House Seats

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 6:57pm

I know this may sound like a stupid question. What are house seats? And I heard they are on telecharge for Les Miz. Can someone fill me in on the details? Are they cheap seats, Do they have a good view?


Thanks

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 6:59pm

House seats are generally a not-very-well-kept industry secret. They are simply tickets that are arranged for you by someone who works for the production. They don't automatically refer to a certain price range or location. "House seats" then, by definition, wouldn't be available from Telecharge.
Updated On: 10/18/06 at 06:59 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 7:05pm

Location varies by theater under the philosophy that house seats are "the best seats in the house," but yes, you have to know someone involved with the show who can get them for you.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 7:07pm

I've worked in professional box offices off and on for years. House seats are not always "the best seats in the house," but are very often the only seats left at the time of the reservation. Because they're reserved by someone "in the know," they generally like them to be good seats...but in my experience, that's not really part of the definition of a house seat.
Updated On: 10/18/06 at 07:07 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 7:17pm

Gotta agree with emcee. In all the theaters I"ve worked, the house seats are those reserved for the critics as well as other VIPS. They're considered the best seats in the house.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 7:20pm

*shrugs* Okie-dokie.

[mikem]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 9:02pm

Mother's Younger Brother, I've always thought that specific seats are held back as "house seats" that are not available to the public until after the deadline has passed for reservation of those seats by someone with the show. Am I confused?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 9:06pm

ANY time I have had house seats, I have been between 5th and 8th row of the orchestra and always in the center section (or sectionS in a tour venue).

Unused house seats are usually released for public sale 24 or 48 hours before showtime

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 9:07pm

What are the seats that a House Manager keeps for problems and emergencies only called?

Updated On: 10/18/06 at 09:07 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 9:10pm

The only crummy House Seats I've ever had were at the Dodger Stages.
All the others were quite good.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 9:18pm

I've always been under the impression that they're generally set aside in one or several locations, much like "premium seats" are. And then if they're still unused by a certain time before the performance, they go on sale to the public for full price. The point of the whole thing is that if you're famous or have a connection, you get hooked up with the best seats.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 9:43pm

On a related note, there are also those seats which are given to certain "star" actors to use at each show. I thought they would be among the best seats in the house also, but once I used Nathan Lane's seats, and they were average. Full price also.