Theaters Comfortable for "Large" Patrons

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 6/14/18 at 6:33pm

My boyfriend has wanted to see a Broadway show for as long as we have been seeing each other because he knows how important theatre is to me. He really wants to share it with me. However, he is a large guy. Both in height and in weight.  He has felt out of place and unwanted the few times that he has been to theatre productions local to him and it's scared him away from trying to see a show in New York with me. He's afraid his height will obstruct the view of others behind him or size make anyone next to him uncomfortable. I assured him that the one is easy as we will just pick aisle seats so the only one next to him is me, but I don’t know how to assure him about his height. He is afraid to inconvenience someone that paid a lot to see a show yet he doesn’t want to sit all the way in the last row somewhere, especially if it’s a big theatre.

So our question is, what theatres are designed best for larger patrons? Ones with roomier seats, good leg room, and a steep enough incline so that others sitting behind us may be able to see over him? Or ones small enough that sitting in the last row will not feel like sitting a mile away from the action?

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 6/14/18 at 6:51pm

I’m an overweight guy as well, and aisle seats are the best! I always buy one when I can choose my own seat.

As far as which theaters are best, I’ve never felt like I was crowding my neighbor in any Shubert house. I’ve been in the Shubert, the Broadway, the Broadhurst, the Barrymore, the Imperial, the Music Box, the Winter Garden, and the Jacobs. I sat in the orchestra in all of these houses, except the Broadway, when I was in the front mezzanine. Though I’ve never had a problem with any, I’ve found that the Winter Garden, Imperial, and the Barrymore somehow seem the roomiest. I’ve found that orchestra vs. mezzanine can absolutely make a difference!

Legroom and width at Nederlander and Jujamcyn houses are much worse in general, even for aisle seats. I had an aisle seat in the front mezzanine at the St. James recently and probably would’ve been very uncomfortable had the seat next to me not been empty. Same with the Brooks. I actually had to be reseated at the August Wilson (front mezzanine) and Rodgers (rear mezzanine), but the staff were very accommodating. I also had to be reseated at the Beaumont and Lyric recently, though these weren’t aisle seats. Keep in mind, though, that I’m absolutely morbidly obese, and it doesn’t sound like your boyfriend is.

One option that the house manager at the Beaumont suggested to me is to purchase an arm transfer seat, where you can raise the arm of the aisle seat and have much more room. I was a bit surprised at this suggestion, as I would hate to take that seat away from someone in a wheelchair, and I certainly don’t consider my obesity a disability. I’d welcom other thoughts on this!

This is probably too much information, but I wanted to offer my perspective and experience! As far as his height concerns, I wouldn’t worry about it. It comes with the territory, and he absolutely can’t help that! Enjoy the show!

Updated On: 6/14/18 at 06:51 PM

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 6/14/18 at 6:58pm

No this has all been VERY helpful Kade! The more info the better. Thank you. He is working on getting his weight down and it sitting over 400 at the moment. Being that he is tall, he is not super bulky but he's very subconscious about it. This is really helpful.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 6/14/18 at 8:49pm

I’m reallyyyyy tall, so I’ve had my fair share of issues at my multiple visits to all the 41 theaters. My best experiences are always when I can sit in an aisle, or box seat. Box seats have dining room style chairs, and it’s so much more comfortable!

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 6/14/18 at 9:12pm

Scarlet Leigh said: "No this has all been VERY helpful Kade! The more info the better. Thank you. He is working on getting his weight down and it sitting over 400 at the moment. Being that he is tall, he is not super bulky but he's very subconscious about it. This is really helpful."

Sounds like we’re of a similar size! He will most likely be fine in an aisle seat, especially if it’s in the orchestra. Transfer seats might also be an option, given what that house manager told me, as well as the fact that they seem to be sold as regular seats. I’m working on getting weight off, but that’s definitely an option I’ll be considering next time I can’t choose an aisle seat! 

[lovebwy]

Posted: 6/14/18 at 9:12pm

I'm 6'5 and 280lb. It can be very hard to have a good time. Frankly, I'm more concerned with ruining the evening for the person sitting behind me than I am being comfortable myself. If I get a smaller woman sitting behind me, it's very bad for her.

At the Lyric Theater, when I saw On the Town a few years back it was excellent. In the 10th row there are seats with no seats behind them. If you can get an isle seat in a situation like that, you're good.

Also, I good solution is to get box seats. Plenty of leg room, and the person behind you can move their chair.

It really depends on the theater. In most cases, if you plan ahead, you can avoid at least some of the pitfalls of being a large human who enjoys theater. 

Good luck!!

