Experience Attending the Tony Awards

[rife97]

Posted: 5/2/17 at 10:02pm

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone has attended the Tony awards and could share everything it was like! My family member has snagged two tickets in the 3rd mezz! Would love to know about the view up there and overall environment and dress!

 

Thanks!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/2/17 at 10:09pm

It's better on TV. You don't have to rent a tux, go thru security, sit high up in the mezz, and YOU'LL BE WATCHING THE TV SCREENS IN THE THEATRE ANYWAY. It's a neat experience to be there and see the "production" of it all, like the commercial breaks and the pre-TV awards with full speeches...but it is a pricey ticket just to see something you can better experience on TV in your pajamas. Do it once, enjoy it, and then you'll be able to also say "Yeah, I did it once. It's better on TV."

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/2/17 at 10:42pm

CapnHook said: "It's better on TV. You don't have to rent a tux, go thru security, sit high up in the mezz, and YOU'LL BE WATCHING THE TV SCREENS IN THE THEATRE ANYWAY. It's a neat experience to be there and see the "production" of it all, like the commercial breaks and the pre-TV awards with full speeches...but it is a pricey ticket just to see something you can better experience on TV in your pajamas. Do it once, enjoy it, and then you'll be able to also say "Yeah, I did it once. It's better on TV."

 

"I agree with Hook but have fun anyway and it will be an experience you will cherish!

See view from 3rd Mezz Row D 413



 

Updated On: 5/2/17 at 10:42 PM

[froote]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 1:10am

Black tie only, but it's not super strict.

I can't remember going through an intense security process unless it's changed since I went in 2014.

The view is pretty far back.

I think it's absolutely worth doing for the atmosphere and the excitement of the night. I would definitely do it again (although probably only if a show I loved was going to perform and be nominated a lot).

I enjoyed it just as much as watching it on TV although it's different.

Updated On: 5/3/17 at 01:10 AM

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 1:19am

It was great fun. I went out for a nice dinner before and it was fun to see all of the theatre folk and talk with some of them.

[Speed]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 2:25am

Where are the Tonys this year?

[froote]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 3:01am

They're back at Radio City.

[jo]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 3:09am

I went once years ago. What surprised me was the strong sense of community in the vast crowd. Everyone was cheering for every nominee even if they seemed to have a favorite TONY candidate.  The atmosphere is not fully captured when simply watching on TV. Do it at least once!

[Speed]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 4:35am

Good.  Glad they're back at Radio City.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 7:41am

Went in 2006. Get there early to go through security, which was not as complicated as we thought it would be.

Hold onto your program as they are gone after the ceremonies start. If you leave your seat during the show, you won't be let back in to sit down until they break for commercials.

We sat in the 2nd Mezz. Had a blast. It is expensive but I would do it again. Walking out with all of the celebs was fun.

[mmFan]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 7:55am

Curious what it costs?  Would be quite neat to actually be there.

[Jakeevan942]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 8:18am

Tickets this year were $381 for the 3rd mezzanine, and $581 for the 2nd Mezzanine, plus fees.

They sold out within an hour of going on sale, before the Tony Awards officially acknowledged that they were selling tickets this year.

I picked one up for the 3rd mezzanine right when they went on sale.-This has been on my bucket list for years, and I'm looking forward to seeing what really goes on, not just what the cameras show.

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 8:37am

I'm just going to hold out until I'm nominated...

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 10:55am

Just a heads-up - it feels like a LONG night.  The commercial breaks feel like 10 minutes (not 2) and eat BEFORE you go if not you will be starving.  It's one long night.  And ladies - take off your shoes when you sit.  You'll thank me for this advice.  Actresses at award shows who aren't nominated do this.  And yes, as mentioned, you basically will be watching the show via the suspended TV monitors.  You're so far away you instinctly will look at them.  The cool experience is watching what is happening on stage and surrounding areas while the cameras are on the presenters and of course, the host interacting with the audience during the commercial breaks.  

Overall, for me once was enough.  I was exhausted when the show was finally over AND I was sitting the entire time.  You know how you sometimes zone off when you watch an awards show on TV?  Triple that when you're attending.  There will be blocks of time you won't remember.    

[froote]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 10:56am

I actually thought that the night went quickly. Also it's fine for women to wear flat shoes if they wish to.

[ken8631]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 3:15pm

Went 3 times years ago - more fun if you have seen the shows (don't go to as many shows now)....  Was there the night Wicked won/then didn't win.  What a lot of disappointed people!   We were there and disappointed when Raul lost for Company - thought it was a good bet he'd win.... 

 

Overall, it was an expensive but fun experience!  Enjoy!

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 6:03pm

The evening flew by for us. We left from the side where the red carpet is and walked out with Neil Patrick Harris among others. That was fun.

[upinlights]

Posted: 6/9/18 at 10:35pm

Bump! Any tips for a successful night?

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 6/9/18 at 10:44pm

Not really a tip... but something to look forward to is that during the commercial breaks, they show funny (and sometimes poignant) insider-y videos on the screens. Nothing you’d ever get to see at home, but they’re often great!

[upinlights]

Posted: 6/10/18 at 11:48am

JudyDenmark said: "Not really a tip...but something to look forward to is that during the commercial breaks, they show funny (and sometimes poignant) insider-y videos on the screens. Nothing you’d ever get to see at home, but they’re often great!"

That's so cool! I also heard that the only time you can leave your seats is during commercial breaks, but is that not true if they're playing videos?