Where's Broadway? Shows to see before 2011

The economy has been rough on everyone, including Broadway. Avenue Q moved back off-Broadway. After a long wait Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark is finally showing previews for its January 2011 release. Some shows have too good a cast to change actors (i.e. Promises, Promises). Some simply can’t muster the effort to go on for another year no matter how good it is (i.e. Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson).

So if you want to do the tourist thing, see a Broadway show.

But how do I get tickets?
If you have a particular show in mind and want to make sure you have good seats go to the show’s main website. Often times they will send you to Ticketmaster, but sometimes they have coupon deals on the website so check there first.

The other option is the TKTS Discount Booth. If you’re more concerned about getting a low price than what show you see, this is place to go. Often these are tickets that have gone unsold, as such when you buy them that day the price is often between 20% - 50% off the regular price. Sweet deal right?

The disadvantage to this is that you need to wait in line and you probably won’t know what performances are available until you get there. So make a list of at least 10 shows you’ve been dying to see. There are also two marquees that rotate available shows and now the Times Square location has live helpers in case you arrive at the ticket counter, your show is sold out, and you don’t know what else to see.

If you are not a waiting-in-line type of person, there are also two other locations Downtown and in Brooklyn.

Now onto the shows.



Felá (Closes Jan 2) – A slice of life musical about the times had by Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Afrobeat pioneer. With the music and charismatic choreography, you can’t help but be smiling and dancing another with the cast.

Eugene O’Neil Theater
230 W. 49th St
New York, NY 10019

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Closes Jan 2) – Try to imagine President Andrew Jackson as an emo rock star dealing with marriage, populism and the Indian Removal Act. Can’t? Michael Friedman does it for you. It’s Indians and Cowboys at a whole new level.

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
242 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036

West Side Story (Closes Jan 2) – This classic Sondheim tale of love and the life on the other side of the tracks is a story that everyone remembers (or at least heard of). Fall in love with Tony, Maria, the Jets and the Sharks all over again or for the first time.

Palace Theatre
1564 Broadway
New York, NY 10036

Promises Promises (Closes Jan 2) - A musical comedy set in Mad-men era starring Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes. Chuck Baxter is a man who simply wants to move up in the world and to fall in love. However this comes with a lot more strings attached than he would’ve liked.

Broadway Theatre
1631 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

Elf (Closes Jan 2) – Remember that Will Farrell movie of the same name? Now it is performed live on Broadway. Just in time for the holiday season dance with elves and Santa.

Al Hirschfield Theatre
302 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036

In the Heights (Closes Jan 9) - Wonder what it’s like living in Washington Heights but with music and dancing? Watch and listen to characters struggle with attaining the “American Dream,” and appreciating the little things that make them happy to get by in the Heights.

Richard Rogers Theatre
226 W 46th Street
New York, NY 10036

A Little Night Music (Closes Jan 9) – Going through it’s second Broadway revival, the performance follows three romantic couples in Sweden during the 1900s. A Little Night Music stars Bernadette Peters as Desiree. Also if you are familiar with the song “Send in the Clowns” this the play it comes from.

Walter Kerr Theater
219 West 48th Street
New York, NY 10036

Next to Normal (Closes Jan 16) – A rock musical about a family dealing with their mother’s bipolar disorder.

Booth Theater
222 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Closes Jan 23) – Based on the 1988 film of the same name, it follows a group of women as they go about their lives telenovela-style.

Balasco Theatre
111 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036

These shows are not leaving anytime soon, but they are rotating actors.

La Cage Aux Folles – Kelsey Grammer (leaving Feb 2011)

Longacre Theater
220 West 48th Street
New York, NY 10036

The Addams Family – Nathan Lane (leaving March 2011)

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
205 West 46th Street
New York, NY 10036

TKTS Discount Booth Locations
Times Square (can only purchase day of evening and matinee performances)
Father Duffy Square
Broadway and 47th Street
-look for the red steps
South Street Seaport (can only purchase day of evening performances and day before matinees)
Behind 199 Water Street
Corner of Front Street and John Street

Brooklyn (can only purchase day of evening performances and day before matinees; plus Brooklyn only events)
1 Metrotech Center
Corner of Jay Street and Myrtle Avenue Promenade