Chicago on Broadway: The Longest-Running American Musical

Ambassador Theatre Seating Guide: Where to Sit (and What to Avoid)

The Ambassador Theatre is one of Broadway’s most unusual venues. Built in 1921, the auditorium was designed diagonally on a hexagonal floor plan to fit into an awkwardly shaped Manhattan street lot.

Because of this diagonal angle, choosing the wrong seat can hurt your view more here than in a standard rectangular theatre.

The Sweet Spot: Center Orchestra (Rows D through K)
These are the best seats in the house. You sit at eye level with the performers, close enough to see the sweat and facial expressions during Fosse’s signature hat-and-chair dance numbers, without having to crane your neck upward.

The Overlooked Value: Front Mezzanine (Rows A to C)
Because Chicago relies heavily on synchronized ensemble formations and precise legwork, sitting elevated in the Front Mezzanine gives you a fantastic bird’s-eye view of the entire stage deck. Rows A and B here often beat mid-Orchestra seats for overall stage composition.

The Warning: Extreme Side Orchestra (Seats 15 and Higher)
Avoid the far-right or far-left edges of the Orchestra. Because the 14-piece bandstand is bulky and sits square in the center of the stage, extreme side angles can block your view of actors entering from the upstage corners. Stick to the center section whenever possible.

Watch the Balcony Overhang
The Mezzanine hangs over the Orchestra starting around Row H. If you choose budget seats in Rows L through N at the very back of the Orchestra, the ceiling hangs low above your head. While you won’t miss any critical floor action, you do lose the airy, open feel of the auditorium.