From the eyes of an overseas fan ( who can come to see Broadway perhaps once a year) --
*The active online communities and chatterati who support Broadway all the way
*The Broadway events that are marked every year ( the Shubert Alley free concerts, the flea market, the Bryant Park shows, participation in Thanksgiving Day celebrations, the softball games in the park, etc) which gives one a feeling of how much a part of New York City Broadway really is.
*The charity drives which makes gift-giving ( through Broadway Cares events) such fun occasions.
*Only place where Hollywood stars feel there is more to acting than just being in front of a camera...And where Hugh Jackman, Antonio Banderas, Alec Baldwin, Liam Neeson, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Cumming and other cinema stars showed their talents are indeed multi-faceted.
*Where in most shows, one is surprised to see so much talent, energy and dedication ( from the above-the-title lead to the chorus boys and girls).
*Where one finds quite a varied audience profile - but who all rise in standing ovation to appreciate excellent performance.
*Where the lowly looking stage door is the equivalent of the red carpet - but what a scene sometimes !
*Where people moan about ticket prices but see a show several times because of its artistic standards and entertainment value ( even if one has to scour all sources for the best discounts one can find in this deal-oriented town
*Where the feeling of community extends not just among cast, crew and creative teams - but also to the fans who support their favorite show ( The men and women of HAIRSPRAY, WICKED, RENT, SCARLET PIMPERNEL, GYPSY, MODERN MILLIE, etc...even the Oz-mates of THE BOY FROM OZ)
*Where one can gorge onself with several shows in a few days and still come out wanting to see more
Updated On: 4/30/04 at 07:28 PM
The Studio Museum in Harlem is having an exhibition of the late Al Hirschfeld's Harlem portraits, if you can go, it's a thrill.
