Philly people--- Kimmel Center???

[marcyinPA]

Do any of you know anything about the Kimmel Center? I am thinking about purchasing Les Mis tickets for my kids (and for us) for Christmas, and was wondering how bad (or good) ampitheatre or family circle seating is? I really don't want to spend $100's of dollars a ticket- but I saw $50 tickets....

 

[TinkerBelled]

Do any of you know anything about the Kimmel Center? I am thinking about purchasing Les Mis tickets for my kids (and for us) for Christmas, and was wondering how bad (or good) ampitheatre or family circle seating is? I really don't want to spend $100's of dollars a ticket- but I saw $50 tickets....

I would make sure that your tickets have a clear view. Some of the seats in the amphitheater and the family circle have quite limited or even blocked views; I've never sat in those tiers (though this is true at all levels), but I do know that the website lays things out pretty clearly: http://www.kimmelcenter.org/about/seating/index.php?chart=aombwy.

 

[eliza61]

Do any of you know anything about the Kimmel Center? I am thinking about purchasing Les Mis tickets for my kids (and for us) for Christmas, and was wondering how bad (or good) ampitheatre or family circle seating is? I really don't want to spend $100's of dollars a ticket- but I saw $50 tickets....

Marcy, i just picked up my tickets for Friday Jan. 3. I did spring for the95 dollar tickets. The Kimmel is a nice venue but I've never done the ampitheater.

 

[marcyinPA]

I would make sure that your tickets have a clear view. Some of the seats in the amphitheater and the family circle have quite limited or even blocked views; I've never sat in those tiers (though this is true at all levels), but I do know that the website lays things out pretty clearly: http://www.kimmelcenter.org/about/seating/index.php?chart=aombwy.

Thanks- I didn't see that chart. Very helpful!!

 

[mamasuf]

Long time lurker but registered just to answer this question. Check the Kimmel's website. The Kimmel Center operates several venues. You buy tickets at their box office but I believe Les Mis is actually at the Academy of Music which is one block north on Broad Street. To answer your question, the Academy is a very old theater with a lot of obstructed view seats up in the ampitheatre and family circle.

 

[CPT Tripss]

yeap . . . Les Miz is at the Academy of Music. It's an old treasure of a venue, but the seats are smallish and it is steep. In the "nosebleed" sections, your feet will be just below the shoulder of the person in front of you.

This will give you some idea of how steep . . .

We'll be heading over to Kimmel on Sunday for "Tuba Christmas!"

 

[marcyinPA]

yeap . . . Les Miz is at the Academy of Music. It's an old treasure of a venue, but the seats are smallish and it is steep. In the "nosebleed" sections, your feet will be just below the shoulder of the person in front of you.

This will give you some idea of how steep . . .

We'll be heading over to Kimmel on Sunday for "Tuba Christmas!"

Wow! You think those seats way up high are "good enough"? I mean, if you were on a budget, would they work?

 

[mamasuf]

Yeah, they work. I've sat up there many times. The theatre is small so you won't be too far from the stage. It IS very steep up there. I wouldn't do it with small children or elderly people. If you look at the picture you see lots of pillars, too. The seats around them are "obstructed view." The good news is those seats are usually alittle cheaper. Hope that helps.

 

[marcyinPA]

Yeah, they work. I've sat up there many times. The theatre is small so you won't be too far from the stage. It IS very steep up there. I wouldn't do it with small children or elderly people. If you look at the picture you see lots of pillars, too. The seats around them are "obstructed view." The good news is those seats are usually alittle cheaper. Hope that helps.

I just ordered them! 4 seats, unobstructed view, $50 each (well, $60 if you count the $10 service fee per ticket ) and we paid for the reserved parking. Not sure if we needed to or not, but not knowing Philly all that well, I'd rather have a place to park than to have to drive around looking for a place.

We are going to the 1pm show on Sunday 1/6. Any suggestions for a little cafe or someplace to hang out before the show? It will take us about an hour and 15 minutes to get there, but I don't want to be late!

My kids, 17 and 13, will FLIP OUT when they open the tix on Christmas morning! My DS17 was Thenardier in his HS performance this past spring

 

[mamasuf]

I don't know where the pre-paid parking is located but there are tons of restaurants in the area. If you're looking for something quick or light, there is a Starbucks and a Cosi directly behind the theatre on 15th Street.

My daughter used to perform there in the PA Ballet's Nutcracker when she was little. If your son likes the theatre, the stage door is right on Locust Street between Broad and 15th. They would probably let you enter there and peek at the Green Room where the performers sign in before going to the dressing rooms.

 

[TinkerBelled]

I just ordered them! 4 seats, unobstructed view, $50 each (well, $60 if you count the $10 service fee per ticket ) and we paid for the reserved parking. Not sure if we needed to or not, but not knowing Philly all that well, I'd rather have a place to park than to have to drive around looking for a place.

We are going to the 1pm show on Sunday 1/6. Any suggestions for a little cafe or someplace to hang out before the show? It will take us about an hour and 15 minutes to get there, but I don't want to be late!

My kids, 17 and 13, will FLIP OUT when they open the tix on Christmas morning! My DS17 was Thenardier in his HS performance this past spring

There are tons of cafes and restaurants around that area. Plenty of chains, like Cosi or Starbucks, but also plenty of great independent ones:
*I've heard excellent things about the Green Eggs Cafe, which is a first-come, first-served restaurant (cash only) quite near the Academy of Music. (http://greeneggscafe.com/menu/)
*The Good Dog is a pub-like place nearby with very good burgers (though, it is a bar, and it's not very cheap.)
*Finally, one of my favorite restaurants in Philly is about three blocks from the Academy, on 17th just south of Walnut: Little Pete's. It's a diner, open 24 hours a day, and there's something for everyone, from pancakes and eggs to burgers and grilled cheese to a salad to a ribeye. It's really reasonably priced--you can easily get out of there for under $10 a person for a full meal and drink, and I have yet to find a person who can't find something there that he or she likes. Not remarkable food, but a great place to hang out. Also cash only, also can be crowded on weekend mornings.
*ETA: if you want something easy and cheap, there's also a Qdoba on Walnut and 16th.

After you're done with lunch, if you still have time, window shopping on Walnut Street between 18th and Broad is can be a really fun way to kill twenty minutes. There are lots of stores for every taste, from big chains to small shops.

Finally, you can always explore the Kimmel Center, next door to the Academy--they've just renovated parts of it, and it's huge.