Booking front-row seats for shows (which don't have Lottos etc..)

[binau]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 4:28pm

I want a front row seat to certain shows, e.g. Night Music...

Is the only option I have refreshing the released tickets hoping?

..Should I try and wait until the performance is a little sold first, as they sell the 'better' seats a few rows back first?

Any tips on how I can do this?

Thanks

(Can you ring the box office directly :-/?)

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 4:34pm

Who's selling the tickets? Telecharge or Ticketmaster? Couldn't hurt to call and ask about front row specifically.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 4:34pm

You cannot ring the box offices for Broadway productions directly. You must go through Ticketmaster/Telecharge for non-subscription houses.

Front row tickets are a crapshoot since they are blocked off and usually on "hold" until released (IF released). Your best bet is to book WAY in advance (months) or to try day-of.

Is row 2 not an option?

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 4:36pm

ALNM releases better seats closer to the performance date. They hold a lot back.

[binau]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 4:42pm

"Is row 2 not an option? "

No I'd also take row 2 :P, It's just I've looked at a few performances (next April) and they are row 5-7 often, which I think is a little far back.

So I guess I'll just wait and see how things go, then.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 4:48pm

It doesnt hurt to call Telecharge and tell them you want first two rows and let them tell you when that is available. They are usually pretty nice.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 4:59pm

Every time I've ever had to call telecharge I've had very pleasant conversations with the people who answer. What started out as a purchase or ticket issue has turned into conversations on what shows are good and such. They are very nice there.

[JKlock]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 5:34pm

usually just going to the theater and asking for front row seats does the trick

[binau]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 5:35pm

Since I live in Australia, and Night Music seems to be a popular show - I don't think I'd risk going over without a ticket.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 9:31pm

Since when is row 5-7 too far back?

[binau]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 3:54am

Ok it's not that they are really 'too far back', it's just that for the $$$ of the Ticket I'd rather sit as close as possible (so I wouldn't really settle for 5-7 if I could avoid it) - I'm imaging since the set is very small etc.. sitting as close as possible is a good thing.

Though I wonder what the view is like during the 'picnic'.

[lizliz]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 11:24am

Most Broadway shows are staged so that the best view in the house is from around rows five through ten (which is why these are the house seats in most theatres). Generally the first couple rows are considered "too close" to get enough perspective on the stage. That's why premium priced seats in a lot of Broadway houses don't include the first couple of rows.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 7:54pm

"Ok it's not that they are really 'too far back', it's just that for the $$$ of the Ticket I'd rather sit as close as possible (so I wouldn't really settle for 5-7 if I could avoid it) - I'm imaging since the set is very small etc.. sitting as close as possible is a good thing."

Sorry to bump this back up, but in some cases I think rows 5-7 are better than the first or second row, which can be too close. In fact, seats in rows 5-7 can fall into the premium price category, as lizliz mentioned. I think it is a little ridiculous/odd to limit yourself to the first or second row and not settle for anything beyond that (unless you have an eyesight problem) because of the money you are spending. I'd be happy if I found anything in at least the first 10-12 rows of the orchestra, even if the set is small.

[binau]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 8:26pm

"Sorry to bump this back up, but in some cases I think rows 5-7 are better than the first or second row, which can be too close. "

Would you rather sit in row 10, or 1, for Night Music :)?

Is this a case where the first or second row is too close :-/?

I mean I'd happily see Night Music from row 10-12 if it was opposed to not seeing it at all (of course), or rear Mezz etc..But it just seems like considering this production is so 'tiny' and 'intimate' it seems like it would be good to be up close, and there really isn't that much to 'take in'.

I don't mean to seem really stubborn, I do recognise that the first row is not usually considered the best seats in the house :P, I have sat front row Wicked twice and you can see that a couple of rows back would be better to 'take it all in'.

I'm just thinking for certain cases, e.g. the Tiny Night Music whose best qualities are apparently the two stars, I would have a better experience up close.

If you do disagree and think Night Music would be better to watch from a few rows back though, I am open to changing my mind :).