A Beginner’s Guide to Broadway Musicals


  • Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Broadway Musicals and Shows.

There was a timeless than a century ago when going to the theater was as common an occurrence as seeing a movie is for us now.

In the early days of Broadway, tickets were priced very affordably so even the most middle class of families could afford to attend relatively often. As time went on, while other forms of entertainment overthrew live theater in terms of popularity, the prices to see a show on Broadway began to skyrocket. This trend, in turn, further limited the average American family’s ability to attend the theater regularly.

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What to Expect the First Time You See a Broadway Musical?


These days, there are millions of New Yorkers who have never been to a Broadway show and many more millions of people from around the country for whom the first trip to NYC is also their first opportunity to see a piece of live theater. You shouldn’t be embarrassed, therefore, if you don’t really know what to expect when heading to the theater for the first time to see your first Broadway play or musical. Here is a brief overview of what you have in store.

Plan to Arrive at the Theater


Plan to arrive at the theater at least a half-hour before the show is set to begin. If you arrive earlier than that, you will usually see a line of other ticketholders snaking down the sidewalk from the entrance to the theater. No one is even let into the lobby until the house opens at a half-hour to curtain (the “house” is the theater term for the section of the theater where the audience sits, and “curtain” is another term for the time when the curtain rises and the show begins). While you may be inclined to stand in the line waiting to get in, know that your seats are pre-assigned and you gain no actual advantage from waiting in the line besides getting inside a minute or two earlier than those who wait until the line has cleared.

theater

Theater Seating Chart


Once the house opens, the lobby doors will be opened and you will pass by some ushers who will scan your tickets and check your bags. You are then free either to take your seat, mill about the lobby, or use the facilities. It’s a good idea to find your seats with at least 10 minutes to spare until the curtain. Most Broadway theaters have two or three main seating sections.

Theater-Seating-Chart

 

Orchestra


The “orchestra” section is the first level of seats.

Mezzanine


The “mezzanine” is the section up one level, which usually overhangs the back rows of the orchestra sections. If there are only two levels, the mezzanine level is usually divided into “front mezzanine” and “back mezzanine.”

Balcony


And if there is a third separate level, it is usually called the “balcony.”

Boxes


Many theaters also feature “boxes,” which are separate seating areas that adorn the sides of the auditorium and usually have six to eight seats per box.

The Overture


If you are seeing a musical, the conductor of the orchestra will usually take his place and begin the overture. The overture is a purely orchestral piece of music that precedes the start of the actual show. It will usually feature previews of several of the songs you will hear throughout the night to get the audience in the right mood for the show.
At the end of the overture, the curtain will rise and the play will begin.

To be a good audience member, there are some rules of thumb to remember:


  • First, be aware that the performers are live people who can see you out in the audience. If you are texting, sleeping, or carrying on a conversation, you can disturb their concentration while they are trying to perform.
  • Secondly, remember that the other audience members around you are trying to enjoy the show. There is nothing more annoying as an audience member who is invested in the performance than someone who is being distracting. Keep to yourself, turn off your cell phone, and keep it off for the entire show.
  • Third and most importantly, remember to be an active participant in the experience. At the end of a song, applaud. If something is funny, laugh. Get invested in the performance and you will likely love the experience.

Intermission


When the play or musical comes to an end, the curtain will fall and the audience will applaud. You will notice that no one moves even though the play is over. This is because the curtain call will begin immediately, in which the cast comes onstage to take their bows. It can be tempting to leave before the curtain call, but it’s extremely unadvisable. Again, the performers can see you in the audience, and leaving during their bows is very rude. After the curtain call has concluded, the curtain will fall again and the house lights will come up.
Now it is time for the audience to leave. Try to be as prompt as possible as the staff at the theater likely wants to go home.

The End


When the play or musical comes to an end, the curtain will fall and the audience will applaud. You will notice that no one moves even though the play is over. This is because the curtain call will begin immediately, in which the cast comes onstage to take their bows. It can be tempting to leave before the curtain call, but it’s extremely unadvisable. Again, the performers can see you in the audience, and leaving during their bows is very rude. After the curtain call has concluded, the curtain will fall again and the house lights will come up.
Now it is time for the audience to leave. Try to be as prompt as possible as the staff at the theater likely wants to go home.

Get an Autograph


As you are exiting the theater, you may decide that you were so impressed with one (or more) of the performers that you would like to meet them and get an autograph. As you exit, inquire with one of the ushers as to where you can find the stage door. This is the door that the cast will exit from on their.

Get a Celebrity Autograph
Get a Celebrity Autograph