How to determine what is a "good seat" at a Broadway show
 

Hello, I have already received help on this site and am so grateful for your experienced opinions. I have been looking on broadway.com for theater tickets. In the Heights was recommended. I am having trouble decerning what is a good seat. For example, there are seats available for "Heights" in row A of orchestra. Sounds like great front row seats but is that actually too close to sit at a show? I have always understood mezzanine is also a good place to be and since I am petite (5") and do have trouble seeing over people, perhaps that would be a better choice. Does anyone have an opinion or rule of thumb as to how far back in orchestra is too far back to sit in which case mezzanine becomes a better choice? Thank you!

The answer to this question really depends on the theater. In a gigantic, cavernous theater like the Marquis, then sitting near the back can make you feel as if you need opera glasses. But in a smaller theater, you can be on the back row and not feel like you are missing anything.

I've been seated all over when I've seen Broadway shows. The best seats are at least 4 or 5 rows back in the center up to about the 12th row. Most seats in the front mezzanine (up to 6 or so rows back) are also quite good.

I sat near the back of the Orchestra to see Hair (about 3 rows from the back of the theater) and thought my seats were just fine. The only place I don't like to sit is on the first row or the far left or far right (I have regular seats on the right near the front for Roundabout productions, and while I don't particularly like being on the far-right, the closeness to the stage does help to make up the difference).

Not sure that helps. The Richard Rodgers is a pretty big theater, but Row A is not the first row, it's the second. So you may be ok. But at your height, the nearness to the stage may be an advantage rather than a disadvantage. You might very well have trouble seeing over the people in front of you. Here, at least, you will be looking directly up to the stage.

I am also short and so normally don't sit in the first two rows or back further than about 10 rows. And not too far on either the left or right sides. The mezzanine can also be a problem in the first row.

Agree that it depends on the theater. You can get specifics on playbill.com.

We always go for center orchestra - how far back depending on the theater. Esp if there's a lot of dancing if you're too close you may miss things. We generally go for row 10 to perhaps 15. I won't do mezzanine - hate looking down at things.

You should either be looking for discounted tickets on broadwaybox.com (if you're coming in the next month or so) or on the shows' official websites. Broadway.com is a broker and you'll pay over the face value. Playbill.com also has links to the official websites. Seating is personal preference and does depend on the theater. I like aisle seats best and will always opt for one if it's available. For a musical, often first few rows of the mezzanine is better than back of the orchestra but try to get as close to the center of the theater as possible (not on extreme sides). I like sitting in the first row but most people don't. You should find seating charts for all the theaters online....some more detailed than others. If you post the show(s) you're considering people will have more specific recos.

Personally I don't like sitting in the front row because I find that I am looking "up" for the whole show and if it is a musical you may not get the full effect of the choreography.