Lunt-Fontanne Seating Advice- Page 2

[Robbie2]

Posted: 1/28/23 at 3:10pm

Robbie2 said: "bear88 said: "As I still mull this over, I had one question regarding front mezzanine seats if I want to spring for that. Would you rather be closer to the center but in Row E or off to the side and two or three rows closer? Obviously, I don't want the rail or people in front of us leaning forward to be an issue for me or my wife [she's 5'4"].

It looks like the front mezzanine seats are right behind each other but the rake is pretty steep. Wouldn't that avoid too many problems?

TaffyDavenport. some of those orchestra seats might work and save money if I decide to go that route. Thanks for pointing those out. What's left at this point are rear orchestra or the middle of the orchestra on far sides.

I don't want to overthink this. If front mezzanine seats at the Lunt-Fontanne are excellent, I don't want to try to get too clever. But the "View From My Seat" critiques have me a little paranoid."

 

 

Front mezzanine are excellent only place to sit and prefer row B over A. Sorry, not sure why the blurry images but probably a BW thing(what else is new) as my photos posted back on this thread in October 2022 were clear then!!!

"

Updated On: 1/28/23 at 03:10 PM

[bear88]

Posted: 1/28/23 at 3:41pm

Thanks. What about further back in front mezzanine, such as Row D or E, or do you lose the advantages at that point?

Also, how important is being in the center? Or does that matter?

[bear88]

Posted: 1/28/23 at 4:04pm

And if we can get them, would the first row of mid mezzanine work, or are those too far back - or have any issues with a bar?

ETA: Never mind. Whether it's rear mezzanine or the more-politely worded mid mezzanine, we got tickets in Row A pretty close to center stage. We'll find out in March whether the $80 savings was worth it.

Updated On: 1/28/23 at 04:04 PM

[HunterK]

Posted: 1/28/23 at 10:47pm

bear88 said: "Thanks. What about further back in front mezzanine, such as Row D or E, or do you lose the advantages at that point?

Also, how important is being in the center? Or does that matter?"

I will say I saw "Tina" many times in that mezzanine and the front mezzanine was never a problem at all. I was in Row A Seat 2 for the reopening it was perfection and Row C Seat 1 another time and just as good. My HUGE disappointment is the rear mezzanine starting right off in row A. If anyone looks at SEATPLAN, my photos are Row A Seats 106, 108. The railing that ends the front mezzanine blocks about 35% of your sight line. And it only get worse moving back in the center. Then the speakers hand down become a problem. This may change for Sweeney depending on the design, but they installed the "concern screens" for Tina because no one could see the Encore because every sightline was blocked off in the center rear mezzanine. At least on the side of the rear mezzanine you could maneuver your head around. I would NEVER pay to sit in that rear mezzanine center section. I would sit in the rear orchestra any day. I have plenty of photos on Seat Plan to back it up. Please be careful up there. 

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 1/29/23 at 9:49am

This photo shows Front Mezz Row A Seat 18. I have a ticket for seat 16 (one seat to the left) but am now somewhat terrified of my view being blocked by someone in the box seats. Has anyone sat in seat 16?

[bear88]

Posted: 1/29/23 at 12:58pm

HunterK said: "bear88 said: "Thanks. What about further back in front mezzanine, such as Row D or E, or do you lose the advantages at that point?

Also, how important is being in the center? Or does that matter?"

I will say I saw "Tina" many times in that mezzanine and the front mezzanine was never a problem at all. I was in Row A Seat 2 for the reopening it was perfection and Row C Seat 1 another time and just as good. My HUGE disappointment is the rear mezzanine starting right off in row A. If anyone looks at SEATPLAN, my photos are Row A Seats 106, 108. The railing that ends the front mezzanine blocks about 35% of your sight line. And it only get worse moving back in the center. Then the speakers hand down become a problem. This may change for Sweeney depending on the design, but they installed the "concern screens" for Tina because no one could see the Encore because every sightline was blocked off in the center rear mezzanine. At least on the side of the rear mezzanine you could maneuver your head around. I would NEVER pay to sit in that rear mezzanine center section. I would sit in the rear orchestra any day. I have plenty of photos on Seat Plan to back it up. Please be careful up there."

I decided, after further research, to switch seats (which were actually the seats you didn't like). Obviously, the setup for Sweeney Todd will be different from Tina but I don't want to worry about all the railings. We're in side orchestra instead. Thanks for your note.

