Where-To-Go Wednesday - Broadway Shows

What- Broadway Shows

Where: Various Theaters
              New York, New York

Who: Ages 4 and up depending on the show

Our view: One of our favorite things about where we live is how close we are to New York City. One of our favorite things to do in New York City is go to Broadway shows. Even if you have been to a theatrical production before or even if you have been to many theatrical productions before, there is still something different and special about a Broadway show. One of the things that makes Broadway special is that there are so many theaters in such close proximity. You can find every kind of show you would want within blocks of each other: dramas. comedies, musicals, and other kinds of shows that don't really fit into any traditional category. Another thing that makes Broadway special are the actual theaters. Ever theater has its own history of shows that have been performed there before and performers that have appeared in them. Every theater is just a little bit different than all the others. Some are older; some are newer. Some are more modern; some are more classical. There are shows for just about every age and interest. We would recommend that you find out as much as you can about a particular show before you go particularly if you are planning on bringing your children. Not all shows are appropriate for all ages. We will try to talk more about specific shows in future posts.
The main problem with Broadway shows is that tickets can be pricey especially if you plan to take your whole family. However, there are many web-sites that offer discount tickets or codes to obtain discount tickets to many shows. Check out Theatermania.com or BroadwayBox.com to name just a few. If you are interested in obtaining same day discount tickets visit the TKTS ticket booth under the red steps in Father Duffy Square which is located at Broadway and 47th street. The booth is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 3-8, Tuesday 2-8, Wednesday and Saturday 10-8, and Sunday 11-7. Please not that while there are evening performances almost every day, matinees are usually Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. At the booth discount tickets are available for that day's performance and full price tickets are available for future performances. There is also a TKTS booth in Downtown Brooklyn that sells same day tickets to evening shows and next day tickets to matinees. TKTS now accepts credit cards but certain shows may require cash only. Not all shows are available at TKTS at all times and  the shows that are available are constantly changing even within the same day so it is wise to have several alternatives of shows you would like to see. If a show is really popular and usually sells-out , tickets will probably not be available at TKTS. We would also recommend getting to the booth as early as possible because there will be a line of people waiting to purchase tickets and sometimes it can be quite long. Generally, the nicer the weather is the longer the line is so if you can go on a colder and/or rainier day you are better off. For more information about TKTS go to the   Theatre Development Fund web-site. For more information about Broadway in general , there are many web-sites you can visit Broadway.com, Playbill.com, or the web-sites previously mentioned are just a few of them. You can also visit web-sites for specific shows. We will also be talking more about Broadway in tomorrow's Talking Topic as well as in future posts.

Tips for Tuesday - Books: Forever Liesel

Me - Today I am recommending, Forever Liesel by Charmaine Carr. She played Liesel in the movie The Sound of Music. It was a great movie. She tells about things you wouldn't realize from just watching the movie. She talks about the different members of the cast, the producer, and the director and stuff. Also, she talks about her family. If you like the movie, The Sound of Music, I think you will like this book. If you haven't seen the movie than I highly recommend you watch the movie and read the book.

Mom - Today I am also recommending, Forever Liesel by Charmaine Carr. I would highly recommend this book for any fan of the movie. She provides a lot of interesting facts and insights about the making of this classic film. Once you read it, you'll want to see the movie again or if you haven't seen it you'll want to see it.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday

Good vs. Bad Holiday Edition

Me - There are good and bad things about the holidays. Some good things are I like getting presents, I like getting a break from school, and I like seeing the family. I am pretty sure everybody loves getting presents for the holidays. Why shouldn't they? Some things I like to get are ds games, dolls, and other toys. And I think all students like to have a break. School is fun but sometimes it's good to get some time off from all the work. And it's always nice to spend time with family at least once a year. Some bad things are everyplace is always crowded, and lots of things are sold out. Places are crowded because everyone is always doing last minute shopping. And things are sold out because lots of kids want them so parents go out and buy them. Although different people don't always think of the holidays as perfect there are always good and bad things about them.

Mom - There are many good and bad things about the holidays. It is fun to give and get presents. It is not fun trying to decide what to get everyone, and it is a pain when you get things you don't want and/or don't need. It is fun buying things. It is not fun when you don't have any money left or you spend much more than you should. It is nice to get together with the family. Too much family togetherness is not always a good thing. The stores have lots of sales. The stores are much too crowded. The decorations are pretty. Too many people have way too many decorations. People are happier and friendlier. People are sadder and angrier. It is a nice break not having to take the children to school and/or to and from their usual activities while they are off for winter break. It is not nice when the children are not in school and they hang around all the time being annoying and/or bored even though they have plenty of new things to play with. Holiday songs are pretty. After a week or two or sometimes even less they get annoying. It is good that the stores give you plenty of time to prepare for the holiday season. It is bad that every year the stores seem to get out their holiday stuff earlier and earlier. They used to bring out the holiday stuff after Thanksgiving. Now, they bring it out before Halloween. Before you know it, they will start bringing out the holiday stuff around Valentine's Day. After the holiday sales are good. However, the stores can sometimes be as crowded as they were before the holidays. It is always nice when the holiday season begins, it is always nice when the holiday season ends.

And that's our view. What do you like and/or dislike about the holiday season?

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.