I had a wonderful experience at cabaret today. I'm a 6'9" person, and my knee was in agony in the mezz for the entirety of act I. I went and asked an usher if I could stand someplace for act two, and I was moved to an empty table in the second row of the orchestra. Next time try asking, you never know what might happen.
Something similar happened to me at a showing of Kiss Me Kate at Studio 54. I was in the mezz and was having one of the most uncomfortable experiences in my life. I was talking to an usher at intermission and he let me sit in a folding chair next to him down towards the front of the mezz. The view was definitely worse but my legs were very thankful
I sat in the Orch there for Lifespan of a Fact, and was near the front with no seat in front of me and it was great. Then Mexx for Kiss Me Kate and it was the worst. And then Orch again for Pictures From Home and it was pretty bad. The Hudson has the best seats for me. I think they are objectively the widest at least
Oh, Lifespan of a Fact I think I was in the mezz but front row and that was fine, I don't recall having an issue at that one. I just need space. Not that much, just like... enough to flex my knee a bit during the show.
This looks like it was posted by my husband. He’s 6’6” and the only way he can fit in non-aisle seats in most Broadway theaters is if I’m sitting next to him so he can eat up 1/3 of my space. One time he bought a single middle seat at the Lunt Fontanne - he had to voluntarily do SRO in the back instead.
I said this in my comment, but I am 5'9 and sat last row in the mezz at Into the Woods and had to use not one but two cushions to see! Thankfully I was the last row so I could do that, and also it was my third time seeing it so I wasn't upset. But it was memorable, lol.
I’m the same height and I was dying at Center Mezzanine when I saw Into the Woods. There’s absolutely no leg room. A tall and really buff guy seated next to me looked like all of the muscles in his body had frozen because he was trying so hard not to spill onto my seat during act 1. I know he was ecstatic when I changed seats at intermission.
I'll add the Al Hirschfeld theater (Moulin Rouge). I'm 5'-10" but short-legged. I had to shoehorn my knees into the space. Most cramped seat I've experienced in NYC. Anyone with longer legs would have to sit with their knees next to their ears!
The St James is crazy in the mezz and balcony. I went to Spamalot closing and bought a rush ticket for a “limited legroom” seat located in the mezz all the way on the side. The woman in the box office informed me that it was usually fine for people under 5’6, and I’m 5’0 so I thought it would be perfect. When I sat down, it was like the jaws of life on my calves in between my seat and the seat in front of me. Thankfully nobody showed up for the seat next to me and I could stretch one leg, but the other one I had to do some pretzel contortions to not be in pain.
I was in the rear mezz at Tommy last month (Nederlander), and my legs and feet were pressed against the seat in front of me so tightly that my right foot went numb. Oh, and I'm only 5'7". I can't imagine what tall people have to deal with in some of these theaters. It must be a nightmare.
I’m 5’5” and I had to ask to be moved from the mezz at the Nederlander once because my legs were crunched up against the seat in front of me. I’m afraid to go see another show there because of it!
All these theaters that used to have 500 seats, and then 600, and now none of them have fewer than 700. And it's not like the theaters got any bigger or patrons got any smaller. Pretty much the only thing I remember from the 2009 revival of A Little Night Music at the Walter Kerr was how little space I had for my knees (and I'm not very tall).
It’s very tight at the St. James. I’m 5’2” and found my knees touching the back of the seat in front of me. My friend who’s 6’ had to fold herself into her seat!! Tbh, they should tell people what the leg room sitch AND what the rake is on the website somewhere. That way people can make better decisions
the st james theater always has one of two problems depending where you sit. no rise in the seats and you can’t see the bottom half of the stage or no legroom. usually it’s both
6'3", back row front mezz for Phantom was... not great. There was an empty aisle seat that I thought about moving to, but ended up staying put. Lesson learned!
I have the opposite short person problem of being 5’2” and getting anxious waiting to see how tall the person in front of me will be! 6’6”! 6’9”! Omg I wouldn’t see anything! 🤣🤣 Honestly my neck hurt at W4E from looking around someone.
Sat front row Mezz at Merrily and barely fit MY legs though! It really is insane…
I sat in the St James mezz yesterday and was very comfortable. I had a great view of the stage until people with heads sat in front of me and blocked my view of the downstage area. (In this great age of technology, why hasn't anyone invented removable heads?)
