The Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts
The Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts
The Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts
3.5
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Neighborhood: Tremé
That sound? That flavor? That certain je ne sais quoi that lets you known you’re in “Nawlins” and nowhere else? It’s all good and in broad abundance on the streets of Tremé, where so much of what’s considered to be the very best of New Orleans culture and tradition is, put simply, just how people go about their daily lives in this historic part of town. As one of America’s oldest African-American neighborhoods and among the nation’s first established residential areas for free people of color, Tremé’s significant heritage and contribution cannot be understated. This is especially the case when considering some of Tremé’s most famous residents, most notably jazz great Louis Armstrong. For full flavored food, funky and jazzed up music, and vibrant street life presented with homegrown pride, you can’t beat a visit to Tremé.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
56 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
17
Average
13
Poor
6
Terrible
4
Alison c
Saint Louis, MO64 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
Nothing special. Not the most beautiful theater. Kinda confusing as to where to meet Uber after the show. Acoustics for the opening comedian was not great. Very loud and not clear. You think it’s a small theater but even in the orchestra you cannot see the faces and a large screen would be helpful.
Written November 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda S
Baton Rouge, LA10 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Went to see Wicked. Theatre and grounds were really nice but there were so many women in line for the bathroom at intermission that you couldn't make it in the time allotted. They announced you would be shut out of the theater if you chose to wait and miss part of the performance. This was a long play. Instead of enjoying the second act I was watching the clock to see when it ended so I could use the bathroom. A little ridiculous. Also there were a lot of people waiting for cabs after the perfomance and there were almost none to be had. After waiting for a while my husband and I decided to walk back to our hotel in the quarter against the previous advice of the hotel staff. I was a little apprehensive but we got back without incident. I think the theater should do a better job of coordinating transportation with an event like this considering that the theater is in a questionable neighborhood and a tourist venue.
Written May 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan M
Saint Louis, MO127 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
My advice is avoid the box seats unless you bring a cushion. They are the most uncomfortable seats in any theater I have ever been in. My legs were numb after just 20 mins. My sister who attends events there says the regular theater seats are much more comfortable. We could have saved quite a bit of money on less expensive seats and been more comfortable.
We saw Wicked which was FANTASTIC! Except for the very uncomfortable seats.
We saw Wicked which was FANTASTIC! Except for the very uncomfortable seats.
Written May 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James D
4 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
So unfortunate for those in the arts that this is such an terrible facility with awful support staff and unethical policies. My friend bought a glass of wine, a double bourbon with diet, and a bottle of water, it was $65 with tip; ridiculous? Absolutely. But alas, at least it supports the performing arts. Then, halfway through the show, one of the seating attendants comes over and takes the drinks away because "drinks are not allowed in the theatre". This includes the bottle of water!!! I asked her where is the policy that says drinks aren't allowed, she instead just takes the drinks away without saying anything further. I was flabbergasted. Now, we were not rude, we were not talking, we weren't spilling, we just paid enough for seats in a front row such that the seating person could see us; I guess that's our mistake, should have paid less. After the show, I asked the person at the front at the bar where the signage is that drinks are not allowed, she states it doesn't exist and asks who took away our drinks, and has no further help or explanation. Have you ever bought food at a restaurant and then told food wasn't allowed there? Or gone to a baseball game and bought a beer and then told to throw it away because beer is not cleanly enough? Me neither. Absolutely ridiculous. The people at the front when we checked in were relatively rude and then no one offered us a program or was able to help us in finding a seat, instead just directed us to see the seating chart and figure it out for ourselves. I would be extremely hard pressed to push myself to come back to a facility with so little regard for customer service. Hopefully they reap the consequences of their poor customer service, and the performers are able to find a more suitable performance venue where they can benefit without being unsavory to their customers.
Written March 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MJTsucks
New Orleans, LA1 contribution
Feb 2017
We went watch Louis CK last night and he was hilarious. MJT staff were rude and very slow. I stood in line twice for drinks and got so aggravated at the line not moving at all I left both times. I was there over 3 hours and I couldn't have gotten a water if I wanted. If they would hire 4 more bartenders under the age of 60 (like most were that I seen) they could quadruple their drink profits. Sneak in your own liquor if you want a drink during your show or be prepared to miss half of the show. The stage and seating reminded me of a high school auditorium. This place is in desperate need of new management. I created this account just to leave this review. Terrible experience but thankfully Louis CK was hilarious. This is only a review of the facility not the show.
Written February 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skyebreaz
Baton Rouge, LA46 contributions
May 2012
I've been here for many occasions. The last time was to see Trombone Shorty. I love the set up of the theater. Every seat offers a great view of the stage, from front row to back balcony.