[HunterK]

Posted: 1/29/23 at 1:39pm

I am glad that the information was able to help you make that decision, but I want to give credit to TaffyDavenport. They basically said the same stuff prior to my post, I was just backing them up. They actually shared a photo that I took from the side of the rear mezzanine in their post! So just a shout out to Taffy who helps out so much on these boards. Thank Taffy! 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 1/29/23 at 2:21pm

FANtomFollies said: "This photo shows Front Mezz Row A Seat 18. I have a ticket for seat 16 (one seat to the left) but am now somewhat terrified of my view being blocked by someone in the box seats. Has anyone sat in seat 16?"

Based on this pic, you should be okay, but it might depend on where the person in the box puts their chair, how it's angled, and if they're sitting back in it. If someone was blocking me, though, I'd have no problem asking the them directly if they could adjust their seat, but I wouldn't sweat about it until I was actually there, since there's no way it'll be like A 18.



 

 

Updated On: 1/29/23 at 02:21 PM

[bear88]

Posted: 1/29/23 at 2:44pm

HunterK said: "I am glad that the information was able to help you make that decision, but I want to give credit to TaffyDavenport. They basically said the same stuff prior to my post, I was just backing them up. They actually shared a photo that I took from the side of the rear mezzanine in their post! So just a shout out to Taffy who helps out so much on these boards. Thank Taffy!"

I shouldn't leave TaffyDavenport out of this, as our new seats are very close to the ones she suggested above in this thread. My spouse prefers orchestra seats anyway.

[pdjennings]

Posted: 2/15/23 at 10:31am

Does anyone know if Orch row A & B are actually going to be used for Sweeney Todd? I only ask because I've looked through multiple dates (even when first went on sale) -- and C is the first that EVER had any seats for sale.  Could A&B be removed for a possible larger orchestra pit -- or perhaps they're just being held for lottery or something?

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 2/15/23 at 11:05am

Given the Hamilton cross-over, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were being held for lotto/rush.  But also I wouldn’t count on it.

[inception]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 3:22am

I wonder if you have been yet with this seat?

I sat in an aisle seat in the dreaded center "mid" mezz section,  and sure enough the elderly gentleman in the seat in front of me kept bending forward & blocking the view with his head - and I'm 6'1".

$59 for the seat mentioned in this post seems an excellent deal now.  I was just looking at availability for next X-mas (the soonest I might be able to get back to NYC) & that side rear orchestra seat now goes for $120+fees!

Even though I missed seeing Groban when he was out last week, I'm not sure I super feel the need to see this production again.  Especially if Matarazzo is replaced by December -  since he gave one if the most surprisingly great performances of the night.

Anyways, 9 months is a long way off.

For the X-mas & New Year's weeks they add Tuesday evening performances, but do not have Sunday matinees on December 24 or 31. They actually get 3 days off in a row December 31 - January 2.

 

TaffyDavenport said: "My two cents after looking at every available view is that no seat in the 2 center sections of the rear mezzanine is good. The railings obstruct the first few rows, and then people's heads are problematic further back. The only views that look decent to me are the ones from the aisle seats of the far left and right sections, which would be seat 1 on the left and 2 on the right, probably no closer than row D to avoid the high railing at the back of the front mezzanine. Because the seats are angled there, and not directly behind each other like they are in the center sections, even the seats not on the aisle look pretty good. If you want to guarantee no obstruction, though, you could go for 2 aisle seats, one behind the other.

I bought L 1 for $59. I'll bring binoculars for the distance, but at least I know my view will be totally unobstructed.

As a reference, this is the view from H 1:

"

 

Updated On: 3/25/23 at 03:22 AM

[bear88]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 4:48am

I didn't sit in the mezzanine for Sweeney Todd so can offer no useful suggestions. But the people on this thread were enormously helpful, especially HunterK and TaffyDavenport - who basically helped me choose my side orchestra seats along with good old Seat Plan and A View from My Seat. They were fine seats, which is hard to guess when trying to choose before a show even opens.

Thanks, strangers on the Broadway message board!

[forfivemoreminutes]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 9:28am

I purchased seat front row mezzanine on the right aisle (front mezz A-2) for Sweeney Todd and I'm starting to get worried about the railing at the front mezzanine possibly obstructing. I'm 5'0 and typically in theatres with a railing I have trouble seeing over it. Is this likely to be a problem at the Lunt-Fontanne, or is the bar very low like at the Hudson? Does the Lunt-Fontanne have the soft fabric booster seats or only the hard black ones? Also, is front row mezz a good view for this show, or are the seats far back and it might be hard to make out facial expressions?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 9:32am

I posted elsewhere, but I was strongly advised by the box office not to sit in the first two rows of the rear mezz. As a result, I took center of row C. She said the complaints about the bar(s) were constant, that many couldn't see past the first one, or over the one down front. I've never considered this before, and was ready to take row A.  But I had a terrible experience in row A at Girl from the North Country. I'm 6' and still found the bar intrusive. (Granted, Belasco and Lunt-Fontanne are different houses; but bars are bars.) I have never turned down closer rows before, but trusted the box office. Opinions? 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 10:58am

inception said:

"I wonder if you have been yet with this seat?"

