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Ewan McGregor to Make Broadway Debut in The Real Thing by Stoppard

Ewan McGregor will play Henry in The Real Thing during the 2014-2015 Broadway season.

The revival of The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard will star Scottish actor Ewan McGregor. The Roundabout Theatre, which will produce the show as part of its 2014-1015 season, made the announcement, noting that McGregor will be in previews at the American Airlines Theatre starting October 2, 2014 and that the show will open on October 30. The Real Thing is scheduled for a limited engagement, which will end on January 4, 2015.

A Tony-Winning Role

McGregor in Othello.

Jeremy Irons starred as Henry on Broadway in the original 1984 production and won the Tony. The 2000 Broadway revival featured Stephen Dillane as Henry, and he, too, won the Tony. Will McGregor be next in line for Broadway’s most prestigious award? Henry is one of those roles that actors can’t wait to sink their teeth into.

Life Imitates Art

In The Real Thing, Henry, a playwright, has written a drama about a couple whose relationship is going downhill. Henry’s wife, Annie, is cast in the lead role of his play. At the same time, Henry finds himself in a marriage that mirrors the one he wrote about, and he decides to engage in an affair with a mutual friend of the couple. Art imitates life or does life imitate art in The Real Thing?

McGregor on Stage

This may be McGregor’s first time appearing on Broadway, but he does have some big time stage experience. He was last seen on the London stage in 2008 opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor in an acclaimed production of “Othello.” McGregor earned an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical when he appeared in Guys and Dolls with Jane Krakowski in the West End. There has been no announcement yet as to who will star opposite McGregor.

Upcoming McGregor Movies

McGregor was nominated for an Olivier in 2005 for his portrayal of Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls.

On Christmas Day, the film August: Osage County with McGregor, Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, will open. This is the film adaptation of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

Other projects include the recently wrapped western Jane’s Got a Gun, and, he is filming Mortdecai opposite Johnny Depp and Gwyneth Paltrow. Mordecai is an action-comedy.

Stay Tuned

For more information on Ewan McGregor and the revival of Stoppard’s The Real Thing stay in touch with All Tickets Inc., and for group tickets to any Broadway show, contact us at 1-800-922-0716. We have great seats, special offers, and extra discounts on combo deals, including additional savings on dinner and a show, for all theatre groups.

Hot Group Tickets: Richard III and Twelfth Night Extend their Runs

The versatile Rylance plays Olivia in Twelfth Night and the title character in Richard III.

All Tickets Inc. got the news today that the all-male casts of Richard III and Twelfth Night, which features two-time Tony winner Mark Rylance as Richard and Olivia, will enjoy a run extension. The two productions, which were created by the Shakespeare’s Globe and played to critical acclaim in London, will run on Broadway through February 16, 2014. Originally, the plays were to close on February 2. But they have been selling out and tickets are in great demand.

All Male Casts

These are exceptionally rich productions.

Both Richard III and Twelfth Night are cast entirely with me. Along with Rylance, who has been seen on Broadway in Jerusalem and Boeing-Boeing, are West End cast members Stephen Fry and Samuel Barnett. Other cast members from the London production include Liam Brennan as Orsino in Twelfth Night and Clarence and Lord Mayor in Richard III and Paul Chahidi, who was a 2013 Olivier Award nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Maria in Twelfth Night; he reprises that role as well as the parts of Hastings and Tyrell in Richard III.

Also associated with the London transfer to Broadway are John Paul Connolly (Antonio in Twelfth Night and 1st Murderer, Cardinal, Ratcliff and Halberdier in Richard III), Peter Hamilton Dyer (Feste in Twelfth Night and Brakenbury and Catesby in Richard III), Colin Hurley (Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night and King Edward IV and Stanley in Richard III) and Jethro Skinner (Fabian in Twelfth Night and 2nd Murderer, Messenger and Halberdier in Richard III). There are a total of 19 in the respective casts.

True Traditional Productions

These great shows have been extended for two weeks at the Belasco.

Richard III and Twelfth Night, which opened officially on Broadway on November 10, play in repertory at the Belasco Theatre. Both plays, which are directed by Tim Carroll, are done in what may be the most traditional manner possible. Along with men playing every role, the setting recreates the textures, colors, and true ambience of an English great hall, where plays such as Shakespeare’s were performed. The costumes are made from period fabrics and utilize laces, hooks, and buttons.

There are boxes on either side of the stage, replicating that convention from Shakespeare’s day, and there are a minimal number of electric lights used, with candlelight being preferred. There are a lot of candles on stage. Finally, there is no sound amplification. That’s right, it is a rarity on Broadway, but this really is totally live theatre! No microphones please, only the real sound of the actor’s voices and live music and sound effects.

A Rich Production

The productions of Richard III and Twelfth Night now playing on Broadway are extremely rich in every manner. All Tickets Inc. has group tickets available for two of the most popular shows of the 2013-2014 season. Call us at 1-800-922-0716 for group tickets to this extended run. Great for any theatre group and especially for school groups, these two productions define the essence of live theatre, as well as Shakespeare.

Broadway Musicals Featured on CBS and NBC Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Macy’s Parade

Happy Thanksgiving from EVERYONE at All Tickets Inc. The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC, which is in its 87th year, will both feature a boatload of entertainment, including performances by some of Broadway’s most popular musicals. Both parades focus on the Macy’s event.

Cinderella

The Broadway cast of Cinderella, including the amazing Laura Osnes, will be one-hand for the CBS festivities They appeared last year in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and were a huge hit (as the are on Broadway). Cast member Rebecca Luker will join Osnes, as they perform one of the show’s most popular numbers, “Impossible/It’s Possible”

A Night with Janis Joplin and First Date

Davies will be on CBS.

Also on CBS, Mary Bridget Davies brings A Night with Janis Joplin to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Davies, who does an incredible job in her portrayal of Joplin, will be featured. Davies’ performance has won acclaim across the country and in New York. Davies offers the Joplin classic, written by Gordon Lightfoot, “Me & Bobby McGee.”

Finally, CBS will also offer the upbeat, smart, and savvy musical comedy about dating, First Date, will also be on-hand this year. Starring Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez, First Date offers insights into the trials and tribulations of dating in the 21st century. Joined by cast members Kristoffer Cusick, Kate Loprest, Vicki Noon and Bryce Ryness, the group will perform “The One” and “Something That Will Last.”

Macy’s Parade

Kinky Boots will be on NBC.

Not to be outdone (ever), the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC will feature songs from some of the biggest musicals on Broadway, including Tony-winners Kinky Boots and Matilda The Musical. Also, viewers will enjoy some of the magic of Pippin and the combustible music of the always hip, Motown The Musical. There is a whole lot of Broadway on television this Thanksgiving. If you want to catch it all, it may take some coordination between CBS and NBC. Get that DVR set up now!

Have a Wonderful Day!

The Thanksgiving Day parades are a great way to kick off the festivities of one of America’s most treasured holidays. Belly up to the TV, watch the parades, and enjoy the aroma of that fantastic turkey and all the trimmings being prepared. It’s a great day to simply enjoy family, friends, and simple traditions.

Julie Harris Memorial Set for December 3, 2013

Harris in the film version of I am a Camera.

Five-time Tony winner Julie Harris passed away August 24, 2013, at the age of 87. A memorial celebration will he held for the First Lady of the American Theatre on December 3, 2013. The memorial will be at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

Legendary Performer

Harris set a record for 10 Tony nominations as Best Leading Actress, and along with her five Tony wins, the earned three Emmys, and a Grammy and was nominated for an Academy Award. She made her Broadway debut in 1945 in It’s a Gift and went on to star in over 30 Broadway shows.

Harris received her first Tony Award in 1952 for playing Sally Bowles in I Am a Camera. She also won Tonys for roles in The Lark in 1956, Forty Carats in 1969, The Last Mrs. Lincoln in 1973, and The Belle of Amherst in 1977. Additionally, Harris was nominated for her work in The Au Pair Man, Marathon ’33, Skyscraper, Lucifer’s Child and in her final Broadway show, which was the revival of The Gin Game in 1997. In 2001, she received a Special Lifetime Achievement Tony Award.

The Tribute

Harris as Emily Dickinson in The Belle of Amherst.

The memorial to celebrate the actress, whose career on the American stage spanned 60 years, will include many friends, such as Zoe Caldwell, Rosemary Harris, Cherry Jones, Hal Holbrook and Christopher Plummer. The event, which is open to the public, will be a tribute to an amazing actress and person.

Harris, who was born on December 2, 1925, in Grosse Point, Michigan, died of congestive heart failure. Along with all of her other honors, she’s also a member of American Theatre Hall of Fame and the recipient of the National Medal of Arts.

One of a Kind

Harris won her fifth Tony for her work on the revival of The Gin Game with Charles Durning.

Harris had a charismatic quality on stage that endeared her to audiences. She was a topnotch performer who was known for being extremely versatile. She is perhaps best remembered for her role in playwright William Luce’s one-woman show, The Belle of Amherst, where she played Emily Dickinson. Her Grammy was for the Best Spoken Word Recording of that show. On August 28, Broadway theatre’s dimmed their lights for one-minute to honor Harris.

New Productions: From the Disturbingly Dark to the Ridiculous

Duff joins Ethan Hawke, as she makes her Broadway debut.

Broadway welcomes two dark and disturbing plays, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal. Plus, there’s news that the surviving members of Monty Python will be reuniting in London to perform some of the comedy group’s funniest and most popular comedy sketches. Will that show possible cross the pond to play in NYC?

Ethan Hawke and Anne-Marie Duff

It is opening night for the latest revival of Macbeth, starring Ethan Hawke and Anne-Marie Duff as the witch-driven Forst Mr. and Mrs. Of Scotland. Macbeth is the ultimate tale of ambition and power. This production is a minimalistic one, which means, as it should be, the acting will be front and center. The production, which is directed by Jack O’Brien, is much anticipated as both Hawke and Duff seem to be well-suited for these roles.

The dark duo.

Of all of Shakespeare’s tragedies, Macbeth is perhaps the most popular in terms of audience appeal. One reason certainly has to do with the fascinating characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Another element that audiences find enthralling are the witches, as they lend a strong mystical element to the tragedy. Also, there is the supernatural nature of Macbeth, as ghosts visit him at his supper, while he is surrounded by dinner guests. There’s also some great swordplay too.

Machinal

The Roundabout Theatre Company will begin previews of Sophie Treadwell’s disturbing expressionistic play, Machinal, on December 20. The play, which will mark Golden Globe nominee Rachel Hall’s Broadway debut, is directed by Lyndsey Turner.

Rebecca Hall takes on a new challenge.

Machinal was  inspired by the infamous 1927 murder trial of Ruth Snyder. The play, which focuses on the character named Young Woman, explores the plight of a woman who is trapped in the roles that society has dictated for her. Unable to find true happiness, she gets married and then has an affair. She ends up murdering her husband and meeting her demise in the electric chair, leaving her baby girl behind. Machinal is a riveting drama that explores the vast wasteland of an industrialized and impersonal society.

Now, Isn’t THAT Funny?

The original troupe included Graham Greene, who passed away in 1989.

We’re hoping that the newly announced Month Python stage production will eventually make its way to the U.S. The surviving original members of the comedy troupe will reunite for a stage show at the O2 Arena in London.
It’s been noted in the Hollywood Reporter that John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin will reunite to perform some of their biggest hit sketches with some new twists and turns. It’s been reported that popular sketches such as “The Crunchy Frog” and “The Dead Parrot” will be included, and there will also be some new material. Sounds like a great time. We’ll let you know ASAP if this 30-year reunion will make it to a venue near you! (Oh, look, there’s a penguin on top the telly!)

Aladdin Broadway Musical Group Comps: Get More from All Tickets

Aladdin has it all- great music, a winning story with humor, romance, wit, and adventure, and great production values!

All Tickets Inc. is looking forward to the Broadway premiere of the new Disney musical, Aladdin. We’re celebrating by offering extra comps to Aladdin. The musical is coming to Broadway this spring and is scheduled to start previews on February 26, 2014 and to open March 28, 2014.

COMP Offer

Your group can get free tickets by booking through any group ticket service, BUT, you can get DOUBLE the number of FREE TICKETS (COMPS) ONLY by booking through All Tickets Inc. Book anywhere else and you’ll get Aladdin Producer Comps- 1 comp for every 30 you purchase (4 comps total).

Book through All Tickets at you’ll get a lot more. With All Tickets, you get additional comps at the rate of 1 for every 30 paid (4 comps total). What does that mean?

Compare!

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It’s a great deal. Book any time between November 20, 2013 and December 31, 2013. All orders must be confirmed by December 31, 2013. This offer is through All Tickets Inc. exclusively and to receive your extra comps you must book through All Tickets. This offer is good for any performance of Aladdin.

Who Should See Aladdin?

aladdin1243 Aladdin is a family-friendly, kid-friendly musical that is perfect for groups. If you loved other magical Disney musicals such as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, or Mary Poppins, then Aladdin is a great choice for your group. With an Oscar winning score, exciting and clever book, and first-class production elements, Aladdin offers groups a full evening of fantastic entertainment. Romance, humor, adventure, and magical moments are all yours. Aladdin looks like it will be another fantastic Disney musical!

More News!

Sutton Foster comes back to Broadway.

Tony winner Sutton Foster will play the lead in the new Jeanine Tesori-Brian musical Violet. The show will premiere at The Roundabout. It’s scheduled for spring 2014 and will play at the American Airlines Theatre.

Here’s some news about a Broadway icon. Carol Channing, who is 92 years old, will appear on the New York Stage again to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hello, Dolly! Channing will be interviewed on stage and the night will include various tribute performances. The date in January 20, 2014 and the event will be at Town Hall.

All Tickets: Extra Savings NYC Experiences

Channing to be honored in January.

All Tickets not only has the best Aladdin group ticket comp promo around, we also offer extra discounts on events and experiences when group books engage in combo booking. When you book more than one type of experience, such as a show and dinner, you’ll receive an extra discount from All Tickets.

We are devoted to making the NYC experience, which is the greatest in the world, accessible to as many people as possible. Group tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows offer savings of up to 45%! Booking your group’s hotel, restaurant, tours of landmarks, museums, and more results in even more savings. Contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 or via the web and one of our personable, experienced group sales agents will attend to every one of your group’s needs and desires.

Broadway News: Billy Crystal Opens Tonight, Newsies Going National

Group sales Broadway discounts Billy Crystal 700 Sundays

One of the biggest stars around, Billy Crystal, opens tonight on Broadway in his Tony winning show 700 Sundays. The one-man performance is a labor of love for Crystal, who recounts the events and people that shaped him. The title comes directly from an event that had a huge impact on the comedian/actor- the death of his father. Crystal’s father worked two or three jobs at a time to keep the family going and died when Crystal was 15. That meant that Crystal has just 700 Sundays to spend with his dad.

700 Sundays: the Journey

One of the wonderful things that theatre can do is take us on a journey, and 700 Sundays takes us on one that is simple, magical, and human. In the show, Crystal recounts his life from boyhood to being an adult and the influences of being in a world of jazz on the island of Manhattan, the Bronx Bombers, and comedy schtick.

Crystal’s show is totally engaging.

700 Sundays, which is directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), originally opened in 2004 at the Broadhurst Theatre and ran for 163 performances. The show won the 2005 Tony Award for Special Theatrical Experience. Crystal wrote the show, which features additional material by Alan Zweibel. 700 Sundays includes scenic design by David F. Weiner, lighting design by David Lee Cuthbert, projection design by Michael Clark and sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy.

700 Sundays is scheduled to run through January 5, 2014. Get group tickets to 700 Sundays by clicking here or call 1-800-922-0716. To read about more stars appearing on Broadway this season follow this link.

Newsies National Tour

Newsies is inspirational.

The Broadway hit Newsies, which was nominated for 8 Tonys and won 2 in 2012, is still running strong on Broadway. (Get tickets to Newsies here or call 1-800-922-0716) Newsies is now going national, previewing in Schenectady, New York, and then opening in Philadelphia. The tour is set for October 14, 2014 and will travel to 25 cities, including Houston, Orlando and San Antonio.

Newsies tells the story of a newsboy strike against the most powerful American publishers of his time, including Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. Based on an actual event, Newsies is about worker’s rights and the power of the individual to raise a group up and inspire.

The musical, which is based on the 1992 film of the same name, includes the film’s original music, as well as additional songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Jack Feldman. Four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein wrote the book.

Get Group Tickets Now

Les Misérables is about freedom, hope and liberty.

This is a great time to order group tickets for upcoming Broadway shows such as Les Misérables, Rocky the Musical, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and currently running shows, including A Night, with Janis Joplin with Mary Bridget Davies and Macbeth, with Ethan Hawke. If you have not seen the spectacle of Spider Man, experienced the vivacity of Motown, or enjoyed the uplifting message of Kinky Boots, now is the time to get your seats to those great Broadway musicals!

Waiting for Godot: McKellen, Stewart, Beckett and Elmo

It’s a monstrously fun time in Times Square with Waiting for Godot’s Stewart and McKellen and Sesame Street’s Elmo.

What do Broadway stars Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart have in common with Sesame Street’s Elmo? Believe or not, it’s Waiting for Godot! That’s right. Mckellen and Stewart donned their Absurdist togs and had a photo op in Times Square with one of the most lovable read heads in the business, Elmo.

Waiting for Elmo

It was on Monsterpiece theatre, hosted by Cookie Monster, that Sesame Street offered a takeoff on Waiting for Godot, entitled Waiting for Elmo. In the sendup, Alistair Cookie (a.k.a. Cookie Monster) introduces Waiting for Elmo as a modern classic, noting that it has to be a modern classic because it is “so classic and so modern that it makes absolutely no sense.”

The scene opens with two monsters, Telly Monster and Grover, standing at a tree in barren wasteland with the wind howling and waiting for Elmo to show up and play with them. In a few minutes, they go through a range of emotions that include optimism, fear, sadness, and hope. The surprise ending is hilarious and includes a reference to one of the most popular Broadway show ever written. The camera finds Alistair Cookie who acknowledges that Waiting for Elmo is “deep, deep stuff.” It’s a fantastic spoof. Check it out!

Vagabond Clowns Wait for…

Didi and Gogo enjoying some Times Square delicacies.

In Beckett’s tragicomedy Waiting for Godot, two vagabond clowns, Vladimir (Stewart) and Estragon (McKellen) spend their time hoping that some fellow named Godot will show up. Here’s something to wonder about, is Elmo REALLY Godot? Did they actually find Godot in Times Square the other day? Is it possible that Waiting for Elmo, that whimsical spoof, is actually the Rosetta Stone for insights into the identify of Godot?

Absurdity Redefined

If that is the case, then you could say that Sesame Street in creating Waiting for Elmo and the recent meeting of Vladimir, Estragon, and Elmo (Godot) in Times Square, where the world meets, has defined absurdity. Absurdists consider if life has no meaning. But now that Godot has been found in the guise of Elmo, perhaps that theory has been debunked. Certainly one thing is true, McKellen, Stewart, and Elmo all seem to give meaning to the lives of those who enjoy their work.

