Theater info for "pooh sized" folk- Page 2

[jasonf]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:54pm

I'm 6 feet tall and a little overweight -- I tend to be comfortable in almost any theater in terms of sitting in the seats, but what gets me in a lot of theaters is the leg room. When I saw Kiss Me Kate a few years ago and sat in the mezzanine, I almost wanted to cry from how much my knees were killing me during the show! Since then, I've done whatever I could to stay in the orchestra, and I've usually been absolutely fine.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 8:58pm

I'm 5' even and average weight... I'm used to the larger theatres in L.A. I guess because I remember thinking how tiny the Broadway theatres were... or it could be that my expectations were gigantic being that it was my first time in NY. Also it was during winter so factor in room for jackets, ect... Yep, it was a tight squeeze even for me.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 11:32pm

The Imperial has very little leg room in any of the seats. And totally agree about the New Amsterdam, I'm overweight but short so usually I fit into most seats and such, there I fit but the rails were going into my err...tushi. Really hurt.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 11:38pm

If you are overweight...okay not if you are overweight, if you are not SKINNY, then don't get mezzanine seats at the Virginia/Miller. Sitting up there is terribly uncomfortable, can ruin a show.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 12:27am

Theaters do indeed push in more seats between shows. I know the NS did just after Stritch & before Hairspray as I was discussing it with some who worked there. A lot of the balconies are being redone with new but smaller seats, and in a Broadway House the last row mezz can indeed be enough to turn one off anyway (I KNOW!)
It's all about money, But If they are going to be raising prices above 100 bucks a pop they should at LEAST provide seeing a show in comfort, and a seat just as easy on a John Goodman type as it would be on small frame lady. Seeing a show sitting next to someone shouldn't have to be a sensous experience, LOL!

[Chubby Theatre]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 3:57am

Hey guys

thanks for the input! Keep it coming!

Glad to know the Gershwin is comfy.. going next month to see Wicked!

Any more info would be great. I am trying to get together a kind of guide. Similar to "theatremonkey.com" in the UK
Or "WdW at large" on allearsnet.com

Many thanks
CHUBBY
Updated On: 10/17/05 at 03:57 AM

[Tom1071]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 9:08am

If you want to make sure you have enough leg room or be able to sit comfortably in the seat you can always see about purchasing the box seats which are free standing chairs. They are usually partial view but you will be comfortable.

[lildogs]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 10:36am

I think most of the theatres' seats are too small and I'm 5'6", 130 on a good day--about 15 lbs or so underweight and 3 inches under average height! I'm uncomfortable, so I can't even imagine how a normal-sized person or big person would feel...

[Chubby Theatre]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 2:08pm

well thats the point Lildogs.. the people are getting bigger, the seats are staying the same! Larger people just dont want to go to theaters where they are uncomfortable.

I went to the theater last week. I was really uncomfortable- and it puts me off going again in the future.

Theater companys need to address this issue otherwise they care excluding a large (no pun intended!) proportion of the theater-going public.

[NJgirl]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 3:17pm

the wdw at large guide is awesomely done....Id love to see one for the theater...so bravo to you

Me being 6ft tall and overweight...it's nice to know these things.

I do not recommend center row BB at RENT (lotto seats)...there is NO legroom...even my avg size friends have trouble there. I remember the Neder in general not having much leg room.
Also...the benches front n center for the Spelling Bee lotto had me and my friend (whos slightly over 6ft) with our knees jammed into the edge of the stage.
Regular seats at Circle in the Square, I remember having no problem with.

My right orchestra seats at the Booth theater for The Pillowman were really cramped and my mom whos 5 ft 8 had trouble there. According to the usher that overheard us talking, its only certain rows there that offer less leg room than others as the very large man in front of me had no problems..we were Right orch row L and had zero leg room.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:14pm

The Plymouth Theater is a bit cramped. I remember going there with my mom (who is a bit overweight) and she was not comfortable at all.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:57pm

Lets face it though, it's a sacrafice that has to be made. I can sit for 2 and a half hours with my knees in my chest having the time of my life watching a show I love, or I can not go. It's not like lack of leg room for a couple hours once a month is going to cause long term damage.

Personally I think for the price we're paying to go to the theatre, we should be sitting in freckin Barca Loungers, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

It would be nice though!

[Chubby Theatre]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 7:21pm

i do take your point, that you do sit and suffer in silence at the theater, but what I am trying to do is to provide people of "substance" some information so they actually may make an informed choice. Many larger and tall people just stay at home and dont go to the theater.

I panic about going to the theater until I am sitting in the seat.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 7:21pm

I can usually put up with the tight seats unless it is absolutely crazy and I feel TOO cramped in - I'll usually then opt to go stand if I must to watch, But at very top dollar, One should not have to do that - Perhaps they can rethink the seats, Or even let one know which has more leg room or such, That would at least let you know before shelling out the bucks on the ticket.

