Broadway Shows: Chicago, Hairspray and Shrek the Musical

Every year, the sights and sounds of Broadway draw millions of people to New York City. The Broadway Theater, located on Broadway and 53rd Street, is only one of many thriving "Broadway" theaters in New York. Currently, 39 Broadway theaters lie in the Theatre District of New York City, each with 500 or more seats.
 
Off-Broadway shows are performed in smaller theaters with less than 500 seats. These productions are not as well-known as Broadway shows, and tickets are cheaper. Off-Broadway shows are often more experimental.

History of Broadway

Theaters began to pop up in downtown New York City during the 1750s. Broadway’s first long-running performance came in 1857 with The Elves.
 
The city’s premier theaters were originally located in and around Madison Square. However, most Broadway theaters later relocated to Times Square after a large number of theaters were built in the area during the early 1900s. Since then, hundreds of plays and musicals have been performed in Broadway theaters.

Broadway Show Tickets

Ticket prices vary from $50 to $200, depending on the show’s popularity and your seat selection. They are sold year-round, but different shows have different schedules.

If you want to plan your visit in advance, you can view show schedules and purchase tickets online. However, tickets can be pricey. Here are a few tips for finding discount Broadway show tickets:

  • check out online services: You can sign up to receive email updates or newsletters with information on ticket sales and discounts.
  • get standing room only or rush tickets: Box offices typically release rush tickets a few hours before a show. The price ranges from $20-25 per ticket. Standing room tickets, which are generally less expensive than seated tickets, may also be available on the day of a show.
  • go to TKTS booths: If you are willing to stand in line, you can purchase discounted same-day Broadway show tickets at TKTS booth locations. They are sold at 25 to 50 percent off the full ticket price. The two New York City locations of TKTS booths are Times Square Center and Downtown Theatre Center.

Popular Broadway Shows

Many wildly popular Broadway shows have come and gone from theaters across the nation. The following table lists the details of some popular shows currently or soon-to-be playing in New York:
 

Show Title

Story

Schedule

Tickets

Chicago

Chicago is a Tony Award-winning musical about the relationship between a determined chorus girl, a clever lawyer and a shrewd jailbird. The show opened on November 14, 2006 and is performed at the Ambassador Theatre.

Monday 8PM
Tuesday 7PM
Thursday-Friday 8PM
Saturday 2PM and 8PM
Sunday 2PM and 7PM

Individual tickets on sale through September 1, 2008; group tickets on sale through November 21, 2008.

Curtains

A musical comedy set at Boston’s Colonial Theatre in 1959. It follows the death of a leading star and the ensuing investigation. The investigator is drawn to the stage and determined to make the show a Broadway hit. The show opened on March 22, 2007 and is performed at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

Tuesday 7PM
Wednesday 2PM and 8PM
Thursday-Friday 8PM Saturday 2PM and 8PM
Sunday 3PM

Individual tickets on sale through July 6, 2008; group tickets on sale through August 31, 2008.

Hairspray

This is a quirky musical based on the 1988 film. The show follows teen Tracy Turnblad ’s transformation from a social outcast to an up-and-coming star . Hairspray opened on August 15, 2002 and is performed at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Tuesday 7PM
Wednesday 2PM and 8PM
Thursday 7PM
Friday 8PM
Saturday 2PM and 8PM
Sunday 3PM

Individual tickets on sale through August 24, 2008; group tickets on sale through January 4, 2009.

Shrek the Musical

This musical is based on the animated film about the adventures of a friendly ogre and his enchanting sidekicks. Shrek opens on December 14, 2008 at the Broadway Theatre.

Tuesday 7PM
Wednesday 2PM and 8PM
Thursday-Friday 8PM
Saturday 2PM and 8PM
Sunday 3PM

Tickets on sale through May 31, 2009.

Spring Awakening

This is a coming-of-age musical about young love, passion and regret that explores adolescent relationships and sexual exploration. The show opened on December 10, 2006 and is performed at the Eugene ONeill Theatre.

Tuesday 7PM
Wednesday-Friday 8PM
Saturday 2PM and 8PM
Sunday 2PM & 7PM

Tickets on sale through August 30, 2008.

 
Naturally, schedules and ticket sales are always subject to change, so check directly with the theater box office before making your plans. Also, the length of the show is a good thing to consider when making plans to see a Broadway show. Showings typically run from two to three hours with one intermission.
 
Other popular contemporary Broadway shows (some still running and some not) include:

Wicked
George Gershwin Theater
Opened March October 30, 2002
Still running

Lion King
New Amsterdam Theatre
Opened November 13, 1997
Still running

The Phantom of the Opera
Majestic Theater
Opened January 26, 1988
Still running

Rent
Nederlander Theater
Opened April 29, 1996
Still running

Cats
Winter Garden Theater
Opened October 7, 1982
Closed September 10, 2000

Les Miserables
Broadway Theater (through 10/14/1990)
Imperial Theater (through closing)
Opened March 12, 1987
Closed May 18, 2003

Beauty and the Beast
Palace Theater (through 9/5/1999)
Lunt-Fontane Theater
Opened April 18, 1994
Still running
 
Resources
 
About.com (2008). Discount Broadway Tickets-How to get Discount Broadway Tickets. Retrieved March  11, 2008, from the About.com Web site.
 
Broadway.com, Inc. (2008). Retrieved March 11, 2008, from the Broadway.com Web site.
 
Knapp, Maria (2007). Longest Running Broadway Shows. Retrieved on March, 17, 2008, from the About.com Web site.