State Theatre

State Theatre is an amazing venue for a comedy show. Seems like every seat has a good view, just depends how close you want to be. Our seats were on the side up front and they are angled so your neck won't be hurting.

Here's to the usher that told me to put my phone away, I got some great photos anyways, haha.

It had been over a decade since I hit downtown Minneapolis to take in a show. I did a quick search to determine whether the Twin Cities had the Nutcracker and stumbled on Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy. I booked it well over a month early. It was at the State Theatre.

A day after a snowstorm, I was to attend this ballet and dance performance. I left the hotel an hour before showtime. I actually cut it close, getting to the parking lot a block away ten minutes before showtime. It was snowing lightly as I drove over.

When you enter the theatre, you have to unbutton your coat or jacket. Security is checking for rifles and guns. It's distinctly different than going to any show in Toronto.

Next up, if you have a purse, you have to open it up for a security person. I had a small one. I did so. All was great.

Third checkpoint was going through the metal detector. I was fine.

I then had to show my ticket. My ticket was confusing to look at. I had a digital version on my phone with a QR code. It said 2:30 pm. At first, I thought that my show was at 2:30 pm, but I knew that I would not book a Friday matinee. Instead, it was 7:30 pm. Weird.

Anyway, the nice woman scanned my QR code. I asked her where I should go. I was looking at the FF row steps away. She was great pointing out my seat. I thanked her.

My annoyance is more with the attendees. My seat was 5. I looked over and it was taken. I spoke to the first four people in my row. They relayed the message down the row that someone can't read or count properly. Sure enough, I saw a shuffle of ten people move over a seat.

Really? I've never seen a group in double digits completely get their seats wrong. All ten of you?!

I thanked the first four people as I moved past them to finally sit in my seat. The woman who had warmed up my seat apologized. I was polite, as that's who I am, the Canadian, by saying that I thought that I had the wrong row. Nope, she apologized again for making the mistake.

Minnesotans are typically good admitting when they are wrong. Minnesota nice was strong that night.

I then had to deal with a boy in front of me. The rows of seats on the main floor slant upwards slightly as you move away from the stage. However, this boy's huge afro made it difficult to see the stage at times. Add the fact that he decided to raise his hands over his 'fro did not make things better. I was not impressed.

At this performance, you cannot take any photos whatsoever. A young woman in front, over to the right, pulled that stunt. I saw an usher swoop over to her like a hawk with a flashlight to tell her to stop. She did.

The performance started off slow. It had a full orchestra, which I loved. It got better and picked up in pace as the performance went along.

There was one intermission. The woman who sat in my seat and her partner left the show. Afro boy and his mom decided to change seats and moved up several rows.

Theatre goers are weird here.

The second half of the show was awesome. You got the conclusion of the Nutcracker, with modern dance mixed in. I loved it. The dancers were wonderful, graceful, and incredibly flexible.

The seats were comfortable. I basically wiggled out of my puffy jacket and let it sink into my seat. I had lots of leg room.

After the show, I had to find the women's washroom. It was downstairs. This theatre is deemed historic. There were carpeted stairs that led you downstairs. I didn't see an elevator, so I can't speak about accessibility.

The washroom was clean and pretty. No complaints.

The theatre's interior is gorgeous. I found the box office. It's to the right when you enter the theatre. There's a restaurant on the left, which was closed when I was heading out. It was lightly snowing, which you could clearly see with all the lights that the theatre had everywhere.

There was a small merchandise table outside the auditorium. I got a set of cards. I sent a few to friends as Christmas cards. I paid with a credit card. They were $10 for five cards with envelopes. Done!

I had a good experience taking in my first ballet and modern dance performance in Minneapolis. Despite folks not knowing where to sit, I'd return for another performance at this theatre and hope for better company.

(494)

This venue had a great setup for any style of entertainment. I've been here for a couple concerts now and the sound is amazing, but the seats are kind of tight. It didn't affect how fun all the concerts have been.

The ushers work hard at getting you to the correct seat, however there were a lot of other fans that sat in the wrong spots and caused a lot of disturbance.

We found a parking lot for $5 a few blocks away behind the Saloon.

There are a lot of restaurants/bars around this area but hard to find a spot at night or on weekends and is more upscale.

Great venue to see The New Standards Holiday Show.
This year I was so impressed with the check in.
Nicest person at the door checking Covid Vaccination cards.
Followed by metal detectors and finally concert ticket check in. It was all fast and easy and staff were so friendly.

I also appreciated the usher Sat. night who tried their best to enforce the mask policy as one woman gave them a hard time.

I'm so glad they have these policies during Covid.

This was our first visit to the State Theater. It is a beautiful, historic theater with a very ornate interior, comfortable seats, and good acoustics.
Its was a perfect venue for a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert.

My only complaint is that despite their mask mandate, they allow food and drinks in the auditorium, which made me feel less safe given how packed the seats were. We had an aisle seat so it didn't feel so packed. I doubt we will be back until their vaccine and mask mandate goes away. May that happen sooner than later.

I came here for the Jessie James Decker concert. Beautiful state theater. Every seat has a good view of the stage. The only downside is limited leg space and parking though there are parking ramps surrounding the area. Overall, the experience was good and the sound was great!

The State is a theatre I've been to the least amount of times in the Cities. No particular reason just normally works out that way. It's an older theatre but has some interesting character and ornate details inside. The seats aren't the most comfortable, but with the age of the theatre, I wasn't super surprised there. Next time I see a show here, I may opt for the balcony instead of the rear main floor. I feel like the view would be a lot better at that location. The sound was phenomenal though and the crowd was really into the show so all in all I had a great experience here.

Went there for a Manheim Steamroller concert. The band themselves were very good. However, the ushers were not pleasant in the least to deal with. In order to get in, we had to provide proof of vaccination as everyone in attendance had to do, my wife and I had our proof. But we also had to wear a mask. Several times during the performance, 1 specific usher kept telling me to wear my mask correctly to which I already was. Not to mention, my wife and I were sitting in the very last row in which we had a curtain right behind us and the ushers were standing right behind said curtain and talking with each other and being a distraction. They also kept walking up and down the isles which was also another distraction. Not pleased with the overall experience and I have absolutely no plans on ever going there ever again. #BirthdayGiftRuined

Beautiful vintage building with intricate architectural details located close to the business district and major hotels. The seats are vintage as well, and some would prefer modern seats. Serous security check entering the theater. Acoustics are wonderful and we had a good time.

Came here today for the Ali Wong show.
Nice classical theater, seats are a little narrow.
Toilets are clean, a lot of stalls. Sound system is good, nice and compact place.
A little old, but cleanliness is key, and this place felt clean.
They didn't allow us to bring an full water bottle in, so my friend had to empty her bottle. But there is a refill fountain by the toilet in the lower level (it is behind a wall to the left of the bar when you are facing the bar).