How to Pick the Best Seats at The Outsiders on Broadway

Best Musical winner The Outsiders has been running on Broadway for nearly nine months now, and Playbill has got you covered with tips to get the best seats in the house (the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre). We've scoured online forums for the inside scoop from past attendees, so you're prepared to pick the perfect seat for the rumble.

The Jacobs Theatre has a seating capacity of 1,092 with an orchestra and a mezzanine. For the purposes of clarity, we've divided the seating charts between Orchestra Left (Orchestra L), Orchestra Center (Orchestra C), Orchestra Right (Orchestra R), Mezzanine Left (Mezzanine L), Mezzanine Center (Mezzanine C), and Mezzanine Right (Mezzanine R).

If you choose to sit in the first few rows of the orchestra, aim for the right side for a clearer view—a large tire set piece on the house left side of the stage obstructs some of the action for those sitting close up (though the actor playing Ponyboy does walk down the left side aisle before taking the stage). Fans of the show have deemed Orchestra C/Row A/Seat 115 the "Ponyboy Seat," as it is actually occupied by Ponyboy during the show's opening number. The audience member with that seat waits in a standing room area for the first song of the show, and an ushers quickly escorts them to take their seat after it ends. As for Orchestra R, attendees said a car set piece obstructs a bit of the right side of the stage, but they didn't miss any of the main action.

The special effects in The Outsiders can make for an immersive experience for those who choose to sit in the front of the orchestra: one attendee in Orchestra R/Row A said to "beware of the flying rubber pellets and water splashing at you" if you choose to be up close and personal. Another theatregoer claimed Orchestra C/Row B/Seat 112 is the best seat in the house. Here, you may be hit by some rubble, but you probably won't be splashed.

For a more aerial view to catch all the action, the front of the mezzanine is always a safe choice, though attendees in all areas of the mezzanine said their view was unobstructed. And for those looking for some extra leg room, one theatregoer said Mezzanine L/Row E has a curtained divider between the aisle and row, allowing for a little additional space. If you're on the shorter side and would like to avoid a view obstructed by fellow theatregoers, Mezzanine C/Row E/Seat 114 has nobody sitting in front of you (but very little leg room, one attendee cautioned).

If you're looking to save some money but still see the show, one attendee said Orchestra R/Row I/Seat 22 is marked partial view (and therefore more affordable), but they were able to see everything. Another theatregoer who sat in an obstructed view seat (Orchestra L/Row B/Seat 3) said they were able to see everything except the numbers "Throwing in the Towel" and "Hopeless War." And in Orchestra C/Row P/Seat 111, which is also labeled obstructed, one attendee said they were able to see the whole show, and mezzanine overhang didn't matter for this production.

For super fans wanting to make a beeline for the stage door after the show, Orchestra L is your friend. But don't worry, one theatregoer who sat in Orchestra R/Row G said they had a great view and were still able to get outside quickly enough to be up front for autographs.

And if you want to find out how to get cheaper tickets to The Outsiders, click here for rush tickets and lottery information.