Theaters Comfortable for "Large" Patrons — Page 2

Almost all old-school traditional proscenium theaters have box seats, but it will vary pretty widely how a particular production uses them. Some shows use them for lottery rush. Others don't sell them at all. I've even seen them used for musicians or lighting.

I'd recommend calling the box office for any show that you're interested in to see what they'd suggest and/or if they have box seats available.

Also, I love the seats at the Friedman. I'm 5'9" 290ish, and they're my FAVE.

The only note that I'd add to this thread is to encourage everyone to leave aside the "yeah, I should lose weight" self-commentary. Be your big beautiful unapologetic self! Fat does not equal unhealthy. People naturally come in all shapes and sizes. You might as well love the meat suit you have.

Circle in the Square & the Beaumont I think fit best overall, because of their curves they have more, smaller sections hence more aisle seats & spacing but I’d bet you could find a solution in any theater. If you start with the seating chart you can look for aisle seats that jut out wider than the row prior.


Some general other tips that might improve your/his experience:

If possible, go on a weekday - less crowded.

Get to the theater early - use the bathroom before you get there or right away, & you can try out your seats without a lot of people around to make sure it works, & gives you time to talk to staff if needed. At intermission, step outside to get some air & more personal space. This has taken a lot of stress off in my personal experiences.

Once you have shows of interest narrowed down, might be able to be more specific!

I'm a taller big guy who now has a partner that is shorter and wider than I am. When I was single, it was easy to just do an aisle. Now I have to accommodate someone who wants to sit next to me, even though we're uncomfortable. And typically since his legs need to spread, I have him take the aisle so he doesn't crowd into whoever is next to us. Any ideas on how to broach the subject of just sitting right behind each other?

Some theater seats have specific aisle seats with folding arm rests.

Dollypop said: "We don't talk about "Large" patrons. Instead, we discuss "Patrons of Ample Girth". It's much more civilized, don't you agree?"

We're grown ups, and most of us in this thread are large, so no need to ****foot about.

as far as I know, all the Broadway theaters have ADA seats that can help. They call them mobile seats on aisles. They also all have aisle seats with movable armrests. They are often available at discount prices too so find a discount code.

Not always easy to buy on line - best to go to the box office and talk to a human, maybe even speak to the house manager. Hard to get customer service on the phone but try to find a way to reach someone. Emailing the owner of the theater can get you results.

So many shows sell boxes at the last minute or not at all so a good theater staff can help you with those seats. If you don't get the positive response from the house staff, complain to the theater owners on social media - they tend to respond to that.

Bottom line, theaters want your business - they want everyone's business - regardless of size.

Thank you for starting this thread! I do not have seat concerns for myself personally, but two of the closest people in my life are larger in certain areas that can make seats restrictive.

The one theatre I know for sure has posed problems for us is the Lyceum. We had wonderful seats in the mezzanine, but the hard dividers between the seats made for an uncomfortable show for someone with wider hips.

Another is the Hirschfeld rear mezzanine - the seats are tight and so is the legrooms, so my loved one had to sit sideways with her legs in the aisle most of the show.

I'll report back our thoughts on the theaters we're visiting this trip in particular (in regards to width and hips). We always try booking an aisle because it's more comfortable for my partner (who doesn't have wide hips, but is bigger through the butt and tummy), but most theaters have been fine for us at 6'.

Does anyone ave any thoughts on the Lunt-Fontanne (orchestra) or Gerald Schoenfeld front mezzanine? Aisle seats for both, but wondering if anyone has had any seat width issues for those with wider bottoms/hips.

The Nederlander is the worst. Not even comfortable for a 150 pound person.

Dionysus3 said: "Does anyone have thoughts on the seats at the Hudson?"



I was at the Hudson for a "first look" at a show and sat in the front Orchestra on the right. The seat was fine. The only other time I have been in that theater was to see "1984". I sat in A1 in the balcony. I almost died! Very cramped. Even turning to the side was uncomfortable.

Was just in the Marquis the other night. Have been in that theater several times but actually took notice this time how comfortable the seats are and how nice the leg room is. I was sitting Row P Center Orchestra. The only downfall is that the seats are not staggered so I had to look around the person in front of me a lot.

Some theaters also have real actual chairs. From my friends who are large and who have sat in a real chair and movable arm-rest theater seat, they all preferred to sit in a real chair, if possible. Most of these are located in the boxes (partial-view) but I've also noticed for some theaters, there are real actual chairs on the last row of rear side orchestra:

Lena Horne (Six), Neil Simon (MJ), Minskoff (Lion King), New Amsterdam (Aladdin)

I'm sure there are likely more theaters but this is what I could remember offhand this morning.

I am a large theater patron, 6’3 300+ lbs. If I ever have an issue I talk to the staff and they usually go to the house manager to see what can be done if anything. More times than not they are very accommodating.
There isn’t always something that can be accomplished but they often have helped greatly. Do not be afraid to speak up and ask for help. There’s no need to be embarrassed, I’m sure people on this board have seen me do this.

Even seats I’ve thought would be golden are sometimes an issue. Imperial orchestra I had a major issue and I never expected to as an example.


Houses I dread;

Lyceum

Golden

Nederlander

Imperial

Jones

Belasco

Wilson Mezz

Studio 54

St. James

Shubert Mezz (legroom can be finicky there)



happy to help anyone who ever needs it!