🎭 Broadway: a guide to the theatrical mecca of New York

One question, one answer. Name the most popular street in the United States of America? Yes, yes, and yes again! Of course, Broadway! In this entire vast country there is no other urban artery that appeared before the metropolis. The length of this New York street is also unique – 55 kilometers. Manhattan accounts for 24 of them. This is where we will probably stay. And I’ll tell you why Broadway is so attractive to tourists.

Broadway is concentrated New York. It never sleeps, neon signs and billboards shine here around the clock, each establishment is a work of art full of surprises. No matter what anyone says, first of all Broadway is a Mecca for theatergoers. You will not find in any country in the world such a large concentration of theaters in the territory of one block. Only large ones – from 500 seats and more – there are more than 40 here. The exact number of small stages is difficult to count.

Understandably, choosing a show to watch is very difficult. Every day dozens of productions are shown on Broadway, both for adults and for children. Performances usually start at 19:00 or 20:00, on Saturdays at 14:00. During vacations and holidays, Broadway theater operating hours change. Many shows are shown twice – in the afternoon and in the evening. My advice to you is that if you are in New York for a short time, it is better not to risk it and go to a well-known musical.

The highest-grossing productions on Broadway are “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King” and ” Chicago.”

The first one is a real long-liver for the price. It has been played on stage for more than 30 years, and it does not lose its popularity. He was repeatedly awarded the Tony Award, the theatrical Oscar in America.

Long before the world saw the Oscar-winning film “Chicago,” the noir-style musical of the same name simply blew up the New York stage. From the first show in 1996 to this day, the production is among the best.

Broadway is also famous for musicals for children. The best of the best is “The Lion King.” Its director-producer, Julia Taymor, became the first woman to receive a Tony Award in her professional category.

The thing about New York theaters is that they don't start with the wardrobe. The fact is that many theaters are very old and all the space here is occupied by auditoriums, the last rows of which can be seen even from the street. All that separates guests from the front door is a small foyer with a gift shop, a buffet and a tiny wardrobe. Yes, it exists, but it’s just a closet.

Seats in Broadway theaters are divided into three sectors: orchestra, like our stalls, mezzanine – amphitheater, balcony – balcony. To enjoy the show to the fullest, you should spare no expense and purchase stall tickets. Even better – in its front ranks.

On average, the cost is $200-350 for the ground floor, $90-200 for the amphitheater, about $80 for balconies. You can buy the desired ticket at one of the three TKTS ticket offices or online via the Internet. Please note that just before the start of the performance, tickets at the box office are sold at half price. But it’s far from a fact that you’ll end up in luxury places. But you will definitely save money.

If not theater, you ask, then what? History buffs are invited to the National Museum of the American Indian. It is located in the former customs house, built in 1907 in neoclassical style.

Fans of green bills, welcome to the so-called money part of Broadway. Here you can see with your own eyes how the engines of the financial machine of the world work, which is hidden behind the facade of the New York Stock Exchange.

I advise believers or simply people interested in the architecture of churches to take a look at the Church of the Holy Trinity. The building in neo-Gothic style was erected in 1846. Before the start of the skyscraper era, it was the tallest in the city. Captains of arriving ships even used it to navigate.  

PS I almost forgot to tell you how to get to Broadway from the airport. There are three ways. The first one is by taxi. Yellow cars are waiting for customers at each terminal around the clock. The trip will not be cheap, but it will be fast.

The second option is transfer. They cost about three times cheaper than taxis, but the ride is also “three times” longer.

And the third way is the metro. We sit down, go, get off at the 42nd Street-Times Square, 49 Street or 52 Street stations. We get out of the subway, and there it’s a stone’s throw to the Theater District.