Theaters Comfortable for "Large" Patrons- Page 2
POPULAR
Dolly80
Broadway Star Joined: 5/15/11
#25Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/15/18 at 6:52pmThe cruel irony that America has some of the largest people in the word and the smallest seats in its theatres. I am short and slim and I get uncomfortable in these seats
StephieElise
Featured Actor Joined: 11/12/12
#26Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/16/18 at 2:32am
It’s very specific, but centre orchestra row E of the Shubert has an aisle directly behind it - where Amanda landed in Matilda. A couple of the seats you’d have absolutely nothing behind you and others you’d have a big enough gap before the next row that it wouldn’t be an issue.
Side orchestra row H Majestic also has a gap of a couple of rows behind it, so would work too.
#27Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/16/18 at 11:38amThis probably won't help too much, but I'm 5'11 with extremely long legs (more than 55%) and the only theatre that has truly been bad to sit in near a plus sized patron was the palace in the front mezz. Luckily I had an aisle seat, but the man next to me (who was very hefty) had been spilling into my seat and it made me uncomfortable but not enough to complain. As a tall and generally skinny woman (135 lb but 5'11) Palace was uncomfortable for both of us. No other complaints though, but definitely go on the aisle, box, and not one of the first 3 rows (their seats tend to be smaller)
Shannon-May Pringle
Swing Joined: 6/12/22
#28Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/12/22 at 11:28pm
How do I find out what theatres offer Box Seats? I have tried googling it and nothing comes up!
kurtal
Stand-by Joined: 12/28/21
#29Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 12:00am
Almost all old-school traditional proscenium theaters have box seats, but it will vary pretty widely how a particular production uses them. Some shows use them for lottery rush. Others don't sell them at all. I've even seen them used for musicians or lighting.
I'd recommend calling the box office for any show that you're interested in to see what they'd suggest and/or if they have box seats available.
Also, I love the seats at the Friedman. I'm 5'9" 290ish, and they're my FAVE.
The only note that I'd add to this thread is to encourage everyone to leave aside the "yeah, I should lose weight" self-commentary. Be your big beautiful unapologetic self! Fat does not equal unhealthy. People naturally come in all shapes and sizes. You might as well love the meat suit you have.
#30Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 12:10am
I am so happy to see that this topic is still getting love and helping others years after I started it.
To update, my BF has seen 4 shows so far and the only theatre that has posed any problem was the Brooks Atkinson. The seating chart was misleading about the placement of a wall and it made for a very uncomfortable fit for him. BUT the house staff was lovely and moved us someplace more comfortable for him.
Funny thing is that I was swapping stories with someone else and they had the exact same thing happen to them. Same wall not marked on the chart and everything.
sweaterbox
Chorus Member Joined: 1/26/19
#31Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 12:27am
Circle in the Square & the Beaumont I think fit best overall, because of their curves they have more, smaller sections hence more aisle seats & spacing but I’d bet you could find a solution in any theater. If you start with the seating chart you can look for aisle seats that jut out wider than the row prior.
Some general other tips that might improve your/his experience:
If possible, go on a weekday - less crowded.
Get to the theater early - use the bathroom before you get there or right away, & you can try out your seats without a lot of people around to make sure it works, & gives you time to talk to staff if needed. At intermission, step outside to get some air & more personal space. This has taken a lot of stress off in my personal experiences.
Once you have shows of interest narrowed down, might be able to be more specific!
#32Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 12:56am
As a long time theater-goer, I've been to every Broadway house a few times. I'm much larger than I used to be be so I find many seats uncomfortable and I feel like I'm intruding on others seating next to me. I also find that sitting in an aisle seat gives me more room to one side to lean over. Even if he sits at the far ends of the orchestra, there's usually an aisle between the seat the wall (except for the Golden and maybe the Booth). I recently saw Hangmen and I thought I was safe getting a seat in the far end of a row in the orchestra only to find myself pinned between another large person and the wall. Definitely try for aisle seats closer to the center of the theater. Also keep in mind that some seats are arranged at an angle rows may not be entirely straight across the theater floor. I had this problem with a aisle seats at the Beaumont, particularly on the aisle towards the front of the orchestra in sections 2 and 4. Those seats don't give anyone, including thinner people, enough seating space to sit comfortably. The theater with the widest seats is the Marquis, which is a newer theater. Remember that the older theaters' seats were designed at a time when people were smaller, and of course, as a matter of economics, producers want to fill the theater with as many seats as possible.
