The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Address:	800 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Phone:	+1 713-315-2525
Site:	thehobbycenter.org
Rating:	4.6

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

JACQUE LANE

I have to say that I was terribly disappointed in the Hobby Center at last nights performance of The Beauty and The Beast. I planned the evening for over a year and it was to be a special night out with my adult daughters. The show was amazing but the Hobby Center was just awful! The "greeters" at the door were grumpy old women who were downright rude. The facility has nowhere near enough restrooms for the guest seating, the lines were absolutely horrendous from start to end. The concession staff were overwhelmed and never spoke a word. They just stared at us until we placed an order, filled it silently and slapped the register screen for payment. They didnt notify us that we needed covered cups to take our drinks inside the theater. What did they expect us to do with them? It seems kind of obvious, but that would have required them to speak to us. $57 for three beverages? I expect high prices, but there is a point where it just isnt reasonable. Our tickets wouldnt scan and the lady had to escort us to the ticket booth to speak with an authority and she was clearly annoyed about the task and grumbled her complaints to us excessively and rather loudly. Other guests were looking at us as if we were hurting her. The manager assisting us to clear the issue was no more personable and was truly in a foul mood. Once we settled that snafu, it took almost ten minutes of us following the concierge(s) up and down the wrong stairways to find our seats. Why have someone ushering guests who isnt familiar with the floor? Same grumpy, elderly women. We enjoyed our outing and the show was wonderful. Time with my girls is priceless, but the Hobby Center did nothing to support an enjoyable evening out. I realize that sometimes its easy to get distracted and frustrated at work, but if you dont like your job...find one that you do!

Nancy Keenan

I attended Wicked On Sunday, July 24 at 2pm. The show was fantastic so I have absolutely nothing but great comments about the production. However I was taken back by the rude and unacceptable behavior of the Usher at the performance. I understand that photos are not allowed during the performance but he was walking up and down the aisle shouting at people not to take pictures of the hall -not even a selfie prior to the performance. This is absolutely ridiculous. He was shooting his laser light at people to get their attention if they didnt hear him shouting. A friend of mine attended another performance and stated that this did not occur at her performance.When I got up to answer an emergency call from the hospital where I worked, he didnt want to let me out of the door. These events almost ruined the entire performance for me. I paid $150 for my ticket and could not believe the unacceptable treatment that I received. I am a member of the Houston Ballet and their Ushers are very professional and allow pictures to be taken before and after performances. I will think twice before returning to see another show at this venue.

Joyce Jensen Laws

We attended a performance of "Book of Mormon" last evening. We arrived at the theater by 7:30 and intended to valet park. It was backed up so continuted to the parking garage. The sign indicated it was full and the only instruction we received from the parking attendant was "Follow that silver car". We had no idea where to go and ended up at the Tranquillity Park garage. After a very fast walk we arrived at the theater (along with a large number of others ) to find the performance had already begun and we had to wait to be seated. We have attended many, many shows at Hobby - this was the only time the parking garage was full and it was handled very poorly. The show - what we saw ofn it- was great.

Selby Blackwell

The Hobby Center obviously did not give the restroom design much thought at all. Really, you want almost 2000 people to go down stairs from the orchestra level to take a pee at intermission and come back and be seated all within 15 min. The lines at the restrooms are unbelievably long for men and women. And you had better be able to move fast or you will get trampled by all the folks that have already figured out the restroom locations are a joke. Furthermore the parking garage design is no better either, again if you are not up and out of your seat, running for the door as soon as the show is over you will sit in line in the garage for at least another hour.

Ashley Brooks

This will always be the place where I saw Book of Mormon. Even though I have sung a concert or two in this venue, those experiences are dwarfed by the perfect night I had watching that amazing musical. Anyway, the parking is easy. Dont be afraid to look for street parking in the surrounding blocks. Its free after 6! Also, theaters used to frown upon drinks inside the hall, but now they let you waltz right in with a wine/beer/mixed drink sippy cup! Just dont be obnoxious, please. The restaurant at the Hobby Center, Artista, served up a DELICIOUS meal for the Bach Society after a concert there. I bet their real dinner is real nice.

angela kisner

im very disappointed in the hobby center! i wish i wasnt but i am! this place is awesome and i love going there for the musicals but i just cant believe that when asked if they could help out a local to announce a pregnancy, they deny it! it wouldve just been nice for them to do something special or try to work with me as i was trying to announce this huge surprise to my husband but they basically told me im on my own and to just take a picture with the poster or do it on the balcony. not really asking for much but i expected at least someone there with a heart to help someone with special news.

Chad Brumfield

My wife and I came here for a showing of The Bodyguard and had a fantastic time. We enjoyed the show so much. This place is very beautiful with excellent sound systems and effects. I dont get to see live theater very often but it was absolutely worth it to go see this. I would definitely return here in the future and see many more performances by the very talented cast. The ushers and other workers here were also very polite, helpful, and courteous. So all in all, a really great experience coming here.

Ayana Annie

Saw WICKED at this theatre. Everything was very organized and easy to get to. Sound quality was good and our view from the mezzanine level was unobstructed. The only difficulty is with the parking structure. It can get rather congested and is confusing to navigate since its an underground passageway of parking lots and tunnels. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to park and get to the theater before show time (45 minutes to 1 hour). Even valet takes awhile since theres a very long line.

Dr. Barbara Sunderland Manousso

The tickets received were not the ones selected. This is the second time that we had tickets switcher on us. There wont be a third. Staff trying to clarify what happened was lovely. Being at Hobby Center was a strange and stressful evening.....not welcome when tickets for two were almoat $400. Terrible evening. Ps. The woman next to my husband spilled a glass of wine on his pants leg. Since when are drinks allowed into a tight seating area?!!