Is Off-Broadway The New Broadway?

Broadway is coming back this fall, but will the audiences? 

Yes, people are hungry for live entertainment but Broadway relies heavily on tourism, which is going to be hurting for a while. For obvious reasons, the number of tourists decreased by 67% in 2020 and while it’s expected to increase, will it be back to those booming numbers from 2019? Definitely not. 

What does this decrease in tourism mean for Broadway?

I think it means that Off-Broadway is the new Broadway . . . at least for now. 

A lot of the most exciting, boundary pushing, and risky work has been happening Off-Broadway for as long as it’s been around both through non profits and local commercial productions. And with ticket prices often lower than Broadway, it’s more manageable for the locals to attend regularly. 

Off-Broadway has so much to offer local audiences (and tourists as they return) including a hugely diverse range of shows from Broadway transfers like Jersey Boys, to interactive experiences like Drunk Shakespeare . . . there’s a show for everyone and every budget Off Broadway!

Here’s a list of a few shows that are open right now / opening soon for you to get your Off-Broadway kicks in before Broadway takes center stage again:

Blindness - Daryl Roth Theatre (Now through July 25th) 

Chick Flix Musical Improv - The Players Theatre (Friday, July 2nd) 

The Last Boy - Theatre at St. Clements (July 10th - 25th)

Seven Deadly Sins - 94 Gansevoort Street (Now through July 18th) 

Somewhere I Can Scream - The Players Theatre (July 8th - 25th) 

Speakeasy - Bond 45 (Now - Unlimited Run) 

I hope to see you Off Broadway soon!