In my previous report on November 4, 2018, I reviewed King Kong from the second floor mezzanine. This time I set out to pinpoint the best seats to enjoy King Kong to the fullest. I was lucky to land prime center seats in the orchestra, so this write up highlights new angles, must see moments, and fresh impressions from the Broadway musical King Kong.
If you haven’t read the first report yet, check that overview first for the full story and highlights, then come back to this page.
Table of Contents
King Kong now on Broadway
A 6 meter tall giant puppet – King Kong
To put it in numbers, the puppet is about 6 meters (19 feet) tall and weighs roughly 900 kg (1984 lbs). In person, that is overwhelming. It runs, it roars, and at one point it even seems to fly. Despite the spectacle, the story is straightforward, which makes this an easy recommendation for first time musicalgoers or anyone not confident with English.
For more on the plot and highlights of King Kong, see the page below.
King Kong is performed at the Broadway Theatre
Broadway Theatre
On our visit, a long line stretched along 53rd Street and it was quite crowded. By the way, there is a pizza shop called 99 Cents Pizza about a one minute walk from the theater where, true to the name, a slice costs just 99 cents. Hot and cheap pre or post show fuel.
Address: 1681 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Pre-show tips at the Broadway Theatre
Browse the wide range of official King Kong merchandise
Compared with typical musicals, King Kong merch has lots of variety. Beyond best sellers like T shirts and hoodies, there are button sets, socks, hats, and other apparel you might not expect. Prices run about T shirt $40, hoodie $70, mug $20, so budget accordingly.
Cinema style lighting and sound
A major draw is the theme park level lighting setup, with chandeliers, banks of spotlights, and laser effects, plus an audio system more like an arena rig than a typical Broadway house.
Because the oversized Kong is the star, the sound design places breath and growls at a distance one moment, then right in front of you the next. The surround is so convincing it can be startling. If you’re into sound systems, head up to the mezzanine to take a closer look.
Click images to enlarge
King Kong recommended – best seat
Last time I watched from the mezzanine. This time I was invited to the middle of the orchestra, about 15 rows from the front, squarely in the center. It is easy to assume that closer is always better, but depending on staging and architecture, front orchestra is not automatically the best for every show.
For example, in Disney shows like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Frozen, the first 3 to 4 rows often sell as regular seats rather than premium because the sightline can be too low. By contrast, in shows famous for large scale stage pictures like Wicked and King Kong, the front row is sold as premium.
What it was like from dead center orchestra
How to read the ticket: ORCHC N 109
Row N (15th from the front), seat 109
I was lucky to be placed smack in the center of the orchestra.
Not too close and not too far, it was a fantastic vantage point to take in the entire stage evenly. The overhang from the mezzanine did not cut into the view, so the full scale of Kong was visible. One tradeoff of center orchestra is the relatively shallow rake, so if a tall person sits directly ahead, the view can be slightly blocked.
Why the very front row is sold as premium
Some worry that a stage wall might block the view up close, but here the stage is set low. You will tilt your head up a bit, but the experience is still excellent from the very front.
Comparing with front mezzanine
From the back of the orchestra, the mezzanine overhang can limit vertical sightlines, and you may lose track of Kong for a moment during fast action. From the front mezzanine, you can track Kong end to end while feeling the full blast of the sound, which many will love.
In my previous report, I shared impressions and photos from the mezzanine, so you can compare both perspectives.
Seat notes about the Broadway Theatre
Many Broadway houses around Times Square date back more than a century. Interiors can be renovated, but the building footprint cannot be expanded.
As a result, legroom and row spacing can feel tight, and aisles are narrow. It is part of the Broadway charm, so embrace the closeness as a shared experience.
After some performances, if you wait a bit, the work lights may come up and you can catch a glimpse of the set and tech from the stage.
Thoughts after watching King Kong
A new King Kong you cannot get from the films
Watching this production though, I felt something different. Kong is portrayed as sensitive, protective, and capable of putting another being first.
The giant puppet shows nuance and emotion that feel far from mechanical. On stage, it reveals a new side of King Kong you won’t see on screen.
Backstage heroes: ten acrobatic crew in black
The nearly one ton puppet uses electronic remote control for the torso and facial expressions, but the grounded movements of the front and back legs rely on crew power. In real time, they clip wires to hooks and haul lines by hand to drive the motion.
One crew member might leap onto Kong’s back, then spring to a foreleg to hook a new line. It is not just muscle. They vault and tumble between tasks, dance and sing as part of transitions, hit precise marks to lift or steady a limb, and match timing with the score. After watching that choreography of craft, the standing ovation at curtain call felt inevitable.
Post show fun – wait at the stage door
Super friendly King Kong cast
After the curtain comes down, it is stage door time. In addition to the main entrance, the Broadway Theatre has a single stage door on 53rd Street, so it is easy to find where to wait.
We met several cast members, and we were lucky to get signatures and photos with Eric William Morris, who plays filmmaker Carl Denham, and Christiani Pitts, who plays Ann Darrow. (The cast carry pens, so be sure to bring the free Playbill.)
Every time we wait at the stage door, we are struck by how warm and friendly Broadway performers are. it is a great chance to meet stars up close, so give it a try.
Click images to enlarge
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