The History of Broadway

Shining lights, massive stages, and even bigger personalities– these are what most people associate with Broadway shows. Of course, to experience a proper Broadway show you have to venture to the city that never sleeps - New York! The theater district in New York is where you’ll find numerous world-class theatres, including the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and Booth Theatre, where you can experience a Broadway show. One of the first Broadway venues dates back to 1750 where patrons would visit to see Shakespearian plays. Broadway shows have since grown to become the pinnacle of success for both actors and actresses.

The Live Broadway Experience

From The Lion King to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the Broadway experience brings life and excitement to our favorite books, movies, and stories. While other cities have theatrical performances and venues, you’ll have to make a special trip to New York to experience an authentic Broadway show. Broadway theaters have 500 seats or more, while off-broadway shows are held in smaller venues around Manhattan. At a Broadway show, audience members are expected to keep their phones off out of respect for the actors on stage. Depending on the length of the show, you can expect one or two 10-minute intermissions.

Notable Performers

While there are plenty of television and movie actors and actresses who have stepped foot onto Broadway stages, there are many known specifically for their Broadway performances. Notable performers include Kristin Chenoweth, Sutton Foster, Andrew Rannells, Richard Chamberlain, and Julie Andrews. Broadway is a challenging stage for many actors as it can involve multiple performances a day, for weeks and months at a time. Other notable performers have included James Franco in Of Mice and Men, and Hugh Jackman in The River.

Noteworthy Broadway Shows

When people think of Broadway, it’s hard not to think of the classic shows including Wicked, Cats, and Hamilton. These shows have drawn in Broadway crowds for many years and continue to be great hits. Other popular shows include Hadestown, Dear Evan Hansen, Chicago, Aladdin, and Frozen. The longest-running Broadway show is The Phantom of the Opera which opened back in 1988 and is still performed today. Not only are the shows themselves incredible, the annual Tony Awards is a star-studded event that started in 1947 and offers awards for Excellence in Broadway Theatre.

Broadway Schedule Information

If you find yourself in New York, there’s good news– a Broadway show is always happening. Of course, if you’re looking to see a particular performance, you’ll want to check the show’s starting and closing dates.

How to Buy Broadway Tickets

SeatGeek has a wide variety of broadway tickets at many different price points.

Broadway Ticket Prices

According to SeatGeek data, the average price of a ticket to a Broadway show is $189. Of course, pricing will depend on the show’s popularity, the time and day of the show, and other factors.