 

 

 

Updated On: 6/14/18 at 09:12 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/14/18 at 11:13pm

Many theaters have seats (or spaces) reserved for the handicapped. These might work for a large (but loveable) person.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 6/14/18 at 11:40pm

Always ask about transfer seats and if anyone gives him guff remind him that he has as much a right to a space and a ticket as anyone else does.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 12:19am

From the POV of a short person whose view is sometimes obstructed

New Amsterdam- slightly obstructed but the box seats are just chairs so you're free to move a bit
Music Box- might be tricky with leg room, etc. (or maybe I was just seated next to a manspreading jerk) but the mezz has a great incline
Booth- I remember thinking the mezz had a good incline
Imperial- Good view from the back. I haven't been since Comet though.
Samuel Friedman- Great view from the back and lots of room on the aisle
Schoenfeld- View is not terrible in the back
Marquis- View is pretty good from the back, rake is decent
Vivian Beaumont- Great rake on the sides. Might be a little tight though. View is also decent from the loge.
Circle in the Square- I've never had a problem with the view here. SRO is also great
Cort- I would recommend the mezz
Palace- Decent rake. There's a section that's blocked off. I think it's row N? If you get seats in the front of that section you have a lot of room.
American Airlines- Good view from the mezz but seating is tight
Brooks Atkinson- Decent rake, great view from SRO

Also, if you feel like seeing anything at 92Y, their main theater has a great view from the back.

[the.hard.part]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 4:20am

Maybe a box seat would make him more comfortable? They are generally freestanding chairs so can be moved a bit to avoid someone directly in front of you

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 7:39am

I was thinking the same thing, but I know some heavy people are concerned with the ability of a single chair to support them.

 

And can I say....what a nice thread to read: an honest and loving concern, all addressed with polite helpfulness.  (it's just nice to see it stay that way.)

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 7:50am

I always make sure to get my larger and/or taller friends an aisle seat and it’s always worked out. 2 very large men sat in front of me at Harry Potter (one on an aisle) and they seemed perfectly fine as well.



...isnt it a little sad when a thread is helpful and nice to read it’s such a surprise that it needs to be pointed out?

[Impossible2]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 7:57am

I don't have the belly problem, but I have the shoulder problem so I always get an aisle seat so I can hang out into the aisle. If I don't its a pretty miserable experience for me and the people either side.

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 8:31am

kade.ivy said: "I actually had to be reseated at the August Wilson (front mezzanine) and Rodgers (rear mezzanine), but the staff were very accommodating."

I second your warning about these two theatres.

We sat in the front center mezzanine for Groundhog Day, and while we loved the show itself, the viewing experience was easily the worst we've ever had in a theatre (and my husband and I are both about 5'10" and 185 lbs.). There is very little rake, so the head in front of you blocks your view, and legroom is virtually nonexistent. Like sitting in a dollhouse.

We sat in the rear right orchestra (row V) for Hamilton and I was in almost as much pain as at Groundhog Day. Again, legroom is all-but nonexistent. An excruciating experience.

On a side note, how nice it is to read a friendly, helpful thread with none of the usual suspects popping in to add their snarky comments. This is rare around here.

Updated On: 6/15/18 at 08:31 AM

[Wick3]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 8:57am

My theater buddy when she visits NYC is large (5'5 and 300 pounds) so we're quite picky with our seats. For most theaters, we prefer the box since they have freestanding chairs that tend to be more comfortable than the regular seats. They also tend to be partial-view and thus cheaper in the pricing.

If the box is unavailable, we always try to get an aisle seat in side orchestra (aisle closer to center orchestra) or side mezz (aisle closer to center mezz) as we find that even if the person in front of us is tall, the view is not obstructed because we have to slightly tilt our heads anyway to see center stage. I hope this makes sense. 

I saw Harry Potter last week and my suggestion is to get one of the boxes as there are plenty of room and freestanding chairs. In addition, in orchestra row K has the most legroom.

Since the World Cup recently started, this thread reminded me of Brazil 2014 and their larger seats for larger patrons (though I don't think these larger seats should be priced more than the seats next to them.)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2286535/Fat-seats-2014-World-Cup-youll-pay-double-price.html

[coasterking500]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 9:02am

I am a Big Broad and Beautiful theatre patron myself who goes to everything I can.

One theatre that is a big problem i find is the St. James especially the mezzanine. Even on an aisle seat. As someone stated aisle seats are the way to go. I'll spend little extra to pick one.

As far as blocking views it happens and some are nice and polite, others have hit me in the back of the head to try to resolve their problems.

