Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Seating/Pricing Thread- Page 14

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 8:15am

Fosse76 said: "Lot666 said: "Can someone who has seen this in London explain why it was necessary to remove 400 seats from the orchestra section of the Lyric? From the stage pictures I've seen, there doesn't appear to be any physical aspect of the set that intrudes into the orchestra area."

It's not really a "large" production, and while the main unit set does fill the stage, there is no other major set piece ( a few roll on and off, but they aren't anything a regional theater couldn't easily reproduce, water tank notwithstanding). And it's not really a wide set, and I believe the Lyric is significantly wider than the Palace."

That's my understanding as well, so why was it necessary to remove 400 seats?

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 9:00am

I’m not sure if this is the actual reason, but anyone who has been in that theater will probably agree that it feels enormous - in a bad way. It’s doesnt have any sense of intimacy. This is why most shows choose to not use it. The previous tenant, Cirque du Soliel, seemed to be a good fit but even they couldn’t really fill the space. It just felt like a big empty theater...again. I think the intent of the producers was to bring the audience closer and make the space feel more intimate. So if the show isn’t really that big, it will still feel like it fits the space.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 10:29am

Looking at orchestra J 30 on Ticketmaster for Sunday, 4/8, $189 each part. I'll hold for a bit, in case someone on here wants it. Let me know.

Updated On: 2/13/18 at 10:29 AM

[susirene]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 11:51am

Lot666 said: "Fosse76 said: "Lot666 said: "Can someone who has seen this in London explain why it was necessary to remove 400 seats from the orchestra section of the Lyric? From the stage pictures I've seen, there doesn't appear to be any physical aspect of the set that intrudes into the orchestra area."

It's not really a "large" production, and while the main unit set does fill the stage, there is no other major set piece ( a few roll on and off, but they aren't anything a regional theater couldn't easily reproduce, water tank notwithstanding). And it's not really a wide set, and I believe the Lyric is significantly wider than the Palace."

That's my understanding as well, so why was it necessary to remove 400 seats?"

AGAIN... there IS something that happens in the front orchestra area of the theatre.  I don't know how much space it takes (I was in the VERY back row of the Palace), but it was far enough forward that I could barely see it by standing up and leaning forward out of my seat.  So while it may have been to improve intimacy, it may have also been to accommodate this particular set feature.

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 11:58am

Lot666 said: "That's my understanding as well, so why was it necessary to remove 400 seats?"

Maybe it wasn't necessary, but just desired?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 12:32pm

susirene said: "Lot666 said: "Fosse76 said: "Lot666 said: "Can someone who has seen this in London explain why it was necessary to remove 400 seats from the orchestra section of the Lyric? From the stage pictures I've seen, there doesn't appear to be any physical aspect of the set that intrudes into the orchestra area."

AGAIN... there IS something that happens in the front orchestra area of the theatre. I don't know how much space it takes (I was in the VERY back row of the Palace), but it was far enough forward that I could barely see it by standing up and leaning forward out of my seat. So while it may have been to improve intimacy, it may have also been to accommodate this particular set feature."

Susirene, I'm not sure the reason you're thinking of has anything to do with why they'd remove 400 seats from what I imagine is the rear of the orchestra. I imagine the overhang of the newly extended mezzanine is probably a big factor.

Re: Intimacy vs. Spectacle - I think a lot of New Yorker viewers are going to be surprised by how dramatic the second part of this play is. It is filled with many intimate scenes that dive deep into father/son relationships, that I actually found really poignant. Is there spectacle? Absolutely. But this is also much more of a drama then most believe.

On another note, when I saw the show in London, I paid $250 (total) for the best Premium Seats they had, center of the stalls on the aisle within the first 10 rows. To think those same tickets are now >$700 in NYC is crazy. 

[susirene]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 1:27pm

VotePeron said: "susirene said: "Lot666 said: "Fosse76 said: "Lot666 said: "Can someone who has seen this in London explain why it was necessary to remove 400 seats from the orchestra section of the Lyric? From the stage pictures I've seen, there doesn't appear to be any physical aspect of the set that intrudes into the orchestra area."

