Tips for Seeing a New York Broadway Play

When I first moved to New York, the thought of seeing a Broadway Play frightened me. I was from small town Arkansas and I imagined that everyone visiting a Broadway Play was dressed in tuxedos and long dresses. Perhaps this was an image I had picked up after years of watching movies. Come to find out, the movies where the characters visited a Broadway play, where not accurate. I have been to several Broadway Plays and the anxiety of what to wear and what to do is gone. Here are a few things you need to know about visiting a Broadway Play.

Get There Early: Sometimes the crowd begins to form at the door up to two hours before the show actually starts. It is not necessary to get in line that early, especially if you already have your tickets. If you are picking your tickets up before the show, you might consider at least stopping by and picking them up before the line starts to form.

Buy Tickets Before Hands: Go online and purchase your tickets early. You can get better deals this way and ensure that you do get a ticket. Some shows sell out quickly and it can be hard to get a ticket even a month in advance. Don't wait until the last minute.

What to Wear: As I mentioned above, before going to a Broadway Show I had this photo in my head of very fancy clothes. This is not the case at all. My first tip is that you should dress up. At least go for a nice pair of slacks. Yes, some people do wear blue jeans, but dressing up really makes this event more special. I almost think it is a shame that some people do wear blue jeans. Treat this as a special even and you will have a lot more fun. Make sure to wear clothes that are comfortable. You will be sitting for two or more hours and possibly going up and down stairs. Make sure you wear shoes you can walk in, and pants that are comfortable to sit in for a long period of time.

Souvenirs: When you enter the building there will be a small shop or desk where you can purchase souvenirs from the show. Take a look before the show starts and make your purchase then. The line will be much shorter than it is at intermission and after the show.

Bathrooms: Use the bathroom before you find your seat. The closest bathroom may not be that close depending on where your seat is. If you get up to use the restroom in the middle of the show, you will not be allowed back in until after an act has ended. This is to prevent others from being disturbed. Also, during intermission you may find that the bathrooms are packed.

Binoculars: Even in the seats at the back of the theater, you will not really need to use binoculars. However, they are good to bring along. We once sat toward the back of the theater and it was hard to see detail in the actor's faces and clothing. We did not use the binoculars during the whole show. Instead, once or twice we pulled them out to get a better look. You can get a cheap pair for $10 and they work great for this use.

Travel Light: Seats in the theaters are close together with little room for your legs. Do not try to bring large bags with you. There is not a lot of room to store items and you will not be comfortable holding these things in your lap for the entire play.

Cell Phones: Even if you think you have turned your cell phone off, check it again. When the play is going on, it can be hard to tell if your phone is ringing. You may hear a phone ring, and wonder why someone did not turn their phone off. Then find out later that it was really your phone. It is very hard to tell where the sound is coming from. I was once in a theater where someone's phone rang twenty times. During the intermission the ushers asked where the sound was coming from. The left side of the theater pointed to the right, and the right side of the theater pointed to the left. We were all hearing the sound from different directions.

Going to see a Broadway Play for the first time is an exciting experience. Do not be surprised if it is nothing like what you have seen in the movies. Keep that tuxedo hanging in the closet and save it for a wedding. You won't need to be that dressed up. Hopefully these tips will make your first experience at a Broadway play a fun and comfortable one.