Can you define "house seats"?

[MKCP5]

Hi there

I have an old friend who lives in NY and can get us "house seats" for a show we want to go to. They're pricey (for us anyways) and I don't know what house seats means

Can anyone explain this to this broadway newbie?

Thanks!

 

[prncess674]

House seats are seats that are held by the theater. Say for instance the Mom of the star of the show comes to town unexpectedly. The "house" will give those seats away. They are also sometimes called trouble seats. Suppose someone comes up to the box office and complains about their seats (e.g., a very large person is sitting next to their seat and makes the unoccupied seats next to the other person impossible to use. The "house" will then move that person to the "house" seats. House seats aren't always the best seats in the house, but they are generally very good seats.

What show are you getting seats for? Depending on the show you may be better off using TKTS if price is an issue.

 

[MKCP5]

He can get us Lion King for $100. each. I hadn't planned on spending so many $$--was going to go to the 1/2 price booth, but I thought if they were great seats I might splurge.

 

[GoldSwann]

The company I work for advertises in Playbill (the free "program" they hand out at shows). Playbill has 4 house seats for every show that they can use or sell. Since we advertise with them, we can buy these tickets from Playbill, if they are available. They are always good seats...usually in the 4th row of the orchestra.

I believe "The Lion King" is still selling at 100% capacity so your chances are very slim that they will be at the TKTS booth.

If you really want to see the show, I would buy the house seats from your friend!

 

[prncess674]

I believe "The Lion King" is still selling at 100% capacity so your chances are very slim that they will be at the TKTS booth.

If you really want to see the show, I would buy the house seats from your friend!

I have never seen Lion King at TKTS. Great show! My NYC office is just down the street and the theater is always full. If you have your heart set on that show then buy the tickets from your friend. The seats are at face value so you are getting good seats at a fair price.

 

[MKCP5]

Yippeee!! We had to pay full price, but it is a special treat and we took your advice and got the house seats. We will be at the Lion King on Saturday night of our vacation with house seats. I am soooooooo excited!!!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Alison Wonderland]

That's a good deal because you would not have been able to get really good seats at the last minute like that and discounts just aren't to be found for that show anyway.

 

[Imzadi]

The Broadway theatres usually reserve certain seats off seats like for when a celeb suddenly wants to see the show, the press want to come & review a new star in the show, the producer wants to have someone see it, or as stated, for a family or friend of one of the stars, etc. These seats are usually in the center section of the Orchestra, on the aisle, rather than all the way in the middle. They range anywhere from the 3rd row to about the 10th row back.

This allows someone like Brad Pitt & Angelina to discreetly & quickly sit down for the show once the lights go down, before the curtain goes up. Likewise, they need to be able to make a hasty exit before people start clamoring all over them, instead of being trapped in the center, unable to get by anyone. Same for a theatre critic who needs to get out & write his review for the 11 o"clock news.

I'm glad you got in on Lion King.