Bet Your Bottom Dollar Selecting a Seat is Personal and Reveals a lot About Your Personality

A subscription to Broadway Utica provides several benefits, like tickets to a fantastic line-up, cost-savings, and a scheduled night out on the town. But there’s one very literal, bum-gracing reward that evokes all of the theatrical senses. We’re talking about your seat, of course.

Since choosing a seat has less to do with the ornate velvet chairs inside The Stanley, and more to do with the subscribers’ personal preferences, deciding which seat is best can be difficult – even for the most avid theatergoers. This is primarily why Broadway Utica has invited prospective subscribers to a special Open House at the Stanley Theatre on June 27th and 28th to discover the ideal seat for their season of live entertainment.

In lieu of breaking down the dynamics of which seat provides optimal close-ups, panoramic views, or a more socialized atmosphere, we’re opting for a lighter side of theater and highlighting the drama behind psychologist Hiromi Mizuki’s concept of how the workings of a person’s heart and mind affect their choice of seat when going to the theatre. Lets see how they add up.

Orchestra

Behold the home of the organized planner. While orchestra seating provides a close-up view of the stage, it also offers a broader panoramic scope than the pit. This section is considered the most prestigious in the house, which means securing seats here is for those who plan ahead and secure early on.  In Mizuki’s view, this subscriber is a person who enjoys direct involvement in important decisions.

On a serious note, orchestra seating can be challenging for those with a height disadvantage as the theater does not rise until approximately half way up. Without an angled view to compensate for tall or broad individuals “down in front,” orchestra center isn’t exactly the best choice for those under 5’5″.

Mezzanine or Loge

Take a seat with those who seek security and want to be well-informed. Individuals in this section can get an overview of the whole theater, providing them with a calming, objective wide-angle view of the show, the theater, and the individuals around them. While they’re somewhat secluded from the center of the action, and far enough from the thrills, these seats provide a cozy, relaxing atmosphere that attracts those who enjoy solitude and the ability to disregard the influence of others.

Balcony

The party’s here. Despite our desire not to start a seating war, it’s been said that these seats are home to social individuals.  While this section provides a proper field of vision to the stage, those who gravitate towards these seats enjoy connection with others. They also enjoy lively events and take pleasure in being around other social people. According to Mizuki, this is where you’ll find individuals who are understanding and forgiving of others, as well as those who tend to arrive and plan late, but their heart is always in the right place.

This section rewards the best price for the theater. However, it may not be ideal for those who become distracted easily.

Aisle Seats

Welcome to personal space. There are some common reasons people choose aisle seats whether orchestra, mezzanine or balcony: someone in the party has long legs; someone in the party has mobility issues; someone in the party is chronically late; someone needs a beer.  But there are some other, less obvious, benefits that may apply to aisle seats, like if they need to leave quickly after the final bows for dinner (or a cabaret at Ancora perhaps), or simply to stretch out and enjoy the show a bit more.  According to Mizuki, aisle seat dwellers lean towards people whom they can feel relaxed and comfortable around. They do not prefer drama in their personal lives and steer away from crowded spaces.

Any Seat Is Better Than No Seat

Those who don’t click are likely not to commit. When it comes to buying the best seats for a show, there is only one “universal truth”: if you subscribe instead of buy, you receive a better combination of value and price. But, we must warn you, Mizuki advises that people who wait to subscribe or purchase a ticket in advance often have issues with commitment and tend to fuel anxiety in their day to day life.

This playful spinning brings us into Broadway Utica’s seasonal motto ‘No Better View,’ which simply means there’s no greater experience than watching a live Broadway production at The Stanley Theatre. So, no matter where you sit, and how Mizuki defines you, taking time to book an appointment, and a seat for the full run of shows, might turn out to be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ve made all year. And that, according to Mizuki, is what the art of psychology is all about when it comes to theater-going. It’s also like a business — location, location, location.

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