Theatre Circle — Local services in New York

if theatre circle has 100 haters, i'm one of them. if theatre circle has 10 haters, i'm one of them. if theatre circle has 1 hater, it's me. if theatre circle has no haters, i am dead.

you guys! join me in my revolution to overthrow the broadway store!!!!!! based on my research, this store IS in fact the fiery pits of HELL!!! not only is it always over 100 degrees, but the workers here were spawned to reek havoc and demolish all who enter.

you may be be asking yourselves... "why would this google reviewer detest theatre circle so much!?" thanks for asking!! this all started the summer of 2023- you see, i am on a wild hunt to find a specific matilda playbill that a colleague is in. i visit the store on a weekly basis. this mission is SERIOUS, so i have to make some sacrifices. my first couple trips to the store is when i discovered that their bin of playbills is frequently changed. using my deductive reasoning skills, i inferred that they must have a stock of more playbills somewhere!!! i very innocently asked the man at the front desk... completely unaware that my question would insult HIM, HIS FAMILY, HIS DOG, AND NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR!!!!! (don't ask about their back rooms you guys it is a trap!!!!!) this incident made me realize that i was going to have to frequently come into the store and check.

some other highlights include the time i came in when the store was closing in 27 minutes. the same man (i'm assuming he is the owner?), yelled at EVERYONE in the store about how they were about to close. i would think this is reasonable, IF him and his other employees weren't rolling their eyes and complaining about wanting to go home! there is no costumer service etiquette in this store! i just wanted to buy a sarah paulson magazine, but he REFUSED to look and me. he was very busy watching the Miss America introduction ceremony on his phone. i too can enjoy pageant queens from time to time, but not in my place of work! when my costumer wants sarah paulson! after waiting FOREVER he looked up to me in an irritated manner and said "what???" must've forgot he was working, haha!!

another employee and i are arch rivals. the first time i met them my friends and i were silently shopping. (FUN FACT : you cannot speak in theatre circle!!) they were about to turn on some music and shouted to the store, "THERE IS NO SINGING ALLOWED!!! LET THE PERSON WHOS SINGING SING!!!" ma'am... this is a broadway tourist store. please note! i was NOT singing! but i am a strong advocate for anyone who would like to sing in public and this was just mean and cold of the worker!! this is america! sing queens! how else are we supposed to get noticed by a broadway casting agent????????? another moment with this worker include when i brought a panera charge lemonade into the store! :O apparently drinks are not allowed. i saw no sign, but it must've been small. my bad... i never knew!!!! she told me that i had attitude and COULD NOT LOOK AT HER PLAYBILLS!!!!! i may have been a little snarky in my response to her, but my history with this store made me irritated!!! still i think we can all agree that kindness is the way!!! these workers know of no such word.

with all that said, i am ready to go on strike. the workers need to realize that they run a TOURIST store for BROADWAY LOVERS!!!!! it is such a shame that a potentially joyful and colorful place is ran and tormented by satan and friends! many reviewers on this thread suggest never going to this store. HOWEVER! i'm proposing that everyone takes a trip here! i'm encouraging singing and dancing at the top of your lungs (suggestion: sing great comet! it's their least fav show!), asking for items not on display, or just having a pleasant time! all of these harmless things will enrage them and i think that is the best revenge of all!

i will continue going to the broadway until A. i buy my playbill B. they throw me out

thank you for reading, theatre circle...

Updated March 14, 2019: walked in around 10:15am. Pleasant enough experience with no rude staff issues. Did a little window shopping for items to pick up in July or August on my return trips to NYC. Returned around 10pm in desperate need of a tote bag to combine a bunch of stuff prior to getting back on the MegaBus and they were VERY helpful. Picked out a gorgeous Lion King tote that zips across the top at a very reasonable price. Superb selection of Broadway memorabilia and souvenirs. Easier this time to recommend due to two good experiences on the same day.

From Aug. 18, 2018: Have been wanting to see inside this store since my last visit to NYC and then completely forgot to in the rush of getting everything done. On Saturday, Aug. 18th walked in the front door a little after 10am to find the two staff at the front counter arguing in front of customers about work schedules, which sort of dampened my previously excited mood. Browsed the amazing selection with ALL the intention of buying the mother-load of souvenirs, checked out the attached bookstore, and then left without spending a penny. If you hate your jobs that much, have the courtesy to talk “work” in the back where we can’t hear you. I bought what I wanted at another store. I’m sure they don’t care. Next time properly greet your customers when they walk...

The selection itself is awesome, and the two stores are within a block from each other. The larger one is a theatre specialty bookstore and souvenir shop in itself. My problem with the shop is the consistently rude/snotty/condescending staff. I understand that they may be tired dealing with tourists and getting asked the same stupid questions over and over, but they need to understand that they're not getting paid to sit around and chat with each other and customers should not feel like they're interrupting their private conversations. If they are theatre experts, they should be SHARING knowledge with customers, and if they are are sales clerks they need to engage in customer service. As a result, I often visit the shop, then note what I like and buy it online. If they were more welcoming and hospitable to everyone, I would definitely do my best to patronize them, because I really appreciate the...