Lyrics Basket

Curious about unbelievable rates on Big Apple budget hotels? Discover how to search out wonderful prices on New York rooms by SineadEager

Avenue Q Moves Off-Broadway After 6 Years

To the delight of theatre fans everywhere, the wonderful musical Avenue Q has opened Off-Broadway at the New World Stages. Using puppets to tell the story, Avenue Q is highly evocative of Sesame Street, but is a show with adult themes. It is a show that will have you humming along, laughing uncontrollable, and then crying like a baby. It must be said that the use of puppets does not make this a children’s show. Most children under 12 will not be ready for the themes of Avenue Q, and very small children (under 4) are not allowed in the theatre. The story centers on Princeton, a newcomer to New York who has big dreams and no money, and therefore settles in Avenue Q, the only neighborhood in his price range. The audience is then gradually introduced to his neighbors and goes along for the ride as the characters struggle to find jobs, dates and continue to search for their purpose in life. Avenue Q is well worth seeing next time you visit New York and has multiple Tony awards to its credit.

Broadway and 21 Club. The Perfect Dinner and a Show Combination in New York.

Even though life moves fast in New York, the people who live here respect their history. It would nice to have every visitor New York say thank you for that. The drive to preserve and celebrate New York City’s history is nowhere more present than at the famous (and infamous) ‘21’ Club. Within walking distance of the Broadway theater district, 21, as it is affectionately known, will be 80 years old this year. Back at the start of prohibition in 1920, two young cousins, Jack Kriendler and Charlie Berns, tried their hand at the profitable but illegal speakeasy business. After a few years in different locations, the cousins settled on a former brownstone at 21 W 52nd Street. The club opened in the early morning of the 31st of December, 1929 and has never looked back. If you have only one dinner slot on your next New York or Broadway vacation make sure you pencil in 21. You may even see some familiar faces. Every President (excepting George W. Bush) has dined here. JFK dined here on the night of his inauguration. The story goes that Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall had their first dinner-date there. Ernest Hemmingway and gangster Legs Diamond’s girlfriend were caught “cooking” in the kitchen back in 1931. 21 is a perfect accompaniment to a Broadway theatre trip with its dramatic and long history.

Visiting Broadway? Get Up To Scratch With Your Theatre Vocabulary

New York is on your itinerary for the first time and you want to slide right into the discussion after a Broadway show at the theatre bar, but you don’t know the lingo. So here are your down-low, clandestine, cheat notes. Add a few of these words throughout your conversation and nobody will know you are new in town. Dark: as in “Seeing as the theatre is dark tomorrow, I’ll probably just sit around in my gown eating bon-bons all day. “Dark, in theatre terms, means closed. Curtain Call: as in “I wish the curtain call had been longer, one of the actors was trying to mouth his phone number to me. “The curtain call is when the actors come back on stage at the end of the show and bow to the audience. Denouement: as in “Did you expect the denouement to reveal that Frederic was the father of both Madeline and Audrey’s babies. The denouement is the scene toward a plays end that ties up the plots loose ends. You may also use wings, upstage, green room, off book, ham actor, Stanislavsky and flytower for added credibility with the theatre crowd. Just yell out “Isn’t that Bernadette Peters?”, if someone questions your authenticity. And if you go backstage before a show; most actors believe “Good Luck” is bad luck so use “Break a Leg” or “Good Show” instead. And never mention the word Macbeth backstage at a theatre-it is grounds for immediate expulsion as it is thought to bring disaster to a show. If you absolutely must talk about Macbeth, call it “the Scottish play” as a substitute.

Broadway Plus Kids Equals A Fun Family Vacation

Next time you head off to New York to see live theater, take the kids. There is so much theater on offer, on and off-Broadway, that almost every taste is catered for, including that of children. Right now there are myriad options for parents traveling with their children who want to take in a show. One choice is Billy Elliott; the story of a boy who dreams of being a ballet dancer is dancing its way into hearts at the Imperial Theater. Beloved nanny Mary Poppins, along with her charges, Jane and Michael Banks, are currently flying their kites at the New Amsterdam Theater. And don’t miss the hilarious tale of everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, in his own musical at Broadway Theater. For those parents who want their kids to have an early night, matinee performances are scheduled for 2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays and 3pm on Sundays. There are many other kids’ shows playing Off-Broadway. A good choice that is suitable for kids three years and over is Mo Willem’s Pigeon Party which plays at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

Deals on vacation bundles including New York City hotels, airfare and more are hot right now! Discover how to get the best rates on New York City hotel deals and travel now!

