BAM Harvey Theatre

THE PRODUCTION
I just saw the stellar Rupert Everett playing Oscar Wilde in The Judas Kiss. I was happy to make another attempt to get to BAM, but again this proved to be much more mental and physical effort than I ever expected.
GETTING THERE
Getting to BAM from Manhattan on the weekend always has been and continues to be exceptionally slow and difficult. Years ago, the Fulton Street station was closed for its transformation, and even now that this spectacular facility is open, the A trains are diverted on most weekends to the F line – and the 2 and 3 trains that get closest to the Harvey Theater also run on the local track. The trip ends up being over 1−½ hours, and despite the astonishing number of new super-​tall apartment buildings under construction adjacent to the theater, the area is commercially and visually desolate. There is nowhere to get a snack other than McDonald’s.
THE SPACE AND THE SEATS
Although the raw, unfinished nature of the renovation is intriguing, crowd control is poor, and way-​finding in the overcrowded lobby is difficult. Balcony occupants are directed in circles back toward the sidewalk for a five-​story ascent – there is no elevator – to elevated narrow seats with virtually no leg room and creaking foot rests.
CONCLUSION
Although the sight lines are excellent, the experience of place is arduous and disagreeable.

While the décor of the theater is rather beautiful and I enjoyed the play I saw at a very reasonable price, I have to chime in about the seating as well. It was AWFUL. Unlike some, I had no trouble with how high the gallery was, but the space was TIGHT. When I first got to my seat I thought it was kind of cool how you had to like step up into your seat b/​c it ensured someone tall in front of me would not be in my line of sight. But then… someone had to get past me. As soon as they got close I realized just how difficult that would be! First you had to hop down, which is easier when there’s no one next to you but MUCH more difficult with other people on your left and right. Then you had to press yourself as closely as possibly to the back of your seat to create enough room for someone to walk past, but even doing that, you are having a very intimate moment with everyone walking past you. It’s VERY uncomfortable. Even if you get past all that, or coordinate with your row so everyone goes in and out in order, the seats themselves aren’t great. The seat backs are so perpendicular (no lean back at ALL) that it does become very uncomfortable after an hour or two. Also, they are SO SQUEAKY. In a quiet play with no music, every movement everyone makes can be heard throughout the theater. This last point is the least of my concerns, but also the easiest to fix. The seats all seemed rather new, though, so it seems like the other problems are unlikely to be addressed any time soon. I wish this wasn’t the case b/​c it IS a lovely theater otherwise but I probably will be avoiding this theater for the time being.

Can’t you see when you’re being duped? We went to see The Cherry Orchard, it was a christmas gift to my girlfriend. I sprang for the expensive orchestra seats, paying nearly $ 80 ticket. I’m tall, 6’2, and I just couldn’t believe how little space there was for my legs, I was so uncomfortable, I had a hard time paying attention to the play. The seats themselves are basically wooden planks with almost no padding, I would imagine my grandma slept on something more comfortable in Auschwitz. This was worse than a 3 hour flight in the worst airline in the world. Whoever designed this theater was trying to squeeze in as many people as possible in the space, naturally to maximize the $$$ they squeeze out of the place. I didn’t know BAM had so lovingly embraced predatory capitalism.
We are not sardines, we are human! Never going to the Harvey Theater again.

I love BAM theater although outdated and in need of renovation theater itself is very small and intimate and every seat in the house is great. The fact that it’s in Brooklyn is great

The programming is great but the set up of the theater is stressful.
When we arrived about 20 minutes before showtime, the lobby was insanely crowded and confusing. There was a woman barking at us about where to stand for Will Call. It is set up in the most illogical way possible. You are in line waiting for a window to open up, but you cant really see the windows because there are so many people packed in. There may be signage, but its hard to see with people body to body.
I recommend NOT getting seats in the Gallery. The gallery is so steep and the seats are on top of one another. My boyfriend is 6’3″ and basically had to manspread the whole time to actually fit his legs in the row and avoid hitting the people in front of us in the back of the head. I hope they didn’t turn around and get a faceful of crotch. I am 5’2″ and I was not comfortable either. Squeezing past people already seated in the row (which can be like 15 people in) feels like a treacherous mountain climbing feat. Everyone around us seemed to feel the same way.
We saw the Cherry Orchard and a lot of the play was in various parts of the ground floor — up the aisles etc. We couldn’t see any of those parts.
The building itself is old and interesting, which is probably why the seating is less than ideal. I will come back despite the discomfort since I like being artsy-​fartsy but this isn’t my favorite theater.
And they don’t serve any beverages or booze. It would have been nice to have a glass of wine before getting inadvertently groped by packed in strangers.

