New Years Eve

I am just wondering why there aren’t that many Broadway performances (if any) held on New Year’s Eve? I remember seeing Over Here New Year’s Eve 1974. It was one of the best evenings I ever had. Once my date and I left the Shubert Theater we went to watch the ball drop. This was way before security measures being implemented.

New York was very different in those days. I don’t think we will ever see that time again. I suppose I answered my own question.

Does anyone else have any fond memories of New York of long ago? Perhaps we can reflect on days gone by and look forward to days ahead.

Thank you for letting me share.

As you said, you answered your own question. You're referencing something from 50 years ago.

Midtown is a hellscape on NYE, New Yorkers don't want to be in Times Square on NYE, most tourists would rather be doing other things on NYE, casts/crews don't want to be working on NYE, and the show would have to be fully sold in advance because casual foot traffic is impossible on NYE.

ALADDIN has a 1pm show today and a few Off-Broadway shows not based in midtown have performances, and of course the Met Opera has its annual NYE Gala tonight. Sometimes there are more shows performing on NYE Day, but as always it's at the discretion of the producers.

Updated On: 12/31/24 at 11:00 AM

I remember seeing "Hurlyburly" at the Barrymore on New Year's Eve in the mid-1980s and trying to get out of the theater was a nightmare. Forty-seventh street was packed and it took forever for the theater to empty. We were a group of six and we agreed that if we got separated once out on the street, we would meet on the NE corner of 9th and 47th. As it turned out, several of us did get separated and we were smart to make those plans to meet at a designated space at a time when we had no cell phones. There was some police activity near the theater, but I'm not sure what was happening, although I heard a few people say that someone tried to pickpocket someone else and friends of the intended victim jumped the alleged perpetrator. As I tried to make my way down 47th St, some kid was drunk and threw up on the person in front of him. It was just a horrible experience - one that I vowed to never repeat. On New Year's Eve 2001, friends were in from out of town and wanted to see "Les Mis," which they did, but they reported a much more sane experience as foot traffic appeared to be regulated and my friends had to present their tickets to be allowed on 45th St, nothing like the free-for-all that it was 15 years earlier. I saw "Ohio State Murders" on New Years Day 2023, and although Times Square was packed more than usual, there wasn't the craziness that I remember after seeing "Hurlyburly."

ACL2006 said: "On another note, I'm surprised Gypsy has a matinee tomorrow. Shows typically stay away from matinees on New Year's Day."

When I saw "Ohio State Murders" on New Year's Day in 2023, the show was a matinee. However, it was Sunday, and New Year's Day 2025 is Wednesday, so maybe shows tend to have more New Year's Day matinees on regular matinee days?

I saw A Chorus Line New Year's Eve 1978. My one and only time in Times Square for NYE. I think shows played a lot more NYE shows back then. And it was fun, a very festive atmosphere. Too bad it's not that way anymore.

Ensemble1726647996 said: "amaklo said: "I saw A Chorus Line New Year's Eve 1978. My one and only time in Times Square for NYE. I think shows played a lot more NYE shows back then. And it was fun, a very festive atmosphere. Too bad it's not that way anymore."

I absolutely agree. As I stated in my earlier post, when I walked out of the Shubert Theater New Year’s Eve 1974, (after watching Over Here) it was a magical time. Broadway felt fun and very safe. May i also add, the price for my orchestra seat on New Years Eve 1974 was $12.00. How times have changed."

That feels very rose tinted glasses and nostalgia over safety in Times Square in 1974...

Even the two movie theaters on 42nd closed early (the AMC and the Regal).

Maybe I'm misremembering but a few years ago didn't the Broadway League specifically request that producers not schedule shows on 12/31, per request of the city/NYPD/Times Square Alliance?

Regardless of whether it was actually safer or not, leaving a Broadway show and casually walking over to the NYE ball drop feels like a simpler, bygone era for sure

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Even the two movie theaters on 42nd closed early(the AMC and the Regal).

Maybe I'm misremembering but a few years ago didn't the Broadway League specifically requestthat producers not schedule shows on 12/31, per request of the city/NYPD/Times Square Alliance?"

Here I am in a movie theatre in the middle of Alabama, 2:50 on New Year’s Day just getting out of seeing sonic the hedgehog 3. People here just don’t care

tacotheatrelover said: "Here I am in a movie theatre in the middle of Alabama, 2:50 on New Year’s Day just getting out of seeing sonic the hedgehog 3. People here just don’t care"

Oh all the other theaters appeared to be open on NYE and had screenings ending past midnight. It's just the two in Times Square (where the big celebration is held) that closed in the afternoon.

Broadway union wages, production costs, and costs of goods & services have also outpaced the rate of inflation, AND there are thousands more entertainment options at people’s fingertips now than there were in the 70s so Broadway has had to combat those competing audiences by embracing technology on stage.

Times change and we adapt.

Updated On: 1/1/25 at 03:11 PM