Tough Ticket

Standing by the tree…waiting and being amazingly funny.

McKellen and Stewart in Waiting for Godot and also No man’s Land on Broadway are both hot tickets. Contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 and our Broadway group sales agents will work to get you the best seats possible to the Broadway show of your choice. All Tickets offers you New York’s Total Group Experience. To see what other stars are coming to Broadway, click here to be connected to our latest newsletter. Remember, All Tickets can connect your group with great hotels, restaurants, sites, museums, experiences and shows. Our professional, personable group sales agents will help you create a wonderful group trip while saving you up to 45% on Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays and getting you great discounts on everything New York.

Get Broadway Group Tickets to the Hottest Shows

The Glass Menagerie is a very hot ticket.

The end of October sees various shows running strong. All Tickets looks at the hottest tickets on Broadway. Here’s what’s selling strong.

100% or Better!

The Book of Mormon, the irreverent musical about two Mormon missionaries who travel to Africa, is the toughest ticket to get on Broadway. The Book of Mormon is hilarious and a true treat that will have you rolling in the aisles. It’s selling at 102%.

Tennessee Williams’ classic The Glass Menagerie, which stars Cherry Jones, is also selling at over 100%. The drama, which focuses on the Wingfield family, offers us insights into this family through the memories of the central character, Tom. The show includes topnotch acting and some very imaginative scenic effects.

The limited run of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal is playing at 100%. The drama, which is about a husband and wife and their best friend, is directed by Mike Nichols and stars Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, and Rafe Spall. This is a limited run.

The big hit musical by Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots, is also doing great business. Based on the independent film of the same name, Kinky Boots includes exciting production numbers, premium performances, and music, lyrics, and book that are expertly executed.

Musicals Running Strong

The first Broadway revival of Pippin is a winner.

These musicals are filling from 97- to 99-percent of their seats on a weekly basis. Included in this category are two Stephen Schwartz musicals, Wicked and Pippin. Matilda, Motown, and The Lion King are also in this category.

Many other shows, such as A Night with Janis Joplin, After Midnight, Twelfth Night and Richard III, and No Man’s Land and Waiting for Godot, are selling at a brisk pace.

More Great Theatre Upcoming

It’s hard to keep track of all the amazing Broadway shows that will be on Broadway this season. The much anticipated of Les Miserables will be on Broadway in mid-2014. Other revivals include Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret with Alan Cumming and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun with Denzel Washington and Diahann Carroll.

Rocky The Musical knocked them out in Germany. It’s on Broadway in Spring 2014.

Also around the same time in 2014 the new musical Rocky, which is based on the Sylvester Stallone movie, will premiere, and the Disney’s Aladdin will also be on the boards.

Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway, Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Neil Patrick Harris, and If/Then, which was created by the artists responsible for the Pulitzer Prize winning musical, Next to normal, will premiere in mid-2014. Idina Menzel (Tony for Wicked) stars in If/Then.

Get Tickets Early

Before the new shows open and tickets get scarce (as they are for many Broadway shows) contact All Tickets Inc. for the lowest group discounts prices and best seats on Broadway. Our Broadway group sales agents are ready to serve you, ensuring that you are able to enjoy your trip to NYC as fully as possible and at the best price. Call us at 1-800-922-0716. All Tickets offers New York’s total group experience.

This Month’s Buzz: Broadway Group Discounts, Holiday Shows, Boffo Performances

Mamma Mia! continues its extraordinary run. See it!

This month All Tickets’ Buzz Blog has a lot of information for groups looking for discount Broadway tickets to holiday musicals and shows, big box office shows, and more great information that can connect you with quality NYC experiences while helping you save money.

Group Discounts

We’ll be featuring various shows, including the latest openings, longest runs, and newest hits. Find out about the Broadway group discount experience, including combo deals and volume discounts. Our Broadway group sales agents will make sure that you get the best prices on the best seats available.

Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin on Broadway.

We’ll secure tickets for you to any Broadway and Off-Broadway show, including The Phantom of the Opera, A Night with Janis Joplin, Mamma Mia!, Peter and the Starcatcher, Stomp, Avenue Q, The Lion King and more. If it’s playing, we’ll get you tickets.

Holiday Shows

There’s a full lineup of holiday shows that start in November and close in late December or early January. The radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rocketts runs from November 9 until December 30. This is a huge show that includes wonderful dances, big special effects, fantastic scenery, and more.

The hit A Christmas Story, The Musical is back for a second year.

A Christmas Story returns to New York after premiering last season and earning a Tony nomination. Based on the popular movie of the same name, this is a wonderful holiday musical.

Off-Broadway is a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Adapted by Patrick Barlow (The 39 Steps), this is an innovative telling of the classic Christmas tale about Ebenezer Scrooge and how he finds the Christmas spirit.

Big Box Office Performances

See Mary Bridget Davies in her amazing performance as Janis Joplin in A Night with Janis Joplin. Davies is phenomenal in this role. Starting November 5, Billy Crystal stars in his Tony winning one-man show 700 Sundays. This is a limited run and is a must see. Betrayal, which runs until January 5, 2014, features a dynamite cast of three as Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, and Rafe Spall star in Harold Pinter’s classic. Mike Nichols , multiple-Tony winner, directs.

Neil Patrick Harris is Hedwig.

Presently running on a double-bill with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Billy Crudup, and Shuler Hensley are two modern classics- Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land. This is a limited run ending November 24.

The second-half of the 2013-2014 Broadway season includes Neil Patrick Harris in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Alan Cumming in Cabaret as the Emcee, and Denzel Washington and Diahann Carroll in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun.

Bookmark Us!

If you’re in the market for Broadway group tickets, great NYC experiences, and fine museums, then All Tickets Inc. is the place to be. Check out our blog at least twice a week, connect with our unique show listings, and contact us at 1-800-922-0716 for the best possible process on any and all group experiences. Our experienced group sales agents will not only get you the best possible prices, but they will also ably help you plan and book your entire trip.

Broadway Group Discounts: Savings on Broadway Musicals You Should See (Again)

The Lion King has a lot of surprises the second time around.

The Broadway group sales agents can get you great seats to any Broadway show at a group discount rate. They can also arrange for your group to enjoys any of the innumerable unique experiences and events that NYC has to offer, including museums, attractions, tours, historic sites, and more. Although it is always wonderful to do something new, have you considered going back to a see a musical you saw some time ago? Here are five long run shows you should see again.

The Lion King

Get group discount tickets for The Lion King, the first Broadway show to gross over $1 billion. The music, lyrics, and story are all wonderful. But what makes this musical worth going back to is the direction and design. This is a lavish show where seemingly thousands of spectacular effects happen at once. These effects are big but they are also very detailed. People who go back to see The Lion King often feel as if they are seeing a new show because they encounter moments they missed the first time around.

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia! is more fun the second time you see it.

It’s not spectacle that will make you want to come back to this show. It is some genuinely interesting and very funny characters who find themselves in situations that brings back a lot of feelings of nostalgia (and a lot of comedy). What makes Mamma Mia! so great is the music of ABBA. If you love ABBA and a great time, then get back to this long running Broadway show that’s available at low discount prices.

The Jersey Boys

The Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The music is straight from this harmonizing group who found that they could not always exist in harmony. The story of four guys from New Jersey who made it big is well worth reliving. Friendships, fights, great times, and enduring tunes are all a part of this upbeat tale of how four regular Joes (who could certainly sing) rose to stardom.

Chicago

Sexy, sultry, and sensual- Chicago.

This sordid, ironic, funny, sexy, and witty musical takes audiences on a crime-filled ride that is darkly magical. The 1920s in American were a time when morals were loose, bootlegging was commonplace, and violence defined our cities. Add to that the splash and fire of tabloid journalism, big-time corruption, and outlandish behavior and you’ve got a show that is simply enthralling. Of course, the music and lyrics of Tony winners Kander and Ebb is first-rate in everyway.

Wicked

Spectacle, comedy, great music and lyrics and a fascinating story are all part of the Wicked Broadway group ticket experience. The iconic story of The Wizard of Oz serves as the front-story for Wicked, which looks at how the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and her counterpart (Galinda) came to be. Stephen Schwartz’s music and lyrics are, as usual, entertaining and tuneful. Wicked is now in its second decade on Broadway and continues to be an audience pleaser.

Seeing a New Show?

Broadway group sales, tickets Wicked discounts All Tickets

All Tickets Inc. has Broadway group tickets and discounts for all shows, including those that are incoming such a Rocky The Musical, the revivals of Les Miserables, and Cabaret, and If/Then, the new musical by Pulitzer Prize winners Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) and starring Tony winner Idina Menzel (Wicked), and any presently on the boards, including A Night with Janis Joplin, Once, Kinky Boots, and The Book of Mormon.

Contact All Tickets’ Broadway group sales agents at 1-800-922-0716 for more information and tickets. If it’s been some time since you last saw one of the great shows highlighted in this blog, then maybe it’s time to get some people together and see them again at low discount prices.

The Bronx Bombers on Broadway: Berra, DiMaggio, Ruth, Gerhig

He was the Sultan of Swat.

Just about the time that spring training will start, the Bronx Bombers will premiere on Broadway. The new baseball play, which focuses on Yankee greats and looks inside their lives and personalities, is the creation of Eric Simonson (playwright) and Fran Kirmser (director). They are the same team that brought Lombardi to Broadway and Magic/Bird. With The Bronx Bombers the team looks at what is the most successful sports franchise in the world and also one of the most controversial.

Who’s on First?

Gerhig played first.

The new play provides insights and looks at the highlights and low times in the lives of some of the Yankees most gifted, famous, and controversial players, Yankee greats include Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio (The Yankee Clipper), Babe Ruth (The Sultan of Swat), and Lou Gerhig (The Iron Horse). The controversial Billy Martin is also in the show as is current star Derek Jeter and Mr. October Reggie Jackson. Of course how could you have a play about the Bronx Bombers without Mickey Mantle?

Mythology of the Yankees

Monroe and DiMaggio

The New York Yankees are a legend in NY and are simultaneously one of the most beloved and hated sports teams in the U.S. They have 40 AL pennants and have won 27 World Series. As of late, however, the team has struggled. Since 2001, they have won one World Series and in 2004 they became the first professional baseball team to lose a seven-game championship series after being up 3-0. It was a cataclysmic choke that propelled the Boston Red Sox, who had seen the Yankees as their nemesis and came back when down to their last out, to their first World Series win since 1918.

The Yankees have not always been a premiere team. From 1965- 1975 they were horrendous. But after controversial owner George Steinbrenner bought the club, the Yankees were back to their winnings ways and were seemingly always in the World Series and usually winning it. The 1980s saw them hit another slump, but in the 90s they were once again back on top.

Bronx Bombers All Hitters

Of course the Bronx Bombers were and are all hitters so don’t go to this show expecting to see any Yankee pitchers portrayed. This is about the guys who achieved greatness by doing what most athletes consider to be the hardest thing someone can do- hit a baseball. If this play can do what the Bronx Bombers have done over the years, it too will be a hit. The players of legend will be on the American Airlines Theatre stage starting in January 2014 and opening will be in February. Contact All Tickets Inc. Broadway group sales agents at 1-800-922-0716 for tickets.

Macbeth on Broadway: the Witches, the Curse, the Ritual

Macbeth and Banquo meet the three witches. .

Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, which is on Broadway at great group sales and at discount savings with Ethan Hawke as the Scot and Anne-Marie Duff as Lady Macbeth, is said to be cursed. Theatre folk are very superstitious about Macbeth. In the tragedy, the king encounters three witches who foretell his greatness, rise to power, and his final defeate when “Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane” comes against him. It is an amazing story filled with blood, ghosts, witches, and enough supernatural happenings to thrill even the most ardent Stephen King fan. But why is the play cursed?

King James I and Witchcraft

The three witches are spellbinding.

King James I was fascinated with witchcraft. So much so that he wrote a book entitled Daemonologie, In Forme of a Dialogie, Divided into three Bookes. By James Rx. James wrote the tome when he was James VI, King of Scotland. When he ascended to the throne after the death of Elizabeth I, Shakespeare wrote a play in which James’ ancestor King Duncan is murdered by Macbeth so that the noble Macbeth can become the King of Scotland.

It’s said that Shakespeare in his play used real incantations that were popular amongst witches and that this angered the witches in England so much that they cursed the play. Thus, it is a cursed play.

The Power of the Spell

The play is cursed.

How does the curse work? It is said to be bad luck for anyone to quote the play or say its name if they are in a dressing room or theatre. That is unless they are in a production of the tragedy. However, it is also said that being in Macbeth is bad luck and there are innumerable stories about mishaps, suicides, deaths, fires, and more horrible experiences associated with productions over the years.

How can you get rid of the bad luck if you do inadvertently quote the play or say the title? Accompanied by another person, you go to the stage door or some exterior door of the theatre. You leave the building. The door is shut with the other person remaining inside the building. You turn three times counter clockwise, knock on the door. The person inside opens the door and says enter. As you cross the threshold, you utter a curse. With that the bad luck is gone. And the thing is, this belief in the curse is very powerful in the theatre.

Yes, People Believe in the Curse

Many people in the theatre believe in the curse. As an actor and director, I’ve been in theatre’s and dressing rooms where someone says something like, “I was doing a production of Macbeth at the…” The person stops, people look at them, they sigh or curse and start for the door and someone automatically goes with them. Even if they don’t believe in the curse, most people will honor the legend and tradition and go through the ritual. After all, who wants to be blamed for anything bad happening on stage or in a production?

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. Ethan Hawke is on Broadway now and All Tickets Inc. has Broadway group tickets for this production. Contact us at 1-800-922-0716 to get seats to this powerful play.

Theatre Speak: Tech Week Jargon Every Theatre Pro Knows Do You?

Tech rehearsal is about detail.

All Tickets Inc. has considered technical and tech week Theatre Speak in prior blogs. In this blog we’re going to look at some basic tech week concepts and definitions that every theatre pro knows.

Warning!

The stage manager gives a “warning” prior to calling a cue. As an example, if the stage manager has a light cue coming up, they will first offer a warning to the technician who will be executing the cue. The warning occurs prior to the actual execution of the cue.

The sequence from the stage manager would be:

Warning Light Cue 1
Light Cue 1 Go

Technicians are ready to go.

Depending on the type of light board being used and how complex the calling of the show may be, the stage manager may also use a standby. If that’s the case, the sequence would be:

Warning Light Cue 1
Standby Light Cue 1
Light Cue 1 Go

As you can probably tell, the “warning” is used to wake up the light board operator (LOB) as to the occurrence of the next cue.

Sign In

Actors and technicians must “sign in” before a performance. For actors the call is half-hour and thus they must sign in on a posted sheet that has each actor listed on it. The same is true for those working tech, but a technician’s call is different. Tech call tends to be earlier than that for actors due to the fact that those working as technicians must attend to certain checks prior to the house being opened. No matter what the case may be, those involved in a show must sign in no later than 30 minutes prior to curtain.

God Mike

The “God mike” is used by the stage manager during technical rehearsals. The stage manager, who is in charge of tech, dress, and the run of the show, will speak into a microphone that everyone can hear. Thus, if during technical rehearsals there is a stop by lighting to adjust a cue everyone will relax. When the problem is fixed and they are ready to resume the tech, the stager manager will use the God mike to let everyone know that they are starting the tech again.

Places

When a stage manager calls “places” to the cast it means that they are going to start the tech, dress, or performance within anywhere from two to three minutes. It is a universal signal that all the actors must be ready to start. It is the last call prior to starting either a rehearsal or a performance.

Speaking of Tech

How does tech work?

Tech or technical rehearsals, which occur when various design and tech elements are added to a production, have their own language including 10 of 12, dry tech, wet tech, and tech-run. Tech week includes the addition of all technical elements, such as lights, sets, sound, media, special effects, and costumes. When costumes are added during the week those rehearsals are called “dress rehearsals.” On Broadway and in other venues tech week can be a lot longer than a week, however in many professional, training, and amateur venues it lasts a week or less. Whatever the case may be tech jargon in the realm of Theatre Speak is the same everywhere.

Broadway: Lion King Record, Of Mice & Men Revival, Joplin Extended

The Lion King will reach $1 billion in sales.

Here’s Broadway news for groups looking to book tickets to great shows on The Great White Way. In this blog we look at The Lion King and it’s record-setting run, a potential revival of the drama Of Mice and Men, and A Night with Janis Joplin.

The Lion King Roars

The Lion King, which premiered on Broadway in October 1997 is about to set a record for tickets sales as total sales for the run top $1 billion! That’s a lot of hakuna matata for producers of the show. The national tour of the same show topped the $1 billion mark a while back. The Phantom of the Opera, which has been running nine years longer on Broadway, has done about $930 million in sales.

The Lion King is theatrically exciting.

When The Lion King, which features a score by Elton John and Tim Rice, premiered it won numerous awards. Those include six Tonys, eight Drama Desk Awards, and six Outer Critics Circle Awards. In London it won two Sir Laurence Oliviers and the Evening Standard Award for Best Theatrical Event. Director Julie Taymor’s direction and creativity certainly helped make The Lion King a unique theatrical event.

Of Mice and Men Revival

James Franco says he’ll be in Of Mice and Men on Broadway.

It’s been reported that James Franco may star in a revival of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, which looks to be coming to Broadway in 2014. Academy Award nominee Franco was on TV with Stephen Colbert in March and told the talk-show icon that he was going to play George in the play on Broadway. The casting notice is now up for the show, which will be directed by Tony winner Ann D. Shapiro and is slated for a Spring 2014 Broadway run.

Davies Rocks On as Janis Joplin

The new Broadway musical A Night with Janis Joplin has opened up availability for seats through to March 30, 2014. That news just came out. The show, which stars Mary Bridget Davies in her award winning performance as the Queen of Psychedelic Rock, opened October 10.

Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin on Broadway.

Special note, Davies performs six shows per week, playing the rock diva Joplin Tuesday through Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees while alternate Kacee Clanton performs the role on Wednesday and Saturday matinees.

The musical is written and directed by Randy Johnson; A Night with Janis Joplin features choreography by Astaire Award winner Patricia Wilcox. How many Tonys will this new musical be nominated for and how many will it win? Stay tuned for that news in mid-2014. In the meantime, he’s once of our recent blogs on this new Broadway musical.

Get Broadway Group Discounts

All Tickets Inc. group sales agents will gladly get your group great seats to all and any Broadway musicals and plays. Long runs, recently opened, upcoming new shows and revivals are all available. Contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 for more information on the above shows and all Broadway productions. Also, we can get groups great deals on meals, accommodations and any and all NY experiences, including museums, tours, historic sites, landmarks, cruises and more. We offer New York’s total group experience.

The Three Hottest Tickets on Broadway: Betrayal, Kinky Boots and Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is still running strong.