[lfae]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 7:31pm

Front row mezz at the Nederlander...I'm 5'1" and noticed the lack of leg room though for me personally it was okay. The (tall) guy next to me was practically folded in half, lol.

Town Hall balcony is also evil. Not only is there very little leg room, but the seats are quite narrow, so by interval you're fused to the people next to you.

And, if you're ever in Melbourne, the Athenaeum circle has the same packed-in-ness. Updated On: 10/17/05 at 07:31 PM

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 7:51pm

The seats that stand out for me as having no leg room:
Palace Theatre (Orch row AA)
Imperial Theatre (Orch row AA, Mezz row G)
Nedelander Theatre (Mezz in general)
Neil Simon Theatre (Last row Mezz)

Seats that I had plenty of leg room:
Gershwin Theatre (Orch rows CC, EE, F, H, J, K, Mezz AA, A)
Imperial Theatre (box seats aka lottery seats)
Nedelander Theatre (Orch AA and BB...side orch BB EXTRA leg room, SRO was fine)
Minskoff Theatre (Mezz row D)
Marquis Theatre (Mezz row F)

The seats that I have sat in but can't remember either way (so how bad could they have been):
Golden Theatre (Orch row D)
Al Hershfield Theatre (Orch row J)
Virgina Theatre (Orch row F)
Majestic Theatre (Mezz row A)

Updated On: 10/17/05 at 07:51 PM

[kate2]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 9:15pm

the balcony seats at the Palace are right on top of eachother. i was sitting in the 1st row of the balcony for the last ASU perfomance, and about 5 rows behind me was this incredibly overweight woman. now i'm average sized and had no seats in front of me and was still a little squished. i felt so bad for this woman. but, no offense if i was that big i'd just purchase tix for a box seat.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 9:22pm

Actually they do add and remove seats in London theatres, but they rarely do it during a show's run, rather between shows. When Mary Poppins went into the Prince Edward, they renovated the theatre and ripped out all the seating. When it was put back in, they managed to increase the capacity by I think 40 seats. And one row was put in slightly incorrectly causing major leg room issues for people (somewhere in the rear dress circle, can't remember exactly where).

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 9:41pm

I'm not overweight, but I'm tall and have really long legs. The only theatre that I'm ever uncomfortable in is the Lyceum. The seats are very narrow and cramps. It's the only theatre where I absolutely have to have an aisle seat or I simply cannot enjoy the performance.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 9:55pm

I'm 5'8" and I've had a lot of problems with leg room. Row BB at the Gershwin was pretty bad, my legs were starting to cramp up. And everyone and their mother decided to walk by in front of me to go up the side of the theater instead of going up the right center aisle like they are supposed to.

Same with Nederlander, my knees were literally up against the seat in front of me. When I got up to go to the bathroom, it was easier for me to step over to the 1/2 empty row behind me than to try and inch by the people in my row.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 10:01pm

I hate that. Whenever I'm sitting and someone tries to get up or sit down (provided it's before the show or during an intermission) I ALWAYS stand up to let them out.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 10:34pm

i'l 6'4" and very slightly rounded out, i can vouch completely for the comfort of;

the circle in the square
the gershwin (mezz)
the marquis (orch)

not broadway just for reference;
the merriam theater in philadelphia;
front orchestra, lots of leg room but the first maybe 6 rows are folding chairs
the balcony is a nightmare however the seats are very steep and very close together (my knees were literally on the sides of the head of the person in front of me)

Posted: 10/18/05 at 1:07am

Gershwin- YUMMY sized room in row U of Orchestra
Palace- cramped balcony for EVERYONE. I am a very large girl, and anywhere from 5'7" to 5'9" (don't ask) and my knees were basically resting on top of my friend shoulders in front of me. My friend Bonnie, who is 5'11", had to sit basically sideways.

If you are ever in Tempe, AZ at the Gammage Auditorium, every seat is the same size. And the balcony is super scary! (Not so good for a poor college season ticket holder who wishes she could have afforded orchestra!)

[Chubby Theatre]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 3:51am

hey guys this is amazing info! Thanks..
keep it comin!

[mesmerized24601]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:52am

hey, I had to drop in on this post because IF such a website did exsist I would absolutly love it!!!!! Funny that you say pooh sized folk because i always discribe myself as winnie the pooh, hes short, chuuby, his shirts never fit AND he cant spell, i adore him!!!!!!

anyways to the point, I soooooo wish Id been keeping track because there are theatres that I absolutly HATE going to, but I like to forget the name of them quickly because I dont want it to stop me from seeing another show there.

all I remember for sure is that I liked the Gershwin, The American Airlines Theatre, and The Circle in the Square. We get rush seats alot and I always hoped that they some how had smaller seats in those sections but apparently not.

AND you are all 100% correct if they can charge $100+ a seat they should make sure that those seats are comfortable.

as for the big tall not around, when my friend who is very close to 6 foot tall if not a bit over goes with us we try to get aisle seats it helps because she can angle her knees out.

♥