Ravinia seating question

[wiggum2]

Posted: 4/6/05 at 6:59pm

Hi all
Has anyone been to Ravinia outside of Chicago for any of the Sondheim concerts? Are the lawn seats any good? Are there screens and speakers so the people on the lawn can see and hear? I did a search but didn't find any info on the seating

Thanks
Updated On: 4/6/05 at 06:59 PM

[pndmnd]

Posted: 4/6/05 at 7:28pm

There aren't screens up for the lawn seats (at least not through last summer). In the house you can't take food, but on the lawn you can't really watch anything (you can hear, you just can't see). If you do get lawn seats you can take your own, or you can rent chairs there, I think. If you don't mind risking it, you can always get lawn seats and then try to stand around the back of the pavilion. I usually get lawn seats if it's a concert, but if it's a concert version of a musical where I actually want to watch, then I go with the real seats.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 4/6/05 at 7:50pm

Thank you for that. I was wondering the same thing myself. For the Sondheim performances, is it all general admission?

[pndmnd]

Posted: 4/6/05 at 9:11pm

The lawn seats are general admission, but the pavillion seats were assigned. FYI--if you are in Chicago (or even in a northern neighborhood), it's definitely worth it to take the Metra. There's one that goes to Ravinia and lets off right at the gates, and then picks up right after the performances end. You don't have to worry about driving and parking, and everyone on the train is going to the same thing you are, so it's kind of fun!

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 4/6/05 at 9:27pm

The lawn seats aren't that bad. I did it last year, and I just stood on the primeter of the theatre. I brought my binoculars and could see everything. The floors are rubber around the seating area, so it's soft on the feet for two hours plus. It is really worth it if you can. If they do a free interview with Stephen Sondheim again, it's worth the ten dollar admission.

[wiggum2]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:30am

thanks for the responses

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:59am

If you want the full experience I suggest you buy a pavillon seat but come early with your picnic dinner and sit on the lawn. You can leave your blanket/basket there so you can have a snack at intermission if you want. Part of the fun of Rivinia is the picnic and the beautiful grounds. People get quite formal with candleabras and fancy china so it is great people watching. But if you really want to experience the concert I recommmend a pavilion seat. Sometime the sound on the grounds is not that great...not horrible but sometimes sounds a bit thin.

Have fun, though. Ravinia is one of the great things about Chicago!