Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

1419 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA

Address:	1419 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Phone:	+1 504-525-1052
Site:	mahaliajacksontheater.com
Rating:	3.9

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 26

Kerry Brunson

To all of you who say that the ushers were "HORRIBLE", did you get their name? Report it to a house manager? I work at the theatre and assure you that everyone has a name tag in the event that people need to report problems. As far as the issue with waiting around inside the theatre, people are moved out in a timely manner so that the cleaning crew can come in to do their work and go home. An actor in a traveling theatre troupe doesnt make the rules for the theatre he/she is performing in. It was the actors fault for telling you to wait inside the theatre for the backstage tour. There were many such tours going on after every nightly performance of The Lion King and everyone waited outside the side stage entrance. Not at their seats, not in the hallway, but OUTSIDE. And yes, we do have to repeatedly shout that it is ILLEGAL to take photos during performances. This isnt New York. People in New Orleans think they can do illegal things and get away with it. Same goes for the way people dress. This aint New York City.

A Private User

We paid a lot of money for our tickets to see the Lion King. It was my mothers first time to go to a theatrical performance (she is 70 years old). The ushers and other employees were absolutely horrible. They walked up and down the aisles yelling at the top of their lungs to not take photos or recordings or our phones would be taken and we would be removed from the theater. They were even saying things such as, "Take a pictute if you want but we will kick you out of here and you will not get your money back". I felt like a second class citizen and as if i were at some back ally production. I have been to performances in New York and enjoyed dressing up and being treated with dignity. The majority of attendees were dressed like they were going to the ball park. This place is not classy at all. I will not waste my money here again.

March Hare

I believe each person who has been to this theatre will agree its beautiful inside, but the people that manage it (or own it) need to modify how they train the ushers and employees. They are SO RUDE you would think they hate people in general. I had more fun the last time I was stranded and had to sleep at the bus station. I was never so insulted by service people in my life, & Ive been around a while !! Maybe they really open the Saenger again one of these days. You have been warned, so when you have a bad experience there perhaps you can help others avoid wasting their money, if they dont like being made to feel like garbage. I really wanted to see Jersey Boys.Will try next time Im in New York.

Samantha Breaux

I cant believe security let that guy walk on stage during Louis CKs show. The guy was walking really slow and reached the center stage and stayed there for a whole 6 seconds before security even noticed. The guy with the spotlight noticed before security did. The security didnt even check my purse when I entered. I opened it and they told me I was good. I just stared at them and as a courtesy opened my jacket pockets and went to show them the rest of my purse pockets buy they just told me it was fine. They didnt even use the metal detector. Im so dissapointed.

A Private User

I agree fully with Andrea. Just saw The Lion King and the show was wonderful. At the end of the show we were waiting for one of the performers in our seats where he told us to wait and the staff was rude. They told us we had to leave. We then attempted to wait in the hall by the stage door and they practically shoved us out and they were rude. Once the performer we were waiting on came out, he walked us passed the ushers that were so rude to give us a backstage tour.

Olivia Nicholson

The theater isnt the issue, its the staff. After the show, we headed out directly but bumped into some neighbors and chatted momentarily. The ushers very, very rudely pushed us out into the hallway where more rude ushers rushed us outside. I understand that theres a cleanup crew, etc, but I also am a season ticket holder at the saengar and I know there is no excuse for treating theater patrons (especially at a theater so in need of support) in such a manner.

Jo Youngblood

Beautiful theater and we enjoyed our visit. Unfortunately, our credit card number was used at this location again four months after we visited. We purchased our tickets through groupon so the only purchase we made on site was from the food and beverage vendor.

Andrew Szypula

Fantastically beautiful venue. The sound of live music is great. The ushers are friendly and personable but also take their jobs seriously and are genuinely concerned for the experience and safety of their guests.

Andrea Carlin

The ushers were HORRIBLE. Mean and disrespectful. I spent a lot of money on my ticket only to be treated like a low class citizen. The theater itself was beautiful.

Matt Mc Cann

I personally prefer a more industrial theater design to the more Rocco overdone theater. Mahalia is a nice theater and I like the blue lights.

Sarah Underwood

I love the acoustics and the convenient seating. I, being not very tall, was able to see over the person in front of me for the first time.

antony rogers

Nice staff and reasonable prices, everything you will need is a short walk away, so no need to drive anywhere.

Bart Colosino

What a beautiful theatre. Saw the Nutcracker there and was completely blown away. Love this place.

Darius Shad

The venue is longer than wide. Makes for a lesser experience than other theaters in New Orleans.

Renecia Bihms-Cullier

Ive loved every event that I have attended at this facility and look forward to more visits.