According to Playbill, Betrayal, Kinky Boots, and Book of Mormon are selling 100% of their seats according to the latest Broadway news. Groups discount tickets for these shows are on-hand but groups need to book ASAP. Kinky Boots and Book of Mormon, both Tony winners for Best Musical, are in open runs, while the revival of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal is on Broadway for a limited time.

Betrayal

Married couple Weisz and Craig appear together on Broadway in Betrayal.

Mike Nichols, who has ten Tonys, directs three stars, Daniel Craig (Robert), Rachel Weisz (Emma) and Rafe Spall (Jerry), in what is a riveting production. Betrayal, which is at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, is in previews and opens October 27. It is slated to close on January 5, 2014.
Betrayal, a drama by the renowned Harold Pinter, is a drama focusing on a husband, wife and their good friend. In the play, which tells its story by working backwards in time, these three friends, who supposedly care for one another, end up being totally dishonest with each other. Betrayal is a story about hollow empty lives and deceit.

Kinky Boots

The musical Kinky Boots, which walked away with a load of Tonys this past year, is based on the independent film of the same name. In the musical, a young man inherits a shoe factory, of which he simply does not want to be a part. But a diverse relationship with a transvestite results in the factory being saved and perhaps more importantly people learning to let go of their prejudices. The Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper musical offers great entertainment value, amazingly provocative and unique footwear, and important themes regarding diversity. The musical is at the Hirschfeld Theatre.

Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is hilarious.

Created by a collaboration between Matt Stone and Trey Parker, who created South Park, and Robert Lopez, the co-creator of Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon has been running strongly ever since it opened in 2011. Outrageous humor and outlandish characters are plentiful in this Tony winning musical which is playing at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre.
The Book of Mormon focuses on two mismatched missionaries from Salt Lake City who venture to Uganda to spread ‘the word.” They are, in essence, two 18-year-old kids who don’t know each other and now must support one another in a land that is about as foreign to Salt Lake City as a land can be. It’s great fun in every way.

Great Broadway Group Experiences

All three of these hot selling shows offer great Broadway group experiences. Be sure to plan ahead if you want to see these shows as they are selling at 100%. Of course there are plenty of other fantastic musicals and plays on Broadway, including Matilda The Musical, A Night with Janis Joplin, and Chicago. To see a full list of Broadway shows, click here. For more information on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and all of the thrilling experiences New York City has to offer groups contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716.

Group Tickets for Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Christmas Story and the Nutcracker

Radio City is always special but it’s extra special during the holidays.

All Tickets group sales agents have great group discounts for holiday events, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the musical A Christmas Story and the New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker. It’s time to get your seats for your group’s holiday event. Read about each of these amazing shows. There’s a lot to do in New York City during the Holiday Season. If you’re looking for suggestions and ideas for your holiday group trip be sure to contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716.

Radio City Musical Hall Christmas Show

The signature Rockettes.

The Radio City Musical Hall Christmas Spectacular featuring the world famous Rockettes is a must-see for many people. This is a fantastic group experience. Always dazzling, big, and festive, this Christmas show is filled with fun, surprises, and good cheer. If you are looking for a fantastical family experience that will dazzle and uplift you, then this is it. A true New York tradition. Contact All Tickets today for low group rates.

A Christmas Story, The Musical

Ralphie’s Christmas quest.

After a Tony nominated run on Broadway last Christmas season, A Christmas Story, The Musical returns to New York. Playing at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden, A Christmas Story, The Musical features the holiday adventures of Ralphie and his quest for the Holy Grail- the official Red Ryder air rifle. Go back to a time when life and Christmas were a little simpler and a tad more innocent.

NYC Ballet: The Nutcracker

it is a Holiday event that you won’t want the miss, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker as performed by the New York City Ballet. Enter this wondrous world where toys come alive, Christmas trees grow magically, and unique characters abound. Featuring the music by one of the world’s most renowned composers, Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky, and the choreography of one of the world’s master artists, Balanchine.

Added Discounts

The Nutcracker is magical.

Book your group early and add an event or experience to save more. Extra discounts for combination bookings such as one of the shows listed above, plus an All Tickets’ Special Holiday Light Tour of New York and restaurant reservations gets you greater savings and offers your group the opportunity to enjoy the holiday festivities to the fullest. All Tickets can also save your group money on accommodations, any and all New York experiences, and theatre classes and workshops. Contact All Tickets Inc. today at 1-800-922-0716. For information on some of the other exciting Holiday offerings click here.

Hot Broadway Group Sales: Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin

Mary Bridget Davies as Janice Joplin

Mary Bridget Davies brings her show A Night with Janis Joplin to Broadway tonight. It’s opening night for Davies who has been performing as Joplin across the country to sold out houses and critical acclaim. When you see this show it is as if Davies is channeling Joplin. The Queen of Rock, who was also known as the Queen of Psychedelic Soul, died October 4, 1970. That was 43 years ago but her definitive versions of “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Mercedes Benz,” and “Piece of My Heart” still live on.

Joplin charted five singles, with “Me and Bobby McGee” being her only number one hit. She was a popular act at the Monterey Pop Festival and one of the defining, iconic acts at Woodstock. Joplin died at the age of 27 of heroine overdose just 16 days after Jimi Hendrix, who was also 27, died of an overdose from the same drug.

More than a Concert

Joplin (Mary Bridget Davies) with one of the singers who inspired her.

The musical A Night with Janis Joplin is part concert and also part character journey. It includes an amazing array of blues, psychedelic rock, and jazz-inspired songs as well as tuneful ballads. Other styles that were a part of the Joplin repertoire and included in the show are country, acid rock, folk, and hard rock. Davies captures Joplin’s voice, mannerisms, and soul in every way, making A Night with Janis Joplin a memorable and remarkable journey for audiences.

Joining Davies are cast members Taprena Michelle Augustine (The Book of Mormon), Tony Award nominee De’Adre Aziza (Passing Strange), Allison Blackwell (The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess) and Nikki Kimbrough (Dreamgirls). They play “The Joplinaires” in the show, serving as backup singers and also playing the roles of various singers who influenced Joplin as a performer.

What to Expect

Mary Bridget Davies has received enthusiastic reviews around the country.

Davies as Joplin at the Lyceum Theatre will give you a great night of music and also a fantastic performance as Pearl (as Joplin was known to her friends). The show and Davies have won critical acclaim across the country.

Davies received the 2013 Cleveland Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in a Musical and was nominated for a 2013 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical. The Washington Post noted that Davies produces “a version of the Joplin screech that starts somewhere around the singer’s ankles, wends its way up into the back of her throat and shoots off into the farthest reaches of the theater.”

Group Tickets for Joplin

Contact All Tickets Inc. for group tickets sales to the Broadway musical A Night with Janis Joplin. The show is selling quickly. It looks like a big hit is about to open tonight at the Lyceum. Don’t be left out of this one. A Night with Janis Joplin is revelatory, uplifting, mesmerizing, and moving. It’s simultaneously dark and psychedelic, reflecting the extremes of Janis Joplin’s tempestuous, short, and highly creative life. New musicals like this are rare to find.

Great Group Rates: Broadway Sales for Joplin, Godot, Pinter

Mary Bridget Davies as Janice Joplin.

All Tickets Inc. group sales agents have great group rates for all new Broadway productions, including A Night with Janis Joplin, Waiting for Godot and Pinter’s Betrayal and No Man’s Land. All four of these shows are on the boards in October. Plus, there are many more new musicals and plays and revivals opening and previewing next month. Broadway is brimming with talent and a buzz with high expectations for this new theatrical season.

New Musicals

A Night with Janis Joplin is one of many new musicals getting ready to open. Mary Bridget Davies brings her celebrated performance as the Queen of Rock and Roll to the Great White Way with opening night scheduled for October 10. This jukebox musical offers plenty of Joplin tunes while offering insights into the rock star as a person and a performer. This is a rocking musical and Mary Bridget Davies is spectacular as Joplin.

If you’re looking for a musical comedy, then the lighthearted and rather macabre A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder may be perfect for your group. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, which previews October 22, tells the story of Monty Navarro, a commoner in the U.K., who finds that he can move up the food chain if he can simply get past the eight others in front of him who are set to inherit the Earldom of Highhurst. Murder seems to be the perfect solution to his dilemma. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, which is by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak, is directed by Darko Tresnjak.

Pinter Plays Broadway

Get Broadway group tickets for Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, starring Daniel Craig (Robert), Rachel Weisz (Emma) and Rafe Spall (Jerry). Betrayal is directed by ten-time Tony winner Mike Nicholas. The play, which starts at the end of the story and works its way backwards to the beginning, is about a married couple, Robert and Emma, and their friend, Jerry. The drama looks at friendship, commitment, and honesty amongst loved ones and focuses on how lies and deceit can destroy any semblance of truth between friends and lovers. The show previews October 1 and opens October 27 for a limited run.

Another Pinter play, No Man’s Land, will star Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Schuler Hensley, and Billy Crudup. This Pinter play is set in an enigmatic world that seems to lack definition. In No Man’s Land two writers, Hirst (Stewart) and Spooner (McKellen) meet and play out what may be an entertaining charade, a complex trick, or a horrific nightmare. The play twists and turns in various directions and becomes even more complicated when two other men, Briggs, played by Schuler Hensley and Foster, played by Billy Crudup, show up. Previews start October 26.

Waiting for Stewart and McKellen

Another fantastic group ticket experience for Broadway audiences will be Waiting for Godot, which also stars Stewart, McKellen, Hensley, and Crudup. This classic absurdist tragicomedy by Samuel Beckett looks at two friends, Vladimir (Stewart) and Estragon (McKellen), as they try to occupy their time as they wait for Godot to show up. Will Godot arrive? Perhaps their two visitors, Pozzo (Hensley) and Lucky (Crudup) know or perhaps they do not. The show previews October 26.

Get Your Broadway Group Tickets

This is the perfect time to secure your group tickets through the Broadway group sales agents at All Tickets Inc. Contact us at 1-800-922-0716 and we’ll be happy to ensure that you get group tickets to the show of your choice. We have group discount tickets for every Broadway show, and if you book meals, accommodations and/or other experiences through All Tickets Inc. we can save you even more money. All Tickets Inc. offers New York’s Total Group Experience.

Broadway Group Sales: 2013-14 Broadway Season Musical and Show Pictorials

Broadway group sales are brisk due to the fact that there are so many great new productions scheduled to open this year. This is an exceptionally rich theatre season. Here is a look (literally) at some of this Broadway season’s new productions. These shows are premiering early in 2013-2014. This is a very exciting Broadway season and a great one for group sales and Broadway group discounts.

Big Fish- The Musical about Tall Tales and Fathers and Sons

Big Fish is the new Andrew Lippa musical about a young man’s attempt to discover what makes his father live in a world of fantasy. It stars Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz.

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bigfish8

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder- a New Musical Comedy of Manners.

How far will someone go to inherit millions and a title? There are no boundaries in this ridiculous musical. Starring Bryce Pinkham.

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Waiting for Godot- Samuel Beckett’s Masterpiece includes a Masterful Cast

Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Billy Crudup, and Shuler Hensley star in Beckett’s tragicomedy. Hope, despair, humanity, isolation and our need to believe in a future are explored in Beckett’s play about the void.

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The Glass Menagerie- Tennessee Williams’ Haunting, Beautiful Play

Starring Cherry Jones (Amanda), this production of The Glass Menagerie is winning in every way. This heartfelt show offers a poignant portrait of the Wingfield family.

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Great Group Discounts

Contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 for great group rates for these new shows and all Broadway productions. By the way, other upcoming shows include A Night with Janis Joplin, A Raisin in the Sun, Betrayal, Rocky The Musical, and Les Miserables.

Houdini on the Horizon: Hugh Jackman Back to Broadway in a Year

Jackman will play the lead in Houdini, The Musical.

The latest on the new musical Houdini starring Hugh Jackman has come straight from the Wolverine’s mouth. Jackman, who is planning to do a third workshop of the musical that is currently in development, is projecting that he and the show will be on Broadway within a year to 18 months. Originally it was thought that Houdini might be on Broadway in 2012-2013 and then in 2013-2014 but delays in development have pushed the anticipated opening back.

Greatest Escape Artist

Harry Houdini is considered to be the greatest escape artist of all-time, as the master illusionist managed to, free himself from handcuffs, straightjackets, and submerged milk cans. He escaped while dangling upside down high in the air, while underwater, and while being watched by thousands. He was also a master illusionist. One of his most impressive illusions involved Houdini making an elephant and its trainer disappear from the stage.

Houdini was a master escape artist.

Harry Houdini, who early in his career tried his hand at card tricks, became one of America’s biggest vaudeville performers when he turned his attention to becoming an accomplished escape artist. It was impresario Martin Beck who saw his handcuff act in 1899 and suggested that the magician focus on escape tricks. Beck also booked him on the Orpheum vaudeville circuit. From 1917-1926, when he died suddenly, he was the President of the Society of American Magicians. The group, which was founded in 1902, grew greatly under Houdini’s leadership as he devoted himself to raising the standards for illusionists and creating a national network of amateur and professional magicians.

The Ultimate Showman

Jackman in The Boy from Oz.

Harry Houdini was the ultimate showman who was guided by a sense of professionalism in every way. He was bigger than life and that fact makes him a great subject for a musical. Hugh Jackman (Tony for The Boy from Oz) is the perfect choice for a show focusing on the life and death of this master illusionist, showman, and escape artist. Jackman, who is an international star, is an accomplished stage performer. Last year he appeared on Broadway in his one-man show and once again won plaudits from audiences and reviewers.
The musical Houdini will be directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray and Coast of Utopia). It was reported months ago that Aaron Sorkin, who was the original book writer, had left the project. It has not been revealed who is the new book writer.

Houdini in Chicago?

hugh-jackman890 Various press outlets are also reporting that Houdini may have a Chicago tryout prior to coming to Broadway. As the musical continues to be refined anticipation grows for what could be one of the biggest events of the 2014-2015 Broadway season. All Tickets Inc. will be keeping close tabs on Jackman and Houdini the new musical by Stephen Schwartz. From group tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, special deals on New York experiences, attractions, and historic sites, and to enjoy the total New York experience contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716.

Off-Broadway Shows: Premium Theatre, Low Prices, Great Seats

New World Stages is a first class Off-Broadway experience.

Off-Broadway theatres like New Work Stages offers groups great shows at low prices. Plus, because Off-Broadway venues are smaller than Broadway theatres (with capacities from 100-499) there’s not a bad seat in the house. Some shows that start out Off-Broadway transfer to Broadway and some Broadway productions eventually make their way to Off-Broadway. Off-Broadway is often attractive to producers as the smaller venues translate into lower budgets. How good are Off-Broadway shows? They are high caliber productions with great scripts, fine actors (many of whom are renowned on Broadway and in film) and topnotch directors.

The Big Difference

Amanda Plummer and Brad Douril in The Two-Character Play.

Probably the biggest difference between Off-Broadway and Broadway is that there is less spectacle Off-Broadway. Smaller, simpler theatre spaces and lower budgets and tickets prices translate into shows that don’t require big special effects. Often this means that Off-Broadway shows can be a bit more inventive or they may focus more on scripts that are concerned about character rather than major production numbers. But the quality is supreme Off-Broadway and the diverse theatre experiences offered make it an extremely attractive alternative to Broadway.

New World Stages

New World Stages, which is a theatre complex located on the site of the old Madison Square Garden, serves as a model for the variety that Off-Broadway has to offer and the value that groups can enjoy. New World Stages contains five performance spaces. The complex is a modern theatre facility that offers patrons a wide range of amenities and extras. Group ticket prices through All Tickets Inc. for shows at this venue can be as low as $35- $40. Here’s what’s playing now at New world Stages.

The Off-Broadway Shows

Avenue Q is a lot of fun.

Avenue Q, which started Off-Broadway, went to Broadway and then returned to Off-Broadway, has been running for years at New World Stages and it looks like it will continue its run a lot longer. The irreverent musical with puppets (this is not a children’s show) and human actors is hilarious as it focuses on a young man’s attempt to create a life in the City.
Peter and the Starcatcher is a highly theatrical show that also started Off-Broadway. It was a big success and with that it moved to Broadway capturing some Tonys and then it came back to Off-Broadway. The show, which looks at how Peter Pan came to be the boy who would never grow up, is high-energy comedy, drama, and adventure.

Gazillion Bubble Show is more fun than you can imagine.

Two other shows at New World Stages are great family fun. The Gazillion Bubble Show is a fantastical journey for young and old in a world that is filled with bubbles of all kinds. There are huge bubbles that wrap around and cover kids, millions of bubbles that fill the stage, and special effect bubbles that will totally intrigue you and the family. iLuminate: Artist of Light takes families on an magnificent adventure as a kind-hearted character goes on a quest to retrieve his magic wand from an evil force. The tale is told without words. Dancers, who are wearing illumination, play the various characters in this stunning movement-based show.

Finally, Amanda Plummer and Brad Douril appear in Tennessee Williams’ enigmatic and semi-biographical show The Two-Character Play. Both put in amazing performances in one of Williams’ later works which focuses on a brother and sister who are actors estranged from their theatre group. Toether they put on a show within a show, The Two-Character Play.

Great Theatre for Less

Off-Broadway theatres like New World Stages offer first-class shows, including former and future Broadway hits, revivals, and innovative theatre pieces. All are presented in intimate theatres with 100-499 seats (this is the defined Off-Broadway theatre seating capacity). The discounts are sizeable, which means you can really stretch your entertainment dollar by going to an Off-Broadway show. For Off-Broadway group sales contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716.

Broadway Shows: Group Discounts Are Just the Start

Find out what goes on behind the scenes of Wicked.

Broadway shows at group discount prices are a great deal. All Tickets Inc. has fantastic discounts on Broadway musicals and plays, and we can also connect you with premium experiences that will enrich your day on Broadway. There’s nothing like seeing a Broadway show and connecting with it on another level. Here are some of the things that All Tickets can do for your group to make your Broadway experience extra special.

Talk Backs

Talk backs offer insights.

A talk back with cast members of a Broadway show can be highly informative and interesting for any group, including school and drama groups. You’ll get to meet some of the cast members of the Broadway musical or play you’ve just seen and ask them questions about their performance, process, and the run. Talk backs link you directly to the performers and their creative and practical insights. When booking your show with All Tickets Inc. ask us about group talk backs.

Take a Workshop

An acting workshop offers new insights.

Your group can take a theatre workshop run by a New York theatre professional. This is wonderful for drama groups. All Tickets Inc. can arrange workshops with theatre professionals in acting, directing, design, and many more areas. Learn new techniques, get insights into the skill and craft of theatre, and become engaged in an amazing workshop experience. You may want to book more than one workshop. Perhaps some in your group want to know more about acting, while others are interested in design. We can make sure that each member of your group is accommodated.

Backstage Tours

The Radio City tour is one-of-a-kind.

There are various backstage tours available including Wicked: Behind the Emerald Curtain, Behind the Magic: the New Amsterdam Theatre Tour, and Radio City Backstage Tour. Any and all of these experiences will offer your group a new level of understanding about how theatre works and how much work it takes to put on a Broadway show. If you would like us to inquire about a backstage tour for the shows or venues above or for another show or venue not listed here just inquire when booking your tickets. Backstage tours can connect you with the Broadway experience in a unique way.

