Broadway - Photography, Window Cards, and Insights for a 1st Timer

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 4/5/18 at 6:22pm

I’ll have approximately one full day at the end of May in the Times Square/Broadway area arriving around 11am with a possible show @ 2pm (depending on what TKTS has that day) and a confirmed 8pm show at the Shubert Theater, then the next morning/early afternoon before leaving for EWR airport around 3pm. I’ll be staying at The Wyndham New Yorker hotel.

I love photography. Is there anything “Broadway” of particular interest that I should turn my focus to? I already know I want to get a picture of the massive marquee at the Lyric Theater. That’s got to be impressive.

Are there any other marquees or theater structures within walking distance of Times Square that are architecturally (on the exterior) noteworthy? Anything that “says Broadway” while you’re walking down the streets? I want this short trip to be all about Broadway, so I’ll also be hitting some shops and stores discussed in other threads.

I do have one question about window cards purchased in places like Triton Gallery. Are these the exact same window cards as if I had purchased them at the show? I wanted to pick up one for a friend from the show “Mean Girls” and wanted it to be as authentic as possible.

Any other advice in making my first trip to Broadway as memorable as possible is GREATLY appreciated!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/5/18 at 6:39pm

ALL of the theaters are withing walking distance of Times Square.  In Duffy Square (Where tdf has their booth) has some interesting stuff too: Their booth covered by "the red stairs" as well as a "map" of all the bway theaters imbeded to the ground.   

The best thing, really, is just walking around to see what YOU find interesting.   

If you are looking for something like the Hollywood sign, it doesn't exist.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 4/5/18 at 7:24pm

I’ve been to NYC before, several times while embarking cruise ships, the most recent being way back in 2002 on Rotterdam VI (we were docked next to the iconic QE2) and again on Carnival Legend. 

And I’ve been through Times Square, but never really paid attention other than to snap a picture back in the day.

But I’ve never been through the Broadway district, seen the theaters or the marquees. I’m just wondering if there’s any interesting architecture of note or places to visit that are noteworthy or have Historic Plaques. I know there won’t be a Hollywood sign.

Updated On: 4/5/18 at 07:24 PM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 4/5/18 at 9:01pm

The theaters essentially are between 8th ave & Broadway, running from 41st to 54th streets with a few on the east side of Broadway and the Beaumont up at 65th. Essentially it surrounds Times Square. Best bet is to walk through street by street and see what you find interesting to photograph. 

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/5/18 at 9:16pm

You'll definitely want a shot of the Shubert/Booth wall in Shubert Alley between 44th and 45th Streets. There's also a plaque embedded in the ground.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/5/18 at 10:20pm

dmwnc1959 said: "I do have one question about window cards purchased in places like Triton Gallery. Are these the exact same window cards as if I had purchased them at the show? I wanted to pick up one for a friend from the show “Mean Girls” and wanted it to be as authentic as possible."

If it's for a currently running or recently closed show then yes, the window cards at Triton are the same as at the theatres (they buy them wholesale from the various merchandise companies). For older shows it may be a reproduction, but I know at least on their website it will state which posters are reproductions, and I assume that they would state that in their physical store as well.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 4/5/18 at 11:42pm

When I visit Broadway, I always stop by the Marquis Theatre to admire the second floor lobby wall of window cards.

The lobby is accessible even when no show is playing at the theatre. It is also a great place to find a clean and comfy washroom!

To access the Marquis wall of window cards,
I recommend entering through the pedestrian corridor at the rear of the hotel property - the corridor is directly across the street from Shubert Alley when heading uptown.

Head up the escalator to the second floor to see this great collection of framed Broadway history.

Updated On: 4/5/18 at 11:42 PM

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 4/6/18 at 5:36am

defyingravity11 said: "You'll definitely want a shot of the Shubert/Booth wall in Shubert Alley between 44th and 45th Streets. There's also a plaque embedded in the ground."

Wow! I’ll definitley be looking for this! Thank you. :)
 

AEA AGMA SM said: "If it's for a currently running or recently closed show then yes, the window cards at Triton are the same as at the theatres (they buy them wholesale from the various merchandise companies)."

Superb answer! Solves my problem. Thank you! :)
 

BalconyClub said: "When I visit Broadway, I always stop by the Marquis Theatre to admire the second floor lobby wall of window cards.”

Love, love, LOVE this! Will definitely be checking this out. Thank you! :)

 

Updated On: 4/6/18 at 05:36 AM

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 4/6/18 at 10:14am

Definitely pay a visit to Triton Gallery! It’s a true NYC treasure and Broadway landmark. It’s been the premiere place to buy a Broadway window card for decades. Your Mean Girls card from there will absolutely be authentic. In fact, sometimes Triton has window card exclusives that you can’t even get at the theatre.

Also, if you’ve never been to Sardi’s, you absolutely must go. You’ll have a blast photographing the thousands of famed caricatures covering the walls. There’s little left that’s as old-school broadway as this joint.

[B.JAMES]

Posted: 4/6/18 at 1:24pm

Not completely, but somewhat Broadway related... You can do a tour of Radio City.  I really enjoyed it myself. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from Times Square.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 4/6/18 at 2:23pm

This may be overly specific, but I'm fond of 45th Street - there's several beautiful theaters (the Music Box, the Imperial, the Golden, the Jacobs, etc.) all along one stretch of street. When my family visited, my dad got some beautiful shots of the marquees all in one frame.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 4/6/18 at 5:41pm

1) Triton Galley - now a “double check”.

2) Sardi’s - some pay my, check. Sounds good. Will definitely eat there.

3) Radio City Music Hall Tour - check. Sounds like a nice diversion.

