Fun "theatre" things to do in NYC besides seeing shows?

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 12/17/19 at 11:02pm

Hey guys, so I'll be going up to the city tomorrow for a day or two, this will be my fourth time and based on the way my flights got put together I'll have time to see two shows on Thursday afternoon/evening. To fill the downtime, I'm looking for some more (perhaps theatre-oriented) activities to do around the theatre district. Like I mentioned, It'll be my fourth time there, and as much as I love sightseeing and checking out all the big theaters and marquees I am just looking for some other fun ideas. Visiting the One Shubert Ally gift shop is always a favorite, and I would totally go to the Drama Book Shop if it was open.

Tried searching the board because I know this isn't the first thread to exist based on this sort of thing, but I couldn't find any of the old ones- my apologies! If anyone has any input, I'm all ears. Thanks ya'll! 

[VotePeron]

Posted: 12/17/19 at 11:30pm

Ooh, fun question!

• Hal Prince Exhibit at the New York Public Library
• Lincoln Center Library (to browse and explore the campus!)
• Strand Bookstore in Union Square has a large play collection you can read & buy.
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child gift shop on 42nd
• See a concert at 54 Below/Joe's Pub (technically "seeing" something)
• Have dinner at the Library at the Public Theater
• Might be a bit below you, but I have friends that conduct Broadway walking tours and people LOVE them

And if you get really bored, Gulliver's Gate in Times Square is SO fun. Check Goldstar (or google) for cheap tix. Easy to get lost in there for at least 2 hours.

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 12/17/19 at 11:52pm

VotePeron said: "Ooh, fun question!

• Hal Prince Exhibit at the New York Public Library
• Lincoln Center Library (to browse and explore the campus!)
• Strand Bookstore in Union Square has a large play collection you can read & buy.
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Childgift shop on 42nd
• See a concert at 54 Below/Joe's Pub (technically "seeing" something)
• Have dinner at the Library at the Public Theater
• Might be a bit below you, but I have friends that conduct Broadway walking tours and people LOVE them

And if you get really bored, Gulliver's Gate in Times Square is SO fun. Check Goldstar (or google) for cheap tix. Easy to get lost in there for at least 2 hours."

These are perfect, thank you SO much!

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 8:22am

I also nominate the Hal Prince exhibit at Lincoln Center. Lots of great notes, costumes, miniature set models, and audio. All free.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 8:24am

See the historic New Amsterdam Theater

Tour info here

Updated On: 12/18/19 at 08:24 AM

[Pashacar]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 9:29am

Lavieboheme3090 said: "See thehistoric New Amsterdam Theater

Tour info here"

Radio City also has a pretty nice tour.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 9:33am

Not sure if you've done it before, but, as someone who loves marquees, it might be fun to check out non-Broadway theaters - The Beacon uptown, etc

[Enjolras5]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 9:34am

You can always go Christmas window shopping; that's a show in itself :)

I've never actually done a Broadway Up Close Walking Tour but I've heard good things about it...

Also I second doing the Radio City tour...you get to meet a Rockette!

Although it's not for everyone, there's also "The Ride," a bus tour/show with street performers.  Around this time of year there's a really beautiful "Carol of the Bells" ballet and if you go at night they glow in the dark!  All the lights in the bus gave me a headache by the end but it really is a spectacle and sort of like a show, I'd recommend it but it can be more for tourists...

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 9:48am

Marie's Crisis is a really good time. Go get drunk and sing some show tunes. The crowd that hovers around the piano can be a little pompous-assy sometimes tho. Otherwise, get a $6 drink, tip the piano player, and live your Cynthia Erivo fantasy. 

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 10:03am

Speaking of drinking, getting a cocktail in the upstairs bar at Sardi’s is classic Broadway.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 10:16am

I'll add my vote to the Hal Prince exhibit as well as Lincoln Center (if you can do a tour, it's a really great experience; even if not, just walking around and seeing the Beaumont, the Met, etc. is great).

Also, not so much theatre-related, but if you're interested in film history and seeing artifacts from classic movies, the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria is one of the most underrated attractions in NYC. (And yes, it's Queens, but it's only about a 15-minute subway ride from Times Square, so definitely doable).

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 10:31am

These are all good suggestions, but it makes me wish there was a holiday themed Broadway Bares Lol

[Wick3]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 10:38am

Mike Barrett said: "These are all good suggestions, but it makes me wish there was a holiday themed Broadway Bares Lol"

Not officially Broadway Bares but if you go out in hells kitchen some of the gay bars have drag shows and this time of year I'm fairly certain some or most of them will be holiday themed with special guests like dancers etc. It's lots of fun!

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 11:21am

Mike Barrett said: "These are all good suggestions, but it makes me wish there was a holiday themed Broadway Bares Lol"

SEND THIS TO JERRY MITCHELL RIGHT NOW. 

[Whirligig]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 11:42am

I was in your place last weekend (4th trip, 2-day weekend). I second all the Broadway Up Close tour recommendations! I was actually just about to un-lurk to try and find the thread where I first heard about the tour and give them props. I did the Hudson theater tour on Sunday and it was fantastic (and fit really well with my matinee so I could cram the weekend full). One person had Inheritance tickets and had to leave just a few minutes early, but regular 2 or 3 pm curtains shouldn’t be an issue, if that’s a consideration. I haven’t done the other tours, but it’s on the list for the next time I get there!

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 11:55am

YvanEhtNioj said: "Mike Barrett said: "These are all good suggestions, but it makes me wish there was a holiday themed Broadway Bares Lol"

SEND THIS TO JERRY MITCHELL RIGHT NOW."

In all seriousness, wouldn't this be a terrific fundraiser for the Holidays?? People would show, stars form the fall shows or shows opening up this spring can show up. Have some girls do a parody version of that scene from Mean Girls, guys can play sexy elves, idk I feel there's endless possibilities. City is busier this time of year, people are more willing to spend/donate $$$ around the holidays, and it'd be a unique event. IT MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE.

[inception]

Posted: 12/18/19 at 12:35pm

I don't know if there is anything else to do in NY. Seems like a pretty small, sleepy town.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/23/19 at 11:55am

Thank you for the suggestion of the Hal Prince Exhibit. Really lovingly presented.