Warren is a pretty small place to try and bring good acts to....Packard Hall does a good job of getting some very strong acts to pack in the crowds. I am not sure how many people the place holds, but it is pretty large. The building is older and small things you would expect from an old building are all present....old chairs cramped together and out dated textiles. However, I will go back when a good act gets booked that I want to see. The downside.......the place really does not have a plan for super large crowds. I went on a sold out night to watch the Blue Man Group. Biggest complaint for me was parking.......horrible.....just horrible in and out plus the walking distance was crazy far. The doors getting in are also small so packing people in created long lines that also carried over to the concession area. Just not very user friendly in that respect...but a good place.
Upon arrival to the Packard Hall aka an old looking high school there was no parking left. So I was shuttled by a school bus. I bought tickets to see Blue Man Group having no idea what type of venue the Packard Music Hall was. Therefore as I do for any theater show I dressed up. Almost every person at this venue was dressed in street clothes. The most upsetting part of my experience was that after being shuttled in a dirty school bus I was told I had 5 minutes to get a drink or snack and they were locking the theater doors for 20 minutes! After finding my seat which was last replaced in the 70's....my view of the stage was continuously blocked by people walking....especially after the 20 minute lock down was over and a crowd of people were let in. Sound quality was terrible. Everything was terrible! I wouldn't go see anything at this place ever again even if it was free. I left 45 minutes into the show because I was so upset.
Packard is a gem for us in our backyard. The artist selections are beginning to draw more people from outside the area. We have recently seen Kevin Costner and Rick Springfield at Packard. Awesome price and location without driving to Pittsburgh or Cleveland.
There are still gret programs here. The facility was famous in the 60's, and the Johnny Carson era. However, it has become run down and has not been restored to its once grandeur. It is a large facility, and it has been cold the last few times I have been there. Still, I especially enjoy Tony Kenny and other Music Association programs, and I will attend any chance I get.
Warren prize jewel in a crown that brings in many great acts to entertain the folks of this area. We are blessed to have such a fine facility to have in our backyard.
this is still one of the true treasuries for warren. they've had many forms of entertainment. from one man shows to babershop quartettes. still a great place to go.
Nice hall, but has really gone down hill. Local events only and it is always crowded. Seating is terrible. Parking is awful! Not in a good neighborhood, either!
They have a great line up this year. In January we saw the Blue Man Group and tonight we experienced STOMP. They were amazing. We had the cheaper balcony seats at they were pretty darn good. ( the wine is good too). It's nice to be able to see some good entertainment without driving to a big city. Parking isn't the greatest, and if you don't arrive early it's a little bit of a walk for this bitter cold weather. It wouldn't bother me in warmer weather.
Seems like a well kept secret. The concert band is well accomplished. They just put on a concert directed by a nationally known conductor and featured two world class clarinetists. Very nice venue in an unexpected place, free parking -- what's not to like!!
Years ago this was a great place to go for plays, to listen orchestras and the like. The owners have never renovated the place. It's very depressing to go inside. They have scaled down to union meetings, job fairs, etc.