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The Best Tips for Theatre Weekends in NYC

With apologies to London, there's no better destination for theatre fans than New York City. From Broadway blockbusters to Off-Broadway charm, the best of the stage world comes together here, most of it concentrated in the Theatre District. Whether you're looking for discount tickets, insider tours, or a few key shows, read on for our tips on how a theatre fan can spend a weekend in NYC.

Tips for Theatre Weekends in NYC: TKTS Discount Booths

tkts patron services

The go-to stop for any theatergoer on a budget, the TKTS Discount Booths offer daily tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays—as well as several area dance productions—at 20% to 50% off regular prices. This non-profit organization, run by the Theatre Development Fund, operates out of three locations, including Downtown Brooklyn, South Street Seaport, and of course, its flagship steps in the heart of Times Square. Note that ticket availability and inventory can change quickly throughout the day. Hours are 3-8pm Monday and Friday, 2-8pm Tuesday, 11am-7pm Sunday, and Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday 10am-2pm and 3-8pm. The early hours are for matinees and the afternoons are for evening performances. Father Duffy Square at Broadway and 47th Street in Midtown West, 212-912-9770, tdf.org

Tips for Theatre Weekends in NYC: TKTS in Lincoln Center

Offering the same ticket selection as its main hub in Times Square, TDF will soon open an additional venue at Lincoln Center. Located next to the David Rubenstein Atrium’s Zucker Box Office (which already offers discount tickets to all Lincoln Center shows and concerts, BTW), the “pop-up” venue will officially launch on August 2nd, 2016 at noon, and remain open for business for the next three months. The reason behind green-lighting the new booth? Simply to expand TKTS’ outreach…and, according to Concert Halls and Operations Director Tom Dunn, allow “more people the opportunity to experience New York City’s bounty of cultural offerings.” So, head on up to Lincoln Center for your discount tickets soon! TKTS at Lincoln Center will be open Tuesdays-Saturday from noon to 7pm. For more information, visit tdf.org.

Tips for Theatre Weekends in NYC: The Rockettes

New York Spectacular

Why not shake a leg with the Rockettes? For 80+ years, the world-famous leggy ladies have been dazzling audiences with their annual Christmas Spectacular—popular (and perfect!) family fare around those chilly winter months—and have recently taken New York by storm in the off-season, with respective Spring and Summer Spectacular shows as well. Offering a variety of ballet, hip-hop, and of course, those happy tappy high kicks, the annual Rockettes’ Spectacular shows are a surefire New York hit, any time of year! Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave., 212-247-4777, rockettes.com/newyork

Tips for Theatre Weekends in NYC: Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour

In addition to the seasonal Spectaculars, you may also choose to take a tour of the famed Radio City itself. The word-famous Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour takes you behind the scenes of “the showplace of the nation,” exploring the history behind the legendary Great Stage, and the beautiful architecture and Art Deco interiors. Plus, you may even meet—and snap a pic—with a Rockette! What?! High-kick it to Radio City today! Tours run daily from 9:30am to 5pm. 1260 Sixth Ave.212-247-4777, radiocity.com

Tips for Theatre Weekends in NYC: Sardi’s

A popular Theatre District haunt, Sardi’s offers an eclectic menu of pasta, seafood, steak, and sandwiches. Apart from the food, the restaurant’s main and most famous attraction, particularly to theatergoers, are its caricatures, which line the walls from floor to ceiling. Featured stars range from age-old stage luminaries like Carol Channing, Chita Rivera, and Lauren Bacall, to more contemporary faves, like Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Fun fact: Sardi’s is also the birthplace of the Tony Award; yes, theatrical producer and director Brock Pemberton was eating lunch here when he came up with the idea to have a theatre award given in American Theatre Wing founder Antoinette Perry’s name. 234 W. 44th St., 212-821-8440, sardis.com

Tips for Theatre Weekends in NYC: Theatre on Film and Tape Archives

Located on the third floor of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center, the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) allows theatergoers the opportunity to witness pristine, preserved video recordings of live Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre productions, as well as taped dialogues between notable theatre artists and personalities. View these recordings in the state-of-the-art screening room named in honor of producer Lucille Lortel. Open to theatre professionals, students, or researchers with work or other study-related reasons for viewing. Advance appointments are strongly encouraged. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, nypl.org

Tips for Theatre Weekends in NYC: Broadway Up Close 

One of the most well-known—and complete—public walking tours of the theatre district, “Broadway Up Close” begins at the Nederlander on 41st Street, and walks its participants through Broadway’s most famous theaters. You'll learn about the Lyric, the American Airlines, the Belasco, and the New Amsterdam, as well as lesser-known attractions and now-demolished theaters such as the Times Square Theatre and the Hippodrome. Each guide, a working New York actor or stage manager, will take along an iPad, from which they’ll share facts, history, photos, video, and anecdotes about everything from ghosts to theatrical superstitions to dressing room lore to legendary backstage mishaps. Tours are available both privately and publicly, and run, on average, an hour and 45 minutes. broadwayupclose.com

Tips for Theatre Weekends in NYC: See a Broadway Show!

Phantom of the Opera by Matthew Murphy

Photo: Matthew Murphy

The Great White Way is filled with all kinds of fabulous productions, sure to satisfy any theatergoer’s needs—even those still upset they can’t snag a ticket to Hamilton! Check out a long-running favorite, such as Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, or Wicked, or head on down to a newer production, such as Something Rotten!, On Your Feet, or the upcoming Off-Broadway to Broadway transfer Dear Evan Hansen. Need a riveting play? Check out 2016 Tony winner The Humans! Celebs on stage? Josh Groban arrives October 18th in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Off-Broadway? Shear Madness, The Gazillion Bubble Show, and Avenue Q are all still running strong. There’s something for everyone on (or Off) Broadway!

About the Author

Matt Smith is a writer and theatre enthusiast based in New York. His work has appeared within a wide variety of theatrical publications, including Playbill.com, BroadwayWorld.com, TheaterPizzazz.com, and StageBuddy.com. For more information or further inquiry, including additional writing samples, please visit www.mattsmiththeatre.com.

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