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Give my regards to Broadway - Travel Views - enjoying New York theater - Brief Article
Travel America, March-April, 2002 by Randy Mink
For tourists from around the world, nothing defines New York City more than a live performance. Says director/ choreographer Susan Stroman, "New York is Broadway, and Broadway is New York."
One of the best ways for Americans to support New York--and indeed our nation--is to travel there, see the sights, dine out, and catch a few Broadway shows. A long-time fan of NYC, I can't think of a better way to spend a few days, even a week or two.
Though a handful of shows closed soon after September 11, the terrorist attacks failed to dim the lights of the Great White Way. The current downturn in tourism means a better chance of getting tickets for the shows and dates you prefer, but smash hits still require booking far in advance.
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The hard part is deciding what to see. Choose from standbys like The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, revivals of classics like Oklahoma (opening March 21), or blockbusters like Mamma Mia! (based on songs of the 1970s rock group Abba) and Mel Brooks' The Producers. A hot show on the horizon is The Sweet Smell of Success, a musical starring John Lithgow, which opens March 14. Disney's The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast enthrall theater-goers of all ages.
Many out-of-towners arrive in America's theater capital with tickets in hand. Buying from a ticket broker in advance gives you peace of mind. This method not only guarantees you seats but eliminates the hassles of standing in ticket lines and carrying extra money, and you're protected against price increases.
With a credit card, we recently reserved Les Miserables tickets through Keith Prowse & Company, a one-stop source for Broadway tickets, sightseeing tours, dining out, and hotel/theater packages (800-669-8687; www.keithprowse. com). A London company with outlets in cities around the globe, Keith Prowse has been in the theater ticket business for more than 200 years.
Booking two months in advance, we snared prime orchestra seats at the Imperial Theatre for Broadway's longest-running show, the musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel that sweeps through three turbulent decades of 19th century French history. Les Miserables opened on March 12, 1987, and has played to more than 6,000 audiences.
If you're prepared to wait in line and are flexible about what show you'd like to see, the Theatre Development Fund's TKTS booth in Times Square is an attractive option. A familiar fixture on the triangular island in the middle of Broadway at 47th Street, it sells discounted, day-of-performance tickets for selected shows, but not the biggest hits. It's good to have some idea of what's playing before you get in line because a quick decision may be necessary. The discount will be 25 or 50 percent.
The temporary TKTS booth in Lower Manhattan is at the Bowling Green Park Plaza, in front of the National Museum of the American Indian and across the street from Battery Park. Housed in a 20-foot trailer, it replaces the World Trade Center location. At this downtown branch, matinee tickets must be purchased the day before. TKTS booths accept only cash and travelers checks. A $3 fee is added to the price of each ticket.
Visitors also can secure tickets through their hotel's concierge or its theater ticket desk, but at a premium. You can buy tickets at face value at the theater box office.
For a two-hour walking tour of theaters in and around Times Square, go to the Broadway Ticket Center (888-BROADWAY) inside the Times Square Visitors Center, between 46th and 47th streets. The 10 a.m. tour (Tuesday through Saturday) takes you inside some of these legendary showplaces.
Travelers can play a key supporting role in lifting up New York as they raise their own spirits at the same time. What better way to get back to normalcy than a night out in America's greatest city. Let's go on with the show!
For more information on Broadway shows, contact Theatre Development Fund, (212) 768-1818, www.tdf.org; or the League of American Theatres and Producers, www.ILoveNYTheater.com. Help in planning a New York visit is available from NYC & Company, the city's tourism bureau, at (888) 805-4040; www.nycvisit.com.
COPYRIGHT 2002 World Publishing, Co. (Illinois)
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group
