Balcony sight-lines--which theaters are the most tolerable?

[MarylandMom]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:09pm

I bring my family to NYC to see shows on Broadway a couple of times a year. We normally get discounted front mezzanine seats via BroadwayBox or TDF. This year there do not seem to be ANY discounts available for the time we are able to get there.

We'd like to see 2-3 shows while we are in town but simply can't at $500-$600/show. Of the following, which would be the most tolerable viewed from the balcony?

Ragtime (Neil Simon)
Memphis (Shubert)
A Little Night Music (Walter Kerr)
Billy Elliott (Imperial)
Next to Normal (booth)
Hair (Al Hirschfeld)
Finian's Rainbow (St. James)
Mary Poppins (New Amsterdam)

Thanks for your advice.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:13pm

Only the St. James, Shubert, New Amsterdam and I believe Walter Kerr have balconies. The rest only have orchestra and mezzanine seating.

So for the theaters with three tiers, where are you looking to sit? Wherever is cheapest? Because depending on what you are willing to spend, it might be better to sit in the rear mezzanine rather than rear balcony.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:15pm

Next to Normal, Hair, and Billy Elliot are all fine from the mezz. Haven't set in the mezz for any other of your shows listed.

[jo]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:16pm

The Imperial has been called by former critic Ken Mandelbaum as the best musical house on Broadway. People are generally pleased with its mezzanine areas ( Front and Rear ).

And I think Billy Elliot would be perfect for a family enjoying a musical on Broadway!

Good luck on finding a great show!

[MarylandMom]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:26pm

Right--I'm looking to sit in the cheap seats!

We don't usually, and I'm trying to make sure I pick the theater where the cheap seats are not a total waste of time and money.

I saw Evita from the top of the house back in the day and there was a video screen I couldn't see from where I was sitting...that's the sort of thing I want to avoid if possible.

[wickedfan11]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:35pm

I sat in the extreme rear mezzanine at Hair, which I believe was $40. It had a good view.

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:37pm

IMHO, you should be fine in all theaters you listed, except for the New Amsterdam. I personally think it's way too high up and you sometimes need to imagine what it looks like up close.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:39pm

Apparently the Kerr has a horrible balcony, which gives you a better view of the ceiling than the stage.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:47pm

The Imperial mezzanine is the best I've ever been in. Even from the cheapo seats, you get a great view of the stage, and since the theatre is less stretched-out, you're very close to the action.

[MarylandMom]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:51pm

You folks are great! And fast!

Sadly, there are no cheap seats available for Billy Elliott...just the pricey ones. We'll have to make plans to see it our next trip. It's NEVER discounted, so I wouldn't feel like such a chump paying full price for it on this trip, but alas, it is not to be.

Looks like we could get rear mezzanine for Next to Normal and for Ragtime, and I'll check on Hair.

I thought it might be too good to be true when I got a $120 hotel room....

[Marianne2]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:53pm

The only thing you have to watch is where your seat is in the balcony of the Shubert. There are a couple of poles in the center section in I think row D or E, which could cause a sight issue if you end up behind them in any row. I its the second seat in on each side. Just check out the seating chart on broadwaybox.com to see if your seats would fall into either of those poles.

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 6:53pm

Oh yes, the Kerr is the drop of doom. I wouldn't go up there again, even if I was paid money. If someone pushes you, you die.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:17pm

I can only vouch for these three theaters...
Next to Normal (booth)
Hair (Al Hirschfeld)
Finian's Rainbow (St. James)
...and I highly recommend the the $36.50 seats for Next to Normal and Hair (last row(s) of the mezz), and the balcony for Finian's Rainbow.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:34pm

The rear mezz at the Booth is fine. The cheap seats you mention are in the last row, which is only the 8th row in that small house. A fine view, and a real bargain for the price.

The Imperial rear mezz has very good site lines from everywhere.

The view from the balcony of the St. James and New Amsterdam is fine, they're just high up. You can see fine, though.

The rear mezz at the Hirschfield and Neil Simon aren't bad, either.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:35pm

I would spring for the good seats.