BAM Harvey. You’re killing me.
Horrifying for the people in the seats up high. this is no exaggeration.
I will never ever ever go to another event where the only seats available require me to look down from the ceiling.
I went to an «Evening with Michael Mann» exceptional talk, entertaining, dream guest. and of course sold out.
I had to pay $ 30.00 to get in, even for a level 3 member I guess this was a special engagement… now I wonder what happened to all the discounts I was promised…
If you have any fear of heights whatsoever this will not be a pleasant experience. Also be prepared there are a series of very tall, very long multiple staircases to climb– not just myself, but many other people were stopping and laughing we couldn’t believe how many stairs there are.
I was also surrounded by grown men who felt the same way and were all sandwiched together with their legs hanging over the seats and of course the only railing came up half way to my knees. They were cracking jokes about how high up the seats are it was extremely uncomfortable. Very scary seating, borderline dangerous…
Anyone with knee issues will sit here at their own peril. About an hour into the event, my knees were in excruciating pain it is physically impossible to straighten your legs in the seats upstairs.
I have to say this was my first trip here, I learned a great lesson.
Everyone loves BAM, the programming, events, performances– it goes without saying BAM itself is sensational.
But I wish one of these glowing reviews could have given me a heads up.

Came here for date night with the bf to see Chekhov’s «The Cherry Orchard» presented by Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg, Russia. This was our first time at this venue and found it very cool and different — and very Brooklyn. The staff here are professional, from those checking tickets/​bags to ushers and those at the dining area. Thumbs up, BAM Harvey Theater!
Note: Did not give five stars because the entrance process was a bit hectic.

I recently attended a music concert in the main theatre, which is large. We were a good ways back to the right, but were able to see the stage just fine. Not really a bad seat in the house — and even if they were poor I wouldn’t complain since I got free tickets from a friend.
The band was able to do a lot with the visuals on stage, which is a head not do to the theater. I wasn’t expecting to be so thoroughly entertained.

Kid Koala was at BAM Harvey Theatre last week with Nufonia Must Fall. I went to the theatre on the 19^th with a group of friends to see it. There were six of us and we were seated in the upper orchestra section. I thought it was a beautiful venue.
The staff were very friendly. Actually, my boyfriend purchased the tickets online for pick-​up, so we initially got to the theatre about an hour or so before the show to get the physical tickets. We had taken the 2 train to Nevins and walked to Harvey Theatre. The staff let us use the bathrooms before the show since we were going there later for Kid Koala (which they didn’t have to do, but were nice to let us in). After grabbing something to eat at Falafel Bros and walking around Fort Greene, we returned to the venue for the show.
We got through the line quickly and entered the theatre. A few of us purchased drinks. Because we didn’t have much time to hang out in the lobby before the show started, we had to purchase the plastic cups. Beers were about $ 8-​$ 9 and you can drink in the lobby, but if you want to take your drink into the theatre, you need to purchase your drink in one of BAM’s covered plastic cups (which costs $ 5 more). While I like the plastic cup and use it at home, my boyfriend actually wished he hadn’t spent $ 13 on a beer.
The lights in the house dimmed to signal that the show was starting soon. We walked up the stairs to the upper orchestra and were guided to our row by the staff (again, super friendly and helpful) and handed theatre programs and bingo cards (it’s part of the Kid Koala NMF thing). The acoustics in the venue were great. When he spoke and when the musicians played, it sounded crystal clear. The way the seating is arranged, you have a great view of the stage no matter where you are seated. I preferred our spots that night because there was so much going on for this show that I liked having a wider view of all the going-​ons on the stage (Kid Koala at the turntables, the string quartet, the projected live puppetry, and the puppeteers moving from set station to set station).
The only negative about the theatre was the actual seats. While I was fine with them, I could tell they bothered some people. The backs of the chairs in our section leaned a bit forward, so I would see people re-​position now and then. A couple of people from our group noted that they were uncomfortable. I was fine because I literally was on the edge of my seat for the show.
I had a great expereience at the BAM Harvey Theatre and it puts on programs that interest me. I would definitely come here again for sure, but not everyone in our group would.

We caught an NPR show, Selected Shorts, here last week. The theater is beautiful. I love the exposed plaster and brick. The look they are going for is a classic theater that appears run down (although it really isn’t). I LOVE the look. The seats are a bit cramped. They are definitely cramming a few more in to gain ticket sales over comfort, but all-​in-​all it’s a nice spot.

Not impressed at all. BAM is such a great place, but this theater? Not just no, but hell no. I have never been more umcomfortable in my life. First of all, how many flights of dangerously steep stairs do you have to climb before you get to the balcony?! (Yes, I realize it’s an older theater so you just have to do it. Still…) And the seats. Seriously? I’m a big girl so sometimes I have to squeeze in to these NYC theater seats. Usually it’s not a problem but these seats were the worst. Even my thin friend had to wiggle her way into the seat and we were all in pain throughout the course of an extremely long show.
I will say the theater is quite lovely and we had a good view of the stage from our vantage point, but the show was ruined for me because my friends and I were so miserably uncomfortable.
I will likely not be back to this venue. It will take something very enticing to get me there and I can’t imagine what that could be. Thumbs down, BAM.

