do you like SRO?

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 12:41am

I've never done it before and I almost don't want to no matter how badly I want to see a show but I know that I may have to and I'd just deal with it because that's life... but the idea of standing for almost three hours... I don't know if I could do it... hell I can't even sit still in general...

so for those of you that do it, is it something that you just get used to? do you sometimes not enjoy a show when you're standing? just wondering

[Kad]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 2:02am

I've never had an issue with SRO. Would I rather be sitting? Sure. But if it's a quality production, you won't care.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 2:20am

Ive always wondered what SRO entails. I've always imagined it as standing almost behind a bar which is at the back of the orchestra and you have something to lean on to for the whole show. But I have the feeling its not that and more along the lines of standing against a wall with nothing to really lean on, uncomfortably.

Any insight?

[mee.who]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 5:59am

Generally there is something to lean on.

I don't mind standing room at all, and sometimes prefer it to a seat because there is no one's head blocking your view. I stand a lot for work in general though, so doing so for 3 hours doesn't really bother me.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 6:18am

^Same, I'm a cashier at a grocery store, so standing for a 3 hour show doesn't particularly phase me. But as Kad said, yeah, I'd prefer a seat, but I don't mind standing.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 10:41am

Yep. I worked at a grocery store while in college, so standing for that long doesn't bother me either. That said, it was still much more comfortable to do SRO for Spelling Bee than it was for Jersey Boys. :)

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 10:49am

Depends on the show. I usually don't mind it but for something like The Merchant of Venice, I passed on SRO.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 10:57am

I stood for both Fela! And Mormon. (Both at the Eugene O'Neil)

Pros: No heads in the way; we can stretch our legs and move around a bit; very close to the bathrooms and merch so intermission is less stressful if you need to visit one of those areas; no one cutting in front of you to get to seats in the middle before a show or during if there are latecomers; can wiggle or bop/dance a little bit if you're into the music without disturbing those around or behind you; price!

Cons: It does get tiring to stand; if you stay in your spot during intermission, you get squished; there's nowhere to put your bag/jacket except the floor right in front of where you're standing; can't see the top of the stage because of the mezz overhang; you miss the curtain call if there is a standing O unless you walk awkwardly into the aisle to applaud.

All in all, I'd say it's a fabulous way to see a show on a budget, and I'd actually prefer standing to sitting in the back of the house because of the heads-in-the-way situation.

I hope this was helpful!

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 11:23am

so generally is there comfort in the area where you stand? are you shoulder to shoulder or do you have some "leg room" so to speak with your entire body.. did that make sense?

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 11:31am

I've stood a few times on Broadway, as well as at The Met. I agree with Kad. Of course, I'd rather have a seat. But if there's a show I'm dying to see and the only way to see it would be stand or pay full/premium price, I'll happily stand.

I've found that my standing experience really depends on how much I enjoy the show. Standing for The History Boys was a dreadful experience, mostly because I hated the play. Spamalot, on the other hand, was a breezy, fun standing experience. I've stood for 4 hour opera at The Met that just flew by.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 11:32am

I've never felt squished by people around me when I've done SRO.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 11:42am

I stood for "Mormon" a few weeks back and the view was perfect. I was told by a cast member that the only thing you miss is something that opos up at the top of the stage for a few seconds that isn't anything that makes any difference if you don't see it.

Agree with Luminous' comments on the cons. I did do the awkward standing in the aisle thing at the end because I couldn't see.

[Feldzieg]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 11:42am

I have absolutely no issue with standing room. To the contrary, I get some guilty pleasure out of the feeling that the person sitting right in front of me probably paid over a hundred bucks while I paid only a fraction and have a better view.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 11:45am

As a retired schoolteacher, I still have no problems standing for a long period of time (I wonder how much longer I'll be able to say that?) I've stood through lots of shows--going back to the original BAREFOOT IN THE PARK with Robert Redford and Elizabeth Ashley and many performances of HELLO, DOLLY!. I think the last time I stood was for MOON OVER BUFFALO when it was in previews. The price is right and vantage point is quite good.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 1:55pm

Paying $27 to stand comfortably leaning on the back of the orchestra wall vs. paying now $155 to sit in the row a foot in front of me at BOOK OF MORMON? No contest.

I do standing room whenever possible. If the play is good, the time flies by. If it's not, you don't feel as though you've wasted too much money. It's a win-win.

[Okayfine]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 2:02pm

I can't imagine why anyone would WANT to stand through a show. It detracts from the enjoyment of a show when you have to think about how uncomfortable you are. Full disclosure here: I have ushered for 25 years at various & have often been required to stand. It is always a miserable experience & I think more about my back & feet than the show.

Just a pet peeve, btw: SRO means "standing room only" and it is a phrase used by a theatre box ofc to indicate to potential ticket buyers that no SEATS are available, but room to stand is available. You are asking about "standing room". Sorry, I just had to say that!

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 2:22pm

Okayfine, that's just your opinion. I have ushered on and off for years since I was 18. The day I saw Mormon I was on y feet all day including the time I saw the show. It did not detract from my enjoyment of the show. Actually, I was so excited just to get in that my legs were no longer tired. Of course the cocktail I had between getting the ticket and seeing the show helped!

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 6/14/11 at 5:13pm

I have only done SRO twice. Once for Hair and once for Next to Normal. Had no problem standing for 2+hrs(at work I'm on my feet for almost 12hrs). SRO at Hair was fun since some of the cast hung out with you there.