Theater info for "pooh sized" folk

[Chubby Theatre]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 6:48pm

I am trying to gather some information about seats in theaters for tall and larger people.

Many larger people are put off from going to the theater as they are worried about being uncomfortable and having enough leg room and room to sit down.

If anyone has any info on seats in different theaters, here on Broadway or in London, England, West End, then please email me on [e-mail]

Many thanks! Lets get all people into the theaters and watching our shows regardless of shape or size!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 6:55pm

The Palace is CRAMMED! I saw Aida there in I think it was December of 2003. I'm an average size, a bit overweight. It was tight! And I had orchestra seating! It's the most I have been uncomfortable in a theatre. My father, who is a larger man, wouldn't have been able to sit through the show at all.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:09pm

I've always heard that theatres change from time to time. If a show is a hit, they'll scoot the rows closer together and add more in.

I don't know if that's true or not, but it would make it harder to figure out the safe bets. You'd have to find a list somewhere (if there is such a thing), and it would also have to be current, based on the show that was playing there now.

I remember the New Amsterdam for "Lion King" was a bitch. I needed a shoe horn to get in and out of my seat. There was only enough knee room for a 5-year-old child.

You can always tell a hit show by how crammed-in the seats are. (Or at least, that used to be a saying.)

[Chubby Theatre]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:19pm

I would agree with you about the new amsterdam! That was one tight squeeze.. and absolutely no leg room.

Are you for real about the seats ? Surely many of these seats have been there for decades. Why change them? Or indeed HOW could they change them?

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:23pm

The rows screw into the floor. They can be moved.

[YankeesFan175]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:23pm

the gershwin had a lot of room! i had seats toward the back row of the orchestra, and it was very comfortable! the stadium seating really helps

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:25pm

I don't know if it's true or not. But I've heard that saying on more than one occasion, and over a long period of time.

I would love it if someone "in the know" could elaborate.

Do hit shows really add more rows of seating, if they're constantly selling out?

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:26pm

The new orchestra seats in Studio 54 are roomy and well spaced.
The most recent problem seats I've been in, as far as leg room I have longs legs, were in the mezzanine at the O'Neill. I was really worried I was going to knee the person in front of me in the head.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:27pm

I'm pretty sure Wicked added seats to the mezz quite a while into it's run.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:27pm

Wicked doesn't need to add more seats. They can hold a small city in that theatre. I'm talking about the older ones that have been around forever.

...And just because they screw into the floor doesn't prevent them from being unscrewed and moved. All it takes is a greedy producer with enough motivation.

EDIT: Well, so much for holding a small city. I guess it can be done anywhere.

Updated On: 10/16/05 at 07:27 PM

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:29pm

I was trying to support the point you were making.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:31pm

I know. I posted before I saw you did that. Hence, my edit.

[Chubby Theatre]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:35pm

wow thats real interesting! I had no idea. I dont think they do that in London.

With the Gershwin theater are you talking about the seat size as being generous or the leg room?

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:43pm

The seats in the Gershwin are small couches.

Not really, but they're huge and comfy.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:51pm

Wow! Do they have a ring for popcorn?

I wish more theatres would understand the importance of comfort, especially at those high prices. The audience needs to concentrate on the show, not worry about whether their leg is falling asleep.

The airlines are getting it (finally). I'm starting to notice more leg room lately on various flights as an attempt to woo frequent travelers. They used to be like sardines, though. Some still are, but it's less and less.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 7:55pm

I see the same trend with the theatres. Look at the newer or newly renovated houses (Gershwin, Marquis, Minskoff) they all have movie theatre type seats with lots of cushion and leg room.

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:01pm

The sad part is a lot of these old theatre's still have the same seating when everyone was 4'2 to 5'2 and weighed around 120lbs...It would be nice to see all the theatres get a complete overhaul seating wise, and while the New Amsterdam is nice...the seats are awful...I'm small and I was very uncomfortable in them...Plus the rake in the balcony is unbelievably bad...Not afraid of heights here, but felt very uncomfortble walking those stairs (which felt more like a ladder!).

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:04pm

I'm horrorfied of heights and don't want to pay to see the Lion King, but want to see it before it transfers. Would you not suggest doing SRO (I beleive they're in the back of the balcony.)

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:06pm

No, I wouldn't...I was actually crawling up the stairs...I would have left because it was like my fourth time seeing the show (this happens when family comes into town and pays for your ticket), but I was with family.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:08pm

crap.

Good to know though...thanks :)

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:10pm

When I did SRO at Lion King I stood in the back of the orchestra. Good view. I agree on the Balcony though. It's fricken terrifying.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:12pm

meagan9848 --- as uncomfortable as I was in the New Amsterdam, you HAVE to see it there. (Or at least see something there soon.)

It's a "jewel box" of a theatre. One of (if not) THE most beautiful theatres I've ever seen.

Please don't miss it! (Just remember, beauty hurts, and you'll be fine and live through it.)

It's well worth it. And be sure to have a look around upstairs and down while you're there. It's really an incredible experience.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:12pm

If I remember correctly, the Mez seats at the Imperial are quite small with little to no leg room.

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:13pm

I was wondering...I don't remember seeing anyone standing at the back on the balcony...But, I also don't remember looking behind me either! The second time I saw LION KING I was in a nice chair in the last role of the orchestra....I loved it!

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:40pm

at 5'11" I'm used to sitting pretty much indian style in theatres. It's not a comfort issue, it's a I can't pay $100 to see it issue :)

The theatre looks pretty great based on the Backstreet Boys concert that was taped there in 1999