First Time on Broadway: How It Works

Choosing your first show

Three questions narrow the field quickly: do you want songs or a straight play, how long can your group sit comfortably, and who is coming along. Our listings are sorted the same way. Browse musicals or plays, check the family-friendly picks, or go to shows under 100 minutes and shows with no intermission if a long evening sounds tiring.

Once you know your dates, the schedule lists what is on each day, matinees and evenings alike. Shows outside the Broadway houses have their own section under Off-Broadway.

Musical or play

A musical tells its story through songs and dance, and most of the long-runners below fall in that group. A play relies on dialogue and acting. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the exception on our list: it is a play, and a long one, close to three hours.

Length and stamina

Productions publish their running times, and they are worth a look before you buy. The big musicals on our list land between 2 hours 30 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes, including the break. If that is too much for a child or a tired traveler, a show like Maybe Happy Ending runs 1 hour 40 minutes with no intermission.

Who is coming

Age guidance is set by each production and printed on its official site. We cover it in detail in the section on children below. If you are bringing kids, read it before you pick a title, not after.

Long-running shows for a first visit

These productions have been on Broadway for years, publish clear visitor information and have full pages on our site. Each card shows the theater and the next performance; the text adds what a first-timer most wants to know.

Chicago

The Kander and Ebb musical is set in late-1920s Chicago, where accused murderers are turned into celebrities, and it is based on the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins. The current revival opened in 1996 and plays at the Ambassador Theatre. As of October 2026, it is the longest-running show still on Broadway. Expect about 2 hours 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission; the production recommends it for ages 13 and up.

The Lion King

Disney's stage version of its 1994 animated film is directed by Julie Taymor, who tells the story with masks, puppets and African-influenced music, alongside songs by Elton John and Tim Rice. It opened in 1997 and plays at the Minskoff Theatre. The show lasts 2 hours 30 minutes with one intermission and is recommended for ages 6 and up.

Wicked

Based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, Wicked tells the Oz story from the witches' side, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It has played the Gershwin Theatre since 2003. The evening runs 2 hours 45 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. It is recommended for ages 8 and up, children under 5 are not admitted, and every guest needs a ticket whatever their age.

Aladdin

Disney's musical of its 1992 animated film is set in the city of Agrabah, with music by Alan Menken, a book by Chad Beguelin and direction by Casey Nicholaw. It opened in 2014 at the New Amsterdam Theatre, which has elevators to every level. Plan for 2 hours 30 minutes with one intermission; the recommended age is 6 and up.

Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical about Alexander Hamilton is almost entirely sung and rapped, drawing on hip hop and R&B, and it grew out of Ron Chernow's 2004 biography. It opened in 2015 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. The show runs 2 hours 45 minutes with an intermission. Because of strong language it is recommended for ages 10 and up; infants are not admitted, and children 5 and older need their own ticket.

Hadestown

Anaïs Mitchell wrote the music, lyrics and book for this retelling of two Greek myths, Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone, directed by Rachel Chavkin. It opened in 2019 at the Walter Kerr Theatre. It runs about 2 hours 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. The recommended age is 8 and up, children under 5 are not admitted, and strobe-like effects are used throughout.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

This play picks up the story with Harry as a father and centers on his son Albus. It comes from an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, who also directs, and it has played the Lyric Theatre since 2018. It lasts about 2 hours 55 minutes with an intermission and uses strobe lights. It suits ages 8 and up; children under 15 must come with an adult, and children under 5 are not admitted.

Tickets and the box office

Start with the show's official site, which normally explains where its tickets are sold. Downstate, for example, lists a phone line and the Booth Theatre box office as its sales channels. Box offices at the theaters also sell in person. As of October 2026, the box office for Hadestown is at 219 West 48th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, and the Gershwin Theatre box office for Wicked opens at 10 a.m. Monday to Saturday and at noon on Sunday.

