Does where you sit have any effect on your theater experience?

[AlfieByrne]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:01pm

Needless to say, the level of intimacy you get from sitting in Row D center orchestra is much different than Row L rear Mezz. But do you think that has any effect on your opinion about the show/actors/production?

(in one of my anecdotal experience:)
In the most recent revival of Sunday..., I had was really lucky to get the chance to see one of the last performance, but I was seated in the last row of mezzanine. I was really excited, especially with the glorious reviews it received, but ultimately, it didn't move me at all... The actors sang beautifully, but I just didn't feel it. Oddly, I was moved much more by watching the DVD performance of the OBC.
Updated On: 12/20/09 at 10:01 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:13pm

I totally agree. If I am too far from the stage, I cannot be transported into the show. I feel like I'm on the outside looking in.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:16pm

If I'm sitting in a place where I have to look up or down for too long and my neck hurts, I start to get disintrested.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:18pm

Great discussion topic.

I think it does, DEPENDING ON THE SHOW. Sure, one can make a general statement about seating preferences, however, it truly boils down to the scenic and staging elements as well as the type of show.

When I saw NEXT TO NORMAL at Second Stage I was front row center and was absolutely drawn in. I saw it again on Broadway from somewhere up in the Mezz many rows back and I was not as affected as I had been the first time I saw it. And it wasn't because of the performances, because I was still affected. It was due to the fact that I lost some of the intimacy that I had had when I saw it originally.

Typically for big flashy shows with lots to look at (BILLY ELLIOT, MARY POPPINS, 42nd STREET revival, etc., I prefer to sit either front row center in the Mezz or about 15 rows back in Center Orch.

For more intimate shows (GREY GARDENS, ALL MY SONS, EXIT THE KING, and most plays) I like to sit as close as possible.

But no matter where I sit, there are two things that affect my experience in a show (other than distracting factors such as audience members): 1) Obstructed Views and 2) Heights. If I can't see things, even minute things, then I will get upset. If my acrophobia kicks in, I cannot pay attention.

But my answer to your question is yes, it does affect one's experience.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:21pm

For me, it does. If I am squinting to see the actors I just don't feel it sometimes. I get uninterested, bored even. But on the other hand it makes you able to appreciate the technically ascepts more IMO. I have yet to find a good place for both.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:24pm

EFFECT.

[WickedlyEdna1962]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:32pm

For me it does not affect the experience. I can sit first row, last row, side sections- it just doesn't matter. Once a friend told me she only likes shows if she's in the first row. I personally think of all the places to sit, first row is one of the worst.
Updated On: 12/20/09 at 10:32 PM

[binau]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:37pm

"EFFECT."

Mmm

It should be 'Does where you sit have any EFFECT on your theater experience?' and

for the post before... 'For me it does not AFFECT the experience'

Updated On: 12/20/09 at 10:37 PM

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:48pm

This does not usually happen, but I saw In the Height from the second-to-last row of the mezzanine and I felt very disconnected from the performance, but another part of the problem was the rowdy audience and annoying child frequently commenting to her mother directly behind me, whose purse handle kept falling against the back of my shoulders. That and it being a performance that seemed lacking in energy from the cast made it a less-enjoyable experience. I did, however, end up having to sit behind a very tall person in the mezzanine at The Drowsy Chaperone in Chicago (this was when I was barely five feet) and I had to sit at the edge of my seat to see the front half of the stage, but I didn't at all feel removed because the show was so entertaining. I think having to sit tall and forward forced myself into the show, whereas with In the Heights, with its too steeply raked mezzanine, forced me to sit back uncomfortably, distracted by those around me, who seemed too close.

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:52pm

The only time it really bothered me was West Side Story. I saw it from the balcony and thought it was really good. It wasn't until I won lotto and sat in the front row that I realized how detached I was from the show. That is really the only problem I ever had with seating.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 10:57pm

Wherever I sat at the Richard Rodgers Theatre for Movin' Out, I could not see the band playing above the characters (and occasionally when a character gets lifted up in the air or is elevated) due to the overhang of the balcony. It bothered my mother so much so that given there were quite a bunch of seats in front of us we moved up to get a better view. I am still to this day just surprised no ushers bothered us for doing it.

[hicaesar]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 11:05pm

I must say the closer the better for most shows here. If I'm under a balcony, OR in a Mezz/Balcony I can't really get 100% into the show. Oddly enough, I would rather be in an Obstructed view seat the first few rows, then dead center in the Mezz... which is rare for me.

