Oriental Theater in Chicago Seating

[Keiichi2]

Posted: 9/15/18 at 10:23am

So, I was able to get 2 tickets to Dear Evan Hansen in Chicago at the Oriental Theater.  The best we could get is Dress Circle on the Right.  We got seats LL 2 and 4.  The seats are on the aisle and the one right next to it, but it's been a long time since I've been in the Oriental, and I don't remember how the Dress Circle is set up, and how good a view we will have, since Row LL is second to the last row in the Dress Circle.

Is the Oriental a huge theater?  Has anyone sat near the back of the Dress Circle section, and can comment on the view of the stage?  I've already seen Evan Hansen when it first started, so I'm not too worried, but my guest has not seen it, and I want to make sure this will be a great experience.

Thank you in advance for any information you can give. 

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 9/15/18 at 2:06pm

Though dress circle is just a smidgen less than ideal at the Oriental, I recommend being thankful that you were able to obtain tickets.

The Chicago run, Feb 12 - Mar 10, 2019, is selling very well.

Some performances only have scattered singles remaining.

I expect the 4-week run will easily sell out.

[Keiichi2]

Posted: 9/15/18 at 5:42pm

How is the view less than ideal?

And yes, I'm well aware we're lucky we even got seats.  There's hardly anything left on the date we're going, and no 2 seats available together.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 9/15/18 at 6:38pm

I love GREAT sound at a theatre.

But the Oriental dress circle is the most difficult area in that theatre to guarantee perfect sound. Though the sound gets a passing grade of B+, I prefer an A.

The B+ sound is due to the ceiling of the dress circle being so close, immediately above the seats. Well, just a few feet above your head when standing. It's a bit of a claustrophobic cave instead of an ethereal, vaulted ceiling.

The Oriental has magnificent sound on the main floor and balcony as the house's ceiling is much further away. There's a richer fullness.

I also score the Cadillac Palace dress circle a B+ and the CIBC loge/dress circle a B+.

Soloist sounds on these levels at the theatres score an A- while ensemble numbers score a B. Thus, the averaged B+ grade.

Your view will be an A-. Which is a good grade! Though nearly all of the blocking in DEH is central, there will probably be one or two partial view moments. You Will Be Found uses the full stage, and though you should be able to see the full company, you'll miss just a tad of the smartphone graphics on one side of the stage. Not a big deal at all.

Have a great trip to the theatre! Wishing you no snow on your show day.

Updated On: 9/15/18 at 06:38 PM

[Keiichi2]

Posted: 9/15/18 at 7:43pm

Thanks so much for the detailed information and good weather wishes!  Yeah, we're going February 23rd, so hopefully the weather will be semi-decent that day.  I live in Southern Wisconsin, just above the border of Illinois, so I can take a bus or train down, both of which are only 2 hours away from Chicago, and drop off about 10 to 15 minute walk away from most theaters.

I am also seeing Tootsie on Saturday, October 6th.  I'll be going alone on that trip.  I have a seat on the main floor for that performance, Row B, Seat 103.  That ticket came with the Suite Service, so I'll be sure to arrive early to take advantage of that.

Between those two shows, plus my upcoming NY theater trip that I am taking with my girlfriend and another good friend December 10 to the 15th, I have a lot to look forward to.

Thanks again for the help!

Updated On: 9/15/18 at 07:43 PM