The ultimate Broadway guide for first-timers

Find answers to common questions about Broadway shows, theatres, tickets, seating sections, etiquette, accessibility, and more to make your first trip as smooth as possible.

There’s a first time for everything, including Broadway. Seeing a play or musical on Broadway and all that goes with it — the stars, the stories, the staging — is a singular and transportive experience, especially when it’s a brand-new one. For answers to frequently asked questions about Broadway and its shows, theatres, and terms, read our guide to everything a first-time Broadway theatregoer needs to know.

Get Broadway tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Jump to:

• What is Broadway?
• What is a Broadway show?
• When do Broadway shows play?
• How long do Broadway shows play?
• What Broadway show should I see?
• What to know before attending a Broadway show
• Where to eat before and after a Broadway show
• Broadway terms to know

What is Broadway?

Broadway refers to a famous group of theatres in New York City known for producing professional, large-scale theatrical performances. Encompassing 41 theatres, Broadway is widely regarded as the pinnacle of American theatre.

Most Broadway venues are located in the Theatre District of Midtown Manhattan, and all contain 500 seats or more.

What is a Broadway show?

A Broadway show is a professional theatrical production staged in one of the 41 Broadway theatres in New York City. These shows include new musicals and plays as well as revivals of contemporary and classic works.

Broadway shows are known for their top-notch production value and for showcasing talented professional actors, including A-list celebrities. Broadway shows vary in content, length, genre, and age recommendation, but they're generally designed to appeal to a wide array of audiences.

Many Broadway shows have become cultural landmarks, such as The Lion King and Hamilton. The most popular ones may run for years and even decades, tour the country, or get adapted into movies.

When do Broadway shows play?

Broadway shows typically run from Tuesday to Sunday each week, with most productions closed — or "dark," in theatre-speak — on Mondays. Evening performances generally start between 7 and 8 p.m., while matinees are held in the afternoon, usually between 2 and 3 p.m.

Matinees are typically performed on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, but some productions offer Thursday matinees. Read our Broadway matinee guide for a complete list of all current shows' matinees, and check out our guide to Broadway shows with nontraditional performance times if the standard schedule doesn't fit yours.

Holiday schedules may differ, and additional performances may be added during peak tourist seasons.

How long do Broadway shows play?

The length of a Broadway show’s run varies widely. Some popular productions, like Chicago and The Lion King, run for decades. Others may only last a few months, weeks, or even days, depending on such variables as ticket sales, critical reception, audience interest, and financial backing.

Limited vs. open runs

Each Broadway show is either slated to be an open run or a limited run. Open-ended runs will go on as long as the show remains financially viable. Limited-run shows have a predetermined closing date, but they may get extended or turn into open runs if they're selling well.

Broadway show running times

Individual performances typically last between 90 minutes and 3 hours, which may or may not include a 15- or 20-minute intermission. Most shows have two acts, but some may be shorter or longer depending on the production.

What Broadway show should I see?

Choosing a Broadway show depends on your interests – do you like musicals or plays? Dramas or comedies? Classic revivals or new premieres? If it’s your first time, a popular, long-running show may be a safe bet. Use our guides to help you get started:

• Best musicals for Broadway first-timers
• Top 10 Broadway musicals
• Top Broadway plays
• Best Broadway shows for kids

Learn more about popular Broadway shows

Some theatregoers like to go into shows blind, while others like to have an idea of what they're about or if their favorite actors or creatives are involved. If you're in the latter camp, our show guides are a great, spoiler-free way to get acquainted with the story, the cast, the songs, and everything else you need to know.

Check out all our guides to current shows in our complete Broadway guide.

What to know before attending a Broadway show

You bought your tickets and you're getting ready to go. Before settling into your seat at a Broadway show, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Read on for all our pro tips below.

How to get to Broadway theatres

Most Broadway theatres are in Manhattan’s Theatre District, surrounding Times Square. Public transportation, like subways or buses, can take you within a short walk to venues. Read our guide with directions to all 41 Broadway houses by subway, bus, or car, plus nearby parking garages.

