From Where We Sat: The Majestic 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 Majestic Theatre

The Theatre: 

• 247 W. 44th Street
• Current capacity: 1617 seats
• Orchestra, Front Mezzanine and Rear Mezzanine seating

What We Saw There:

• Beaches (review HERE)

Where We Sat: 

• We sat in Orchestra Left Row P, Seats 7 & 9. The seating in this theater has tighter leg room. The seats themselves are small, close together and moderately uncomfortable and in new condition.

What We Paid: 

• $100.00 (Show Discount) These seats, at the Box Office, are $149.00 each. 

The Location: 

• Upon entering the theater, we were directed straight ahead to Aisle 2. We entered in the middle of the orchestra section. There are seats down to the stage and up from that point. We had to go up 4 steps.
• Row P is the fourth row from the break aisle, and 16 rows from the stage.

Seat Amenities and Exiting the Theatre:

• These seats are still new since the renovation following Phantom's departure, and the seats themselves are comfortable. That said, they apparently went for seat quantity over patron comfort. They are very tight. Further, there is not much legroom.
• The rows of this part of the orchestra are stadium style and there was no trouble seeing in front of us. The seats are far enough back that the stage is fully visible.  
• Exiting the theatre is not the easiest, though it depends on how you choose to exit. One way would require going back the way you enter, though for part of that way you are going against the flow of traffic, which mostly seems intent on going the way we chose to exit. We opted to cut across an aisle all the way across to an open door onto 44th Street.  
• We were out of the theater and on our way in about 8-10 minutes post curtain call.

So how was the view*?

• The height of the deck is a non-issue from this point. 
• These seats were an excellent view, though when the actors were further upstage, facial expressions were less clear.
• Of note with this production as designed, people seated in the first few rows on the sides have an obstructed view, as there are sand dunes with sea grass on the sides and all the way down to the edge of the stage. Further, I have to imagine that all of the orchestra seating in the first 3 or 4 rows may have some trouble seeing all the way upstage - a fair amount of action takes place up there - as there is an "upper deck" to the stage, about 4 stair steps up. The stage itself is relatively high, too. I would not recommend sitting too close.

The bottom line:

• I would probably get these seats again. Slight discomfort in exchange for a full, unobstructed view is worth it. (I might not choose them for a show the length of Les Miserables or Angels in America.)

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

Other seating at The Majestic Theatre

• We have seen several productions at this theater and we've sat in various locations in the orchestra and mezzanine areas. 
• Aside from obvious view differences, the lower orchestra section seating offers slightly more leg room, while the back part of the orchestra section offers a fuller view. The front mezzanine offers a full view that doesn't feel very far away. The drawback up there is the stairs going up. They are steep! The rear mezzanine offers a fair view, though it seems farther away mostly due to the rake of that seating section. They are, however, usually budget friendly.