I'm hoping a knowledgeable New Yorker can help me out here.

I'm going to be in NY the first weekend in May and plan to get tickets to Gypsy. Currently, for the Sunday matinee, tickets are available for Center Orchestra, Row N or Left Orchestra Row B (which is actually the first row). I'm inclined to go with the centre tickets, as I think the first row will be too close especially when off to the side. Any opinions?

Also, I'm debating between tickets for Raisin in the Sun and Match. Any comments on which you prefer? (I know Match is new and I haven't been able to find any reviews of it.)

Thanks!

I would go with Center Orchestra Row N unless the Row B tickets are right on the aisle. If you get too far over the sightlines may be bad.

Unless you are about 7 feet tall, you probably won't be able to see dancing feet on stage from the first row and you'll probably go home with a stiff neck from looking up. The stage is quite high. I'd go for the center orchestra.

Can't specifically answer your question about Match or Raisin in the Sun. I'll be seeing Match in a couple of weeks, and will be seeing Raisin in the Sun in Oregon this summer, so I'm passing on it this trip to New York. But normally I'd probably pick Raisin in the Sun -- a really great play and sounds like an excellent production.

By the way, did you just find those seats on the website or how? And are you using a discount?
I was trying on the telecharge website with the code GYNYTWS for $59.75 tickets. The "best available" on the website kept coming up with options in that first row -- Row B, or then if I tried next best it was in Row P or R or somewhere. I called Telecharge on the 800 number, got a real person who found me seats on the aisle in the ninth row -- much better than what the website was showing as "best available".

Thanks Gotham and Patrick.

I usually opt for first or second row Mezzanine seats so I figured front row would be too close but having never been to see a show in NYC wasn't sure.

Thanks for the tip about calling, Patrick! I was getting the seats on BroadwayOffers.com using a code from BroadwayBox.

Neither Match nor A Raisin in the Sun has opened yet, so it's crap shoot as to which one will be better.
As for first or second row in the front mezzanine, it's unlikely you'd get them at a discount price.

Patrick and others: would you post a review here after you see "Match"? I have tickets at the end of May, and I think I remember you, Patrick, saying somewhere here that you will be seeing it in early May. It is in previews, I think, and I have read one "review" (don't remember where) by someone who sounds to be a pretty knowledgeable theatre-goer--and he wasn't impressed. I plan to see it regardless, but I'd like to know what you all think.

Yes, I'll be seeing Match on April 27. Not sure yet if I'm taking my laptop or not, or when I'll be posting, since I'm headed to Europe from NYC.

Howard, have you stolen my expression "crap shoot"? I thought I was the only one still using that phrase!