Make the Most of Broadway

There is nothing like seeing a Broadway show with a group of people who are on-board together for a special experience. Group discounts go a long way to making that show affordable to everyone in the group. Adding a workshop, talkback, tour, or a similar experience can create a whole new level of enjoyment for your group. When you book your group discount tickets with All Tickets Inc. make sure to inquire about these special group experiences. Contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 to speak with one of our knowledgeable and friendly group sales agents. We offer you New York’s total group experience.

Shakespeare on Broadway: Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, 12th Night, Richard III

Richard III and 12th Night feature all-male casts.

Broadway welcomes four plays by Shakespeare this season and each is available at group discount rates. One comedy and three tragedies will be in Broadway houses with two of the shows coming from the U.K. and two American-based productions. If your group is hoping to enjoy some of the Bard’s best plays, they won’t be disappointed.

Hey, Ho, 12th Night and Richard III

Tony winner Mark Rylance in 12th Night and Richard III

Running in rep starting October 15, 2013 is Twelfth Night and Richard III. Both productions star Tony winner Mark Rylance and both are done in the manner in which they were originally produced. Men play all of the roles, music is played on tradition Renaissance instruments, and the stage is lit by candles (as it was when Shakespeare was produced indoors at the Black Friars and in other venues).

Twelfth Night or What You Will is a comedy that looks at love, loss, and folly. Disguise, suffering lovers and drunkards abound as do fools. There’s a lot of spirit in 12th Night which is set during the 12th day of Christmas, which was a time when rules were relaxed, people drank and feasted, and dance and music were plentiful.
In the same style, Mark Rylance and the rest of the company performs the tragedy devoted to one of the most dastardly rulers to ever occupy the British throne, Richard III. Richard, will do anything to rule the realm, including killing innocent children. His devious nature brings about his ruin.

Macbeth

Duff joins Ethan Hawke as she makes her Broadway debut.

There a lot of excitement about Tony nominee Ethan Hawke taking to the Broadway boards once again. This time he is playing the title character in Macbeth. Hawke is joined by Anne-Marie Duff, who plays Lady Macbeth. Duff, who is well-known for playing Elizabeth I in a two-part British series entitled Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, will be making her Broadway debut. The show opens October 24.

Romeo and Juliet

Bloom moves from screen to stage.

Opening tonight is a new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Tony nominee David Leveaux, will focus on diversity as the feuding Capulets are black and the Montagues are white. Oralndo Bloom stars as Romeo and Condola Rashad takes to the stage as Juliet. This marks Bloom’s Broadway debut, while Rashad has been nominated for a Tony.

A Broadway Renaissance for Shakespeare

It is a true Renaissance for Shakespeare on Broadway this season with uber traditional productions, star performers, and innovative concepts. Don’t wait to get group discount tickets to these fine shows. There’s a reason why Shakespeare’s plays continue to be produced and one of them is the fact that they still touch us today in many ways. The characters, the situations, and the themes are all eternal.

For group discount tickets the the Broadway productions of Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, 12th Night, and Richard III contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716. You’ll see some of the finest Shakespearean acting on Broadway this season.

Theatre Speak and the Working NYC Actor Auditions

Some actors get to a point where they don’t have to audition any more. McKellen and Stewart are two such actors.

Working actors, and by that we mean actors who may be unemployed but are working at getting work by going to audition after audition, will rarely say that they enjoy auditioning. Most really hate it. Auditioning for a play or musical is a pressure filled experience. Basically an actor has anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes to make a favorable impression on the director and anyone else in the room. That is if they can get into the room to perform their audition. Here are some theatre speak terms that are related to that rarefied artistic form- the audition.

Open Call

A typical open call can have long lines.

An open call, which is often referred to as a cattle call since everyone and anyone shows up and they are herded into a room prior to their audition, is basically an audition situation where anyone can show up an attempt to be seen. If you go to an open call it does not mean you will be automatically seen. If it is an A.E.A. (Actors’ Equity Association) call, then they may or may not see non-union members. If you are non-union and attend an A.E.A. call, you will have to wait until all union members audition and then if there is time they may see you. There may be a major stumbling block to you getting the chance to audition. To know what it is simple read the next theatre speak term below.

Typed Out

In the film Tootsie, the character played by Dustin Hoffman, Michael Dorsey, got the chance to audition but he had to fight his way in as he was typed out.

You may be typed out in an open call. Let’s say there’s an open call for Marie in The Sound of Music and you show up and you meet the criteria for vocal range. There may be 100 actresses there who meet the basic requirements. So what they will often do it type you out. In other words if they don’t think you fit the role of Maria physically, you may be cut right then and there. Physical attributes that can get you typed out included you height, weight, basic look, and anything else they decide just doesn’t fit what they are looking for. The director usually does not do this. A casting agent or assistant will usually handle this chore.

Sorry, if you are typed out. The Lion King has an open call down the hall. Check them out!

Pic and Resume

A typical head shot.

The picture and resume serve as the job application for all actors. Pictures, which are called head shots because, well, it’s basically a professional photo of your face, may be color or black and white. They are 8 x 10. On the back of the picture is the actor’s resume. (It may be printed on the back of the picture or it may be printed on a sheet of paper that is cut to 8 x 10 and stapled to the back of the picture with one staple in each corner.) The resume lists the shows, roles played in each show, venue, and often director of each show the actor has been in. The most recent show is listed first. It also has contact information, height, age range, vocal range, union affiliations, training, education, and any special skills the actor may possess. A special skill is anything from knowing specific dialects, being certified in stage combat to playing a musical instrument.

The pic and resume must look totally professional in every way.

Callback and Second Callback

Okay, it’s time to give it your all.

In theatre speak if you get a callback that’s great as it means they are interested. A callback is in essence a second audition for the same role in the same production. You may get a callback the same day as the audition or on another day. Sometimes a director and/or producer will have another round of callbacks, having cut down the field even more. If an actor gets to that point, they are one of a very few who has a shot at the role.

Nobody Said it Was Easy

In Annie Get Your Gun, Ethel Merman sang “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” And she was right.

In theatre speak when an actor doesn’t do well in an audition, they categorize it in various ways. It may be called a ‘bad audition” or they may say they “bombed” or (and this is commonly said, “I sucked.” As in you ask the question, “How did your audition go?” and the reply is “I sucked.” Actors are usually pretty honest about that stuff. They also know that they may have a great audition and not get a role. There are many reasons as to why people do not get cast.

Here’s some common theatre speak that an actor may offer. “What time are signups for the open call for Matilda tomorrow? 7 am? That means I’m getting up at 5 am to be on time to get in line at 6 am, to sign up for an audition slot at 7 am, and maybe not be seen. What a crazy business!”
There’s no business like it.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch Broadway Dates and Theatre Announced

Neil Patrick Harris plays Hedwig.

Group ticket sales will heat up now that the musical comedy Hedwig and the Angry Inch has announced it has found a home and set performance dates. The popular transgender musical comedy, which has been successfully produced Off-Broadway and around the world, will make its Broadway premiere in 2014 at the Belasco Theatre. Performances are set to begin on March 29, 2014 and opening night is set for April 22.

Neil Patrick Harris

Unlike other Hollywood stars, Harris has been open about being gay.

Neil Patrick Harris, a well-known TV icon and a popular host of the Tonys, will star as Hedwig. Hedwig is a transgender German singer who is living in the U.S. The show is an extended monologue by Hedwig, who is known as a unique but ignored international song stylist. During the musical we become intimately connected to the trials and tribulations of her life. In the musical, Hedwig follows the tour of rock star Tommy Gnosis (A.K.A. Tommy Speck). It turns out Hedwig mentored Tommy when he was a shy, young Christian boy and now Tommy has left her in the dust.

Off-Broadway Hit

Creator Mitchell played Hedwig Off=Broadway.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which was partly inspired by creator John Cameron Mitchell’s life, premiered Off-Broadway at the Wesbeth Theatre on March 9, 1997. On February 14, 1998 the musical transferred to the Jane Street Theatre where it ran for over two years. The musical was also adapted into an independent film starring Mitchell as Hedwig. Mitchell also played the role Off-Broadway.

The Creators

Hedwig and the Angry Inch offers a book by Mitchell and a score by Stephen Trask. The gritty musical comedy has a score composed of numerous memorable tunes, including “Tear Me Down,” “Wig in a Box,” “Wicked Little Town” and “Angry Inch.” The show will be directed by Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) and choreographed by Spencer Liff. Liff was nominated for an Emmy for his work on So You Think You Can Dance.

“Wig in a Box” Off-Broadway

A Rich Second Half on Broadway

Mary Bridget Davies has been a hit around the country in A Night with Janis Joplin.

The 2013-2014 Broadway season is just getting underway and there are a lot of wonderful new musicals opening in the fall that have great group discounts, including A Night with Janis Joplin, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and Big Fish. The second half of the season, post-January, looks to be equally exciting as Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rocky The Musical, and Bullets Over Broadway. Plus, there is the revival of Les Miserables.

Contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 to purchase group tickets and to get group discounts to the Broadway premiere of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and for tickets to other fantastic Broadway musicals and plays. Remember, book a meal, hotel, another NY experience through All Tickets Inc. and you will save even more.

Broadway Musical Experience Offers Something for Everyone

Mamma Mia! continues its extraordinary run.

Broadway offers theatre groups of all kinds, student, tour, organization and more, a first-class experience at a discount. Broadway shows are so diverse and the entertainment experience is so unique that no matter what your interest you can find something fantastic to see that your entire group will enjoy. Here are some of the shows that are currently running on Broadway.

Group Tickets Long Runs

The longest running musical and show on Broadway is Phantom.

There are various long run Broadway musicals that are well worth seeing and that are offering fantastic group discounts. The Phantom of the Opera continues to set records and is still a big audience pleaser. Andre Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece offers audience’s a mesmerizing story, dynamic music and big effects. Winner of seven Tonys, Phantom has been running since 1988.

Mamma Mia!, the musical featuring a score by ABBA, tells the story of a young girl who is about to be married and her search to find her father. Her mother, who lives on a Greek island, had three lovers when she conceived her daughter and that daughter has invited each of the men to the wedding. Throw in some of the mom’s colorful girlfriends from long ago, and you’ve got a romantic comedy with a rocking score. Mamma Mia! is a wonderful Broadway musical.
Other long run musicals that continue to appeal to Broadway groups include The Lion King, Chicago, and Jersey Boys. Of course, there are other musicals that are in their long run mode, but are fairly recent to Broadway when compared to shows like Phantom.

Winners Still Running

The Book of Mormon is hilarious.

For many groups, Broadway discounts for The Book of Mormon is the way to go. The Book of Mormon is an irreverent musical that looks at two Mormon missionaries. The show may shock you as its humor is edgy and often over-the-line. It’s a musical sendup of zealots and those who are consumed with ensuring they spread the true message. The Book of Mormon has played over 1,000 performances.

Once, the musical about a male and female musician who are tossed together for a brief interlude, making music and falling in love, opened in February, 2012. It won eight Tonys and continues to be a favorite of audiences that love romance.

New Shows, New Season

Mary Bridget Davies has been a hit around the country.

There are many other musicals in long runs that have stood the test of time. There are new musicals that will open this season and they range from juke box shows to major adaptations of hit movies. Upcoming this fall, A Night with Janis Joplin, which played to rave reviews across the country, comes to Broadway. Mary Bridget Davies captures Joplin deftly as a singer, person, and character.

Rocky The Musical comes to Broadway in early 2014. The show, which was a big hit in Germany where it made its world premiere, includes hit songs from the movie, a lot of new songs, and a production that fills the stage with emotion, humor, and a thrilling fight finale.

Director/choreographer Stroman, has five Tonys, directs Big Fish..

The New Andrew Lippa musical Big Fish, which previews in early September, stars Norbert Leo Butz (Edward Bloom), Bobby Steggert (Will Bloom), and Kate Baldwin (Sandra Bloom). This much anticipated new musical offers an intimate look at a father and son relationship and the son’s struggle to understand his father penchant for telling tall tales and living in a world of fantasy.

Plenty More Shows to See

There are Broadway group discounts available through All Tickets Inc. for all current and upcoming shows. There are many more long run musicals, upcoming new shows, and plays for your group to see. Contact All Tickets Inc. at 800-922-0716 for information on great group discounts.

Broadway Revival Les Misérables: Group Ticket Sales for the Big Romantic Musical

Les Misérables is about freedom, hope and liberty.

Broadway group tickets for Les Misérables are expected to be strong as the former Tony winning musical arrives on Broadway in 2014. Audiences love Les Misérables for many reasons. One has to do with the music, which is phenomenal. Dynamic, operatic and at the same time hummable, the music includes everything from dramatic arias to comic patter songs. The lyrics are poetic, at times, and at other times, they are hilarious.

Romantic Story Hits Home

Jean Valjean and Javert.

The story of Les Misérables comes from Victor Hugo’s romantic novel of the same name. It is the story of Jean Valjean, a man who spent time in prison for stealing bread for his hungry family, and his former jailer, persecutor, and pursuer Javert. Woven within this tale are stories of love, abuse, freedom and much more.
The story is extremely human and despite the fact that it plays out across a big canvass we care deeply for and about the individuals in the musical. Deep feelings of love, conscience, and longing also play throughout this popular musical.

Freedom of the Spirit

Freedom and love.

One thing from Les Misérables that certainly connects with just about everyone is its celebration of the freedom of the spirit. That celebration is linked intimately to our nation and its laws, which uphold the foundation of our beliefs in the rights, freedom and liberty of all people.

We understand that freedom on every level takes sacrifice, and we see that sacrifice unfold on stage before us as the students revolt. We see Jean Valjean struggle to maintain his freedom. We see people lose their dignity, rights, and freedom in a society that can be cruel and unforgiving. And, yet, in the end we embrace our belief in that freedom.

A Truly Moving Musical

Les Misrables by Cameron Mackintosh, opening night November 28 Les Misérables is a great Broadway group ticket for one primary reason. That is the musical moves us on many emotional levels. It is uplifting and at the same time extremely sorrowful. It offers us hope while it also fills us with a sense of loss. Perhaps the major thing that Les Misérables does is it makes us feel that despite all of the pain and disappointment in life, and these lives are both base and mythic, that there is something positive in our existence and struggle. There is something to this life well worth celebrating.

Contact All Tickets Inc. at 800-922-0716 for information on group tickets for Les Misérables on Broadway. We have fantastic prices, great deals, and can also arrange everything from group dinners to accommodations and any NY experience your group would like to enjoy, including tours, museum visits and historic sites.

Denzel Washington, Diahann Carroll Headline Raisin in Sun Cast

Sidney Poitier starred in the Broadway premiere and in the movie of A Raisnin in the Sun.

Our Broadway group sales agents are poised for school and educator groups and others to book tickets to see Denzel Washington and Diahann Carroll in A Raisin in the Sun. The classic American drama by Lorraine Hansberry will be revived on Broadway in early 2014. Washington will play Walter Lee Younger and Carroll will perform the role of Lena, the matriarch of the family. A Raisin in the Sun is the story of a black family living on the South Side of Chicago. Each member has a dream to take them up and out of their situation. When they are given the opportunity conflicts arise.

Raisin a Historic Play

A young Washington on the TV series St. Elsewhere.

When A Raisin in the Sun premiered on Broadway in 1959 it was considered to be a major risk. Most producers did not believe that a drama focusing on a black family and with a cast that was almost all black could draw an audience. But A Raisin in the Sun, which is considered to be Hansberry’s masterpiece premiered on Broadway it earned four Tony nominations and ran for almost two years. It also had a successful road tour and it was then turned into a successful motion picture.

With A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry became the first black woman to have a play produced on Broadway and Lloyd Richards became the first black director of a Broadway show. Unfortunately, Hansberry’s life was cut short by pancreatic cancer. She died at the age of 34, but A Raisin in the Sun continues to shine her light.

The Cast

Carroll was immensely popular as a nurse on her hit TV series Julia.

Joining Washington and Carroll will be Sophie Okonedo as Ruth Younger, Walter’s wife and Anika Noni Rose as Beneathea Younger, his sister. Also in the cast will be Stephen Tyrone Williams as Joseph Asagai, Jason Dirden as George Murchison and McKinley Henderson as Bobo Stephen.
Kenny Leon, who in 2004 made his Broadway debut directing the Tony winning revival of A Raisin in the Sun with starring Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashād and Audra McDonald, will direct this revival. His production won Best Revival and was also eventually turned into a popular TV-movie.

Get Group Tickets to A Raisin in the Sun

Director Kenny Leon’s first Broadway show was the revival of A Raisin in the Sun.

This is a great tine to buy Broadway group discount tickets to A Raisin in the Sun. The play is extraordinary, the cast superlative and the director or other creative artists are first rate. Contact All Tickets Broadway group sales agents at 1-800-922-0716 for great group discounts to A Raisin in the Sun.

Broadway Group Sales: Discounts and Comps for Betrayal, Glass Menagerie, No Man’s Land

Cherry Jones plays Amanda in The Glass Menagerie.

The all-star cast of Pinter’s No Man’s Land.

Classic contemporary plays are part of All Tickets comp list for groups purchasing Broadway discount tickets from our group sales agents. Get comps for Betrayal, Glass Menagerie, and No Man’s Land. These are three exceptional plays that are being revived on Broadway. And only from All Tickets will you receive free tickets if you are a tour group of 30+ or a student or educator group of 25+. Tour groups receive 1 comp for every 30 paid (limit 4 per group per performance) and student or educator groups are given 1 free ticket for every 25 paid (limit 4 per group per performance).

Great Broadway Theatre

Broadway theatre is the greatest in the world and Broadway group discounts are a great deal. Add free tickets into the mix and that means you’re going to see plays by two of the most important playwrights of our age, Tennessee Williams and Harold Pinter, in premium productions.
The Glass Menagerie is Williams tells the story of Tom Wingfield, his mother, Amanda, and his sister, Laura. The semi-autobiographical play is poetic, haunting and moving. Set just prior to World War II, The Glass Menagerie offers insights into family, love, and responsibility.

British playwright Harold Pinter offers us No Man’s Land, which is set somewhere in time and place where experiences and knowledge are hard to recount. This absurdist, surreal play raises probing questions about reality, memory and our very existence. Pinter also gives us a play about deceit. In Betrayal, the plot unfolds backwards in time as a best friend of a wedded couple ends up being the ultimate deceiver.

Fantastic Teaching Opportunities

Married couple Weisz and Craig to appear together on Broadway in Betrayal.

What an opportunity teachers have to bring their classes to see The Glass Menagerie on Broadway and then discuss the play and the production. Of course an audience talk back with cast members is an ideal experience for groups. No Man’s Land offers students and teachers the opportunity to consider the influence of Theatre of the Absurd on the stage and our lives and to see two of the finest British actors of this century, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. Pinter’s drama Betrayal provides teachers with a great sounding board to discuss everything from play and story structure to relationships.

