Minskoff Theatre: Bad Seats?

[AberJ01]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 8:02pm

My partner wants to see Lion King on our upcoming trip to New York. Wouldn't be something I'd choose, but that's another story...

I'm curious, as I've never been in the theater, what people's experiences have been like? I myself don't typically mind sitting in the mezzanine, even the rear mezzanine, but is the rear mezzanine terrible seats? How bad is rear orchestra?

Any feedback would be very appreciated!

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 8:13pm

I'm curious about seats at the Minskoff (in general) as well seeing as how it's also the venue for BOMBSHELL.

[SharoninB]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 8:18pm

Great show

[atuomala]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 10:23pm

There's really no such thing as a bad seat at the Minskoff. I saw The Lion King once from the mezzanine and twice from the stage manager's booth.

Updated On: 3/11/15 at 10:23 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 10:33pm

I suggest Mezzanine center 1-3 rows over rear orchestra...see theater visual

Updated On: 3/11/15 at 10:33 PM

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 11:17pm

Personally I think the Minskoff is a barn and if you're sitting rear mezz it feels like you're sitting in Jersey you're so far away. But that's just my opinion. Others might not agree. Front mezz isn't bad.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 11:26pm

^BWAYBOB LOL, So true...
Rear Mezzanine view

Updated On: 3/12/15 at 11:26 PM

[acekatherineplumber2]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 11:32pm

I sat front row center mezzanine for The Lion King and I think those seats were quite good, but that was 8 years ago and my first Broadway show, so I can't guarantee how accurate my perspective back then was.

[Broadwaydreaming]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 4:08am

I've sat middle orchestra and side orchestra. Expensive, but fantastic seats. I think the rear orchestra would be fine too. The Lion King is one of those shows that I didn't mind being too close for. To me, the rear mezz looks really far away. The scenery is beautifully detailed, and I think you'll miss a lot back there.

[Justin D]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 2:27pm

The website also has some seat view shots that might help you choose.

My issue as a fan of the show (probably the only one on here) is that they never have any cheap-o tickets like alot of other shows, even Wicked has cheaper tickets sometimes.

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 2:54pm

Robbie 2- What show is that?

[thommg]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 3:04pm

I hate to disagree with the post stating that all seats are great but.... they are not. IMO, there are many bad seats in the Minskoff. Any downstairs that are more than 3/4 of the way back are not good. Front Mezzanine is fine but rear mezzanine is a waste of money. Surprising that someone said you feel like you're in New Jersey because that is exactly what I tell people who ask. You feel so far from the stage and don't feel like part of the show. orchestra side seating isn't too bad but I don't know what pricing is like in that theatre.

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 4:39pm

I second that Robbie - what show is that?

I've sat first row orchestra, mid orchestra, front row mezz, mid mezz and last row mezz in the Minskoff always had great views....it's just a big theatre and the mezz is far back, which I personally don't mind.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 5:25pm

^Famebroadway2,JBradshaw
Lion King

[AberJ01]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 9:27pm

Justin D: For some reason the website keeps freezing up on me, and won't show me the screen shots.

[AberJ01]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 9:31pm

JBradshaw: I think I am kind of the same way. Personally, I have never really minded sitting in the back mezzanine of a show. I cannot think of a show where I felt like it was a waste to sit that far back, but that's just me. I try to go more economical, even though it seems expensive all around.

I wonder if a lot of people who are saying that rear mezzanine is terrible are saying that specifically about the Minskoff, or just because they hate rear mezzanine in any theater?

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 9:51pm

That's Lion King!? WOW!
It looks like a bus and truck compared to what it looked like at the New Amsterdam. Ouch.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/12/15 at 9:53pm

Sat upstairs for the last revival of Follies

We were quite away up and we saw fine. The theater, however, is butt ugly. Very sterile

[newenglandgal]

Posted: 3/13/15 at 1:06am

The theater is very bland compared with some others on Broadway. I saw The Lion King this past January and sat in the front row orchestra. I didn't realize how cavernous of a theater the Minskoff was until seeing the uploaded photos on this thread. (I have some vision deficits.)
I think this is one of those shows where that you go to not only to enjoy the music, but also the visual aspect - especially the choreography in this show. If you think you can do that from the mezzanine than I would do that. That way you can save money to see another show.
One thing I noticed about the Orchestra section was all the sleeping children. I just couldn't get over the fact parents actually shelled out big money for their kids to take a two hour nap.

[Justin D]

Posted: 3/13/15 at 10:17am

Usually I don;t mind back row seats since most shows I go to I have seen already, so I am just going more to hear new voices and such, and have sat in the back of the mez for Lion King and it was really far back.

The thing about Lion King in particular (my opinion anyways)is that since tie costume/puppets are so important, if you are not close enough to appreciate the intricacies of them, then the show can get a bit, um, boreing (and this is from a huge fan of the show). This is something that can happen alot too when you have shows with minimal set design as far too often in Lion King the stage is empty and if you are sitting up at the back you feel like you are staring at a big old brown empty stage.