So, I'm in the midst of opening ONCE ON THIS ISLAND two weeks from tonight, and admittedly, haven't been paying much attention to the comings-and-goings of the Great White Way, and other surrounding locales. As many know, I have yet to witness NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, and upon my search on Telecharge, eyeing to go to the 'final performance' on 1/19, I now cite that tix are on-sale thru 2/2. Has there been an official announcement as to this apparent extension?
As a follow-up: Are 'Premium' seats worth the pricetag? Is there a difference between premium and prime seating? I keep hearing it's Gen. Admission, so how would people know *where* to sit given their specific 'zone'? Any and all insight appreciated.
I dont know about an extension, but about seating the 2 House Managers seat you as you come. I loved the general seating, but if you dont like having to move around in your seat to catch all the action (which in my opinion is part of the experience) than the premium seats are what you want.
As far as I know, seating is largely NOT distinguished by what price level you purchase. Aside from the rush seats which are frequently at the outer bar, I've been told by several people that regardless of premium/regular price, you're seated on a first come, first serve basis.
I actually preferred the "cheaper" seats in the back so that I would not have to constantly turn my head around, since performers are on all sides of you if you're in the center premium section. If you're in a far corner against the wall, you only need to look straight ahead without turning your head. The whole room is extremely intimate and only seats approximately 100 people, so any seat feels like an "orchestra level" seat.
I purchased general seating and received bar seats right in the center of the room. I also arrived about 20-30 mins before the show started. These seats put me right in the middle of the action with the actors constantly coming to the center. My seat was right next to the stairs of the platform, so actors talked to me, sat next to me, and even had me hand a love letter to Natasha herself! At one point, the guitar player handed me their instrument and then the women playing Marya D ran over and grabbed it from me. So even the cheap seats get the experience that Premium seats get. But arrive early to get the best of general seating.
Some food is included with the ticket (yet I've heard possibly not for rush tickets). You get water, some borscht is passed around before the show, then the actors come in and deliver a potato perogi to each audience member. At intermission, they serve small cookies/scones. All other food and beverage is extremely overpriced (a la carte meals run from $15-$25 and a bottle of beer is $8 with cocktails and wine being even more outrageously priced). I went to a matinee performance, so the menu might change in price and choice. But i believe all this is done for both.
What exactly *is* the difference between premium and prime seating 'experience' vs. the general admission? Is there "more interaction", better service, etc.? Haha. Either way, it seems like quite the excursion!
As a follow-up: Nobody's heard any "official" word about the extension, right? Telecharge still cites sales thru February 2.
I rushed the show and I'm pretty sure we received the same food that everyone else got (we got borscht, perogis, and scones). We were seated at a booth that was on the upper level, and the view was perfect (and there was plenty of cast interaction). I couldn't tell the difference between rush/premium/prime/general seating.
No, not that early. When I went (it was a Wednesday night) the house opened 20 or 30 minutes before the show, I forget which it was. I think I got there an hour before and was the only person in line for most of the wait.