Easton: State Theatre (February 2017)



My spouse and I attended a performance at the State Theatre on a Friday evening in early February 2017. We purchased our tickets online about one week prior to the show; although we chose the option for delivery in the mail, we never received our tickets via the postal service. When we went to the box office prior to the show to have our tickets reprinted, the agent produced our tickets tidily enclosed in a mailing envelope, along with our ticket receipt and a small brochure about Easton merchants and restaurants, so we believe that the theatre never mailed them to us even though we selected that option. This delivery issue was a bit disappointing because we had been checking our mailbox daily, including making an extra stop back at home to check the mail again before we left for the show.

The State Theatre is located in downtown Easton on Northampton Street, close to area shops, restaurants, and bars. The closest eateries include Two Rivers Brewing Company, Maxim’s 22, and the Easton Public Market, although none of Easton’s downtown restaurants is far from the theater. You can park at meters on the street or in surface parking lots, or you can park in one of the multi-story public garages a few blocks away at the intersection of Third and Ferry Streets. It is easy to walk from the garage to the theatre (although a bit uphill), but you can ride the complimentary trolley (sponsored by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network) if you prefer.

When it first opened in 1910, the State Theatre Center for the Arts was originally called Neumeyers Vaudeville House. (Prior to that time, the location held the Northampton National Bank.) The name of the theatre has changed over time from Neumeyers to Northampton to Colonial; in 1926, after extensive renovations to include a larger auditorium, balcony, and updated décor, it was renamed “The State”. (A Philadelphia architect employed elements from Spanish and Italian architecture in his re-design, and local Italian craftsmen created the elaborate gilding and frescoes, which sadly are now painted over.) The asymmetrical building features a stone Beaux-Arts style facade and a large overhanging marquee. In 1982, the State Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The State even boasts a resident friendly ghost named “Fred” after whom the annual “Freddy” awards ceremony that recognizes high-school theatre achievement is named.

For this performance, because we purchased our tickets late, we sat in row Z, which is the second-to-last row in the street-level orchestra section. In addition, our seats were located on the outer aisle. Even though we sat nearly as far from the stage as possible, our view was still good because of the sloped floor arrangement of the seats. In fact, we feel that we had a better viewpoint than if we sat closer to the stage because those seats are arranged on a more level floor than the inclined area where we sat. On the other hand, we have also sat in the loge and balcony years ago (so things may have changed since that time) and for us as tall people, those upper-level seats did not afford us enough legroom (although the view was fine). As with most things, all patrons have their own personal preference as to where the best seats are located, but we would not hesitate to purchase spots in the rear again.

The first/ground floor of the theatre is handicap-accessible. Although you can use an elevator to access the second floor, you may then need to walk to your seat because the loge and balcony floors are sloped. Audio enhancement is available for those with hearing deficiencies. You can check your coat in the theater’s entry vestibule, and you can purchase drinks and snacks at a bar on either level (credit cards are accepted). Doors generally open one hour prior to performances, with the box office open two hours prior.

We enjoy attending performances at the State Theatre. We feel lucky that we can see quality shows in a lovely setting without having to travel further afield to Philadelphia or New York City.








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