Off Broadway DC

When people think of New York City, there are a few great images that stand out. The Statue of Liberty, the United Nations building, and the grand buildings that tower above ground are but a few of the memories that people have after a trip to New York. However, there are few places that are as closely tied to a city as Broadway and theater is tied to New York City. With thousands of theaters big and small throughout the city, visitors and New Yorkers alike can see the best theater in the world within walking distance of their home or hotel room.

While stages on Broadway provide lavish and magnificent productions of plays like The Producers, there is a more intriguing and engaging theatrical community just beneath the glitz and glamor of the Broadway scene. While Off-Broadway performances are often derided, as less polished and more experimental than Broadway shows, these criticisms are the very reasons why people attend Off-Broadway shows. Instead of seeing the hot show on Broadway, visitors and New Yorkers can see the cutting edge and the experimental theater that can one day make it to Broadway, the television screen, or the movie theater. As well, Off-Broadway performances are more hands-on for teenagers and college students that are interested in breaking into the theater scene. All in all, Off-Broadway is a more democratic and exhilarating environment for theater lovers.

One of the first questions that is probably asked by someone unfamiliar with New York theater is the difference between Broadway and Off-Broadway venues. As determined by theater contracts, Off-Broadway venues hold between 100 and 499 seats, while Broadway theaters hold 500 seats and more, providing greater seating for big theatrical events. However, much as the name Off-Broadway may indicate that theaters are not on Broadway, this is incorrect. Off-Broadway theaters can be on any street in New York; the name only refers to the seating size and budget level.

Off-Broadway theaters and companies typically have smaller budgets, lower publicity, and a higher level of experimentation than Broadway theaters. Based on this, Off-Broadway companies often do unconventional promotions or rely on promotional work by actors and playwrights in cafes, book shops, and other stores throughout New York. Off-Broadway productions are almost entirely nonprofit, which means that they are not beholden to financiers who may censor material. However, the downside of nonprofit status is that productions need to be successful enough to maintain financial viability in the Off-Broadway environment.

While visitors and theatergoers often hear about Off-Broadway productions, there is another layer of the Broadway scene that is lesser known. Friends and colleagues who want to be in charge of editorial content and running their own performances often put off-Off-Broadway theaters and companies together. The Off-Off-Broadway scene popped up during the 1960s as Off-Broadway productions began to resemble the commercial aspects of Broadway.

From new actors through professional performers, Off-Off-Broadway is a place of great experimentation and high energy. Off-Off-Broadway venues can range from small theaters to coffee shops with a stage, with all Off-Off-Broadway theaters holding less than 100 seats. While few people may know about Off-Off-Broadway performances, they are recognized annually by the New York Innovative Theatre Awards. These awards recognize artistic excellence in these small venues.

For those who want to make it to the bright lights of Broadway, but feel like they are settling with Off-Broadway work, there could be nothing further from the truth. Instead of competing, Off-Broadway often acts as a feeder system for theatrical performances and thespians to Broadway theaters. Whether it is a lavishly produced musical to a well-performed play, Off-Broadway has provided dozens of great productions to Broadway over the years.

Several musicals have gone from rags to riches on the New York theater scene. The incredibly popular drama Rent, which has been successful on tour and in movie theaters, started out at the Off-Broadway level. Rent is now a favorite of many theater students and a staple of the Broadway scene. The musical Godspell, which is now performed routinely at the high school and college theater level, went from Off-Broadway theaters to Broadway in a hurry. The dark comedy Little Shop of Horrors, which impressed many New York theatergoers with its production values, got a boost when it was promoted to Broadway status. Musicals are the most common types of theater productions that are promoted, because they translate best to Broadway theaters.

However, a few plays have gone from Off-Broadway stages to Broadway. The 1960’s drama Doubt, which has won major accolades from entertainment magazines, has become a big hit on the Broadway scene. While these accolades come in part from television and movie actors making great performances in Doubt, the play has also developed and evolved over the years into a polished and efficient piece. As well, the historical drama I Am My Own Wife, which tells the story of a German transvestite during World War II, has won several Tony Awards in its run on Broadway. For all of those who want to make the jump from Off-Broadway to Broadway, there are plenty of examples that show how it can be done.

Piedmont Players Theatre

(704) 633-5471
213 S Main St
Salisbury, NC
http://www.piedmontplayers.com