Row A Orchestra at Cadillac Palace Theater

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm currently looking for tix to Phantom this winter, and I noticed that there don't seem to be any seats available in row A of the orchestra for any show. Out of curiosity, I tried Lion King and Chris Fleming and Playstation too, and didn't see any. (It's getting harder to look because now Ticketmaster thinks I"m a bot.)

So do they ever remove row A, making row B the front row, or are the row A seats all sold to season ticket holders or held back for someone?

Thanks if anyone knows.

Answer

The situation with Row A at the Cadillac Palace Theater is fairly common for popular shows like Phantom, Lion King, and other big productions. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

First, Row A is rarely removed; the seats are physically present for all performances. However, whether they appear available for public sale depends on several factors:

Season ticket holders: Many front-row orchestra seats are reserved for season ticket holders, who get priority access before general public sales. This can make Row A appear completely sold out even weeks before the show.
Premium or VIP pricing: Some productions hold Row A for premium packages or VIP experiences, which can include meet-and-greets, pre-show access, or extra perks. These may not show up as standard tickets on Ticketmaster.
House holds for accessibility: Occasionally, front-row seats are held back for ADA accessibility needs or for use by the theater itself (e.g., media, photographers, or special guests).
Dynamic inventory: For extremely popular shows, the box office may release these seats closer to performance dates, or they might be sold in bulk through theater membership programs rather than public sales.

It’s unlikely that Row A is ever “removed,” but for most mainstream shows, Row B often functions as the first row available for general sale. If your goal is Row A specifically, you can try the following strategies:

Check the theater box office directly rather than online; sometimes they hold back a few front-row tickets for phone or in-person sales.
Monitor the show’s inventory regularly; canceled tickets or returns can occasionally free up front-row seats.
Consider VIP or premium packages if your budget allows, as these often include front-row access.

In short, the lack of Row A availability is usually due to reserved seats for season ticket holders, premium sales, or theater-held inventory, not because the row is removed. Persistence and checking multiple sales channels is the key if you’re aiming for that front-row experience.