From Where We Sat: The St. James Theatre (Rear Orchestra)

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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 St. James Theatre

The Theatre: 

• 246 W. 44th Street
• Current capacity: 1347 seats
• Orchestra, and Mezzanine (Balcony seating is not available for this production)

What We Saw There:

• Titanique (review HERE)
• The Queen of Versailles (center mezzanine information HERE)

Where We Sat: 

• Left Rear Orchestra Row P, Seats 9 & 11. The seating in this theater has average leg room, though these rows felt a tad more spacious. The seats themselves were comfortable and in excellent condition.

What We Paid: 

• $62.00 (Box Office price) The next seats over, 5 & 7, were offered during a discount, but actually cost more than what we paid!

The Location: 

• Upon entering the theater, we were directed to the first door immediately to our left.
• Row P is the seventeenth row from the stage and the second row from the back of the left orchestra section.

Seat Amenities and Exiting the Theatre:

• These seats are comfortable and well maintained.
• These back side rows are at the top of the house rake. Seeing over everyone in front was no problem at all. Watching the cast enter and exit virtually right next to us (the aisles are used extensively) was fun. The constant flow of tipsy patrons in and out to the bathroom, not so much. 
• Exiting the theatre is particularly easy and simple from here. The door to the street is about 10 feet away to the left, and the main lobby is about 15 feet away behind you here. Getting out is pretty painless.   
• We were out of the theater and on our way in less than 3 minutes post curtain call.

So how was the view*?

• We had a full view of the action, including the front of the stage and upstage. The only thing we couldn't see was the very top of the proscenium.
• I don't think people in the orchestra seating on the extreme sides or too close to the tall stage would have the same completely unobstructed view.
• Even from this distance, facial expressions and set and costume details were crystal clear.

The bottom line:

• I would choose these seats specifically. The view is perfect, and they are comfortable.

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

Other seating at The St. James Theatre

• We have seen several productions at this theater and we've sat in various locations in the orchestra, mezzanine and balcony areas. 
• A couple of times, we sat in the center orchestra section. The seats had an average amount of leg room. You could see the whole stage at once, but it isn't too far from the stage, so you can still see the details and facial expressions. The legroom is less generous in the orchestra, but it isn't uncomfortable. The seats there have a typical rake, so seeing over others can be difficult if someone tall sits in front of you. Do with that information what you will.
• The mezzanine view is pretty great throughout, with the normal limitations of the extreme sides. Oddly, the closer you are to the front of the section, the more cramped the seating.
• The view from the balcony is full, but the angle is steep and the stage feels pretty far away. The leg room is not great. If stairs are an issue for you, I do not recommend sitting up there. That said, the price difference in these seats may make sitting there a great economic choice, if that's an issue for you. (This production did not offer balcony seating.)