When it comes to the greatest seats in the theatre, it all comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer to be close enough to see the performers sweat, while others prefer a bird’s-eye view. It also depends on the specific theatre.
Seats in older theatres may not provide a full view of the stage. Furthermore, a show’s director may or may not have staged the production with theatre sight lines in mind.
So it’s better to do some research beforehand. A seating chart is usually available on the website of the theatre or show in question. If you’re heading to the theatre in New York, sites like BroadwayWorld and Playbill include seating charts for many of the city’s theatres.
Online theater-fan forums can connect you with others who have seen the performance and can advise you on where to seat. A View From My Seat is one of the aggregators that allow individual audience members to upload images of the pre-show curtain in order to display a more accurate view from a specific seat.
Previously, you could only choose your seats at the box office, but most ticketing sites now allow you to choose whatever seats you want from what’s available, based on how much you’re willing to pay.
Best Seats In A Theater
Here’s a highly subjective look at the various seating possibilities.
Balcony
Balconies are only found in a few Broadway theatres. The balcony seats are usually quite high up, but they may be the greatest option for those on a tight budget. However, front balcony seats may be preferable to rear mezzanine seats, especially at older theatres like the Lyceum, Belasco, and Shubert.
Orchestra
People assume that the only decent seats in the orchestra are in the center, however, this depends on how deep the orchestra is and how far back you are. Some Broadway theatres feature relatively shallow orchestra sections, while others have much deeper orchestra sections.
So don’t expect to be able to leave your opera glasses at home if you have orchestra center seats. Also, side orchestra seats aren’t always a bad thing. It depends on how far to the side you are and how near you are to the stage. The closer you are to the stage, the more you should move toward the center to avoid obstructed views.
Box Seats
Theatergoers often say box seats must be expensive but that’s not true. These seats have poor sight lines and are frequently offered with an “obstructed view” warning.
So, why are these seats there in the first place? When many Broadway theatres were first erected, the boxes were designed for those who wanted to be seen rather than people who wanted to see.
In the ’20s and ’30s, it was not uncommon for theatergoers to come fashionably late on purpose so that audience members might see them in their finery. Those days are long gone, and box seats are sometimes the last to sell.
However, the boxes usually come with actual seats that you can move around, which is ideal for individuals who need a little more legroom.
Mezzanine
Mezzanines are only found in a few Broadway theatres. The term “mezzanine” is derived from the Italian word for “middle,” which should officially refer to the area between the orchestra and the balcony. Many Broadway theatres feature an orchestra and a mezzanine level but no balcony.
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Front mezzanine seats are typically as good as orchestra seats, if not better, depending on the performance. You could be better suited in the mezzanine for a show with a visual sweep or complicated choreography. However, be wary of the term “rear mezzanine,” as it usually refers to only a few seats towards the far back.
On-Stage
Some directors place chairs right on the stage, while others use a more interactive, one-of-a-kind seating arrangement to provide fans with a more intimate experience with the production.
With these seats, you may find yourself staring at the back or sides of their heads. If you’re going to a show that has interactive and/or on-stage seating, make sure to do your research to find out how the view from those seats is.
Rush Seats
On the day of the performance, several shows offer a limited quantity of highly reduced tickets. Some venues have “rush seats,” which are typically unsold tickets on the day of the performance or a limited number of less-popular seats set aside for this reason.
Standing Room
Standing room is another alternative, which offers a limited number of tickets are offered that do not correspond to a seat, but instead allow audience members to stand in a designated space in the back of the theatre. Further, Standing room is typically sold only after a certain performance has sold out, however, it is frequently a cost-effective option with superior sight lines than one might expect.
