New Year's Eve performances

Noticed three Bway shows have performances today. A Beautiful Noise, Aladdin & Harmony all have matinees. Why? It's impossible to navigate through NYC today. None of the three shows appear to be sold well and TKTS isn't even open today. Odd decision on the producers to have a performance scheduled for today.

With only three shows having performances, cuts down the competition and maybe you get pretty decent afternoon crowd. Streets are closed (for vehicles) around a couple of the theaters, but most people get there by using mass transportation. I have not been in NYC on New Year's Eve in quite a few years, but I did not think it was that much crazier in the early afternoon than a normal weekend. Sure, as the day goes on it will get nuts, but I think people will be out of these shows by then. As for the actors, you are used to working Sunday so it should not be a big deal. They will also be done early and have plenty of time to do what they want to do for the holiday.

Though not many shows on the main stem are on today, off-Broadway had a LOT of performances. TodayTix had rush available for BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, WALK ON THROUGH, NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, RACHEL BLOOM: DEATH LET ME DO MY SHOW, and TITANQUE (a.k.a Act II of HERE WE ARE).

I got in for BVSC, but ultimately declined since the crowds yesterday were a total nightmare after the evening shows and NJ Transit is spotty.

Also, HARMONY has 7 understudies/swings on this afternoon.

ACL2006 said: "A Beautiful Noise appears to have just two swings on today. Looks like they sold some seats today as the orchestra looks almost full now. They upped their rush ticket price this week to $75, too. Their Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees were sold out."

$75 for “rush” is appalling, but that’s another discourse for another time

As nightmarish as it might have been for the company and audience getting in & out of the theaters, those NYE Day shows probably sold decently. There are still plenty of tourists in town.

But also, 2/3 of those shows are Ken Davenport shows, and his m.o. is trying things and going against the grain and having pet projects. Which, fine.

When I lived in Hoboken, I would always make a Broadway matinee part of my New Years Eve. There was always only 2 or 3 shows that had performances every year.

ACL, I'm confused about your car comment, as taking a car to a Broadway show would always be a huge problem in terms of traffic, parking, the stress of driving in Manhattan, etc. Not sure why getting to the theater without a car would ever be a problem, especially on New Years Eve. Could you imagine if the million people in Times Square all drove there?