I went just last night for the first time to see the opening of Into the Woods with a good friend who got tickets through her work. \n\nThis is a fantastic venue that does a really really nice job with their production. The set was phenomenally done and the singing/acting of the cast was especially good. One would not expect to find something like this outside of the downtown area in a non-conventional theatre. \n\nMy friend and I got there at the start of dinner service, which I DO NOT recommend doing! You see, that means we were in our seats from about 5:30 all the way to the end of the show...at 10:30. While the seats are pretty cushy, they are not theatre seats, but rather dinner seats (with more cushioning than usual). But sitting in these seats for almost 5 hours straight (I think I got up once during intermission) was painful. It didn't help that we were in the back of one of the decks, so we had a step right in front of our table. When we turned our chairs for the show, that meant there was about 6 inches of space for my feet to sit. I couldn't get comfortable as I would have at a show in a traditional theatre. By the way, they serve dinner till 7, so get there a little later, since the show starts at 7:30.\n\nThat aside, this was a great experience to be had in AZ. The food was what killed it...completely....as so many others have said here. It started off well with the coconut shrimp appetizer. I really wish I would have just ordered 3 or 4 plates of that to spare me from my super dry teriyaki pork (no pineapples or chunks of anything fun on top) and over-salted fingerling potatoes. My friend had their chicken, which was a little less dry and had a tastier sauce, but her rice pilaf was waaaaay overdone. Our desserts were a little bit better, but not by much. The apple crisp lacked the flavor crisps should have and my lemon cookie was very lemony. It seems the price tag for the tickets pays the actors and employees of ABT, rather than the quality of food. AKA, it's a bit like a banquet hall who pumps out food quickly.\n\nI did love my Limelight Margarita though!!! \n\nEveryone should go to ABT at least once. It's pretty pricey, so take 4 people (not 2) because you can split the cost of the table. Appetizers and upgraded entrees (like prime rib and steak) are extras as well as the drinks.
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