Unworhty Orchestra Seats

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 10:31pm

Have you ever sat in a Broadway theatre and had Orch seats that weren't worth the money?

This happened with us once. We were at Lion King in the 4th row from the stage and ALL THE WAY to the left. We could see the actors offstage waiting for their cue. We could also see them offstage on the wires, ready to fly in (Can You Feel The Love Tonight). When an actor was to the left of the stage, we couldn't see but half their body. In addition, actors were above our heads in the balcony VIP seats during some seats who we couldn't see.

Updated On: 11/7/03 at 10:31 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 10:37pm

The bitch of it is you pay the same price for a good one. I saw Grand Hotel at the Martin Beck. I got the seat from TKTS & thought it was bogus as it was not listed in the seating diagram I had for the theater. Turns out they had added a few seats. It was 1 st row orchestra the very last seat on the extreme right. I saw everything backstage & it really bit it. I saw Steel Pier on the extreme left but since it was midway through the orchestra it was not that bad. I would rather have first row front mezzanie center than an side orchestra seat any day

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 10:37pm

There are several Broadway houses that have bad sightlines. Years ago, those seats were cheaper. Unfortunately producers pushed one price and audiences swallowed it hook, line and sinker.

[StinKer Roadmann]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 10:49pm

I had front mezz tickets to Rent and it happened to be during the blackout. When we went the next week, they gave us 2nd to last row orchestra seats toward the left because that's what they were substituting, and we missed a lot of the stuff going on in the rafters because of it.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 11/7/03 at 11:18pm

Both times I saw Les Miz I had the worst seats in the house. When I saw it the first time back in '91 I was sitting in the absolute back of the balcony in the corner. It was horrible. Then I saw it sitting in the orchestra on the far right and all I saw the entire show was the barricade off stage. Other than that I couldn't tell you what was going on onstage.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 11/8/03 at 12:11am

In the second row, all the way to the right and left for "Into The Woods." There were trees blocking half the stage.

[Benzy92]

Posted: 11/8/03 at 9:59am

Ahh! The worst experience for me was in the second row all the way to the left orchestra for the revival of The Sound of Music. I could see the actors waiting for their cues... it was awful.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 11/8/03 at 10:09am

If you get rush seats for Urinetown, you miss eveything that happens on the sides of the theatre.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 11/8/03 at 4:25pm

Right, but rush seats for Urinetown are $25. Not $100 like some of the orchestra seats being mentioned. Personally, if I'm paying less than $30 for a ticket, I take what I can get!

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 11/8/03 at 4:26pm

I also had trouble at "Into the Woods." But, it was my second time, so it wasn't a huge deal. The only thing I couldn't see was Jack's Mother during the prologue and a couple other things. It wasn't too bad.

[CJR]

Posted: 11/8/03 at 6:07pm

The very very very sides of the Shubert theatre when Chicago was still there. Good thing I already know what happens

[Flam1ngo]

Posted: 11/9/03 at 11:18am

1st row (AA) left for Seussical. They added folding chairs in the front of the theater, and if we were any further forward, we'd be UNDER the stage. I had a sore neck by the end of the 1st act.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 11/9/03 at 11:58am

Okay...so they weren't Orchestra seats, but I once paid full price for a balcony seat at Chicago (at the Schubert) and was seated directly behind a large pole. Wasn't happy.

[JO125]

Posted: 11/9/03 at 12:18pm

Front row side orchestra for "Fosse". I missed lots of action on the other side of the stage.

[Michelleruth]

Posted: 11/9/03 at 4:01pm

Front row "Lunt-Fontanne" -- you will break your neck looking up.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 11/9/03 at 4:05pm

CJR, tell me about it! The Shubert is AWFUL on the sides. I was 2nd to last seat on the left in Row M, and more than 1/3 of the stage was cut off, and it was so awkward because there's be people talking but, you couldn't see anyone. Luckily, i didn't have to pay a cent for that seat =)