This year my beloved and I went to two Broadway shows and we have plans on going to a third, ("Frost/Nixon") as well. In January we saw the wonderful revival of "Company" and in March the incredible "Grey Gardens." Both shows were delightful and very different: "Company" was a light-hearted, very funny "romp" while "Grey Gardens" was one of the best dramatic musicals I've ever seen. It didn't have any of that Cameron MacIntosh/Andrew Lloydd Webber BLARINGLY OVERMIKED synthetic music but instead told a sad, powerful story through spare, haunting songs. Both shows are definately worth seeing.
A few suggestions from this veteran theater-going that you may find either obvious or helpful:
1. How to deal with difficult audience members: It never fails that I'm seated in front of someone who insists upon talking during a show. At "Grey Gardens" some guy was commenting loudly about the action and it was very distracting. The way to deal with rude people like this is not to tell them to shut up since that just adds to the infraction. Instead, simply give them a death stare, a look that says "If you keep talking, I will kill you and every court of law will deem it justifiable homicide." This tactic, I have found, works wonders (the same goes for people who don't turn off their cell-phones although usually the entire audience registers dissapproval).
2. Join TheaterMania for ticket discounts. Do not even consider paying full price unless it is not listed on TheaterMania. The average discount ticket costs about $65 which is roughly equal to the price of Off-Broadway tickets these days.
3. If you like Chinese food, the best deal for dinner before or after a Broadway show is Ollie's on 44th and Broadway (right across from the Nokia). The restaurant is huge (so there aren't long waits) and the prices are dirt cheap for 'hood. Also, they have huge tables which can accommdate large parties. Most importantly, the food is pretty good so Ollie's is a MUCH better deal than those overpriced and mediocre joints on Restaurant Row. Ollie's closes around 11:30 so if you go to a show that gets out around 10, it's perfect for after-theater dinner. It's really one of the best deals in town.
If you've seen any good shows lately, on on or off Broadway, please post a comment and let everyone know.
A few suggestions from this veteran theater-going that you may find either obvious or helpful:
1. How to deal with difficult audience members: It never fails that I'm seated in front of someone who insists upon talking during a show. At "Grey Gardens" some guy was commenting loudly about the action and it was very distracting. The way to deal with rude people like this is not to tell them to shut up since that just adds to the infraction. Instead, simply give them a death stare, a look that says "If you keep talking, I will kill you and every court of law will deem it justifiable homicide." This tactic, I have found, works wonders (the same goes for people who don't turn off their cell-phones although usually the entire audience registers dissapproval).
2. Join TheaterMania for ticket discounts. Do not even consider paying full price unless it is not listed on TheaterMania. The average discount ticket costs about $65 which is roughly equal to the price of Off-Broadway tickets these days.
3. If you like Chinese food, the best deal for dinner before or after a Broadway show is Ollie's on 44th and Broadway (right across from the Nokia). The restaurant is huge (so there aren't long waits) and the prices are dirt cheap for 'hood. Also, they have huge tables which can accommdate large parties. Most importantly, the food is pretty good so Ollie's is a MUCH better deal than those overpriced and mediocre joints on Restaurant Row. Ollie's closes around 11:30 so if you go to a show that gets out around 10, it's perfect for after-theater dinner. It's really one of the best deals in town.
If you've seen any good shows lately, on on or off Broadway, please post a comment and let everyone know.
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