What's the difference between Orchestra and Premium seats on Broadway?

Question

My friend and I are going to see Equus in New York City and are researching ticket prices. (The most informative website we've found is http://www.telecharge.com/homepage.aspx) There is a huge price difference between Orchestra seats and Premium seats. While we may be willing to pay for the Premium seats, we want to know where they are and how much better they are and if they are worth the extra money. Our problem is they aren't labeled on the seat map. Anyone know what qualifies as a Premium seat? Thanks so much!!

Answer 1

Good question.  Whether or not its a play, a concert or whatever I think it may not depend on the theater's configuration (for example theatre in the round).  Take for example  NYC's Radio City Music Hall.   Buying "Orchestra" seats can bury you in the way back (as opposed to the superior First Balcony).

I think maybe the phrase "Premium Seats" (i've never heard it before) might refer not to the location of the seats but to the amenities associated w/ them.

Could be you get box seats (much more comfortable seating in a semi-private environment)  where you might get maybe

-you get in through the back door  (not have to wait in line w/ the riff-raff)?

-complimentary food / drinks?

-semi-private easily accessible powder rooms?

-the opportunity to go back-stage and briefly meet w/ the stars?

Stuff like that .

Again, I submit the difference between "Orchestra" and "Premium" seats is not necessarily one of  location.  This would explain why you did not locate "Premium" seating  on the map.   The difference may be only one amenities, explaining the inflated price.

i dunno.

EDIT:

Tethera you are spot-on about about the mechanics of seating.  I sat 7th row center for the NYC Ballet for two generations.  The seats face-value cost was  no more than those, for example, on the aisle.  The only difference in cost was the annual renewal fee.

How many of these seats do you think are actually available from the box office anyway? Don't you think they are bought up by companies and rich people, regardless of whether they show up or not?

I think the focus here is on theatres w/ a distinctive seating  plan, not on monoliths.  Let me know what you think.  thanx, pongpresario.

Answer 2

Premium seats are the best-located seats in the orchestra or front mezzanine. They're in the center rather than far off to the side and are not too close to the stage and not too far back.

In the orchestra, they're usually about three to eight rows away from the stage in a Broadway house. In the mezzanine, they're usually in the first two rows.