New York City is a paradise for entertainment. You can catch foreign and independent films that may be screening at only a handful of screens around the country. You can watch big budget Broadway shows. You can witness what a bunch of talented rising stars can do with little money, lots of imagination and a willingness to be different. There are comedy clubs, jazz clubs, television shows... really something for everyone.
Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway Theater Resources
Most "Broadway" theaters are not actually on Broadway! You will find them between 6th and 8th Avenues from 41st St to 54th St. An exception is the Vivian Beaumont which is a bit further uptown in Lincoln Center. Currently, there are 39 Broadway theater houses. Officially, a Broadway theater house has 500 or more seats; an off Broadway house has 100-499; under 100 is off-off Broadway. The off- and off-off Broadway theaters can be located anywhere, even the outer boroughs. While the Broadway productions attract the stars, glamour and big audiences, they have more pressure to appeal to large numbers of people and to make money. Many shows do not recoup the original investment, which can be several million dollars. Off-off broadway shows don't have much money to begin with, and are free to take theatrical risks. Sometimes you will find these theaters in the basement of a worn looking building. Don't be afraid! There's good stuff going on...
