Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Reviews

It was exhilarating. My 6 year-old niece sat at the edge of her seat for the whole show. Will I see it again? OH YESSS!!!

Always friendly. Quality productions. Great sound. Comfortable.

Outstanding format to really enjoy a night of entertainment! Went to see Whitney Houston
Tribute concert. Belinda David was phenomenal! Great sound and seating! Not a bad seat on the house!

The lady checking the bag sizes was clearly on a power trip, taking out her regrets about her sad life on the unsuspecting public.

The Home Free concert was awesome. For large individuals like myself the seats are not near big enough. But that is my problem. Just an FYI.

Very nice, clean and excellent acxustics for a smaller theater. Stage is large enough to perform Broadway plays. They seem to be able to attract first rate performances.

Huge variety of plants, loved the ice cream, and food vendor!

Love this place. Love the shows. Wish I could go to more

Disgusting a/c not working poor Customer service, they wouldn't even give refund or discount for performance, many left before show was over,will never go back!

Attended City of Palms High School Basketball tournament. Enjoyed watching the championship game!!!

Great place to watch a play. Saw the Nutcracker here. Awesome sound and no issues with sight lines.

Great place to watch a show. A little pricey, but usually worth it.

I ve been to many shows. Although it s on the same grounds as FSW, sometimes parking can be a but hectic but the show is well worth it

Excellent entertainment venue featuring a contemporary Broadway show season, symphonic performances, touring Broadway shows and tribute and live band concerts, as well as other miscellaneous performances. Easy parking (except when FSW classes are going on). The only detraction is that the sound system is not as good as it should be.

We saw "O What a Night". The group was excellent and so much fun! We really enjoyed the Florida Symphony and are looking forward to attending more of their concerts.

Our experience at a concert at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW. My husband and I, hardworking people who look forward to special (pricey) treats like a concert before the holidays, experienced something that no guest at a concert hall should have to endure. We understand, of course, that there is a no-photos and no-video policy and that s fine, but we were not aware that there is a witch hunt for cell phones underway at BBM. Fifteen minutes before the show started, bright lights on, nobody on stage yet, everyone in the hall chatting, many people all around being occupied reading something on their mobile phones, ushers and security guards went on the warpath. An especially rude female security guard all of the sudden swooped down at my husband like a bird of prey barking at him that no cell phone use at all was permitted inside the theater when he was checking his E-mail. This happened all over and the tone those people used was far from being sophisticated, the recording of the President of FSW that was played earlier did not mention anything about a cell phone ban, it only reinforced awareness of no pictures and no video. Again, this was fifteen minutes prior to the show, nothing even worth of taking a picture yet; my husband told the security lady that he was just checking mail but she told him off, saying he was welcome to do that outside of the concert hall as if she was talking to a schoolboy. This is harassment, I don t know what else to call behavior like this. We paid good money and we were very much looking forward to enjoying the evening; but I feel we were being treated like criminals. After this episode we were being watched by one of the guards pretty much constantly; we stayed for part of the concert but didn t enjoy it, my heart racing and both of us utterly annoyed and disappointed we decided to leave early and we will stay far away from BBM in the future.

We went to the Lindsey Sterling Christmas show in December. Great show! But I he theater itself was easy to navigate, parking was easy and traffic in and out of the show was quick compared to other venues. Staff were very friendly and the facility clean.

Excellent sound, attractive venue, and the artists were fantastic.

Free parking. Valet available as well. I come for performances and the Christmas concertos. Arrive 20 mins prior to get good parking, women don t bring handbags over 15x15 inches in diameter. A cross body or small purse will do. They have security check now and metal detectors. Which made me sad because they never did that before but I can understand. The temperatures inside runs cold so have a throw over, sweater or a light jacket or you will be uncomfortable. Sit on the edge of isle so you can get up if needed the seat are comfortable but snug. For selfies and group pictures the lighting is not good in the front entrance lounge. Just use flash or tilt you head up and take a pic on an angle with camera pointing down so that you get lightning in you faces. Bring your own snack or eat prior to performances because one cookie water or hot chocolate is $4 and the price is going up every year.

Always a great show with very talented actors & actresses.

We saw The Lion King today, and what a show! If you missed it, go when they're here next time. There are no bad seats in this venue. I saw a concert here last year and it was great too. Comfortable seats, but no cup holders.

Saw mystery Science theatre 3000 live. Theatre is beautiful, plenty of parking, and shows reasonably priced.

The venue is gorgeous! Parking is easy and the show was terrific!

Really enjoyed myself Friday night. Funniest comedian Sebastian. Maniscalco .
Had a wonderful night.*****

Seats were good but the two lady ushers were disturbing

I used to come here a lot 20 years ago and always enjoyed interesting shows but I saw Spamalot here 2/7 and it was amazing!
The show was brilliant,
and everyone working there we're so friendly in kind.
The theater itself is beautiful & clean.

This review is only for the inside of the venue. I attended the Celtic Woman concert on 28 Feb. I was in the mezzanine and found the seating arrangement to be excellent. The sound and accoustics, however, are a completely different story. What came out of the speakers is like something that came out of a 1960s dilapidated car and needs a complete replacement. The high and midrange speakers are so brash and full of static that I couldn't understand most of the words the group was singing. It might be fine for plays and speeches, but I have to give it a grade of a solid "F" for music. I hope they upgrade the system soon. No,I do not have any type of hearing impairment.