Article Source: Fun Personality

Looking for inexpensive New York hotels? Learn how to book great rates on New York stays by SineadEager

Use the Tony Awards to Choose The Shows to See In New York

Make sure you add a couple of Broadway shows to your next New York City vacation itinerary. It is not difficult to find a couple of great shows to see, even if you don’t consider yourself a “theatre person”. An easy way to find shows is to look at what plays and actors were the recipients of this year’s Tony awards. Hollywood gives Oscars to its movies, and Broadway gives Tonys to its shows. The panel of judges consists of approximately 700 theatre and media professionals, which means subjectivity is ruled out entirely. Many of the shows that were awarded this past June are still playing on Broadway. Included were the musicals Billy Elliott which won 10 Tonys and Next to Normal which won three Tonys and the straight play winner was God of Carnage with three awards. Check the official website www. tonyawards. com for a full list of winners.

Broadway Plus Kids Equals A Fun Family Vacation

If you really want a fabulous family vacation in New York, take your kids to see a Broadway show or two. With so much theater available in one city, it is not surprising that young children have plenty of options for entertainment as well as adults. Currently there are numerous theater companies offering wonderful children’s shows on and off-Broadway. At the Imperial Theater is Billy Elliott, the inspiring dance musical about a young boy’s dream to become a ballet dancer. The beloved classic featuring everyone’s favorite nanny; Mary Poppins is playing at the New Amsterdam Theater. And don’t miss the hilarious tale of everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, in his own musical at Broadway Theater. All of these Broadway shows have matinee times on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, making these an ideal choice for kids who need to be in bed at a reasonable hour. There are many other kids’ shows playing Off-Broadway. Pigeon Party, based on Mo Willem’s children’s books is playing at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center and is suitable for kids ages 3 and up.

Find New And Exciting Theater, Go Off-Broadway

If you want something a little different on your next New York trip, venture Off-Broadway for your dose of theater. There are a host of Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway theaters that house some of New York’s finest up and coming musical and straight theater. Once upon a time Off-Broadway referred to the location of a theater as being outside the main theater district of Broadway. Nowadays the term has a new meaning. A theater’s size is what defines how a venue is classified now; Off-Broadway venues are theaters that seat 99-500, Off-Off-Broadway seat 99 or less. Off-Broadway venues offer directors and writers an opportunity to produce their shows at less cost, which is a necessary requirement for many up-and-coming creative artists. Off-Broadway has been the starting point for many shows that went on to be hugely successful on the main stages of Broadway. Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Hair, Avenue Q, Spring Awakening, A Chorus Line and Doubt are a few shows that had their start Off-Broadway. If you are on a budget, Off-Broadway theaters are a great place to see more affordable shows, ticket prices can be kept down because of the usually lower production costs. If you are at a loss as to which shows to see Off-Broadway, start with New York’s Time Out website, which will guide you through the many choices with reviews and other relevant information.

While in New York Visit The Grandaddy of Broadway Theatres

There are 40 professional theatres on Broadway, but two stand above the rest in terms of longevity. 1903 saw the completion of both the New Amsterdam Theatre and the Lyceum, with the Lyceum managing to retain the same name ever since opening night. You will find this old beauty of a theatre at 149 W 45th St, where it has been in permanent production since opening night in 1903. Some of the original furnishings still live in the theatre today, including first owner and producer Daniel Frohman’s monogrammed desk, which he received as a gift in the Lyceum’s opening year. The original French style Beaux-Arts architecture is mostly intact and can be seen throughout the Lyceum and nowhere else more strikingly evident than in the theatre’s undulating marquee. Basil Rathbone, Ethel Barrymore and Fanny Brice have been among the many famous names to tread the boards of the Lyceum. Not unsurprisingly, a number of notable productions have also drawn acclaim here; the list includes Look Back in Anger, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Tase of Honey and I Am My Own Wife. To catch a show at the Lyceum you will have to wait until November 19th 2009 when playwright Sarah Ruhl has her first Broadway opening with her play, In The Next Room.

Deals on vacation bundles including New York City hotels, airfare and more are hot right now! Discover how to get the best rates on New York City 5 star hotels and travel now!

Article Source: Fun Personality

Seeking low-cost Big Apple kid-friendly hotels? Discover how to snatch up wonderful rates on New York suites by SineadEager

The Statistics of Broadway.

