What defines a Broadway tourist to a Broadway regular. — Page 2

I live in the DC area and I do go to NY specifically to see Broadway and off-Broadway shows at least 6 times a year. Most of the time I go for a weekend and see 3 shows - 2 on Saturday and one on Sunday before taking the train home. I have occasionally gone for just a day and returned on the late night train.

I know the location of most Broadway theatres and I know the shows I want to see and have them prioritized in my mind. I know the times to hit the box offices for cancellations and I know exactly where to run if Choice A pans out and I have to run to B before the curtain rises.

I can get almost anywhere in the city as well as Brooklyn and Queens on the subway and that is my usual mode of transportation while I'm there. I do use TKTS occasionally but I go to the downtown office because the lines are shorter.

I do not consider myself a tourist - Broadway or otherwise - but I do (usually) stay the night when I go.

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A quiz:

1) When you think of what a "BROADWAY SHOW" should be, do you think:
A) Cats, Wicked, Lion King
B) title of show, Spelling Bee, anything by Sondheim

2)When you are in a theater, do you:
A)not realize that your cell phone should be off
B)give caustic glares to anyone who makes any noise more intrusive than a cough

3)Do you think the break between acts is called:
A)half time
B)intermission

4)Do you
A)Watch the Tonys if you happen to be home and nothing else is on
B)Design an entire weekend around them

5)When you saw I Am Legend did you think
A) Pretty good movie, Will Smith was good in it
B) Apparently Wicked will still be playing after the vampires take over

6)When you saw the movie of The Producers did you
A) Think that Nathan Lane fellow was funny
B) Spend the entire time playing "Where's Waldo" with Broadway stars

7)Complete the sentence: The sequel to the Phantom of the Opera is:
A) not a horrible idea
B) Are you freaking kidding me? They're going to use a theater for THAT?

Norm Lewis is
A) I have no idea
B) One of the best voices in New York

9) When(if) I saw [title of show] I
A) thought it was cute but didn't get a lot of jokes
B) recognized every voice on the answering machine instantly

10) Which statement is true?
A) I'm just as happy seeing tours as a production in NY
B) While I enjoy other productions, there's no comparison, NY is the epicenter of theater, period.

If you answered A for any questions - guess what, you're a tourist.

Edited to appease those non-elitists :)

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Updated On: 10/22/08 at 10:02 AM

Doesn't devalue it in the least - it's the difference between a BROADWAY tourist and Broadway regular. Doesn't make one better than the other. Find a regular who wouldn't rather see a show on Broadway...

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whoops, double post

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Updated On: 10/22/08 at 10:20 AM

But given a choice, would you rather see Broadway or something else? I see plenty of other shows, but given the choice I'll take Broadway every time.

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I also have a problem with No. 1. That's extremely elitist and doesn't take a simple thing like PERSONAL TASTE into consideration. I kept looking for option C) All of the above.

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Apparently so.

I'm going to have reclassify myself as a tourist because I love Phantom of the Opera and I wouldn't cross the street for some Sondheim shows. NOT ALL SONDHEIM - but some I don't appreciate at all.

Now excuse me while I go and make reservations at McDonald's for my next visit to NY.

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Geez -- try to have a little fun. I think these things DO define the difference -- I happen to like Wicked, but it's not the first thing I think of when I think Broadway. I doubt most "regular" Broadway patrons do either. It's not a value judgment -- look who's on their high horses now.

It was meant in fun. Get over yourselves.

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If you refer to intermission as "halftime"...you might be a Broadway tourist.

If you refer to rehearsals as "play practice"...you might be a Broadway tourist.

If you refer to a cast recording as a "soundtrack"...you might be a Broadway tourist.

I live outside of Trenton, NJ and travel to the city a few times a month to see shows. This month I have three shows scheduled currently. Last month I saw six plus attended Flea Market. But there will be months where I won't see anything. They're rare but they happen.

I've never spent the night in the city though I would like to someday. It'd be nice to not have to be back at the train station before the last train leaves.

I certainly don't consider myself a tourist but there might be someone who does.

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I live in the Washington D.C. area and visit NYC about 3-5 times a year. Most of those trips are day trips although I may spend the night once in a while. My last visit to the city was in August to see Young Frankenstein and The 39 Steps. I attempt to plan my activities around Broadway shows although that can sometimes be difficult. I'm familiar with most of subway lines and can get around the city effortlessly. I certainly know my way around the Theater District/Times Square area. I don't consider myself a tourist when I come to New York, although I don't consider myself a local either. So I guess a "regular" is a good term to describe me.

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Here's a question: I used to go to the city on at least a monthly basis to see shows, but now that I am away at school I am not able to ever go. Is it possible for me to lapse from regular/visitor to tourist when i eventually go back? Ooh, semantics.

Thank you, jasonf and morosco BRILLIANT.

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