We came from Sarasota to watch The Book of Mormon. The show overall was fine. We sat in the wheelchair section in the back, the view was fine. Where I found issue was with the ushers, they were rude. I was with my husband and they must have assumed that since I'm a wheelchair user I can not communicate. All questions were and eye contact was directed at him. "Will she..." "Can she...." I was sitting right there fully capable. The "wheelchair accessible" bathroom stall was also the worst I've been into. I had to back in with my chair, had zero room to face toilet and my feet stuck out from the stall once the door was shut. Handicapped parking was plentiful despite its bad location. It's close enough to the door, but all the spots are in right in entrance and exit of the parking lot. When my husband was putting my chair in the trunk it was dangerous and was mere inches away from cars exiting the parking lot. If a person had a vehicle that used a ramp to enter from the back of their car/van this would be 100% not doable. We probably won't be coming back here, mainly because of the staff,despite the accessibility issues.

Always quality entertainment provided- main floor or first balcony best seating

Very disappointed in the song selection, it was more of a Motown revue than music the majority of the audience grow up with, no GIBBS disco songs, no Eagles , Steve Miller, 4 seasons, Foreigner, Jett, Blondie.
They totally missed the GREAT groups of the decades
Would not go again

Great show, Get The Led Out! Great band, great time, great sound!

Love this place, love the fantastic shows, hate the no pocketbook policy, absolutely hate the idiotic parking lot design, hate the lines at the bathrooms and concession stands.

First time at Barbara B Mann - usually see shows at Artis. Went to see 'Hamilton.' Packed house. Wonderful show and great seats in HH row.
Staff was friendly and amazing in all areas. With so many patrons, this could have been a horrible experience but everything was so well organized that the lines through security - and even rest rooms - moved quickly. A staffer was even in the ladies restroom pointing out available stalls. Kudos to management and staff for their impressive efforts. Will definitely patronize this venue again.

Bee Gees show was nothing special. The Barry Gibb tribute singer was very good.
The security people are ridiculous and have a problem needing to be in control. The Theater has a stupid policy on a purse size. Wife had normal size purse I had to take all the way back to parked car.

Wonderful performance of Mozart's Requiem by Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers and the Gulf Coast Symphony. Sarah Chang was superb as violinist in Brahms 1st violin concerto.

First time visitor to the Barbara Mann to see A Bronx Tale's final performance in Fort Myers. The acting was terrific. The ushers were sweet and helpful, and our seats - though in a middle row of the balcony - were really very nice. They were comfortable and on enough of a pitch that we weren't blocked by those sitting in front of us. Another plus, parking was free. My only concern/complaint is that getting out of the parking lot was not easy. All traffic appeared to be headed to a single exit making for a lengthly wait to actually exit.

Beautiful facility, plenty of parking, easy beverage access, would be 5 stars but the security staff is so militant about cell phones - never took mine out - yet they stood in front of me for a good portion of the show yelling at people. No pictures below due to the militant geezers, lowered my rating to 2 stars, ridiculous!

All the entertainment you need in a cozy atmosphere.

Not a bad seat in the house. Acoustics are very good.

Excellent performing arts venue. Good sight lines and top notch shows.

Well organized. No difficult to find my spot in the theater. Outside was even better, no need to pay for parking. I love it!

Loved seeing Jason Mraz, he was great, funny and inspirational for the solo acoustic tour. It was my birthday, wish he would have stuck around for an autograph but the theatre was small but great design. I didn't like being rushed out of there like cattle while trying to take a few photos. No cds for sell, no t-shirts, no after party. Strange right? I don't think Jason was feeling well, but he definitely inspired me to keep writing music. I know this is a review for the center but just sharing my experience. Happy birthday to me :)

Wonderful!!! Loved the show. Ushers were friendly and helpful.Auditorium was a little warm could have dropped the temp a little. Would have appreciated police directing departing traffic, would have made leaving easier and safer

Had a blast deff. Be back my son had so much fun cant wait to come back and do another show.

Always enjoy performances here. Easy access, great acoustics and great choice of seats.

Great place to see a show or concert. Free parking too!

Have been here for only two things: Aida musical and Kevin James stand up comedy. The facility is very nice although pricey, but most smaller performing arts locations are. They have a concession stand with food and drinks. Only downside is, there is no photography allowed. You pay a lot for a ticket to see a performer and it would be nice to get at least one photo as a memento (or even a program with photos, etc.)

I was there for a graduation ceremony. Very nice arena

Everyone is so helpful and kind. This is a beautiful location.

Sushi was good but the rest of the selection was not so good...it lacked in quality therefore overpriced

This was a really good venue. Great acoustics. We would definitely come to another venue here.

Went to see Chad Prather perform at the Barbara B Mann. Acoustics were great, lighting was adequate, seating was comfortable. All in all a great venue!

Have seen multiple plays and performances here. Great theater experience. Not a bad seat in the house, and the inside is modest but perfect for a great date.

Nice place to see Celtic Women......the show that is.

The opening act was as funny as Brian Regan! Great seats at the last minute through another vendor at 300% more than face value. One pays to play, I guess. I hope Barbara Mann puts a limit on those that can be sold in bulk like that. Also, I'm not sure why one consistently has to wait in line for spirits/ refreshments. Only 2 lines downstairs .. but didn't have to be. Beer could have been sold on the side. A big loss or revenue there for sure!

Physical venue is beautiful, but the acoustics for an orchestra is something to be desired. Very echoey.. staff was wonderful.

Needs to be remodeled place is old and not in a good way retro way.

I love going to plays here but always feel like I'm being carried along by the crowd. More space needed, more ladies rooms needed. That baby grand piano upstairs is lovely but takes up too much space.