Once and the NO VIEW seat (A long rant)

Last year I made a mistake of not getting a Book of Mormon ticket before the Tony nominations. So, I was not let that happen again. The night before I decide to buy my ticket to Once.

As it sounds like a wonderful intimate show, I want to support the production and also get a good seat. I've seen many shows there from the Mezzanine - this time I'll be in the orchestra. Why does Telecharge not have an interactive seat map yet is beyond me. Anyhow, I buy a ticket at full price and I'm sure it's worth it.
Looking at the map, I'm in Row A Seat 7 all the way to the left. There are rows AA and BB, so it should be just fine (I assume some seats were removed for this production).

I arrive in the theater to find this lively Irish band playing on stage, with other patrons around them - fantastic! The set looks great, not a lot to block my view, I think. As patrons are eager to go onstage, I wait and get a drink until the show is about to start.

There was what it seemed to be a railing to assist the audience to go up and down the stage - I'm so happy it comes off! Nothing to obstruct my view, perhaps I'll miss some action from stage right. Thinking about it, it's not the best seat, but whatever.

The show starts. An older gentleman sings a lovely song. Then proceeds to grab a chair and sit RIGHT IN FRONT of me. Now, I have the best view of such peformer's behind and his chair and nothing else.

Now I think - this seat is sold as full priced. No way this is going to stay like this.

Before I go on, I must say I have bought partial/restricted view tickets before. You miss a few things, it's a restricted view seat after all. This full price ticket was not restricted view, it was NO VIEW. At all. I would have been forced to climb on the guy seating to my right to try and see something. It was like I was listening to a live recording of a show. I look at how the patron on the opposite side is handling the matter, as she is in the same situation - she's sound asleep.

To keep this rant short: the man and the chair eventually moved, just to be replaced by another man and another chair. Then a vacuum. Then the vacuum is stored right on my face, but not properly as a few minutes after, the handle hits my head. Usher rushes down and apologizes - oh wait! She does not apologize, why would she? - I'm in the NO VIEW seat anyhow! Then a woman and her chair. Then a bank scene and a girl and her chair. Then intermission (I think, as the light come up).

Me (at patrons around me) Can you see anything?
Patrons around me: Not much, but we were warned when we bought these heavily discounted tickets from TKTS/Box Office that they were partial view.

Me: Dear Mr. House Manager, I have a problem with my seat...
Him: Front row very left
Me: ...
Him: I get that every night, but production claims the view is "fine". Show is sold out tonight. You can stand at the back. Here's my card send me a letter and see what I can do.

Me: Dear Box office person...
Miserable man doing nothing: Talk to House Manager, don't bother me...

So, the sucker who bought a full priced ticket now has a standing room privilege! Yay!

The best they would do, I've been told, is offer a ticket to another show. Well, I can't take my private jet to New York all the time, my agenda is too full, Mr. House Manager.

1. How did no one in the production or a performer say: This person won't see ANYTHING, should the chair be slightly more upstage?

2. Should we charge very partial view price for this seat?

3. It is wonderful that a blind person decided that this NO VIEW ticket actually gives a lovely perspective of older gentleman's bum.

4. Any suggestions as to what I should say or ask for on my letter to the HM and production as my experience was ruined?

The end. Thank you.

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So sorry you had that experience. I remember seeing History Boys, also designed by Bob Crowley, and those seats on the sides were heavily obstructed also. Has no one learned?

Oh my god. I sat in the same exact seat and It ruined my entire "Once" experience. I was furious the whole performance. Frankly those seat should not be sold hell, they should not even be given away. If I knew what the view was I would have dished out for premium seating. I am from Los Angeles and I listened to the CD obsessively for a month and was VERY VERY excited to see this more then any other show in my 13 show itinerary. The house was packed and staff was rude so I did not feel comfortable asking to be relocated. I only saw Kazee sing one song ("Say it to me now it" I believe and that was a rear view.) Come to think of It I should probably ask for a refund. Either way I am so turned off. I even saved room in my itinerary later on that week so I can see it again but after that experience I passed. You defiantly have my condolences.

Did you send the letter?

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To Blaxx, and everybody. Never buy any far left or far right seat less than 5 rows from the stage.

2. ALWAYS nicely complain, and send letters to the Mgr, etc, detailing what they could do, reasonably, that would make you happy as a customer. The reason these thingS tend to continue is because patrons are fed up and give up. Don't give up. IT'S YOUR MONEY!!

Updated On: 5/8/12 at 11:08 PM

all great points bdn, however it all boils down to $$$$$$$$$$$.
And you're comparing apple and oranges, Newsies is gigantic, Once is small. Once's producers are going to squeeze every last penny. Like I said, (above), don't be a sucker and buy those seats.

Tiny magic actually Newsies and Once are at similarly sized theaters...the Neadlandr only has a little over 100 seats more than the Jacobs surprisingly and their potential grosses are only $120,000 apart so ONCE is not really that much smaller than NEWSIES

Agreed...I'm just glade I already saw once...because I have a feeling that if it wins the TONY it's producers are going to try an pull a mormon

When i buy something and I'm not satisfied with it, I call my credit card company and dispute the charge.

It's easier and more attractive than whining about it to friends or strangers.

Producers don't read meassage boards. They read chargeback statements.

It's MORE ATRRACTIVE? Are you kidding me?

Blaxx, I'm sorry your seat sucked so badly and took away from the experience of the show. Indeed, you should complain. The producers need to know WHY you are upset. Please keep us informed should you hear anything back.

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See, if you write the letter, it becomes a document. It can be copied and sent to other people and used as external, objective proof of something they may themselves be trying to achieve.

In this case, the house manager seems to have had heard the complaint before and has been told by the producers, nevertheless, that the seat will go on being sold. He offered to let you stand at the back during a sold-out performance AND gave you his card AND asked you to send him a letter and told you he would see what he could do. (Did he say he would refund your money or did someone else suggest that? That was unclear in your post.)

It seems to me that he did all he could. With an eloquent letter of complaint from you in hand, he might be able to get the producer to get the director to open up that staging or, if that is not possible, remove the seats from on sale.

Do it today--and make it as calm and non-bitchy as you can while still expressing you disappointment in not being able to see the show despite having paid full price for a ticket. Mention how understanding the house manager was.

Post your letter on this board and on All That Chat, if you post there. CC as many of the producers you can get email addresses for. Make it polite, but make it viral.

If you write the letter, you may make a change happen.

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What PJ said.

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I don't think the Times is necessary, nor do I think they would print it.

But cc'ing the general manager is a great idea. That's who the house manager would probably refer it to anyway. Email addresses for the GM and some of the producers can be easily found by googling.

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