How is the Stage Height at the Nederlander?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 6:33am

I am going to buy tickets for Guys & Dolls for sometime this month, and I found seats in the second row center. I really want to buy them, but I am not familiar with the theater and was concerned about the stage being too high. I usually like sitting up close, but I have been to some theaters where the stage was too high (Al Hirschfeld, Palace) and some of my view was cut. Forgive me if this was posted - I did a search.

Thanks!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 6:37am

Not high. Probably chest-height on me (somewhere between 5-6 and 5-7) sitting in the front row. That said, how good it would be also depends on the set design. Until we see that, it's hard to know for sure if closer is better for this one. For Rent it was fine.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 7:04am

They probably changed the stage heights because there will probably be a pit there now. For Rent it was a great seat. But either way go for it, it's not every day a second row center seat comes up. And if you are unhappy with your seat then tell an usher and they will reseat you.

[dg22894]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 7:09am

I sat very close for rent but there was seats over the pit said Justin Johnson in a video after rent closed. They might have also changed the stage height during the renovations.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 7:47am

Good point about renovations. I guess until someone sees exactly what the set-up is now it'll be hard to say.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 8:03am

Oh well. I have a feeling the tickets will be there within the next couple of days. If not, something else will come up. I am kind of broke anyway.

Thanks guys!

[migioso]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 11:25am

I have tickets for the first row center and the person at the box office said that they would be fine because the stage is really low...I'm not sure what that means or whether to trust her, but I'd assume second row would be fine.

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 9:51pm

I don't think you will have any viewing problems at the Nederlander with the seats you have. The stage is not high and even if they raise it six inches or so, in order for them to operate electric winch systems for scene changing, it should still be fine and you will most likely not have a problem with your view. The stage is not very deep at the Nederlander so maybe they will try a unit set of some kind, or perhaps they will fly in a majority of the scenes as the fly space at the Nederlander is very high, higher in fact than most of the Broadway Theaters above 44th Street. It has two lofts, and many Broadway theaters have only one. I imagine the orchestra pit will be used for the live orchestra because the stage depth is small and they will need every inch for the actors and scenery. I think you will like your seats and I hope you really enjoy the show.

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 9:57pm

Until people see the show, or has some inside knowledge on the set design, it will be impossible to say. The height of the show deck will depend on whether or not the show is using automation in its design. Depending on the type of system being used, it can add anywhere from 3 to 15 inches to the height of the stage.

[DrVincento2]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 1:25am

The first row of the Nederlander will not have a large obstruction because there is no orchestra in the pit. The orchestra is located onstage, on three levels, and mostly covered up by set with exception for a few scenes. Entrances, exits are scenes are played in the pit.
Updated On: 2/3/09 at 01:25 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 9:12am

"The orchestra is located onstage, on three levels..."

Is that going to be true for Guys & Dolls though?

I ended up buying the tickets...Row BB center. Thanks!

[DrVincento2]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 11:00am

Yes, the orchestra is located upstage and is visible during some of the numbers.

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 7:20pm

Very nice that we are going to see the orchestra. I assume it will be similar to the way they used the orchestra in Wonderful Town over at the Al Hirschfield Theatre a few year ago? That was very effective. It also means those lucky people sitting down in the orchestra will have good views because the stage is low and the Nederlander has an intimate feel down in the orchestra seating. I still say the best seats at the Nederlander are in the front mezzanine. I saw RENT from that area and I felt I was very close. Excellent seats.