Broadway and Off Broadway Guide for the Unitiated

I see hundreds of shows a year and want to help people see the Broadway or Off-Broadway Show of their dreams!

First Step: is identifying the show you want to see! There are tons of options the best time of year to see new shows is in the spring and fall when new shows open. Broadway is any theater in midtown that has over 500 seats, most are located between 42^(nd) and 50^(th) street between 7^(th) and 8^(th) ave with some outliers on 6^(th) ave, Hirshfeld between 8^(th) and 9^(th) ave, and Vivian Beaumont up on 66^(th). Off-Broadway has between 499 and 100 seats, with Off Off Broadway having under 99 seats. Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway since they are smaller venues and can get more experimental compared to Broadway, which tends to be more commercial, but Broadway will have the big glitzy shows like Wicked or Stranger Things.

Second Step: You googled all of the shows to exhaustion and you picked some shows that you wanna see or one show you wanna see how do I get tickets? Now the first thing is make sure you buy from a first party or reputable third party. One common scam is Broadway.com. They are a great resource for finding shows, but not buying since they tack on crazy fees that could double the ticket cost. The best way I found is sometimes google doesn’t pull the official site the first go round, so you might need to google the show and theater such as Wicked/Gershwin or Hamilton/Richard Rogeres. Legit 3rd parties would be TodayTix and Theatr.  TodayTix will run some lottos/rush, while choosing your seat could be more expensive unless they have a sale. Theatr is a resale site, so you do have to watch it, but they will refund you if something goes wrong. Box Office is cheap in the way that you don’t pay fees, so  $50 online or $40 at the box office, but if you’re here for a limited time and a show is super popular it is better to suck it up and pay in advance as said show might sell out.  

Second Step Selecting A Seat: I like aisles. The seats in these old theaters are tight as hell and my back screams at some of them. If you have long legs or are on the larger side aisle seat is your friend. Personally, I like mezz for musicals since you get a full view, and orchestra for plays as you’re closer to the emotion. Theaters are old as I said without elevators to the mezzanine or balcony. If you need accessible seats call the box office and they will be more than happy to help you. They have accessible seats and transfer seats. They will also work with you if you have crutches or a walker.

Second Step Add On Discounts:  You saw the ticket price and went holy shit that is expensive. Broadway especially, but off Broadway has been getting super pricy. Rear Mezz/Balcony tends to be around $60 to $99, which prime orchestra being around $200-$500. If you’re not super picky with where you sit there is some hope. TKTS Booth can get you upto half off a ticket, but make sure you go to the actual booth and not the currency exchange, as they are a broker and a scam. In Person rush is going to wait outside of the box office before the show opens for cheap tickets, this can be very time consuming, and not all shows have them. Digital Rush is going on your phone or Telecharge website and seeing if they offer them. Not all shows will have rush digital or in person. Shows will also have digital lotto. https://bwayrush.com/ sums up the best way to get discounts per show. Just a warning there are a ton of partial view seats in these theaters, and you might be getting a discount for a reason.  

Third Step: Now that I have my tickets now what? Well, I arrive to shows half an hour before as it allows me to go through security, you will have to go through a metal detector, and have your bag searched. It isn’t bad. I carry a laptop, switch, metal water bottle in my backpack never had an issue. I did have a couple theaters make me throw out snacks and some will make you throw out leftovers. The rule of thumb for bag size is that it needs to fit under the seat. I like to arrive early to allow for merch shopping, and using the bathroom. I will say always go before the show, as lines during intermission can be super long, and you might miss the start of the second act. Ushers try their best, but not always feasible. Listen to everything the ushers say. They are super nice and want to help, ask them questions if you need to.

Fourth Step is Etiquette: How should I act during shows? This should be a no brainer but I can tell you it isn’t as obvious as people say. How should I dress? However makes you comfy, but please for the love of god seats are super tight, if you have a gigantic coat put it under your seat. Don’t hang it on your seat as the person next you doesn’t want their sleeves in their seat, and the person behind you doesn’t want you coat hood in their lap. Phones and Apple watches are stupid bright. TURN THEM OFF or theater mode or silent mode. Trust me if you’re checking the time on your phone or watch it isn’t as discrete as you think and you don’t want to be the person whose phone rings. NO TALKING or Whispering. I know it is super tempting to talk or whisper to your friends during the show, but trust me you’re never as quiet as you think. That snack you’re eating is super loud, especially crinkly bags, I personally hate gum, and good lord if you pop it. Everyone near you hates you. They might not say it, but usually they are annoyed. NO SINGING and NO DANCING. I know the show is fun. You’ve sung My Shot in the shower for 5 years straight, but trust me its distracting. Please wait for after the singers are done before applauding. I know holding out that big crescendo at the end is super impressive, but we want to hear it! In line with phones no recording, it is super distracting, and you’re not discrete, it is also illegal.

Fifth Step Stage Door: You saw the show and had the most amazing time in the world. You want to meet the actors afterwards! This is more of an on Broadway thing than off, but can be off too. Follow Securities every instruction, they are super nice and want everyone to be safe. DO NOT LEAVE EARLY FROM BOWS TO GET A SPOT. This is super rude to the performers. Actors who do stagedoor are doing it on their own free time, so be nice to them. I have seen some shockingly rude things at the stagedoor, also don’t be a creep, as people get really weird sometimes, especially with larger names. The ensemble is wonderful show them love! People tend to be really nice if you’re 3 deep and will pass playbills up and if you’re in the front be courteous and help people in the back. That being said if the actor is bigger they might only sign the front and that is their right. If they don’t sign your playbill that is unfortunate or if your favorite doesn’t come out please don’t be rude about it. It is also considered rude to stagedoor a show you didn’t attend. This is more of a thing for stagedoors with really big names. Be respectful to everyone and if you’re in the back don’t push the people upfront. I personally don’t do the crazy stagedoors since I find them extremely uncomforatable, and only really do the smaller shows. For bigger stagedoors such as Daniel Radcliffe it is also rude to bring Harry Potter stuff, only playbills or show merch.