Yes, I sat there for the first preview, and, as I expected, it was completely unobstructed, with the seat angled out from behind the seat in front. It was far from the stage, but I used my binoculars from time to time. The only issue being so far left was that there were moments in the scenes in Johanna's room when an actor would walk out of view momentarily, but that's a minor gripe. I think L 2 would probably be better, since no staging occurs far right because the tower occupies that whole space.

[inception]

Posted: 3/25/23 at 11:07am

I don't think the bar is the problem once you get further back.  But if the person in front bends forward, then it blocks. 

Auggie27 said: "I posted elsewhere, but I was strongly advised by the box office not to sit in the first two rows of the rear mezz. As a result, I took center of row C. She said the complaints about the bar(s) were constant, that many couldn't see past the first one, or over the one down front. I've never considered this before, and was ready to take row A. But I had a terrible experience in row A at Girl from the North Country. I'm 6' and still found the bar intrusive. (Granted, Belasco and Lunt-Fontanne are different houses; but bars are bars.) I have never turned down closer rows before, but trusted the box office. Opinions?"

 

[jr88]

Posted: 3/27/23 at 11:17am

I've read this thread, but would like some thoughts on Center Front Mezz Row A vs Row B seating. Some comments mention the safety railing obstructing view when sitting in Row A and others mention people leaning over in Row B. I'm 6'1 and wife is 5'6", so I'm not sure that the railing will affect our view from Row A. Other possibility is Center Orch Row F. Ticket prices are the same. Any thoughts from people who have sat there as to a preferred row?

Thanks in advance!

Updated On: 3/27/23 at 11:17 AM

[Piparoo]

Posted: 3/27/23 at 7:51pm

We sat in front row center mezz on Saturday night and had no issues seeing past the railing and lighting. Heights in our party ranged from 4’8” (our 9 year old daughter) to 6’2” (me). They were awesome seats. That said, I’ve decided to not book mezz seats for any show anymore. Personal preference but I always feel slightly more detached from the show and enjoy myself less when sitting in the mezzanine, and I think it’s from looking down over the performers rather than up from the orchestra. Also, a lot of the performers’ crazy, intense stares in this show are directed at the orchestra section. So, I didn’t get the feeling that they were looking our way which was disappointing. On the other hand, all of the action in the barber shop and in Johanna’s room is played on the second level so, if you sit in the mezz, all of that stuff will be at eye level.

[Azbroadway16]

Posted: 3/27/23 at 8:30pm

Looking for advice for seating. I have 3 options: Center Orchestra Row S, Right Orchestra Row Q (seat 7), or Front Mezz row E seat 4. What do you guys think?

[yyys]

Posted: 3/27/23 at 8:52pm

I'd pick Orch Row Q (I think you meant Left Orchestra) -  A Little Priest was done mostly on house left....so you'll have a great view there.

Azbroadway16 said: "Looking for advice for seating. I have 3 options: Center Orchestra Row S, Right Orchestra Row Q (seat 7), or Front Mezz row E seat 4. What do you guys think?"

 

Updated On: 3/27/23 at 08:52 PM

[bear88]

Posted: 3/27/23 at 11:18pm

I can’t comment on the front mezzanine seat, which I considered but is more expensive unless things have changed. I would probably lean towards Row Q. I was on the other side, in Row O (further to the side than you would be). Closer seems to be better for this show.

[bear88]

Posted: 4/3/23 at 3:49am

If anyone has sat Row V side orchestra or further back, what was your experience at Sweeney Todd? I sat closer up last month, was curious if anything bothered you (or was fine) about those rear orchestra seats. Scouting seats for others.

[hollebolle]

Posted: 4/3/23 at 8:29am

I actually just bough row V for a future performance. I was in row R this weekend, and scouted out other seats while I was there. It’s far back, but the orchestra is decently raked so it seemed like it would still be a great seat. 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 4/3/23 at 3:34pm

bear88 said: "If anyone has sat Row V side orchestra or further back, what was your experience atSweeney Todd? I sat closer up last month, was curious if anything bothered you (or was fine) about those rear orchestra seats. Scouting seats for others."

I can't speak to the side part since I was in the center, but I sat in row W and was fine. You couldn't see the very top of the proscenium, but you didn't miss any of the action (everything on the upper level was still completely visible).