Every year, the sights and sounds of Broadway draw millions of people to New York City. The Broadway Theater, located on Broadway and 53rd Street, is only one of many thriving "Broadway" theaters in New York. Currently, 39 Broadway theaters lie in the Theatre District of New York City, each with 500 or more seats.
Off-Broadway shows are performed in smaller theaters with less than 500 seats. These productions are not as well-known as Broadway shows, and tickets are cheaper. Off-Broadway shows are often more experimental.
Theaters began to pop up in downtown New York City during the 1750s. Broadways first long-running performance came in 1857 with The Elves.
The citys premier theaters were originally located in and around Madison Square. However, most Broadway theaters later relocated to Times Square after a large number of theaters were built in the area during the early 1900s. Since then, hundreds of plays and musicals have been performed in Broadway theaters.
Ticket prices vary from $50 to $200, depending on the shows popularity and your seat selection. They are sold year-round, but different shows have different schedules.
If you want to plan your visit in advance, you can view show schedules and purchase tickets online. However, tickets can be pricey. Here are a few tips for finding discount Broadway show tickets:
Many wildly popular Broadway shows have come and gone from theaters across the nation. The following table lists the details of some popular shows currently or soon-to-be playing in New York:
Show Title
Story
Schedule
Tickets
Chicago
Chicago is a Tony Award-winning musical about the relationship between a determined chorus girl, a clever lawyer and a shrewd jailbird. The show opened on November 14, 2006 and is performed at the Ambassador Theatre.
Monday 8PM
Individual tickets on sale through September 1, 2008; group tickets on sale through November 21, 2008.
Curtains
A musical comedy set at Bostons Colonial Theatre in 1959. It follows the death of a leading star and the ensuing investigation. The investigator is drawn to the stage and determined to make the show a Broadway hit. The show opened on March 22, 2007 and is performed at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
Tuesday 7PM
Individual tickets on sale through July 6, 2008; group tickets on sale through August 31, 2008.
Hairspray
This is a quirky musical based on the 1988 film. The show follows teen Tracy Turnblad s transformation from a social outcast to an up-and-coming star . Hairspray opened on August 15, 2002 and is performed at the Neil Simon Theatre.
Individual tickets on sale through August 24, 2008; group tickets on sale through January 4, 2009.
Shrek the Musical
This musical is based on the animated film about the adventures of a friendly ogre and his enchanting sidekicks. Shrek opens on December 14, 2008 at the Broadway Theatre.
Tickets on sale through May 31, 2009.
Spring Awakening
This is a coming-of-age musical about young love, passion and regret that explores adolescent relationships and sexual exploration. The show opened on December 10, 2006 and is performed at the Eugene ONeill Theatre.
Tickets on sale through August 30, 2008.
Naturally, schedules and ticket sales are always subject to change, so check directly with the theater box office before making your plans. Also, the length of the show is a good thing to consider when making plans to see a Broadway show. Showings typically run from two to three hours with one intermission.
Other popular contemporary Broadway shows (some still running and some not) include:
Wicked George Gershwin Theater
Lion King
The Phantom of the Opera Majestic Theater
Rent
Cats
Les Miserables
Beauty and the Beast
About.com (2008). Discount Broadway Tickets-How to get Discount Broadway Tickets. Retrieved March 11, 2008, from the About.com Web site.
Knapp, Maria (2007). Longest Running Broadway Shows. Retrieved on March, 17, 2008, from the About.com Web site.