Where to sit for Once on This Island

[220Basswood]

Posted: 1/7/18 at 1:45pm

I have seen a couple of shows at The Circle in the Square so I know that different seating areas are better for different shows.  For this show, is it better to be on one of the sides or the section that is right when people walk in? 

 

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/7/18 at 2:40pm

Front row is great.  All seats are good and you have different angles, there is a lot of action near "the tree" and you get to be with Lovely  Lea.

 

[starcatchers]

Posted: 1/7/18 at 3:06pm

I've sat on both sides. I preferred the even numbers, because you can actually see what happens around the "tree," whereas on the odd side I felt I missed a bit of it. That said, there really isn't a "bad" seat. 

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 1/7/18 at 3:57pm

I’m sitting in the front row of the 400s. Haven’t heard many talk about that section but hopefully it’s good.

[ren598]

Posted: 1/7/18 at 6:47pm

I got orchestra row B seat 227 from TKTS for today’s matinee performance. This is the first seat on the aisle where most of the performers walk thru with the tree right in front of you. It is also directly in the center on the side with a great view of everthing going on left and right and no heads in the way from row A because of the tree. Had a nice conversation with Lea before the start of the show. She uses this aisle quite a bit throughout the show.

[northlandfan]

Posted: 1/7/18 at 10:27pm

Hi
Just saw the show last Friday evening and sat in the 200 section row E directly in the middle. Amazing view of the entire stage and the tree.
As I heard that there were no discounts for the show I decided to show up to the theater to try my luck. The very nice woman at the box office was able to offer us 2 tickets together for the TKTS price of 109 instead of 169 ( no code even needed )!I usually am lucky to get a discount for hot shows the same day when I go directly to the theater and simply ask. I happened to notice an elderly couple that night that felt very uncomfortable sitting in the first row as there are seats were literally on the stage and didn't realize that this was the set up of the show. Quite an amazing performance by the entire cast especially Alex Newell and The actress who played Ti Moune who blew our socks off!
By the way two other shows we saw last week where come from away and the bands visit which were equally as spectacular!

[secretschuylersister]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 1:57am

ren598 said: "I got orchestra row B seat 227 from TKTS for today’s matinee performance. This is the first seat on the aisle where most of the performers walk thru with the tree right in front of you. It is also directly in the center on the side with a great view of everthing going on left and right and no heads in the way from row A because of the tree. Had a nice conversation with Lea before the start of the show. She uses this aisle quite a bit throughout the show."

How cool! Does anyone know of an area (if there is one) where Ague or Daniel hang out before the show starts? I'm planning on catching OOTI on my trip to America in July and those two are my favs.

[Btb1993]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 1:42pm

I did standing room and the view was great from up there if that helps

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 3:46pm

How cool! Does anyone know of an area (if there is one) where Ague or Daniel hang out before the show starts? I'm planning on catching OOTI on my trip to America in July and those two are my favs."

Daniel is "onstage" during pre-show, not too much interaction with the audience. Ague is cooking during pre-show, the front few rows are near but I don't know seat numbers.

[starcatchers]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 10:57pm

CurtainPullDowner said: "

How cool! Does anyone know of an area (if there is one) where Ague or Daniel hang out before the show starts? I'm planning on catching OOTI on my trip to America in July and those two are my favs."

Daniel is "onstage" during pre-show, not too much interaction with the audience. Ague is cooking during pre-show, the front few rows are near but I don't know seat numbers."

I think you’re thinking of Asaka, who is cooking in front of the 200 section. Agwe hangs out in/above the pool. 

[TranVanDinh]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 11:27am

I cannot wait to see this show!! I'll be sitting in AA, seat 211. 

Is there any section of the front row that's best?  Where is the Tree located?  

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 8:59pm

Looking at tickets for Lea’s last night. With BroadwayBox discount on Telecharge, I am being offered these seat options for $133.50:


ORCHESTRA Row A, Seat 402 (2 rows from stage, aisle seat)

ORCHESTRA Row A, Seat 240 (3 rows from stage, aisle seat)

I saw Fun Home here and got awesome front row A 221 seat through TKTS. So I’m somewhat familiar with the seating here, but not for this show.

So my questions are:

1. Which seat will give me best overall view of the production?

2. Which seat will give me best proximity to the cast, most notably Lea?

3. Do these prices still seem pricey?

Until Lea’s departure date was announced I had planned on hitting up TKTS for my ticket during my NYC trip, but now I want to see her final performance and am worried it might sell out. Still, I’ve spent a small fortune on 5 shows (Skintight, The Boys in the Band, Three Tall Women, The Iceman Cometh, My Fair Lady) for my trip already and would like to wait to buy tickets via TKTS for my remaining shows (OOTI, Spongebob, marathon Wednesday performances of Angels in America) to give my wallet a bit of a rest. (I’m also worried that demand for Angels will dramatically increase after the Tony Awards, but I want front Orchestra aisle seat and those prices are kinda crazy now).

Thanks in advance for your input.

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 9:07pm

I’ve sat in the 400s. I would not recommend any seat in the 400s.

[Eliza2]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 9:19pm

I sat C 226 and thought it was perfect. It's right in the middle of one of the "long sides" (the even seat numbers) which I would recommend. 