This is one of my favorite large theater spaces in New York. Seats aren’t the most comfortable, but design elements are great and sight lines are excellent, especially if you’re anywhere in the orchestra (even in the way back – in fact IMHO rear orchestra are some of the best seats in the house.)
However, the main reason I’m writing this is to provide a bit of guidance: this theater is not deep, but it’s high. If you’re in the gallery, you are VERY VERY high up. Much higher than you would be in a Mezzanine section in a Broadway theater. For the most part, you will be looking down on the actors’ heads. So if you’re budget-​minded: spring for the extra couple of bucks and get Upper Orchestra instead, it makes a world of difference. Trust me.

the space is interesting and beautiful if you like old-​looking things, and I definitely do. BAM’s standard for performers and actors is incredibly high. definitely come.

Beautiful restored old theater, plenty of seats with a good view from almost all. Friendly staff, and the bathrooms are close to the theaters. This was a great place to see a movie, with some old-​school charm but modern seats and sound.

I usually write nice things and silly stuff but whew! what a bad experience!
The place was dirty with sticky floors beneath the seats, rude angry faced «ushers» and filthy pee on the floor restrooms. All while trying to give the appearance of a classy art supporting venue that has broken out of the shabby Brooklyn neighborhood it inhabits. Typical Brooklyn. The Brooklyn that millions left behind for Long Island to provide better life for families decades ago is still the wrong place to try and have a nice night out.
Temporary, student who have never been out and don’t know what patrons expect or super calla-​ghetto-​tastic employees/​interns who wont give you a little hand if you really need something or care enough to try and keep long time clients because maybe the monetary support comes from elsewhere. One can clearly see that in the next decade this place will ultimately fail as has all else in this borough. The place is practically brand new and already falling apart.
Really a shame… could have been a great place for art and music. Pew.

I really like the layout of this theater. No matter where you’re sitting, you a get a view of the whole stage. The seats were comfortable and spacious. I would happily come back here.

LOVE the space. Liked most of the staff. A SUCH a BRILLIANT performance!!!
My qualms are that the location simply isn’t convenient to my location. Once I received directions from an usher at the main theater space… I found Harvey. Kind of neat that all the theaters are in different locals within the same proximity… but also somewhat inconvenient.
My HUGE qualms are that I do not recall any obvious warning on the BAM site telling me that the seats I purchased we an obstructed view. Even had there been a warning, the availability they gave listed nearly the entire section as purchased. So there was no option at time of booking for better seating. When we arrived, half of the section was empty. No way in hell did that many people simply not show on a clear, precipitation-​free night. Seriously no bueno.
Fortunately, one of the better ushers was discretely listening to the conversation my guest and I were having about our extreme displeasure and plans to contact BAM for some sort of compensation for this booking site issue. Doubly fortunate was the piece being set up so that one of the performers was choosing audience members in the front upper orchestra row and «upgrading» them to orchestra seating. Our usher took this opportunity to acknowledge our displeasure and issue, and offer us the two seats which were now free. Couldn’t thank him enough for the courtesy.
Due to the inconvenient location (for me), I’ve always looked at BAM as a venue I’d only consider for a show/​actor/​director/​choreographer/​piece which I can’t imagine missing. I was hoping this experience would change my mindset. Sadly, my experience with booking oversights has put said mindset much more firmly in place.

When you have to sit on the most uncomfortable stools in the world but still have a fantastic time, you know a place has some pretty fantastic entertainment.
BAM’s Harvey Theatre is a wonderful spot to catch a great play right here in Brooklyn. No need to go to Manhattan.
I’ve seen Sam Mendez direct As You Like it and Richard III, starring Kevin Spacey here. Just recently however at BAM’s Cinemafest they debuted brand new screen the size of the whole stage. The thing was tremendous. They also installed a state of the art sound system. So whenever there is a big film to show on big nights, The Harvey will be the spot to be.
I was at the kickoff event for Cinemafest and saw «Ain’t Them Bodies Saints» starring Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck. Amazing film. Not at all surprised by BAM’s choice for a film to present the debut of their new state of the art screen on.
The only beef with the Harvey is the upstairs balcony seats. The view is great. The seats, not so much. If my mind wasn’t so enthralled in what I was watching, I’d pay more attention to the awful pains my back was feeling. It’s like when you have a mistress step on your back for hours on end, calling you worthless and slamming her heels into your spine when you don’t answer her correctly… not that I know what any of that is about.
So if you want to see some amazing theater without going into Manhattan or the debut of a super limited release indie film, The Harvey is your destination.

Came here to see the suit. Although I’m not your theater kind of guy as they typically put me to sleep (and this was no exception), I definitely enjoyed this space. It’s incredibly large for how small the place looks on the outside although the seating is a bit cramped. I particularly enjoyed the fact that they kept the old theater intact with its preserved decrepitude.

I was working here on a show. I’d say the worst part about the place was their stage union, which makes you hire like, 8 people to move a spotlight. Worse than the chicago unions.
Other than that, this place is cool. It feels historic and artsy. During shows, there is artwork on display in the lobby. It makes merchandise set up difficult, but it provides entertainment to the audience.
The elevators get really packed and it’s slow getting around the theater. But the sound is pretty good, and the architecture is very pretty. Easily the best part of BAM is the smaller venue on the second floor, the ‘jazz’ club.