St. James Theater Balcony

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 11:05am

Is it really as bad as some people say?

Are there actually some ok/decent seats (which would make the cheap seats to Spamalot worthwhile)?

 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 11:09am

Don't hesitate to purchase balcony tickets at St. James, especially in the front row. Amazing view and great legroom.  I've never heard anyone saying anything bad about the balcony seating in that theater and I've sat there myself multiple times. 

Updated On: 8/8/23 at 11:09 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 11:38am

gibsons2 said: "Don't hesitate to purchase balcony tickets at St. James, especially in the front row. Amazing view and great legroom. I've never heard anyone saying anything bad about the balcony seating in that theater and I've sat there myself multiple times."

I couldn't disagree more.  I think it's one of the worst balconies on Broadway.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 11:44am

As long as nobody over 3’5” sits in any seat in any row in front of you, you should be fine. 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 12:10pm

I haven't sat there before. But, I have heard that the sitelines aren't great because the raking is done poorly and it makes it hard to see over people's heads in front of you. I think it was particularly bad for Into the Woods because that whole show took place way downstage. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 12:25pm

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "gibsons2 said: "Don't hesitate to purchase balcony tickets at St. James, especially in the front row. Amazing view and great legroom. I've never heard anyone saying anything bad about the balcony seating in that theater and I've sat there myself multiple times."

I couldn't disagree more. I think it's one of the worst balconies on Broadway."

I can only attest to the row A, I've sat there multiple times and my tickets were cheap. It looks like sitelines are an issue in the entire theater because I sat in the center front mezz at NYNY and average people in front of me were blocking the view. It was very annoying especially given the price I paid for my ticket. Yes, definitely the lack of rake is to blame. I still would've purchased the balcony row A again.

Updated On: 8/8/23 at 12:25 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 12:49pm

The front row works for both the balcony and the mezz. But, that's about it for that theater. 

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 12:50pm

The real issue is that you are going to be leaning forward for most of the performance.  Its a chain reaction...the person in row B leans forward, forcing the person in Row C to do same.  That said, I would rather sit in the last row of the St. James second balcony than the back of the rear mezzanine for any of the larger musical theatres.  You sit in the rear rear mezzanine, i.e., the cheapest seats, and you are much further from the stage IMO than the St. James.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 1:15pm

I was in the second row of the balcony for NYNY and it was ok as long as the people in front don't lean forward (similar to the Shubert). Front row balcony is your best bet for sure.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 1:18pm

I sat in the middle of the balcony for both Into the Woods and NYNY and I thought it was absolutely fine.  You are quite high up, but I could see the entire stage at all times.  I never felt I missed anything other than perhaps small acting choices, which was a problem for Colton Ryan's performance since he was doing all sorts of weird little things on the stage.  I'm sure for Spamalot it will be great.  

The worse balcony on broadway is at the Walter Kerr.  Two rows of the worst seats on Broadway.

Updated On: 8/8/23 at 01:18 PM

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 2:29pm

I had front row balcony seats for LuPone's Gypsy, Bullets Over Broadway, and the recent New York, New York.  I purposely do not lean forward when I have a seat in a balcony's front row.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 4:06pm

Broadway Flash said: "I sat in the middle of the balcony for both Into the Woods and NYNY and I thought it was absolutely fine. You are quite high up, but I could see the entire stage at all times. I never felt I missed anything other than perhaps small acting choices, which was a problem for Colton Ryan's performance since he was doing all sorts of weird little things on the stage. I'm sure for Spamalot it will be great.

The worse balcony on broadway is at the Walter Kerr. Two rows of the worst seats on Broadway."

 

Yes, the Kerr balcony is high -- but nowhere near as uncomfortable as the balconies at Studio 54 and the Hayes (and the John Golden for that matter).

 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 4:59pm

As is true in most balconies and mezzanines, unless you're sitting in the front row, the side aisles, generally seat 1 on one side or seat 2 on the other, will always offer the most comfortable and least obstructed view. The Walter Kerr is a different beast, but, even in the other worst balconies and mezzanines with little rake and poor legroom, I can almost always count on those seats for a good to amazing view, with the ability to put my legs out into the aisle. Sometimes the safety rail at the bottom of the stairs can obstruct if you're in A/B 1 or A/B 2, so it's always good to research beforehand, but I'd rather worry about a stationary piece of metal than a human body with a huge head that can move.

Updated On: 8/8/23 at 04:59 PM

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 10:04pm

Broadway Flash said: "I
The worse balcony on broadway is at the Walter Kerr. Two rows of the worst seats on Broadway."

1000%. I felt like I was looking straight down to see the stage for Gentlemen's Guide. Never again will I sit there.

[ILoveYourPuppies]

Posted: 8/8/23 at 11:22pm

I remember sitting there twice for Into the Woods and refusing to sit there again. Coincidentally, it was also the first time someone seated next to me fell asleep. I felt like I was in a watchtower rather than a theatre. For Spamalot, I got mezz.

 

But I still adored Into the Woods both times, so I would prefer center Row A balcony (that's where I sat, can't speak to the rest of it) to not seeing the show at all. 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 8/9/23 at 2:59am

JSquared2 said: "Broadway Flash said: "I sat in the middle of the balcony for both Into the Woods and NYNY and I thought it was absolutely fine. You are quite high up, but I could see the entire stage at all times. I never felt I missed anything other than perhaps small acting choices, which was a problem for Colton Ryan's performance since he was doing all sorts of weird little things on the stage. I'm sure for Spamalot it will be great.

The worse balcony on broadway is at the Walter Kerr. Two rows of the worst seats on Broadway."

Yes, the Kerr balcony is high -- but nowhere near as uncomfortable as the balconies at Studio 54 and the Hayes (and the John Golden for that matter)."

I'll never understand the disdain for the Kerr balcony. As you mentioned, the seats are far more comfortable than many many other balconies/rear mezzes and even some orchestras (while we're on the topic, I'm looking at you St. James) and I really don't think the view is bad. You're def high up, but really not so far away. 

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 8/9/23 at 9:06pm

Thanks for all of the insight everyone.

Got myself a Spamalot ticket that's balcony, row A, dead center!