In which I rate the 2013 Fringe venues - starting with my favorites

[dreamshark]

This is mostly for my own benefit, as I do look back on my Fringe postings from year to year. But for any Fringer who is torn between two shows - why not let the quality of the venue break the tie?

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TOP OF THE LINE:
 5 stars: Music Box, Illusion, Southern, Red Eye,
 4 stars: Rarig Proscenium, Thrust, and Arena
 ? can't remember:  Theater in the Round
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Music Box Theatre (1407 Nicollet).  * * * * *  

PLUSES: Quaint, attractive theater with old-fashioned marquee and lobby. Lots of places to eat nearby.
COMFORT: Cushy seats, adequate A/C, rest rooms easily accessible, nice lobby.
SIGHT LINES: Excellent. High riser incline and raised stage
SOUND: excellent
MINUSES. No bike racks. But there are racks down the block at Red Eye.

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Illusion Theatre (Cowles Center/Masonic Bldg - 528 Hennepin)  * * * * *

PLUSES: Located in historic Masonic Bldg. Beautiful lobby with comfortable seats and a snack bar. Bike racks out front.
COMFORT: Comfortable theater seats, adequate A/C, rest rooms easily accessible, spectacular lobby.
SIGHT LINES: Excellent. High riser incline and raised stage
SOUND: Excellent
MINUSES: Requires trip through ugly Cowles Bldg lobby, around a corner and up elevator to 8th floor

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Southern Theater (1420 Ave So)   * * * * *
PLUSES: Spectacular stage design using exposed brick, partially demolished walls exposing giant archway, great lighting
COMFORT: Comfortable theater seats (good), crowded ticket lobby (bad), rest rooms/waiting area upstairs (bad),
SIGHT LINES: Excellent. High riser incline, balcony always open
SOUND: Excellent
MINUSES: No place to park, practically no lobby, no bike racks (?)

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Red Eye Theater (15 W. 14th St)  * * * *
PLUSES: Bike racks out front.
COMFORT:Theater seats, I think.
SIGHT LINES: medium to high riser incline, but theater space at floor level.
SOUND: Not sure
MINUSES:  Theater space at floor level

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Rarig Proscenium Stage (West Bank)  * * * *
PLUSES:
COMFORT: Cushy theater seats (good), rest rooms in basement (bad), few places to sit except basement (bad)
SIGHT LINES: Good - medium riser incline, theater seats.
SOUND: excellent
MINUSES: No place to park. Shared lobby space a zoo at Fringe. Bike racks removed? Smells like sewer outside

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Rarig Thrust Stage (West Bank)  * * * *
PLUSES: Huge theater (almost never sells out).
COMFORT: Cushy theater seats (good), rest rooms in basement (bad), few places to sit except basement (bad)
SIGHT LINES: Good - medium riser incline, thrust stage.
SOUND: Surprisingly inconsistent. There are dead spaces even close to stage where it is hard to hear.
MINUSES: No place to park. Shared lobby space a zoo at Fringe. Bike racks removed? Smells like sewer outside

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Rarig Arena Stage (West Bank)  * * * *
PLUSES: Theater in the Round design can be intimate and cozy.
COMFORT: Cushy theater seats (good), rest rooms in basement (bad), few places to sit except basement (bad)
SIGHT LINES: Depends on how effectively performers use in-the-round stage, but awkward for most performances.
SOUND: Good.
MINUSES: No place to park. Shared lobby space a zoo at Fringe. Bike racks removed? Smells like sewer outside