Great Stars

The stars are out in all three shows as the amazing Cherry Jones plays Amanda in The Glass Menagerie. Jones is a truly brilliant actress. The cast of Betrayal is fantastic with Daniel Craig as Robert, Rachel Weisz as Emma, and Rafe Spall as Jerry. Joining McKellen and Stewart in No Man’s Land will be Billy Crudup (Foster) and Schuler Hensley (Briggs), making for an all-star cast.

For more information on these shows, our comp promo, and great group deals call All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716. Call soon as our comp promo ends on September 30, 2013!

Rocking with The Beatles, Janis Joplin and Carole King on Broadway

The Fab Four are resurrected in the jukebox musical Let It Be.

Broadway group ticket sales this fall for Let It Be, A Night with Janis Joplin and Beautiful- The Carole King Musical are expected to be brisk. Ever since Hair and Godspell took to the New York stage rock has been a popular Broadway genre. These days long run shows like Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages continue to be audience pleasers.

Rock musicals can be a fun cross-generational group experience as the demographic for rock is broad and teens can enjoy The Beatles, Janis Joplin or Carole King on one level and their parents and even their grandparents on another. Here’s a look at Let It Be, A Night with Janis Joplin and Beautiful- The Carole King Musical.

Group Tickets & Let It Be

Let It Be is a jukebox show focusing on the Fab Four. Wonderful harmonies, tight arrangements and a grand tour of the Beatle era are all included. The show has been a West End hit and let’s face it shows like Let It Be play on that wish that every Beatle fan had. That wish was that the boys would get back together for one last tour or at least one last concert. The Beatles were not a touring band. Unlike many groups once they hot big they pretty much packed it in on touring. (It’s ironic that Paul is still touring and giving three hour shows at the age of 71 and selling out in massive venues.)

Let It Be in London.

Of course, The Beatles can never get together again and they will never be young again. (Nor will those of us who remember watching them live on Ed Sullivan.) So a show like Let It Be allows many theatregoers to feel young again and enjoy some immense feelings of nostalgia. Let It Be Broadway group discount tickets and a special limited-time group comp promo are available through All Tickets Inc.

A Night with Janis Joplin

Many are looking to get Broadway group tickets for A Night with Janis Joplin. Mary Bridget Davies, who has played the show in numerous cities across the U.S. and received unanimous critical acclaim, will be on Broadway starting September. Joplin redefined women in rock music with her gritty, sexy performances, hard living lifestyle and outspoken honesty. She didn’t perform songs she became possessed by them and during her concerts transformed herself and her audiences. Compare her to someone like Madonna and you realize how genuine and earthy the former was and how artificial and manufactured the latter is.

Washington, D.C. promo for A Night with Janis Joplin.

A Night with Janis Joplin reveals the rock, blues singer through her material, her character and her influences. This is a show designed to capture a performer who uniquely lit up the sky brighter than any other of her generation, burned red hot and then suddenly disappeared into blackness. Broadway group tickets are here for A Night with Janis Joplin. And remember ONLY All Tickets Inc. is offering a special group comp deal for tour groups and student and educator groups for this show and more than a dozen new productions.

Get Group Tickets for Beautiful

Also this fall, Beautiful- The Carole King Musical comes to Broadway. Jessie Mueller (Tony nominee Nice Work If You Can Get It) will play King. Carole King retired in 2012. In the latter half of the 20th century she had a total of 118 songs on the Billboard 100. She gave James Taylor his only #1 hit (“You’ve Got a Friend”) and her album Tapestry set the record for sales and charting. The mark she set for straight weeks at number one on the charts held up for more than 20 years. It was finally broken by Whitney Huston’s The Bodyguard album.

Carole King and James Taylor perform “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”

The Broadway musical Beautiful is the story of King’s personal and professional struggles as she became one of the biggest pop music talents the Earth has ever seen. This is a great musical for fans of King and anyone who loves the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.

Broadway Rocks with Group Ticket Sales

Contact All Tickets Inc. for Broadway group tickets to these new rock musicals and all Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Call us at 1-800-922-0716 and be sure to ask about our special comp ticket offer for tour groups of 30+ and student/educator groups of 25+. The Beatles, Janis Joplin and Carole King are all on Broadway this fall- rock on!

Broadway Group Sales and Discounts: New Comp Promo for Tour, School and Educator Groups

Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin

All Tickets Broadway group sales agents are offering comps, free tickets, to tour groups and school and educator groups who book their group discount tickets by September 30, 2013. Comps tickets are available for more than 15 new Broadway productions, including the revival of Les Miserables, the new Andrew Lippa musical Big Fish and Romeo and Juliet with Orlando Bloom.

Exclusive Offer from All Tickets

Bloom and Rashad in a photocall for Romeo and Juliet.

This free ticket promotion is an exclusive from All Tickets Inc. Book your tickets to the any of the musicals listed below by September 30, 2013, and your tour, student or educator group can receive comps. Tour groups receive 1 complimentary tickets for every 30 paid (up to 4 comps total per show per performance) and student and educator groups get 1 comp ticket for every 25 paid (up to 4 comps total per show per performance). Also, if the Broadway show is offering comps, you’ll get those too!

The Shows

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is great fun.

New musicals including the rollicking comedy A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, A Night with Janis Joplin, starring Mary Bridget Davies in her award-winning performance as the Queen of Rock and Roll, and Big Fish with Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz are included as well as upcoming revivals of plays and musicals such as Betrayal, directed by multi Tony winner Mike Nichols and starring Daniel Craig (Robert), Rachel Weisz (Emma) and Rafe Spall (Jerry), The Glass Menagerie with Cherry Jones as Amanda and the ever-popular Forever Tango.

If you’re a fan of the movie Rocky, you’ll be glad to know that Rocky, The Musical, which successfully premiered in Germany this year, is on our comp list. Rocky is directed by Alex

Rocky, The Musical comes to Broadway in 2014.

Timbers and has music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and a book by Thomas Meehan. Woody Allen’s wonderful, nostalgic comedy Bullets Over Broadway is also a part of our free ticket program. Tony winner Susan Stroman directs Bullets Over Broadway.

For those who love John Grisham, the new adaptation of his riveting best seller A Time to Kill will open this fall. You can get complimentary tickets to this new drama which has been adapted by Tony winner Rupert Holmes.

The Complete List

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder– A fantastically funny musical comedy
A Night with Janis Joplin– Spend a night with the enigmatic rock and blues singer
A Time to Kill– A story of race, prejudice and justice
After Midnight– It’s the Cotton Club during the time of Ellington and other jazz masters
McKellen and Stewart on Broadway.

Betrayal– Harold Pinter’s brilliant retro-time drama about friendship, love and deceit
Big Fish– A young man struggles to finally know his tall tale telling father
Bullets Over Broadway– Woody Allen’s film about show biz is now a musical
First Date– It’s blind dating in the 21st century
Forever Tango– The history of this dance of passion
Les Misérables– The romantic masterpiece is back on Broadway
Let It Be– From London’s West End comes a wonderful tribute show
No Man’s Land– Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart star in this Pinter revival that doubts reality
Rocky, The Musical– It’s Rocky live, including an amazing live slug fest finale between Rocky and Apollo Creed
Jim with Laura- a romantic moment in The Glass Menagerie.

Romeo & Juliet– Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad star as the star-crossed lovers
Soul Doctor– The true story of a rabbi who became a rock star
The Bridges Of Madison County– A new musical based on the best selling novel about a farm wife and visiting photographer whose lives are changed forever by their chance meetinbg
The Glass Menagerie– Tennessee Williams’ American classic about the Wingfield family
Twelfth Night– From London one of Shakespeare’s most brilliant comedies is performed traditionally with an all-male cast and lit primarily by candles.

Contact All Tickets for Comps

Contact All Tickets’ Broadway group sales agents for fantastic discounts, great seats and the best comp deal around. Plus we can save your group more money when you book meals, accommodations and/or events, attractions and experiences through our knowledgeable booking agents. For more information on our time-limited free ticket promotion contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 or touch base with us via the web. Take a moment to read our latest newsletter, focusing on our new comp promo and please join us on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

Broadway Buzz August: New Broadway Shows, Group Discounts, NYC Tours, Fall Events

First Date is one of many new musical comedies on this season Broadway.

Group sales and Broadway group discounts on new musicals and plays and long run Broadway shows are highlighted in the All Tickets’ August Buzz Blog. Also, we will have articles on special fall events, fantastic NYC experiences and great ideas for school trips. August will also feature two new Theatre Speak blogs.

New Broadway Season

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder comes to Broadway from The Old Globe and Hartford Stage.

Get group discounts on new Broadway musicals and plays as the 2013-2014 Broadway season begins. First Date, the hit Off-Broadway musical comedy, opens on the Great White Way in August. It will be followed by the musical romp A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, a new musical comedy about a British commoner who can move up in the ranks as long as he can somehow thin those ranks and the new Andrew Lippa musical about fathers and sons, Big Fish.

Stewart and McKellen in Godot.

There are more new shows to come, including revivals of The Glass Menagerie starring Cherry Jones (Amanda), Waiting for Godot with Ian McKellen (Estragon) and Patrick Stewart (Vladimir) and Betrayal directed by Mike Nichols and starring Daniel Craig (Robert), Rachel Weisz (Emma) and Rafe Spall (Jerry).

Verified Hits

We’ll highlight some of the most popular shows, all of which we have at group discount prices. Musicals such as Once, Newsies and The Book of Mormon are going strong and long runs like Chicago, Phantom and The Lion King are ready for a new generation of Broadway theatregoer.

The longest running musical and show on Broadway is Phantom.

See musicals that feature top 20 hits such as Motown, Rock of Ages and Jersey Boys. We’ll be looking at these shows in August.

Events and Experiences

Discover new maritime experiences, fall events and tours and special savings on meals, accommodations and attractions in our blog in August. Broadway shows are a unique experience but New York also has so much more to offer. You’ll get a glimpse of some of the amazing things you can do in and around the Big Apple.

More from All Tickets

See NYC from the water at a great group discount from All Tickets.

Along with highlighting Broadway group ticket discounts on musicals and plays, you’ll discover special deals exclusive to All Tickets Inc. such as comps, combo offers and group volume discounts. Plus, we’ll feature two Theatre Speak blogs focusing on auditioning and stage managing. These are a lot of fun.

For information on Broadway group ticket discounts, comps, NYC experiences and attractions and hotels and restaurants contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716.

Group Discount Tickets: Broadway Sales, School Comps All Shows

In rehearsal with A Time to Kill, which comes to Broadway this fall.

We have group discount tickets and school comps for the new Broadway season. Here’s a preview of new shows, Broadway group sales and school comps. There are great new musicals and plays.

A Time Kill

The John Grisham novel comes to the Broadway stage. This is a fantastic drama for schools and other groups. Prejudice, justice and equality are important issues in this drama, which is written by Tony winner Rupert Holmes.

The story focuses on a black man, Carl Lee Hailey, who has taken the law into his own hands and killed the white men who raped and beat her. Now defense lawyer Jake Brigance must see that Carl gets a fair trial. Jake has to win Hailey’s trust, battle a seasoned DA, and deflect attacks from those on both sides of the issue. Set in the Deep South, A Time to Kill is an intense, mesmerizing drama. The show previews September 28 and opens October 20, 2013.

Big Fish

Susan Stroman. Tony winning director and choreographer, directs Big Fish.

This musical is about fathers and sons, family and the deep need for family members to connect. The new musical, which is written by veteran composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa and book writer John August, will be directed by multi Tony winner Susan Stroman.

In Big Fish, Edward Bloom, the dad, offers unique insights into his life as he recounts his various exploits that are, at the very least mythological. His tall tales, which are told in an engaging manner, are a source of frustration for Edward’s son, Will. Will simply and plainly desires to know exactly who his father really is. The musical Big Fish is about family, fantasy and fathers and sons.

The musical Big Fish previews September 5 and opens October 6, 2013. The amazing cast includes Norbert Leo Butz as Edward Bloom, Bobby Steggert as Will Bloom and Kate Baldwin as Sandra Bloom.

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Bloom and Rashad in Romeo and Juliet.

It’s Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet starring Tony nominee Condola Rashad as Juliet and Hollywood heartthrob Orlando Bloom as Romeo. The tale told of star-crossed lovers is primary reading material for high school students and one of the most popular of Shakespeare’s plays. Get school comps only from All Tickets Inc. now!

Romeo and Juliet previews August 24 and opens September 19, 2013.

School Comps

If you have a school group you can get great group ticket deals and comps through All Tickets Inc. only. For every 30 tickets paid you get a comp. This is a time limited offer that ends July 31, 2013. Confirm your school group’s reservation for these and any Broadway show and you’ll qualify for All Tickets’ special free ticket offer.

More to Come

All Tickets has more great deals for all groups on all Broadway shows, new and those in the long run. We will be highlighting more new shows in our next blog. Contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 for information on comps, group discounts and special deals.

Theatre Speak: Design, Production and Equity Meetings

Meetings shed light.

When you’re involved in a professional theatre production on Broadway or anywhere else, there are various types of meetings that take up your time. The meetings are all important as they facilitate communication and get you closer to your goal- a successful opening night and run. Today theatre speak looks at three typical types of meetings that occur with professional productions.

Design Meetings

Design meetings usually involve the director and a specific designer. They occur after the director and designer have read the play numerous times, performed research and developed some ideas and concepts.

A design meeting is where directors discuss concepts.

These tend to be preliminary meetings that happen prior to anything being designed. They may also include a stage manager if there is one under contract at the time. These are often conceptual meetings where the director shares their ideas concerning the script. The designer may share research they have done and basic ideas or concepts that they feel are relevant.

Directors vary greatly in how they approach such meetings and designers tend to be very good listeners at this time. A director may talk using metaphors, images, referencing music or works of art, pop culture, etc. Overall, the director is trying to communicate how they see the show unfolding artistically and also, to a degree, practically.

Models bring concepts to life.

There are then additional design meeting where designers show preliminary and in subsequent meetings more specific designs and more ideas, comments and observations are exchanged.

Meetings with the scenic designer tend to occur first and after that costumes, lights and sound. If projections or video are being used, those meetings will happen around the same time as one of the early or mid-point scenic meetings.

Production Meetings

A production meetng.

Production meetings involve a lot more people, including the director, producers, stage managers, designers, chief technicians, props master and more. If you’re doing a musical, the music director and choreographer are present. Every aspect of the production is discussed. Meetings tend to be weekly. As things gear up and the show gets closer to tech, the meetings happen more often and sometimes in a less formal manner. These meetings are very much about solving and anticipating problems and ensuring everything is progressing as planned.

Equity Meetings

The AEA deputy packet.

An equity meeting is held for each Actor’s Equity Association production. This is a union meeting that is run by the stage manager (stage managers are members of Equity too) and it includes all of the union actors. The meeting is usually held on the first day of rehearsal when the actors are first called. As an example, if rehearsal starts at 10 am on Monday, the meeting is held at 10 am that day. It usually takes about 30 minutes. This is a private meeting held behind closed doors. What happens in the meeting?

If actors and stage managers have not filled out their pension and welfare information for the show, that happens. The stage manager basically makes sure everything is in order and then they run the election of the Equity deputy for that show. The deputy is like the shop steward, and they must fill out and file with the union weekly reports regarding work hours, any reports connected to injuries and handle any grievance issues.

The AEA accident report.

Honestly, “election” is loosely used here. When I worked as an actor and stage manager the question was asked, “Does anyone want to be the deputy?” That was usually met with silence. Sometimes an avid union member would readily volunteer. But often the stage manager’s initial question simply hung in the air. They then might ask again, noting that the stage manager COULD NOT be deputy. If no one volunteered, people might start nominating company members, but this was rare. Usually someone eventually volunteered and then the meeting was adjourned, the deputy was given their packet of forms, and the actors and stage manager joined the director for rehearsal.

Communicating

The point of a production is to communicate with an audience on numerous levels simultaneously. One way to give a production a fighting chance of achieving this goal is by having productive meetings that allow all involved to collaborate, communicate, and create. Okay, when are we opening? Let’s schedule that first design meeting.

A Time to Kill: Broadway Bound Grisham Novel Adapted by Rupert Holmes

A Time to Kills comes to Broadway this fall.

Be sure to contact our Broadway group sales agents for tickets to A Time to Kill, the new play based on the Grisham novel. Broadway group tickets for A Time to Kill are on sale with the show scheduled to preview September 28, 2013 and open on October 20. The drama, which will play at the John Golden Theatre, received a production at Washington’s Arena Stage this past May.

Best Seller and Hit Movie

A Time to Kill (1989) was a best-selling novel and Grisham’s first. Along with The Firm (1991) and other books, they made Grisham, an attorney, a hugely successful writer as his numerous legal thrillers went on to sell over 250 million copies world-wide. The movie, which had an all-star cast that included Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock and Kevin Spacey, The movie earned $108 million and Jackson won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.

The Story

A Time to Kill will capture your emotions and intellect.

A Time to Kills offers a story to which Broadway group ticket buyers are drawn. The drama focuses on Carl Lee Hailey, a black man in Mississippi who takes the law into his own hands when his 10-year-old daughter is sexually assaulted and beaten by two white men. Fearing that the two men will not be punished, Carl kills them. He’s arrested and his case becomes a cause célèbre, dividing the community and drawing the attention of the nation.

One trial for murder, Carl is defended by the young, idealistic lawyer Jake Brigance (Sebastian Arcelus, whose Broadway credits include Elf and Jersey Boys). Jake must take on the ruthless and battle tested DA, Rufus Buckley, while being attacked by groups from both sides of the racially divided region. Racism, justice, crimes of violence and equality are just a few of the seminal issues dealt with in A Time to Kill.
Other cast members include Broadway’s Erin Davie (Grey Gardens, A Little Night Music) as Jake’s wife, Carla; Dion Graham (Marcus Gardley’s On the Levee at Lincoln Center) as defendant Carl and Brennan Brown (The Persians and Pinter’s The Celebration Off-Broadway) as the D.A.

Rupert Holmes

In rehearsal with A Time to Kill.

Rupert Holmes, who in 1979 became famous for his hit song “Escape” (“The Pina Colada Song”) and went on to create the Tony-winning musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood as well as Say Goodnight, Gracie and Remember WENN, has written the dramatic adaptation of Grisham’s novel.

In an interview, Holmes noted, “In adapting A Time to Kill for the stage, it’s a great privilege to work alongside his characters, and an absolute rush to live in this landscape, amid the summer steam and barbeque smoke of the Deep South that Grisham knows so well. We’ve tried to corral the emotions and events of his sweeping novel into and around the Ford County courthouse where so much of the novel’s action occurs. And we hope the end result will be a new theatrical courtroom drama that explores issues as volatile and complex today as when John Grisham penned his very first page.”

