Box Seats in Broadway Theatres Used to be Popular, But Not Anymore
When people think of box seats in a Broadway theater, they often imagine luxury seating with a little room off to the side where a group can congregate privately or have a drink at the intermission. This may have been true in the grand old days of Broadway, and some big theaters outside of Broadway still offer box seats as a luxury option for donors or VIP ticket holders, but in modern Broadway theaters box seating is, at best, average, and, at worst, just terrible.
Many Broadway theatres have actually just given up with box seating altogether.
Broadway Box Seats Lose Their Popularity
Of course, even back when the rich and famous attended the Broadway theater as a social event ("to see and be seen"), Broadway boxes never offered very good views pf the show. Being so near to the stage, the box seats offer close proximity to the action, but they're so far on the side of the theater that part of the stage view is usually blocked. Despite this major drawback, there was a time when people liked Broadway boxes because they wanted to show off, or because they wanted their party to have its own special "private" area to view the performance (kind of like a VIP suite at a sporting event).
But nowadays attention-hungry celebrities don't go to the Broadway theater to be seen (that's what movie premieres and trendy clubs are for), and regular folks would generally prefer to have a good view of the stage rather than get a little extra leg room in the box.
This means that the Broadway box seat has actually become one of the least desirable seating choices for Broadway audiences. Many Broadway theaters, concerned that their patrons will complain about the bad views, only sell those seats directly at the theater's box office, so that the box office attendant can fully explain that the seats offer an obstructed view. More and more Broadway theaters don't bother selling box seat tickets at all. Instead, they use the boxes for technical purposes, sometimes running sound or lighting equipment for the production from those strategic locations.
The Advantages of Broadway Box Seats
At the Broadway theaters that continue to offer them, sitting in a box seat can still be a great new experience. You're often very close to the stage, and occasionally a play or musical will actively spill out right into your lap by including a special bit where an actor ends up in the box. In the Broadway musical Ragtime, "Harry Houdini" did a magic trick where he would disappear from the stage, re-appear in one of the boxes, and shake the hand of the person sitting there.
The Broadway box seat also offers a unique view of the rest of the audience, and if you do happen to be the kind of person that likes to dress glamorously and show off, there is certainly no better way to be seen than by sitting in a Broadway box seat and all the attention that will command.
But, without a doubt, the greatest advantage of getting tickets for Broadway box seats is that you are likely to get a discount on your ticket price. Because box seating is often considered partial view or obstructed view, Broadway theaters tend to sell these tickets at a cheaper price than regular seats. If you're looking for a cheap way to see a top Broadway show, even one that doesn't normally offer discounts, just go directly to the theater box office and ask if they sell discount box seats.
You might be pleased to find that you can get tickets for one of these roomy seats at a discount price, but the money you save on the ticket you may have to spend on a neck massage after the show. Just one word of warning though, make sure that John Wilkes Booth isn't in the cast.
Allow me to step into the limelight as your Broadway aficionado. Having immersed myself in the world of theater, I've traversed the intricate corridors of Broadway's history and present-day dynamics. My expertise isn't just theoretical—I've been there, seen it, and even rubbed elbows with the glittering stars under those dazzling lights.
Now, let's dissect the article. The author takes us on a journey through the evolution of box seats in Broadway theaters. In the heyday, these spots were akin to VIP suites, offering a secluded space for socializing and indulging in libations during intermission. However, the narrative quickly pivots to the contemporary Broadway scene, where box seats seem to have lost their luster.
The author argues that box seats, once a symbol of prestige, have become subpar in terms of viewing experience. Despite their close proximity to the stage, the inherent flaw lies in obstructed views due to the side positioning. The intriguing historical tidbit about the rich and famous attending Broadway as a social event adds a touch of nostalgia.
In the modern context, attention-hungry celebrities opt for movie premieres and clubs over the theater, reshaping the purpose of attending a Broadway show. This shift in preference, coupled with the desire for an unobstructed view, has relegated box seats to the back burner.
The article also highlights the pragmatic approach of some Broadway theaters, selling box seat tickets directly at the box office with a disclaimer about obstructed views. Others have abandoned box seat sales altogether, repurposing these spaces for technical needs during productions.
Yet, the author acknowledges that, for those still enamored with the charm of box seats, there are redeeming qualities. Proximity to the stage offers a unique, immersive experience, occasionally involving actors spilling into the box seats. The mention of a magic trick in the musical Ragtime adds a theatrical flair to the discussion.
One intriguing revelation is the potential financial advantage of opting for box seats—often sold at a discount due to their partial or obstructed view classification. This nugget of information serves as a practical tip for theater enthusiasts seeking a budget-friendly option.
In conclusion, the article weaves together historical context, shifting preferences, practical considerations, and a touch of theatrical magic to paint a comprehensive picture of the rise and fall of Broadway box seats. As for John Wilkes Booth, the warning injects a dash of humor and historical awareness, reminding readers that not all surprises in the theater are part of the show.
