Broadway for Beginners: A Tourist's Guide to Broadway and off-Broadway in New York City

The title says it all for this book -- it is a book for people who have never been to a Broadway show or, if they have attended a show, had nothing to do with the activity of making that happen. It is NOT for the regular Broadway (or Off-Broadway) theatergoer. So, for the novice, or even the person who for whatever reason can only dream of going to a Broadway show (such as myself in my teens), it is a first-rate, entertaining guide. There is excellent advice on buying tickets (and avoiding resale outlets), picking seats (including advice for short people), theater etiquette, theater restrooms (!), choosing a show, waiting for the cast members at the stage door, and so much more. He rightly triumphs New York's subway and Yellow cabs. But show more I do have some quibbles. The author hypes the Broadway experience over shows in one's hometown. I believe he is talking about Broadway touring companies, but he really should differentiate between professional local productions, which can often be just as spectacular and engrossing as Broadway shows, and the touring companies. I am thinking about theatres such as Steppenwolf in Chicago, Arena Stage in DC, Shakespeare and Company in Lenox MA, Palm Beach Dramaworks in West Palm Beach, etc. He has a terrific chapter with an explanation of rush tickets but fails to mention that rush tickets can be obtained at the theatres on the day of the performance if one is willing to stand in line for a couple of hours. And he does not mention standing room for sold out shows and that Playbill.com has a complete listing of rush, lottery, and standing room procedures for each show. But as I said, these are quibbles that can be fixed for the second printing. And this is a little book that deserves a second printing. show less

I won this book at LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. Entered to win: early May. Informed won: 5/27. Received: 6/5. Read: 6/6. Reviewed: 6/7. I read it in one day, which happened to be the day before the 79th Tony Awards.

I’m shocked that I rated this book with more than 3 stars because even though I wanted to read it enough to enter to win a copy, I was afraid that maybe its contents would be redundant and just as easily gotten by looking up the information on free websites, but there is more to this book than that. Also, while some of the information can be gotten online, I appreciate having everything in one place. A lot of helpful websites are listed. I went to the first one but I haven’t visited the others yet show more because I didn’t want to interrupt my reading. I’m looking forward to looking at all of them though, and I’ll definitely look at them again if I plan a trip to New York City. There is a lot of useful information in the book. There are many invaluable tips in areas/subjects I did not expect. I learned a lot. I hadn’t known the exact meanings and difference of Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway. Very interesting!

The book is structured well so that if after reading you want to use it as a reference it’s easy to find information again. I’m definitely keeping the book because it’s a fantastic reference tool.

He touched on places to stay and places to eat. I wouldn’t expect that information to be comprehensive and, except for vegan guides, I am never interested in the restaurant/food suggestions anyway. I care about the shows, theaters and information about theatre going and the bulk of the book covers those subjects.

I really like the author. I like how he stresses throughout the importance of being considerate of others, especially of the cast members and also of fellow audience members and everyone associated with the theaters. I also always stay until the very end and enthusiastically applaud the cast. I also tend to agree with the author that closer is better and also that an interior aisle seat in the orchestra, not just center orchestra seating, can be good for those of us who are short. His enthusiasm for Broadway shows is contagious.

My one quibble is the amount of repetition. There is a lot. No, it doesn’t take away from the usefulness of the book, but I really noticed it and it was annoying enough that I downgraded half a star. When there is repetition within a chapter I saw easy ways it could have been avoided. When the information is given in multiple chapters I’m not sure where it should have been placed but with better editing and eliminating the unnecessary repetition I would have probably given this book 5 stars.

General Contents:

Acknowledgements
1. Curtain Speech
2. Why See a Show on Broadway (or Off-Broadway)?
3. Why Do You Need This Book?
4. Terminology
5. Accessibility
6. Picking a Show
7. Picking Your Seat and Buying a Ticket
8. Where to Stay
9. How to Dress
10. Day of the Show
11. At the Show
12. Intermission Restroom Strategy
13. After the Show
14.Closing
About the Author

I will say a bit about why this book appealed to me. My happiest childhood time might have been the couple of months I lived in Manhattan in the summer of 1964 when I was 10. We went to the World’s Fair numerous times and my mother and I went to the UN and to many museums when my father was at work. The best part is that we saw 36 plays, mostly musicals. Some were first run and are still my favorites. Fiddler on the Roof and Hello, Dolly! And Oliver! We also saw great ones I haven’t heard about since including Here’s Love, which was the Miracle on 34th Street story. We would walk by the theaters after dinner and try to get cheap last minute seats. We had to try more times than I can count to get tickets to Hello, Dolly! For Fiddler on the Roof I had to sit a row in front of my parents. Everything about the theatre going experience was fun. I went back to NYC over Christmas vacation in 1972 when I was 19. We saw Pippin which I still love and a great Neal Simon play. Sadly, I haven’t been back to NYC since then and I’ve yet to go to London, the two places I most want to see live theatre. I have seen some great musicals in San Francisco including Beautiful, The Book of Mormon and many others, and I’ve seen some excellent community and high school productions. Even though it’s not the same as live theatre, in recent years I’ve enjoyed Hamilton and Merrily We Roll Along on streaming services on tv or on my pad. I hope to get to London and back to NYC someday but, even if I don’t, I am grateful to have this book. Armchair traveling is better than nothing.

Recommended especially for those who live in or plan to visit/are visiting NYC and who want to go to musicals and plays while there, especially those who haven't been to the theatre often or recently.

4-1/2 stars show less

This was a great guide to Broadway and Off Broadway in NYC. I highly recommend it. I wish I’d had the opportunity to have this guide before going to a show. I don’t get to NYC often but when I do I try to attend a show. After reading this guide I want to plan another trip so I can use my new found knowledge of choosing and attending a show. Thank you Brian Guy!

Brian Guy gives not only an expert insight to the shows but before and after the show. He gives advice on where to eat, how to travel, proper etiquette, the works. Definitely a must for anyone wanting to visit Broadway.