Next to Normal at Arena Seating

[Here I Am]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 8:10am

Has anyone seen it? What is the seating like? Is it stadium seating and are there still three levels like at Second Stage? I have front row seats because the lady on the phone said it was "old movie theatre style seating", so I took that as flat seating. But after looking at some pics, it looks like it MIGHT be raised levels. Can't tell 100% though. If its stadium I'd much rather sit a few rows back. Thanks guys! Also, if anyone remembers... is the first row VERY close to the stage?

[musicalman2]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 9:41am

There is a very very slight rake, but it is essentially flat movie theater seating. Definitely not stadium seating. The first row is probably 6 feet from the front of the stage.

[iamdangoodman]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 9:55am

I would suggest moving back if you haven't seen it at Arena Stage already. The front row will make the top level a literal pain in the neck. You should be able to let the ushers or house manager know that you want to move back to any unused house seats, I'd guess. If you're already familiar with the musical, though, the front row is an intense ride in a good way. It's like a private performance and the music'll rock you good from there.

While we're on this, there were a couple of regulars on this board that were going to post reviews of the show once they had "recovered" from the travel. Where are you guys?

The Post put it in the Top Ten of the year, as did Entertainment Weekly, and Playbill named Alice Ripley as one of the ten best "Performances by a Diva" of the year, so the critics are on board at any rate.

But I'm still pulling for the show to get home to NY. The more voices heard from the better on this one! It's a tough sell to say it's a Broadway title in this economy, but Alice could cruise to a Tony this year and Aaron would have to be in the hunt, no?

[matty159]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 11:02am

I think I am one of the ones who promised a review! I will get to that today.

As far as the seating, I was in the fifth row and my neck got a little sore. Personally, I wish I had been a little further back (it was my first time ever seeing the show) to get the full scope of things. That said, when I go back, I do want to see it from the front row just to experience the sheer intensity of the piece from that close. So, needless to say, I loved it!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 6:33pm

I've sat 5th and 6th row, 1st row, and next to last in the center orchestra level. Personally I LOVE first row because of the emotional intensity of the piece. That said, for a first-timer, I'd agree with seeing if you can go further back (swap seats with someone or something if they won't exchange them for you) ~ I thought I could see everything fine from 5th and 6th rows. Even though the rake is very slight, the seats are staggered, so a head will not be directly in front of you.

I would caution against those couple of rows in the back in front of the "elevated wheelchair seating" per the seating chart. In reality that's only about a third of the area ~ the rest is tech, and the tech people DO talk rather loudly to each other throughout the show. Luckily my friend who hadn't seen it before wasn't distracted by them, but I definitely heard a lot of conversing going on (and not all about the show either) from the tech booth people.

[Here I Am]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 7:56pm

Thanks guys! I saw it at Second Stage twice so it wont be the first time for me. But it will be the first time for my other two friends. I don't know what to do. I kinda want them to see Alice Ripley's emotions from up close.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 8:08pm

I'm going with a friend on Saturday for the matinee ~ I have front row and she has second (she wasn't sure if she could go or not at first, and as it turns out we're one in back of the other so it's all good). I think it'll be fine ~ there wasn't SO much going on in the very back of the second floor that it's a huge problem. Maybe a couple of places where you can't see all of someone, but I never had anyone totally blocked from the front row.

Oh, and I totally agree iamdangoodman. I was just thinking today how it would be Alice's Tony almost for sure if they get it in this year. The icky thing is that the place where it would be the best fit ~ the Helen Hayes ~ has stupid old The 39 Steps moving in there with its less than stellar numbers as is.

Updated On: 12/30/08 at 08:08 PM

[lstbutifulgrl2]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 10:30pm

i've seen it from front row and last row.... both i thought were good. i will agree with those who have mentioned that it is tough to see the third level of the set from the front row, your neck does start to hurt after a while, but being that close just made the show more powerful, imo.

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 12/30/08 at 10:38pm

oops i think im one of the people who promised a review as well. SOrry bout that, I'll do it in the next couple days. I've worked everyday since i've seen the show (22nd) so It slipped my mind,

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/31/08 at 9:38am

To be fair though, very little happens on the third level of the set. Even less than at Second Stage where there was only a little.

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 12/31/08 at 9:42am

True, they moved almost all of aaron's actions down the second level, which i liked. Having him in the "bathroom" while he's just done in the shower was a nice continuity touch.

UGH, i so hope this show continues after DC. I NEED MORE ALICE. More. Oh, and a friggin LEGIT recording.