The Newest Cleanse of Times Square and How It Affects Broadway

     Hey theater folk!! Hope you guys are ready for spring and summer on Broadway because it looks like it just may finally be here for good. Speaking of, I had an interesting thought recently. As many of you know, I work in Times Square promoting various Broadway shows. As a self proclaimed "flyering veteran," I have had many experiences, both good and bad, that have left me with a certain perspective of the area that I work with. I must admit that yesterday I finally realized that I have a negative perspective of my surroundings. The reason is quite simple and, due to recent legislation, looks like its going to change in the not too distant future.
     When I often mention that I work in Times Square, I often get the response from people that they absolutely loathe walking through New York City's famed Crossroads of the World. When I've asked, it's usually due to the same reason. In years past, a haven for theater professionals and tourists alike have become a new home, people who dress as costumed characters and actively look for photo opportunities with tourists. Often times, after taking a photo with a tourists, these characters would ask, and at times demand, payment. This practice has gone on for a while, with instances of such encounters becoming negative rising to the point where the city has decided to take action. Similar to the clean up of Times Square in the late 1980s/early 1990s, where businesses of an adult nature were relocated far from that family demographic that provide the lifeblood for so many Broadway shows, the Times Square Alliance, in a partnership with city councilmen, have enacted a law that shall be going in effect in the coming months. Under the bill, those looking to make a profit in Times Square shall be regulated to specific zones, allowing tourists to roam in the heart of the theater district unperturbed.
       This leads us to the big question with implications on Broadway shows, what about those, such as your truly, that are not seeking profit, but simply seeking to assist the average theatergoer, whether it be tourist or New Yorker? To evaluate this question, let us look at those that this new law. It is meant to target those who are openly seeking money. Broadway promoters aren't seeking that. What we merely seek is to assist theatergoers with information that they can then utilize should they choose. Taking a simple flyer from us does not mean you're going to spend that money. We are not asking for your money right then and there. What we merely seek is to provide one with information that, should one choose to purchase, then go to an authorized place (whether it be in person at the theater, online, or via telephone) and make a purchase. Thankfully, it has come to my knowledge that the Times Square Alliance, who shall be regulating this law when enacted, is cooperating with companies such as the one that I am employed by, to ensure that come summer, those such as myself looking to help are allowed to go about the Times Square area with no worries.
    In short, dear readers, Broadway shall always be subject to change, mostly through laws whether it be city, state, or federal. However, these laws shall, presumably, be those looking to help the theatergoer and all involved in this lovely business of show. So, when visiting this summer, leave your hassles to their respective zones and get some help from those solely to help serve you. Until the next time, this is Mike signing off, ghost light lighting on.

Overtime Fun: Broadway Performers in Concert

      Hello again, readers, and welcome to another Monday post. For those of us with jobs, we are often asked if we can stay after or come in on the weekend to do a little more work or participate in a company function. The same goes for Broadway performers. Even when these immensely talented individuals have performed eight shows a week (or more!!), often times they find themselves working for the public a little longer. This often comes in the form of a concert. I have had the pleasure of seeing Broadway performers in concert for some time now. I cannot begin to tell you the work that I've seen.
       There are two categories in which I place Broadway performers in concert: concerts done in an effort to promote their show and concerts done just for the thrill of performing work they don't normally have the opportunity of performing. The former greatly differs from the latter. Concerts held to promote their shows usually happens in a public setting, often times for free. A good example of this is the popular summer concert Stars in the Alley. At this event held in Shubert Alley in the heart of the Theater District, performers from Broadway shows give a glimpse of their shows to a massive outdoor audience. Shows may also do smaller offerings, usually coinciding with a CD release for new shows, or also appearing on television shows such as The View, The Today Show, The Late Show, among others. These performances may come with a catch, for example having to register for free tickets or purchase a CD at the store the event is held. These concerts, however, provide an amazing opportunity to entice the theatergoer to check out the whole show in person.
       Concerts done strictly for the thrill of performance, as one can imagine, offer a much more intriguing environment. This venue allows performers to showcase material, usually with some sort of theme, that they may not have the chance to do anywhere else. These concerts usually require a ticket, with a minimum amount of drinks or money should the venue be a bar or restaurant. New York offers countless venues for these concerts, with a couple of prominent venues being Birdland Jazz Club, home to Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland series as well as Cast Party every Monday night. Feinstein's/54 Below, the Cafe Carlyle, and Lincoln Center's American Songbook series. Also, audiences can expect a wide range of performers, whether it be well known Broadway stars to performers audiences rarely see go on. I often find myself enthralled equally with the entire range of talent that I have seen perform. These concerts, while requiring some extra work on the part of the performers, often providing a phenomenal reward for performer and audience alike.
         I cannot emphasize of attending as many concerts as possible. One can't begin to know who they may see perform and be able to say they knew someone when they were just a special guest this one time at a concert they saw. You can check for upcoming concerts at the web sites of the venues mentioned above, as well as other theater news sites. Have any memorable concert experiences? Share them in the Comments section below. Until the next time, this is Mike signing off, ghost light lighting on.

