Next Wednesday will be my first-ever trip to Broadway. For the National Tour shows I’ve seen there were set times in which the main front doors allowed patrons inside, and when the theater doors opened for seating. Is this the same practice for Broadway theaters? I’ll be seeing the 2pm matinee show of “The Band’s Visit” at the Barrymore and the 8pm performance of “Hello, Dolly!” at the Shubert Theater. I looked on their websites and didn’t see any mentions of door times. I wanted to go in as soon as possible to check out the theater, get pictures, and buy souvenirs before the crowd gets too thick.
Great choice of shows! The house opens 30 minutes before curtain. There are always exceptions to that, but 30 is standard. There's almost always a line to get in so plan accordingly if you really want to take your time before the show.
Just to add...while there is no reason to get in the house early, oeople start lining up to get in about 15-30 minutes prior.
I hope you LOVE every minute of your experience!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
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Danielle49 said: "Great choice of shows! The house opens 30 minutes before curtain. There are always exceptions to that, but 30 is standard. There's almost always a line to get in so plan accordingly if you really want to take your time before the show."
THANKS! It was a tough choice between many options, and I booked “The Band’s Visit” before the Tony Nominations were announced, so I’m of course now rooting for it to win.
dramamama611 said: "Just to add...while there is no reason to get in the house early, oeople start lining up to get in about 15-30 minutes prior.
I hope you LOVE every minute of your experience!"
I’m sure it will be incredibly emotional, overwhelming, and amazing, and just thinking about it makes me eternally grateful that I can do something most people around me will never get to do.
BalconyClub said: "The line to get into the Shubert is a favorite, as the line fills Shubert Alley."
I’ll be sure to get a picture, but hopefully I’ll be somewhere near the front of that line.
uncageg said: "I always arrive 15 minutes before curtain time. Usually the line has gone down, some time to use the bathroom if need be and grab a sip of water."
For both performances I have “front row” seats:
- front row Orchestra for “The Band’s Visit”
- front row Mezannine for “Hello, Dolly!”
Being a rookie I’ll definitely need more than 15 minutes. Maybe for August when I return to the Shubert for “Hello, Dolly!” with Bette Midler, but 15 minutes before curtain I’m sure the place will be packed by then.
I hate standing in those lines and sitting in my seat for 20 minutes before curtain. But that's just me."
I know it sounds crazy, but as a first-timer I want to experience everything, lines and all. I’m sure once the orchestra starts up I’ll be a emotional wreck, and will probably be grinning ear-to-ear once the scrim drops at the end of curtain call. And yes, there will be tears of joy. I’m already getting that now just thinking about it. :)
uncageg said: "I always arrive 15 minutes before curtain time. Usually the line has gone down, some time to use the bathroom if need be and grab a sip of water."
Heh, I do the same, but usually cut it down to less than 10 minutes to curtain. I wouldn't do that if I needed to use the women's restroom, though.