Types of Broadway Plays

Broadway plays are known worldwide as being an exciting form of entertainment for people of all ages. When visiting New York, a Broadway play is a great way to experience firsthand and up close all of the hard work that goes into putting on and performing at a play or stage show.

Types

Most Broadway plays include a theme and a storyline in which a group of actors follow a set script to perform and carry out the play. Most plays involve drama---meaning the play consists of the performers acting convincingly to share with the the audience complex thoughts they are trying to get across. Generally in plays, actors do not sing songs or incorporate music into their script, unlike an on-stage musical. Some plays include silent actors whose costumes help add to the theme of the play or act as a prop. Some plays have the main characters replay their personal thoughts as their script rather than physically involve other actors to interact and converse lines with.

Time Frame

Most Broadway plays typically lasts between 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the play and how many characters are starring in it. Some plays have intermissions that last between 15 and 30 minutes which allows the casting crew to change props, switch into another costume if needed and change the background if the play is going into a different scene. Some plays have a run time on Broadway of only one to two nights, while long-running plays can go on indefinitely.

Features

Some of the most popular Broadway play theaters in New York are "The Majestic," "Longacre," "The Ambassador," "The Imperial" and "New Amsterdam." Many famous actors and actresses have starred in Broadway plays such as Ingrid Bergman, Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, Bette Midler, Michael Evans and Audrey Hepburn. Many celebrities have won Tony awards for their work as lead roles in Broadway plays. Some of the most popular Broadway plays over time have been "Charlotte's Web," "All my Sons," "The American Plan" and "39 Steps." These plays have each run for several years and are regarded as classic stories.

Size

Broadway plays are considered to house over 500 guests as opposed to off-Broadway plays that are much smaller and informal and only hold between 99 and 499 guests. The Broadway section of New York is also considered the theater district and surrounds Times Square. The size of the theater district runs from 41st to 51st St. and from 6th Ave. to 8th Ave. in Manhattan, New York. There are more than 50 theaters that house Broadway plays and shows, making it one of the most sought after entertainment areas in the entire state of New York.

Effects

Going to a Broadway play not only allows you to see actors and actresses in the different styles of performance, but also raw acting, live stage interaction and excitement without retakes where anything can happen. Broadway plays offer fans a chance to see their favorite major motion picture or book come to life on stage, which is what many plays are derived from.

Resources

• Broadway plays