Richard Rodgers Theatre — Attraction in New York

This place is gorgeous! The architecture is incredible, the set is utterly magical in transporting you from one place to another in time and space within seconds, and of course the acoustics are legendary! The stairs are a lot if you're in the mezzanine section, which was fine for us, because we are young and fully able-bodied, but because it's an older building, I'm curious how accessible it is if that's not true of you. Hopefully they have options for those with mobility issues, but I admittedly didn't see any myself.

The only bathrooms are well-attended, so you won't run out of tissue paper or paper towels for your hands, and it will be clean thanks to the sweet bathroom attendant. But the bathrooms are a bit cramped, and are down a set of stairs into the basement level of the byilding. Also, the bathroom line for the women's restroom at intermission stretched up those stairs, doubled over itself in a long hallway, and down into the theatre almost all the way to the stage. My advice? Don't drink anything at dinner or during the show, and just bring some peppermint or gum (which you will of course unwrap strategically BEFORE the show starts, thank you - because that crinkle is infuriating) to pop into your mouth to stifle any dehydrated coughing.

The guy running the bar at the mezzanine level is SO sweet, so definitely don't neglect to go up there and order your drink if you decide to brave it with the bathroom situation. Do realize, also, that a simple cocktail in the plastic collectible Hamilton cup will cost you about $40. Another reason to skip the drinks, maybe?

Another note - I know you probably feel entirely capable of finding your seats by yourself, but when you pause or hesitate to decide where to walk next, you hold up every person behind you, and there are often a lot. There are literally lovely ushers in place every few dozen feet to help you find your seats and answer any questions you have, so please ask them instead of trying to tough it out on your own.

Oh, and the show? Oh my gosh, the show. What an experience! Any frustration with the bathroom situation is quickly overtaken by utter thrill at this incredible production! I'm not history buff, but seeing and adoring Hamilton doesn't require that you be aware of history in virtually any way. Unlike Wicked and most other musicals, this does not have lines that lead into musical numbers, then more lines after. The spoken-word/rap style of Lin-Manuel Miranda means that almost every single audible utterance in this entire production is part of a song. There is musical number after musical number, all beautifully written, blocked, lit, choreographed, sung, and accompanied by a killer orchestra. There is little wonder why this show is so popular. I imagine it will stay so for...

Went to a Sunday afternoon performance of Hamilton. The security check seemed really minimal at this theater in comparison to others I've been to. Staff was very efficient at getting people through the doors.

Box office staff was very kind and helpful. I had won the Hamilton lottery for this performance date, the person I received my tickets from was super quick but very friendly. On the same day of my winning, I had asked for accommodation via email for a disability and it was met without issue, which made everything way less nerve-wracking and much more comfortable. On the day of the performance I was absolutely thrilled to learn that our tickets were front row seats, and that was the cherry on top of everything. I was a bit worried I'd not be able to see as much but it was just fine.

Every staff member we had the pleasure of coming into contact with was absolutely wonderful, easy-going, and helpful. As usual, pics are allowed before and after- prohibited during. Pictures and videos are okay during intermission as well.

The seats themselves are pretty tight. I'm 5'9", pretty thick and they weren't uncomfortable at all, but I feel like if I were any taller or bigger I might have had some issues with the comfort level. I trust the staff would be extremely willing to give seat measurements or whatever you need if you were to call.

The theater wasn't as cold to me as some others have been, but that could be because we were so close and the stage lighting and such was making it a bit warmer- bring a sweater just in case. The under seat room is not overly generous, but a mid sized bag (I have a mini backpack, probably about 12in by 10in and it was fine, but much bigger than that I think I'd have had an issue.)

I can't comment on the restrooms, as we did not use them here. The theater itself is very well maintained and very clean, so I'm assuming that restrooms would be likely to follow suit.

This theater felt a bit smaller, and from what I could see there are only two doors- one on either side of the theater. It gets pretty crazy coming in and out because you're packed against other people- but it all moves quick and the theater doors to outside doors is a very short distance. I initially felt a bit claustrophobic because I could only perceive two exits, but that's not the fault of the theater of course.

Overall this experience was wonderful, and I wouldn't hesitate to...

I would give Hamilton 5/5 (amazing) and the theatre 3.5-4/5 relatively to other theatres (old, tight, small bathroom, did not use the bar).

About Hamilton. I think it has a bit too much of hiphop and rapping for my liking but it is funny (and hard to do), mind parents that there are quite some swearwords here and there too, but I cannot deny this musical is fast moving, full of actions, beautiful singing (too many incredible voices), the directing is very detailed, any second everyone is doing something on the stage, the ensemble’s moves are not only synced so well with music, but also are for moving the props in and out vs some supporting staff or hidden ropes/ magnets, the band is amazing.

For budget visitors, Hamilton and The Lion King are the two most sold out NYC Broadway musicals. Chances for discount tickets would be buying months in advance, try the lottery for $10 tickets, but I am not that lucky, there are no same day rush tickets for $30-35 like some other shows, but if you are a student or a backpacker, try the stand room option. Arrive 1 hour prior to the show and check with the box office, if the show is sold out at that point, the stand room ticket can be purchased for $40. That was the only option for me when I spontaneously took a bus to NYC for Broadway. And because I am an educator who is used to be standing on my feet (in heels) sometimes 6 hours per day, I would not mind it for Hamilton and I would not mind it for Lion King (but Lion King does not have stand room option I believe). Of course you get what you pay for, the view is a bit limited but I think the audio quality could be even better than top rows in the balcony.

I do have some confusion though. Each theatre has a stage door where the fans (and families and friends) would wait for the cast to come out. On one hand I feel it is a bad thing when the crowd starts cheering but quickly turn that off if the person walking out is not who they stand there for. On the other hand, if the size of this crowd defines how hot a show is, then Hamilton is no where near top 3 of the biggest crowds. But I guess for seasoned goers, it does not make sense to hang around 30 minutes if not more just to see someone coming out, or even worse, to get the announcement they already came out through a...