So let me start with the ticketing system. I really do not find it a huge issue. The main problem with the system is that is just adds to the "red tape" that guests must follow in order to view the show. Guest spick up a ticket to ensure a seat, then stand in line for the better seat. If there are ticket left over, they hand them out to anyone as they are seating people, until five minutes before when they give up the ticket charade and just let anyone in. Really, it is not that bad unless it is a really busy day. If it is very busy or at least decently busy, you have to worry about not getting a ticket; however, on slower days there is absolutely no worry about getting in to see a show. Some days like today where there was almost no one in the park, they don't even bother to hand out tickets. So really the system is not really that bad, just more or less tedious and can get slightly annoying. My biggest issue is the tickets are not themed AND you can not keep your ticket as a souvenir. If they fulfilled those last two requests, I would be much more pleased.
To add on to the "red tape", there is the new fence and entering procedures. I honestly love the fence because it adds to the look of the theater and it helps to keep the line centralized onto one area. That said, I was told the door to the theater and the gates remain open all day for anyone to enter with the exception of five minutes which is right before they start letting people into the theater for the show. So CK, you may still be able to sit on the steps towards the end of the day, so long as the gates are open; which they should be

The red carpet really looks nice and ties together the regal design they added to the theater lobby.
The line seems to form as early as one hour before the show but mainly start 45 minutes prior. I really hate the organization of the line. I feel like they should have better designed how to have the line flow. They essentially almost purposely try to block off the bathrooms by having the line cut right in the middle of the pathway. I'd suggest keep the line against the actual Globe Theater building, and the have a small break and then have the line go against the planter/garden section and then another small break, and then finally go into the extended queue for the sky ride. Essentially, I suggest keeping the line against some type of wall and have small breaks at mandatory spots for guests to access the bathrooms.
I
can not stress how
overlooked and
amazing that the theater lobby was renovated. The room has an amazing regal feel to it. The floor has nice glazed looking brick and then a nice red wallpaper and the ceiling has those intricate looking circles. I do remember chandeliers previously; however, I am not sure if they were replaced or if their surroundings is what does it, but they look totally awesome. The red ropes and brass stanchions really help to add to the regal look. This whole room really is mind blowing awesome and I can not believe how everyone continues to ignore how perfect it looks.
Now to be honest, the seating has me confused. I'm not sure what the purpose is to have everyone fill up the front before the back other than they want to keep people from getting close to the technical booth in the back of the seating. With that said, if you ask nicely and most of the front is generally filled, it should not be a problem; however, I do believe that there is no logical reason to have people go to the front of the theater unless they assume everyone wants to sit in the front. Still, they should allow people to sit towards the back if they desire.
The pre-show videos of the queen is very comical and entertaining. While some may think that this comedic version of the queen may be offensive to British citizens, I took it among my self to actually ask British citizens what they thought. After a short conversation, there are British citizens who find the queen to be innocent and playful fun. Yes there are British people who actually like the queen in that aspect. I really do not see an issue with it, as it has been grossly portrayed on the forums. That said, I am not saying all British people think it is cool, but that not all British people think it is bad taste like what has come across to me at least by reading the forums. I am still trying to figure out which video is my favorite, but I think I much prefer the cultural announcement where she says the rules such as no flash photography, phones, etc. Someone did mention how they thought it was confusing when the queen says no unauthorized singing or dancing when they have a sing-a-long portion later on in the show and I honestly do believe this has created the lack of audience participation in the show. While I understand the queens warning to be comical, other might take it literal and not try to sing at all creating a very silent and boring audience.
I love the opening sequence. It really helps to show you how Lucy a teen at the time shows how she enjoys taking the underground subway. Then the first scene shows how much Lucy really does enjoy the genre of music and she falls in love with that teen heart throb lead singer type. Someone asked why the addition of the Deep Purple riff was necessary and I have an answer. That part of the song is a perfect introduction to the rock'n roll genre. Not sure if anyone here has listened to the original version of It's Only Rock'n Roll But I Like It, but honestly it is an amazing song; however the beat doesn't do the song justice and doesn't portray the rock'n roll stereotype as much as Deep Purple does. In that aspect, I really loved the mixed version than the separate original songs. I also feel that the For Your Love was necessary to show how "in love" the two main characters are. Finally, while out of place in the sense of the artist's origins, What I Like About You was needed to help the main characters tell what they truly like about each other to help promote that love theme. Those two songs are more primarily used to support the story later on; however, in the opening scene they are more foreshadowing the love relationship between the "teen heart throb" and Lucy.
