The Acorn Theatre

Saw Straight Play last Friday as Pre-​V day Unilocal event. It is one the original theaters of «Theater in the Row». The usher let us go inside the building but reminded us that admission to the theater itself is not until like 7:40 PM for the 8 PM show. Acorn Theater is on third floor, the lounge and bar is on the second floor and were told that we could wait and hang out there if we want to. The lobby by the way has these marvelous wall listed all the shows that were shown. It gives life to the theater. Very creative and colorful historical presentation of the theater. Acorn is where the play is currently showing is a small theater but each seats has a good view of the stage. The seating is comfortable and roomy. The sound is not bad. The stage setting is bright and simple yet inviting.
Location is about two blocks from the subway station. It is in the center of off broadway’s hustle’s and bustle’s. Treat yourself to any performing plays and you’ll find this place enjoyable.

I came here to watch the play Straight. I never noticed this theater until now but I really like how they have different plays at the same time sort of like a movie theater.
Loved that the theater wasn’t huge so it doesn’t matter what seat you get since every seat is a great seat.
Everyone I dealt with was super nice, I really love when the employees make your night out just a little better.
The play was on the third floor and as we were going up we were informed that there was a bar on the second floor. I really wanted to stop and get a drink but I made it there just on time and didn’t want to miss the beginning so decided to skip the bar :(
As far as the play goes it was really good and loved how great all three actors were. They were so good that I was immediately immerse in the whole love triangle.
The play lasted 90 minutes with no intermission but it went by really quick since the play was very enjoyable. I feel this play was a bit about sexuality, relationships, society and self awareness all at once. Everyone could I identify with one or more of the characters.

Saw STRAIGHT here on Tuesday night and it was fantastic. A small, intimate piece with great performances. Laughed a lot too.

Saw another new show here called gigantic. It about kids at a fat camp. What a fun afternoon. Super high energy musical that will eventually move to off or maybe in Bway in the future. Young cast it terrific and another great production at theater row.

Small comfortable well air conditioned theater where I just saw Dinner With The Boys at.
Only 9 rows so a good view anywhere you sit.
Acceptable sound throughout, lighting, and the stage is simplistic in design but just right for smaller limited run performances that are run here.
I have seen a few shows at this location which houses multiple theaters/​performances and the staff has always been pleasant and professional. It’s a really nice spot to catch an off-​Broadway show.
Also, again, I love cold AC and when the warmer weather hits like it has been lately this is a joy. They crank it up.

Picture going to a large movie theater. There are multiple screens to see different movies. This is the same concept with this theater hall.
The Acorn Theatre is only one of the stage areas. When you walk in, you’re directed to a few different stages based on your play. I forgot the other theater halls, my play was in The Acorn Theatre.
What a nice theatre!
The seats are comfortable and roomy. The stage itself is intimate and you can really get a nice view of the performing actors.
The acoustics were great, you aren’t going to see KISS with pyrotechnics at The Acorn Theatre but seeing Denzel Washington playing Hamlet here would be perfect.
This is what I love about being in New York City. There is always something to discover, this was a pleasant treat to see a play at The Acorn Theatre.
(Is this considered Broadway?)

Don’t generally write reviews, but as theater was not completely filled, thought people would benefit knowing about the show Atomic: The Musical. I’ll be brief. It’s about the Manhattan Project/​Development of the Atomic Bomb prior to Hiroshima.
Thoroughly enjoyed the production. It was an intense show, with many outstanding voices singing original an original score. There was much about the Manhattan Project I was unaware of, and besides being entertained, I was enlightened. Great cast, wonderful music, and again, outstanding voices. I definitely recommend it.

Atomic: The Musical — one of the biggest pieces of garbage I’ve seen and I’ve seen some doozies! It’s a shame to say this because it almost/​maybe/​possibly could have been good had they not tried to make it a musical. Even if the songs weren’t terrible (which they are) they are do out of place and nowhere near fluid enough to be effective.
With that said, the lighting design (apart from blinding the audience a few times), the set design (apart from the distracting table that is moved around constantly), and the actors were all great, but unfortunately it is nowhere near enough to save this… ahem…bomb (lol) of a musical.

Saw Atomic this past weekend and loved it! I was not sure about it since the topic is so serious but I would recommend this to anyone. The actor that played Leo was so talented and the set design was unique and modern which I loved. Music was great, loved the way they started and ended the show and choreography. Great show overall.