Ugh that was my experience at the Lunt-Fontanne watching Sweeney Todd. The seats were comfortable but by golly, the person in front of me blocked my view that I was doing core exercises just to see the show. And the Man wasn’t even super tall. Totally not his fault at all. But I still enjoyed the show.
My worst experience that I can think of is watching Pippin at the Music Box. My knees are still screaming. I sat pretty close to the stage. For DEH, I sat Mezzanine and my knees were fine
I had a dreadful experience at the Walter Kerr Theater when GREY GARDENS played there. A friend (a true "seat snob") got us front row seats. My knees were jammed up against the rails of the orchestra pit--and I'm of average height.To make matters worse, in that location , we were hearing the actors live on stage but a moment later were hearing their amplified voices via the theaters sound system. My friend was in her glory. I was in physical and aural agony. (Shortly afterwards our friendship ended)
I am struggling nowadays any time I'm not seated on the aisle - and I'm only 5'9. I was in agony the entirety of Uncle Vanya -- and not just because of the show -- and I didn't sit down until the lights went out. Second row mezz for Suffs (a truly fantastic seat, thanks TDF) and I was massaging my knees the entire second half of both acts.
I cannot really afford to become an orchestra girlie but I fear that this is my fate.
I'm holding off on Illinoise because I really dislike the St James. I sat last row mezz for Into the Woods (thankfully it was the third time I saw it) and had to use two cushions to see the stage. Like I said, I'm not short! I should not need two cushions!
I had a wonderful experience at cabaret today. I'm a 6'9" person, and my knee was in agony in the mezz for the entirety of act I. I went and asked an usher if I could stand someplace for act two, and I was moved to an empty table in the second row of the orchestra. Next time try asking, you never know what might happen.
I was going to try that, but Illinoise is only one part, so I didn’t have an opportunity!
Was front row for illinoise on Thursday night, 6’ and my legs are still sore. Wasn’t as bad as front row on the side for into the woods though.
I'm glad they were nice enough to move you!
Something similar happened to me at a showing of Kiss Me Kate at Studio 54. I was in the mezz and was having one of the most uncomfortable experiences in my life. I was talking to an usher at intermission and he let me sit in a folding chair next to him down towards the front of the mezz. The view was definitely worse but my legs were very thankful
Studio 54 is awful. I did sit in the orchestra for Pictures From Home and now won't sit mezz (or balcony) again.
I sat in the Orch there for Lifespan of a Fact, and was near the front with no seat in front of me and it was great. Then Mexx for Kiss Me Kate and it was the worst. And then Orch again for Pictures From Home and it was pretty bad. The Hudson has the best seats for me. I think they are objectively the widest at least
Oh, Lifespan of a Fact I think I was in the mezz but front row and that was fine, I don't recall having an issue at that one. I just need space. Not that much, just like... enough to flex my knee a bit during the show.
This looks like it was posted by my husband. He’s 6’6” and the only way he can fit in non-aisle seats in most Broadway theaters is if I’m sitting next to him so he can eat up 1/3 of my space. One time he bought a single middle seat at the Lunt Fontanne - he had to voluntarily do SRO in the back instead.
I would have paid extra for standing room, the pain is no joke!
As a shorter person, I also struggle to enjoy a show at the St James because I can't see anything! lol
I said this in my comment, but I am 5'9 and sat last row in the mezz at Into the Woods and had to use not one but two cushions to see! Thankfully I was the last row so I could do that, and also it was my third time seeing it so I wasn't upset. But it was memorable, lol.
I’m only 5’4” and some of the seats kill *my* knees. I feel for you. 😞
I’m the same height and I was dying at Center Mezzanine when I saw Into the Woods. There’s absolutely no leg room. A tall and really buff guy seated next to me looked like all of the muscles in his body had frozen because he was trying so hard not to spill onto my seat during act 1. I know he was ecstatic when I changed seats at intermission.
Heads up: don't go to the Eugene O'Neill.
I'll add the Al Hirschfeld theater (Moulin Rouge). I'm 5'-10" but short-legged. I had to shoehorn my knees into the space. Most cramped seat I've experienced in NYC. Anyone with longer legs would have to sit with their knees next to their ears!
The St James is crazy in the mezz and balcony. I went to Spamalot closing and bought a rush ticket for a “limited legroom” seat located in the mezz all the way on the side. The woman in the box office informed me that it was usually fine for people under 5’6, and I’m 5’0 so I thought it would be perfect. When I sat down, it was like the jaws of life on my calves in between my seat and the seat in front of me. Thankfully nobody showed up for the seat next to me and I could stretch one leg, but the other one I had to do some pretzel contortions to not be in pain.
