Is the Entire Belasco Balcony Partial View?

[PianoMann]

Posted: 10/29/13 at 9:03pm

Sorry if this thread seems unnecessary, but I've never sat in the Balcony at the Belasco Theater, and prior to ordering tickets for Twelfth Night I got this message at Telecharge:

"Patrons in this section may have partial views caused by extreme side seating or architectural elements of the theater."

The seat I was looking for in the Right Balcony, but closer to Center (four seats from the aisle) than extreme Right. So, is the whole balcony of the Belasco partial view?! That doesn't seem to make sense to me, but can anyone clarify? Is the slope of the balcony not severe enough to show the entire stage?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 10/29/13 at 9:42pm

There are small poles in Row C of the Balcony (between seats 6 and 8 on the right, and 5 and 7 on the left) that obstruct the view slightly for anyone sitting behind them. It's the same as in the Longacre, Shubert or New Amsterdam if you've ever been in one of those balconies. There is also a railing in front of the first row that can be a problem for shorter people.

Most of the balcony seats are full-view.

[PianoMann]

Posted: 10/29/13 at 10:18pm

Thank you so much for this, theatreguy, it's extremely helpful!

It seemed perplexing that a seat toward center balcony was both a) labeled as "partial" and b) came with that explicit warning. I guess it's their way of covering themselves if anyone claims their seat was partial-view, no matter how minuscule the obstruction might be.

[two ladies tickets]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 1:42am

actually the reason they are listing the entire balcony as "partial view" for the Shakespeare's is that the shows are being lit very dimly with a candlelight effect, so they are warning folks that they may actually not be able to see anything from so far back.

[dave1606]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 9:54am

I need to chime in here as I had a horrible experience in the balcony for this show. I would NOT however say that the entire balcony is partial view. What you need to beware of is any seats on the extreme sides as the boxes can completely obscure 60-70 percent of the action depending on where you were sitting. I had tickets in the first row A, that were the first two seats on the left side, and I missed nearly all of the action on that side of the stage that was obscured by stage left. It seemed that nearly ever comedic moment would happen there as I would only hear laughter and would not see what happened. HOWEVER, the woman to my right one seat over was able to see fine. So just make sure you book seats further to the center when buying.

[macnyc]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 10:33am

Two Ladies, I think that is a good theory, but the candles are supplemented with electric lights, and the stage seemed bright enough to me. I didn't sit in the balcony though.

There was a discussion on All That Chat yesterday about the balcony seats for Twelfth Night, so people may want to head over there if interested. Here's the link:

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=2171167

Updated On: 10/30/13 at 10:33 AM

[PianoMann]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 4:07pm

Thank you all so much! I hope this thread will be useful to others looking to buy the inexpensive tickets for these shows, too.

I was going to go see the show today, but opted not to, so at least now I'll have great knowledge of what ticket in the balcony to buy!

[macnyc]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 4:10pm

Also, I posted previously about how I really enjoyed my $27 seat in the upper boxes. It is partial view, but you're so close to the stage, it's really exciting. Those seats can be purchased in advance at the box office.

[PianoMann]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 4:13pm

I've done partial view in boxes for other shows - Other Desert Cities and Best Man, in recent memory - and I much prefer that type of obstructed view than having a pole in front of my face, disrupting the entire stage.

The box might be the perfect solution!

[macnyc]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 4:25pm

Well, I really enjoyed it. I sat there twice for Twelfth Night. Plus, the upper boxes have only two seats in each, with a thick curtain you can close behind you. So I felt as if my friend and I had a whole room to ourselves! And the chairs are moveable, so you can position yourself for the best view. You will miss out on any action taking place directly under your box, but that doesn't happen very often!

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 4:27pm

I sat in Row A center balcony for TWELFTH NIGHT, and I have the same seat in a few weeks for RICHARD III. Not partial view at all. A terrific vantage point from which to experience this magical production.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 4:55pm

Not to threadjack, but....

Telecharge keeps saying there are absolutely no $25 orchestra/mezzanine seats left for RICHARD III...for the entire run. That can't be the case, can it? I was able to get a $25 mezz ticket for TWELFTH NIGHT in about a month, but RICHARD III is sold out?

Not too keen on sitting in the balcony, as my experiences up there haven't been great.

[macnyc]

Posted: 10/30/13 at 5:00pm

There are fewer performances for Richard III than there are for Twelfth Night.

[billyelliotfan123]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 8:00pm

How is the view from the balcony for HEDWIG?

[aliangel531]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 1:03pm

How are the seats in Mezz? I was looking at Row F on the right the only 4 seats in the row and Row F on the left seats 1,3,5,7, does anyone know which are better? Are there obstructed views from those seats?

[HBP]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 1:30pm

I sat front row of the balcony for Women on the Verge and I remember being pretty annoyed by the handrail (I'm 5'8').

[aliangel531]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 2:33pm

hmmm I wonder how it is with mezz section

[darreyl102]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 10:31pm

I second how the view is for Hedwig in the Balcony.

[BwayFan832]

Posted: 5/3/14 at 2:14pm

I would also love input on the Belasco balcony. I've read conflicting info on whether the bar obstructs the view for the first row. Would I be better off going with the second row? The last three rows of the mezz are also the same price. Does anyone have an opinion on those seats and whether they'd be better or worse than front balcony?

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 10:38am

bump. anyone have info on the balcony bar obstructing the view? I have an option for front row balcony but am worried the bar will be in the way!

[macnyc]

Posted: 5/22/14 at 5:47pm

I sat there for Twelfth Night, and I remember it was slightly in the way. If I sat up straight, I could see over it. (I'm five foot six.)

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/23/14 at 12:20pm

Sat there last week, and thought the view was absolutely fine !! :))

Plus, always a great crowd in the Balcony !!!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 11:18am

How is the view from the last 2 rows? and where do the bars obstruct your view?

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 6/25/16 at 9:55am

Considering this for DEH and the responses seem mixed.  Anyone who's already seen the show and knows what sets looked like or has seen shows in the balcony previously, please chime in.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 6/25/16 at 10:24am

The balcony is a fine view for repeat viewings I have found. You are looking fairly straight down at the show, and it's not ideal. I know a lot of Hedheads who saw the show dozens of times from up there. I will always recommend the last row of the mezz (where I saw Hedwig 4 times, from all 3 sections), then any row of the balcony (where I sat once). Then again, I'm not sure how steep of a difference the pricing is for DEH between the two. 

 

So, in short: Balcony is good, not great. Rear Mezzanine is great/excellent.