Atomic the musical brings some insight into one of Americas most secret projects. Professional acting, singing, and music combine for an enjoyable performance.
Go see it now

We came for a Unilocal on Broadway performance on a Friday evening. On this night, there was a mixup of dates (Thanks, Ruggy), but thankfully there were excess tickets and all the waiting Unilocalers were accommodated (Shout-​out to Abi, Brian, Michael and Michelle!). So we hiked it up to the 3^rd floor and took our seats for a performance of Atomic, the Musical.
The Acorn is made up of multiple small and intimate theaters with roughly 200 seats each. With comfortable seating, good acoustics and lighting, we were ready for a good show and were not disappointed. So you’re thinking, «How can you make a musical out of a page in history about the Manhattan Project, the development of the first atomic bomb?» Well they did a pretty «bang”-up job, with good casting and memorable songs. Jeremy Kushnier was outstanding as Leo Szilard, the force behind the «bomb» and performed with forceful zeal and emotion. Jonathan Hammond’s performance as a super-​horny Enrico Fermi was hilarious! This is a WWII period piece with 40’s costuming, but with minimalistic staging and a modern backdrop. The stage design was very interesting with bare aluminum structures, exposed lighting and the modern orchestra (more of a band) set up in the rafters.
I would highly recommend this show! There is some use of profanity, so leave the kiddies at home and take them to see the Lion King next time.

Response to David Rooney’s Misleading & Misguided Review of ATOMIC: The Musical, in the TIMES. (Playing at Acorn Theater)
Just read David Rooney’s Time’s review of ATOMIC: The Musical, a piece of theater I have recommended here and elsewhere unreservedly.
Well, to the point. I found nothing of value in Rooney’s little sketch, probably written between visits to the men’s room – it appears he missed a good 2/​3s of the piece. What the review lacked in charm, it did not make up in insights.
I enjoyed the musical, I enjoyed its use of the conventions, the conceits and also ambitions of contemporary musical theater, and, I thought it succeeded on all counts. I’ve heard the same from others. (Perfect, no, but neither was RENT nor SPRING AWAKENING.)
The real question to ask is, do we need our experience of a night at the theater mediated by someone more anxious to toss a bon mot in a quickly jotted review, than watch the show in question? I suggest you ignore Rooney as you would a panhandler you’ve observed for years, working on the same lines on the same subway line. Yes, Rooney is that tedious.
Of course if you think descriptions such as «bam-​kapowed,» or clichés such as too late to make this «dud detonate,» or that it’s inconcievable that one can’t make a musical that resurrects the memory of Leo Szilard, or the Manhattan Project, then accept what this second-​string, narcissist of dubious talent and reputation has to say about a very exciting and occasionally highly emotional work. However, it will be your loss.
Me? I say see it.

We came here on Friday night to watch Atomic: A New Musical courtesy of Unilocal on Broadway. There was a bit of a wait to be seated since there was a misunderstanding about dates, but finally one of the managing staff members said they were giving us tickets for the sold-​out evening. Phew. Unfortunately, the lady at the box office was not so pleasant to deal with — she was terse and unfriendly through the entire situation, and threw our tickets across the window when things had been resolved. Um, okay?
The Acorn Theater is a small, intimate theater — one level of seats for the entire place, however all carefully arranged so that there isn’t a bad view from any seat. It’s carefully maintained, with no obvious duct tape patches or dirty floors that I’m used to seeing in other theaters.
Having said that, my bf and I did not really enjoy the musical itself. We were chatting about the show after we left, and here’s what we decided:
–amazing set design, including the changing lights at the top that displayed the location of the scene
–the actors were incredibly good, the singing was well-​done, and it was clear they were putting everything into it
–the orchestra did a fantastic job with the score
–the history behind the storyline was impressively accurate
–the lines in the script were incredibly abysmal
–that song «Amore» was what really killed the evening
For history buffs, it’s definitely an interesting way to present a historical point in American history, however expect some irreverent bits of humour and the occasionally bad song to grit your teeth through.

After a little mix up with Unilocal and the Acorn theater, we were able to get our tickets from a very accommodating staff member. The big hair lady at the ticket counter wasn’t exactly rude, but she wasn’t exactly nice either.
This review is for the show «Atomic» which is about the history of the development of nuclear weapons and the scientists who first engineered the atomic bomb. I would consider this musical for the following:
1. If you are curious or interested in history about the atomic bomb. You’d think reading Wikipedia would give you all the history, but this show really puts things in perspective. You will actually feel like you’re transported back in time listening to the conversations between scientists, military personnel and Japanese victims.
2. The acting is phenomenal. Each cast and character puts their all into Atomic. They really suck you into the moment drawing a lot of emotion and at times humor.
3. The score, orchestra and the songs were excellent. So much that one particular song got me hooked.
4. The lighting technicians did an amazing job.
5. The theater was small but clean. Yes, it was freezing cold in there but you’ll pull through it.
If you want a great story, fine acting and cool songs… Watch Atomic.

Came here Friday night for Unilocal on Broadway to see Atomic. After a misunderstanding about dates at the box office and a good 30 mins waiting to find out whether were still doing it or not, they accommodated bf and I and other Unilocalers.
The theatre itself is pretty small. I’d say no seat is a bad seat. Unless you’re seating behind «big hair, don’t care» like I did during Act 2. Air conditioning is on full effin blast. Heat wave’s goin on outside? Bring a sweater. Bathrooms and the bar on the second floor.
The show itself was very entertaining and interesting. The cast was made up of great actors. Songs were all catchy and appropriate. Last song syndrome «You gotta hit bottom before you get to the top…»…pay attention to the warning signs at the door, there will be smoking and strobe bright lights in it. If you’re sensitive to smoke, it ain’t that bad.
Great show worth seeing specially if you’re into history like bf is.

