The Back Stage Guide Broadway (Backstage Books) [Paperback]

Robert Viagas (Author)

Book Description

Series: Backstage Books | Publication Date: September 1, 2004

Geared toward tourists traveling to New York, but appropriate for residents as well, this book is an easy-to-use, nuts-and-bolts guide to enjoying theater in New York City. Lively and far more in-depth than a general tour book, it tells travelers how to pick a show, how to buy tickets, the best times to see shows, how to get tickets for shows that are sold out, how to get refunds in the event a trip is canceled, how to spot scalpers, and what to do if the show closes before a show date. Entire sections are devoted to discount tickets, how to use the subway and stay safe in New York City, where to eat, where to stay, and much more.



• A brief history of theater in New York

• A foldout map of the theater district

• A glossary of theater terminology

• Seating charts for all the Broadway theaters

• How to meet your favorite Broadway star

• Where to find discount tickets

• Best times of year to see theater in NYC

• Best times of the week to see theater in NYC

• How to get tickets for shows that are sold out

• How to get refunds in the event your trip is cancelled

• What to do if the show closes before your show date

• Where to eat (more than 60 restaurants reviewed)

• Where to stay (more than 20 hotels reviewed)

• How to use the subway

• Other things to see and do in the theater district

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Viagas is one of the best-known theater writers in New York and the coauthor of four books on theater, including At This Theater (1-55783-566-7). He lives in Mamaroneck, NY.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082308809X
• ISBN-13: 978-0823088096
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.6 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,818,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Front-Row Guide to Broadway, August 2, 2005

By 

Robert S (New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Back Stage Guide Broadway (Backstage Books) (Paperback)

If you are planning a trip to New York City and would like to see a Broadway show but are looking for the best way to pick a show and obtain discounted tickets to overpriced productions, I can't think of a more helpful guide to the process than The Back Stage Guide to Broadway, by Robert Viagas.

Even for the native New Yorker and longtime theatregoer, there is much useful information in this practical primer, which also includes tidbits of Broadway lore and New York trivia as well as tips for the tourist eating in, staying in and getting around Manhattan's theatre district -- a black-and-white foldout map of which is in the back of the book.

If the undue policing isn't too much of a drag on the theatre experience, the prospective visitor to the Times Square area looking to save time and money can only hope that, despite some factual, grammatical and typographical errors, this handy pocket guide will be around and revised for years to come.

5.0 out of 5 stars Broadway done well, May 7, 2009

By 

Marjorie E. Murdock (suffield ,ct) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Back Stage Guide Broadway (Backstage Books) (Paperback)

This was the perfect selection for us it was really informative giving great detail. We found the book to be very helpful anyone who loves Broadway will enjoy this book .

5.0 out of 5 stars A no-nonsense guide packed with basic etiquette considerations, questions-and- answers, and general advice, November 9, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Back Stage Guide Broadway (Backstage Books) (Paperback)

The Back Stage Guide To Broadway is a no-nonsense guide packed with basic etiquette considerations, questions-and- answers, and general advice specifically for New York City theatre-goers, whether they are residents or tourists. From when and how much to tip, how to dress for the theatre and what to expect when there, famous and important personages to be aware of, how to get a refund if one's trip is cancelled, reviews of more than 60 theatre-related restaurants and 20 hotels close to theatres, and much more, The Back Stage Guide To Broadway has everything a theatre patron needs to know. A highly specialized travel guide that is nonetheless outstanding and a "must-read" for first-time Broadway visitors.