Ikeda Theater — Attraction in Mesa

Exterior access and EXTERIOR COURT YARD:

Parking is a pain to get to.

Layout is wierd and tough to negotiate.

No public restrooms per-se. Lucky that a pottery class was working and we could convince someone to tell us where the IN ADEQUATE TOILETS were hidden and the PASS CODE.

Must be a tough area of Mesa to be so restricted, ie keep bums etc from using facilities.

INADEQUATE SEATING while waiting for ticketing to open the interior court yard and a chance to sit down and non restricted restrooms as per peeps at ticket booth no exterior restrooms..... thank God we asked the pottery class for the secret restroom and the double secret code number.

Btw, the peeps at the ticketing area would not let a man and his son use the interior court yard restrooms until ticket sales started. I showed them and gave them the double secret code so the little boys dad could clean the little guys pee from his pants.

.............. 0 STARS .......... SO FARs

INTERIOR COURT YARD: PRAISE FOR the NUMB NUTS ARCHITECT and city who designed this abhoration in a bad part of town RESTROOMS .... FINALLY.

Show was delayed an hour, not to worry old numb nuts didn't think this one through either......

NO PLACE TO SIT.

So walk around the interior courtyard and look at the 4 or 5 displays for an hour. That is if you don't mind getting out of line.

STILL .............. 0 STARS .......... SO FARs

BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR 3 STARS

Final notes: ADA is not adequate if this is acceptable. Handicapped people were miserable. City... I wouldn't have believed a planning department could do worse than our HOA BUT THE CITY PROVED ME WRONG ... MESA CITY PLANNING WINS! Our HOA at least allows and plans for seating. Staff, probably 98% volunteers were just following the orders of the 2% paid...

Building and area is really nice.

This view is from top balcony seating. On the ticket it said I "may have an obstructive view", I didn't experience that at all. My sister and I end up really liking the balcony area. Minimal people, and quick access to bathrooms, for during intermission, and most importantly, affordable. Note, my phone camera makes the stage look far away, it's not that bad, it's a good view point.

My sister and I are used to cold theaters, so, we bring back-up sweaters. This place stayed comfortably warm the entire time! That was a pleasant surprise.

Parking fills up fast. Buiding is right next to light rail for those who might want to Park and Ride there. Leaving after the show is really fast and easy compared to bigger theaters. It was nice not having to deal with heavy traffic when your ready to go.

This is where I removed 1 star. Wish they had more savory selection for food snack items, as is, was just (gourmet?) popcorn, cookies (which they ran out of) and candy to choose from. We tried finding a place to eat, that was close by, which, pro, few restaurants within walking distance, con, get there an hour before show starts and all those places are packed, with people waiting to be seated. Maybe get their 2 hours earlier would help, unfortuantly, for those who have to work late, and the soonest you can get there is an hour (or less) before the show starts, you'll want to make and pack, or pick something up, to eat on the way there. This is where it would be nice if their concessions offered a little more of a food selection.

If you enjoy spirits, there seem to be plenty of alcoholic options. Water comes in...

A beautiful theater that we're lucky to have nearby. I go here twice a year for Millennial Choir and Orchestra performances. My children are in the choir. If you ever get a chance to see them (Mid April and early December), DO IT! Amazing seeing over 1100 singers from age 4 to 70ish move on and off the stage. Their sound is incredible and the music arrangements out off this world! The theater seats thousands. We're usually in the balcony and pay close to $30 a ticket after extra fees. I assume the price varies with each show. The seats are comfortable and have enough leg space that usually I'm able to let someone pass without me having to stand up. The sound and view is reasonable wherever you sit. If there is a big column that would obstruct your view, the website warns you. Usually it's not a huge deal, but it does make a difference. What I dislike most is that their banister which runs across each row is almost at eye level for me. I'm 5"4*and feel like if I sit back in my seat it almost obstructs my view. Seats on the orchestra level don't have these rails... And maybe some of the Mezzanine. I don't like the front row. All I could see was the orchestra and not the risers behind them that...