Broadway is spectacular in all ways, even in its statistics. In 40 theatres, box offices collected almost $940 million worth of tickets in the 2007-2008 season. Just in ticket sales. For every ticket sold, a hotel room is occupied and many wonderful meals are consumed and paid for. It’s going to be a very similar story in 2009 and 2010. Broadway’s theater district encompasses the space from 41st Street to 53rd Street between 6th and 9th Avenues. Although known as Broadway, only 4 of the 40 theatres that are officially part of the theatre district are actually located on Broadway. Seven million tickets are sold every year to the more than 1500 shows produced on and Off-Broadway. If you want to get lost in a crowd, go to a show!And, as a result of the opportunities that abound for performers in New York; talented actors, singers and dancers flock here. And, as a result, directors and producers have their pick of talent from a huge pool, ensuring audiences the best performances on offer anywhere in the world.

The Broadway Shows You Don’t Want To Miss

In a city like New York, making choices about what live theater to see can be a near impossible task. Like most, your budget is probably limited and you only have a short while to spend in the theater during your stay in New York, so you have to plan accordingly. For a guaranteed night to remember, catch Wicked at the Gershwin Theater. Based on Gregory Maguire’s well-regarded novel about the Wicked Witch of the West, Wicked has been universally well-received for its story and music since opening in 2003. For singing and dancing you can’t beat Billy Elliott at the Imperial Theater. Billy Elliott is an inspiring tale about a young boy who dreams of making it as a ballet dancer, against almost insurmountable odds. In the realm of straight plays (non-musicals) you can see Sienna Miller star in After Miss Julie at the American Airlines Theater. Patrick Marber bases his play on Miss Julie, a play by August Strindberg, taking audiences to the English countryside for a tale of sex and power. For something with a lighter tone, and an authentic New York appeal, Neil Simon can’t be beat. Simon’s very funny comedy Brighton Beach Memoirs plays at the Nederlander Theater.

Broadway Musical Theatre. A 250 Year New York City Tradition.

We know Broadway as the home of the most fantastic and extravagant musical theatre in the world. For 250 years, audiences in New York have been thrilled by the live theatre spectacle. The first recorded theatre to have been built in New York went up in 1750. But the New York theatre experience of today is quite different from that of old. In the beginning, a popular choice was a Shakespearian play, by the mid 19th century minstrel shows had a following. The 19th century New York stage experimented with a variety of entertainment forms; vaudeville, musical entertainment, operas and melodrama to name a few. In the late 19th century, imported European burlesque took the city by storm. While musical theatre has its origins in the 19th century, it was not until Show Boat was first produced in 1927 that the modern musical was born. Every element of the show ran together in a package where all the parts played into each other perfectly, instead of being formatted more like a disjointed variety show. Mid-town Manhattan is the home of the theatre district today, although at one stage most of the theatres in New York were downtown. The Broadway theatre district of today has been rooted in place since the 1920’s. Thanks to the openness of New York audiences and the unbounded creativity of the city’s performers in the 19th and 20th centuries, we are fortunate to have the spectacular theatre available to us on Broadway today.

While in New York Visit The Grandaddy of Broadway Theatres

There are 40 professional theatres on Broadway, but two stand above the rest in terms of longevity. The New Amsterdam Theatre and the Lyceum both opened for business in 1903, and only the Lyceum has operated under its original name the entire length of its history. And since that very first opening night the Lyceum, which you will find at 149 W 45th St, has been in perpetual operation. The Lyceum was built by producer Daniel Frohman, some of whose furnishings, such as his monogrammed desk dating from 1903, are still housed in the theatre. The Lyceum was built in the French Beaux-Arts style and maintains most of its original architecture including the undulating marquee that clearly distinguishes it from neighboring buildings. Basil Rathbone, Ethel Barrymore and Fanny Brice have been among the many famous names to tread the boards of the Lyceum. Many noteworthy plays have enjoyed successful productions at the Lyceum; The Importance of Being Earnest, A Taste of Honey, Look Back in Anger and I Am My Own Wife to name a few. To catch a show at the Lyceum you will have to wait until November 19th 2009 when playwright Sarah Ruhl has her first Broadway opening with her play, In The Next Room.

Cheap New York City hotels? Git outta heah! It’s true–hints on how to save on New York City vacation rentals just a click away!

