area, but had I not left my son with one of the other guests that attended with me, we never would have made it up there. We found a worker and were told to go to what amounted to a wide winding tunnel that went up 2 floors to the concession area. I understand that the venue has undergone several renovations to be transformed into a basketball arena, but I just feel like they dropped the ball when considering accommodations for ADA visitor's. The most annoying event of the night was finding out when leaving that there actually was a side entrance that was wheelchair accessible that leads right to the main sidewalk across from the parking garage where we parked. After asking more than once to verify with the person who answered my call, whether there was a specific accessible entrance, he NEVER mentioned that side...

We attended a performance of The Nutcracker today in the Music Hall. The ballet was beautiful; however, the management of the venue made us want to leave. From the moment we walked in the door it was a cluster, no organization, the employees (or volunteers) were shouting at each other and the patrons. We waited for our tickets to be scanned, which was also confusing even finding someone to do this, then asked which direction to go. Not one person there seemed to know the venue, everyone we talked to said they weren’t familiar. They all had printed maps and someone finally directed us to our seats. Our seats were in row D. For some reason the ushers kept confusing row C and D. We were up and down and asked to move then put back in our seats several times before the ballet even started. Then after it started the family to our left proceeded to leave and came back 7 times (not an exaggeration) during the first act. Why didn’t the ushers stop them from re-entry during the performance? Thats how it is at any other venue I’ve been to. They wait in the back until a break/intermission. We will not return to this venue. Sad, it is a beautiful hall; but the poor management is too stressful to waste the price...

I didn't go to the auditorium, I saw a ballet I'm the music hall. The auditorium was built in 1922 and the music which I was in was added in 1929. The music hall shows it's age in the lobby and reception areas. Lots of holes in walls, ceilings cracked, and appears in disrepair. However, the music hall is beautiful, the staff are helpful and nice, and the smaller capacity (2800 seats) was a lot less overwhelming for my children. The music hall is beautiful. You don't go there for the reception area and bathrooms, you go there for the hall and the experience, which...