Moving to Better Seats
Moving to Better Seats
Moving to Better Seats#1
Posted: 12/5/10 at 7:27pmI am going to see at least a few shows next month that will more than likely be fairly empty. I have heard many times on here references to going to better seats before the show or during intermission if they are open. What I'm wondering is how do you go about doing that? If you ask an usher right before the show starts, will they know which seats will be open, or do you just have to wait to see until intermission/be out of luck for shows without an intermission (ie American Idiot)? Advice appreciated. Thanks!
Moving to Better Seats#2
Posted: 12/5/10 at 7:31pmI've moved from the rear mezz to the rear orchestra if theres a large clump of seats, and its obvious that the seats wont fill up. Otherwise, I'd wait til intermission and I don't think you have to ask because I everytime I have I've been told it was ok.
Moving to Better Seats#2
Posted: 12/5/10 at 7:38pm
I've done it a few times. I always wait until after intermission, though. Just so I know no one is coming to the show. It's usually okay.
The best seat I ever got from doing this was when I saw TARZAN in 2006. Went from the last row at the Richard Rodger's to the second row.
Updated On: 12/5/10 at 07:38 PM
Moving to Better Seats#3
Posted: 12/5/10 at 7:50pmThe only time I would do it BEFORE a show starts is if there are large clumps of empty seats.
Moving to Better Seats#4
Posted: 12/5/10 at 7:59pm
Pre-show: Only move to an empty seat if an usher specifically moves you in order to "dress the house". Otherwise, wait until intermission. Many shows have late seating calls throughout the first act, and it's a pain in the ass for everyone involved if an usher tries to discreetly seat a latecomer and someone is in their seat.
HOWEVER, if you absolutely cannot abide the seat that you're in and cannot wait until intermission, go speak to the house manager. They are usually the only people who have the authority to reassign seats. Do not move yourself before the show.
At intermission, whatever is open is generally considered fair game.
Moving to Better Seats#5
Posted: 12/5/10 at 8:41pm
Usually if a significant portion of the house is empty, for example the front mezz while the rear mezz is full, they will move you. The best system for this I've ever seen was at the RENT tour in Providence when the ushers actually had a stack of unsold tickets and physically traded them with yours to give you an upgrade. I was so impressed by that.
I moved once before the show started at American Idiot. They gave me left box seats, and I'd sat there before and been very disappointed by how obstructed it was. There were plenty of empty seats in the side and rear orchestra, so my friend and I just moved down a couple minutes before curtain and no one said anything.
The only time I've ever been yelled at for moving was at the Pantages in LA. Almost the entire front balcony section was empty, and when people from the rear balcony tried to move down at intermission, the ushers started checking tickets. Ridiculous, I don't understand why you'd choose to just let better seats go to waste rather than be enjoyed by paying customers.
Moving to Better Seats#6
Posted: 12/5/10 at 9:01pmSo here's hoping they offer to move me down from the balcony at American Idiot...at the other shows, I'll just wait until intermission. Thanks for the responses!
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