AGAIN... there IS something that happens in the front orchestra area of the theatre. I don't know how much space it takes (I was in the VERY back row of the Palace), but it was far enough forward that I could barely see it by standing up and leaning forward out of my seat. So while it may have been to improve intimacy, it may have also been to accommodate this particular set feature."

Susirene, I'm not sure the reason you're thinking of has anything to do with why they'd remove 400 seats from what I imagine is the rear of the orchestra. I imagine the overhang of the newly extended mezzanine is probably a big factor.

Re: Intimacy vs. Spectacle - I think a lot of New Yorker viewers are going to be surprised by how dramatic the second part of this play is. It is filled with many intimate scenes that dive deep into father/son relationships, that I actually found really poignant. Is there spectacle? Absolutely. But this is also much more of a drama then most believe.

On another note, when I saw the show in London, I paid $250 (total) for the best Premium Seats they had, center of the stalls on the aisle within the first 10 rows. To think those same tickets are now >$700 in NYC is crazy."

Sounds like you had a better view of what I'm referring to than I did! I totally agree about the intimacy of the second part - even having read the show, I was REALLY surprised by how the show "felt" on stage.  I'm really looking forward to seeing it from a little closer up this time (though it was still incredible powerful from what felt like 30,000 feet!).

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 1:32pm

Not sure if this has been posted, but they added the name of the show to the marquee https://instagram.com/p/BfHhoaslSiZ/

[musikman]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 1:53pm

Looks like they're moving the front entrance of the theatre from 42nd street to 43rd street?

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:03pm

musikman said: "Looks like they're moving the front entrance of the theatre from 42nd street to 43rd street?"

There were always more doors and access on 43rd. For Spiderman, there would be a line on 42nd, and several doors you could walk right in on 43rd.

[nycward]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:10pm

I think the goal of eliminating 400 seats is part of the Ambassador Group's goal to make the Lyric a more valuable and desirable property. Sometime in a far distant galaxy of time when HP closes they hope to have their equivalent of the Majestic Theatre to rent out. 30 years out it's hard to remember that the Majestic used to be a desirable theatre that produces tried to book:)

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:12pm

musikman said: "Looks like they're moving the front entrance of the theatre from 42nd street to 43rd street?"

This has been known since they announced the venue.

[Broadway_Boy]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:18pm

haterobics said: "musikman said: "Looks like they're moving the front entrance of the theatre from 42nd street to 43rd street?"

There were always more doors and access on 43rd. For Spiderman, there would be a line on 42nd, and several doors you could walk right in on 43rd."

I think now everything will be from 43rd street apart from maybe exiting.  They obviously won't need the foot traffic from 42nd. The marquee is up on 43rd. 

[Scott Rosson]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:19pm

Updated On: 2/13/18 at 02:19 PM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:19pm

Lot666 said: "That's my understanding as well, so why was it necessary to remove 400 seats?"

Because it is a large house. It needs to be smaller. Imagine Avenue Q at the Gershwin (obviously Harry Potter isn't that small, but it illustrates my point). The show will get lost in there. They reduced the theater's capacity to more closely align with the number of seats at the Palace Theatre in London. Based on the seating chart and the seat numbers, it appears that they narrowed the seating area in the orchestra,  to an extent. I imagine they are building out the set a little bit, but they can only do so much without it looking completely bare. 

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:21pm

Scott Rosson said: "Hey all,

I have decided to part with one of my tickets forCursed Child. Rather then return it directly to ticketmaster, I figured I would offer it here first. Wednesday January 9th (2pm and 7:30PM) Center Balc Row G Seat 117. I paid $100 bucks for the pair and I will take best offers till the end of the day. PM me for details."

You can’t transfer the tickets. 

[Scott Rosson]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:27pm

Updated On: 2/13/18 at 02:27 PM

[broadwayfan1000]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:52pm

AmeliaBedelia said: "If you're looking for the lower price range tickets, keep checking Ticketmaster. I've been checking twice a day for the past couple days and just found a $40 orchestra seat in September that I guess someone had just returned.Especially over the next few days, I have a feeling people will start returning seats as they look at schedules, consider travel options, discuss with friends who bought tickets as well, etc."

