Survey of out of town Broadway fans

[broadwaytourist]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 11:53am

I was just wondering how many folks out there are like me and go to NYC from a distance requiring a flight or overnight stay just to see shows. I go from Memphis twice a year, stay five nights, and see 8 shows. I just wonder if I'm a freak (I definitely am for other reasons) or are there others out there who love it but can't live it!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 11:57am

I've only been to New York twice and both trips were in 2007. I live in California, so I certainly spent more than a day each time.

P.S. How is this a survey?

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 12:25pm

My trips to NYC are to see shows. I too see at least 8 shows while there. I also have a few good friends there and stay with one. I do a lot of other things while there, but my main plan is to see shows. And I usually see one or two shows with the friend I stay with.

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 12:25 PM

[philcrosby]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 12:36pm

I live in Virginia, and get up as often as something on Broadway interests me -- sometimes often, sometimes not so. We're also very close to DC, which satisfies the theater urge, as well as are very supportive of theater in our own home town.

[Elke]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 1:02pm

I live in Belgium, but have been to NY 4 times this year to see shows. Next trip is coming up in late January... can't wait!

[MrSweetNAwful]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 1:44pm

I'm from Florida, my first trip was in elementary school, I went three times in high school (two week long vacations and once for a weekend for college auditions) and my last time was over the summer last year (which I could consider part of my high school days, though I had just graduated).



and survey, poll - w/e I think the terms are interchangeable.

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 01:44 PM

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 1:47pm

My trips usually revolve around the shows I plan to see..I try to get to two or three over every three-day trip. I usually go Thursday afternoon to Saturday afternoon or evening.

I only live 150 miles north of NYC, but between tickets, hotel and train, it still doesn't happen as often as I'd like. And to be honest, my next trip in January is the first in a long time where I don't have a decent idea of shows I want to see planned in advance. So much is closing that it will be spur of the moment decisions and perhaps a couple of return visits.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 1:58pm

I live near DC so get up to NYC 2 to 4 times a year. Usually just long weekends, since it's an easy and cheap bus ride. Usually see 2 shows, which lately has been Spring Awakening plus one other.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 2:01pm

I will assume .. all of us here (who dont live in NYC) will go the heights to see a Broadway show(s)! or else...youre in a wrong board!

that's the common thing we all have- love of Broadway shows!

J*

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 02:01 PM

[Hest882]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 2:52pm

Well, I'm in California too. We also have friends and family in the NY area so with airfare, hotel, the price of Broadway tickets nowadays, as well as the other obligations, we only make it out to NYC about once a year and then we can only squeeze in about two shows.

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 2:58pm

Im from california (LA) and I fly to NYC twice a year (December and April/May). I usually stay for 7 days, and see 10+ shows. I either stay with extended family, or in a hostel (Broadway Hostel on 101st and Broadway, $20/bed/night.)

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 3:09pm

I'm from Missouri and go to NYC to only see shows. I normally pack between seven or eight in for each trip. I try to go to NYC twice a year if possible.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 5:48pm

Moi. I'm in Iowa.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 5:54pm

As most of you know.. I'm from Boston, Massachusetts - 250 miles away, roughly 4 hours (one way) I rarely stay for a week, I like day trips, though I havent been to NYC since August 16, 2008. I am sure I will go to NYC again-hopefully!! (note: I rarely address it as "the city" since Bostonians refer to Boston as 'the city' too~that's why i always post NYC! though some of my friends here like burnsy, WAT & WBaf - always asked me ..when are you coming back to the city? )

J*

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 6:04pm

I've only been to New York once, and that was only because a friend took me. My parents have no interest in theatre, but they do pay for tickets for all kinds of tours and local productions. They just draw the line at having to take me up to New York (they've never been to New York, either.) Luckily, there is plenty of theatre going on in DC/Northern Virginia.

[CMU_bway_lover]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 6:04pm

In SF now. Used to be in Pittsburgh, but same gig of staying with sisters and seeing 4-5 shows over the weekend.

Is this in response to the NYT "We hate tourists from Cleveland" article?

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 6:09pm

I live in PA so it's not that hard for me to go to NYC. It's about a 3 and 1/2 hr trip which I make about once every two weeks or once a month depending on money situations. Most of them are day trips and if I do stay over I stay in a hostel. Very cheap and I all I need it for is to sleep.

[TIGGOSAURUS]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 6:46pm

I live in the UK and I've been making regular trips to NYC to see shows for the past few years - usually 2-3 times a year, but only for 3-4 days at a time (and always including at least one Weds/Sat so I can see matinees & evening shows on the same day).

My last trip gave me the luxury of a 7-day stay and I saw 9 shows (including two days where I wasn't able to see any).

I wish I could see more though - I'd also love to be able to get to things like the Flea Market, Broadway Barks, Gypsy of the Year, B&N signings, Lincoln Center appearances etc. etc. etc.

Updated On: 12/17/08 at 06:46 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:40pm

I'm in Boston....and while I COULD do the trip in one day...especially only for ONE show, I almost never do.

Xmas weekend I am seeing shows in 3 days. Over the summer I saw 9 in 6 days.

I go mega when I go. In January: 4 shows in 2 days.

I probably get into the city 10 times a year! I'm a addicted...what can I say?

[alza]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 9:24pm

We live in Pennsylvania - about 4 1/2 hours away from NYC. During 2008, we averaged a trip to the city about once a month. We have done day trips, and we have made trips where we have spent one night. Sometimes, we have gone specifically for a show, i.e., Mamma Mia! for our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary; my sons had tickets to the final performance of RENT. Other times, we have gone on a whim to TKTS booth and have seen a show. Or as we did last Saturday, we went to the lottery at Hairspray. We had four names in the lottery, and three of our names were drawn. And sometimes, we have specific purposes to go to NYC and don't see a show.

[enroutetothesky]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 9:38pm

I'm from Toronto so NYC is a bit of a trip for me. I usually go for about a week at a time but I have been known to go for just a weekend. The shortest I've stayed is exactly 24 hours (saw 2 shows) and the longest I've stayed is 8 days (saw 12 shows!).

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 10:01pm

I've started going once or twice a year. I live in Las Vegas so it's kind of a distance, but I love it too much to stay away. My trips usually last about two weeks, though this next visit will be slightly more.

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 4:26am

I also live in PA...it's a 2 hr bus trip for me (probably faster if I drove myself but I'm not that brave to take on city traffic). I have only ever taken day trips, because I'd rather spend money on shows than hotels. When I do plan a trip, I try to see two shows in a day. I haven't seen a show in a while though....

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:09am

At "only" 2 hours away...I'd probably be in the city every other week...or more!

[lesmis]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:20am

I also live in PA about 120 miles from the city. We usually get tickets ahead at Broadway Box or using other discount codes for 2 shows. We drive up to the North Bergen Park and Ride and pay about #8 to park and for a roundtrip bus ticket to Port Authority (a 10 minute ride). Passenger are $5.50. I do this at least once or twicw a month.