Byham Theater — Attraction in Pittsburgh

Warning not CCW or LEO ODC friendly. Let me say that I am a life long Pittsburgher with some exceptions (Military, College, Work) I have lived my entire life in Pittsburgh. One of the things that keeps our family here is the Cultural District. While we don't get out often, we cherish the moments that we do and we nearly always use the "T" LRV. With all of that said, I believe that I have a duty, right and obligation to protect myself and my family and I use the modern tools of our time. So I was concerned when I saw Metal Detectors in the Byham with no real advanced notice on the day of the show. I posted copies of what I received as notification. No where are legally carried self defense tools mentioned. If you don't want me carrying my gun then tell me and I will choose other options for our entertainment. Luckily, I had a little help from an old friend and we were able to make it through but I will, more than likely, not be coming back. The person who helped me also told me that Heinz Hall and the Benedum are following suit. I am also told that it is the policy to have no exceptions, like Heinz Field and PNC Park which are areas that I do not go because of that, no matter if you are an off duty LEO or a Licensed Master Instructor. Or even a CCW citizen. About the show: The Korean Version of TAKO drumming was fun and had great audience involvement, the show was short but I am glad I got a chance to see TACO. About the Venue: with the exceptions of previously mentioned policy changes, the Byham is a nice old fashioned theater with lots of nostalgia. The seats are small so if you are going try to get an aisle seat if you are a larger person. The staff was helpful and of good humor. The City is as beautiful as ever if you stay on the main streets and the moments before show time are reminiscent of the time I lived in Manhattan during my Military Service. So, I will have to find another venue for our entertainment that is more aligned with my personal points of view. I will only simply mention that had I know that I would not be allowed in the venue with my personal weapon, I would have never bought the tickets and never chosen the show as our night out. So forewarned is forearmed..... or disarmed. Just my point of view, take it for what...

Entrance to the Byham Theatre is near the corner of 6th St. and Fort Duquesne Blvd, next to the Renaissance hotel. There's also a box office next door to pick-up your Will Call tickets, and it opens two hours before the show. The theater itself opens one-hour before the show, and seating usually opens 30 minutes prior to opening curtain. There are several obstructed seats, including in the box-seats, so pay very careful attention to where the columns are on the website's seating chart. Restrooms are in the basement, and not nearly large enough to handle the audience during intermission. Lots of people coming back after the second-half of "A Musical Christmas Carol" had already started. There's also a coat check in the basement.

The theater itself is much smaller than Heinz Hall, has wood-slat floors, and is quite ornate in an old-world European sort of way. Reminded me of a small theater that I ran across in Austria once. There is also a special needs office at the top of the entrance ramp on the right, with Braille, closed-caption, and large-print programs for those that need them.

They sell candy and treats in the main lobby, so expect lots of wrapper crinkling during the performance, which was near rampant during this show. There's also a small bar for alcohol and mixed drinks.

Expect to have your ticket checked numerous times by numerous staff; from the entrance door where they scan your ticket, to the entrance to the main hall, and then again at the entrance to the theater seating area. It was tedious. And if it's a "family oriented" show, expect to have kids talking during the entire performance, their little voices carrying across great distances in this small venue.

Sound quality in the upper tier is not great, especially if there is dialogue and singing at the same time: they compete for your attention despite the low key in which the singers are trying to sing, it nearly drowns out the actual spoken dialogue.

I've been to both the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts and Heinz Hall, and this theatre is a small gem in the Cultural District.

Parking is readily available in a 5-deck parking garage directly across the street from the Byham, or a block away across from Heinz Hall...

Just saw The Wiggles at Byham this evening. The parking garage across the street was wonderful, The attendants were very helpful and made us country bumpkins at ease in the big city. The ushers at Byham were great to us and very friendly and helpful. The big glitch was The Wiggles encourage fans to make and take signs. They collect the signs and read them on stage. The children love this audience participation part of the show. Anyhow: Security would not permit me to take my signs inside. Even after I explained why I had the signs, they got the manager and the answer was still remove them. I asked if I could check them in the area where others were checking their strollers to pick up later or a coat check area, The security person said no if you do we will rip them up and throw them in the trash!. I took them next door to the hotel and they graciously held them for me until after the show. Fast forward to the part where the Wiggles collected the signs and read them on stage. Now how do you think my child felt when her sign was not among those. We drove three hours to see The Wiggles and made an effort to take things to enhance our child's enjoyment only to be disappointed that our sign was rejected but others were permitted in. An apology from the Byham...