Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center — Attraction in Old Saybrook

I wish there was a theater like "The Kate" in every town we visit, let alone everywhere we've lived. What a marvelous place! The building is gorgeous - I have no idea when it was built, but apparently it was previously an old vaudeville theater, then Town Hall, then left for many years until someone got the brilliant idea of restoring it. And restore it they did. We saw three shows here - after the first, we just had to come back. The lighting and sound were superb; I could hear every note and make out every word. Lights were never over-powering, sometimes funny, always tasteful. Seats were average, though an usher told us they're about to upgrade the front, move-able chairs to better quality. (Still, we sat in them for one show and weren't bothered!) Downstairs (yes, there is elevator access folks!) there's a sweet little "museum" dedicated to Ms. Katherine Hepburn, whose family home, "Fenwick", is nearby. Informative even for non-fans - what a breadth of a career the woman had! It was fun to see that one of the rooms was donated by her niece, Katherine Houghton I believe. Brownies were served on one of the days. On another, they were just setting up tents for their annual gala event - gorgeous white tents with pennants flying over them. Unfortunately, we had to leave the morning of the event (which I think was sold out anyway), but we gazed longingly at the tents and thought "If we're ever back here again, we'll book our trip around the Gala.") We could not have been happier with this theater. Oh - the inside is just beautiful, too. Light blue, high ceilings, very period and welcoming. Thank you to the staff for their exemplary...

Such a beautiful place. I absolutely adored the outdoor landscape and the beauty of this building. I did find it odd there were so many staff but we were not directed or addressed. We had to fen for ourselves as far as where things were like the bathroom. I don't know why they don't have someone greeting you and letting you know you're way around. Even when we were walking aimlessly and doe-eyed noone asked if we needed help. Most importantly before the show we were not informed of any entrance restrictions. I left during show to use restroom a gentleman saw me leave and another woman was staring at a poster. When I returned I was immediately barked at "you can't go in there" I confused said "I paid I was in there already" she said "noone told you you have to use a different entrance" the gentleman behind her said he saw me walk out. She must have realized it was she that should have informed me rather than get excited over me walking in the main door as it "lights up the whole room"? So when we were leaving it was funny they had all these doors with people and no one said we could exit at any, but you could. The bar was good, the drinks were priced good as they were very strong. 25$ There's a little museum and lots of merchandise there it would greatly benefit to have some staff that would provide information. I mean...

If you have hearing loss my advice would be be to be prepared to leave. The headset provided works great when it's working. I have had to return to the box office more than once to get a replacement. Also, as I discovered last night, the sound set-up of certain performances does not co-ordinate with the headphones.

I went to the Kate last night to see "The Matchmaker" . The pre-show music came through fine on my headset. Once the show started, however, I heard next to nothing. When I returned to the box office I was told "Oh, the company is using a single central microphone so the headphones won't pick that up" I was offered a refund (which I took).

I have enjoyed many shows at The Kate. I really LIKE the Kate BUT if the assistive device they are giving me is only going to work for me "sometimes" they are NOT IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM BEING INCLUSIVE.

At this point I'm not sure I will ever...