Why the Hippodrome Makes Theater Worth It, Even When the Musical Doesn’t

 Why the Hippodrome Makes Theater Worth It, Even When the Musical Doesn’t

By Leo Arcelay-Christiano


Falling in Love with the Hippodrome

I've seen a lot of shows at the Hippodrome (Hippdrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center). Until a few years ago I had never stepped into a theater so grand and charming. There is a special feeling you get when walking through the doors- the warm lighting and the chandeliers build up the excitement. Even when the show isn't all that great, the experience of just being there makes it all worth it.

Ranking my hippodrome experiences

If I had to rank all the shows I've seen so far, it would look like this:

1. HadesTown (I have no words for how amazing this show was, and YES I will be seeing it again when it                          returns March 2026)
2. Jagged Little Pill (Emotional and intense in a way I didnt expect, 10/10)
3. Hamilton (Amazing performance, but I had beyond awful seats...Amazing regardless)
4. Frozen (I did cry...)
5. Water for Elephants (gorgeous stage design...but the writing was horrible and the music was far from memorable)

When the Venue Outshines the Musical

Water for Elephants tried to mix circus acts with musical storytelling. Within the first 30 minutes of the show all of my trust was lost in these acrobats. When seeing a circus act, you want to be on the edge of your seat, but you want to always feel secure in the actors. These acrobats were falling from their ropes and at a few points, you could hear them being slammed into the stage. This left the audience scared and confused, late realizing that it was not a part of the script. The show fell short, but when the lights turned on for the end of the show the ornate ceiling details lit up the room. The beauty in the building stood tall and that alone made the experience worth it. 

Tips for the Best Experience

When buying tickets- I found it best to use Ticketmaster or better yet Vivid Seats- never StubHub. For the best view, chose left or right orchestra, rows G and below near the stage. I learned my lession after buying 20$ balcony seats for Hamilton- never again. Now, good seats are something i'm always willing to splurge on. And Seriously, buy obstructed view seats- the "obstruction" is usually just a tiny corner blocked by a pillar or speaker, and they're some of the best deals in the theater.

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