So...how are nosebleed seats really?- Page 2

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 8:54am

The American Airlines theatre mezzanine is incredibly steep and a friend who saw "The Women" with me there who has height issues almost had a meltdown.

It's all a matter of taste and it does vary by theatre...have seen "Hairspray" and "August" from the rafters and was fine both times.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 9:03am

Problem with the AA mezzanine is that there's no center aisle. Huge fire hazard, and someone as obsessive compulsive as I am automatically requests the aisle when buying tickets.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 10:15am

How about the August Wilson theatre?
I believe I am going to try to see Jersey Boys sometime in July, and doubt ill find affordable orch seats.

[dramagirl487]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 10:27am

my more general opinion of the nosebleeds V.S. Orchestra:

obviously the experience isn't as amazing. you can't really see the facial expression of the actors as well, and its a les..."intimate" performance, but its a great way to see a show if you can't afford anything else.

If, at its worst, you don't even watch the show, think of it as paying $25 for live music, of broadway quality. But you can see the show, and the actions, and still feel like you saw a "broadway" show.

some shows have elements that are more enjoyable from those seats, like 42nd street, because the dancing patterns are visible without mirrors

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 10:37am

this is the view from the Richard Rodgers nosebleeds-not bad



I can't seem to find the pic of the Hilton nosebleeds. I'll post if I find it.

Updated On: 6/19/08 at 10:37 AM

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 10:59am

"The only theater I have never been is the Majestic Theater."

I'd avoid that Mez at all costs.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 11:11am

Millie- I'm going with a few people. My vote is for Gypsy and In the Heights. We'll probably also end up seeing Lion King or The Little Mermaid. Wicked is also a possibility. I'll post if I know anything different. Just so I don't have to start another thread for each theater. :)

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 11:13am

The back of the rear mezz. at the Lunt-Fontanne (Little Mermaid) arent that bad either. I have a pic of that one too, but I cant seem to find it!

[Okayfine]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 11:14am

I can't imagine why you'd avoid the mezz at the Majestic - the front mezz center seats are fabulous, esp. for a Hal Prince show. He directs all shows from the mezz so the best views are always there.

I'm w/ every person who said 'it depends on the theatre', but I would add that it also depends on the production. The St. James balcony is not that bad, in general, but I didn't like it for The Producers because you could see behind the couch & that ruined the one scene where it was important to NOT see behind the couch.

I would never ever recommend sitting in the Kerr balcony, however, because you simply cannot see the stage if you sit properly - for any production!

In any case, anywhere you sit in any Broadway theatre is infinitely better than virtually ANY seat at a barn like Radio City Music Hall or MSG. So, don't worry too much about it! :)

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 12:42pm

The New Amsterdam balcony isn't too bad but you have to sit on the edge of your seat to see anything upstage.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 1:01pm

August Wilson, anyone?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 2:03pm

Oh God, this reminds me of one of the worst things about working in box office (which I did for 10 years): You tell a person exactly where their seats are located, you even point them out on a map, and they ALWAYS follow with the question, "Are those good seats?" It doesn't matter how much they are paying or what level of the theatre they are on, they always demand that whatever they are buying are going to be the best because only the best seats are always available whenever anyone walks up to the window or calls on the telephone. It is infuriating. And never EVER answer with, "Yes" because no matter how good the seats are, if you tell them the seats are good, they will return to the box office the night of the performance and demand a refund because they were told the seats were "good" and they feel otherwise.

That being said, nosebleed seats are usually called "nosebleed" for a reason. They are different in all theatres and everyone will feel differently about them. Buy what you can afford whether the show or the seats are most important to you. For me, I can stand just about anything but an obstructed view. There is nothing unobstructed on Broadway as bad as the balcony in Jones Hall in Houston or the balcony at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, so it doesn't bother me so much. But that's me.

[thelastmidnight]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 4:56pm

"How about the August Wilson theatre?
I believe I am going to try to see Jersey Boys sometime in July, and doubt ill find affordable orch seats."

I doubt you'll be able to find seats of any kind right now for Jersey Boys in July. I recommend doing standing room. It's only $27. Just get to the box office at least an hour before they sell the tickets.

[Magica]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 5:09pm

i saw les miserables sitting in the nosebleed section. it's not that bad as long as you bring a good pair of binoculars.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 5:33pm

And please, whatever you do, don't make a nosebleed joke to the ushers on that level...they don't find them funny and they get really annoyed (they hear too many of them).

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 5:41pm

I've sat in the rear mezz at the O'Neill, Walter Kerr, Studio 54, and City Center,

The Eugene O'Neill and Walter Kerr were fine, especially the Walter Kerr. It's very steep so I had a wonderful view.

As others have mentioned, Studio 54's rear mezz has a fine view, but it is very, very cramped.

I know people don't like the rear mezz at City Center, but I had no problems with it. Of course, I was sitting in the front of the rear mezz, so it may have been different if I were sitting further back.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 6:48pm

The smaller the theater the less of a problem

Sitting in nosebleed seats in the Gershwin means bringing an oxygen tank & a Sherpa guide.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 7:04pm

So the final decision is:

Wicked
Little Mermaid
In the Heights
Gypsy

So I figure we'll try to get a disount for Gypsy, and if the rear mezz seats are any good for the other three we'll try those.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 7:12pm

The rear mezz seats for In the Heights are perfect. The best inexpensive seats I've ever bought.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/22/08 at 7:14pm

I agree re ITH

We saw it from the first row of the rear mezzanine & the view was great.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 4:00pm

2 options for Gypsy

The last row mezzanine: 77$ + added fees

4th row orchestra: 117$ + added fees

While I don't exactly have a money tree growing, I probably am able to go for the 117$ tickets. Is paying 40$ more worth it to sit that close?
How bad is the last row mezz??