The Barb's Unique Guide to New York

Choosing Shows

Oh my! Such choice! Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, way out and gone nowhere near Broadway. Tons of shows! How on earth does one choose?

A number of factors play in:

It helps if you read the reviews -- you can either check out my opinion: The Barb Reviews Broadway (the best source) or any number of other sources (I trust the reviews in the magazine "Time Out New York").

What is What?

Broadway
Broadway shows are the big extravaganza's. This would be your Lion King, Phantom, etc. The price per show is horrific (up to $130 for musicals, $100 for plays). Slightly cheaper for the matinees. Broadway actually has a technical definition -- anything designated official broadway pays a certain union rate, has a certain number of seats (over 499), etc. You only need to know that a Broadway show is an expensive show. Most Broadway theatres are in midtown but not always.

Off Broadway
Off-Broadway is still expensive theatre. Shows are in slightly smaller venues, tickets are about $20 cheaper -- plus they tend to play for shorter runs. I have personally found that the plays seem to be better Off-Broadway than on. However, nothing beats a Broadway musical.

Off Off Broadway
This is anything that is not officially Broadway or Off-Broadway. Can't guarantee the quality (course you can't guarantee the quality anywhere, but in "off off" you really take your chances -- read the reviews!!). Shows are mondo cheap (sometimes are low as $10 bucks).

Both Broadway and Off-Broadway shows are listed in the little "Theatre Listing" Guides that come out every week and are free (go to any box office lobby in New York and pick one up or the Times Square Visitors Center). The best place to get off-off listings is in Time Out New York Magazine.

You can check out a couple of sites as well:
www.playbill.com
This is also a really good site for New York in general: www.sidewalk.com


Overview/Introduction
Before You Go
Where to Stay
Shopping!
How to Get Tickets
Choosing Shows
Cheap Tourist Things to Do
Getting Around
Being Safe
Random Tips/Thoughts
The Barb's Broadway Reviews

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