How's the view at BALCONY FRONT CENTER at The St. James?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 9:47am

Hi all-

Pardon me from asking too many questions> I have been to all the broadway houses except The Majestic Theater that's why I cannot really remember anything..

Okay... Front Balcony Row D...

I know.. Ive started a thread last night: but

1. This would save me a lot of $$.. $46.00/ person.. and are 2 ..so if I pay $75.00 dollars a piece ..that's almost 150.00 and the $46.00- would only total to almost $100.00 so bear with me.

2. The seat is also on the aisle... I love aisle seat!

3. Ive already seen the show...that's why I dont mind paying $46.00 for balcony..but is it too HIGH..Would I still feel like ... I am a part of the a show? meaning audience.

Im not comfortable going to NYC without a ticket..so I wanted to buy it now... its just me...I DONT GO!- UNPREPARED...

Thanks again..

J*



Updated On: 4/11/08 at 09:47 AM

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 9:55am

Hi Jay,

I sat there for Gypsy a few weeks ago (row C on the aisle). You're pretty high but the view is still pretty good. I definitely felt part of the theater, since there are a few hundred people up there. The one thing I didn't like is that, while the balcony is nicely pitched, the front edge of the balcony comes out to far so that it blocks the front of the stage. As a result, everyone has to lean forward to see (or you have to lean forward to see over the person in front of you that's leaning forward). My back definitely got sore from doing this the whole night.

So, for half the price or less of a mezz seat, I'd probably do it. I don't know if a little further back in the balcony is easier to see without leaning forward, but looking around, every person in C, B, and A that I could see was leaning forward the entire show.

Hope that helps.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 10:03am

Oh thanks... that's the sight view..same case as The City Center and The Colonial Theater is Boston.... hmmm... let me think? that's pretty annoying ... I know what you mean.. you have to lean forward the whole time...

I did that at the New Amsterdam too at MARY POPPINS... It was not a great experience..but the seat is Row D...

BTW- do you see the light bulbs that lining the stage> the one that lit up during ROSE TURN and can you still read the placards in the display box during the scene change?

J*

[Just_John]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 10:14am

You can definately read the placards from the balcony. I don't remember if you can see the light bulbs, I'm sure you can if you lean.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 10:14am

Yes, I could see the placards, no problem. The footlights you'd have to lean forward extra to see.

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 10:16am

I sat in Row E of the balcony when I saw "Gypsy!" You are very high up... VERY HIGH UP! But you can still see everything... kind of. I couldn't see the signs- I had to sit forward the whole time to see what was going on.

Hope that helps!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 10:21am

Thanks guys....

I have a stupid question: Can you still see Patti Lupone's lower jaw wobbling every time she sings? lol.....I ask that bec. I love it... I know it may sound stupid.. but I get a kick out of it-seeing her jaw moved everytime she hits a looooong note.

I could live if I dont see the the footlights...

I can still see the whole orchestra? I dont think they were pushed way back???

J*
Updated On: 4/11/08 at 10:21 AM

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 4:49pm

Jay, Jay, Jay, my friend, please get BINOCULARS for this type of situation! Invaluable.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 5:10pm

Thanks. I do have a binoculars... I am a very ***organized*** person!
I am always one step ahead of everyone...



My Broadway Backpack for my Saturday day trips.

1. My portable DVD player ( that I got from last Christmas) 5 hours battery life
2. Spare battery pack for my portable DVD - 8 hours battery life
3. DVD's that I rent (usually from the $1.00 a day vending machine)
4. binoculars
5. Ipod
6. markers (different colors) for signing Playbills
7. watch (use it inside the theater instead of my cell phone)
8. My Metro Card
9. Wet Ones
10. Breakfast & Snacks
11. (not included for obvious reason) My camera


Updated On: 4/11/08 at 05:10 PM

[Hank]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 5:19pm

I sat up there for The Producers, and I thought the sight lines were pretty good, but if you're really dead set on seeing Patti's jaw moves, try for the obstructed views along the front orch sides, or the 1st 2 rows (can't see the stage floor, but hey, it's not a big dance shoe anyway).

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 5:26pm

Thanks ... I was told by Zei.. that's where he sat last time.. that- unfortunately you wont see the famous "Miss Patti's wobbling jaw" way up there....

That's okay... I only payed $46.00 .. total of $ 103.00 for two... that's almost the price of one full price orchestra ticket.. I can live with that!

See ya there next Saturday, Zeituojo!

J*
Updated On: 4/11/08 at 05:26 PM

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 5:31pm

I sat in the front row of the balcony and you could definitely see everything. I'm kinda tall, so I could see fine as long as I sat up straight. However, I noticed that there were about 8 empty seats in the 5th row center mezz during intermission, so my friend and I ran downstairs and grabbed two of them, and they were great.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 6:02pm

I sat in the front row center of that balcony. The view was alright, but I thought they were the worst seats I've sat in at a theatre. I felt so detached from the whole production. But for the price of the tickets they were fine, you can still see and hear everything perfectly. In my opinion the front gallery at City Center were better seats than the St. James Balcony.

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 10:25pm

see ya there j!

[courtnyj]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 2:53am

Yeah, I sat front row of the balcony and while the view was fine I did feel a bit detached from the production. Almost more like watching a movie than a live show.

I saw it a few days later from the front row.....wow what a difference! I won't be sitting in the balcony again!

But hell, go cheap when you can especially if it's something you've seen before. I'm sure you'll still love it.


PS Love your Broadway daytrip kit Jay! Hope you have a fabulous night with Miss Patti!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 7:49am

The problem with the balcony at the St. James (I sat up there for Tyne Daly's first last performance in Gypsy and for Secret Garden) - if someone if front moves their head slightly forward and you're the seat behind them, it will completely block your view.

[JKlock]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 8:24am

one word: stairs (and stairs and stairs and more stairs) :)