Nowadays there are New Yorkers who have yet to experience a Broadway show and many others from, across the nation whose initial visit to NYC marks their introduction to live theater. So don’t feel self-conscious if you’re unsure about what awaits you on your trip to the theater, for your Broadway performance. Let me give you a rundown of what lies.
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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.
Contents
What to Expect the First Time You See a Broadway Musical?
Plan to Arrive at the Theater
Theater Seating Chart
Orchestra
The Overture
Intermission
The End
What to Expect the First Time You See a Broadway Musical?
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 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.
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
When you attend a musical the orchestra conductor typically positions himself. Starts playing the overture. The overture is a composition that comes before the actual performance begins. It often includes snippets of songs that will be performed during the show to set the audience’s mood right.
Once the overture concludes the curtain goes up. The play commences.
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.
- Also don’t forget to consider the people sitting near you who are there to experience the show. It can really ruin the experience, for them if someone, in the audience is being disruptive. Just focus on the performance silence your phone and keep it off throughout the 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
When leaving the theater if you were particularly impressed by a performer and wish to meet them for an autograph consider asking one of the ushers for directions, to the stage door. This is where the cast members typically exit after their performance.
