Having never been to a Broadway show, I'm wondering if paying the extra $30 to sit closer is worth it or do all of the seats provide adequate viewing? In particular, I'm looking at the Ambassador theater where Chicago is playing. All of the seats costing less than $100 are in the rear mezzanine area - it's just a matter of how far back they are. Thanks.

Hi, I have only ever been to shows in New York City, but it has been my experience that all the seats provide adequate viewing. However, I guess it would depend on the indivivdual theater and how it is set up. I recently saw a show in NY and was in the LAST ROW of the entire theater, but I could see everythhing perfectly and enjoyed saving all that money...Buy yourself dinner with the money you can save!!

It also depends on what you mean by adequate. Unless they are obstructed view seats you should have a view of the entire stage, but some seats can be very far away, making everything more difficult to see.

I don't know that particular theater, though, so can't help with the details.

I will say that more often than not we've bought cheaper seats and been satisfied, but sometimes I do wish I were sitting closer.

It does make a difference where you sit but it is a personal judgement as to the value. We saw three shows last weekend. At Hairspray we were in the mezzanine and could not see some of activity that took place toward the very front of the stage that extended into the orchestra section. Did I care? No, because I didn't think Hairspray was worth another dime than I spent. We were in another theatre and all but the first few rows could be bad because the seating was not raised enough so any time there was someone a bit taller than you in front it obstructed a good bit of the show. The last show we saw we had orchestra seats (Twelve Angry Men) and felt the mezzanine would have been OK.

When are you planning to see Chicago? There are discount tickets available in the orchestra.

We are hoping to see it May 28. How does one get the discounted seats?

Use TKTs when you get there. I got an 8th row center seat for Hairspray.

Discount tickets for May performances probably won't be available until sometime in March. Go to the Playbill website (www.playbill.com) and join (it's free). Then, keep checking back as the date gets closer. However, it's questionable whether the discount offer would be valid for a Saturday performance.