Ferguson Center for the Arts — Attraction in Newport News

At one point, I would have recommended everyone to go to the Ferguson Center, but from the last two experiences I had, I will be unable to do that. Before going on, I would like to say the plays I saw this year (Spamalot and The King and I) were beyond excellent and all other plays I have seen over the years. The actors were wonderful as were the stories themselves. This review is about the venue and the staff itself. Let’s start with the traffic that happened last night and caused a good portion of the audience to be late to the play (King and I). Now, my mother and I live about 25 minutes from the theater and left a little after six to get there in a timely manner. We hit the “traffic” around 6:42pm and did not get into the theater until after the play started. This should not had happened. The workers were VERY inexperience and while a line of cars were following traffic laws and saying in the RIGHT ONLY lane, the traffic workers took it upon themselves to allow those cutting the line in the ONE WAY straight only lane to pass into the parking garage. Because of this incident, I was stuck in the intersection praying that I would not die; I had no way to get out of the way for passing traffic until everyone else moved up. That was scary. This absolutely made no sense and was certainly a slap in the face to everyone who had to wait in that line. I have never ever had this much trouble getting into this theater. Don’t tell me it’s because the show was almost sold out either, I have been to concerts here with just as much people and never had this much trouble. After being navigated for at least 15 minutes, we found a parking space and proceeded in along with everyone else who was just as frustrated. My question, where were the cops? No one was there until well after 7:00pm. If there is a play and there is a big turnout, maybe the police escort should have been there a bit earlier. Not only was that bad, but because we were late due to the inexperienced traffic workers, we all had to miss 10 minutes as no one thought to hold the show. A good portion of the audience was in line anxiously awaiting to be let in all thinking the same thing: the show should have been on hold. Now, I’m not saying this for privilege, I am always on time for a play and I always plan accordingly but considering this mishap was not our fault, we got punished for it. The ushers were just as clueless. When asking for assistance to our seats, we were lead down nowhere where we were supposed to be, standing in front of people trying to watch the show only to be led back up to where we entered the theater. I already felt bad enough walking around with the play while people were watching as I too would have liked to sit down quickly and quietly to watch. With that being said, when I saw “Spamalot” last month, I did miss at least 25 minutes of the show because the ushers kept bringing people in well after the show started not because of traffic as in this instance. On top of all of last night, it was bad enough to miss the first ten minutes, but throughout the Second Act after intermission, an usher’s phone actually rung three times! AN USHER—not an audience member but an usher. Talk about inconsiderate. The people who drive those shuttles to and from the theater for those who need assistance to their vehicles really need to learn how to drive. I was almost hit twice by them. While walking out, a traffic guy decided to hold us off for walking across to the parking garage for one car to pass. ONE CAR. That car could have waited a couple minutes while a group of people crossed considering it was the first one out of there. I have been coming here for years, but until the staff gets their stuff straight, I think I’ll be passing this venue for a bit. This was beyond the worst experience I have ever had with no...

The venue was great but the parking was atrocious. Expect at least a half mile + walk in heels AROUND BACK of the parking garage. Arriving 30 minutes early does not guarantee a spot inside the parking garage, but even if it was, the parking garage is not attached to the facility so you should still expect a considerable walk from around behind the venue. The only other parking is far away on the opposite side of a large field. My recommendation, wear tennis shoes under your formal attire and don't forget an umbrella. Oh, and for the event I attended there was Valet parking, however, when I pulled up to take advantage of it, I was told it was by reservation only and all those spots were taken. Then I inquired how much the valet parking costs normally (in case I wanted to take advantage of it next time), and was informed it was $40. Forty. Not four. FORTY DOLLARS. The Broadway tickets I bought for the event were around $55 each. I wonder if the valet attendants perhaps studied at Julliard?? Because for $40 I would expect more than just excellent...

The Ferguson Center was very nice, and the staff were very friendly. The Cinderella Ballet performance was truly awesome.

We attended this performance because my daughter, who attends an Academy high school, was required to see a ballet performance and take notes for an essay. She was taking her notes carefully using her phone’s flashlight on her lap so she could see her notebook. Unfortunately, a woman sitting nearby told my daughter she was being rude and should not use her phone. I explained to this woman that my daughter was using it only to take notes for her school assignment.

To ease the situation, I switched seats with my daughter. However, when I turned around, I saw her crying. She was upset and no longer able to enjoy the performance, which was very difficult for me as a parent to see.

Later, I noticed the couple speaking with staff and being reseated in another row. It made me wonder—if I had asked to be moved, would my daughter have been given the...