Going to broadway for the first time - any tips?

[mermer20]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:35pm

I'm relatively new to BWW - starting reading posts this spring after I saw Wicked in Chicago and now I can't stop checking in every couple of days to see what's up. Anyways, I'm going to NYC for a weekend in a couple of weeks and I want to do Broadway for the first time ever! I know, so sad it's taken so long.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to approach the weekend. I'll be there for the saturday matinee and evening and the sunday matinee. What should I see? Where should I wait in line? How early should I get there? How risky is it to try for student rush? Should I buy at least one set of tickets in advance? How early can you buy saturday evening tickets?

My friend and I want to see 3 shows - so what's the best plan of attack? Please don't suggest lotteries - I've been to the Chicago Wicked lottery about 25 times (I live right in downtown) and I've never won, so my luck is AWFUL! I've also seen Wicked here about 7 times, so even though it's fantastic, while in New York I'd like to expand my horizons!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:39pm

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Spelling Bee.

Rent.

There's your three shows.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:40pm

There are some random recommendations from the FAQ and some info on rushing things as well...Welcome, and enjoy your stay.

[TabooWickedFan]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:42pm

I would say go see Rent, All Shook Up and Avenue Q. Have a great time this weekend. You will have a great time!

[ILUVWICKED722]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:52pm

Go see Hairspray and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. And dont get ur tickets online, got to TKTS in Times Square when you get there and you'll get ur tickets for a very discounted price!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:05am

Spelling Bee -> Something funny

Light in the Piazza -> Something serious/ and beautiful

RENT -> A Broadway staple and/or "Classic"

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:08am

First, welcome to the boards

Second, my reccomendations:
Light in the Piazza is my #1 reccommendation
I would also reccommend Phantom of the Opera [Hugh Panaro is the best Phantom], and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Third:
Have a great trip! The first experience is always a memorable one. --korenglish

[JayKid]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:08am

Hairyspray and DRS are also good and funny...

And I haven't seen Spamalot but heard good things.

[zoran912]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:15am

Don't go to TKTS in Times Square. Go to the location on Wall Street. Less crowded. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

Piazza is my no. 1 recommendation as well. I saw it last night and was completely blown away. The entire cast is stunning. Honestly, it's the best thing I've ever seen on any stage. Ever.

If you want a smaller, less expensive show, try for Altar Boyz. It's off-Broadway, but don't let that deter you. Playbill still prints their programs and the performers are all very professional. Full price tickets are around $65, if I remember correctly. The show is very clever and full of powerhouse male vocals, if that's your thing. It's my thing, so I loved it.

All of the recommendations you are receiving are good.

[Crazy4MattMorrison52]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:21am

hairspray(they have a lottery, if you can call it that, not many people show up), all shook up ( you can get tickets for 19.55) and atlar boyz (you can get rush tickets as long as your under 25 for 21 dollars )

[Aigoo]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:23am

Hairspray lottery is for back row seats? Though?

[ILUVWICKED722]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:24am

I agree i just meant go to any TKTS and he's probably right the one on Wall Street is less crowded cus no one thinks to go there. And have fun. the first time is the best!

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:31am

Suggesting shows to someone not knowing their tastes, it risky.

If it were me I would not bother with the "jukebox" shows - entertaining though they may be - unless you are a real fan of Abba, Lennon or Elvis.

I would suggest seeing at least one play (non musical) and possibly an off-Broadway show which has a different feel from the big, slick plays and musicals on Broadway.

And be sure to allow yourself lots of time to explore the theatre district, rich in heritage and for a theatre fan just so much fun.

Someone suggested twh Wall Street location for TKTS because the lines are shorter, but you'll find the atmosphere at teh main location mre stimulating and as you wait in line you can compare notes with other theatre fans.

Enjoy..and get lots of sleep before you go. You'll need it.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:31am

I think you should go for (In this order)

1) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
2) The Light in the Piazza
3) Rent

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:32am

I would say to go see

1. Light in the Piazza
note: You can order student tickets in advance online for only $20 through the Lincoln Center's STUDENTIX program. Go to lct.org for more information. I ordered my tickets this way and got front row center orchestra seats for $20!

2. Avenue Q. HILARIOUS!

3. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Hysterically funny and an amazing cast! Not to be missed.

And definetly go to the TKTS booth in South Street Seaport instead of Time's Square. Far less crowded! And try to find codes online for discount tickets.