Rush, lottery and standing room

Some shows keep back a small number of seats for same-day buyers or lottery winners. As of October 2026, Wicked sells a limited number of rush tickets in person when its box office opens, two per person, and some of those seats have a partial view. Its digital lottery for select dates takes entries between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. the day before. Hamilton runs a weekly lottery for every performance in its official app: entries open Friday at 10 a.m. and close the following Thursday at noon, and entrants must be 18 or older with a photo ID. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child releases a weekly batch of lower-priced seats through its Friday Forty lottery.

Standing room usually appears only when a performance has sold out. As of October 2026, Hadestown sells it on the day at the box office, two per person, and MJ The Musical releases it 2 hours before curtain. Our guides to rush and lottery tickets and to saving on Broadway tickets cover the details.

Groups

If you are organizing a larger outing, group booking usually starts at 10 people. As of October 2026, Hamilton offers group rates from that size and Wicked sets its group minimum at 10 tickets.

Getting there and getting in

Our Theater District guide explains where the Broadway houses are and how the blocks fit together. Each theater page on this site also lists the nearest subway stations.

By subway

The Times Sq-42 St station serves the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W and S trains and shares one station complex with the A, C and E at 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal. As of October 2026, that complex is listed as ADA accessible. Two nearby stations are only partly accessible: 49 St on the N, R and W has accessible service for uptown trains only, and 50 St on Eighth Avenue (C, E) for downtown trains only.

When to arrive

Doors usually open 30 to 45 minutes before the show. As of October 2026, Chicago opens its doors 45 minutes ahead and asks guests to come at least 15 minutes early, while Wicked and MJ both suggest arriving at least half an hour before curtain. The Book of Mormon gives the same advice. At the Hudson Theatre, guests are told to allow about 50 minutes for security screening. Some lobbies are small: The Outsiders asks groups not to wait inside its lobby.

Coming early also leaves time for the restroom. Where they are depends on the building: at the Richard Rodgers Theatre they are on the street-level floor, while at the Walter Kerr Theatre they are one flight up from the orchestra.

Security and bags

Expect a bag check at the door. As of October 2026, Wicked inspects every bag and uses metal detectors, and it does not admit or store luggage, shopping bags or other large items that will not fit at your seat. Hamilton screens all guests and does not allow outside food or drink, large professional cameras, recording equipment, flashlights or laser pointers. Buena Vista Social Club discourages large bags, luggage and backpacks.

The simple rule is to travel light and leave suitcases at your hotel. Coat check exists at some houses, such as the August Wilson Theatre for Paranormal Activity, but ask before you count on it.

What to wear and bring

Dress rules are set by each production. As of October 2026, Wicked says it has no dress code, and so does MJ. Wicked does point out that the Gershwin Theatre is air-conditioned and suggests bringing a layer. Costumes are welcome there, but anything that blocks the view of people behind you, such as a tall witch hat, has to come off before the show.

Food, drink and phones

Each theater sets its own rules for refreshments. As of October 2026, the Ambassador Theatre has concession stands on every level, lets you order intermission drinks in advance and allows only bottled water at the seats. At Wicked the bars open 45 minutes before curtain and again at intermission, and no food or drink goes into the auditorium.

Photos and recordings during the performance are not allowed at shows such as MJ and Maybe Happy Ending. The Outsiders bans phones and recording devices except when they are used for accessibility services, so switch yours off once you sit down.

During the show

Most long-running musicals have one intermission, and at Chicago, Wicked, Hadestown, MJ and The Book of Mormon it lasts 15 minutes. That is a short window for drinks and the restroom, so it helps to go before the show starts. At Wicked, the cast recording and merchandise are sold in the upper lobby before the show, at intermission and after the curtain.

If you are running late

Late arrivals are usually held until a good moment in the show. As of October 2026, Wicked may keep latecomers with orchestra seats in the lobby until roughly 20 minutes in, then an usher brings them to their seats. Roundabout Theatre Company seats latecomers at a suitable break, and Manhattan Theatre Club's first late-seating chance for its current play comes about 30 minutes in. Lincoln Center Theater warns that some of its productions have no late seating at all.

