Imperial Theatre - "Smash" Seating Guide: Best Views & Ticket Deals

Expert Recommendations for Broadway's Imperial Theatre

As a historic Broadway venue with 1,443 seats, the Imperial Theatre offers diverse viewing experiences. Based on current availability for "Smash," here's my professional breakdown of the best seating options at every price point.

💰 Best Value Tickets ($117-$136)

• Rear Mezzanine (Rows E-G): Excellent mid-range option. Rows E-F ($117-$118) provide better angles than G, with only 2-3% price difference. Surprisingly good sightlines to the full stage.
• Rear Mezzanine Side (Row B): At $136, these front-side seats offer closer proximity but with slight side angles. Better for intimate scenes than large production numbers.

🎯 Sweet Spot ($154-$166)

• Orchestra Rear (Rows T-U): Center sections at $154-$166 are Broadway steals. You'll miss some facial expressions but get perfect perspective for choreography.
• Rear Mezzanine Center (Rows E-F): The $155-$159 range in center sections provides ideal balance between price and view. No head obstruction issues common in older theaters.

✨ Higher Tier Options ($181-$273)

• Orchestra Mid (Rows J-T): $212-$272 gets you into the heart of the action. Left/Right rows J-T have minimal obstruction from the mezzanine overhang.
• Front Mezzanine (Rows A-F): The $269-$273 front mezzanine seats are director's-choice vantage points, especially for shows with elaborate set designs.

💎 Premium Picks ($331-$505)

• Orchestra Center (Rows A-K): At $359-$505, these are the house's gold standard. Row AA (closest) has slight neck strain; rows D-J are the true sweet spot.
• Front Mezzanine Center (Row A): $338-$341 for the "bird's eye view" that many Broadway designers intentionally cater to.

🔍 View Comparison

• Orchestra vs Mezzanine: Orchestra better for facial expressions; mezzanine superior for large dance numbers and set pieces.
• Side Sections: Right side (house left) generally has slightly better views in this production.
• Row Depth: In orchestra, avoid rows P-T under mezzanine overhang if you're tall.

📌 Pro Tips

• The $117 RMezz tickets are the undisputed value champions - 12 available in Row G.
• For groups: Multiple blocks of 4-12 seats available in RMezz at consistent prices.
• Last-minute seekers: Check ORCHO Row T ($154) releases as showtime approaches.
• Avoid extreme sides in rear mezzanine - the $135 side sections aren't worth the premium over center.

🎭 Why These Seats for "Smash"

This musical about Broadway demands seats that capture both intimate rehearsal scenes and big production numbers. The Imperial's shallow mezzanine makes even rear center seats excellent for appreciating the full stage pictures.