Came here to watch the Banana Monologues. It was really funny and entertaining throughout the entire performance. The actor even got the audience to participate in some of his jokes. Not bad. At no point did I ever feel bored and I think his jokes were appropriate, not too extreme. I didn’t get a chance to watch the female version before hand, but after seeing this, I should definitely watch it. I would definitely come back here to watch other shows. I like how close you are to the stage but it is a very small theatre. I don’t know the pricing for the tickets but if it’s around $ 70 – 80, I don’t think it’s worth it.
Staff was friendly and helpful. Weren’t rude at all.

Came here last night with my best friend (thanks Unilocal!:D) to see The Banana Monologues and to be honest didn’t have high hopes for this one man show that I thought was going to be a superficial and one-​sided approach to how women are sensitive flowers and men are complete jerks (or vice versa) but I actually thought it was a pretty accurate representation of how people «feel* verses how their…“desires» feel.
Parts of the show were interactive so you couldn’t help laughing and feeling awful for couples in the audience, I assure you that this is a show best enjoyed with friends of your same gender or friends who are not friends with benefits, lol.
With couples being asked to answer out loud when was the last time they had sex and other awkward questions, I think (unless you’re super extroverted) your significant other’s are better left somewhere else or going on their own with friends… unless you guys are in a super serious reltionship
The Banana Monologues is written by John R. Brennan, Jason C. Cooper, and Mary Cimino (made me happy to see there was a female’s influence) and performed by John — is most definitely a one-​man powerhouse — as an actor he was hilarious, energetic and freakishly able to tug on everyone’s heartstrings as he goes through his outlandish tale of how he managed to woo, satisfy and move things along with his bitch of a girlfriend who’s painted as a women who’s «out of his league» who coasts through her life off her looks going as far as getting a guy’s number just to make him feel jealous and insecure…
Anywhoo, I digress… I appreciated his refreshingly honest approach to relationships, self-​exploration and realizing that you can’t always think with your «manhood» and true relationships shouldn’t be all about sex, but that gets old fast.
The Acorn Theater is small, very old school theater — but comfortable seating, good sound system and great lighting (with a fun stage set for this particular show) make this a great theater to catch an off-​Broadway show.
Not to mention that it’s also conveniently located near Times Square and Port Authority, so that makes commuting to and from easy, plus there are some decent bars/​restaurants nearby so this place can aid in just creating a fun night.
Their pre-​show «bar» could definitely use some work. Aside from a crappy wine selection at $ 8 a glass and $ 6 can of PBRs I’m not gonna scoff so much at the selection as I am the prices — $ 6 for a small can of PBR (not even a tallboy!) is pretty much like beer fraud. BEER FRAUD. *SCOFF*…*MEGA SCOFF*.
That being said, I would come back here for a show and «pre-​show» drinks anywhere else but here.

Cute lil’ theater that has several floors for each show! I came here to watch the Banana Monologues, which was surprisingly really good and entertaining, considering it was a one man show!
The synopsis is that this guy talks about a 3 year long relationship he’s had, including all the ups and downs. I liked all the references to how they were as a couple hehe… like dressing up the same for Halloween (it’s what makes the holiday fun). I won’t give away the ending but all the lil’ snippets of music that play as he talks about various events also added to the show.

Just saw Banana Monologues (thank you Unilocal Elite team for the tix!) and absolutely loved the show! It’s running through August, so hurry up and go see it while you can. It was hilarious!
Anyway, on to the real review, the theater. Situated just west of the Port Authority, I had to walk painfully close to Times Square to get there (too.many.tourists). Luckily the crowd thins out as you approach 9^th. The theater is part of a bigger building, Theater Row. Picking up tickets from Will Call was a breeze, and an usher politely told us second floor for the bathrooms, third floor for the show. We walked up to the third floor and into the teensiest theater I’ve ever been in. We had seats in row G, and there were maybe 2 – 3 rows behind us. That’s it! This isn’t a downside — it means every seat is a great seat! I read a review that said the theater is cold, so I packed a sweater, but I found the temperature to be comfortable. Seats were spacious and comfortable, and most importantly, clean. We didn’t get to check out the bar beforehand, so I can’t comment there.

I was fortunate enough to see the Banana Monologues at this venue. The theater is a short walk from the A, C, E lines at 42^nd St. And, the seating reminds me of a university lecture hall– auditorium seating, yet intimate enough for a one-​man show.
The Banana Monologues reminds me of what would be a male version of the «Vagina Monolgues.» It’s a story that follows the struggle of a heterosexual man who experiences the ebb and flow (mostly an ebb) of his relationship with his b*tch of a girlfriend. At the same time, he also combats his sexual desires overpowering his ability to think with his head. And, we are able to see his emotions unravel when he parallels reality with his interaction with Sergeant Johnson.
This is one of the best off-​Broadway productions I’ve seen so far.