Don't sit in the 400's.

Lea spends a considerable amount of time sitting on the 200 odd side, like where you can see that aisle that goes up diagonally through the section. So if you want to be close to her, sit there (like around B 227). However, if you sit close to her like that, you won't really be able to SEE her unless you turn your head and look at her, which would seem a bit awkward.

Sitting directly across from that area in the even 200's like where I was (C 226) you are looking straight across at her most of the time.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 9:20pm

I think 200s on the even side offer the best angles for this production.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 9:35pm

So it seems like the consensus is that ORCHESTRA Row A, Seat 240 (3 rows from stage, aisle seat) is the better seat.

What kind of cast proximity might this offer?

Do you think I’d likely find a cheaper pre-TKTS ticket and will it likely sell out as it’s Lea last performance?

[Eliza2]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 9:44pm

Miles2Go2 said: "So it seems like the consensus is that ORCHESTRA Row A, Seat 240 (3 rows from stage, aisle seat) is the better seat.

What kind of cast proximity might this offer?

Do you think I’d likely find a cheaper pre-TKTS ticket and will it likely sell out as it’s Lea last performance? "

Asaka (Alex Newell) will be right in front of you a lot. And at some point, most everyone in the cast will be passing by. Everyone moves around quite a bit in this show.

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 9:59pm

Eek! This makes me want to bite the bullet and get the ticket tonight. Anyone know if there are any better discounts out there?

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 10:08pm

Miles2Go2 said: "Eek! This makes me want to bite the bullet and get the ticket tonight. Anyone know if there are any better discounts out there?"

I did the lottery on Saturday afternoon, and there were 30 people there for 30 tickets, and anyone whose name wasn't chosen was able to get $60 "lottery loser" seats immediately after. I won the lottery and got seats in Row C of the 200 section and had a great view. According to what I've read on this board, this seems to be rather common, that the in-person lottery doesn't get a huge turnout and people who lose are offered lottery loser tickets for just a little more. The woman who ran the lottery said that the box office likes to use the lottery to fill as many empty seats as possible. Were I in town for longer, I would absolutely use the lottery and go back and see it again! Now, this availability for lottery may change after the Tonys, obviously, but I just wanted to share my very positive experience. And the show was wonderful!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 10:13pm

Thanks, Ravenclaw! My main concern isn’t so much its box office demand post-Tonys, but demand for Lea’s last performance. She hasn’t been proven to be a big boost for box office so far, but I’m thinking that theater devotees will want to see her final performance.

[Rainah]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 10:23pm

I sat to the left of the 'sea' and really liked the view from there. Really felt like you could see everything and had great views, even if no one is ever looking directly at you you can always see faces. 

I was about halfway between front row and back row and it was great. I'm sure front row is an incredible experience, but if I were to see it again I would go for one of the higher cheap seats. Either shell out to be really close to the action or save money and see it from the 'back row' or standing room. From what I saw, the views would still be fantastic from there (And this is from someone who does not like to sit in the back whenever possible and would skip a show over rear mezz). 

Not a bad seat in the house I think, jsut a matter of where your priorities are. But in terms of angles, to the right or left of the 'sea' where you can see it but are also on that half of the theatre would be my recommendation. And then either front row or back, depending on your budget/desires. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 10:25pm

Miles, that Row A, Seat 240 will give you a great view of the gorgeous stage picture in the finale. I won't spoil it, but there are a few angles that you lose that very last moment, and that isn't one of them. Just saying.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 10:55pm

TranVanDinh said: "I cannot wait to see this show!! I'll be sitting in AA, seat 211.

Is there any section of the front row that's best? Where is the Tree located?"

I sat in that seat tonight and it was awesome. Kenita let me pet the chicken during the pre-show, and Lea sat with a young girl a couple of seats down from me. During the show you will get some sand on you, but it's not bad at all. There's a bit of tennis watching action with everything going on, and so many moments are done within arms reach, but you get used to it. 

(Just to warn you if you're prone to ugly crying like I am, you will be in the light. Especially at the end, when ** SPOILER ** the tree is literally raised to  right in front of your face.)

But I definitely want to sit there again.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 11:16pm

everythingtaboo said: "Just to warn you if you're prone to ugly crying like I am, you will be in the light. Especially at the end, when ** SPOILER ** the tree is literally raised to right in front of your face.”

I sat in that exact seat the first time I saw it, was ugly crying like a crazy person, and had the same realization, hahaha. I was so moved and also so mortified. (Great seat, though.)

Miles... I say buy the OOTI ticket just because you’re right that it might sell out because it’s Lea’s last performance. $133 isn’t too bad, and that’s an excellent seat! I think you’ll regret it if you miss out.

For SpongeBob you can get a cheaper ticket than TKTS - especially if you’re traveling by yourself... you can surely win the lottery or rush for it. The summer family tourism crowd will make it busier than it is now, but the theatre is so massive that I have no doubt there will still be last minute cheap seats available.

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/15/18 at 11:31pm

Thanks everyone for their helpful advice. I bit the bullet and bought the $133.50 ORCHESTRA Row A, Seat 240 ticket for Lea’s final performance!