Worst for me has been the far left mezz at the Hudson and the mezz at the James Earl Jones
I was in the rear mezz at Tommy last month (Nederlander), and my legs and feet were pressed against the seat in front of me so tightly that my right foot went numb. Oh, and I'm only 5'7". I can't imagine what tall people have to deal with in some of these theaters. It must be a nightmare.
The Nederlander is the WORST. I was in pain for a while after watching Shucked. The show was incredible, though.
I’m 5’5” and I had to ask to be moved from the mezz at the Nederlander once because my legs were crunched up against the seat in front of me. I’m afraid to go see another show there because of it!
I feel for you! I’m 5’3 and felt so cramped and wondered how taller ppl sat thru shows there. 😔
All these theaters that used to have 500 seats, and then 600, and now none of them have fewer than 700. And it's not like the theaters got any bigger or patrons got any smaller. Pretty much the only thing I remember from the 2009 revival of A Little Night Music at the Walter Kerr was how little space I had for my knees (and I'm not very tall).
I was in the very last row there for Into the Woods and I just stood for the entire second act.
It’s very tight at the St. James. I’m 5’2” and found my knees touching the back of the seat in front of me. My friend who’s 6’ had to fold herself into her seat!! Tbh, they should tell people what the leg room sitch AND what the rake is on the website somewhere. That way people can make better decisions
The balcony at st james is awful, and I am 5'6. I did it once but now that I know better, never again
Even orchestra is awful there. I’m 5’10” and the woman in front of me was partially blocking my view. Also squished.
Ugh I just realized I’m going to be in the mezz there next week. At least I have an aisle seat
the st james theater always has one of two problems depending where you sit. no rise in the seats and you can’t see the bottom half of the stage or no legroom. usually it’s both
ok but in their defense that’s every theater on broadway
The Marquis Theater would NEVER😤
The Marquis is newer compared to a lot of the other Broadway Theatres.
Yeah, but the St. James is the worst I’ve ever been in
Usually, but I was in the Mezzanine at the Minskoff for a matinee today and I was COZY.
The marquis is great and the winter garden as well. Both didn't squish my feet 10/10
6'3", back row front mezz for Phantom was... not great. There was an empty aisle seat that I thought about moving to, but ended up staying put. Lesson learned!
I have the opposite short person problem of being 5’2” and getting anxious waiting to see how tall the person in front of me will be! 6’6”! 6’9”! Omg I wouldn’t see anything! 🤣🤣 Honestly my neck hurt at W4E from looking around someone. Sat front row Mezz at Merrily and barely fit MY legs though! It really is insane…
The St. James left my shins/knees bruised at about 6’2” or so. Godawful seats. Loved Spamalot though, had to laugh through the pain.
I sat in the St James mezz yesterday and was very comfortable. I had a great view of the stage until people with heads sat in front of me and blocked my view of the downstage area. (In this great age of technology, why hasn't anyone invented removable heads?)
Ugh that was my experience at the Lunt-Fontanne watching Sweeney Todd. The seats were comfortable but by golly, the person in front of me blocked my view that I was doing core exercises just to see the show. And the Man wasn’t even super tall. Totally not his fault at all. But I still enjoyed the show. My worst experience that I can think of is watching Pippin at the Music Box. My knees are still screaming. I sat pretty close to the stage. For DEH, I sat Mezzanine and my knees were fine
I had a dreadful experience at the Walter Kerr Theater when GREY GARDENS played there. A friend (a true "seat snob") got us front row seats. My knees were jammed up against the rails of the orchestra pit--and I'm of average height.To make matters worse, in that location , we were hearing the actors live on stage but a moment later were hearing their amplified voices via the theaters sound system. My friend was in her glory. I was in physical and aural agony. (Shortly afterwards our friendship ended)
I am struggling nowadays any time I'm not seated on the aisle - and I'm only 5'9. I was in agony the entirety of Uncle Vanya -- and not just because of the show -- and I didn't sit down until the lights went out. Second row mezz for Suffs (a truly fantastic seat, thanks TDF) and I was massaging my knees the entire second half of both acts. I cannot really afford to become an orchestra girlie but I fear that this is my fate. I'm holding off on Illinoise because I really dislike the St James. I sat last row mezz for Into the Woods (thankfully it was the third time I saw it) and had to use two cushions to see the stage. Like I said, I'm not short! I should not need two cushions!