4) 45th Street for “triple play marquee” picture - looking forward to it, check.

THANK YOU The Actr97J, B.JAMES, and bwayrose7 for more great advice! Definitely adding these to my growing list! Looks like it’ll be a GREAT trip so far!!!

P.S. Got my ticket in the mail today. Even more excited - 54 days and counting! 

Updated On: 4/6/18 at 05:41 PM

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 4/7/18 at 4:13am

BalconyClub said: "When I visit Broadway, I always stop by the Marquis Theatre to admire the second floor lobby wall of window cards.

The lobby is accessible even when no show is playing at the theatre. It is also a great place to find a clean and comfy washroom!

To access the Marquis wall of window cards,
I recommend entering through the pedestrian corridor at the rear of the hotel property - the corridor is directly across the street from Shubert Alley when heading uptown.

Head up the escalator to the second floor to see this great collection of framed Broadway history."

They are on the 3rd floor where the theatre is...not the 2nd floor. 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 4/7/18 at 4:34am

In front of the Imperial Theatre, there’s a round plaque in the ground commemorating “Les Miserables - A Living Legend.” It played that theatre forever.

If you’re looking for the Ultimate Broadway Photo Checklist, I’d walk around and take a picture in front of all of the Broadway theatre facades/marquees. Here’s a map that I think is more or less current... it’s missing the Hudson Theatre. (Someone jump in if you see anything else that’s wrong.) Other than the Vivian Beaumont at Lincoln Center - which isn’t that far of a walk and offers its own great photo ops - they’re all in a cluster in Times Square.

If you’re a fan of the movie Birdman, that was filmed at and all around the St. James. (Where Frozen is currently playing.)

Edit: Also, the George M. Cohan statue in the front of the TKTS steps. You’ll be right there anyway and can’t miss it, but just FYI!
 

 

Updated On: 4/7/18 at 04:34 AM

[amoni]

Posted: 4/7/18 at 7:06am

Here is a preview of some things you might find interesting to shoot.

https://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/?cam=tsstreet

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 4/7/18 at 8:38am

mailhandler777 said: “They are on the 3rd floor where the theatre is...not the 2nd floor."

Thanks! I’ll definitely be checking these out! :)


JudyDenmark: GREAT map! Love it! Will also be adding the Les Miserables plaque and George M. Cohan statue to my list. Never saw “Birdman”, but maybe I’ll give it a viewing to see the location aspects of the theater district.

amoni - Love, love, LOVE the Live Cams and people watching. Soooo addicting. I’ll just sit on my couch all weekend with my iPad propped up on the table next to me. Thanks for that. lol

Updated On: 4/7/18 at 08:38 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/7/18 at 11:56am

I also agree on a trip to Triton. I went to their new space the day they opened to get a Shuffle Along window card. It wad a bit of a mess. He had to find it so I left and came back. The guy there is so nice. I need to return and spend some time.

Also Shubert Alley. I actually have several pics of the alley over the years and actually did a video of the current posters last week to send to a friend.

I also like to get a pic of the lit sign above the Schubert Theater entrance. It is iconic to me. And love that Hello Dolly is up there now. And it is always seen on theatre book covers and lots of pics of it in books about theatre.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 4/7/18 at 8:26pm

^ ^ ^ I’ve got the times for sunrise (5:28am) and sunset (8:19pm) for NYC on the days I’ll be there, and will miss the all amazing “Manhattanhenge” by TWO days! Would love to have been there for that. :)

Will get lots of great marquee pics during Day 1, and especially between 6p and 7p since they will already be lit up and show up better (as the sun heads down and will be less of a distraction) before I head to the show.

I’ve been watching the webcams previously linked and they’ll be enormously helpful when I get closer in to my visit on the best times to get pictures of the neon/digital-walled Times Square if it’s a particularly sunny day. Not everything looks better bathed in sunlight.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 4/7/18 at 9:24pm

dmwnc1959 said: "mailhandler777 said: “They are on the 3rd floor where the theatre is...not the 2nd floor."

Thank you for the clarification.  I've always ridden the escalator up from the street level to the next level, but did not realize that the next level was floor 3.  It is a long escalator ride, so it makes sense that it traverses non-stop from level 1 to level 3.

[SempreLiberal]

Posted: 4/7/18 at 9:38pm

Manhattanhenge still feels pretty real, albeit not a perfect sunset, 2 days before and after.

Have a great trip.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 4/8/18 at 6:13am

^ ^ ^ Unless I figure out a way to change my arrival date (which is highly unlikely) looks like I’ll miss it all the way around since show time is 8pm and sunset is 8:19pm. And by all accounts the theater is a adamant about not seating late comers. Oh well, maybe next year. :)

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 8/18/18 at 11:57am

Finally made it the the Marriott Marquis wall of window cards. Very nice. And took pictures of the plaque in the ground in front of the Imperial Theater. Very cool. Chilling in the lobby trying to avoid the oppressive (at least to me) humidity out there. Bleh.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 8/18/18 at 12:11pm

Also visited the two Broadway souvenir stores close to the Shubert Theater: the one in Shubert Alley and Theater Circle down near the St. James. The former was incredibly small, can barely fit a few people in there at a time, but they were playing the soundtrack to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, so I lingered longer than I should have. Theater Circle was quite nice, albeit I apparently walked in when the staff were having a loud discussion about scheduling issues. I’m headed back there in a couple of minutes.

Updated On: 8/18/18 at 12:11 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/18/18 at 12:15pm

Both of those shops are owned by the same peeps - unless something has changed recently.  (And the employees at both can be rather cranky.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 8/18/18 at 7:51pm

^ ^ ^ Cranky - Theater Circle. Cool guy - Shubert Alley.