Paramount Theatre — Attraction in Seattle

It's controversial, but I don't love the Paramount Theatre.

I've now attended two performances here for Funny Girl and Wicked. I've sat in MF4 EE 1 and MEZ34 S 1. Despite the mezzanine overhang at row EE and being in the back of the theatre at mezzanine 34, the view was still great from my seat in both shows, but the mezzanine seat was better because of the walkway gap between me and the row in front of me. If I went again, I would probably chose the first or second mezzanine, rows A or J for the best views.

The seats are far, far too close together at the Paramount. I am a pretty small woman and even I am uncomfortable sitting here for a 3 hour show. I cannot cross my legs without my foot pressing up against the seat in front of me. Even in the first row of the mezzanine seating, there is a short wall that blocks you in from stretching your legs out.

It's neither hot nor cold in the Paramount, but air flow could certainly be improved upon. I understand this is a very old theatre, but even the 5th Avenue Theatre has AC and that one was built in 1926. Carry a small fan with you in case it's a little warm.

The security team at the front herd people into the theatre like cattle. I am already stressed out by being in a crowd of people trying to shuffle into a building, but to have 3 security guards yelling at me and everyone else to move up and fill in the gaps makes a more stressful entry experience.

Another issue with entry is that for Wicked, they were not able to get everyone inside before the show started. I arrived at 7:10pm and the line was already around the corner on 9th and looped back up on Pine about half way to Boren. I assume doors opened a half an hour before the 7:30 show, which is just not enough time to get everyone inside. And then, those of us who got inside after 7:30 were told to wait and watch the show on the screens in the hallway until the first number was over, then we'd be allowed in. It felt like I was being reprimanded. To have to miss the first 20 minutes of the show because of poorly managed entry despite having paid hundreds of dollars to see it really bothered me. I did not have this problem with Funny Girl (arrived at 7:30 for an 8pm show) but I cannot say it didn't happen to others.

I appreciate the screening staff in making sure no one brings in weapons. It does provide a safer experience. Make note that they do not allow outside food/drinks. However, on both my visits, security screening staff were accommodating and allowed me to bring in my water bottle when I explained it was for a disability. I was not asked to explain my disability, they just visually checked my bottle and let me through. They do have water and snacks inside and water fountains.

Overall really amazing shows put on by STG which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I think the theatre itself could improve upon crowd control and making the theatre more...

The Paramount Theater in Seattle is a very beautiful old timey looking theater. It is located on a corner surrounded by many businesses of all kinds including a multitude of restaurants featuring many types of cuisines. The neighborhood is only slightly hilly for Seattle so walking is easy unless you are in a manual wheelchair. I use a cane for long distances but it was still easy for me to get around. The Paramount Theater underground parking structure is located a couple of blocks away from the actual theater. From the outside, the theater is beautiful to look at and harking back to years gone by. The 2 lines to get in, one for most patrons and one for ADA patrons are roped off and we'll regulated by theater staff. Walking in, you are on the first floor to floor access seats, a bar, an ADA bathroom and a merchandise table for the artist you came to see. The merch is quite reasonably priced when compared to more expensive outdoor concerts. The first floor also features a sweeping reddish carpeted stairway leading upstairs to the mezzanine seats on the second floor. There is no elevator in this vintage place so the second floor is an impossibility for patrons in wheelchairs. Upon exiting the stairs, you are immediately hit with how beautiful the whole interior of the theater is with sweeping views of gorgeous light fixtures and decorated walls and ceiling with real gold leaf accent everywhere! For a small theater, the interior looks absolutely huge! The seats are cushioned well. The armrests are a bit narrow and not padded. The views to the stage are exquisite; there literally are no bad seats as the slope of the mezzanine enables great views to the stage unless you're unlucky enough to sit behind a very tall person. I can't comment on the first floor seats in front of the stage since I wasn't sitting there. We saw Steve Martin and Martin Short riffing on each other (hilarious!) and reminiscing about their personal and show biz lives and we're able to easily see them and their facial expressions and hear them well with the sound system. The theater also had a video screen to really see the performers close up. The sound system works very well with live music too as we heard very clearly Steve Martin's bluegrass band that performed two songs. I almost forgot; the mezzanine also has a bar with small snacks, water, cocktails, wine, beer and hard cider. There is no dress code for the theater but it's nice to dress up a little to give you that full old time theater experience and that is encouraged. Overall, I had an extremely pleasant experience and felt pampered by the luxurious interior. This was my first time here, but I will definitely make it a point to see more performances here...

When you attend a show as iconic as Hamilton, especially having previously experienced its brilliance elsewhere, you expect a certain level of excellence. Sadly, my recent visit to the Paramount Theatre in Seattle left much to be desired—specifically in the realm of audio quality.

One would think that sitting just 10 rows back, center stage, would afford a flawless auditory experience. However, what should have been a highlight turned into a disheartening lesson in how crucial proper sound engineering is to a performance.

From the very first number, it was evident that something was amiss. The audio delays were not just noticeable but intrusive. Each line sung by the talented cast was met with a frustrating echo, as if the sound was struggling to catch up with itself. This was no minor glitch—it was a consistent issue throughout the performance.

Ironically, it might have been better if there were no microphones at all. The natural acoustics of the theater could not have been worse than the muddled, over-amplified mess we endured. It's unacceptable for a venue hosting such a renowned production to fail so spectacularly in this basic but critical aspect.

In conclusion, the Paramount Theatre's handling of Hamilton was a profound disappointment. The audio issues overshadowed what should have been a spellbinding performance, turning it instead into an experience marred by technical incompetence. For the sake of future audiences, one can only hope that the theater takes serious measures to rectify these glaring flaws.

When I contacted the theater manager to bring this issue to their attention, I was informed that mine was the only complaint they had received. However, I want to point out that several people seated around us mentioned the sound issues during the show, and our friends, who were seated in another section, also noted these problems after the performance, before we could bring it up with them.

Additionally, it is disappointing that the responsibility for the sound management was redirected to the sound team for Hamilton, as if this matter would not be addressed. This response suggests a lack of accountability and concern for ensuring the best possible experience for all patrons.

After reviewing other entries here, it seems that this is a common issue at this specific theater. For those reading this, if you want a better experience for the prices being charged, I recommend attending shows as iconic as Hamilton in theaters with management groups that truly aim to present the art at the level it was designed to be experienced. If you have experienced this post reviews about it please. So...