Way Off Broadway in New York City

Five Performances that are Quintessentially NYC

Oct 20, 2008 Craig Sanders

A look into some of the lesser known shows in New York City that capture the essence of the Big Apple.

Visiting New York City can be an overwhelming experience. With so many famous sights to see, one can spend their whole trip going from site to site but never capture the feel of New York. New York is a very unique city: climbing the Empire State Building or visiting the Stature of Liberty will not help you get the true New York City experience.

Below are five performances that the average tourist has never heard of. Each of them in some way has the spirit of New York City.

The Fantasticks

For forty-two years and 17,162 performances The Fantasticks ran at a small theater called the Sullivan Street Playhouse. The oldest continuously running musical closed its doors in 2002, only to be revived five years later.

Though the storyline is simplistic, and its themes incredibly broad, but it is just those aspects that has allowed the Fantasticks to survive Hippies, Vietnam, Nixon, the Crack Epidemic, and the Times Square Revival.

It is currently playing at the Snapple Theater Center on 50th and Broadway, easily acessed by subway.

Shakespeare in the Park

There is no Summer in New York City without taking in at least one performance of Shakespeare in the Park. For over fifty years visitors to Central Park have been treated to some of New York’s most promising young actors performing the works of the Bard.

The performers do more than just Shakespeare, though. Recent seasons have included such modern works as Hair and Mother Courage and her Children.

Shakespeare in the Park takes place all Summer long at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Yes, people still go to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The midnight movie sensation began in Manhattan at the Waverly Theater in 1976. Although the Waverly closed down several years ago, the Show carries on less than a mile uptown.

Even though one can find a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show almost anywhere, seeing it in New York City accents the uniqueness, the sarcasm, and the inappropriateness that New Yorkers are so famous for. The anonymity of a dark theater is the perfect setting for destroying all semblances of politically correctness. Prepare to be offended.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is shown at midnight, Friday and Saturday at Clearview Cinemas, 23rd and 8th Avenue.

The Upright Citizens’ Brigade

The Upright Citizen’s Brigade is an comedy troupe that performs long form improvisational comedy. Their cast members include writers and actors from Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and 30 Rock. Give the cast a few ideas and a few moments, and before your eyes they will create inventive, imaginative, and deviously funny sketches.

The Upright Citizen’s Brigade performs at 307 West 26st, between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding

Despite the recent backlash against Environmental Theater, Tony n’ Tina still manage to deliver. What makes Tony N’ Tina able stand against the storm of public sentiment is the quality of the characters. The wedding party is undoubtedly Italian, and fits every Italian-- and New York-- stereotype one may have heard of. They are also able to evoke a familiarity among guests. Their families are not very different from the guests families, and creates a level of comfort that one would not expect.

These are just a few suggestions for ways to truly experience New York City. Try to attend at least one or two of these performances. And while in New York, catch a Yankees game, have a picnic in Central Park, and grab a hot dog down at Coney Island. To see New York, you have to be New York.

The copyright of the article Way Off Broadway in New York City in NE U.S. Travel is owned by Craig Sanders. Permission to republish Way Off Broadway in New York City in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Comments

Oct 21, 2008 8:53 AM

Guest :

The day the fantaticks closed, I cried a little. I am so glad that they brought it back.

Oct 23, 2008 10:11 AM

Guest :

Good article for out-of-towners.

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