Group Ticket Sales

Group discount tickets for A Time to Kill are available through All Tickets group sales agents and group comps for schools purchasing tickets are now available. (Note: the complimentary ticket promotion is time sensitive. Orders must be in by the last day of July.) School groups will certainly be interested in this drama, which provides them with plenty of important issues to discuss. Contact All Tickets Inc. for group discount tickets to A Time to Kill.

New York’s Garden Parties: Visit Cloisters, Central Park and Botanical Garden

NY Botanical Garden is in full bloom.

Get group discount tickets for tours of NY Botanical Garden, Cloisters Gardens and Central Park. All are extraordinary in their natural beauty this time of year. Your group can enjoy discounts on tours of one, two or all three.

The New York Botanical Garden

NY Botanical Garden has a special display on Wild Medicine.

The New York Botanical Garden, which features stunning grounds as well as beautiful indoor displays, is in full bloom this summer with masterfully landscaped grounds and rich exhibits that include rose gardens, a classic Italian Renaissance garden and a special exhibit of healing plants and herbs, natural medical remedies from around the world. Special dinners, lunches and concerts are featured in this warm, welcoming setting.

The Cloisters Museum and Gardens

Angelic is delicate. At the Cloisters.

Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters Museum and Gardens celebrates 75 years this summer season. Focusing on the architecture of medieval Europe, the Cloisters utilizes domestic and religious elements dating primarily from the twelfth through the fifteenth century. The Medieval garden features colorful pomegranates, ornamental angelic and orchard fruit trees. Groups are welcome at this unique museum and garden that is located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan.

Central Park

Central Park is an amazing creation.

Located on 840 acres, Central Park is an amazing natural oasis. This summer there are more than 30 new blooms! It’s all about flowers this time of year and there’s a special focus on the Park’s three lush woodlands: the Ramble, the North Woods and the Hallett Nature Sanctuary. Contact All Tickets for more information on group experiences in New York’s Central Park.

Garden Party Time

Great group experiences at group discount prices await you at NY Botanical Garden, the Cloisters Museum and Gardens and Central Park. Tour the gardens, enjoy lunch surrounded by natural beauty and be invigorated by one of these unique experiences. For more information on these natural attractions and so much more that NYC and the surrounding area have to offer, download our free NYC Attractions Guide. It’s filled with close to 100 different places to go, see and experience in NYC. For group discounts on New York’s wonderful gardens and other attractions and experiences contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716.

McKellen and Stewart: Waiting for Godot Beckett on Broadway

McKellen and Stewart in the London production of Waiting for Godot.

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart will be on Broadway soon in the Samuel Beckett play Waiting for Godot. McKellen and Stewart played Godot in London in 2009 and will be reprising their critically praised performances along with starring in rep in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land.

If there’s a classic piece of absurdist theatre it is Waiting for Godot. It is the play that spawned a new type of theatre in the post-World War II era and its influence on playwrights, including Pinter, can’t be denied. It’s a fantastic play for the two to star in. In London, the run sold out.

Godot Cast Complete

Crudup in Coast of Utopia.

The Broadway cast is now complete for Waiting for Godot in which Stewart will star as Vladimir and McKellen will star as Estragon. Added to the cast is Billy Crudup (Tony for Coast of Utopia), who will play Lucky, and Shuler Hensley (Tony for Oklahoma!), who will play Pozzo. Both Crudup and Hensley will star with the two international stars in No Man’s Land.

Godot Speaks to Us

Hensley as Jud Fry.

Sixty years after its world premiere at the Théâtre de Babylone, Paris, 58 years after it first appeared on the British stage, and 57 years after the initial American production at the Coconut Playhouse in Florida, Waiting for Godot, which was misunderstood by many when it first premiered, is now seen as a world classic. It calls for each role to be played with virtuosity as the performers are asked to create characters with souls and depth all of whom appear to be living in a world that has neither a soul nor any depth.

Stewart in Godot contemplates his boot.

Waiting for Godot is at times hilarious and at other times hopeless. The desolate setting, which is composed of a mound, a tree, and a crossroads, seems to be nowhere and yet represents everywhere. In Act I, Vladimir and Estragon play out their day and make their way into an evening that seems to offer the possibility of good news as they are visited by two men, Pozzo and Lucky, and at the end of the act by a boy. By the end of Act I, the possibility of good news turns into disappointment. The next day (or is it the next day?), which is Act II, the same basic action plays out once again.

Revelatory, heartbreaking, whimsical and desultory, Waiting for Godot is as complex, emotional, perplexing, and frustrating as life itself. It is also, when all is said and done, amazingly entertaining.

Limited Run

The limited run with McKellen, Stewart, Crudup, and Hensley previews October 26, 2013 and opens November 24, 2013 at the Cort Theatre. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see two of the greatest actors of our time in a true masterpiece. For more information on Broadway group discounts for Waiting for Godot and No Man’s Land contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716. This is a golden opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Maritime Experiences: Sail Manhattan, Dinner Cruises, Sightseeing

Enjoy a maritime cruise.

Get group discounts on Manhattan maritime experiences, including dinner and lunch cruises, sightseeing and more. Combine your Broadway group discount tickets with a maritime experience at great group savings.

Lunch and a Broadway Show

Book group discount tickets to a Broadway show and have lunch that day on the water. Take a sightseeing boat trip around Manhattan, to the Statue of Liberty or a historic maritime adventure and enjoying lunch can be a wonderful way to enjoy an afternoon. See New York City from a whole new perspective.

Music Cruises

A sailing adventure can be great fun.

A jazz cruise or DJ hosted sojourn can set the mood or compliment your Broadway show experience. Music on the water with lunch or dinner and fabulous sights offers a great escape for your group. Book a music cruise the day of your show, or if your group is in the City more than one night, take a musical waterway journey on another day.

Broadway Matinee, Night Expedition

Group tickets to a Broadway matinee and then an evening or night cruise offers you the opportunity to see NYC from the water when it is lit up and enchantingly breathtaking and beautiful. Cool evening breezes offer a perfectly refreshing respite from city heat. A night outing on the waters that surround New York City can be the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Contact All Tickets Today

An evening cruise can be the perfect way to end a day.

All Tickets offers group discounts on all Broadway musicals and plays and can also connect your group with other fantastic NY experiences. Taking a cruise along the waters that surround Manhattan is one of many quality group discount experiences you can enjoy through All Tickets Inc. We can also book your group on city tours, into museums and popular attractions and in restaurants and hotels. By combining bookings and utilizing volume discounts, your group can save even more.

Our group sales agents will be happy to help you create an exciting and fulfilling itinerary that includes a maritime experience. For more information on waterway adventures and close to 100 other attractions in and around NYC follow this link to our free NYC Area Attractions Directory.

Free Directories: Restaurants, NYC Attractions, Tour and NJ Attractions

There’s so much to do in NYC!

The Broadway group experience, which includes seeing a Broadway show at discount group rates, can be enriched by other NYC experiences. Download our free NYC Restaurants, NYC Area Attractions, Neighborhood and Tour and NJ Attractions Directories to learn more about the many different quality experiences that you can access at discount prices through All Tickets Inc.

More for Less

By taking advantage of group discounts on restaurants, area attractions and experiences and tours and guides, you can get extra discounts. All Tickets Inc. offers combination deals when you book more than one event or experience. We also provide extra discounts for high volume bookings, which means if you have a large group you can save a lot more with All Tickets. If you’re staying in the area for more than one day, we can book your group into quality lodgings in Manhattan. We can save you even more by booking quality accommodations just across the river in New Jersey.

Restaurants Directory

Combine dining and a Broadway show through All Tickets and save more.

Download our latest NYC Restaurants Directory, which includes everything from fast to fine dining experiences. With over 50 different restaurants, our directory provides you with quality choices in every way. Arranged according to location and cuisine, each restaurant is profiled and pictured. Group dining menus are included as is a link to each restaurant’s website. Peruse the directory and contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 if you have any questions or would like to book a restaurant or two at low discount prices.

NYC & NJ Attractions

Book attractions and experiences through All Tickets Inc.

There are so many things to do in the area and All Tickets offers two free downloadable directories- one for NYC and another for New Jersey. With well over 100 attractions profiled in the combined directories, you’ll be amazed at how much there is to do in the city that never sleeps. Enjoy the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Bronx Zoo, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum Complex or the Cloisters Museum and Gardens. Yankee Stadium Tours, New York Botanical Garden and the 9/11 Memorial are all in their own way amazing, unique experiences. Download the NYC Area Attractions Directory here and the New Jersey directory via this link and contact All Tickets for easy to make reservations and the best group discount rates on any and all experiences and attractions.

NYC Tours & Guides

NY’s Central Park is an oasis.

NYC is rich in history. The primary neighborhoods in the City number a baker’s dozen and each neighborhood is as diverse as can be. Take a tour of the world’s financial district, Wall Street, the culturally rich and artistically influential area of Harlem or the natural oasis set in the midst of one of the busiest cities in the world, Central Park. Download our free NYC Tours and Guides Directory now.

Make the Most of It

When booking your Broadway group tickets you should be sure to get as many discounts as possible. You can do so by booking various experiences through All Tickets Inc. Utilize our free directories to get useful information on dining, attractions and tours and contact All Tickets and our professional, personable group sales agents will be happy to help you plan your visit at the best group discount prices possible. All Tickets Inc. offers New York’s Total Group Experience.

New Musical: Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Neil Patrick Harris

Hedwig and the Angry Inch opens on Broadway in 2014.

Broadway group tickets to see Neil Patrick Harris in Hedwig and the Angry Inch are going to be hot. Hedwig with Harris opens on Broadway in Spring 2014 and our group sales agents are gearing up. What makes Harris in Hedwig and the Angry Inch so interesting and a potential big ticket?

Intriguing, Off-Beat Story

Those who are buying Broadway group tickets will find that Hedwig and the Angry Inch offers characters and a story that are simply intriguing and unusual. The focus is on a East German transgender singer who will be played by Harris. The book is written by John Cameron Mitchell and the music and lyrics are by Stephen Trask. In writing the musical, Mitchell drew upon his real life as the son of a U.S. Army Major General who once was in charge of the West Berlin sector occupied by the U.S. The transgender character of Hedwig was inspired by a German woman who babysat for the Mitchell family. The woman, who was divorced from a U.S. Army soldier, also worked as a prostitute at the Junction City, Kansas trailer park in which she lived.

Glam Rock

Hedwig befriends Tommy and pays the price.

Broadway group sales are expected to be big for Hedwig partly due to the tale it tells. The story takes amazing twists and turns as it focuses on the glam rock era of the 1970s. The music is very much grounded in that era and the story is told by Hedwig in an extended monologue as it swings back and forth from Hedwig’s musical act and that of the very successful rock star Tommy Gnosis who is touring around the country. The story is filled with ups and downs as Hedwig loses her husband, befriends Tommy Speck, who she mentors and then watches as his career skyrockets as Tommy Gnosis and must cope with all of her disappointments.

Tested Around the World Now on Broadway

Neil Patrick Harris will star as Hedwig on Broadway.

Now Broadway group tickets are available for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which has previously been a hit Off-Broadway and successfully produced around the world. Neil Patrick Harris, who is a well-known TV star and highly successful Tony host, will certainly garner a lot of attention in the title role of Hedwig in the extremely innovative musical comedy. Harris is best known for playing the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, and a fictionalized version of the actor in the Harold & Kumar series. He’s also popular in the title role in Joss Whedon’s musical web series Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Contact All Tickets Inc. today at 1-800-922-0716 for Broadway group sales to see Harris in the new musical comedy Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Happy Birthday USA! The American Theatre Celebrates the Fourth

Happy 4th of July! It is the most patriotic day of the year. It’s a time when we celebrate the founding of our nation, our freedom from Great Britain and principles and ideals that we espouse. We live in a nation that embraces equality for all, the pursuit of happiness and freedom. Of course, we have been imperfect in our practical application of these ideals. But our nation has worked hard to correct the uneven application of its ideals. Here’s a look at one man and two shows that reflect the unique nature of our nation and are connected to the Fourth of July.

George M. Cohan

George M. Cohan in Little Johnny Jones sings “Give My Regards to Broadway.”

It’s well known that although George M. Cohan said he was born on the Fourth of July, that he was actually born on July 3rd. But the mythology created by Cohan of being a baby of freedom was perfect for his public persona. Cohan was unabashedly American in every way.

He was the ultimate self-starter and independent businessman serving his productions as writer, composer, lyricist, producer, choreographer, director, dancer and lead actor. His songs were American in every way too. The melodies were culled from American idioms and sounded nothing like the European tunes that punctuated so much of American musical theatre. The lyrics were filled with patriotic fervor, individual contemplation and romantic idealism. And the shows, like Little Johnny Jones, were blatantly patriotic in every way.

Cohan, who is credited with creating the Broadway of today and on making the American musical “American,” gave us such hit songs as “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “Over There.” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and “Give My Regards to Broadway.” He was the ultimate showman and so independent that he refused to join Actors’ Equity, the stage actors union, when it was formed in 1913. He was so respected that he was allowed to perform on union stages without ever joining the union.

Valley Forge

A test of faith, Valley Forge.

Playwright Maxwell Anderson, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1933 for his drama Both Your Houses and saw many of his hit plays, including Anne of the Thousand Days, Elizabeth the Queen, Key Largo, and What Price Glory, turned into hit movies, created the historical drama Valley Forge. This play focuses on the terrible trials that George Washington and his men went through during that winter at Valley Forge. In the play, Anderson investigates the American spirit, conscience and moral fiber that helped Washington and his troops survive the extreme tests that defined their time during that winter. It is a drama that defines the America’s patriotic spirit.

1776

William Daniels as John Adams in 1776.

The musical 1776 tells the story of the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Written by Sherman Edwards (music and lyrics) and Peter Stone (book), it opened on Broadway in 1969, winning three Tonys including Best Musical and running for 1,217 performances. The musical drama focuses on John Adams’ efforts to bring the creation of the U.S. to fruition during the Second Continental Congress.

1776 unabashedly explores the hard-fought compromises made by idealists, the sacrifices and maneuverings of founders and the various personalities, energies and points of view that miraculously came together to develop, write/rewrite and approve the Declaration of Independence and create this country.

The final moments when the Declaration of Independence is signed by all members of the congress and the American flag is displayed upstage, covering the entire back wall, is inspiring, emotional and simply grand. This is a musical that reveals the marriage of practicality and idealism that went into creating an imperfect but hope filled America.

Happy 4th of July America!

Although our nation is far from perfect, it’s hard to find a country with more perfect ideals. We continue to grow and change yet we are still in many ways the same people we were back in 1776. We have a belief that we can survive and thrive as individuals and as a united nation and we are willing to work towards improving our union so that we are, indeed, one nation. With some many different points of view, so many different beliefs and so many different ethnicities in the U.S., it appears as if the cards are stacked against us. Then again, they always have been. We defied the odds back in 1776 and continue to do so today. Let’s celebrate what makes us one nation, the belief in inalienable rights, and also what makes us so rich, the diversity of our citizens. From everyone at All Tickets Inc., happy Fourth of July and happy birthday, U.S.A.!

Summer Group Tickets for New Broadway Shows

The musical First Date transfers to Broadway after a successful Off-Broadway run and previews July 9.

The Broadway season and discount group tickets sales really heat up just prior to September but there are a host of new shows opening this summer. Our group sales agents have group discounts for everyone and comps for summer camps and school groups. Some shows start previews just after the 4th of July. Here’s a look at musicals and plays that start performances prior to September. These are hot summer shows! See them!

First Date

Two shows premiere on July 9. First Date, the musical about a couple that’s on a first date that may be doomed, but then again, maybe it’s not. These two bring a lot to the dating table, making for a hilarious night that has its up and downs, surprises and upbeat ending.

Aaron, an uptight guy, gets set up to be with the ultimate cool girl, Casey. It’s supposed to be a quick drink, but that one drink turns into an evening that takes a hilarious look at the dating scene. It’s about neurosis, impulse, fear, passion and much more. Of course the complexities of life, including Google background checks, fake emergency phone calls, many bad boy and uptown girl exes, and some sexy chemistry, are all a part of the picture. Is this a mismatch made in heaven or a dating disaster?

Forever Tango

Forever Tango is spellbinding.

The hit show returns to Broadway for a limited engagement. Previews begin July 9. This is a hot, hip and hit dance revue focusing on the multifaceted tango. The show closes September 24. It’s a great show filled with innovative dance numbers.

Forever Tango is a fluctuating state of being as told through one of the most charismatic dances ever created. The tango offers a story that is intimate and alluring. Each version of the tango has its own story to tell, as the relationship of the dancers, their bodies and energies combine to create a physical journey that viewers cannot resist.

Let It Be

Broadway group sales are expected to be big for the hit West End Beatles’ tribute show that’s coming to America and is in previews starting July 16. The Beatles led the British rock invasion of America, proving to be the most enigmatic and popular rock band of a generation. The limited run closes December 29.

Let It Be features lives performances of Beatles’ classics, including “Twist and Shout,” “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” and “Come Together.” Of course it includes the final song they recorded, “Let It Be.” Groove to the tunes of the Boys from Liverpool who grew up to be superstars and mega-millionaires. Travel from the Cavern Club in their hometown to the highest heights of Beatlemania and to their experimental studio period.

Soul Doctor

Soul Doctor is an amazing musical and soul searching journey.

Previewing July 17, Soul Doctor tells the story about the controversial “Rock Star Rabbi.” Shlomo Carlebach. As the foremost Jewish religious songwriter, Carlebach used rock and soul in his creations. He also performed with some of the biggest names in the rock world, struggled with fame and fortune and became intoxicated with the temptations of stardom.

When he was a boy the central character in Soul Doctor, Shlomo Carlebach, escaped from Nazi Germany to America. This was the start of a unique journey that would involve his becoming a rabbinical prodigy in the U.S. and his introduction to gospel and soul music through his friendship with Nina Simone. This friendship would send rabbi Carlebach on a musical adventure.

Romeo and Juliet

Orlando Bloom stars as Romeo

Get your Broadway group discount tickets to this new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that starts preview August 24. Starring Orlando Bloom, in his Broadway debut, and Tony nominee Condola Rashad, this production offers a new twist to the classic story of star-crossed lovers.

This production of Romeo and Juliet, which is directed by Tony nominee David Leveaux, will include a focus on diversity as the Capulets being played by black actors and the Montagues by white actors. Along with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad, who played the doomed lovers, this production stars Tony nominees Jayne Houdyshell as the Nurse and Joe Morton as Lord Capulet

Always…Patsy Cline

With American Idol finalist Crystal Bowersox as Pasty Cline and Annette O’Toole as Cline’s most dedicated fan, Louise Seger, Always…Patsy Cline looks at this unusual friendship, offering a wide range of Cline standards and favorites.

This summer Bowersox plays Patsy Cline on Broadway in Always…Patsy Cline.

What started as a chance meeting became an enduring friendship. This two character musical features 27 hit songs including Cline standards such as “Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Back In Baby’s Arms.” Always…Patsy Cline also offers country hits, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “San Antonio Rose,” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky;” pop chart toppers like “Bill Bailey,” “You Belong To Me,” and “True Love;” and rock ‘n roll chart makers such as “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and “Stupid Cupid.”

