Broadway Dress Code

[Penalers]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 3:32pm

Do you know what the dress code is like for men for the shows:

Bare
Rent
LSOH
Wicked
Avenue Q
Caroline of change
I am my own wife
Aida

Are jeans acceptable for any/all of these? Thanks in advance

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 3:33pm

Honestly, anything goes nowadays, but I still prefer dressing up for any show :)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 3:37pm

yeah, I've worn jeans, and like NativeNewYorker said, anything goes. But I also like to get kind of dressed up to go to the theater.

[mominator]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 3:44pm

There are so few chances to get dressed up these days! So why not? We are not talking white tie and tails, but what is wrong with a dress shirt and dress pants? Go on do it!!
The times I have been to Wicked folks have gone with the theme of the show. Lots of folks in black with just a splash of green.
So you don't have to get all dressed up, but it has been shown that when you are a wee bit more dressy , you feel better about yourself. So as I said before Go ahead do it! You'll feel better!
B

[RevoLucian]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 3:45pm

I wore a hat to "Bare"!!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 4:33pm

Rent is pretty casual. Wicked, I've seen a lot of black, green and pink themes (so dressy is fun!). Aida...depends. I was there on a Saturday night performance and the dress code ranged from jeans and shorts (ugh) to slacks and a polo shirt or something "business-casual", which I think is more appropriate.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 4:47pm

RENT is very casual, because it's a pretty casual show. I wore jeans to Wicked, but a lot of people were dressed up. I dressed up for Aida, but that was awhile ago. I went casual for LSOH. I think now, basically, you can wear anything to shows.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 4:59pm

I think it really depends on what kind of show you go to. Like i don't think you would find a lot of people in suits or really nice dresses at Rent of Avenue Q. Usually when i see a show, i wear a dark color of jeans, a nice shirt, and dressy or casual shoes (no gym shoes). I also think that if it's a matinee then it is more casual than an evening show. But one time at Hairspray, i saw a person wearing a hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals! =P I don't think that's approprite for any show. Anyways, i think dressing up for a show seems to show respect for the production.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 5:02pm

for CAROLINE i would dress up a bit. because those who are seeing it, you won't be seeing wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 5:22pm

i always wear blue jeans and t shirts. you look too much like a tourist if you dress up. Go Yankees!

[Corine2]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 5:28pm

I always wear a suit. For Broadway it is the pinstripe. Off Broadway is the Jean Suit.
During the day khaki pants are fine but I always dress up.
Cough: You look too much like a tourist if you dress up?
Actually it is the reverse. It is usually the tourists in jeans and New Yorkers that dress for the theater.
Be comfortable but look nice this is not a ball game and I wish more people dressed up! Updated On: 5/8/04 at 05:28 PM

[lvpblues]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 6:31pm

It doesn't really matter anymore. I've seen people in the theatre in shorts and white tees. Personally I still like to dress up when I go - mostly semi-casual attire.

~K

[Corine2]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 6:34pm

I don't think people should wear shorts to the theater.
Gowns are silly but people should dress for the theater.
Shorts are fine for a baseball game but not the theater.

[JakeB]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 6:38pm

I go in whatever I'm wearing, I don't think I ever change - but that's because I go too regularly to think of it as a special occasion. I wear a shirt to operas/ballets, and on Thursday I went for a meal before a show, so wore a shirt again (good old Abercrombie and Fitch!).

And yes, I've been to the theatre in shorts and t-shirt.

[Plum]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 7:51pm

Maybe it's because I was raised on classical music concerts and operas, but I think going to see a performance (other than something like a rock concert) in shorts and a T-shirt is kind of rude. I don't go completely formal for a Broadway show, but I'll dress nicely- it's a sign of respect.

I guess it also depends on which show you're seeing- RENT is the only show I can think of where really informal attire might be okay (though I still wouldn't like it). But if you're going to see Caroline, or Change, dress up. Besides, as others have said here, isn't it nice to have an occassion to look nice once in a while? The only part I hate is the shoes. :)

[Matt_G]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 8:29pm

New York City is the is one of the biggest tourist destinations on the planet. People are out all day and don't always go back to their hotels or homes to change if they have tickets for a show. Even if you go to CAROLINE, you'll see people in shorts and T-Shirts especially in the summer. You won't look out of place at all. There are some shows where the people who dress up actually look out of place. Don't forget, you're just sitting in a dark theater, not standing on a lighted stage. Just go and enjoy the show!
-Matt

[Matt_G]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 8:30pm

Just a note - I don't wear shorts to the theater. Nobody should, because nobody looks good in shorts. Unless you're a REALLY hot guy jogging shirtless. Than it's okay. But only than.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 10:15pm

For heaven's sake, wear what you like, but remember that New York City has a huge gay population and we'll be scrutinizing everyone in the audience and criticizing whatever they're wearing--so be advised!!!!!!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 10:23pm

Wear whatever makes you comfortable. I know some folks enjoy the "formal occasion of the theatre", but you paid your $100 (or whatever)--you should wear what you like.

I like the idea that theatre is for everyone--including people who can't afford or do not desire to wear formal clothing. Just getting butts in seats is what's important.

[mominator]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 10:28pm

Dollypop... Are you Carson?

[shermanslave]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 10:35pm

The only time I get really dressed up for a show is when I am fortunate enought to be going to opening night. The rest of the time, I am usually focused on comfort.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 5/8/04 at 10:38pm

You can where anything you want to any show. No one's going to judge you based on what you're wearing. ESPECIALLY in New York.

[Plum]

Posted: 5/9/04 at 12:00am

I don't like the argument that paying $100 gives you the right to dress however you like. $100 gives you the right to sit your butt in the seat and watch the show- that's it. You pay a ton of money to eat in a fancy restaurant, too, but that doesn't mean you can go without a jacket.

You don't need to be in full formalwear for a Broadway show (in fact, you'd look a bit weird if you were) but shorts and tees just seem inappropriate to me. You can wear what you want, but that doesn't mean you should.

Man, I'm such a prude. :) Updated On: 5/9/04 at 12:00 AM

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 5/9/04 at 2:02am

I like to dress up because it makes the evening more special. I even dress up a little bit for high school plays and musicals. It just seems to make the night more fun. I also think it shows respect for the actors. Some may disagree, but to me the fact that you take time to dress up for something shows respect to the performers. I just wouldn't feel right if I didn't dress up some.

[billyweeds]

Posted: 5/9/04 at 8:00am

I agree with the message that you should wear what you're comfortable in. We need to take the "classy" mystique out of theater and just get people to go to plays and musicals. I DO agree that shorts are usually out of place, and sandals. Other than that, anything goes. I am always impressed and affectionately amused when I see a couple of friends together, one dressed to the nines and the other in jeans and a T-shirt. This is the essence of America, and we should embrace it, not get elitist on people's asses.