As far a being tall, I'm not sure how to prevent that traits from being a problem. I've sat behind many tall people and have my theater experience ruined by not being able to see everything on stage in a seat that otherwise had an unobstructed view. If you're going to try to sit towards the end of a row of orchestra seats, perhaps the last row of the theater might be your best bet.
#33Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 1:45pm
I'm a taller big guy who now has a partner that is shorter and wider than I am. When I was single, it was easy to just do an aisle. Now I have to accommodate someone who wants to sit next to me, even though we're uncomfortable. And typically since his legs need to spread, I have him take the aisle so he doesn't crowd into whoever is next to us. Any ideas on how to broach the subject of just sitting right behind each other?
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#34Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 3:23pm
I haven’t been in nearly all of them, but the Schoenfeld and Brooks Atkinson are rough. Fortunately, ushers at both places have been kind to me and moved me into other chairs. American Airlines has been the most comfortable for me, but the Minskoff and Friedman are pretty good, too.
#35Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 3:36pm
Some theater seats have specific aisle seats with folding arm rests.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#36Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 3:52pm
We don't talk about "Large" patrons. Instead, we discuss "Patrons of Ample Girth". It's much more civilized, don't you agree?
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#37Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 4:32pm
Dollypop said: "We don't talk about "Large" patrons. Instead, we discuss "Patrons of Ample Girth". It's much more civilized, don't you agree?"
We're grown ups, and most of us in this thread are large, so no need to ****foot about.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Alexander Lamar
Broadway Star Joined: 2/16/16
#38Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 5:01pm
I’m working on a list of the Broadway theaters that will list specific rows/seats.
RUkiddingme
Featured Actor Joined: 12/9/11
#39Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 7:53pm
as far as I know, all the Broadway theaters have ADA seats that can help. They call them mobile seats on aisles. They also all have aisle seats with movable armrests. They are often available at discount prices too so find a discount code.
Not always easy to buy on line - best to go to the box office and talk to a human, maybe even speak to the house manager. Hard to get customer service on the phone but try to find a way to reach someone. Emailing the owner of the theater can get you results.
So many shows sell boxes at the last minute or not at all so a good theater staff can help you with those seats. If you don't get the positive response from the house staff, complain to the theater owners on social media - they tend to respond to that.
Bottom line, theaters want your business - they want everyone's business - regardless of size.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#40Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 6/13/22 at 7:59pm
everythingtaboo said: "Dollypop said: "We don't talk about "Large" patrons. Instead, we discuss "Patrons of Ample Girth". It's much more civilized, don't you agree?"
We're grown ups, and most of us in this thread are large, so no need to ****foot about."
Let us not be crass!!!
Sister Mildew Marie instructed us that we should never miss an opportunity to be charming and gracious.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#41Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 4/19/23 at 11:05am
Thank you for starting this thread! I do not have seat concerns for myself personally, but two of the closest people in my life are larger in certain areas that can make seats restrictive.
The one theatre I know for sure has posed problems for us is the Lyceum. We had wonderful seats in the mezzanine, but the hard dividers between the seats made for an uncomfortable show for someone with wider hips.
Another is the Hirschfeld rear mezzanine - the seats are tight and so is the legrooms, so my loved one had to sit sideways with her legs in the aisle most of the show.
I'll report back our thoughts on the theaters we're visiting this trip in particular (in regards to width and hips). We always try booking an aisle because it's more comfortable for my partner (who doesn't have wide hips, but is bigger through the butt and tummy), but most theaters have been fine for us at 6'.
Does anyone ave any thoughts on the Lunt-Fontanne (orchestra) or Gerald Schoenfeld front mezzanine? Aisle seats for both, but wondering if anyone has had any seat width issues for those with wider bottoms/hips.