Written September 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheMaven2u
Pensacola, FL389 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
We had balcony seats and had to leave at intermission because the sound system was so bad or maybe it is the acoustics. This is after driving 3 hours to get to the theater, yes it was THAT bad. Like listening with a slightly deaf uncle....what did they say? Huh? When I called the theater the next day I was told I should have said something then, no one else complained. Too bad, too late. We will never go there again.
Written July 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TreschereandDwa... W
Metairie, LA28 contributions
Feb 2018
Let me first say the event was amazing. The venue is beautiful but there were a few issues that had me a little .... morenthan a litrle dissapointed.
1. To arrive early by Uber, I had time to secure a bite to eat before showtime. Being alone, I asked a coupke of staffers os a place I could quickly run to. Not very successful on local; but they did point out if I just exited the main entrance "big lighted archway", I would have no problem finding something. Well, upon walking back to gate, I sadly discovered the entrance(s) to the park were licked. We are talking 6pm. So, that meant I had to hike one way and then the next until I found myself all the way around at the vehicle entrance across from firenstation. Now, the walk was EXTREMELY dark and even though I live in this city, I was scared. I could not imagine a guest in our city navigating this. Once inside, my third floor balcony seating was perfect although sweltering. There appeared to be a bar of some sort unopened on a landing. But, we had to go to first floor to get any refreshments. Now, once I had hiked to get a meal, hiked back and around. Up to 3rd (because I am not disabled, I did not want to stop anyone else from using) it's only then that I discovered out usher had no programs. What do we have to do? Go downstairs to notify and get one per family. I WAS ALONE, there was no one else besides me. My single $100 seat was wedged tightly between two very nice families. Because, thats all the ticket place said was available. However, when I got there, four almost FULL rows remained empty the entire night. Sound in venue was great, lighting and visability of cast was great... show was great. Venue??? Needs to review a few issues.
LIGHTING, TEMP, SEATING REVIEW AFTER A CERTAIN POINT, (NO REASON AT ALL FOR US TO BE SQUISHED INTO JUST A COUPLE OF ROWS LIKE THAT.
1. To arrive early by Uber, I had time to secure a bite to eat before showtime. Being alone, I asked a coupke of staffers os a place I could quickly run to. Not very successful on local; but they did point out if I just exited the main entrance "big lighted archway", I would have no problem finding something. Well, upon walking back to gate, I sadly discovered the entrance(s) to the park were licked. We are talking 6pm. So, that meant I had to hike one way and then the next until I found myself all the way around at the vehicle entrance across from firenstation. Now, the walk was EXTREMELY dark and even though I live in this city, I was scared. I could not imagine a guest in our city navigating this. Once inside, my third floor balcony seating was perfect although sweltering. There appeared to be a bar of some sort unopened on a landing. But, we had to go to first floor to get any refreshments. Now, once I had hiked to get a meal, hiked back and around. Up to 3rd (because I am not disabled, I did not want to stop anyone else from using) it's only then that I discovered out usher had no programs. What do we have to do? Go downstairs to notify and get one per family. I WAS ALONE, there was no one else besides me. My single $100 seat was wedged tightly between two very nice families. Because, thats all the ticket place said was available. However, when I got there, four almost FULL rows remained empty the entire night. Sound in venue was great, lighting and visability of cast was great... show was great. Venue??? Needs to review a few issues.
LIGHTING, TEMP, SEATING REVIEW AFTER A CERTAIN POINT, (NO REASON AT ALL FOR US TO BE SQUISHED INTO JUST A COUPLE OF ROWS LIKE THAT.
Written March 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whitney R
Lafayette, LA102 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
The theatre itself is large and pretty, but the parking, drinks, and snacks are over priced...like most shows. The bathrooms were clean and most of the seats have a good view.
Written October 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BA S
New Orleans, LA27 contributions
May 2017 • Family
The venue was fine BUT I did not to pay the $15.00 to park for a child's dance recital. Instead I parked on N. Villere Street as there was an open gate leading into the parking lot. Two hours later as the event ended they had locked those gates and the only way to get back to my car was to walk back up to Essence Way, down to Basin Street and back to N. Villere. Not very local friendly as people from the neighborhood have to walk farther and those who think $15.00 is too much for parking or just didn't bring cash with them are forced to walk and walk. I spoke to someone who said "the police" lock it. Just another way to place the blame on someone else. I doubt the police are just locking gates on a whim. They are doing as they are asked to do. I will not be going back if I can avoid it.
Written May 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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