Article Source: Fun Personality

Need to locate cheap Big Apple honeymoon suites? Get tips on how to book helpful resources on NY stays by SineadEager

Broadway Plus Kids Equals A Fun Family Vacation

If you really want a fabulous family vacation in New York, take your kids to see a Broadway show or two. There is so much theater on offer, on and off-Broadway, that almost every taste is catered for, including that of children. Many theater venues have shows currently running that cater to a kidcentric crowd. At the Imperial Theater is Billy Elliott, the inspiring dance musical about a young boy’s dream to become a ballet dancer. At the New Amsterdam Theater, kids can enjoy the supercalifragilistic antics of Mary Poppins. And for even the littlest kids, Shrek and his faithful Donkey are presented in song and dance at Broadway Theater. If you want to keep your children as close to their regular bedtime schedule as possible; take them to one of the Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday matinees of these shows. Consider off-Broadway as well when looking for something to entertain the kids. Mo Willem’s popular pigeon books have been combined into one show; Pigeon Party, at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center and would be appropriate for kids 3 years and up.

Broadway Theatres and the Impresarios They are Named For

There are 40 theatres that make up the world famous Broadway theatre district. Some of these venues have been named after people who were heavily involved in creating the Broadway we know today. But most people seeing the names honored would momentarily wonder “Who is that?” before being distracted by the sights of Broadway. So here is a guide to impress your friends and traveling companions. The following theatres are named after the impresarios of Broadway; the men who directed, wrote, designed and put the money into bringing the theatre to life. David Belasco built the Belasco Theatre in 1907. Also famous for being the first to use the casting couch, many actors claim to have seen his ghost in the audience of the Belasco. In 1917, the Broadhurst Theatre was opened for business by George Howells Broadhurst, who was a dramatist and theatre manager. The Broadhurst is still going strong today, and has hosted many successful plays in its 90 year history. The Cort Theatre has been on 48th Street since 1912. A successful theatre manager form Seattle named John Cort commissioned the building. One of the smallest theatres on Broadway, The Golden Theatre, is named for John Golden. After a brief period as a movie theatre in the mid-20th century, The Golden has since been converted into a legitimate theatre space once again. It was the theatre that housed the wildly successful Avenue Q which ran from 2003-2009.

The Actors on Broadway Are Stars You’ve Never Heard Of.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are household names but how about Joel Grey and Julie Harris?The latter pair are hugely talented and award-winning actors, but without the national celebrity of the former. The latter two have made their name not in Hollywood, but on Broadway, and maybe that explains their comparative anonymity. Most of the stars of Broadway aren’t as well known as their Hollywood colleagues. In an effort to bring in more revenue, Broadway shows do sometimes call in the movie stars with well-oiled publicity machines, but for the most part it is the regularly working actors of Broadway who “tread the boards”. However, they are just as talented as their friends in Hollywood. No matter what happens on stage, a Broadway actor must deal with it and carry on; if their shoe breaks, a co-star forgets a line, or even forgets to come on stage at the right time they have to keep going. As the saying goes, “The Show Must Go On”. There’s no one to double for you if you have an area of weakness. To make it on Broadway, an actor must be talented in all ways; as a singer, actor and dancer. They must have a funny bone and the ability to make people weep. Make sure to include a show featuring the legends of Broadway on your next New York vacation. Names you should look for include Julie Harris, Bernadette Peters, Boyd Gaines and Joel Grey.

Suggestions On What Live Theater To See This Year In New York

There are just so many options of great live theater on Broadway, narrowing down your selections can be overwhelming. On a theater jaunt to New York, the majority of people have a set budget and limited time, so wise choices need to be made. For a guaranteed night to remember, catch Wicked at the Gershwin Theater. Based on Gregory Maguire’s well-regarded novel about the Wicked Witch of the West, Wicked has been universally well-received for its story and music since opening in 2003. If dancing is your bag, the Imperial Theater hosts the wonderful dance musical; Billy Elliott. Billy Elliott is an inspiring tale about a young boy who dreams of making it as a ballet dancer, against almost insurmountable odds. For a touch of drama see Sienna Miller’s star turn in After Miss Julie which plays the American Airlines Theater. Patrick Marber bases his play on Miss Julie, a play by August Strindberg, taking audiences to the English countryside for a tale of sex and power. For lighter fare, and a classic New York experience, take in a Neil Simon show. Simon’s very funny comedy Brighton Beach Memoirs plays at the Nederlander Theater.

