Broadway! Few streets in the world are as famous as Broadway and few have lent their name to be synonymous with an entire industry. Broadway is home to around 41 theaters that span the thoroughfare in Manhattan. This concentration of performing arts is one of the main centers of performing arts in the world with Broadway often being shorthand for the concept of theater itself.
During the day in NYC, there are a plethora of things to see and do. Plan ahead and visit the Statue of Liberty (it can book out months in advance), as well as the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Intrepid, Sea Air, and Space Museum.
Broadway And Its Theaters
The actual road of Broadway runs from State Street at Bowling Green for 13 miles (or 21 kilometers) through the borough of Manhattan and then 2 miles through the Bronx and continuing even further through Westchester County.
It is the oldest north-south main thoroughfare in NYC with much of it beginning as the Wickquasgeck trail even before the arrival of Europeans.
According to Loving New York, every year Broadway draws a crowd of over 13 million spectators - most are from out of NYC with 63% being tourists. It would seem the performing arts are also more popular with women as 66% of the audience are females.
- Spectators: 13 Million Annually
- Females: 66% of The Audience
But of course, what most people think about when they think of Broadway is the theatrical entertainment industry that is so iconic from Broadway. There are far too many shows to list out here, but some of the most iconic are The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Wicked, Cats, The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Come From Away, Mamma Mia!, Beauty and the Beast, To Kill a Mockingbird, and more.
One can see a full list of shows currently being played with schedules and other information on Broadway.com and Broadway.org.
There are many performances to choose from (not all above are still running). One can buy the tickets online and reserve the best seats, or buy them last minute on Broadway hoping that the tickets will be discounted.
The Lion King
One of the most iconic Disney movies ever made (and their longest-running Broadway hit) is the Lion King (whose storyline is much like Hamlet if one thinks about it). The Lion King is as hair-raising as it is inspiring. It is one of the shows that should top one's bucket list of shows to see on Broadway.
It is a lively state adaption of the 1994 Disney film, The Lion King (which had perhaps the most traumatic Disney on-screen death scene for a kid's movie). Today is the third longest-running show on Broadway after The Phantom of the Opera and Chicago.
Journey with Simba has his innocent young and happy world is shattered by his evil uncle Scar as he sees his father fall to his death and flees everything he once knew and loved. See how he finds a new life with his two hilarious friends before returning to claim his rightful place as king.
- Age Limit: Children Under 4 Will Not Be Admitted
- Duration: 2.5 Hours (Including An Intermission)
- Tony Awards: The Lion King Show Won A Half-Dozen Tony Awards In 1998
- Tickets: Starting From $75.00
- Number of Performances: 9,349
- Highest: Highest Grossing Broadway Show In History
The Phantom of The Opera
Another iconic theatrical show that everyone must-see is The Phantom of the Opera. This was first shown in 1988 and is easily the longest-running show on Broadway today. It won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. It is based on Gaston Leroux's horror novel telling the story of the Phantom who haunts the stage of the Paris Opera. But he falls in love with a beautiful young soprano.
- Duration: 2.5 Hours with An IntermissionTickets: Regular Tickets Range $45-149
- Number of Performances: 13,373
- Longest: Longest Running Broadway Musical In History
Wicked
Lions and Tigers and Bears - Oh My! Lion and Tigers and Bears - Oh My! Journey back to the Land of Oz but explore it from a different angle. See how long before Dorothy arrives there is another girl who was born with emerald-green skin, was smart, fiery, possessing extraordinary talent, but was misunderstood. See who she develops one of the most unlikely of friendships until the world labels one "good" and the other "wicked".
For those who are fans of the movie, one can see the actual Dorothy House in Liberal, Kansas today and tour the house with Dorothy the tour guide.
- Age Limit: Children Under 5 Are Not PermittedDuration: 2 Hours 45 Minutes Including an Intermission
- Tickets: Starting At $89.00
- Number of Performances: 6,881