If I may add some advice I do. Wear pants over shorts if at all possible. Some seats can really dig into your legs and be quite unfun. I also carry a scarf around year round at theatres. Test the seat when you get to it, you'll notice problem areas then you cab wrap a leg or pad a hip with the scarf to minimize discomfort.

Be glad to help with any advice in any way I Can! Background I'm 6'4 375 myself. I really do hope you get him and he enjoys himself!

Oh quick bit the only time another theatre guest ever really complained was at the Al Hirschfeld. I was with a friend and she freaked because my leg was encroaching her space which was unavoidable in the space. Ushers and house management got involved and a week wonderful couple came forward to apologize for the woman and offered to switch seats for us. That was the only time I've ever had someone complain that I had to be moved.

[schubox]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 9:08am

Good suggestions throughout, not much to add from me. I’m also not small and really, Broadway is never going to be comfortable. As suggested above, aisle seats are your best bet. Some theaters just run really small though.

A friend of my mother’s went to Hamilton in a Chicago and she literally couldn’t fit in to her seat and had to stand in the back to watch. She was humiliated obviously.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 9:36am

I would warn against seating in the mezzanine in the Niel Simon Theatre. I'm a small person and I felt cramped like sardines while watching Angels in America.

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 11:39am

I'm 6'8 and 350lbs and have been in nearly every theatre on Broadway, and what I've discovered is the my girth is almost never the issue I face (aside from getting in and out of the seat because of the armrests). 

My problem is that my legs are around 36-38" and my feet a size 16, and so my knees either jut out into the seats in front of me, or (because of the height of the seat) are bent in an uncomfortable squat (my knees higher than my hips instead of level). I often apologize to patrons around me before a show in case I have to fidget and get comfortable.

If the seat is supremely uncomfortable, I can usually ask the house manager or an usher for a seat change and (provided it isn't sold out) they usually are able to accommodate me, usually with the arm transfer seat or a standalone chair. 

In re: buying a transfer seat, I've never done that because I see all of the ticketing websites saying that "these are for patrons with wheelchair disabilities, and if you can't demonstrate a disability, then your ticket will be cancelled" or something along those lines.

For me, the two absolutely WORST theatres for my size are Studio 54 and the Broadhurst. The rear mezzanine at Studio 54 is not meant to fit anyone who isn't a small child, and I've actually lost circulation in my legs and almost fell down the stairs because I had no feeling in my legs. For the Broadhurst, the rows are too close together and my legs cannot squeeze in without impacting the person in front of me by bending their seat forward entirely.

I have ALOT of feelings on this topic and I think with the price of theatre tickets going up, these theatres should take the time to maybe do what the Lyric did and remove/expand their seats. I'm forever grateful for all of the ushers and house managers who have helped me make theatre more enjoyable, because even though I could stand to lose a bit a weight, I cannot fix my height and I hate that it feels like a penalty in order to enjoy a show.

[irishgator1]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 12:08pm

My husband is tall too and an aisle seat is absolutely a necessity for him. What I’ve found in my limited experience is that first row mezz seats can (by not always) be difficult depending on what kind of barrier is right there. I’m short so I’ve been sitting on a booster seat while he’s next to me in the aisle.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 1:09pm

I'm an average height and weight but have long legs and I find a lot of seats uncomfortable so I definitely feel for you all when it comes to dealing with this. I usually try to get an aisle seat myself because of how uncomfortable I find the leg room in most places. 

Depending on what show you are seeing the last row aisle seat might not be a bad option though, I've sat in the back of the orchestra and the last row in the building completely and most of the theatres still offer a fantastic view.

Show wise I recommend Once on this Island at the circle in the square because it is a really tiny theatre so a last row aisle seat will only be like row 7 in some of the sections. So you'll still be close to all the action and he might be more comfortable knowing that he won't be blocking anyone and that you're still sitting close.

Updated On: 6/15/18 at 01:09 PM

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 3:39pm

Echoing an earlier post, the tenor and insight in this thread are making my Friday!

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 5:03pm

If he's comfortable standing for a duration of a performance, standing room tickets are readily available for popular shows.  Otherwise, have him sit on an aisle with you sitting next to him in the row.  That way he isn't disturbing any patrons in case the chair is too small.  Good luck!

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 6:07pm

let me also vote for the Box seats.  We saw Hamilton and Come From Away a couple weeks ago from the Boxes. Unlimited leg room and tons of butt room, and so close to the action!

[Dolly80]

Posted: 6/15/18 at 6:52pm

The cruel irony that America has some of the largest people in the word and the smallest seats in its theatres. I am short and slim and I get uncomfortable in these seats