Need help with Phantom seats

[persephone88]

Posted: 12/4/18 at 5:40pm

My 16 year old daughter has been begging for years to go see Phantom. She's never seen it live, and we'd like to make this her big Christmas gift this year - however, we won't be able to actually go until AFTER New Year's. 

My first question is where would the best view be? She is not tall, and often is bothered when someone tall sits in front of her. She usually loves being very close to the stage, but not sure if that is the best place for Phantom - don't some scenes take place in or near the mezz? I think she would love to be front row, but not sure if she will miss anything important there...

Also, I'd like to get discount tickets if possible...but still want something to wrap up and put under the tree for her to open. The best time for us to go would be in April, but right now, discount tickets only seem to go to the beginning of March. Will any further discount dates be added before Christmas, do you think? Or would it be better to just choose an earlier date so that she can have the tickets and know the seats on Christmas day? 

Thanks for any advice!

[Mike Costa]

Posted: 12/4/18 at 6:02pm

There will be no further discounts added. Print out the logo of the show and put it in a Christmas card with a note saying that she is invited to see the show in March then sign it O.G., if she is a fan of the show she will understand.

Always avoid the first five rows out of musical since you cannot see the entire stage and take in the spectacle.... And this show is spectacle. What a nice gift, you are a Very thoughtful parent.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/4/18 at 6:04pm

When I bring my grandchildren to the theater, we sit in the mezz because there's stadium seating up there and the kids are able the see everything on stage.

You might be able to get the original PHANTOM novel, write a note in it explaining your intentions, and wrap it as a gift.

You should be able to get discounts at BroadwayBox.com closer to the date.

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 12/4/18 at 6:06pm

Mike Costa said: "There will be no further discounts added. Print out the logo of the show and put it in a Christmas card with a note saying that she is invited to see the show in March then sign it O.G., if she is a fan of the show she will understand.

Always avoid the first five rows out of musical since you cannot see the entire stage and take in the spectacle.... And this show is spectacle. What a nice gift, you are a Very thoughtful parent."

The card signed "OG" is such a cute idea and you should totally do that.

However I disgree on the front row, I sat in the front row left orch on a lottery win and LOVED the view. I didn't have any issues at all. At the end I felt like the Phantom was looking right at me. Unforgettable. 

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 12/4/18 at 6:06pm

If she's been waiting for years, just go with front row center. The stage is low, and, yes, a couple of things are better viewed from the mezzanine, but I think she'll love being up close so much that she won't care one bit. I looked up dates in April, and it looks like regular price for front row center is as low as $119, which is a great deal. 

Updated On: 12/4/18 at 06:06 PM

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 12/4/18 at 6:07pm

CT2NYC said: "If she's been waiting for years, just go with front row center. The stage is low, and, yes, a couple of things are better viewed from the mezzanine, but I think she'll love being up close so much, that she won't care one bit. I looked up dates in April, and it looks like regular price for front row center is as low as $119, which is a great deal."

Just be careful with dead center as the conductor's head/arms might block her view. 

[Demitri2]

Posted: 12/4/18 at 6:12pm

We sat in the first row center orchestra the last time we saw PHANTOM and loved the show from that view. There's quite a distance from the first row to the actual stage so you don't have to worry about being too close. The only thing is you have to look over your shoulder when the chandelier drops however by the time that happens your attention is already drawn to it so it really doesn't matter. I highly recommend row A.    

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 12/4/18 at 6:18pm

Demitri2 said: "We sat in the first row center orchestra the last time we saw PHANTOM and loved the show from that view. There's quite a distance from the first row to the actual stage so you don't have to worry about being too close. The only thing is you have tolook over your shoulder when the chandelier drops however by the time that happens your attention is already drawn to it so it really doesn't matter. I highly recommend row A."

Front row center is BB, just to clarify.

Updated On: 12/4/18 at 06:18 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 12/5/18 at 8:52am

I've seen this show at The Majestic many, many times, from various places in the house, so my comments come from extensive personal experience.

I highly recommend that you go with orchestra center, somewhere between rows BB and K. As might be expected, most of this section is designated as "Premium Seating", so these seats can be pricey.

Rows I-J are positioned where the mid-orchestra entry aisles come in from the sides (there are no side orchestra seats in these rows), so they offer easy access, if that's important to you.

The mezzanine overhang starts around row J, so if you go much further back than that you will miss half of the chandelier ascent/descent and all of the Phantom's appearances on the catwalk above the proscenium. 

You can often get good deals on the first two or three center orchestra rows (i.e., BB, A, and sometimes B) if you buy early. The stage for this show is not high and the conductor is positioned low in the pit, so there will be no visual obstructions or neck strain, even from the first row.

 

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The only caveat is that you must know when to look up in order to see the Phantom's appearances on the catwalk, which are during the "Il Muto" scene and at the end of act one, when he drops the chandelier.

On the plus side, you can't get any closer to the chandelier's path than here, so you'll get the maximum effect. If you can afford to go a few rows back (e.g., rows C-F), you'll get the best possible viewing experience; if not, the first three rows offer an excellent value.

I've never had a good experience from the front or rear mezzanine at this theatre. It's a relatively large house and the upstairs seats feel very removed to me, as if I'm watching the show from outside, through a window. By contrast, the front orchestra feels incredibly immersive, as if you are part of the action rather than simply a spectator.

If you cannot get seats in the center of a row and must choose to be more on the house left or house right, I recommend house left, if only for the blocking during "Stranger Than You Dreamt It".

One final note, and I mention this only because the topic has come up on the boards several times of late - if anyone in your party has a problem with the sound of gunshots, there are two in this show.

 

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Both gunshots will be rather "immediate" from the first few rows of the orchestra. About midway through the second act, an actor playing a policeman will climb up from the center of the orchestra pit, directly behind the conductor, and you will see him from about chest-up, wielding a pistol. He will fire the pistol from that position, so if you're seated near the center of row BB, it will happen right in front of you. Later in the second act, the policeman will again fire the pistol from the wings at house left, as the Phantom abducts Christine at the end of "The Point of No Return".

 

Updated On: 12/5/18 at 08:52 AM

[labellaragazza1]

Posted: 12/5/18 at 9:56am

Another repeat viewer here- I'm just over 5 feet so I understand her pain! The Majestic is actually pretty well set up in that regard, where I don't think her view will be impeded. For first timers, I would say sit a couple rows back in the orchestra, to get the full view of the stage (echoing Lot666, BB-K are awesome, with premium being about 4 rows back I believe). Avoid the Mezz overhang if you can help it.  I sometimes consider the very front to be too close for someone that doesn't know the show as well as I do, as there are a lot of great details happening on all parts of the stage, and when you're close it can be hard to focus on the action when things are going on (Masquerade is a good example of wanting to see the whole stage, as there is a lot happening everywhere)

 

I also found the front of the front mezz to be great if you want to see the overall splendor of the production, but as a treat, I would have her sit under the chandelier if you could.

[kelsey1389]

Posted: 12/5/18 at 11:40am

I went when I was a lot younger so I was super short, but I sat in probably the 5th row center orchestra and was absolutely mind blown. It was my first Broadway show and I still remember thinking that the chandelier was going to hit me on its way up. You should be able to see everything pretty well from those seats.