Strand Theater — Attraction in Lakewood Township

I really wasn’t sure where to post this to give it the greatest exposure, but I thought I add my review here, in addition to the theater's FB page and yelp, to let everyone know of the unique and amazing experience we had.

Not just at the 60s concert Oct. 1 -- which was, in a word, phenomenal -- this experience had to do with the theatre itself, and the kindness shown by a total stranger who made our time at the show so much better than it would have been.

I missed out getting early tickets and was stuck with nearly middle-of-the-row tickets -- in our world, a fate worse than death. I NEVER buy tickets that are not on an aisle for many reasons; first and foremost, severe claustrophobia. But the tickets I bought for this show were center stage, a couple rows back - certainly, great seats, but smack dab in the middle of the row.

No problem, I thought; it will be fine.

We got to the theater 20 minutes before curtain, got our seats, and we were the only ones in the row. Great! Quickly, the row began to fill. A couple on our left, a single man on our right. The seats are, unfortunately, uncomfortably close together. Think airline seats. Both strangers on each side, in addition to being uncomfortably close (we felt truly jammed in), they both struck up conversations with us.

We have been so careful during COVID that this all was just too much. No masks, strangers practically sitting on our laps.... just way too much. We made some feeble excuse, got up, and went out to the back of the theatre. What to do? We considered leaving and just eating the $200 tickets.

We must have looked distressed because a woman came over to us and asked if she could be of help. She was carrying a very expensive camera, so we assumed she was theatre staff. We gave her the short version of the problem, and she immediately said, “Let me see if I can help.” She took me by the arm and ushered me through the crowd to the lobby and first talked with one man; he directed her to the box office. I followed. She entered, I waited outside.

Long story short: She was able to go through ticketing and got us replacement tickets that were just SLIGHTLY off center, and by happenstance no one was sitting around us -- not behind, not to the side. How she did that, we’ll never know.

THEN I find out she was not staff at all, but a professional photographer who volunteers her time to such events. In short, SHE DIDN’T EVEN WORK THERE, yet came forward to assist a couple in distress. I will never, ever forget that kindness. She saved the evening for us. Her name is Mona Bagatelle Shenker. Her photos are all over Facebook, as she photographs many, many Jersey events. She is an amazing photographer, and a truly amazing person.

We thank you, Mona, for coming to our aid. You saved the day.

And the Strand itself -- just a beautiful, old theater. Great, great show, nice selection of snacks/drinks. We found the seats a little cramped for our taste, but not the worst we've encountered. Get...

A really nice old-fashioned theater with a very good lineup of shows, and helpful staff, and a nice lobby where merchandise is sold, and people buy drinks and merchandise. The main negatives are that the seats are small and packed together, the theater doesn't have its own parking lot, and they mainly only sell snacks and drinks. Nothing you can really have as a meal. No burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, or anything like that. Also, the surrounding area isn't very nice anymore. Half the businesses in the immediate area are out of business and have been for a while, and the park nearby always has homeless people standing around. I wouldn't be too concerned about safety though because the police patrol quite regularly around the area and a couple of patrol cars are typically stationed outside or near the theater when people are leaving a show in the evening. But it's not a real high class looking area anymore, and there's nowhere to even get a sandwich, or a slice or pizza, or some Chinese food or anything. So you really need to eat at home or somewhere along the way. And come at least one hour early in order to get parking on the street. But I do go several times per year to see shows there. They just had a big oldies show last month which was really excellent! And I believe it...

A old cool smaller sized theater to see a show we had great seats and enjoyed the band it was the first time attending the venue the baroque aesthetic was beautiful and the Muppets in the balcony was a cute touch. The snack bar during intermission was giving out free hot pretzels which was unexpected. The bar area was large and had banquet seating however it did have a musty smell in it, they also had 2 gentlemen there promoting their beer so they were offering samples. There was 3 stalls in the bathroom working so if course there was a line but it moved pretty quickly. The show did have an intermission and afterwards the band had a meet and greet which was pretty awesome. This was the first time we're here since and we'll be back hopefully not on another icy slushy night it was worth the traveling to get here. Check out their schedule and go out for the evening and enjoy some stellar entertainment it's good for...