The Best and Worst Seats for Broadway Shows

[@tungaray]

Saw the The Great Gatsby musical in the front mezzanine and it such an amazing experience to see all the dance formations and sets from above!

[@Ranger7Studios]

Front mezz is usually my jam as well. I too like to see the entire picture. I think that may be a director thing.

[@itskatharinequinn]

That part!

[@Fieryasian]

For Harry Potter and the cursed child which seats would u recommend ?

[@angiewynn10]

Love this!! I’d say my fav seats are gonna be in the mezz. Fully agree it depends on the show, but since I see a lot of musicals, I appreciate seeing the layouts and dancers from above. Or if it’s a show with lots of projections/intricate set designs, a higher view is chefs kiss 😚🤌🏾 I love seeing plays in the orchestra (or just an over all more intimate theater space). And budget wise, I’ve seen waaayyy too many shows from the balcony…Into the Woods was one of the worst views cause it was simply TOO high up 😭.

[@itskatharinequinn]

That's the THING--so often when I'm budget conscious I genuinely end up regretting going cheap because it impacts the experience SO much!

[@EMM_84]

Ive never been to a Broadway show but see a lot in Toronto. Ive experimented with my preferred seat over the years. Budget is a big factor for sure. Rear Mezz was my least favourite - Im tall and the balcony overhang is pretty low and it cut the back of the stage off for me. If someone is shorter theyd probably be fine. Front 4-5 rows of the Mezz or balcony are my top choices. Orchestra I like about 10 - 15 rows back centre. Ill do partially obstructed if it means I get to see into the wings (Im nosy and its fun to see). Totally agree on being a bit higher/further back to see the full picture on dance heavy shows. Plays - I will sit pretty much anywhere.

[@Lucas-fs4gp]

In Toronto, the Royal Alex is the only theater that resembles a Broadway house. The other theaters are way too big (over 2k people) and the mezzanine is much more distant from the stage than on Broadway. You can barely see facial expressions from the front mezzanine at Ed Mirvish or Princess of Wales.

[@itskatharinequinn]

Agree with all of this!!

[@yankee04]

Definitely use A View From My Seat. Great shout out for the Hudson. Comfort and leg room. Prefer orchestra, mid to just under overhang if possible, right center aisle. Just saw Suffs, Gatsby, Lempicka. Next month planning Stereophonic, Tommy, Hell’s Kitchen, and Sunset Blvd late in the year.

[@hollywilliams9933]

Swept Away - huge Avett Brothers fan. Longer Theatre. First NY broadway. What seat?

[@1tawhiyd720]

Sitting 1st row center stage at an upcoming show in NYC is that a theater where view with be ruined by the stage?

[@delana9398]

Romeo and Juliet is in The Circle In The Square theater and I'm trying to get tickets in advance for January 7th for my grown kids where should I get seats in this specific place in the orchestra area?? But what specific area is the BEST...Please help!!

[@themidnighthatt]

EXCELLENT insights- I had never thought about the overhang effecting sound for musicals! so true though!

[@PaulWall24601]

My algorithm is recommending this four months later, but I’m glad it did - love your energy! I took myself on a Tonys trip and saw Outsiders, Gatsby, Illinoise, Water for Elephants, Hell’s Kitchen, Merrily (the matinee of Tonys night!), and Sleep No More, opting for premium orchestra seats; I always tell myself you can’t take your money with you when you die. Front mezzanine is a good time too though, and probably more worth the money for some shows! I saw Gutenberg in January and your view made me spit my water out…I can’t stand that they even offer that as a seat!

[@Ranger7Studios]

I actually don't fit in the balcony of Studio 54. My knees go beyond the seat in front of me. Every time I've seen a show there they've had to move me down stairs. Although, I hear they won't do that anymore. :(

[@itskatharinequinn]

Oh wowwwwww!

[@johnmccaslin-doyle6917]

I know that is the rule, but are there exceptions? Do you have a rating for the houses?

[@TheLauren1113]

Big fan of a view from my seat. I am picky but also budget conscious. So I won’t do blackout. My preference is orchestra or mezzanine, center or on the aisle at the left or right.

[@diegoramos27]

Would you recommend row O center orchestra for Lion King? Thanks

[@conniescorner9021]

I got tickets to Gatsby in June. We are in the rear mezz...like third row from the back 😅. I actually don't mind certain balconies. Depends on the venue. I'm trying to see five of the new shows, so gotta go for the budget friendly.

