Television season isn’t the only thing about to heat up. This fall will see a ton of new shows coming to Broadway and among them some very familiar faces. So many people visit New York every year and go to shows like The Lion King and Phantom of the Opera, but Broadway has much more to offer.
Seeing a musical on Broadway is thought to be one of the most quintessential NYC vacation goals, but if you are planning a trip to NYC why not consider a straight play? In the last decade there few truly great musicals have graced the Broadway stage. Standouts like Book of Mormon are the exception, not the rule; however, there have been many great plays in recent years and this season is likely to continue that trend. If you really have your heart set on seeing a musical on Broadway this fall, why not try something a little out of the box? There are some interesting musicals opening that surely won’t be your average “Andrew Llyod Webber”.
Check out a few of the most promising shows coming to Broadway this fall and let us know what, or who (*cough* Dan Stevens *cough*) you are hankering to see on stage!
Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon, Kate Arrington, Edward Asner
“In alternating scenes of hilarity and poignancy, life turns surreal for an eclectic foursome whose destinies collide in the Sunshine State. A wide-eyed young couple (RUDD & ARRINGTON) head south with big plans to open a chain of Gospel-themed motels. When an agitated rocket scientist (SHANNON) and a prickly pest-control man (ASNER) enter the picture, the couple’s ordered world is thrown into utter chaos.”
Cast: Cast: Jessica Chastain, Dan Stevens, David Strathairn, Judith Ivey
“THE HEIRESS is the story of Catherine Sloper, the shy and sheltered daughter of a prominent New Yorker. Caught between the demands of a controlling father and the attentions of a passionate young suitor, Catherine must navigate the terrain of love and regret, desire and duty, a chance for happiness and the burden of fortune…as only an heiress can.”
Cast: Al Pacino, Bobby Cannavale, David Harbour, Richard Schiff, Jeremy Shamos
“The stakes are high at a fly by night Chicago real estate office: 1st prize-- a new Cadillac, 2nd prize-- a set of steak knives, 3rd prize-- you’re fired! Glengarry slices to the core of the American dream and exposes the depths people will go to stay on top of the game. Mamet himself worked in a real estate office in Chicago in 1969 setting up appointments for salesmen, and the play is influenced by the cutthroat politics he encountered.”
Cast: Cast: Chita Rivera, Jim Norton, Stephanie J. Block (Anything Goes), Will Chase, Gregg Edelman, Jessie Mueller, Betsy Wolfe
“Who killed Edwin Drood? It’s a question that has stumped audiences for years—now it’s your turn to answer one of Broadway’s most baffling mysteries.Take a trip back in time to a Victorian music hall where a rowdy ensemble of actors mounts a staging of Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel. Everyone on stage is a suspect in the murder of young Edwin Drood—and it’s up to you to choose the killer! Is it John Jasper, Edwin’s protective but slightly maniacal uncle? Rosa Bud, his reluctant betrothed? The debauched Princess Puffer? Each performance ends differently, depending on what the audience decides!”
Cast: Stark Sands, Billy Porter
“From Grammy® Award-winning pop icon CYNDI LAUPER and four-time Tony Award® winner HARVEY FIERSTEIN comes the exhilarating new musical KINKY BOOTS, directed and choreographed by Tony Award® winner JERRY MITCHELL.
Charlie Price has suddenly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which has been in his family for generations but is now on the verge of bankruptcy. In trying to save the business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they try to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair discovers that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible. ”
The above synopses are quoted from the official websites of the corresponding shows. A full list of upcoming Broadway shows can be found here.
Discount Tickets
The price of a night on Broadway can be daunting, but there are a lot of easy ways to get inexpensive seats. Here is a guide to getting discount tickets with some personal hints from a native New Yorker.
The most popular way to get cheap tickets in New York is TKTS. There are three different TKTS booths that sell tickets at a discounted rate on the day of the performance.
Tips for the TKTS booth
- The Times Square booth is the most popular and I would suggest arriving at least an hour before the booth opens in order to get your first pick.
- With TKTS what is on the board is what is available and the show you might want to see may not be there. When you get to the line your group should come up with a list of options of which shows you would like in case they sell out before you hit the front of the line.
- You won’t know how much a show is discounted until the day of your purchase, so don’t be surprised if it is only a measly 20% off.
- Pay attention! Some shows will disappear and then miraculously reappear on the board. This happens because theaters have different policies on when they release tickets
More information about TKTS can be found here .
For those of you lucky enough to still be in school, student rush is a great way to get inexpensive Broadway tickets. Not all shows have student rush so make sure to check the show’s website for student rush information. Student rush tickets are far from uniform. Different theaters tend to have very different policies, so make sure you check their website.
Tips for Student Rush
- Student rush tickets vary in price from about $18 – $40 and are generally cash only, so hit up the ATM before you wait in line.
- Some shows allow you to get two tickets per student ID, while some allow only one.
- Student Rush tickets may be given out when the box office opens, or an hour prior to curtain. If tickets are handed out when the box office opens people do tend to line up early in the morning. Tickets given out an hour before curtain tend to be a bit easier.
Some shows also do a ticket lottery. Lotteries generally occur about two hours prior to curtain and cost an average of $30. Lottery tickets tend to be better seats than student rush.
More information about rush and lottery tickets can be found on Playbill.com here. This website is not always correct, so if you are in doubt the best thing to do is call or stop by the actual box office.
If you have questions let me know in the comments.
