Where and What is Broadway?

Broadway is an avenue that spans from North to South the length of Manhattan island and passes through Times Square, the heart of the city’s theater district. The Theater District is located from 42nd Street to 53rd Street, between 6th and 8th Avenue. This relatively small strip of space houses approximately 38 theaters known for their extravagant musical and dramatic productions, i.e., “Broadway plays.”

What’s the difference between Broadway and Off-Broadway?

Broadway Theater: Broadway theater refers to the large scale, high budget, lush, theatrical extravaganzas that often feature the hottest stars from stage and screen. Tickets range from $35-$100 depending on various factors including, of course, the quality of seats. Orchestra seats tend to fall into the higher priced range. However, with a bit of planning, research, and flexibility, you should be able to secure tickets to your favorite Broadway shows at an affordable price.

Off-Broadway Theater: The difference between Broadway and Off-Broadway theater may be confusing to some first time visitors to New York because several Off-Broadway theaters are actually located on Broadway. Off-Broadway theater can be found throughout New York City. The venues are smaller (they usually range from 100-500 seats) when compared to the mammoth seating plans of the big Broadway theaters. Although Off-Broadway productions have much smaller budgets than the multi-million dollar productions of The Great White Way, these budget constraints often result in creative stage design, lighting, and other innovative production techniques. One of the advantages of Off-Broadway theater is it has the luxury of showcasing new talent and exploring a wider variety of subjects and styles from which mainstream Broadway shies away.

Off-Off-Broadway Theater: Off-Off Broadway refers to the much smaller venues scattered throughout the city (sometimes called "black box theaters"). Venues with less than 100 seats are classified as Off-Off Broadway. The productions are very low budget and often extremely creative. Off-Off Broadway often showcases the most cutting-edge, avant garde, and experimental theatrical productions. Ticket prices can range from $15-$40. Don't be surprised if you see some edgy Off-Off Broadway performer suddenly hits it big on HBO or late night TV.

Timessquare.com Theater Tip:
How To See a Show

It’s best to do some research first and decide which shows you want to see ahead of time because some of the most popular musicals and plays sell out months in advance. The best approach is to secure your tickets before you even come to New York. You can find a synopsis of each play in our theater listings to give you some ideas, or check our calendar for show dates and times. You should always check the seating chart before you purchase tickets in order to ensure that you get the best available seats in your price range. When you purchase your tickets here at TimesSquare.com, a seating chart is automatically displayed when you initiate the ticketing process. If you’re looking for great seats on a budget, matinee performances and mid-week show times are usually more affordable as are tickets to less popular shows and shows that have been running for a long time (as opposed to the newer shows).

Buying Tickets: There are several routes you can take.

Buy your tickets at Timessquare.com

You can call the theater and order the tickets directly, or purchase the tickets directly from the theater’s box office. Every theatre has a box office where you can buy tickets in person. Box office hours vary but are typically 12 noon - 8pm.

This is often the best way to get tickets to Off-Off-Broadway, and even some Off-Broadway shows. For many of the Off-Off Broadway productions, you can simply buy your tickets when you get in line to see the show, but it’s always best to call in advance to determine what the specific ticketing practices of the smaller shows entail. For the big Broadway shows, some theaters may offer standing room only (SRO) and rush tickets at bargain prices.

If you were unable to procure tickets in advance, you can often purchase same day tickets available for up to half off at the TKTS booths in Times Square on 47th Street and Broadway or at Bowling Green Park Plaza. However, the TKTS booths accept cash and traveler's checks only. The TKTS booth is operated by the nonprofit Theatre Development Fund.

Explore the Broadway Ticket Center at the Times Square Visitor’s Center (located on the east side of Broadway, between 46th and 47th streets and open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily). This is a centralized outlet offering same-day or advance tickets to almost every Broadway show (plus selected Off Broadway productions) at regular box-office prices. You can also find up-to-date information about all the Broadway plays and musicals, pick up show brochures, and even watch video previews at the Broadway Ticket Center.

Ticket Central sells tickets for many off-Broadway shows. You can buy tickets via telephone by calling (212) 279-4200, Monday-Saturday, 1pm - 8pm. Or you can buy in person at their location, 555 West 42nd Street.

SmartTix sells tickets for many off-off-Broadway shows. You can buy tickets via telephone by calling (212) 206-1515.

Ticket brokers, usually located in major hotels, sell tickets for almost everything on and off Broadway. Although this route can be quick and convenient, brokers will charge you a much higher fee than Tele-charge or TicketMaster.

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