Get COMPS!

Summer camp groups and school groups should take advantage of our exclusive comp offer that gives them 1 comp for every 30 paid. Contact All Tickets today at 1-800-922-0716 for great Broadway group deals on these new productions that start this summer.

Buzz Stream July: Broadway Group Tickets Info, Comps, New Shows

A new Broadway season, comps to Broadway shows and much more will be highlighted in our blog.

It’s July and that means school group and summer camp group comps for all Broadway shows from All Tickets ONLY! Read about our latest comp deal and get a preview on what’s coming to our Buzz Stream blog in July. Want free tickets to any and all Broadway shows? See below if your group qualifies for All Tickets latest exclusive complimentary ticket deal.

Comps: All School & Summer Camps

All Tickets latest comp promo ends July 31, 2013. Here is how it works.

All school groups and summer camp groups
1 comp for every 30 tickets booked by July 31, 2013
Performances may occur after July 31, 2013
ANY Broadway show and performance
Comps are for that same show and performance
No limit on comps: buy 60 tickets get 2 comps, buy 600 tickets get 20 comps
This deal is only good when you book with All Tickets Inc.
You’ll also get the best group discounts
If producer comps are available, you’ll get those too!

Call All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 for more info or to book. See our newsletter for more info on our latest comp deal.

Broadway Group Ticket Info

Combine dining and Broaeway theatre through All Tickets and save more.

We’ll have the latest information for groups on Broadway tickets, special deals exclusively from All Tickets and ideas regarding what to do before and after the show. All Tickets offers special combo deals to Broadway groups and tour groups. As an example, get an extra discount when you book a show and restaurant through us or shows, accommodations and meals, or attractions and a show. The more you book, the more you save with All Tickets Inc.

New Shows

Let It Be, the Beatles tribute show from London, opens soon.

The 2013-2014 Broadway season is taking shape and we offer group discount tickets and our special school and summer camp group comp promo for all new shows. We’ll be previewing new shows on our Buzz Stream on a weekly basis but here are a few that are coming this season.

After Midnight– It’s a celebration of the Jazz Age featuring the music that made the Cotton Club legendary. (Preview: Oct. 18, 2013 Open: Nov 3, 2013)
Big Fish– The new fantasy musical stars Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz and is directed by Tony winner Susan Stroman with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. (Preview: Sep. 5, 2013 Open: Oct. 6, 2013)
Forever Tango– The dance extravaganza that celebrates the passionate tango returns for a limited run. (Preview: July 9, 2013 Open: July 14, 2013)
Headwig and the Angry Inch– The offbeat musical comedy about rock, fame and fortune starring Neil Patrick Harris comes to The Great White Way. (Preview: Spring 2014 Open: Spring 2014 )
Romeo and Juliet– Shakespeare’s classic love story, featuring Orlando Bloom in his Broadway debut and acclaimed Broadway actress Condola Rashad. (Preview: Aug. 24, 2013 Open: Sep. 19, 2013)
The Glass Menagerie– The classic American drama by Tennessee Williams stars Cherry Jones as Amanda Wingfield. (Preview: Sept 5, 2013 Open: Sept 26, 2013)

Go to our newsletter on the 2013-2014 Broadway season and read about all 16 new shows.

Much More

Along with Broadway group ticket and discount info, new shows and great deals, you’ll find news, our theatre speak blogs and information on group experiences in, around and outside of NYC. Stay in touch we All Tickets Inc. and Broadway through July by visiting our blog. For more information on NYC shows, events, experiences, accommodations and much more call is at 1-800-922-0716.

Illuminating Theatre Speak: Words that Make Light Work

In the world of theatre speak, designers use terms, both slang and terms of art, which are specific to their art form. Today we look at a few words used in theatre speak by those involved in lighting. There’s a lot of jargon in lighting; we’re illuminating three today.

Gobo

You’re in a production meeting and the stage manager or scenic designer asks the director, “Are you going to use a real window in that scene?” and the director answers, “I thought maybe we could use a gobo?” The director then looks to the lighting designer (LD) and the designer nods. Problem solved and they move onto the next item on the agenda.

Everyone in that room knows the theatre speak term gobo . A gobo is a pattern that is placed in front of a light source. The light source is focused somewhere on the stage area. It might be the floor or upstage on a cyclorama. When the light is illuminated it hits the gobo and the pattern is projected on the floor or upstage on the cyc. Viola, instant scenery!

Along with creating scenery, gobos can be used to project abstract patterns, reinforce emotional content, and set time of day, season or year. They’re pretty darn handy.

Gel

The next theatre speak word is heard just about every day when electrics folks are around. In a production meeting, the master electrician may ask, “How much money do we have for gel?” If you don’t work in the theatre, your question may be “What is gel?”

Gel is jargon for “gelatin.” Now you’re probably wondering, “What does gelatin have to do with theatre lighting?” Okay, some of the actual terms of art used in the theatre for gel are “color medium,” “color filter,” or “color gel.”

You may have surmised by now that gels are used to adjust the color of the light in instruments. They are thin sheets of color that are placed in a gel frame and like the gobo placed in front of the source of light. But why are they called “gels?”

These color sheets used to have a gelatin base and for years they were used to alter the color of lighting instruments. But as lighting instruments grew more powerful and burned hotter, the lifespan of color filters made from gelatin grew shorter and shorter. In the 1960s and ‘70s, companies developed new types of color medium made from polyester and polycarbonate. These withstood the heat much better, lasting longer.

But theatre folks did not start asking questions about “poly?” They continued to use the term “gel.” By the way, in over 40 years in the theatre I have never heard the term “color filter” used and I have heard the phrase “color medium” used about twice. A gel is a gel and lights get “gelled.” (Yes, it is also a verb.)

Leko

The last theatre speak word for today is “leko.” Leko is actually a shortened form of a brand name that over many years became associated with ellipsoidal reflector spotlights (ERS). (Think of it this way: you may say “Xerox this,” when you actually mean “Photocopy this.”) Here’s a little history.

Leko is short for Lekolite. The Lekolite was created by the two men who founded Century Lighting, Joseph Levy and Edward Kook. Their lighting instrument, which was introduced in 1933, was extremely popular in theatre and concert venues into the 1990s. Contemporary lighting instruments are direct descendants of the Leko. The term Leko was created by using the first two letters of each man’s last name. Although the Leko was a ERS, it was not the only ERS. Like gel, you’ll still hear the term Leko used when referring to an ERS.

A Little Brighter?

Do you feel a tad brighter when it comes to lighting terms in the theatre? Now when someone asks, “What color gel to you want in that Leko and does the window gobo go in that other Leko?” you’ll know exactly what is going on. Wasn’t that shockingly easy to understand?

Broadway Tickets: A Night with Janis Joplin NY Premiere

Mary Bridget Davies has received universally enthusiastic reviews.

A Night with Janis Joplin is coming to Broadway. Broadway group sales, discounts and special deals to see Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin are being finalized as the new show preps for Broadway this fall. Joplin was a Southern Comfort drinking, passionate, enigmatic performer who redefined the female voice in the world of rock n’ roll. No other woman has come close to doing what she did in such a short time. Her genuine personality, rough, unpolished manner and voice and take it to the limit performances were groundbreaking.

Turbulent Era

Joplin was part of the ‘60’s counterculture that bewildered and worried parents, upset the establishment and created a generation that espoused something they didn’t understand- free love. The decade of the 1960s was a turbulent one for sure. Assassinations, the Vietnam War, student protests and Civil Rights marches were a part of the era during which the U.S went through incredible growing pains that would redefine the country.

Icon of the Times

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Joplin- “Summer Time” from the Album Cheap Thrills recording session.

Broadway group sales for A Night with Janis Joplin will partly be fueled by those who remember the performer. Rock enthusiasts will want to see the event and Broadway group discounts will certainly be attractive to those who want to enjoy the acclaimed performance by Mary Bridget Davies. If you’re into rock, cultural, American history, the ‘60s, or bigger-than-life personalities, the A Night with Janis Joplin should be on your list of “must see” shows.

A Night with Janis Joplin

The performance of Mary Bridget Davies and the show itself, which is written and directed by Randy Johnson, have garnered great notices. These include the three below from the Milwaukee, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles productions.

“When Davies begins to sing – with an assaultive and explosive wall-of-sound wail, bent on filling an inner void that seems to stretch forever – one could be listening to Joplin, in those moments when her unfathomable pain somehow morphs into frenzied joy.” (Mark Fischer, Journal Sentinel Online, Milwaukee)

Mary Bridget Davies singing “Mercedes Benz.”

“It features not just one remarkable performance, that of Mary Bridget Davies, looking uncannily like Joplin and producing a version of the Joplin screech that starts somewhere around the singer’s ankles, wends its way up into the back of her throat and shoots off into the farthest reaches of Arena’s Kreeger Theater. The two-hour, 20-minute production also showcases the variety of vocal gifts of Sabrina Elayne Carten, who materializes as some of the blues greats Joplin here claims as inspirations: Bessie Smith, Odetta, Nina Simone, Etta James.” (Peter Marks, Washington Post, D.C.)

Joplin on The Dick Cavett Show just two months before she died.

“It’s not just that Davies evokes rather than imitates Joplin, theatrically nailing her essence, which achieves full bas-relief with “Piece of My Heart” midway through Set 1. As the evening progresses through unforced philosophizing, personal memories and the songs devotees cherish, Davies channels Joplin outright, her “Cry Baby,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Ball and Chain” merely the most hair-raising examples of the phenomenon. “ (David C. Nichols, Los Angeles Times, CA)

An Amazing Night in the Theatre

Broadway group tickets to see Mary Bridget Davies in A Night with Janis Joplin are available through All Tickets Broadway group sales agents. A Night with Janis Joplin is a collage of sorts, offering insights into the performer through her character, observations, vocal interpretations, letters and the performances of those who inspired her. It’s created a lot of excitement over the past two years across the country and now it comes to the Imperial Theatre on Broadway. Call us at 1-800-922-0716 for tickets and more information.

Tony Winner Billy Crystal on Broadway: 700 Sundays Returns

Crystal hosting the Oscars.

Billy Crystal returns to Broadway in 700 Sundays and our Broadway group sales agents have great seats at discount prices. 700 Sundays won a 2005 Tony for Special Theatre Experience and ran for over 160 performances. Then Crystal took the show on the road across the U.S. and then around the world. Now after close to a decade Crystal brings the show back to Broadway.

Actor, Comedian, Writer, Director

When Harry Met Sally, a romantic comedy, was one of his most popular films.

Crystal came to prominence on Saturday Night Live where he became a huge hit. But Crystal’s big break on the comedy show also included a major disappointment. He was all set to appear on the first episode of what was then called NBC Saturday Night. The date was October 11, 1975. But his sketch was cut. In 1984, he joined the cast as a regular. Prior to that, he was known as Jodie Dallas on the comedy soap-opera satire Soap. Crystal played the character, who was one of the first blatantly gay characters on TV, from 1977-1981. But it was Saturday Night Live and his various characters, including his reoccurring portrayal of Fernando “You look marvelous” Lamas, that made his a household name.

He appeared in numerous hit movies, including When Harry Met Sally (1989), City Slickers (1991) and Analyze This (1999). Crystal became a popular host of the Academy Awards. He hosted them in 1990–1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004 and 2012. He was famous for his solo opening numbers that summarized the evening’s nominees. He returned as emcee for the 2012 Oscar ceremony, after Eddie Murphy backed out of hosting. His nine times as the M.C. is second only to Bob Hope’s which stands at 18.

700 Sundays

Crystal and Palance in City Slickers were a major hit.

What should prove to be a great Broadway group sales event 700 Sundays recounts Crystal’s life, including his growing up on Long Island and New York, being influenced by Manhattan jazz, love of the Yankees, and more. It’s a story about love, loss, fate, family and life. Funny, insightful, moving and revealing, 700 Sundays is a wonderful evening in the theatre with a winning entertainer, comedian and person. Directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff, 700 Sundays is already known as a hit. It’s a welcomed addition to the 2013-2014 Broadway season.

Limited Run

Those looking for Broadway group discount tickets need to act fast as this is sure to be a high demand show. Performances start with a preview on November 5, 2013. 700 Sundays opens November 13, 2013 and will close January 5, 2014. Contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 for group tickets to 700 Sundays

Stallone’s Rocky The Musical Gonna Fly Now on Broadway

Rocky Das Musical Hamburg.

Group ticket sales for the Broadway musical based on Sly Stallone’s Rocky are much anticipated. Rocky The Musical, which recently premiered in Hamburg, Germany, comes to Broadway in early 2014. The endearing story of the Philadelphia boxer who gets one shot at the big fight was a huge hit film in the early 1970s and made Sylvester Stallone a star. Stallone was the creative energy behind the musical which includes songs associated with the Rocky movies, Gonna Fly Now and Eye of the Tiger, and new music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and a book by Thomas Meehan. All three are Tony winners.

The Rocky Story

Sylvester Stallone created a story with huge appeal when he wrote the screenplay for Rocky. The Rocky story is that of a good guy fighter who never made it and looks to be a simple hustler with no future. But then Rocky gets the ultimate chance, the opportunity to fight the heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. It’s a big PR stunt but Rocky agrees to fight the champ and as he’s pushed by his old-time, belligerent manager, he is highly conflicted. Here he is with the chance of a lifetime and yet no one gives him a chance to last the fight.

He becomes a joke to many and yet, despite his fears of failure and being a nothing, he pushes forward in an attempt to proven himself. In the end he does just that but more importantly he finds the girl of his dreams, Adrian, a quirky, nerdy girl who works in a pet shop. The Rocky story is the ultimate crowd pleaser. You see, Rocky gets the girl, proves himself in the ring and yet, he manages a draw, which means Apollo Creed retains the title. Rocky is not about winning. It is about going the distance and being true to your dream. It is the ultimate American tale.

Director & Fight Choreographer

Rocky The Musical,offers a stunning boxing finale.

Alex Timbers directs. The two-time Tony nominated director whose latest efforts include the highly innovative Peter and the Starcatcher, which continues its run Off-Broadway after starting there and transferring to Broadway for a while, and the controversial musical Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson, for which he also wrote the book, is uniquely creative. The Hamburg production got strong reviews. Timbers knows how to orchestrate a show, making each element play in an appropriate manner. He utilizes stage and dramatic elements for ultimate impact.

Fight choreographer Steven Hoggett won plaudits for the finale of Rocky The Musical. Hoggett, a choreographer who has won an Olivier and was nominated for a Tony for the Broadway show Once, has devised stunning fight choreography for the big boxing match. It involves a revolving stage and a boxing match that’s equal to none.

Group Discounts

Based on the film by Sylvester Stallone, Rocky The Musical Broadway, with group sales from All Tickets, has massive potential. Deals for Rocky will be offered through our dedicated group ticket sales agents. Get the best deals and best seats from All Tickets. According to the New York post, the musical is rumored to have cost about $30 million. It’s a big show that’s looks like it’ll score a knockout on Broadway.

Big Fish Video Video Preview: Broadway Group Tickets, Discounts for New Musical

Big Fish comes to Broadway this fall.

All Tickets Broadway group sales agents have discount tickets for groups to Big Fish, the new Broadway musical. Below are two Big Fish video previews. Big Fish stars Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz as Edward Bloom, the man who loves to tell ultimate fish stories. The cast also includes Bobby Steggert as Will Bloom, Edward’s son, and Kate Baldwin as Sandra Bloom, Edward’s wife.

The Story

Big Fish, which is a great catch when it comes to Broadway group discount tickets, is a fantasy musical about a dad who loves to tell fish stories, tall tales, and the son who wants to finally know who his father is. Set in the South, the musical offers insights into a unique man, Edward Bloom, and his need to tell inflated stories that are larger than life. This habitual behavior frustrates Edward’s son, Will. Will becomes determined to finally discover who his father really is. This musical father-son journey offers insights into family relationships, love an understanding. The emotions, needs and relationships in this fantasy musical are true to life. The musical offers genuine characters who are earnest in their need to connect. communicate and be loved.

Big Fish Team

Brisk Broadway group sales are partly motivated by the impressive creative team that’s bringing the musical Big Fish to the stage. The team is unto itself “big.” Multi-Tony winner Susan Stroman directs and choreographs the new musical, which has music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party and The Addams Family) and a book by screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). The musical is based on the book of the same name by Daniel Wallace.

Great Family Story

This is a wonderful family story concerning fathers and sons and how they relate to one another. Focusing on honesty, understanding and love, it is also very much a story about husbands and wives and what makes for a healthy marriage. Although intimate in nature, the musical Big Fish offers audiences major production numbers as Edward’s tall tales are brought to life on stage through song and dance. Touching, beautiful and expansive, Big Fish is a major Broadway musical designed to enlighten and entertain.

Big Fish Broadway Group Tickets Sales

Broadway group ticket sales agents at All Tickets have great deal on group discounts for the musical Big Fish. School groups will want to take advantage of our complimentary ticket promotion, which includes free tickets to Big Fish. To take advantage of this time-limited offer, which provides 1 comp ticket for every 30 paid, you must book with All Tickets by July 31, 2013. For more information or to book your group tickets to Big Fish call 1-800-922-0716. All Tickets has great discounts on all Broadway shows and comps for school groups and summer camps when they book by the July 31 deadline.

Broadway Shows: Group Sales, Discount Tickets for New Musicals

Neil Patrick Harris will star in the new musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

We have Broadway group discounts on tickets for the newest musicals. Broadway group sales agents at All Tickets are ready to get you the best deal on every show. Here’s a look at some the latest news on the newest Broadway productions.

Tony Host on Broadway

Hedwig and the Angry Inch focuses on a transgender rock performer.

Neil Patrick Harris, who has recently been the celebrated host of the Tony Awards and is well-known to TV audiences, will be back on Broadway this season. Harris will star in the Broadway premiere of the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask. Tony winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening and American Idiot) is set to direct. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which was an Off-Broadway hit and a film and has been produced around the world, is coming to Broadway in spring 2014. The musical focuses on a transgender singer, the band they front for and their adventures in the unforgiving world of rock.

More Musicals

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder rolls into Broadway with Tony winner Jefferson Mays.

There are Broadway group discount tickets available from All Tickets’ Broadway group sales agents for all new musicals. The new musical comedy A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder starring Tony winner Jefferson Mays previews October 22 and opens November 17, 2013. It has been successfully produced at the Hartford Stage Company.

Musicals that will premiere on Broadway in early to mid 2014 include Rocky The Musical, which is based on the film and conceived by Sylvester Stallone. The new musical will premiere on Broadway in 2014. Directed by Alex Timbers with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Thomas Meehan, Rocky The Musical had a major production this year in Hamburg, Germany.

Rocky The Musical, with a knockout boxing finale, will be on Broadway in 2014.

