Broadway Seat ViewFrequently asked questions
Everything about how this guide works, in one place.
Are the seat views on this site real photos?
No — and we say so everywhere. Each view is a simulated schematic generated from public seating-chart dimensions. It shows your approximate sightlines and elevation, not a photograph of a specific performance.
How is this different from a seating chart?
A seating chart shows where a seat is. Our guides show what the seat sees: the rake, whether you can see over the row in front, whether an overhang cuts the top of the set, and how far away faces will be.
What is the single best-value section on Broadway?
In most large houses, the front mezzanine: steep rake, full picture, priced below premium orchestra. In the small Nederlander Theatre, the rear mezzanine is the pick. Each theatre page names its own best-value section.
Is a partial-view seat ever worth buying?
Yes — when the obstruction is mild (for example, missing the top of the set in a few scenes) and the discount is deep, typically 30% or more. Our partial view guide explains how to judge the trade-off before you buy.
Why do two sellers describe the same seat differently?
Disclosure standards differ by seller and by production. One platform may label a seat obstructed while another says nothing. That is exactly why an independent section-level rating helps: the geometry does not change with the listing.
Which theatres do you cover?
Eight major houses at launch: Winter Garden, Gershwin, Majestic, St. James, Richard Rodgers, Minskoff, Broadway Theatre and Nederlander. More are added as their guides are completed.
Do you sell tickets or take commissions?
No. Broadway Seat View is a free information guide with no ticket sales and no booking commissions, so our ratings never have to protect a seller.
A rating does not match my experience. What now?
Tell us. Productions reconfigure theatres, and first-hand reports help us correct section ratings. Reach us through the contact page with the theatre, section and production you saw.