A recent article in the New York Times, entitled Getting the Most Ballet (View) for Your Buck got me thinking about seat locations. People ask me all the time where the best seats are at STG’s venues and I always have a difficult time answering that question. In fact I don’t think there is one correct answer. It’s not only a matter of preference but a matter of value. Are you looking for the best acoustics or the best view? Do you like to be able to see the entirety of the stage in one sweeping view so as to never miss any of the action? Or do you prefer to see the beads of sweat on the performers' brows? And of course, how much is that seat worth to you?
Personally, for a Broadway show like Mary Poppins, I like the Main Floor center sections in the Paramount Theatre. These are what most people think of when they think of the best seats in the house. The performers tend to play to the Main Floor a little more than the balcony and the acoustics tend to be a little better there, especially in the center sections. For my money, about 10-20 rows back is the sweet spot for most musicals. For something like Spectrum Dance Theater, or just about any dance for that matter, I prefer the balcony. I like the sweeping views. I find the First or even Second Mezzanine of The Paramount or the Balcony Circle of The Moore to be a great place to watch modern dance. There are even some shows, like this season’s Sankai Juku (at The Paramount this past November), where I think the best seat in the house was all the way up in the third mezzanine. It felt like you were watching the celestial movements of the stars and truly magical. For a rock concert, on the other hand, those Loge seats available only to Paramount Club members are pinnacle of cool to me and worth every penny! The acoustics, the view, and the amenities make those easily the best seats in town to see your favorite band! Talk about VIP seating!
Of course that brings us to the question of value: Is a more expensive seat a better seat? Maybe, maybe not. Again this is question of personal preference. I’ve got clients that only want to sit in the front row. They like nothing better than feeling like the practically on stage and are willing to pay a premium for it! For others, the cost difference between a seat on the Main Floor in Row A and a seat in Row AA make AA a better value.
In my opinion there isn’t a best seat in the house any more than there is a bad seat in the house. The real is question is “What’s the best seat for you?” So tell us, where are your favorite seats and why?
- Anthony Detrano is the Marketing Sales Manager at STG and responsible for STG’s group sales. For more info on group sales and how to get the best seats and the best deals on STG shows, email him at groups@stgpresents.org.
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