[@itskatharinequinn]

Definitely get this!!

[@dsyauch]

I do love sitting premium, and since I don’t live in NYC I treat myself when I go. I’m seeing Cabaret, Hells Kitchen, Great Gatsby & Lempicka next weekend. ❤

[@itskatharinequinn]

eeee I hope you have the best time!

[@starringakasha6966]

saw gatsby front mezz!! literally blew me away worth every dollar! (i also used view from my seat when i was picking i love that website so much lol)

[@ThexImperfectionist]

Rear orchestra can also obscure the top of the proscenium. Not a big deal for most shows but you might miss the dragon in Wicked, or Burt's big Step in Time stunt in Mary Poppins, etc. Likewise, top of the balcony may not see something tall at the back of the stage like the top of a backdrop, "upstairs" sets, or catwalks. Often you don't know where the edges are until you've seen the show in question unfortunately

[@veronicalong8]

I’m seeing Gatsby in June for my birthday and I’m sitting in the third row orchestra, but I saw it at Papermill in the back row of the orchestra and that was a great view too.

[@itskatharinequinn]

Oh my gosh it's going to be so glorious in the third row. ENJOY!

[@veronicalong8]

@@itskatharinequinn thank you. I’m so excited

[@mts7130]

It would be interesting to know from a lighting specialist if that light being right there was needed. Did it have to be there?

[@conniescorner9021]

I'm a lighting designer, and yeah, all light fixtures have a purpose wherever they are located. Definitely awful site lines, though. Should have been a much more discounted seat.

[@josephlim6854]

@@conniescorner9021 Agreed or not sell that seat at all even with the warning it's an obstructed view.

[@itskatharinequinn]

Hard agree.

[@SydeLeaderRay]

I'm about to be in my theater show this Saturday. I picked cheap because that's what I can afford. My seat I think is Gallery Center. Which apparently is the back and highest point of the theater. I'm going to view The Sonic Symphony in Chicago.

[@TjhWriting]

EXTREMELY helpful for a newbie. Thank you!

[@atuljoshi1990]

Great video. It also depends on the specific theater. Sometimes front row can be just incredible because you see the acting so clearly. I think one of the reasons people don’t like Theater is because they sit in the back and they can’t actually see the faces very clearly and the emotions the actors are trying to convey. Some theaters the front row you have a lot of legroom Although most you have half the legroom. And the seats will be cheaper for that reason. Like at the Saint James, Certain seats have more legroom than others.

[@rick7569]

1st Broadway experience Dec 24th - Jan 3rd. We want to go see Wicked. Any advise?

[@tdadp]

I just seen back to the future rush seating in a wheelchair it was amazing, but I will say this I enjoyed watching the Orchestra leader just as much as I enjoyed watching musical from his to pause for applause to him rocking out singing, every matching the actors singing voices

[@MichelleAlexandria-EM]

I like Left/Right Aisle Seats in the first 8 rows. No Center Orchestra, or you'll be stuck looking at the back of someone's head the entire night. Next fav is 2nd Orchestra AA and Front Row Mezzine generally gives you a better view of everything than sitting in the Front Row - which I generally go for. Front Row is great, but sometimes I feel like I have to move my head a lot and depending the stage layout you weirdly don't always see the feet. It's hard to explain. But yes, I don't like sitting behind anyone where I'm in danger of stairing at someone's head. I can be 2 row center and hate it because of that.

[@lisaodell5280]

Omg yes to a view from my seat! I try to add info on seat width as well, because as a person with large hips, it’s hard to know where you will and won’t be comfortable. (Also hated my seat at Gutenberg, but for seat width reasons, not a light fixture directly in my face 😭)

[@itskatharinequinn]

Oh...it was just truly brutal lol

[@musicalmeg19]

Box seats are always my #1 pick, as long as it's not the absolute closest one to the stage. A big plus is being able to watch the orchestra and sometimes a few behind the scenes happenings. But I go to a show to get lost in the world of theater, not so much in the show itself. So box seats aren't for everyone.

[@Lucas-fs4gp]

Thank you for the video. Could you please comment what you think the director usually has in mind as the best seat to see a musical? Front mezzanine or mid orchestra? Perhaps you can use Gatsby as an example if you would like. Unrelated, the bathroom thing… Do you think 100 years ago people simply did not care for this? I mean, the audience size is the same now and back then and prob so is the need to use the restrooms. W4E apparently created some open-air extra restrooms in that construction area just beside the theater… Many tks!

