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subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:33 am
by Pomona
I was under the impression that for concerts, orchestra pits are covered w/temporary flooring, so those seated in "the pit" are actually on the same level as the orchestra seats, and not really down in the pit. However, I've been reading various blogs, & people are talking about not wanting to be "down" in the pit because you're looking straight up at the stage. So what's the verdict - the pit is covered, or you're down there?
Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:55 pm
by benning
Hi Pomona - I was one who asked about the pit situation in another thread, but no one replied. No question the pit is covered and level with the rest of the orchestra. My concern was that you are so close to the stage that you have to crane your neck to see -- but it probably depends on the venue. Also, I wonder if maybe it's a little weird (or, to use one of my teenage daughter's favorite words, awkward) being SO close to the musicians. Anyone out there want to share a first row pit Leonard Cohen show experience? I'd love to hear about it!
Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:21 pm
by Mabeanie1
I have a vague recollection of looking enviously at the people right in front of the stage for a Neil Young Greendale show at the Radio City Music Hall in 2004. In retrospect, they must have been in the pit. At worst, they were sat level with the Orchestra. However, in my mind's eye, if anything they were slightly higher than the Orchestra. Of course, when everyone stood for the final "rock" segment of the show, they had the best seats in the house, right up by the stage.
Unfortunately, the seat viewer on the Radio city website does not show the pit so I could not check.
Wendy
Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:18 pm
by surfergirl
I haven't had pit seats in NY, but have at many venues in Los Angeles. The pit actually means different things depending on the venue, but for those that are generally lowered down, yes, it is made orchestra level.
I have NEVER had any problems craning my neck for being too close. That might be the case if it were a ballet or a stage performance. But this is a concert where, in general, the performer stands or sits close to the apron, so the feeling you get is that the performer is singing directly to you. Ah, what a lovely feeling!
The only downside is where you are in the pit at a rock concert with an extremely popular group. Then your view might get blocked by the big security people standing in front of the stage. When that happens, I ask them politely to kneel -- and they usually do.
Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:13 am
by leonardmtl
Pomona wrote:I was under the impression that for concerts, orchestra pits are covered w/temporary flooring, so those seated in "the pit" are actually on the same level as the orchestra seats, and not really down in the pit. However, I've been reading various blogs, & people are talking about not wanting to be "down" in the pit because you're looking straight up at the stage. So what's the verdict - the pit is covered, or you're down there?
Hi Pomona,
I actually went to the Wang to check out this pit issue. They told me that the seats are absoluely level with the Orchestra seats..... no being "down" there....the only problem wth those seats is the scalper prices!!
Leonard from montreal....same name...same town....no Golden Voice
Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:00 am
by Pomona
Hey Leonard - Thanks so much for the update. I appreciate your researching that.
Actually, I didn't pay scalper prices. I snagged a pit seat online during the public sale for the 5/30 show, and I've been walking on air ever since.

Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:25 am
by Eskimo
... go to the Wang Theatre site, check out the "panoramic view" - pit seats are the front rows (I.e., the ones on the stage side of the silver railing):
http://www.citicenter.org/theatres/wang/
Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:13 am
by leonardmtl
Pomona wrote:Hey Leonard - Thanks so much for the update. I appreciate your researching that.
Actually, I didn't pay scalper prices. I snagged a pit seat online during the public sale for the 5/30 show, and I've been walking on air ever since.

All good things......
Leonard from Montreal.......same name....same town......no Golden Voice
Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:21 pm
by Pomona
Thank you, Eskimo. Unfortunately, when I hit "panoramic view" I end up with an X instead of an image. If I weren't a techno-retard I might be able to figure it out, but alas . . .
Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:36 pm
by Eskimo
Pomona wrote: If I weren't a techno-retard I might be able to figure it out, but alas . . .
...getting the pit seats - better to be techno-lucky than good....

- wangpit.tiff (142.85 KiB) Viewed 3614 times
Re: subterranean pit seat blues
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:21 am
by Pomona
Eskimo wrote:better to be techno-lucky ...
Hey - that's a great term, & I'm gonna start using it.
Thanks again, Eskimo!