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11/16

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When the first vaudeville act stepped on stage at the Beacon Theater in 1928, no one could have guessed that in the next 75 years talking movies, the Allman Brothers Band, Radiohead, VH1’s “Divas Live” and the Dalai Lama would also grace that same stage. The Upper West Side vaudeville house turned movie palace turned concert venue, however, remains in its original condition. As a nationally registered Art Deco landmark, the Beacon Theater’s interior is protected from any alteration or destruction. The open-air, marble lobby designed by architect Walter W. Ahlschlager is intact, complete with original bronze entry doors. Inside, the two 30-foot statues of Greek goddesses that flank the stage proscenium and white marble floors are pristine. Sure, the 2,894 seats may have been re-upholstered, and the stage repainted and redecorated for almost every alternative rock band that rolls through, but the original sound system still functions like new. In fact, like many smaller venues of the ‘20s and ‘30s, the Beacon Theater has near-perfect acoustics. Unfortunately, the intimate space also has some drawbacks: During events, the temperature inside the theater soars, and with the addition of standing room guests, the space gets pretty packed and sweaty. — Corinne Iozzio

The cliché “every seat is the best seat in the house” might actually apply to The Beacon Theater. Every seat is close enough to see the stage clearly and there are no walls, pillars or columns as sight obstructions. So, don’t splurge for the extra $15-$20 for orchestra tickets and give the nosebleed section a shot.