Big Apple, Big Savings. Find out how to book the cheapest rates on New York City hotels. New York City 5 star hotels don’t have to eat up your entire budget!

Article Source: Fun Personality

Trying to get unbelievable rates on New York kid-friendly hotels? Find out how to book exciting prices on New York suites by SineadEager

Celebrate Broadway at The American Theatre Hall of Fame.

Make sure a stop at the American Theatre Hall of Fame is included on your Broadway theatre trip itinerary. Located in the lobby of the George Gershwin Theatre, the Hall of Fame salutes theatre professionals with careers spanning 25 years or more. To be inducted, nominees must have also been involved in five different major theatre pieces. Included in the list of recipients are actors, producers, writers, designers and directors. Each of the inductees is honored with a plaque hanging in the Hall of Fame. Considering the length of Broadway’s history, the group of just over 100 inductees is relatively small, although names are added every year. Names of those inducted that you may have heard of include John Lithgow, Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters and Andrew Lloyd Weber. The George Gershwin theatre is currently playing host to the award-winning musical Wicked and is located in the Broadway theatre district at 222 West 51st Street. To knock off a couple of items on you Broadway itinerary at once, get tickets to Wicked and visit the Hall of Fame during intermission!

21. The Most Dramatic Place to Eat Near Broadway.

Although it can be said that life moves fast in NYC, New Yorkers have a lot of respect for the history of their hometown. It would nice to have every visitor New York say thank you for that. The drive to preserve and celebrate New York City’s history is nowhere more present than at the famous (and infamous) ‘21’ Club. Within walking distance of the Broadway theater district, 21, as it is affectionately known, will be 80 years old this year. Back in 1920, when prohibition began, cousins Charlie Berns and Jack Kriendler entered the flourishing speakeasy business. After a couple of early successes, the two men renovated a former brownstone at 21 W 52nd Street. In the early hours of December 31st 1929, the club roared to life and has since woven itself into the fabric of New York City. If you only have time to eat once in New York, make a reservation at 21. You will be rubbing shoulders with New York’s finest. All but one of the US Presidents have eaten at 21. John F Kennedy chose 21 for his post inauguration meal. The story goes that Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall had their first dinner-date there. Ernest Hemmingway and gangster Legs Diamond’s girlfriend were caught “cooking” in the kitchen back in 1931. 21 is a perfect accompaniment to a Broadway theatre trip with its dramatic and long history.

The Statistics of Broadway.

Broadway is spectacular in all ways, even in its statistics. Close to $940 million came through the doors of Broadway’s theatres during the 2007-2008 show season. Just in ticket sales. For every ticket sold, a hotel room is occupied and many wonderful meals are consumed and paid for. It’s going to be a very similar story in 2009 and 2010. The theatre district of Manhattan is defined as being the section of 41st to 53rd Streets between 6th Avenue and 9th Avenue. Of the 40 “Broadway” theatres (those that seat over 500), only 4 are actually located on Broadway itself. There’s no shortage of live theatre to see, including Off-Broadway there are 1500 shows produced annually, to which 7 million tickets are sold. So if you are looking for something to do where there is likely to be a crowd, a show would be an excellent choice. Dancers, singers and actors flock to Broadway from around the United States to try their luck at being a star. So it goes without saying that the best shows in the world can be seen on Broadway, where directors have their pick of talent from all over the country.

A World of Food Available Right Near The Broadway Theatre District

Dinner plans on Broadway are made easy by Restaurant Row, a quaint grouping of wonderful restaurants right smack bang in the heart of the theatre district. Before seeing a show, book a table at one of the various restaurant options on 46th St, inconspicuously tucked between 8th and 9th Streets. Take your pick from Chilean, Mediterranean, Thai, Russian/French, Global-Eclectic, American Steakhouse and Asian-Fusion to name but a few places on Restaurant Row. This block of restaurants has a lovely neighborhood feel and is shaded by trees and potted greenery, giving the street a relaxed atmosphere. The interior design of a number of the restaurants is worthy of note; a standout is Firebird Restaurant, which showcases early 1900’s Russian art and antiques on its walls. Dining at one of these restaurants may not be something you can plan to do every night you are in New York, but do spare a couple of dollars for a taste of some of the finest cuisine in New York, before a night at the theatre.

Deals on vacation bundles including New York City hotels, airfare and more are hot right now! Discover how to get the best rates on New York City luxury hotels and travel now!

Article Source: Fun Personality