[zoran912]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:34am

I'm pretty sure Altar Boyz doesn't rush on Friday and Saturday nights. Not sure about matinees. You won't be there on a Friday, so ... yeah...scratch that!

Anyway: Some pointers to help you stay safe in the theatre, in the case that you are among the posters here, who might tear you to shreds. Kidding.

-Dress nicely! Attire is very important in most theatres. I would avoid jeans and T-shirts in most situations. Matinees are less classy, attire-wise, but evening performances should be dressed up for. Off-Broadway is also less strict on dress-code.
There is no official rule on dress code in Broadway houses, but it shows respect for the theatre and the experience of seeing a live show. If you stick out, you'll stick out in a good way.
I recommend going about the city in shorts and a T-shirt and then changing at the hotel pre-dinner and/or show.

- Talking. DO NOT TALK! This is one of the most aggravating things that performers and respectful audience members have to endure. Same goes for crinkling wrappers, flipping pages in your playbill, text-messaging or talking on your phone. It's all very taboo and you will most likely recieve death glares. I would personally try to kill you, if it weren't against the law. Just pay attention to the show, which shouldn't be hard.

One addendum: I do not say any of this to scare or hurt you. I say it simply to protect you and make you look like a well-educated theatre-goer. That said, I hope you have a spendid time in NYC. It's a truly magical place if you come in with an open mind and a full wallet!

[Aigoo]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:36am

Don't sing along

[Crazy4MattMorrison52]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:38am

atlar boyz has rush on sunday

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:39am

zoran, you are my hero.

Another tip...when you are walking around the city don't stare up in wonder at the tall buildings or wear your backpack on the front etc...it is pretty much the equivalent of putting up a neon sign above your head that says "TOURIST. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME!!!"

It isn't so much an issue in a post-Giuliani NY, but it still applies.

In short, "act like ya been there before."

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:50am

I'm going to second the: take off your cell phones. One time I went to see Piazza, a lady's cellphone went off during the performance, and I wanted to go over and wring her neck. There are reminders in the playbill and also they say it before the show starts... if you want to keep your cellphone on, at least have the decency to put it on vibrate.

I would reccommend stage dooring after the shows. I don't know if you did this in Chicago, but you can meet most of the stars after the show, and it gives you a chance to just take photos with them and things like that.

Never walk alone... no matter what time of day, or wherever you are. It's much better to be safe than sorry, especially in such a big city... and go in big groups with a guy, if at all possible. My recent trip to NYC there are some people on the streets I chose to forget. Basically: be careful.

--korenglish

[BluCat500]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 1:06am

Piazza, Spelling Bee, and Rent sounds like a good combo to me...And with Rent I would buy the tickets ahead of time using a discount code because you only pay a bit more than you would at TKTS and you eliminate standing in a long line...

And for Piazza if you are a student you can buy ahead of time for $20 a ticket with their great student discount policy...

Thinking about it spelling bee may be more difficult as I don't believe it is on TKTS too often...I would go to TKTS and then just grab what they have Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Hair Spray are both great..

[zoran912]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 1:07am

Safety first. Always. Never walk through Central Park at night. Never ride subways at night. Don't dress like a child. I don't know your age, but criminals are more likely to target the childlike among us. It all comes back to Patronus's advice: Act like you've been to the city before. Try to pass off as a local, but don't be afraid to ask questions.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 1:13am

Maybe you wanna see something that isn't a musical. Go see Pillowman before it closes....highly worth it. Support the plays, they are just as fun and as important as the musicals.

[ashhuhleeyy]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 1:23am

i'll be the first to suggest seeing sweeney todd. it was the first thing i saw that made me scared, laugh, and have an ending where my mouth was seriously wide open the entire time. ask my friend the music is so powerful && at times the lighting on the stage is pure red and it made my heart beat 90 times faster than it should.

[mermer20]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 1:35am

Thanks for the great responses! I love how people are concerned about my safety though! To clarify, it's my first trip to see broadway shows - not my first trip to New York. And Chicago has TONS of skyscrapers - in fact the tallest in the US - so I won't be staring up at the sky cause I live right smack in the middle of downtown Chicago and see them all the time. And I have been to a theater before, so I do know how cell phones and a talking audience can be so annoying . But I appreciate everyone's concern - you can be assured that the lady singing along to the music on her cell phone, dressed in cutoff jeans and a tee-shirt, next to you at your next show is NOT me.

Quick questions - how early should I get to TKTS for the matinee? Will I be able to buy the evening show at the same time? If not, will I have time to go back after a matinee?

Thanks again for all your help!