JasonC3
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/21
#42Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 4/19/23 at 11:40am
I wonder if we will one day see theaters doing something like airline premium economy, seats that are a bit wider and offer more legroom ... for a price. It would be interesting to experiment with a row or two like this in both orchestra and mezzanine.
yyys
Leading Actor Joined: 6/29/14
#43Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 4/19/23 at 11:59am
The Nederlander is the worst. Not even comfortable for a 150 pound person.
#44Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 5/24/23 at 9:45pm
Does anyone have thoughts on the seats at the Hudson?
#45Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 5/24/23 at 10:10pm
Dionysus3 said: "Does anyone have thoughts on the seats at the Hudson?"
I was at the Hudson for a "first look" at a show and sat in the front Orchestra on the right. The seat was fine. The only other time I have been in that theater was to see "1984". I sat in A1 in the balcony. I almost died! Very cramped. Even turning to the side was uncomfortable.
Was just in the Marquis the other night. Have been in that theater several times but actually took notice this time how comfortable the seats are and how nice the leg room is. I was sitting Row P Center Orchestra. The only downfall is that the seats are not staggered so I had to look around the person in front of me a lot.
Just give the world Love.
persephone88
Stand-by Joined: 12/30/14
#46Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 5/25/23 at 5:59am
Ordinarily I can sit in most Bway seats without an issue. I'm 5'7 but sitting in the Schoenfeld mezz for Life of Pi was wreaking havoc on my knees. The seats up there are TIGHT to the row in front of you (width wide they were tolerable) but while our view was fine, my 5'9 friend and I had aching legs. I was not sure I'd make it through the first act. I don't know how an even taller person could have fit with their legs pinned in so tightly. We moved to empty aisle seats at intermission and I still found myself sitting slightly sideways with my legs toward the aisle to stretch out some. I did note that at our particular show, most of the folks in the mezzanine were groups of school kids (which concerned me at first, but I am pleased to say that they were all very, very well behaved!). I did wonder if this theatre purposely blocked out so many of those rows for the school groups knowing they would be on the smaller side..
#47Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 5/25/23 at 7:13am
Some theaters also have real actual chairs. From my friends who are large and who have sat in a real chair and movable arm-rest theater seat, they all preferred to sit in a real chair, if possible. Most of these are located in the boxes (partial-view) but I've also noticed for some theaters, there are real actual chairs on the last row of rear side orchestra:
Lena Horne (Six), Neil Simon (MJ), Minskoff (Lion King), New Amsterdam (Aladdin)
I'm sure there are likely more theaters but this is what I could remember offhand this morning.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#48Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 5/25/23 at 12:21pm
I'm glad this thread has been revived.
Just recently I saw KIMBERLY AKIMBO from the front mezz. Granted the seat could have been more comfortable but it was the first time I've become aware of how problematic my manspread could be.
I tried to keep my legs together but my body just isn't built that way and the lady to my right didn't like our legs touching. Happily the lady to my left saw that several seats to HER left were empty so she moved down a few and we were all able to enjoy the show with an empty seat between each of us.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
coasterking500
Chorus Member Joined: 8/20/07
#49Theaters Comfortable for
Posted: 5/25/23 at 1:17pm
I am a large theater patron, 6’3 300+ lbs. If I ever have an issue I talk to the staff and they usually go to the house manager to see what can be done if anything. More times than not they are very accommodating.
There isn’t always something that can be accomplished but they often have helped greatly. Do not be afraid to speak up and ask for help. There’s no need to be embarrassed, I’m sure people on this board have seen me do this.
Even seats I’ve thought would be golden are sometimes an issue. Imperial orchestra I had a major issue and I never expected to as an example.
Houses I dread;
Lyceum
Golden
Nederlander
Imperial
Jones
Belasco
Wilson Mezz
Studio 54
St. James
Shubert Mezz (legroom can be finicky there)
happy to help anyone who ever needs it!
Latest Posts
Videos
Shucking Around with Ashley D. Kelley: SHUCKED Hits the Recording Studio
TICKET CENTRAL
Recommended For You
Get Broadway's #1 Newsletter
Special offers for Broadway Shows
