Oriental Theatre in Chicago

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 5:49pm

I'm seeing Wicked in April but I was only able to get seats in Orch Left Row Z (were on the very end away from the center). Does anyone know how good these seats are (obviously not the greatest) and how big the Oriental Theatre actually is?
Updated On: 2/19/06 at 05:49 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 5:55pm

The Oriental is a big old picture palace built in the 1920's. Back than, it had live shows. They did not have the amplification methods we have now back than. Even so, the performers could be heard upsatirs by the audience. The acoustics in all these old theaters, especially the Oriental, are quite good.

The theater holds well over 2,000 seats but most seats have quite a good view

[HoshiForever]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 5:56pm

You'll be a ways away. I was Orch Right about row....P and I was slightly frustrated. You'll be able to see and hear everything just fine, but know that you'll be back.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 6:00pm

Yeah I'm not expecting the greatest view, just as long as I can see more than sticks running around on stage. It's actually coming on tour near me soon but supposedly the tickets are gonna sell out real fast (they've been on sale to ticket holders for awhile now and they are allowed to buy extras).

Posted: 2/19/06 at 6:02pm

All seats are fine. I actually prefer the $45 balcony seats because you get a better full view. I always try for row M, right behind the aisle in the mid-balcony. No heads in front and half the price of the main floor.

Have fun!

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 6:05pm

By the way this is my first time seeing Wicked. Has anyone seen the current Chicago cast? Are they good?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 6:14pm

I saw it last summer and I had the last row in the balcony. So I was the furthest possible seat away from the stage and I could still see and hear everything perfectly. its a good show, good cast, i think the current Wicked in Chicago - I can't think of her name - has the best Wizard and I - search for her on "youtube.com" its great.

[HoshiForever]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 6:17pm

Kristy Cates. And I agree, she's the best Elphie I've heard. She has her mannerisms down pat too.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 1:38pm

I heard that the Wicked tour set is kinda dumbed down from the New York version. Is this true for the Chicago version too?

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 3:30pm

"I heard that the Wicked tour set is kinda dumbed down from the New York version. Is this true for the Chicago version too?"

There are only VERY little things that have changed with the set in Chicago. The biggest probably is that it doesn't extend pass the porcenium (sp?) like on Broadway. But besides that, it's an exact replica.

Also, you should be fine with your seats. The Oriental has AWESOME sightlines, so basically every seat is a good one.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 9:58pm

The theater itself is amazing. I love all the modeling. And, I haven't seen the show in NYC, but it looked like a replica of me. They do it all the same, trapdoors and all.

[Jilani]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 10:15pm

I remember noticing only a couple differences from New York, for example, the lack of the giant witch hat in the beginning, and also the way the broom magically comes back right before "Defying Gravity" was different (came "floating" in on a wire from the wings). I agree that the theater itself is absolutely gorgeous, and it didn't seem like there was a bad seat in the house.

[chip08ME]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 10:33pm

I saw it last Saturday and the only thing I remember missing from New York was the hat at the beginning. The Oriental is a gorgeous theatre and unless you are sitting on the last three seats of house right or left, you really can see everything. (I was sitting Row G Aisle House Right and only missed Fiyero's vine swinging stunt).

The cast was wonderful. Kristy Cates was amazing and Kristoffer Cusick is a very, very good Fiyero. I didn't care for Stacie Morgan Lewis' G(a)linda, but my mother was just tickled pink by her. The whole cast was very entergetic and it was a wonderful show. There was a lot of feedback from Elphie's mic in the first act though.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 10:47pm

I'm in the very last row on the left the last two seats off to the side, I hope I'll be able to see.

I'm thinking of doing the lotto to try and get better seats (sell my tickets if I win) how early should I be there to enter?

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 11:28pm

you don't have to get there early... they wait for everyone to enter... so... just find out when they are drawing... and then get there bout ten minutes prior.... if it's the weekend... they do the drawing in the borders... so you can look around if you get there early...

kmc

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 1:00am

Is that yummy Telly Leung still playing Boq?

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 1:36am

"Is that yummy Telly Leung still playing Boq?"

yes

[respeck]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 3:17am

DON'T SIT IN THE DRESS CIRCLE! Besides that, every seat is great. Dress Circle seats are TERRIBLE!

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 12:49pm

I've seen the Chicago cast three times (when it was Ana Gasteyer and Kate Reinders as Elphaba and G(a)linda).

They're absolutely amazing. If you get the chance, stagedoor. They're the sweetest. I love Kris' "Dancing Through Life". Definitely my favorite.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 4:45pm

Hey JoeKv99!

I'm happy to report I have seats in row M for the Saturday evening performance on March 25th!

[Sgasrock]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 4:46pm

"I'm in the very last row on the left the last two seats off to the side, I hope I'll be able to see. "

I was in those exact seats when I saw wicked back in December. You will be able to see/hear everything fine. My girlfriend and I bought those seats and tried the lottery anyway, but we didn't win so we were glad we had the backup seats. We were there for Courtney Corey's second performance, she tanked pretty bad that night, forgot a couple lines, off-key 1/2 the time, but anyway...

The last day we were in Chicago we tried the lottery again, but didn't get it, and I thought it was funny that the consolation prize was $25 center orch. tickets for the Hairspray Tour which was down the street that day...

[Fabala9]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:16pm

You have good seats - don't worry. I work at the Oriental and see the show several times a week!

You can even make out their faces from the back of the orchestra level - good seats!

[wickednut]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 9:09am

It is a wonderful theatre, but there are some bad seats...I sat in the dress circle and we could not see Elphaba during "Defying Gravity." Other than that they were good seats, but to not be able to see one of the best parts of the show was slightly disappointing.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 4:16pm

This may sound stupid but...

are you allowed to bring binoculars (not spelled right I know) just in case?

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 5:39pm

Of course. I do it all the time.