A NYC trip during Tony Awards week

Go in May. The shows will be cleaner and attendance should be normal.

IMHO, I would avoid seeing a musical on the days surrounding the Tonys. There's a lot of press, hand-shaking, chances to get sick, extra rehearsals, extra vocalizing, etc. On Sunday, there's a Tony dress rehearsal before the matinee, on top of an 8-show week. if anything, see a play that day.

You should not be surprised if you get to the theatre on June 7-9 and one or more of the leads is out. Tony voting ends Thursday, so if an actor is going to call out to relax or save their voice, it will be over the weekend.

For the past several years, there have been quite a few callouts on the Saturday before the Tonys by leads in performing musicals. For many shows, the Tony performance is crucial financially, and if someone is not feeling well, it's better for the show if they miss a performance to be at top shape on the telecast.

I was supposed to see Great Comet on the Saturday matinee, and if I remember correctly, Josh Groban, Denee Benton, and Lucas Steele were all out. But that's just one of many examples.

On the other hand, it's rare for performers to call out on Tony Sunday itself. I think it's because Saturday is a two-show day, which can be a challenge.

Theatrefanboy, how do you check out the nominees meet the press? I didn't know it was open to the public.

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I think May would be more exciting. Tony nominations are already out and there will be Tony voters watching the new shows.

The week after the Tonys, the winners tend to increase their ticket prices (i.e. Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen both increased their orchestra cancellation ticket prices after winning big at the Tonys.)

Summer in general tends to be peak season for Broadway.

OP here. I know you all care deeply, but barring a last-minute complication, we're sticking with the May plan. It sounded more appealing from the start. We've just had travel complications (see my other annoying advice thread). Thanks for everyone's input.

And Kitsune, that sounds like an outstanding list. Octet sounds amusing, but I won't be around long enough and there are too many other candidates. (I am still hoping his Moby Dick adaptation is one of the late additions to the Berkeley Rep's list for next season.) I am also probably not going to catch The Ferryman either, which I'm already a little bummed about. I'll probably see Hadestown and The Prom along with Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (unless it's awful) and a revival to be determined later. But most of that could change.

Updated On: 4/12/19 at 02:51 AM

I used to always visit Tony week. For some reason I started coming in May instead and found it more worthwhile. Generally no one was missing performances. In addition, there are other events that are going on that can be open to the public, but standing outside you have a chance to see many of your favorites without the crowds. For example, the Tony Luncheon (which was my favorite) and the Drama League awards. I did not plan my trip around these, they were scheduled by coincidence during my visit.

May is always a great time to go as performers are really giving 100% every day in case any voters happen to be there. But I've also gone day of the Tonys and have never really had any issues with understudies then either (maybe I'm wrong about this, but I've always thought there was a sentiment of "Well, we have to be in midtown for a morning dress rehearsal and then back again for an evening ceremony, so might as well just stay and do a show in between"). But really, just like any time of year, it varies from performer to performer and show to show.