Show & Seating help

[Guffman Fan]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 12:15am

Hi everyone. We will be visiting NY in March (for the third time in 5 years) and, considering I read these boards faithfully, I know there are many theatre lovers who can help me with these questions. I am trusting you guys as the Theatre Gurus I know you can be. :) Please give me some input on the following issues.

1. We'll probably be seeing three shows during our visit. Our initial plans were for Wicked (still looking for tickets), Spamalot, and one other. Producers? Color Purple? Something else? What should it be?

2. Also, the Wicked tickets we have been finding all seem to be rear mezz., or some orchestra listed as "partial view". Tell me honestly, for Wicked, how important are the seats? We know everything ABOUT the show, but haven't seen it before. Is partial view really obstructed? Is there one online/phone site for tickets you recommend over another?

Thanks so much for your help. Can't wait to read your responses so I can continue the ticket search.

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 12:25am

if you read these boards faithfully, then wouldnt you already know what shows are considered enjoyable by the theatre crowd?

haha kidding... I HIGHLY suggest Spring Awakening... Its just a fantastic evening of theatre.

As far as partial seats go for Wicked, I wouldnt suggest it. Wicked is DEFFINATELY a full picture kind of show, and you want to be able to see that picture. I would fully suggest getting full view seats, they are great!

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 12:27am

If I were going to be in the city and could see three shows I would pick GREY GARDENS, SPRING AWAKENING, and A CHORUS LINE. These are my tastes though. What kind of shows do you like?

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:22am

I sat in the last row of the mezz for Wicked and I could see everything. I'm sitting in the rear mezz again on Saturday. I really wouldn't suggest the partial view. As lightguy said, you need to see the whole stage to get the full effect. That's just my opinion. So rear mezz isn't that bad.

[jess20882]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 10:41am

in response to 1 - i would add either the color purple, mary poppins, or spring awakening to your list.
as for 2 - try to avoid partial views for wicked. rear mezz seats are fabulous - i have sat there several times and have always enjoyed myself

[MamawhoBoreme]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:13am

#1. i would defiantly see Spring Awakening if of course you dont have children. plus you can get 30 dollar stage tickets which are sooo amazing! especially if you love theatre because you are right there with the actors.

#2. Honestly the second time i saw Wicked i had partial view seating and it really wasnt all that bad. i mean you cant see the back of the stage but everything is still there and its half the price. I mean if this is your first time seeing Wicked then maybe a better seat but if you dont mind not seeing the complete background then partial view isnt bad.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:35am

Personally, I would see a show that is most likely not going to tour. Wicked has four North American Companies (counting LA), surely you can catch one of those. But I would definitely go see something that isn't anywhere else.

[Guffman Fan]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 5:28pm

I can't even thank you guys enough for your input. We who rarely get to NY depend on your insight to make our few days there count. :)
Got my Wicked tickets today- rear mezz, but dead center (thanks for the input about not getting the partial view). Excited about that.

Considering the cheap seats for Drowsy Chaperone (LOVE LOVE LOVE Sutton-- saw her in the OBC of TMM) (would we miss too much being in the $25 seats?) and what other shows??? My husband and I don't have really picky tastes. How do you guys like The Color Purple? As a replacement show for what- The Producers, Spamalot??

[aepratt]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 5:46pm

I agree with Fosse. See what you won't be able to see. On that note-Go see Grey Gardens as long as Christine Ebersole is there. It is, to take on the new cliche critics have now attached to it, "the performance of a lifetime".
See Spring Awakening, too. It is very moving and eye-opening. For my third show, I'd see The Drowsy Chaperone. It is sooo much fun!

All three of these are my top shows and I highly recommend them.
If you choose to see Wicked-I sat in the partial views-not bad at all.

[keith2]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 7:47pm

I have seen WICKED twice from partial views--They are the best deal on Broadway!!

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 8:53pm

color purple is fantastic. Mamma mia is a crowd pleaser, Mary poppins is amazing and the effects are stunning. lion king...just wow, producers is overrates, wicked is fantastic, Hairspray is funny and is full of heart. Jersey boys is not that bad. Go with color purple because you asked it

[suzycat]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 9:03pm

Do you live somewhere where you could see Wicked on tour? Doing that might free you up to see a show that's only available in NY. Tell us more about yourself... are you bringing kids? Ages? Interests?

[sunflower12063]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 9:05pm

GREY GARDENS

[actor]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 9:05pm

I suggest Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins or Mamma Mia. I do NOT suggest seeing the Producers. It was AWFUL when I saw it.

[Jellylorum]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 9:30pm

The $25 tickets are fine. You can see the stage well in any seat at The Drowsy Chaperone.

I also recommend Grey Gardens because Christine Ebersole is amazing.

[Guffman Fan]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 9:33pm

Thanks, all, for your good advice. We are a couple in our 30's, no kids, both into the arts. On our last trip we saw Mamma Mia (loved it), Hairspray (loved LOVED it), and Movin Out (didn't love it so much- although the dancing was outstanding).Thanks for the feedback on the Producers- maybe we'll skip it this trip.

[actor]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 9:41pm

I highly suggest spending some money on good seats to The Drowsy Chaperone. It is a show that really needs to be seen from the front.