What row was the $40 and are you sure it is orchestra. I spoke to lyric theater and they said they never released any orchestra seating for $40. I was concerned that my row V seats that I paid $165 maybe partially obstructed if there are seats around that being sold at that price. But they said a few times they have not released any $40 seats in orchestra but only balcony? Are a few people who have said they received orchestra at this price so they must be misinformed? But I asked the agent a few times via fb messenger and they were very confident. 

[Broadway_Boy]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 2:59pm

You can transfer tickets a few days before the performance.  There's tickets all over the resale market. 

[MyMeredithMonster]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 3:08pm

Just a heads up for anyone who might be looking for premium tickets in August.  I've just cancelled my seats for August 25th Dress Circle L Row C seats 1, 3 and 5 (due to errors when buying tickets which left me with extra tickets).  They should be back up on Ticketmaster shortly.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 3:13pm

broadwayfan1000 said: "AmeliaBedelia said: "If you're looking for the lower price range tickets, keep checking Ticketmaster. I've been checking twice a day for the past couple days and just found a $40 orchestra seat in September that I guess someone had just returned.Especially over the next few days, I have a feeling people will start returning seats as they look at schedules, consider travel options, discuss with friends who bought tickets as well, etc."

What row was the $40 and are you sure it is orchestra. I spoke to lyric theater and they said they never released any orchestra seating for $40. I was concerned that my row V seats that I paid $165 maybe partially obstructed if there are seats around that being sold at that price. But they said a few times they have not released any $40 seats in orchestra but only balcony? Are a few people who have said they received orchestra at this price so they must be misinformed? But I asked the agent a few times via fb messenger and they were very confident."

More than one person has mentioned getting $40 orchestra seats in what I'm assuming is the last row, so I tend to believe them over the Lyric, who has nothing to do with actual sales of the tickets. BTW, my $40 seat is in the last row of the dress circle.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 3:32pm

The seat removals must be on the far sides. Looking at the old seating chart and the new chart + your posts, there used to be ~48 seats per row: 18 center, 15 per side (give or take). Now in the “new” theatre, a typical row probably has 36 per row (18 per side). (Again, give-or-take.)

It also looks like they've removed most of the back few center rows of the orch, and added 4 rows to the front of the mez. But maybe the mezz and Balcony also wrap around a little more now? All unknown til it starts previews!


Out of curiosity, how did MATILDA do the center-aisle bits when touring to theatres with 2 aisles?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 3:34pm

Matilda never went into the aisles on tour

[Alex172005]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 6:59pm

I think you all are correct about them narrowing the rows.

I messaged the theatre with concerns about my tickets being obstructed, and I asked how many seats were in my row.

I’m sitting in orchestra left row F seats 25-27, and they told me that my seats were on the aisle, and not obstructed. They said I have “great seats”.

[AmeliaBedelia]

Posted: 2/13/18 at 9:51pm

broadwayfan1000 said: "AmeliaBedelia said: "If you're looking for the lower price range tickets, keep checking Ticketmaster. I've been checking twice a day for the past couple days and just found a $40 orchestra seat in September that I guess someone had just returned.Especially over the next few days, I have a feeling people will start returning seats as they look at schedules, consider travel options, discuss with friends who bought tickets as well, etc."

What row was the $40 and are you sure it is orchestra. I spoke to lyric theater and they said they never released any orchestra seating for $40. I was concerned that my row V seats that I paid $165 maybe partially obstructed if there are seats around that being sold at that price. But they said a few times they have not released any $40 seats in orchestra but only balcony? Are a few people who have said they received orchestra at this price so they must be misinformed? But I asked the agent a few times via fb messenger and they were very confident."

The $40 orchestra seat was in row Y, which I believe is the fourth row from the back of the orchestra. It's all the way to the side so maybe they're just releasing the last seat in the last few rows as $40 seats. Also, Ticketmaster lists which sections tickets are in at each price level on the page where you pick which price level you want to search. For the $20-$40 price range, it lists orchestra, dress circle, and balcony as possible locations. They definitely offer $40 orchestra seats, although how many there are is anyone's guess. 

Thought of another possible title for this thread: "Fantastic Seats and Where to Find Them"

Updated On: 2/13/18 at 09:51 PM