Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

[abstract19]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 11:25pm

I have tickets for The Little Mermaid, and I'm in the Orchestra section in row BB. Does anyone know if these seats are going to be partial view? I usually sit in the Balcony, so this is new for me.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 11:28pm

And you ask this now why...

[abstract19]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 11:55pm

That's a good question.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 12:01am

hey, abstract, welcome to the boards!

to answer your question ... out of the 29 or 30 rows of the orchestra, Row BB is the 27th. please see the chart below for a better idea of where your seats are:

https://www.broadway.com/gen/SeatingChart.asp?SI=544261

hope this answers your question.

best,
- Mike

Updated On: 10/16/07 at 12:01 AM

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 12:33am

And since Mezz Row A overhangs Orchestra Row J, you may not be able to see much of the top half of the show because the overhang will be blocking.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 12:35am

So a partial view should be fine.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 12:41am

Are there any other theatres that have the double letter rows at the back of the orchestra as opposed to the front? I'm used to seeing row AA or BB as the very first row.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 12:50am

As far as I know, the Lunt-Fontainne is the only B'way house that has the double-lettered rows in the back of the orchestra. When I initially purchased my BEAUTY and the BEAST tix earlier this year for the April 24th performance, I had to triple-check 'cause I'm sitting in the same seats I had then for MERMAID in January. It's strange, I knwo, but that's how the theatre is set-up, I guess.

[DaintyJack]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 7:10am

Nothing in the orchestra at the Lunt is sold as partial view, so you'll see all the main action, but the top half of the stage might be cut off by the mezz. They're good though, with the prologue in Beauty, the enchantress used to fly higher than the back of the orchestra could see but it was modified so the entire audience could see her and the effect. Maybe the same will be done for Mermaid. We'll see!

[Justin D]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 8:45am

Thats the oddest thing, I've never seen AA or BB at the back, i've seen YY and ZZ (either london or toronto)

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 9:12am

The Lunt-Fontanne orchestra seating section is unusually long. This used to be the old Globe Theatre. When it was re- built in the 1950's, the first production to re-open the theatre was THE VISIT starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, highly acclaimed actors. The next production was the musical GOLDILOCKS starring Elaine Stritch and Don Ameche in 1958. When pit conductor Lehman Engel went to the theatre to examine the orchestra pit he discovered that the pit was hopelessly too small for the 25 players that traditionally was the norm for pit orchestras at that time. Workers had to drill through concrete to enlarge the pit to accomodate the players. The orchestra seating section at that time was divided into 2 price ranges, with the first several rows referred to as "Orchestra Divan seats" going for $9.40 and the remainder of the orchestra section going for $8.05. This double pricing, which is prevelant in London theatres, makes sense. I wish it were used in Broadway theatres today. In a sense the huge prices for Premium Seating in use today is similar but not the same as the double pricing I am speaking about.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 10:04am

Anyone know how ROW C is? I have tickets for December and wasnt sure if the orchestra pit extended into the orchestra or if the stage was at a decent height. I'm just slightly concerned that it'll be like the Palace where I sat in ROW AA and my knees were in the conductor's back. Either way I'm excited.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/17/07 at 2:42am

bump

[kegrinds]

Posted: 10/30/07 at 1:17pm

"And since Mezz Row A overhangs Orchestra Row J, you may not be able to see much of the top half of the show because the overhang will be blocking."

Is this true?? So which would be the better seats....

Orch Row F
or
Mezz Row B

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/30/07 at 2:28pm

Premium seating aside, I can remember the days when tickets were priced according to how well you could see the stage: best orchestra seats were most expensive; then mid orchestra; then rear orchestra, then front mezzanine; then rear mezzanine. then, if applicable, front balcony; and finally, rear balcony. Sometimes the worst seats in the house were the most highly priced: the box seats. Even taking inflation into account, Broadway was much more "do-able" for people of limited means, allowing many people the chance to see first rate shows as long as they were willing to climb the stairs. That's all gone now. It does seem unfair that someone who pays, say, $131.00 for a rear mezzanine seat is paying the same as someone who pays the same for a prime orchestra seat.