I’ll be going to NYC for my birthday in April with my best friend. We’re staying at the Carlton (and got a great rate because of their remodeling project). We’ll be there 4/17-20 and are seeing Mamma Mia and Hairspray.
I’m really excited. I’ve never been to NYC before and (obviously) never seen a show on Broadway. We got GREAT seats for both shows, row F orchestra. A cow-orker has a friend in Mamma Mia so he’s going to try to get us backstage passes (although I’d so much rather have them for Hairspray…I would love to meet Harvey Fierstein! But beggars can’t be choosers).
What does one wear to the theatre these days? How dressy for evening or matinee? Should I wear a coat and tie? A tie with a nice shirt? Obviously no jeans…
Also looking for suggestions for the rest of the time we’re there. Anything going on in April that’s a “must not miss”? I know, I’m going to get 8 million suggestions, but hey, throw them out there and see what sticks.
ACK! I am so jealous. I’ll get my turn in October though. That will be my first ever trip to The Big Apple. Full guided bus/walking tours and all that great cheesy touristy stuff.
Gonna be seeing a Broadway show or two, but that part of the itinerary hasn’t been completed yet…
This tells me more than anything you have never been to a broadway show. The dress code is really quite non-exsistent. You will have some people dress up very nicely in coat and ties and then there will be a group of kids from a tour bus in jeans and t-shirts. Basically dress how you like and for what ever bar/restaurant you may want to attend befor or after the show.
NYC in springtime is very nice. I always recomend a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. (go from Brooklyn to Manhattan) It gives the best views of the city.
How to dress? Just avoid extremes. If you wear a tux, you’ll look like a pompus twit. If you wear cutoff shorts and a t-shirt, you’ll look like a slob. But nowadays, almost NAYTHING between those two extremes will be fine.
If you WANT to wear a suit and a tie, go to a nice restaurant, and make an evening of it, great! Go right ahead, and you’ll fit in perfectly. On the other hand, if you want to wear a sweater and slacks, or Dockers and a polo shirt, or even a clean pair of jeans and a turtleneck, NOBODY is going to stare at you or point and whisper.
There are only a FEW occasions on BRoadway when formal dress is called for. If you’ve got tickets to the Opening Night of a big show, or to the Tony Awards, you have to dress up. But for an ordinary show like “Mama Mia,” it’s not necessary.
Otto, a friend of mine saw Hairspray over the holidays and says it’s the best show he’s seen on Broadway in ten years. He loved the cast, the music, the sets, the costumes–everything. I hope you have a great time!
I’m already booked up on all my shows for this trip. Maybe next time. I never had any real interest in seeing Rent, although I hear the characters are edgy. (bonus point to anyone who identifies that reference)