Today, I want to describe the thrill of the New York City theater
scene. It is such an important part of me as it is to the city’s many tourists.
Broadway and
Off-Broadway offer a diverse array of plays and musicals. Playbill.com gives
you a list of the performances as well as news on those shows. Any information
you need is there: synopsis, cast members, and running times. There is even a
link to the official website.
Once decided on seeing a show, check the ticket
information. If only available through
the box office of the venue, you have to go to that theater and buy tickets
from them. Have a date and ticket price range when making the purchase. Also
bear in mind that certain actors appear in select performances as there are
usually 8 performances per week for any show; which includes 2 on Wednesday and
Saturday.
The other option is the TKTS Booth. This Times Square set-up
offers a vast selection of entertainment options. There are two electronic
boards on either side of the tickets booth that let you know what shows are
available. Please note that the discounted ticket prices vary from show to show.
When in line for performance purchases here, always have a plan A, B, C should
your show not be available, has only obstructed view seats left, or does not have
enough seats in the row for your group. Not all shows are available at the TKTS Booth.
Once you have your
tickets, locate the theater. The address is generally listed on the ticket if
you are not familiar with the location. Broadway shows have marquees of the
show’s poster below the theater name, which help in locating the theater. Be
aware that lines formed outside the venue will sometimes overlap with other
shows as 3 theaters share the same block; get in the correct one. After the
doors open, the lines will file into the theater. A lot of the times, the
theater doors will open a half hour before the performances.
Walking into the theater, the ushers will direct you to your
seat. You enter on the orchestra level. Up the staircase are the mezzanine and
balcony seating. Upon finding your seat, you can read the Playbill given you to
learn more about the cast of the show, and others that you can see later. In
the Playbill, there may be notes inside that announce understudies for regular
performers unable to be at that specific performance .You never know who you may see as understudy today but will be a star
tomorrow.
The houselights will blink on and off about two minutes
prior to the start of the performance. The announcer for the theater tells you
to turn off your cell phones, unwrap any candy wrappers before the show begins,
and be aware of the emergency exits. Instructions are delivered in a variety of
styles-my favorite being comedic : ‘In case of fire, do not start singing “pyromania” as we do not own the rights to
that song’ - “Rock Of Ages” and the sound of a phone ringing and candy being
unwrapped at “Noises Off”.
The show then starts. It is usually 2 acts with an
intermission. Special event shows run 90 minutes without an intermission. No
matter the format, it is an experience one doesn’t forget. It even leads to
seeing another one later.
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