The Community of Broadway

        Hello again, dear readers, and welcome to yet another blog post. As I have addressed in previous posts, at the heart of Broadway is a community that allows for interactions among all, including the fans. Working in the heart of the theater district, that idea is at its acme in everything that I see. From seeing stagehands load in or load sets as productions start up or finish, respectively, to sitting at a bar next to one of the greatest composers in musical theater history, I have never felt so surrounded by a community of theater professionals and fans alike, often one in the same. Broadway, for all intents and purposes, can easily be thought of one large community that outsiders and professionals alike interact and support great causes.
       An experience comes to mind that illustrates my point in Broadway being this community of support. I was distributing flyers in Times Square on a nice summer day. It, for the most part that day, had been business as usual. I was promoting The Phantom of  the Opera, when an elderly gentleman caught my eye, walking towards me. I chuckled as, with my young eyes, I saw that this gentleman resembled Harold, aka "Hal," Prince. Prince is perhaps one the greatest directors and producers on Broadway, contributing his immense vision to such shows as Cabaret, Sweeney Todd,  Fiddler on the Roof, and, of course, the very show I was promoting that day. I dismissed the fact that such a genius could just be walking through Time Square and instead I resolved to offer a discount flyer to The Phantom of the Opera to this Hal Prince doppelganger. So, I looked this gentleman straight in the eye, extended my hand out that held a flyer, and said, "Discount to Phantom?" This gentleman smiled, grabbed the flyer out of my hand, and then laughed. That, dear readers, was the day that I gave a discount flyer for The Phantom of the Opera to Hal Prince. I wish I had realized that that was Hal Prince, and afterwards had not been in such a state of shock. If I had, I would have said two simple words I have always wanted to say to this legend, "Thank you." It is because of such visionaries that I work in such a wonderful community. Did Mr Prince need to take that flyer from me? Absolutely not. I have heard stories of other theater professionals either politely or, on rare occasion, impolitely, declining a flyer in such scenarios. That such a positive scenario happened to me still has me in awe to this day, yet goes to show just how many people are involved in making Broadway the community it is.
         Such interactions among so many people at different levels in the theater world isn't the only way that Broadway is a community. A good amount of support is also given for others in need by Broadway. Often this takes the form in donations made to such noble causes as Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS as well as other causes. Did you know that it's possible to see a Broadway show and afterward  get a cool memento for a donation? Well, that very thing is happening now, as some Broadway shows have starting participating in fundraising drives for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. in exchange for donations of cash, with credit cards also accepted, theatergoers can purchase a rare treat of theater memorabilia such as a signed poster or program, prop, or other merchandise at participating shows. Proceeds from these events then go to the remarkable work done by Broadway Cares. It is also common for performers to participate in concerts with proceeds benefiting this charity, as well as others. Just recently, a return performance of the Broadway musical Shuffle Along from a hiatus saw $40 tickets sold, with proceeds donated to The Actor's Fund. In all, Broadway continues to be a community of those who love what they do and look to spread that love to as many people as possible.
       In all, dear readers, the next time you visit the Theater District, whether to see a Broadway show or some other purpose, take a look around. You are standing in a community not to dissimilar to ones we interact with every day. Broadway is a loving community that allows for the outsider the occasional glance on the inside, usually for the price of a ticket. Yet, there is still that community upon exiting the theater. taking a look around easily reminds you of that. Until the next time, this is Mike signing off, ghost light lighting on.