When to arrive for a Broadway show

We recommend arriving about 30 minutes beforehand to go through security, get your tickets scanned, and have time to use the bathroom, buy concessions and merchandise, and find your seat with time to spare before the show starts.

Always be sure to double-check your show starts so you don’t miss a minute, especially since certain shows don't allow late seating once the performance has begun.

How to dress for a Broadway show

The short answer — taking into account good taste and common sense — can be summed up with a beloved Cole Porter lyric: Anything goes. Most important is to dress neatly and for comfort — you’re going to be sitting in those clothesfor a couple hours.

There's no set dress code, so audience members tend to arrive in everything from casual T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers to cocktail dresses and suits, especially if their theatre trip is a special or rare occasion.

Broadway theatre etiquette

Attending a Broadway show means you’re part of a live group experience, and you don't want to be disruptive to your fellow audience members or the performers. Good theatre etiquette includes arriving on time, turning off phones and other electronics — photography and audio/video recording are no-no’s — unwrapping snacks before showtime, and saving comments for intermission or after the performance.

Check out our Broadway etiquette guide for more tips.

Accessibility at Broadway theatres

Due to older building designs, accessibility varies by Broadway venue. Most offer wheelchair seating, assistive listening devices, and accessible restrooms. Some provide captioned or audio-described performances.

Check our accessibility guide to Broadway theatres for a list of accessibility measures at each venue. If you have a specific accommodation request or question, contact your venue directly.

Where to eat before and after a Broadway show

There are countless restaurants and bars near the Theatre District; read our guides below for to discover popular, high-quality places for everything from quick bites to sit-down dinners to drinks and happy hour. Reservations are recommended, especially pre-show, and many Broadway-area restaurants offer special prix fixe menus.

• Top Theatre District restaurants and bars
• Where to get lunch and dinner in the Theatre District
• Where to get fast food and quick bites in the Theatre District
• Where to get drinks in the Theatre District
• Where to get dessert in the Theatre District
• Theatre District restaurants with prix fixes

Broadway terms to know

A working knowledge of the language of Broadway helps you navigate ticket options, seat selections, and deals with confidence and ease. Here are common terms to know.

• Previews: Early performances of a show before the official opening night, allowing the creative team to make adjustments based on audience responses.
• Opening night: The official first performance of the finalized production. Reviews generally come out on opening night.
• Orchestra: The main floor seating area closest to the stage, offering some of the best views in the theatre.
• Mezzanine: The first elevated level of seating above the orchestra, providing a wide, clear view of the stage.
• Balcony: The highest seating section, usually offering a more distant bird's-eye view and lower ticket prices.
• House: The audience seating area of the theatre, as opposed to the stage or backstage.
• Intermission: A short break in the middle of the show, typically lasting 15-20 minutes, allowing audiences to stretch and refresh.
• Box office: A theatre’s sales office where patrons can purchase or pick up show tickets.
• Stage door: The theatre exit used by cast and crew. Fans often wait here to meet performers post-show.
• Book: The script or spoken dialogue of a musical, separate from the music and lyrics.
• Score: All the music in a show, including songs, instrumental pieces, and background music. Alongside musicals, plays might also have scores the way movies do, with music underscoring certain scenes.
• Cast: The actors performing in the show, including leads, supporting actors, and ensemble members.
• Creative team: The people responsible for creating the content of the show behind the scenes: writers, directors, choreographers, composers, designers, and more.
• Company: Everyone involved in a production, including cast, crew, creative team, and other staff.
• Rush: Same-day discounted tickets offered first-come, first-served, either at the box office or digitally on apps like TodayTix. Not all shows have rush tickets, and those that do only have a limited number for each performance.
• Lottery: A ticket distribution system where patrons enter a random drawing to purchase discounted seats for shows. Not all shows have lotteries, and those that do only have a limited number of tickets for each performance.

Get Broadway tickets on New York Theatre Guide.