Libin Zhang

Review of Bergen Performing Arts Ctr

I show up for an 8 PM comedy show. Around 8:20, t...

I show up for an 8 PM comedy show. Around 8:20, the lights dim and headliner comes out, which is fine. What is not okay is that for the next 30 minutes, a massive and steady stream of patrons continue walking in through the doors, talking to each other and being guided by ushers with their strobing flashlights, which effectively makes it impossible to hear the performance. It was so bad that even the headliner noticed and commented on it.

Then for the next hour until the show ends, the doors slam open and shut every minute while drunken patrons come in late and stumbling, and other patrons go out to get drinks and come back in. Since the venue is dark and the lobby is brightly lit, the revolving doors create a disco-like experience, accompanied by the music of sloshing ice cubes in cups.

It may be helpful to try to seat everyone before the show starts, like a normal venue, and to either (i) not serve alcohol during the performance, or (ii) serve alcohol in the lobby without opening the doors every minute. But it appears that the venue has embraced a certain type of clientele in order to maximize the importance of drink profits.