blh

Can anyone tell me about the seating at Studio 54? Would the front tables (immediately in front of the orchestra and to the side of the stage) be better or the front row of the front mezzanine? They are the same price - also is Cabaret still really good? I know it is closing, and we are considering seeing it at Christmas before it closes. Thanks for the help!

mclaurie

blh, I THINK there was a discussion about this once before if you do a text search. I sat at one of the tables right at the stage. I was very uncomfortable (the chairs have no arms) AND I was looking at crotches of the dancers I was so close. I would have preferred sitting in the first row of regular seats (don't know if this is called the mezzanine). Sitting at a table does give you the feeling of actually being at a cabaret though.

Steve042

I saw Cabaret during my recent trip to NY and loved it. Susan Egan was breathtaking. Adam Pascal (the Emcee) was decent, but not my favorite. I saw it from the tables in the front (not on the side though) and had a blast. As the other posted mentioned, the seats ARE less comfortable than the theater seats. They are just regular chairs. If you prefer comfort - go for the mezz - I sat there last time I saw the show and the view was MORE than fine. It's a small theater, so there really aren't any bad seats.

If you want the visceral experience - go for the table seats... depending on which side you are - you might even become part of the action!

Patrick

By the way, I saw the original "glistening and pretty" Cabaret on Broadway many years ago. So when I sat up close for this new "gritty" version, what struck me was having women's hairy armpits and unshaven legs practically thrust in our faces, noticing the big tears in the fishnets of the chorus girls, and the "dirty" worn costumes generally. It was really "in your face" stuff and it worked!!

Gekko

I sat at the stage-side tables and loved the experience. Credit my relative youth perhaps, but I didn't notice the uncomfortable chairs (you old folks should consider bringing a heating pad next time -- ha ha!).

In my opinion, sitting at the tables is more like being at a real cabaret and not a Broadway show. You're transported in time back to pre-WWII Germany, and it's great.

Cabaret closes on January 4, so catch it while you still can.

Patrick

Well, Gekko, maybe you have more natural padding on your seat than some of us. The chairs were hard.

Steve042

Patrick. I agree. They were hard, but not unbearable. Maybe (this time?) it was *also* part of the feel of REALLY being in a WW II cabaret. Or at least in Germany.

I also caught the original production, and while I loved it then - I think I enjoy the grittier revival.

Oh - and kudos to Blair Brown too.

Gekko

Patrick, considering I'm running in the marathon tomorrow (for the 5th consecutive year), I doubt it. I just don't notice such things as "hard chairs," particularly when I'm enjoying myself.

Perhaps it's the family stoicism as opposed to my relative youth.

And kudos to Molly Ringwald for bringing some vulnerability to her role.

gaffannie

We saw the show a few years ago and sat at the tables on the right side of the stage. We loved the experience of being seated with strangers because we had so much fun talking with them before the show and during intermission. Our table mates were from Long Island and we're from Minnesota, so we compared our different lifestyles etc. We were envious of them because of their proximity to Manhattan and they were envious of us, wanting to hear all about the Mall of America. (I've only been to the MOA 3-4 times since it opened and can't believe that's the first thing people think of when they hear "Minnesota.") But I digress--back to the seating choice.
We loved being so close to the action, but we missed a lot of what went on on stage because some of the action was over our heads--literally. We told ourselves if we ever had a chance to see the show again, we would sit in the mezzanine. We are going back to NYC in Dec., and I just finished ordering our front row mezzanine seats. We were THRILLED to find out the show's run was extended to the end of the year.

blh

Thanks for all the help - we decided on table seating, but further back and more to the center. Being part of the cabaret really sounds fun - am hoping the seats aren't too uncomfortable! Thanks for helping us decide. We are really excited to see Cabaret now that we have the tickets!

dan_woodlief

I am thinking of getting tickets for next week. It really is hard to pick seats for this place. How about sitting in the 7th or 8th row tables versus say the 3rd or 4th row front mezzanine? Any advantage to either. I will be going alone, if that matters at all.

Nikki

My family really enjoyed this show. Sitting at a table, we had much more room than individual theater seats usually allow. More room for drinks and refreshments too. Also, the emcee of the show came around and interacted with people at the tables, including putting his arm around my husband and clowning around with us while there was other action on the stage.

Patrick

Dan, that's a hard one. I tend to like being closer because I like to see expressions and faces and can't do that from a distance. The main floor is all flat, so although the stage is raised slightly (not a whole lot) you may have more heads in the way. If you see well from a distance, I suspect that those mezzanine seats might be better in terms of viewing and may end up being just about as close to the stage. I also suspect that 7th or 8th row downstairs tables really means "the very back".

suzanne

I sat at a table near the back. I seem to remember that it was on a raised area, so the view was great, actually, even though we were off to the side. It was difficult fitting 4 of us at such a small table, but a nice change of pace from regular theater seating. Plus we ordered some drinks...a great way to see a great show!

dan_woodlief

Just saw Cabaret last week. I think you will like the table seats, blh. I sat just left of center at a table on the first raised row (table 205). This was an excellent seat. It put me very close to the action (probably similar to the front row of the mezzanine), without being under the mezzanine overhang. I think the lower mezzanine seats would be fabulous too (I had a hard decision choosing between my seat and the front row of the mezzanine, but I wanted the table experience. The seats are slighly uncomfortable, and the tables are small, but it is worth it for the atmosphere. I hope you enjoy the show. I thought it was tremendous - funny, good music (Sally Egan is great), and thought-provoking too.

scubadive

Show the show with Molly Ringwald. Front row tables in the center are the best!! We were so glad we were able to get those seats. I agree with the postings, as you actually feel as though you are in a cabaret -- a unique experience for a Broadway show! Plus the cast mingles with the front row tables prior to the show. Loved it!