High Stages at Broadway theatres

[Candice Malkin]

Posted: 3/20/12 at 1:45am

Does anyone have a list of which theatres have high stages so front row would not be a good seat?

[Steve2]

Posted: 3/20/12 at 6:57am

The Palace and the Neil Simon stages are particularly high. I would avoid the first few rows at both.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 3/20/12 at 12:01pm

The St. James and The Lyceum seemed high to me.

I was under the impression that stage heights can be raised or lowered based on productions? True or false?

[Justin D]

Posted: 3/20/12 at 12:47pm

Minskoff is also very high.

but it really depends on the theatre, some shows (if they can) will rip out the stage and build their own (particularly if alot of traps are needed) Others will just build their stage ontop of the theatre's own stage, thus raising the height. You also need to keep the height of the stage the same level as the floow in the wongs so scenery can be trucked off so if youre stuck with an already high stage, and need to build your own on top of that then you are stuck.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 3/20/12 at 5:12pm

See, I found lotto seats for Priscilla a neckache, yes, but at American Idiot at the St. James I thought the stage was a perfect height. Yes, productions can add to the floor. How to Succeed and Wicked are two examples of shows that have done so, as many set pieces on both shows are on tracks.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 3/20/12 at 11:10pm

Also depends on how much of the pit is used - some pits have 5 feet or so between the 1st row and the stage, others have more/less.

[pariswho]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 12:45am

The worst I've come across is at the St. James. I swear, it took weeks for me to be able to turn my head properly.