From Where We Sat: Imperial Theatre

Today, we have the next in our series of seating articles based on many of your emails requests 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 Imperial Theatre

The Theatre: 

• 249 W. 45th Street
• Current capacity: 1446 seats
• Orchestra, Front and Rear Mezzanine seating

What We Saw There:

• Chess (review HERE)

Where We Sat: 

• Orchestra Right Row G, Seats 18 & 20. The seating in this theater has average leg room, though seat 20 is on the far right aisle so there is a bit more room there. The seats themselves were comfortable and in excellent condition.

What We Paid: 

• $99.00 (Box Office price) These seats are considered partial view. By comparison, the next two seats to our left are $209.00 each. I can't imagine that the view from those was appreciably better - at least not $110.00 difference. 

The Location: 

• Upon entering the theater, we were directed immediately to the right, Aisle 1. Our seats were roughly two-thirds of the way down the side aisle.
• Row G is the seventh row from the stage on the house right side section.

Seat Amenities and Exiting the Theatre:

• These seats are comfortable and well maintained.
• The rows of the orchestra are on a fair rake, and it was not difficult to see in front of us. The seats are far enough back that the stage is fully visible.  
• Exiting the theatre is particularly easy and simple from here. Back up the aisle, a quick left, and immediately into the long lobby and out onto 45th Street.  
• We were out of the theater and on our way in less than 5 minutes post curtain call.

So how was the view*?

• The height of the deck is a non-issue from this point. 
• The seat G20, where I sat, was indeed partial view - for probably less than three minutes total. I missed about a minute of two songs when the actor singing was standing on the second level of the set, on the stage left/house right side. Mike, who sat in G18, could see everything that I couldn't.
• Other than those two brief periods, the view was wonderful. We were close enough to see facial expressions and set and costume details were crystal clear. We were also far enough back to fully appreciate the entire staging, especially the lighting, video and projection elements.

The bottom line:

• I would definitely get these seats again. The partial view was worth the reduction in ticket price. Comparably priced seats with a full view are in the rear of the mezzanine section. Having sat up there before, I can definitively say the orchestra seats were a much better choice.

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

Other seating at The Imperial Theatre

• We have seen several productions at this theater and we've sat in various locations in the orchestra, front and rear mezzanine areas. 
• Aside from obvious view differences, the orchestra section seating offers fairly good leg room. The same cannot be said for the mezzanine, particularly the from row of the front mezzanine. The leg room is virtually non-existent, with a wall in front of your legs. The rest of the front mezzanine has decent leg room, and the seats are stadium style so the view is uniformly good. 
• Unfortunately, the more affordable seats in the rear mezzanine are pretty uncomfortable, with not as much room between rows. While the view is full, the stage feels very far away.