Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts — Attraction in Springfield

I am truly disappointed in the powers that be here. I have been a loyal season pass holder for the Broadway Shows for 10 years. We have loved our seats and the variety of plays offered by the venue. However, last year when my tickets arrived I was shocked to see that instead of being on Thursday evenings (as advertised and as they have been for the past 9 years) they were literally all over the place: Wednesday, Sunday, Friday, Saturday afternoon! We were only able to attend 2 of the 5 performances this past season. It seemed very obvious season ticket holders were simply relegated to whatever day was available (which to be honest is completely contrary of why I purchase season tickets).

This year when contacted to renew I asked what had happened last year and I was told that someone on Broadway actually chooses what day I can attend the shows that play here Springfield. I do not agree with that answer. I was told this season that 3 of the 5 shows would be on Thursday as usual but 2 would not. However if I wanted, since both shows are running on Thursday nights, I could trade one or both of the shows that I am supposed to be going to on Thursday nights anyway from the whatever night I am scheduled to attend back to Thursday. (I will let you contemplate that for a moment). When I said that does not make any since, I was given an explanation of how this all works which seemed extremely complicated; I would say a mixture of Trigonometry and horse manure (in equal parts).

Then after deciding going to the shows meant enough to me to go ahead and purchase the season tickets I found an extra $308 tacked on to the bill which no one could explain. The best a supervisor assisting the ticket seller could say was, "...it is just what Broadway charges us to do a show." Seems like that should be the price of the ticket but again, personally I can only look at this situation with common sense. I was told that anyone that purchases a ticket will pay the same extra amount 20% above and beyond the price on the ticket. Good luck with that...

And then if that was not bad enough, it was going to cost $40 to mail me my tickets. Note, that is a single envelope to Springfield, MO. Sorry, folks: Strike Three. I am really going to miss the...

My view from seat E36 in the mezzanine section. It was a great seat! I'm almost 5'3 so being behind someone taller than me who blocks my view is a real thing. I wouldn't do the section above because you would be looking more at the top of the stage. I wouldn't do the section below past a few rows behind the mezzanine line either. It is annoying that there are no center aisles.

This venue is showing some wear but nothing that takes away from the performance itself. I do enjoy the art for sale on display, the fountain lit up, and fancy chandeliers.

Parking is a bit confusing since Juanita K is on the MSU campus. The garage and lot just west is available for parking which may be free or may be paid depending on the performance. For the Springfield Symphony, it was free. You can also get a visitor permit from MSU online. For the weekend, it's free and you can park in any yellow lots. You can find a map on MSU's website. Juanita K is surrounded by yellow lots. During the week, the cost is $2.75 per day.

Dress for the Springfield Symphony is mostly dressy casual though some were in black tie and a few in ripped jeans with others all in between. I felt comfortable in a maxi dress and heels.

UPDATE: I attended the Symphony again and this time was in seat G41 in the orchestra section. View from here was great too though I couldn't see the viola section because of the piano. I also couldn't see the brass players in the back. I added a photo of my view.

UPDATE 2: I had the privilege to have lower box seats. It was a great vantage point but I recommend sitting further from the stage in the box so you can view the stage from a more head on view...

I am deeply, deeply disappointed. I am a single mother and look for low cost or free activities for the holidays. The MSU Music for the Holidays Concert had been advertised as free for weeks. It was suggested you bring a non-perishable food item for donation. We were excited and had been looking forward to this event for several weeks. We had even talked about it that morning before school and when I got home from work the kids were excited and ready to go, coats on! We got our bag of food ready and drove to the hall. We were told we could not park in the parking lot directly across the street without a permit, to go to the next parking lot, which was part of a church. That was fine. We got over there and they wanted $10 for parking. I did not have $10. To be fair to MSU I don't know if this was the campus or church, but it was nothing but pure greed and grabbing for profit at an event advertised for free. Yes, I may have been able to find other parking on campus, but as a single woman with children I did not want us walking around an unfamiliar campus at night. We went home. It was extremely disappointing. We will not be going to events here again. All please be aware that events advertised as free may be free, but there is a...