Instead of paying for a expensive hotel just go to the luxorious (and suprisingly cheap) Hotel Carter.

Just bring a bottle (or two) of Lysoll and you'll be fine!

[binau]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:39pm

What is the difference between the Mezzanine and the Balcony?

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:41pm

Neil Simon (Mezzanine)- I sat up there on the first preview (about 7 rows down actually) and the view was great, you won't see perfectly but you still get the brilliance of the show. Strongly suggest getting those seats, or trying the lotto.

Walter Kerr (Balcony)- I've never sat there (nor have a even been in the theater) but I've heard bad things, I think there is also only two rows up there...

Imperial (Mezzanine)- The Imperial is not very long but it is very wide, so you will be able to be pretty close. Also I've heard that the view is great to see all the choreography and ensemble numbers.

Booth (Mezzanine)- The is one of the smallest (if not the smallest) theaters on Broadway, you will definitely have a great view.

Al Hirschfeld (Mezzanine)- The view of the stage will not be bad but you won't really be able to see a lot of the audience interaction in the orchestra. Also you won't get much interaction, I don't know if you care or not about that.

St. James (Balcony)- I've only every sat in the Mezzanine and the Orchestra and the Boxes but my friend sat up there and said that if the person in front of you leans forward then you can't see so you should steer clear of that. But they do have a easy Student Rush where you can go almost anytime and get tickets.

New Amsterdam (Balcony)- It's a great view from up there, I was shocked. The only problem is that there is absolutely NO leg room. I'm 5'6" and I was very uncomfortable, I also have abnormally long legs so that may be the problem for just me or tall people. Luckily the people next to us left at intermission and my friend moved over one seat and we sat sideways with our feet in front of the seat between us and we were more comfortable.

As for show wise I will give you some insight.

Ragtime (Neil Simon)- I strongly recommend this show, definitely a must see of the season and seems to have overall raves.

A Little Night Music (Walter Kerr)- You can't really go wrong with Angela... but I don't know how the rest of the production will be.

Billy Elliott (Imperial)- I thought it was over rated and there are better things to see.

Next to Normal (Booth)- Another one I didn't love, way too over rated in my opinion amongst fans.

Hair (Al Hirschfeld)- Another must see, tons of fun and great music and a enjoyable touching night at the theater

Finian's Rainbow (St. James)- It was a enjoyable show but nothing special to me.

Mary Poppins (New Amsterdam)- Don't bother, it's fun if you have kids but it's really nothing great.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:43pm

Generally the balcony in American houses is a 3rd level of seating above the mezzanine.

Anyway I actually like the balcony at the New Amsterdam...I've sat in the back of the center section and at least for Poppins it works really well.

Also the back of the mezz at the Booth and at the Imperial is totally fine, I've sat in the very last row in both and haven't missed a thing. Updated On: 11/8/09 at 07:43 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 7:50pm

DCR, the poster wasn't asking about your insight about your opinion on the quality of the shows, simply the view from the "cheap seats."

[MarylandMom]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 8:28pm

Actually, I appreciate the advice on both issues.

This has been enormously helpful.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 8:31pm

If you are looking for show recommendations, the 3 out of those that I would most strongly advise are Hair, Next to Normal, and Ragtime, though it depends on the ages of your kids and whatnot. I'd also highly recommend Billy Elliot, although depending on when you are going it might be next to impossible to get rear mezz seats as they tend to go quickly.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 8:35pm

At least DCR answered the question - the extra info is helpful. At least he (or she?) wasn't being rude about it.

I sat in the balcony of the New Amsterdam, but was all the way in the back of the balcony. I had the obstructed view pole seats. The pole was very thin and didn't really block anything, but it was annoying. The seats weren't bad, but they were far. You probably would be fine in the front balcony or rear mezzanine. There are also box seats. They are also considered obstructed view, but from what I hear, the further back they are, the better view you have.

Good luck in picking shows, MarylandMom. Hope you find some good seats.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/8/09 at 8:58pm

Oh yeah, I forgot about the box seats at the New Amsterdam. I would definitely go for those. I sat in Box 1, which is the closest on the left, and still had an amazing view.