Orchestra Seating Question?

I have heard that orchestra seats for the Nutcracker are not the best seats in the house, even if they are dead center. Can anyone explain why this is?

Orchestra Seating Question?

IN dance performances it is optimal to sit in the front Mezzanine.

You get a better view of the stage and can appreciate the performance better.

Orchestra Seating Question?

At the New York State Theater the best seats for ballet are in the center of the first ring. I believe that the next best seats are in the center front of the second ring although the second ring is less expensive than the orchestra.

In addition to everything that previous posters have said -- i.e., ballet is best viewed from above (and this applies to all theaters) -- you should know that the orchestra at the NY State Theater, where the NYC Ballet performs, does not have a center aisle. All rows are entered from the right and left sides. So if you are sitting dead center you have a long walk and lots of people to climb over to get to your seat. And if you are sitting toward the sides, you will have lots of people climbing over you to get to their seats.

The most fantastic seating I%26#39;ve ever experienced for any ballet/opera is Moscow%26#39;s Bolshoi Theater. Incredible acoustics and view -- no matter where you sit!!

If you sit in the orchastra - you do not of a view of the full stage, including the back. The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center uses the full stage - for the best view - I recommend 1st, 2nd, or 3rd ring - center of course. But even if you are off-center and in one of those rings you still get a great view.

Greetings

There are really NO bad seats in the New York State Theatre as it was built specifically for dance - it%26#39;s not at all like the horror that is the Met. I%26#39;ve seen many performances there - mostly from Orchestra or Fourth Ring, and there are plenty of seats in the orchestra with great views since the rake of the seats is excellent. The problem is that orchestra seats are very expensive for the Nutcracker performances. If you don%26#39;t want to shell out megabucks, your best bet is 2nd or 3rd ring.

FYI, The best orchestra seats are in the center around rows H - N.

To be honest, there are some ballets that I like to see from above, but I think the Nutcracker works best from the Orchestra seats. There isn%26#39;t much going on in the back of the stage and some of the theatrical %26#39;tricks%26#39; are better seen from straigh on, rather than from above.

If you haven%26#39;t, I would buy tickets soon, as the Nutcracker is very popular. A number of shows have already sold out except for the 4th ring ticket (NYCB has a ticket availability chart on their website).

Kate

I splurged and got orchestra seats near center row J. I can not wait to see this performance in New York!

Try www.broadwaybox.com for seating charts of Boradway theaters, as well as tickets discounts, listings and reviews.