5 Things To Know To Optimize Your Broadway Show Experience in NYC

Brrr... It's getting chilly outside.

We all know how fierce NYC wind is - forget holding an umbrella when it's rainy. So what are you gonna do it gets colder and colder? Please don't say that you are going to do couch potatoing - that's not cool at all.

Why don't you watch Broadway show instead? There are tons of shows - also many ways to get a discount! I'll take you to a quick guide on how to optimize your Broadway show experience in NYC. Are you ready?!

1. What is Broadway Show?

Broadway show, commonly known as Broadway, refers to the theatrical performances presented in the 41 professional theaters with 500 or more seats located in the Theater District and Lincoln Center along Broadway, in Midtown Manhattan, NYC. Along with London's West End theatres, Broadway theatres are widely considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world. The great majority of Broadway shows are musicals.

The Theater District, where many theaters are seated every one block or two, is a popular tourist attraction in NYC. According to The Broadway League, for the 2015–2016 season (which ended May 22, 2016), total attendance was 13,317,980 and Broadway shows had US$1,373,253,725 in grosses.


2. Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway

The classification of theatres is governed by language in Actors' Equity Association contracts. To be eligible for a Tony, a production must be in a house with 500 seats or more and in the Theater District, which criteria define Broadway theatre. Off Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway shows often provide a more experimental, challenging and intimate performance than is possible in the larger Broadway theatres. 

Some Broadway shows, however, such as the musicals Hair, Little Shop of Horrors, Spring Awakening, Next to Normal, Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights, Fun Home and Hamilton, began their runs Off-Broadway and later transferred to Broadway, seeking to replicate their intimate experience in a larger theatre.

3. Top 10 Broadway Shows (as of November 2016)

1. The Lion King
2. Wicked
3. The Book of Mormon
4. The Phantom of the Opera
5. Aladdin
6. Matilda
7. School of Rock - The Musical
8. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
9. Cats
10. A Bronx Tale

           



       

4. How to Get Discount Tickets?

• TKTS Discount Booths : Same-day theatre tickets at up to 50% off

The TKTS ticket booths sell Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, music, and dance events tickets at discounts of 20–50% off the face value. I suggest you to go to a TKTS Discount Booth early in the day. To help plan ahead, you can browse real-time listings on its website or on your mobile device with the official TKTS app.

• TodayTix : Discounted theater tickets today and this week

TodayTix sells discounted or full price theater tickets for purchase directly from its moble app and website, booked same day or up to a week ahead of time. If you have time to plan ahead or have a specific show to watch in your mind, TodayTix gives you more options to choose from.

• Broadway Week

Broadway Week in NYC is a ticket deal offered by Broadway producers and NYC & Company which lets you buy two-for-one tickets to certain shows for a limited time. There are two Broadway Weeks in a year, so check the calendar in advance to grab this opportunity.

• Rush, Lottery, and Standing-Only Tickets

Anyone willing to wake up and get to the box office early, spend some time in a line, or stand during the show, can get greatly discounted tickets to the majority of shows on Broadway. Or if none of those appeal, several Broadway shows now offer digital or online lottery options. Check this link to find out what discounted tickets are available for your next musicals.

5. Extra Tips

• The more you prepare for the show, the more you have fun. 

Listen to some popular tracks, read the lyrics. If there is a film or book with the same title of the show you are going to watch, I strongly recommend to see/watch it before heading to a theater.

• Optimize your student discount.

Take advantage of being a student. Go to a theater website and see if it offers any student discount.

• "Stage dooring" - Meet the actors!

Wait for the show’s stars to make an appearance for autographs and a few kind words with fans after the show.

>>Check out the next post<<

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Sources: Wikipedia, broadway.com, tdf.org, todaytix.com, playbill.com