The Perpetual Tourist

There is so much to see and do in New York City that you cannot possibly do it all in one trip. In fact, most of the people who spend their whole lives in the city don’t ever do it all. That’s what makes this place such a great destination for first time visitors and those who’ve been there many times before. It’s also one place you can take a family or group of people with widely varied interests where no one will get bored.

Since you can’t do everything, you should make a list of a few things you’d like to try on your first visit to the Big Apple. For lots of folks, seeing a Broadway show will be high on that list. Broadway plays are unlike any show you’ve probably ever seen. They are big-budget, spectacular productions, usually with lots of music and choreography. Most Broadway shows are quite well-known, and you can probably make a list of at least 5 that you’d like to see without even looking up what’s showing. They’re all good, or they wouldn’t make it on Broadway. It’s hard to go wrong.

But for a more New York experience, I like Off Broadway or Off Off Broadway shows. I feel like the audiences at Broadway shows are almost 100% tourists, while these smaller productions have more of the true local flavor of Manhattan. In fact, my favorite show experience ever was an Off Broadway production called De La Guarda. This is not a play in the traditional sense — there aren’t even seats in the theater — I would describe it as a performance art experience. Before the show begins, the audience walks into a large dark room. There are no windows and no stage, and no one knows what to expect — so I won’t give it away. The performance takes place all around you, and the audience is very much involved in the show, but not at all in the traditional cheesy audience participation sense. It’s never the same show twice, and the only thing more I’ll say about it is that you won’t want to be wearing a skirt.

As far as the Broadway shows are concerned, I’ve seen a wide range of these, from the classics like Phantom of the Opera and Cats to Rent and The Rocky Horror Show, and I’m dying to see Avenue Q the next time I visit. I tend to prefer the quirkier shows, so my favorite of these has been Rocky Horror. With an all-star cast including Joan Jett and Dick Cavett, and more of the fun kind of audience participation, it was a wild and unforgettable night. Sadly, this show ended its run a few years ago, but Rocky Horror wasn’t the only show with great celebrity cast members.

If you liked the movie version of Rent, you’ll recognize many of those cast members on stage, but you’ll have to act quickly — this show ends its Broadway run in June 2008. Lots of popular screen actors make their way to the Broadway stage, and you’re sure to find some of your favorites in these constantly rotating casts, like Molly Ringwald, the 80’s teen sensation who has seen a career revival on the stage.

You can purchase tickets in advance for the show of your choice online or by telephone with the production’s box office, but if you’re flexible, I recommend the TKTS booths in Manhattan at Times Square and South Street Seaport. These booths sell day-of tickets (or day-before tickets for matinees at the South Street Seaport location) at deep discounts. There’s no availability guarantee, so you’ll have to have a plan B lined up in case the show you want is sold out, but with everything showing on any given day, you’ll surely find something good. Don’t be scared off by the long lines you’ll find at these booths. They move quickly, and there are usually street performers providing entertainment as you wait in line.

Seeing a Broadway show is a theater experience like no other, and definitely something you should try to do next time you’re in Manhattan. All of the shows I’ve seen have been spectacular, but there are far many more that I haven’t seen, so of course I can’t say which is the best. If you have a favorite show, comment and let us know about it.