Effects and language

Productions publish their own advisories. Hadestown uses strobe-like effects throughout, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child uses strobe lights along with other visual and sound effects, and Hamilton flags strong language. If anyone in your group is sensitive to flashing light or loud sound, read the show page and the official FAQ before you book.

After the curtain

Some performers come out of the stage door after the show, but it is their choice and never guaranteed. Wicked notes that cast members sometimes sign Playbills and pose for photos there.

Bringing children

Age guidance differs a lot from show to show, and many productions also set a minimum age for entry. As of October 2026, these are the published rules for the shows above:

• The Lion King and Aladdin: recommended for ages 6 and up.
• Wicked, Hadestown and MJ: ages 8 and up, with no children under 5 admitted.
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: ages 8 and up; under 15 only with an adult; no children under 5.
• Hamilton: ages 10 and up because of strong language; no infants, and children 5 and older need their own ticket.
• Chicago: ages 13 and up.
• The Book of Mormon: no recommended minimum, but children under 4 are not admitted, and parents are warned about explicit language.

At Wicked and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, every guest needs a ticket regardless of age. One seating note for families: the Wicked FAQ warns that a low safety bar sits in front of the first row of the Gershwin's front mezzanine, which may not suit children or shorter guests. For more ideas, see our family-friendly listings.

Accessibility services

All seven theaters behind the shows above offer assistive listening along with captioning or audio description, and most of these services are free. Details are on each show's or theater owner's site. It is worth contacting the theater before your visit, especially for wheelchair seating.

Hearing and captions

The Ambassador Theatre provides infrared listening devices at every performance, and Chicago lends sound-enhancement headsets free against a photo ID. The Gershwin, Minskoff and Richard Rodgers theaters also have induction loops for hearing aids with a telecoil setting.

Captions and audio description come in two forms. Many shows support the GalaPro app on your own phone, including Wicked, Aladdin and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and many also lend handheld devices. As of October 2026, Hadestown offers audio description in seven languages, and the Walter Kerr Theatre lets you reserve devices ahead at its headset booth. At the Ambassador Theatre, a Shubert house, the handheld devices start four weeks after a show's official opening; before that, live CART captioning can be requested with two weeks' notice. Manhattan Theatre Club books its open-captioned and live audio-described performances through the TDF Accessibility Program (TAP).

Steps and elevators

Many Broadway theaters have no elevator, so the orchestra is often the only step-free level. At the Ambassador Theatre the mezzanine is two flights up, 38 steps, and all wheelchair seats are in the orchestra. At the Walter Kerr Theatre the mezzanine is 37 steps and the balcony 52 steps above the orchestra. At the Richard Rodgers Theatre only orchestra rows A to K are reached without steps.

A few houses are easier: the New Amsterdam Theatre has elevators to all levels, the Lyric Theatre has an elevator to the orchestra and dress circle but not the balcony, and the Minskoff Theatre has an elevator and escalators in its lobby. Service animals are admitted at shows such as Chicago, Wicked and MJ. Our seating guide explains orchestra, mezzanine and balcony in more depth.

Sensory needs

As of October 2026, the Lyric Theatre is certified sensory inclusive with KultureCity, lends sensory bags and offers quiet areas, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child adds noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools and weighted lap pads. The Hudson Theatre also partners with KultureCity. Some productions schedule relaxed performances: Paddington The Musical plans relaxed, captioned, audio-described and ASL-interpreted dates, to be announced.

A first-night checklist

1. Pick a show that fits your group's ages and stamina, and read its official FAQ.
2. Buy from the official site or the box office, and keep your confirmation handy.
3. Check the nearest subway station and its accessibility on the theater page.
4. Leave big bags at the hotel and bring a light layer.
5. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to clear security and visit the restroom.
6. Silence your phone and keep it away during the performance.
7. Use the intermission for drinks and merchandise, then head back before the lights dim.