Are Balcony Boxes Always Terrible?

[gleek4114]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 3:19am

I was looking at seats for "On the Town" and I was able to find cheaper seats in a balcony box. I know no one knows how obstructed they would be because no one has seen this production but are boxes always a bad thing?

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 3:30am

You mention the obvious issue. Yes, it will be obstructed view. How much - it depends on the theater, staging AND your particular position and that of your boxmates. The seats are close, even if the perspective is a bit skewed, but for shows that put their action front and center, it can be just fine.

That said, the great advantage is that the moveable chairs can be really handy and comfortable. Typically, access is right near the aisle, so quick exits at intermission, for what it's worth.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 8:18am

Yes, they are nearly always pretty bad. In addition to obstructed view (you wont be able to see stuff staged closest to you) you usually can see the opposite wing, which for many, ruins the world of the play.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 9:00am

I actually like being able to see in the wings- it's really cool to watch for me and you see some pretty interesting stuff. It was really cool to watch Victoria Clark get into her harness for Cinderella, actors waiting to come on and stuff like that. It does take you out of the world that has been created on stage but it has never affected my experience with a show.

Box Seats are almost always pretty bad to horrible. I remember sitting in the box seats for Kinky Boots for the first act (my family ended up moving front row) and not only were they uncomfortable, but run down. my chair was horribly squeaky, My mother's was soo wobbly, loose and bendy it looked like it would give any second, and the arm of the chair of a lady behind me completely fell off.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 9:01am

The best afternoon I ever spent in the theater was a Saturday matinee of FOLLIES in 1971.

I was sitting in the front box and could not have cared less about obstructions. There was so much going on on that stage, it never occurred to me to worry about what I could not see.

So it depends in part on how much you like the show. (But as the replies above indicate, it depends on how easily distracted you are.)

Updated On: 7/12/14 at 09:01 AM

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 9:09am

As some have already mentioned, how much of the action that'll be obstructed will highly depend on the staging of the production. I've sat in boxes where I didn't miss a single thing because those shows were played downstage the entire time. Those were all straight plays, though, and I think it's safe to say that that won't be the case for On The Town.

Also, the size of the box can also contribute to how good your view is. In the smaller ones, you generally have more freedom to move your chair around to find the best angle from which to watch the show.

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 9:26am

I actually prefer box seats in most cases. Some of the greatest Broadway performances I've ever seen I saw from the box and had a terrific view. I saw Hugh Jackman: Back On Broadway, Death of a Salesman (w/Philip Seymour Hoffman), and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (w/Scarlett Johansson) all from box seats. I also find them to be a bit more comfortable than traditional theatre chairs, but that's just me.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 9:28am

As a rule, boxes are not good seats and yes it's hit and miss depending on where you are sitting in the box and for which theater you are in.

That said, my annoyance with the box seats (or any bad seats) are directly related to how much I spent for them. If I got a lottery seat in a box and I am only spending $25-40 for a hit show, I find myself more forgiving if the seat is not perfect. If I spend more money because it's like the only available seat and I then I can't see well (even if I am warned), I definitely get more annoyed.

But no it does not upset me to see the goings on backstage. It makes me feel more of part of the production and what goes into good theater making... and less of just a viewer.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 10:28am

It depends on why you're going to the show - if you just want to be close to the action but can't afford a front row ticket, you'll probably be just fine.

But if you want to see and experience the show the way it was intended, save up for the middle of the orchestra or front of the mezz.
Updated On: 7/12/14 at 10:28 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 10:37am

I sit in the boxes as often as I can. At 6'3", I will take the comfort of the box and live with the view. As others have said, the view varies greatly from show to show, and it's too soon to say for On The Town. For the shows currently on Broadway, I'd recommend the boxes for Inishmaan and Gentleman's Guide, and avoid them for Mormon.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 10:49am

Normally I can't stand boxes, but I sat in the balcony box B for Young Frankenstein and I thought the view was actually excellent. Mind you I sat the seat against the rail and front of the box, don't know how the people behind/next to me enjoyed it.

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 11:48am

I sat in a balcony box for Annie at the Palace and it was full view, absolutely no obstructions. I'm not sure if it was only full view for that particular production, or if the balcony boxes at the Palace are always full view, though.

Updated On: 7/12/14 at 11:48 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 12:31pm

Well box seats are where royals and people of note use to get sat to "get seen" at a particular show. They weren't there for the show, but rather the press, so the seats aren't designed to give you an amazing view. I hate sitting up there because I hate missing out on portions of the stage.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 7/12/14 at 9:00pm

I sat in a balcony box for Violet. I was getting last minute tickets with some friends out-of-town. Although there was some obstruction, I didn't mind it too much. We were able to really see the facial expressions of the actors, and the stage even decorated the wings with that wallpaper they used for the set so it didn't really hurt the "magic" for us. It probably helped that Violet is a small show with a minimal set. Also, I swear Sutton looked my way multiple times (I know she really didn't).

[mamaleh]

Posted: 7/14/14 at 7:04am

When buying any kind of box seats at the box office, always ask whether they are the ones closer to the stage or closer to the stairs. If the former, they should be pretty much OK. If the latter, avoid them. You'll end up seeing nothing but the heads of those sitting next to you in the box.

Updated On: 7/14/14 at 07:04 AM