From Where We Sat: The Walter Kerr Theatre

Today, we begin a new feature based on many of your emails and questions, namely "how were your seats?" Sure, I'm aware of another website that provides a similar service that covers New York theaters, national theaters and concert and sporting venues. I hope to provide a bit more information and insight. That said, if there's anything more you'd like to know or want to share your own experiences please feel free to contact us on social media at JKsTheatreScene.

From Where We Sat:

The Walter Kerr Theatre

The Theatre: 

• 219 W. 48th Street
• Current capacity: 918 seats
• Orchestra, Mezzanine, Box and Balcony seating

What We Saw There:

• Hadestown (review HERE)

Where We Sat: 

• Left Orchestra Row J Seats 13 & 15. J15 is on the side aisle.
• Being on the aisle, J15 has plenty of leg room. J13 offers slightly above average leg room for an older Broadway house. The seats themselves were comfortable and in excellent condition.

What We Paid: 

• $139.00 (Box office price - there were no advance discounts available for the Saturday evening performance we attended.)

The Location: 

• Upon entering, we were directed immediately to our left. 
• Row J is eight rows from the stage (the orchestra starts with Row B), and is almost directly below the mezzanine overhang, so it is not in the way of seeing the top of the stage area.
• The box seat area is similarly out of the way at this location.

Seat Amenities:

• In addition to legroom, these seats offer some nice extras.
• They are maybe 2 yards from the accessible bathroom.
• That same alcove is also where the hearing device station is located.
• Exiting the theatre is a breeze. You are close to the exit doors that lead to the lobby. And if you are looking to stage door, that alcove I mentioned had a door to the sidewalk directly next to the stage door! 
• We were on the street in less than 3 minutes post curtain call.

So how was the view*?

• We had a full view of the action.
• I thought perhaps we'd miss things in the upstage right areas, but Hadestown has a unit set that curves there, so we could literally see everything, including the entire band.
• The seats are far enough back, and with the rake of the house, we were pretty much seeing it straight on, with the actors in view from head to toe.
• The effect of the turntables and elevators was perfect from this perspective. One has to imagine this was exactly what director Rachel Chavkin wanted the audience to see.
• The dramatic exits were fully visible - upstage left, from the floor, and from the second level upstage center.
• By the time it was over, we got to see each performer up close in front of us!

The bottom line:

• Not only was I surprised at how great this extreme side orchestra seat was, I would choose it specifically.

* - Your seating preferences may vary, of course. And these seats may not be as ideal for a different production.

Other seating at the Walter Kerr:

• We have seen several productions at this theater - plays and musicals - and we've sat in various locations in the orchestra and mezzanine areas.
• One time, we sat in the second row center orchestra, and it was great, except the stage is high from there, so you miss some upstage action.
• The view from the mezzanine is very good, and it feels close to the stage. That said, legroom is not ideal, especially the front few rows. On the other hand, we have sat in almost the very top row, and the view is not appreciably different than the first few rows, so the price difference may make sitting there a great economic choice, if that's an issue for you. Something to consider: the mezzanine seating is pretty vertical, with a steep rake.