The only show I've felt like I was too close for was In the Hieghts, to really see the lighting and choreagrophy properly, you need to be at least halfway back.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 11:09pm

I really don't think it ever makes or breaks a show...but yes, say, after winning the lotto multiple times for Ragtime it's a really different experience sitting mid mezz with the rush seats.

Also it's a totally different experience for me seeing Billy from the mezz. Basically I feel like the show is directed in a way that they mostly play to the orchestra, so after sitting in the orch once I had no desire to buy the cheaper tickets again.

[vlegra]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 12:00am

Updated On: 12/21/09 at 12:00 AM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 12:42am

but yes, say, after winning the lotto multiple times for Ragtime it's a really different experience sitting mid mezz with the rush seats.

I have sat in the lotto seats for Ragtime three times now, but really look forward to getting rush seats sometime to sit in the mezz. Especially with that show.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 12:48am

Yes. Obstructed view is awful. I saw 39 Steps and I was way to the side. Therefore, I couldn't see a lot of what was going on, so I wasn't in on the joke. It was an awful experience, and I hated the show because of it.

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 1:09am

I definitely think where you sit affects your overall experience. At the theatre in my city the balcony level (above the mezz/tier) has a horrible view. Many upstage scenes, flying effects, and set pieces cannot be fully viewed from this high. For some reason the audience up there consists of many people with absolutely no theatre etiquette whatsoever.
I could see the same show with the same cast and everything from the balcony and hate it and see it on the floor or mezz and love it. Being able to see and having the sense of intimacy definitely enhances the overall experience

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 2:22am

I'm very picky about seats because it does affect my experience a lot. The closer the better.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 2:24am

I feel much more connected with a show when I am as close as possible. But I will sit further away if I need to.
Updated On: 12/21/09 at 02:24 AM

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 3:13pm

The first time I saw Next to Normal I was up in the mezz and felt totally disconnected with the show. I didn't get the hype and was quite frankly bored throughout. I decided to rush to see it from the front row and what a difference it was. It was like watching a totally different show from there and I was completely immersed in the show.

I usually like to be near the front since I love facial expressions and can't see if I'm too far away. I love sitting up front for Wicked especially when the cast members that know me see me.

[Elke]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 3:24pm

Yes, I'm a total seat snob. Unless there's really no other option, I refuse to sit further than 5th row. And I avoid the mezz at all cost. I feel like I'm watching TV when I'm up there.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 3:45pm

I think it depends on the theatre and the show. Some shows are better enjoyed from a little further back because of the scenery and such. I saw Finian's from the first row of the mezzanine and I thought it was a great experience because there was so much to see. I may have missed some things had I been closer.

Also, I think I liked Mamma Mia more from the mezz than I did the third row of the orchestra.

The first time I saw The Little Mermaid I sat in the front row and felt totally removed from the show. I had to crane my neck to see over the orchestra the whole show and any time they laid down on the floor they were gone from my view. And if I had trouble I can only imagine how it was for the kids who were sitting there. They probably saw less than I did.

But the front row at the Brooks Atkinson is fun because there is no pit and the actors are right there. It's almost a surreal experience. My first time in the front row there was the first time I'd ever been that close to the actors. Heck, in one scene I got ashes on my pants from one of the cigarettes.

Like many others I do try to avoid the extreme sides because you do tend to miss stuff from those seats.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 3:59pm

I prefer to be as close as possible. I like to see actors expressions. I am not married to seeing "the whole picture" by sitting midway back. I want to be near the actors. If I sit in the mezzanine, if I cant get first row, I tend not to sit up there.

That's why premium seating and online ticketing has become so frustrating lately. It is harder and harder to get the seats I want.

I completely agree with Elke. I didn't go to the theatre to watch something from far away. I came to be engaged and experience the intimacy. Maybe it's because Im such a fan of cinema and love close-ups of actor's expressions.

I often decline an event if I cant get close seats, especially concerts. Why would I pay $100 to sit in the nosebleeds and watch the performer on a screen. Ill pay $20 for the DVD and have a front row seat. I never understood why people pay all that money for a concert to sit in the rafters? Ill never get it.

[Mr Roxy]

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

Sitting in the first row on either extreme side would affect the experience. You could see the workings backstage while the show was going on destroying the illusion.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 4:56pm

You could see the workings backstage while the show was going on destroying the illusion.

See, I kinda like that. Seeing the crew scurrying around and doing their jobs and the actors waiting in the wings for their entrance. I feel as if I'm in on some "secret".