Seating Preference (UnScientific) Poll

Just a random question...
Curious to hear what others think...

Disregarding pricing or any other concerns, where do you prefer to sit when attending a show? Some prefer close, others prefer far away. Just curious what your preference is! (And feel free to justify your answer as much as you want - i.e. different places for different shows or different theaters, etc.)

Personally, I prefer to sit as close to front row center as I can get. I like to see the facial expressions, the sweat, the wig lines, the microphone placement, and the spit as the actors sing. Now I would choose a few rows back to remain more center rather than sit too far to the side in the front row because of sight lines of course, but for me the closer the better. (To the point that I LOVE onstage seating! Heehee!)

So how about you?!?!?!

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I also prefer as close to front row center as possible as I don't connect as easily with the performance if I can't clearly see faces. And I also enjoy sitting onstage. I once had a discussion with my boyfriend about this and he posited that since I'm a performer myself, I want to actually be onstage (performing) so hence, I like being close. I'm not certain I agree, but it's an interesting theory.

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For plays, I prefer orchestra seats, 4 or 5 rows from the stage. For musicals, I prefer front mezzanine, as close to the first row as possible.

For me, it used to always be the center of Center Mezzanine Row A. I still have a fondness for that seat; however, as a reviewer, I'm typically given Center Orchestra, Rows L-R. I find those seats to be pretty good most of the time.

As Billy said, it depends on the theatre and the play. For something like Virginia Woolf, I think it's great to be as close as possible. For something like West Side Story something like the first row of the balcony (mezzanine to you crazy Americans) is ideal to really see the dancing.

The closer the better.

Depends on the show and theater. For example, I preferred sitting in the front row mezzanine at New World Stages when I saw Rent versus the 3rd tier at the NJPAC. To me, that's a smaller show that looks better in a smaller venue. However, I didn't mind sitting in the balcony at the Shubert for Spamalot because I noticed more details that you can't see sitting down in the orchestra.

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Aisle seat as close to the front of the Orchestra as possible!

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Front row center for plays. Front row mezz for musicals, unless the view is obstructed by a railing, in which case I prefer second row mezz.

I also vary depending on the show. I think musicals with big production numbers can be more interesting from the mezzanine. Otherwise, I like to middle orchestra.

I once sat in the first row of a musical at a theater with no orchestra pit and spent the whole show dodging spit flying from the singer's mouths!

front row slightly right of center. I also can't connect as well if I can't see face, and I have terrible eyesight.

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Anywhere.

so long as I'm in a theater I'm happy.

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I like row F - Center.

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