Theater

Attending a Broadway show [1] is a quintessential New York City [2] experience. There’s nothing quite like hurrying down the neon-splashed streets of Times Square [3] along with thousands of other theatergoers, most of whom always seem to be running late.

Among Broadway’s many gorgeous, historic venues—most located just off Times Square—are the:

• Shubert

225 West 44th Street
212/239-6200
www.schubertorganization.org [4]

• Booth

222 West 45th Street
212/ 239-6200
www.booth-theater.com [5]

• Nederlander

203 West 41st Street
212/921-8000
www.nederlandtheatre.com [6]

• Majestic

245 West 44th Street
212/239-6200
www.majestic-theater.com [7]

• Belasco

111 West 44th Street
212/239-6200
www.shubertorganization.com [8]

• Lyceum

149 West 45th Street
212/ 239-6200
www.shubertorganization.com [8]

Theater productions are listed as “Broadway,” “Off-Broadway,” and “Off-Off Broadway.” The terms do not refer to geographic location, but to theater size and cost of production. “Broadway” shows are the big, expensive kind, playing to audiences of over 500; “Off-Broadway” are smaller shows, playing to audiences of 100–499; and “Off-Off Broadway” are the smallest of all, with audiences of fewer than 100.

Broadway productions lean toward the mainstream, and Off-Broadway productions—which began in the 1930s as a rebellion against Broadway values—almost equally so. Off-Off Broadway theater was a 1960s rebellion against the rebellion; its shows are often quirky and experimental.

Getting Tickets to a Show

For information on major shows and ticket availability, visit the NYC/ON STAGE website (http://nyconstage.com [9], or call 212/768-1818). Discount orchestra-seat tickets to same-day performances are sold daily at three TKTS booths in the city, run by the Theater Development Fund.

Located under the red steps in Father Duffy Square on Broadway and 47th Street, the Times Square [3] location sells same-day discount tickets Mondays and Wednesdays 3 p.m.–8 p.m., Tuesdays 2 p.m.–8 p.m., and Sundays from 3 p.m., until one-half hour before the latest curtain time being sold.

The South Street Seaport [10] location (at the corner of Front and John Streets, near the rear of the Resnick/Prudential Building at 199 Water Street) offers same-day and next day matinee discount tickets Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

There is also a TKTS location in downtown Brooklyn [11] (1 MetroTech Center, at the corner of Jay Street and Myrtle Avenue Promenade), that sells same-day evening and next day matinee discount tickets Tuesday–Saturday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m.