Now we have the queen's interjection. Some people claim these videos do not add to the show, but really I think they help to break up the show as well as help explain the music somewhat. In this interjection, the queen declares that the new rock'n roll type music is nothing but loud noise that will never last. I think this is what a lot of the parents during this time were feeling about this type of music. It helps to show how the music was generally loved by teens yet disliked by parents during it's beginnings. it is a neat short bit to help split things up.
The next scene is all about the meeting, dating, and then proposal of Lucy and Guy. I think this scene really helps show what type of relationship the two initially felt and describes the puppy love phase that most relationships go through in their beginning. It shows the initial interest the two both had in records and showed how free their lifestyle was. It really was a very moving scene that helps promote Lucy & Guy's relationship.
The next scene of the wedding flow really well from the proposal in the last scene. This scene really shows a great version of a wedding and then the following party that is held to celebrate the newly wed couple. I love the dancing between the secondary main couple towards the beginning of the party. I really do not like the random guy jumping out to be the primary singer for Just Dance. He seems extremely out of place and honestly, he gets covered up by the couple and goes unnoticed for the beginning of the bit especially.
This next queen video is actually really neat and helps to provides a bridge into the next scene with the car ride with the children. She announces how they were just married and then goes on to wish people a rockin' trip wherever they are headed.The video clip also shows the triplets sign which helps to show they had children and continues to promote that life experience story being shown.
I love the children's scene. Someone told me that children do not initially notice the puppeteers because they focus on the puppets primarily. This is something I've been pondering about. The more I think about how much the scene is geared to children and not adults, the more I realize the puppets fit perfectly to help cater to children. While it is definitely a stark contrast going from live performers to puppets and back again, I realize as a child watching the show, they might not feel that it is so out of place as an adult might feel. So while this scene is truly based for children it is the only scene the loses touch with the story with one exception I will talk about later. This scene being catered to children, focuses on children's naturally imaginative thoughts. While there truly is no other logical reason for being under the sea, I am only going to say it can disconnect form the story because it's for children and I don't care to much because I love that song and scene, especially the bubbles.
Now we come to the next queen video that is all about working hard at night. This helps to introduce the stress that the father has to go through and then passes along the frustration to the rest of the family. The video shows the how stressful work is and how that alone can affect the family as a whole.
I miss the parachute pants. I really do. they helped to add contrast to the different personalities that the children have. Also, it looked really cool. I guess the major concern was the pants ripping due to the choreography for the show. That said, my biggest issue was the kids that look like they are skipping stones. It is just awkward and not clear what they are trying to do. All I can think of is they are practicing their punching.
The queen does come back one last time for Strawberry Fields and Space Oddity. My issue is now that the family has solved their issues at the end of the last scene, the story is dead. It's over and there is no need to continue. But they need a grander finale. I honestly do like the finale, but still it seems very unnecessary. I do think that Big Ben blasting off and then having the curtain raise with lots of fog really is neat.
The finale as I said just seems like too much an a not needed addition, but now we get to the end the show is over time to leave. Well, I personally always sit in the middle. I typically stay seating until most of the crowd leaves because I hate fighting the crowd and it's just nice to sit there and chill for a bit. I have not really noticed the exit doors closer to the bathrooms not being used; however, like I said previously there are good reasons for it. I don't care what you say, exiting through those doors will be just as crazy as exiting through any other door right after the show. Really, I would much prefer exiting through the lobby then being forced to go through a very extremely tight and narrow ally that everyone feels like stopping in to chat about the show they just watched. Honestly, while I do understand it might be frustrating, there is a good reason behind it, and in the end I exit without battling crowds plain and simple.
Overall, I felt the show was really good. It did have its issues, but it did do very well. Other than the concerns I mentioned above, I would try to make the projections less off and then the show will be bound for greatness. I will definitely recommend this show to everyone I know because I thoroughly enjoy it and was entertained.