When NOT to sit in the cheap seats

One great thing I love about Broadway theaters is that there never seems to be a bad seat in the house. Whenever I have to pay full price for Broadway I usually get rear mezzanine seats because they're cheaper and the view is usually great.

I can only think of two instances where I found the cheap seats to be a problem: The first is when I sat in the last row of the orchestra for Tarzan. The entire top half of the stage was cut off, and this was before they installed the monitors. Disney had no right to charge over fifty bucks for such crappy seats. The second example is when I saw Journey's End at the Belasco. I was sitting in house seats in the fourth row and the stage seemed very far away. For such a small set in a big theater I would imagine that the balcony would be terrible for viewing this.

Any other examples of where not to sit in a specific broadway theater?

That is totally true...I sat there for COLOR PURPLE and felt like I was never part of the show...thought I was like watching it on my TV set, that is how far away it was...I was so distant from the show, did not care. At times my eyes started to water, cause it was hard for me to concentrate.

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The worst seats I've ever had were the lotto seats at Chorus Line. So extreme left orchestra that it seemed like half the stage was obstructed. Okay for the $25, but I probably would have liked the show better if I could have seen more of it.

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How can you say every Broadway theatre has excellent viewing from all seats. Its now very clear that you have been to very few.

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WickedBoy2, I have actually seen about 40 to 50 shows on broadway in my lifetime. The above were the only two times where I found my seating location to interfere with my enjoyment of the show. Hope that clears it up for you.

So Mister Matt, would it be a bad idea to get the $36 balcony seats to Spamalot? I would like to eventually see the show again but am not willing to pay full price (did standing room the first time, which I thought was pretty great for this show).

<< i've found sitting in the balcony in the walter kerr is a little too far away, especially the second row. i sat there during my second trip to grey gardens, so it was fine. but i wouldn't want a first view from up there >>

That was the WORST view I have ever had !!!

I couldnt see half the stage !

interesting Folkyboy, I've sat in the balcony at the Lyceum twice and never had a problem with it (although it is very steep up there). It's also nice not having to walk all the way downstairs for the mens room either.

As for the Hilton, the rear of the balcony does seem miles away from the stage, but you still get a full unobstructed view. I remember that when 42nd street was playing you could sit there for only $20, which is a pretty good deal. However $50-65 for the rear balcony nowadays seems a little ridiculous.

I thought the "cheap seats" at the Shubert were well worth the money. Sure, it is a little steep, but it's a great view. You can see the whole stage from up there.

Front row at the 2nd balcony of the Shubert provides an excellent view of the stage and does not seem that far away. You can get front row if you plan far enough in advance. I saw CRAZY FOR YOU in 2nd balcony front row seats 4 times by buying way in advance. I loved that Gershwin show! What is Harry Groener doing these days? He was fantastic in the lead, a real triple threat actor, IMO.

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I have back row rear mezzanine seats to Wicked at the Gershwin. Will I be able to see anything? I've heard the theatre is massive.

The Plymouth/Schoenfeld Theater last row....it was STILL too close to watch "Brooklyn"


Seriously, The balcony at the New Amsterdam for "The Lion King" was horrible. Missed half of the action and felt totally excluded from the big Circle of Life opening.

It just depends on where you're sitting in the balcony. My seat was just fine, but the seat next to me was behind a pole. It's sorta the luck of the draw. And for a show like Mary Poppins, it's not entirely essential to sit too close, so I enjoyed myself in the balcony. Hope this helps.

Anybody have an answer to my Gershwin question?