A guide to enjoying Broadway, the home of musicals

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What is Broadway anyway?

When you walk around Times Square in Manhattan, the center of New York, you will find the scenery where theater signs everywhere. This is the famous Broadway Theater District of New York.

"Broadway" is the name of the main street that runs diagonally from north to south in Manhattan. Most of the theaters are located between 41st and 54th Streets, and between 6th and 9th Avenues on the east and west sides of Broadway.

Generally speaking, Broadway musicals refer to performances in theaters with 500 or more seats. There are 40 such theaters in the Broadway area, and notable performances are performed every night. Those held in theaters with fewer than 500 seats are called "Off-Broadway" or "Off-Off-Broadway", and are also popular.

How to buy tickets

Once you've decided what you want to see, it's time to reserve your tickets.

1. Website

The easiest way is to buy tickets on the website of the performance using your credit card, but you can also easily buy tickets through the following ticket services:

Broadway.org

Telecharge

Ticketmaster

PlayBill

TheaterMania

2. Ticket booth

Of course, you can buy tickets at the ticket booth at the entrance of the theater, but if you want to get same-day tickets at a discount, try buying them at the ticket booth "tkts" on the corner of 47th Street and 7th Avenue in Times Square.

It depends on the show, but tickets can be purchased at about half the regular price at tkts. The name of the shows and discount rate for the show just before it start are displayed on the electronic bulletin board near the booth, so you can check there.

The seats in the theater are divided into orchestra seats on the first floor, mezzanine seats or mezzanine box seats on the second floor, the seats in the front are called front mezzanine seats, and the seats in the back are called rear mezzanine seats. The seats on the third floor are called balcony seats, and the prices vary.

If you find it troublesome to buy the tickets yourself or are worried about purchasing them on an overseas website, you may want to ask a Japanese ticket company or a local Japanese travel agency to make the arrangements for you.

Theatre etiquette and precautions

There is no dress code for theatergoers, and most audience members are dressed casually. However, if you are going to see a real play, dressing up a little more than usual may lift your spirits and make your enjoyment more elegant.

Next, regarding luggage. This is true not only for Broadway but for all tourist spots in New York, you cannot bring large luggage such as suitcases to prevent terrorism. It is easier if you pack your luggage compactly enough to be placed on the lap. Also, if you want to leave your shopping bags, check in advance whether the theater has a cloakroom.

The air conditioning inside the theater can be too strong, so we recommend bringing a cardigan or scarf to regulate your body temperature. Each performance generally starts on time. There may be long lines for the restrooms and to purchase merchandise, so be sure to arrive at the theater early.

As in Japan, taking photographs and recording audio and video during the performance is prohibited, so be sure to turn off your smartphone and other electronic devices before the show begins. It is also common for the audience to react loudly and applaud or cheer depending on the scene in the show, so expressing your honest feelings during scenes that move or surprise you will further increase your sense of unity with the work.

Useful tips to know

Even if tickets are sold out, cancellations can occur at the last minute. In that case, ask the theater attendant, "Where would be the line for the last-minute ticket?" and "I don't mind standing during the show," and then try to line up. It's not guaranteed, but it's not uncommon to get tickets at the last minute.

The traditional Broadway schedule is Tuesday through Sunday, so please be aware that there are often no shows on Mondays. There are some slight changes to some shows, especially during the holidays, which are different from the regular schedule, so it's a good idea to check in advance.

Some locals recommend the Tuesday evening performances, and since it's just after the day off, some ticket prices may be reduced for Tuesday evening performances. Of course, the quality of the performance should not differ depending on the date, but there is also talk that "the performers and staff are in a refreshed mood, so it's recommended."

As for public safety, the area around Broadway is the center of New York and is bustling with people even after dark, so there is no need to worry about public safety. However, there have been reports of incidents and accidents in this area in recent years. Carry only a minimum amount of cash and valuables, and if a suspicious person calls out to you, pretend not to hear them and walk past them quickly.

Introducing theaters recommended for beginners!

Here, a writer who has lived in New York for many years will introduce some of the many theaters that are recommended for beginners.

Gershwin Theatre

The Gershwin Theatre, located near 51st Street and 8th Avenue in Midtown, opened in 1972 and is known as the largest theater in Broadway with 1,933 seats. This number of seats is about 200 more than the second largest Broadway theater. The theater is named after composer George Gershwin and lyricist Ira Gershwin.

The theater is also home to the long-running musical "Wicked," which has been running since 2003. This work is based on the novel "The Wizard of Oz," and is a popular musical in Japan, so it is recommended among Broadway productions.

Gershwin Theater

Al Hirschfeld Theatre

The Al Hirschfeld Theatre, located near 45th Street and 8th Avenue in Midtown, is where the hugely popular Moulin Rouge is performed, with a story set in a Parisian cabaret. (As of March 2024)

The theater has a seating capacity of 1,424 and its interior is simply gorgeous. It is a historic theater that has been loved by fans for a century since it first performed "Madame de Pompadour" in 1924, exactly 100 years ago. It is also the place where the Broadway musical version of "Kinky Boots", which was also performed in Japan, was performed in the past.

Al Hirschfeld Theatre

In addition to the theaters and shows introduced here, there are many other attractive theaters and noteworthy productions, such as the Minskoff Theater, which performs Disney's masterpiece "The Lion King," the Neil Simon Theater, where you can watch Michael Jackson's story "MJ the Musical," and the Richard Rodgers Theater, where you can enjoy "Hamilton," which depicts the founding figures of the United States. Why not try experiencing an authentic musical?

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