So...how are nosebleed seats really?

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:36pm

I've never sat in the way back of the mezzannie (or in the mezzannie at all for that matter) but I can't really afford to buy full price orchestra tickets everytime I go to the city. Luckily a lot of shows offer discounts, and lotteries, but if all else fails, how are the cheap mezzannie seats? I realize that every theater is different, but in general. Help the newbie! ^^;

Thank you!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:38pm

What theater? nosebleeds seats vary from one theater to another. The Cort & Richard Rodgers are okay.

J*

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:38pm

Depends on theatre. Any in particular?

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:38pm

Sometimes the mezz seats are better than the orchestra seats.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:41pm

It really depends on the theatre. The rear mezz of the Broadhurst is still very close, while the balcony of the Palace feels like a different time zone. The last row at Studio 54 has a great view, but little legroom (however there is no one behind you so you can stand if need to stretch.)

Any theatre in particular you want to know about?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:42pm

Nederlander, Marquis, Winter Garden is okay.

Avoid the following theaters for nosebleed seats: Walter Kerr, Lyceum, Longacre, Broadway. I dont know..just give me the name of the theater and I will tell you. The only theater I have never been is the Majestic Theater.

City Center- No-no! At all cost!

J*

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:42pm

Oh yes, I'm sure the mezzannie is different everywhere. I'm just asking on average how is the view and experience.

I'm in the very early stages of planning my trip, and I'm not the only one who has to decide on what shows to see. So I don't really know at this point what theater. Sorry! I just wanted to avoid at starting countless threads on if these seats are good.

Updated On: 6/18/08 at 09:42 PM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:43pm

American Airlines (selwyn) is good.

Avoid- New Amsterdam Theater- youre basically on the sky!

J*

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:44pm

Ditto what Jay said for City Center. The mezzanine there is awful. Very very far away and horrible sightlines.

I'd say the rear mezz of the Longacre isn't bad. I sat there for BOEING BOEING and I didn't have any problems.

Last row at the Majestic is fine. It's a large theatre but I didn't feel like I was miles away.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:44pm

Some, like the Hilton, have a good view, but you are miles away.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:45pm

After last night's experience at GYPSY, I have to say to avoid the balcony of the St. James (not the mezzanine, which I love in that theater, but the balcony).

[ChecksintheMayo]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:45pm

The Majestic is heinous. You need an oxygen tank and a sherpa to get up there.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:45pm

The rear mezz is to be avoided at the Broadway, Shubert (the overhang from the balcony is AWFUL), Gershwin, and Majestic.

Most of the others are ok, if not ideal.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:46pm

The Majestic has good Nosebleeds, The Palace is good you can see behind the set pieces though. (Ex. the girl sitting by the pole, Laura behind the court room door.)

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:47pm

Yeah, the balcony in the St. James is interesting. I think I lost about 3 pound just climbing the stairs.

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 9:50pm

I didn't think the sight-lines at the St. James were too bad. They're just very uncomfortable seats.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 11:38pm

I would say, in general, when a theater has a mezzanine AND balcony, the front of the balcony is preferable to the rear of the mezzanine. In theaters like the Palace, the New Amsterdam and the Shubert the balcony overhang cuts off a lot; so it's worth it to sit a little higher (and usually save at least $20) to get a clearer view.

[philly03]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 11:48pm

I don't usually sit in the rear mezz, and have only done it twice...Bad: Shubert as already mentioned...the balcony covers the top part of your view for the least part.

And I sat in the third or fourth to last row in the Broadhurst (whichever is the last $110 row..I think J) and it was perfectly fine.

[Leo_Yikes]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 12:55am

the Mezz at the Gershwin is okay (tho it sux cuz for me personaly I felt miles away) is the Nederlander okay? I havent been there in Ages and I was in the Orchestra seats when I was

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 12:58am

Sleepyguy, do you have any shows in mind?

[thelastmidnight]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 1:08am

In general, the rear mezzanine is fine. Of course it's not ideal, but it's not THAT far away from the stage and you do get a good view of the stage. About the front mezzanine, it's actually better than the orchestra sometimes. If I had a choice between a seat in the front mezzanine and one that's in the orchestra beyond the tenth row, I'd take the front mezzanine one.

[broadwayboy101]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 1:55am

I didn't think the Palace's mezzanine was that far back when I saw Legally Blonde, but then again the Music Hall is huge, so I was already used to it.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 2:05am

The American Airlines is probably the best rear mezz I've been to.

The $26.50 for Boeing Boeing at the Longacre is actually very very good. Serious bang for your buck.

Rear Mezz at the Booth.

Studio 54 is great. I was at Sunday in the Park Tuesday night sitting in row HH Center Rear Mezz, and it was great, especially considering the ticket was $15..but like Cape Twirl of Doom had mentioned, there is NO leg room. It was cramped as hell, and I'm not all that tall.

and Rear Mezz at the Marquis. I was sitting in the last row for the first act of Cry-Baby and moved up for the second act, but it wasn't half bad.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 2:14am

Another thing to take into account is who you are going to the show with. At Studio 54, there were ALOT of elderly people walking up steps to get to the mezz and then steep steps up to their seats. I was concerned. That being said, Studio 54 has a decent view--- but it is FREEZING up there!

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 8:51am

How are the 26.50 Phantom seats at the Majestic for my first time seeing the show? Are opera glasses needed?