Music Hall at Fair Park — Attraction in Dallas

UPDATE Jun 2024: Still a one star review. Its still standing after opening almost 100 yrs ago. Major problems with facility. The audio system sucks. We went to see another musical so a lot of singing which is so loud it damages my ears. So I put in ear plugs and then can't hear the dialog. This show was when outside temp was almost 100 deg and inside was an icebox ( before refrigerators). You need to wear warm clothes or bring a blanket. The incline from entrance down to stage is very steep so that wheelchairs needs to go in reverse and back in so not to lose control of chair. That incline will cause very real problems if there is an emergency evacuation. People will trip and fall trying to exit they way they entered. Note the exit doors on sides and go for them if needed. There was an improvement to get through security after ticket scan. Different equipment is being used and they aren't search handbags which cuts down the delay getting in theatre. And also for the ladies there is no potty parity in women's restroom. Be prepared for long lines. UPDATE Nov 2022: Dallas needs to due the right thing with Prop A passed in Nov 2022 and put the bond money to complete make over or build a new Music Hall. While the Broadway shows performed there are really great the facility sucks. Bathrooms are inadequate for audience during intermission. For a Nov 2022 performance several stalls in men's room were screened off for use by women. Seating is too close between rows. The two worst features are the terrible audio system; very hard to hear actors when speaking and too loud when singing. From a safety standpoint rapid exit in case of emergency is doubtful. The main aisle has a very steep grade for a theatre so in a panic people will stumble/fall causing or death if you try to leave same way you enter theatre. Safety tip: note other exits not just one you came into theatre as better option. Also give yourself sufficient time to be screened before entering theatre like at the airport, see photos. No licensed concealed firearms allowed. But its worse as audience shows up just before start creating a crowd getting through screening. Women need clear handbags/purse of limited size. JAN 2022: A theatre built in 1925 just isn't up to what 21st century audiences want in a facility. Bad sight lines to stage, poor sound from actors, no potty parity for women's restroom during intermission, seats are too close front to back. The show was great just the building needs to be replaced. I posted photos of their gun restrictions and screening for audience members...

I have seen two plays here, Dear Evan Hanson and Book of Mormon. Both shows I splurged extra for some decent seats, was at about 9 rows back. My big complaint, the sound is flat out terrible for both shows. I’ve read a few other people post they had a hard time understanding as well, which is an understatement. The sound was so muffled, no fidelity, extremely quiet, and made for a terrible experience two times. Both shows have a lot of fast dialogue, and it was virtually impossible for my adult kids, who I splurged on, to understand everything going on. I thought maybe it was just me, but at intermission my kids also said the same thing, that they are enjoying the show but they asked questions about what was going on as they could not understand majority of the dialogue also.

I complained to the venue the first time I had this issue after Dear Evan Hansen. They apologized and said they would make adjustments… which may haven great for the next nights performances. I decided to try one more time and went to Book of Mormon, and the sound was even worse. It was so soft, I almost asked the lady behind me to stop breathing because every time she took a breath while talking was going on, I literally could hear nothing.

Unless I learn there have been improvements with their audio, I am not going to spend money for a Broadway show again.

On a side note, I found a round trip flight to NYC for about $100 each, bought some pretty good show seats, flew in, saw the show, stayed one night in the city having a nice lunch, dinner and breakfast the next morning, and came home the next day. Since good seats for shows in NYC seem to be quite a bit less expensive than here in Dallas (especially if you use TKTS), I did not spend much more, and had a great date night in the city.

I gave it a 2 star because the seats were...

I went to see Les Miserables on 12/22/23 for the matinee performance. We arrived 2 hours before the show so we could dine at the Crystal Terrace. Using the mobile tickets in the app was easy. They use a wand so they do not have to touch your phone. Angela was our server at the Crystal Terrace, and she did a fantastic job! She was attentive while helping an entire section of patrons. Brava, Angela! The buffet was delicious! Definitely, a higher caliber buffet hence the price. We had hummus, brie, grilled vegetables, rockfish, and almost everything was prepared to perfection, except the fingerling potatoes were a little too hard. I was amazed that the fruit platter was so sweet. I had cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, pineapple, and boysenberries. Our seats were in the balcony, and we took the elevator up to the 3rd floor. The attendant/usher was extremely helpful when we went up around 1pm. She even walked us to the elevator. Once we got off the elevator I had no idea where to go. I asked another attendant/usher where our seats were located. He politely and correctly directed us to the appropriate door. I grabbed a playbill from an attendant/usher. I could see the stage clearly and the sound was great. I did sit behind a tall family which led to me shifting back and forth to look at the stage. I was still full from the buffet so we did not get any snacks during intermission. My only suggestion is add more directional signs in the parking lot and theatre. Luckily, the staff is patient and kind so I was able to get assistance the five and half hours I was there for brunch...