[@itskatharinequinn]

Oh my gosh I didn't know that about W4E--is that real?? I need to check it out. Re: director as best seats--the Director is *often* sitting center center orchestra throughout tech, so honestly--that's going to be the most premium view as the show was literally built and viewed MOSTLY from that vantage point. That said, choreographer, scenic design, and director as well will have visited other parts of the space to make sure everyone has a great view.

[@Lucas-fs4gp]

@@itskatharinequinn Many tks! As for W4E, yes, real, I was there last weekend. I did not go these new restrooms, so not sure how they look. But lines seemed shorter there then inside the theater.

[@AishaParks-qw4ct]

what about the box to the sides?

[@ronnycheung4162]

I was just in NYC watched 10 shows at 10 difference theaters for the first time in my life. I sat last row on the balcony at the Great Gatsby and it's way too far. Can't see the acting or even Jeremy Jordan's face much. Also the seats are one of the smallest I've experienced in this trip. I heard they completely change the seatings in Cabaret so i was pretty high up on the mezzanine and it's still very good.

[@templeofjackson]

Thank you. Very informative. 😊

[@robertevilla338]

Because many Broadway fans have no sense of decency, I have gotten to the point where I have to do front row orchestra no matter of the show or I won’t attend. Although I couldn’t think of a more perfect time to take a break from my phone than a Broadway show, if I’m seated anywhere else I constantly have to deal with at least 20 people in front of me on their phones out on full brightness. Very distracting and annoying.

[@kathleenewing3673]

Front mezz is my fav if I can't get reasonable center orch.

[@itskatharinequinn]

I prefer mezz for dance shows in anyyyy case, BUT I hear this take!!

[@kathleenewing3673]

@@itskatharinequinn True, or multi-level staging.

[@SCK222]

Oooh how i regret seeing this now. I am going to see Moulin Rouge and honestly just for the great cast, I have seen it before. I spent hours and hours comparing prices and photos of views and then opted for orchestra, left side but isle, row p - instead of mezzanine, because I thought I've seen it from up there and might get a different and closer view (in the same price range) Now I regret it that I bought the tickets already 😢

[@itskatharinequinn]

You'll still have a marvelous time!!! That's plenty far back :)

[@beardedelephant3023]

Looking to see Othello with Denzel and Jake in April. Deciding on seats

[@angeliquenichelle]

I've never seen a Broadway show. I often see shows from the balcony because I see shows with my family.

[@kateorgera5907]

Okay, but my biggest concern when picking seats is the rake of the theater. Because I am under 5 feet tall, so if a particularly tall person sits in front of me, I have to constantly look around their head if I'm in the center, especially in orchestra which tends to be flatter than the mezz or balcony. I actually had that experience at Gatsby - I was with a large group so I didn't get to pick my seats, got put in rear orchestra near the aisle, but OF COURSE I got a man put in front of me. However, I did think it was a good distance from the stage to see the sets and still make out the actors' faces, so I see your point about preferring rear orchestra if you're average sized. But us shorties have to make extra considerations.

[@cortezthebronxwanderer9437]

front mezz is a winner

[@edanlaron5552]

Surprisingly, when I went "premium" and saw both Hamilton and Hadestown from middle row F in the orchestra (both in last two weeks), the experience was not great for two reasons: 1. In both instances, the music was louder than the singing and it was hard to hear the singers' voices and understandi what they're saying. I am guessing the mix is made by someone who stands way more in the back, but both me and my partner felt our experience and enjoyment were downgraded. 2. In broadway musicals people act, well, theatrically. Every gesture is exaggerated so everyone can see it in the theatre. However, when you're close, all the movement feel much more artificial, robotic and planned, while from farther in the theatre they look more natural and authentic. Asditinally, you can see all the technical way things are done, which keep remi ding you this is a show by actors and makes it harder to immerse in it. Overall, in both plays I regret not sitting farther from the stage (which might have been cheaper too).

[@ChildOf_God2010]

How I needed this video 2 months ago

[@itskatharinequinn]

Come back to New York!!

[@ChildOf_God2010]

@@itskatharinequinn if my parents will get me tickets again. Although, my mom loves Cursed Child now so I might be able to convince her for cast change...