Michelle L.
Yelp
Since my last review, I've seen Hamilton here in November 2019 with Judi M. with rear/side mezzanine tickets via Goldstar, and most recently, Disney's The Lion King in December 2023 with Sonia C, in the left orchestra section row U. I tend to stick to weekend matinee showings, but on rare occasion may attend a weeknight performance if it's a short run.
The Orpheum is convenient to the Civic Center BART station, located at the corner of Market and Hyde at 8th Street. I also usually reserve parking in advance; on SpotHero this time I reserved a space at the SOMA Grand Garage which is less than a 5-minute walk (0.1 mile) down 7th to Market, although the theatre's recommended garage is actually the Trinity Garage right across the street. A lot of unhoused folks in the vicinity, although I did also see a decent police presence as well.
Not sure if there is a purse size policy, but security checked bags at the door. Sonia's pepper spray was prohibited from being brought into the theater, but was able to be "checked" with head of security and reclaimed after the show. Security staff was polite, as were the ushers at the door to the orchestra section.
E-tickets were able to be scanned from smartphones. Note that for Lion King, curtain time was strict and latecomers were subject to a 20-minute wait to be seated by staff -- in the meantime watching the start of the show from the lobby or VIP area on small monitors. These monitors were smaller than some of the wall posters, to give you an idea. We had orchestra seating this time, but be aware too that there are no elevators to access the upper levels (stairs only), the one elevator I saw goes between the VIP area and the basement restrooms.
Seats are old (some need a little coaxing/help to fold up on their own), and cramped tight. The interior of the entire building is lavishly carved and ornately decorated, acoustics okay. Live orchestra for this show. Another reviewer mentioned that seat cushions/boosters are available for little people (young and old) too, good to know! I didn't leave the seats during intermission, but I did not notice the lights flash/blink to indicate people should return to their seats, so mind the time.
I did not brave the restrooms line or concessions during intermission, but for the kiddos I did see buckets of popcorn for sale, kid-friendly and Lion King-themed adult cocktails. The tour also had merchandise for sale such as shirts, hoodies, blankets, ornaments, plushies, magnets, keychains, pins, totes, drawstring/cinch bags, water bottles, mugs, souvenir programs, soundtrack CDs, dolls, snowglobes, etc. The staff at the merch area seemed busy whether size exchanges, refunds, or keeping the lines moving.
If you don't want to pay for the professional photo op at the VIP area, there are usually posters framed near the box office, or the mural on the wall near the main entrance. The marquee can be too tall though for a good selfie.