Choosing Shows
Oh my! Such choice! Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, way out and gone nowhere near Broadway. Tons of shows! How on earth does one choose?
A number of factors play in:
What is What?
Broadway
Broadway shows are the big extravaganza's. This would be your Hamilton, Wicked, Lion King, etc. The price per show is horrific (up to $500 for musicals -- more for whatever is hot, $200 for plays). Slightly cheaper for the matinees. A whole lot more for "premium" seats (just under $500, and yes, I've paid that once). Broadway actually has a technical definition -- anything designated official broadway pays a certain union rate, has a certain number of seats (over 499), etc. You only need to know that a Broadway show is an expensive show. Most Broadway theatres are in midtown but not always. You can often find tickets for older shows at the TKTS booth.
Off Broadway
Off-Broadway is still expensive theatre. Shows are in slightly smaller venues, tickets are about $20-$50 cheaper -- plus they tend to play for shorter runs. I have personally found that the plays seem to be better Off-Broadway than on. However, nothing beats a Broadway musical. TKTS will often carry off-broadway offerings.
Off Off Broadway
This is anything that is not officially Broadway or Off-Broadway. Can't guarantee the quality (course you can't guarantee the quality anywhere, but in "off off" you really take your chances -- read the reviews!!). Shows are mondo cheap (sometimes are low as $10 bucks). These shows are generally not at the TKTS booth, but will be listed on many broadway sites that you follow on Facebook (I follow theatre mania, playbill and broadway.com).
Feinsteins/54 Below
This is my new favourite cabaret venue. It's an intimate supper club that sits in the basment of the old studio 54. You can see wonderful concerts by broadway stars, they also do in-concert presentations of new shows. Ticket prices are reasonable, but there is a minimum $25 food/drink charge (all very tasty by the way). I try to go to at least one show every trip. You may have seen my Matthew Morrison photos -- they were taken at this venue. They have a show or two every night (including dark Mondays). Check out their website: https://54below.com/ to check out what is playing and to subscribe to their newsletter (worth it) to get advance notice and discounts.
You can check out a couple of sites as well:
www.playbill.com,
www.broadwayworld.com,
www.theatermania.com
Of course, in addition to theatre shows, there are also ballets, museums, art galleries, music concerts, play readings, all sorts of wonderful things to see and do (check your Time Out New York)
A number of factors play in:
- Budget
- Type of show
What is What?
Broadway
Broadway shows are the big extravaganza's. This would be your Hamilton, Wicked, Lion King, etc. The price per show is horrific (up to $500 for musicals -- more for whatever is hot, $200 for plays). Slightly cheaper for the matinees. A whole lot more for "premium" seats (just under $500, and yes, I've paid that once). Broadway actually has a technical definition -- anything designated official broadway pays a certain union rate, has a certain number of seats (over 499), etc. You only need to know that a Broadway show is an expensive show. Most Broadway theatres are in midtown but not always. You can often find tickets for older shows at the TKTS booth.
Off Broadway
Off-Broadway is still expensive theatre. Shows are in slightly smaller venues, tickets are about $20-$50 cheaper -- plus they tend to play for shorter runs. I have personally found that the plays seem to be better Off-Broadway than on. However, nothing beats a Broadway musical. TKTS will often carry off-broadway offerings.
Off Off Broadway
This is anything that is not officially Broadway or Off-Broadway. Can't guarantee the quality (course you can't guarantee the quality anywhere, but in "off off" you really take your chances -- read the reviews!!). Shows are mondo cheap (sometimes are low as $10 bucks). These shows are generally not at the TKTS booth, but will be listed on many broadway sites that you follow on Facebook (I follow theatre mania, playbill and broadway.com).
Feinsteins/54 Below
This is my new favourite cabaret venue. It's an intimate supper club that sits in the basment of the old studio 54. You can see wonderful concerts by broadway stars, they also do in-concert presentations of new shows. Ticket prices are reasonable, but there is a minimum $25 food/drink charge (all very tasty by the way). I try to go to at least one show every trip. You may have seen my Matthew Morrison photos -- they were taken at this venue. They have a show or two every night (including dark Mondays). Check out their website: https://54below.com/ to check out what is playing and to subscribe to their newsletter (worth it) to get advance notice and discounts.
You can check out a couple of sites as well:
www.playbill.com,
www.broadwayworld.com,
www.theatermania.com
Of course, in addition to theatre shows, there are also ballets, museums, art galleries, music concerts, play readings, all sorts of wonderful things to see and do (check your Time Out New York)
The Barb Does New York Page Links