Heading to Your First Broadway Show? What You Need to Know Before You Go
Going to your first Broadway show is exciting, but there are some rules of etiquette and things to know before heading to the theater:
Be on time. Be on time for the show, which typically means showing up about 30-minutes before the curtain goes up. Also, allow extra time for will-call tickets; plan on being at the will-call window around 45-minutes before the show starts.
Be patient. Be patient and wait for the usher to seat you, even if you think you can find your seat. He or she is the person that will give you the playbill for the show.
Be well-dressed. Plan on dressing business-casual for the show; go easy on the fragrances and colognes, too. Bring a jacket or wrap as it tends to be cooler in the theater.
Be smart. Think long and hard about bringing kids to a show, as it is a long time to sit still. Also, fidgety children can impact the experience of others in the theater.
Be courteous. Be quiet during the show and don't talk, sing-along, snore, or whoop during the show. It's also ideal to keep trips out of the theater at an absolute minimum; it is very distracting for others to have to move or stand to let you by when you want to head out to the concession stand or rest room.
Don't feel obligated to participate in a standing ovation, but don't ever use this as your chance to make a break for the door to beat the crowds. Actors report that this makes them question their performance.
Be tidy. Always pick up your concession wrappers and cups before exiting the theater. It is in very bad taste to leave litter on the floor at a Broadway show.
Be prepared. Open your candy, gum, cough-drops, or other snacks before the show starts to avoid the irritating noise during the performance. These shows are not the best time to eat and most theaters only offer basic beverages and candy to patrons; plan on eating later, on the way home from the show.
Be unavailable. Power-down your phone; do not leave on vibrate. The lights and vibration can be seen and heard in the theater which is very annoying and rude for those performing. You won't need your phone in the theater since photos are prohibited.
Keep these tips in mind when heading to your first Broadway show. Not only will these tips help you have an enjoyable time, it also ensures that other patrons around you do, too. To learn more, contact services where you can buy Broadway tickets.