Also on the schedule is Woody Allen’s musical comedy Bullets Over Broadway, which will be directed by Tony winner Susan Stroman. It premieres on Broadway in spring 2014. A musical of a more serious nature, The Bridges of Madison County, which is based on the best-selling novel of the same name, comes to Broadway January 2014 with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Marsha Norman.

Group Discounts All Broadway Shows

Our Broadway group sales office has group discount tickets for all Broadway shows, including the revival of Les Miserables in 2014 and the revival of The Glass Menagerie in fall 2013. Along with discount tickets to the newest shows, All Tickets can connect your group to big discounts on all Broadway shows, including the latest Tony winners such as Kinky Boots, Matilda The Musical and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and long run shows such as Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Wicked and Mamma Mia! Call us at 1-800-922-0716 or contact us on the Internet for more information.

Broadway Group COMPS: Summer Camps and Schools Group Discounts & Free Tickets

Comps for all Broadway shows, including Tony winners like Matilda

Get comps for Kinky Boots.

Broadway group sales agents are offering comps, free tickets, to all camps and schools that book their Broadway group tickets through All Tickets. Contact All Tickets to get 1 comp for every 30 Broadway tickets your purchase. Read more about this generous, time-limited offer.

Comps from All Tickets

Any summer camp or school group that books their Broadway tickets through All Tickets receives free tickets. For every 30 tickets paid, your group receives one comp. There is no maximum on the number of comps you can receive. (Often groups are limited to 4 comps total, which they would qualify for if they bought 120 tickets. However, if your group purchases 150 tickets, you’ll receive 5 comps, 180 tickets and you’ll get 6 comps, etc.) This comp offer is good for any and all Broadway shows and performances. In order to receive your comps, you must book by July 31, 2013.

Save as Much as Possible

Save on other experiences by combo booking various events with All Tickets.

All Tickets’ Broadway group sales agents are devoted to getting you the best deals possible, including the best Broadway group discounts, most comps and biggest savings on all New York experiences. Save more by booking New York museum visits, tours, marine adventures and everything else through All Tickets. Our combination deals and volume discounts allow your group to enjoy great savings. All Tickets can also book your group dining experience and hotel rooms.

Great Broadway Shows

Our Broadway group comp promotion includes all Broadway shows, including the latest Tony winning productions such as Kinky Boots, Matilda, The Musical, Pippin and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. If you’d like to see one of the long run musicals, such as The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, The Lion King, Wicked or Chicago, All Tickets is offering group comps to those shows too. Plus, any incoming shows for which group tickets are currently available are part of this comp promotion. As an example, school groups will want to consider classics such as the incoming production of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.

School groups- The Glass Menagerie comes to Broadway in the fall.

Act NOW!

Get Broadway group discount tickets and comps from All Tickets only. But be sure to act before July 31, 2013 (when this offer expires). Contact our Broadway group sales agents at 1-800-922-0716 for more information or to make a reservation. See our latest newsletter regarding this comp offer and news on the latest incoming Broadway shows.

Theatre Speak: Directing Vocabulary for the Theatre

Susan Stroman. Tony winning director and choreographer, knows how to cast a show.

When it comes to theatre speak, directors share a vocabulary with others in the theatre. Much of what they talk about is connected to and includes vocabulary from other areas of the business. However, there are also terms that are fairly exclusive to directing. Here are a few of those that are connected specifically to directing.

Casting

Traditionally, a director casts the actors who will appear in the show they are directing. However, casting may also be done by the producer or by the director and the producer together. If a musical is being cast, then the music director and choreographer will also have input into the casting process. Casting involves various steps. It is one of the most important parts of directing. Casting a show correctly is, depending upon who you talk to, from 70- to 90-percent of successful directing.

There are two basic steps to the casting process- the audition and the callback. Auditions are where directors usually see a large number of actors for each role. Actors will sometimes be asked to do something they have prepared, a monologue or two and, if it’s a musical, a song. Or, instead of monologues, they may be asked to read a scene from the play or musical. They may also participate in a dance call with a choreographer.
If an actor gets a callback, that means they’ve passed the first step of the process that leads to casting. If an actor is called back, they are, in essence, being asked to audition again. The callback often involves actors performing scenes from the play, and if it’s a musical, singing songs and learning some choreography that is from the show. Some shows will have numerous callbacks before the production is cast. There may also be an interview involved at some point.

By the way with a professional show, an actor isn’t officially cast until they or their agent have negotiated a contract with the producer and all the paperwork has been signed.

Beats, Units, Scenes

Director Hal Prince has the most Tonys. He’s got the process of directing down.

Directors and actors will usually divide a play into units and beats but units and beats for directors are different than units and beats for actors. Actors analyze a script and score (orchestrate) it and use units and beats in this process. The scoring is specific to the character they are playing. When a director analyzes a play and puts in units and beats, these designations tend to be connected to the overall progression and development of the play and its actions, themes and resolution.

A beat is the smallest dramatic progression. It’s akin to a paragraph in prose. Like a paragraph, a beat introduces, develops and concludes a single idea or action. Any number of lines along with corresponding stage directions can compose a beat in a play. To be a beat, they must complete or encompass a single action, subject, objective, conflict, etc. There’s no standard length for a beat but on average one beat runs about six to eight lines.

Units are a collection of related beats. A unit, which is composed of many small actions, is by its nature a complete and important action. There’s usually a major shift of power, energy or focus when a unit is complete.
You’re thinking, “What’s a string of units called?” They’re scenes. Sometimes scenes are specifically noted in a play by the writer or sometimes they are indicated by the entrance or exit of a character (French scenes). Finally, scenes go together to comprise the largest segment of a play- an act.

Why does a director analyze beats, units, scenes and acts? Knowing how they function will allow the director to develop an understanding of the shifting energies in a play and how to utilize them when they direct the actors, work with the set and develop specific staging methods for the production.

Blocking

Lucky Guy director George C. Wolfe is one of the best directors on Broadway.

Blocking, which is also called staging, involves where the actors are on stage at any given time and when and where they move. It also includes stage business, fight choreography, exits and entrances and other such movement. Directors block shows in different ways. Some are very specific from the beginning and want actors to rigidly adhere to the blocking scheme they’ve developed. Other block in a looser manner, working with the actors to discover what works right at a given moment and then going back and refining the staging. Blocking is a major tool in developing character relationships, revealing changing energies and heightening dramatic tension and comic moments.

Other Term

There are many other theatre speak terms that are directly connected to directing, such as concept, through line, premise and tempo, rhythm, style and mood. We’ll be explaining these and many other terms in upcoming blogs focusing on theatre speak.

Broadway Show Tony Nominations by the Numbers

Tony Awards will be held June 9, 2013.

Broadway group sales for Tony nominated plays are about to become a thing of the past. Once the Tonys are awarded, we’ll be talking about Broadway group sales and discounts for Tony winners. Let’s take a look at the numbers as far as nominations go. There are 19 shows with multiple nominations and 7 with one nod. Of the 19 shows with multiple nominations, three are in the double digits and three have been nominated twice.

Ten or More Tony Nominations

Kinky Boots creative team- their show notched 13 nominations!

The three shows that garnered ten or more Tony nominations are big when it comes to Broadway group sales and, at All Tickets Inc., group discounts. Two, Kinky Boots and Matilda, The Musical, are new shows and one, Pippin, is a revival. Kinky Boots leads all nominees with 13 while Matilda is right behind with an even dozen. Pippin tops all revivals with 10. But don’t count out other revivals like Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which has nine nominations and is going strong. Motown, The Musical goes to the Tonys with four nods.

Nominated Plays

Tom Hanks is nominated for Lucky Guy.

The play that got the most nominations is the revival of Golden Boy. Golden Boy, which has closed, earned eight nods. Two shows that are still running that have been honored with a half dozen nominations each are Lucky Guy and Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike. Both are new shows. Lucky Guy stars Tom Hanks. Hanks managed to snare a nomination in his Broadway debut. The Nance, with Nathan Lane, got five nominations, the revival of The Trip to Bountiful with Cecily Tyson has been honored with four and The Assembled Parties with Tony winner Judith Light has been given three, Holland Taylor, who is still running on Broadway in the one-woman show she penned about Ann Richards, has been nominated for her performance. That is the only Tony nomination for that show.

How Many Have Closed?

Golden Boy revival cast earned numerous nominations.

As already mentioned, despite the fact that Golden Boy notched more nominations than any other play on Broadway, it has closed. Also closed with five each are two other revivals, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. The Testament of Mary with Fiona Shaw earned three. Other closed Broadway shows being honored are A Christmas Story, The Musical (3), Hands on a Hardbody (3) and Bring It On: The Musical (2) and the plays The Heiress (2) and Orphans (2).

See a Broadway Show

It’s a great time to get discounts on Broadway group tickets from All Tickets Inc. Our fantastic Broadway group sales agents are ready to help you. Simply call 1-800-922-0716 for tickets to nominated shows, shows that have won this year’s Tonys, plays and musicals scheduled for the upcoming season and Broadway shows that are enjoying long runs such as Phantom, Chicago, Wicked, and The Lion King. See the best theatre in the world for less with group discount tickets. Be sure to watch the Tonys on Sunday, June 9 starting at 8 pm on CBS. It’s always a topnotch shows featuring the finest talent that Broadway has to offer.

Tony Awards: Best Musical and Best Musical Revival 2013

Bertie Carvel (left) is nominated for a Tony for his portrayal of Miss Trunchbull.

The Tony Awards for the Best Musical Best Musical Revival are two of the most anticipated by audiences. Broadway group sales and interest in group discounts usually skyrocket for the musicals that win those awards. That is if the show is still running. Two of the four musicals nominated for Best Musical are still running and three of the four musicals that earned Tony nods for Best Revival are still on the boards. Here’s a look at each category and each show.

Best Musical

Audiences loved Bring It On.

Broadway group sales were hot for the two musicals that saw limited Broadway runs and earned Tony nominations. Bring It On, the cheerleader competition musical based on the movie, came in to NYC after a successful tour and was a smash hit. Scheduled for a limited run, Bring It On offered high energy performances, precision choreographed cheers and production numbers and a great cast of characters.

The other musical that was scheduled for a limited run and garnered a lot of interest from critics, the Tonys and Broadway group ticket buyers was Christmas Story The Musical. The musical ran for the holiday and like the movie it is based on proved to be hugely popular especially with families. The characters, humor and spirit captured audiences and having a new quality holiday offering on Broadway was appreciated.

Billy Porter and Stark Sands are both nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical.

The two musicals that got the Tony nod and are still running strong and have strong Broadway group ticket sales are Kinky Boots and Matilda The Musical. Although these two shows are quite different, they do share themes connected with being different, bullying and acceptance. Kinky Boots, which is based on the Indy film, offers audiences drama, cross dressing and a solid book, score and lyrics. There’s a high heel fashion motif and a wonderful, uplifting story. Billy Porter and Stark Sands are both nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical.

Matilda The Musical, which is a major hit in the U.K., also uplifts audiences. Based on the popular book by Roald Dahl, Matilda The Musical features four young actresses alternating in the lead role (each of whom will win a special Tony this year), illusions and stage craft that is amazing and a group of characters that thoroughly entertain. Bertie Carvel, who makes his Broadway debut as Miss Trunchbull, is brilliant. The Olivier winner has a great shot at the Tony.

Best Musical Revival Broadway

Cinderella on Broadway is breathtaking.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Annie and Pippin are tops with those looking for Broadway group discount tickets. The three revivals caught the Tony nominating committee’s interest as did the Roundabout Theatre’s rollicking romp of a production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Drood, which has closed, was a big Tony winner when it premiered in 1985 winning for Best Book, Score and Musical.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella has a lot going for it including Tony nominated Laura Osnes (Cinderella) and Santonio Fontana (The Prince). This is a big, breathtaking production with a revised and very clever book by Douglas Carter Beane. Despite the fact that the show is considered to be a revival, Beane’s new book got a Tony nomination.

Patina Miller is nominated for her portrayal of the Leading Player in Pippin.

Pippin is back for its first Broadway revival after its long run 40 years ago and the circus motif, direction by Diane Paulus, circus creation by Gypsy Snider and wining cast lead by Patina Miller (Tony Nominated: Leading Player) make for a great evening of theatre. The reimagining of the show by Paulus and the execution of the concept is first-rate.

Finally, Annie, which in 1977 won seven Tonys including Best Book, Score and Musical, is up for the Best Musical Revival Tony. The musical is very popular with cross-generational Broadway group ticket buyers and a great experience for families to share.

The Tony Goes To

What musicals will win the “Best” Tony and become the hot Broadway group ticket? Whether it’s Kinky Boots or Matilda The Musical or if its Cinderella, Annie or Pippin, All Tickets Inc. will be able to connect you with great Broadway group discounts on the best seats available. For more information on the Tony nominated musicals and all Broadway shows call us a 1-800-922-0716

Tony Awards: What’s the Best Play of 2013-14?

In Lucky Guy, Hanks earned a Tony nomination as has the play.

Looking for Broadway discount tickets to a hot new play? This year’s Tony play nominations include some great shows that are still running. Here’s a look at the shows nominated for Best Play.

Lucky Guy

The late Nora Ephron offers us insights into Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Mike McAlary in her play Lucky Guy. It is Ephron’s last play and it marks Tom Hanks Broadway debut. The production is masterfully directed by Tony-winning director George C. Wolfe. Lucky Guy offers a crafted and deft portrait of the complex and driven McAlary whose career was a rollercoaster ride that ended with his untimely death from colon cancer on Christmas Day, 1998.

McAlary, who almost lost his career as a reporter when he was sued for libel, won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting of the Abner Louima case. Louima was a Haitian living in NYC who was arrested outside a Brooklyn nightclub in 1997. McAlary broke open the story concerning New York City police officers who abused and forcibly sodomized Louima with the handle of a toilet plunger. Hanks is nominated for a Tony.

The Assembled Parties

Nominee Light already has a Tony.

The Assembled Parties stars former Tony nominee Jessica Hecht and Tony winner and present nominee Judith Light. The play takes us into the home of former movie star Julie Bascov (Hecht) and her sister-in-law Faye (Light). The two seem to have happy lives. But then The Assembled Parties, which spans 20 years, offers a complication that intensifies the family drama. It’s a guest who turns things upside down as he accidentally or perhaps purposefully insinuates himself into the family drama. Will the apparently accomplished and happy Bascov family see its peaceful world fall to pieces?

The Testament of Mary

The brilliant Shaw played Mary.

Starring Fiona Shaw as Mary the mother of Jesus, The Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin takes place in Ephsesus after the crucifixion. Mary, who is living under guard, is pressured by two of Jesus’ followers to help them with their quest to write about her son’s work.

The Testament of Mary offers a new vision of Jesus’ mom, who is filled with doubt, brimming with independence and occupied by free thought. She is her own person who knows Jesus in ways no other person has or ever will. Mary is portrayed as a mother who has suffered a great loss and who must contend with men who would like to create a story about her son that she finds to be inaccurate at best. The Testament of Mary, which is an adaptation of the playwright’s short novel publish in 2012, offers a unique vision of the mother of Jesus, while raising questions about faith, history, gender and power.

Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike

Four members of the Vanya cast are nominated.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is defined by Christopher Durang’s unique comic vision. The comedy is a union of Chekov and Greek mythology. As it is in Chekhov’s plays, life is filled with misery, regret and depression, and as it is in Durang’s plays, the characters live in is strangely defined world that’s made up of classical references, pop culture and hedonism. The farm will never be the same after the arrival of Masha and Spike, the libidinous couple, as Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike takes us down roads rarely travelled. David Hyde Pierce, a past Tony winner, is nominated for the award this year. Also nominated for their performances are Kristine Nielsen, Billy Magnussen and Shalita Grant.

See this Year’s Best Broadway Plays

You can still see three of the four Tony- nominated plays on Broadway at group discount prices, as Lucky Guy, The Assembled Parties and Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike are still running. The Testament of Mary has closed. Contact All Tickets Broadway group sales for discount tickets at 800-922-0716 or query us via the Internet.

June Preview: Tony, Broadway Group Sales, School Discounts

Kinky Boots leads the Tonys with 13 noms.

Broadway group sales, school discounts, and the Tony Awards are just a few of the topics we’ll be writing about in the Buzz Stream. All Tickets, which offers group discounts on Broadway musicals and plays, will be covering a range of topics connected to NYC, travel, students and education and more. Here’s a preview of the Buzz for June.

Tony Award Previews

The 2013 Tony Awards will be held in NYC in eight days. The first Tonys were given out in 1947. This is the biggest event of its kind in the U.S. theatre as the Tonys recognize excellence in the profession. Musicals with numerous nominations include Kinky Boots, Cinderella, Pippin, Bring It On, A Christmas Story and Matilda the Musical. Plays that are frontrunners include Lucky Man, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Golden Boy.

All through the week, we’ll be previewing the Tonys and then taking a look at the winners after the big night.

Hot Summer Shows and Group Experiences

Soul Doctor arrives this summer.

Broadway group sales heat up for the summer when there are shows like Soul Doctor, Always…Patsy Cline, First Date and Forever Tango opening. July and June are getting very busy on Broadway with new shows previewing and opening. Along with new shows, there are those new hits like Kinky Boots and Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike and long runs Chicago and Phantom, with great Broadway group discounts.

The musical First Date transfers to Broadway after a successful Off-Broadway run.

Plus, All Tickets Inc. has group sales agents who can connect you with discounts on NYC guided tours, museums, historical sites, group theatre classes and workshops and all sorts of experiences. We have great hotel and restaurant discounts too.

2013-2014 Broadway Previews and News

The Glass Menagerie arrives on Broadway from ART.

There will be a lot of new show information regarding the 2013-2014 Broadway season, which is just about to begin. Already scheduled for the season, along with the shows listed above that open this summer, are musicals and plays that open from September on, such as the musicals Big Fish, Cotton Club Parade and Les Miserables and plays such as The Glass Menagerie, Betrayal and Waiting for Godot. Check our blog for information.

Broadway and NYC School Trips

If your school or educator group is planning a trip to New York, whether it’s for a day or longer, All Tickets Inc. is your group sales agency. We specialize in discounts for school and educator groups and are experts at putting together premium personalized itineraries that are exciting, educational and interesting.

More Too

There’s more from our Broadway group sales offices, including our ongoing Theatre Speak offerings, with one featuring famous and infamous theatre quotes, information on special All Tickets Inc. comp programs and special opportunities for tour groups, educators and others. For information on group deals on Broadway, Off-Broadway and all NYC experiences contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 or contact us on the Internet.

Les Misérables Broadway Revival: Reimagined Production Marks 25 Years

Les Miserables will be back on Broadway in 2014.

Les Miserables (Les Miz) is coming to Broadway. It’s official! Group sales for the 25th anniversary revival of Les Miz look to be big. Group discounts for the Broadway revival offer great opportunities for school, educator, tour groups and more to see what will be a blockbuster production. The musical will open on Broadway in the spring of 2014.

Reimagined

Producer Cameron Mackintosh has announced that Les Miserables will return to Broadway. This is his acclaimed 25th-anniverary production which features fresh scenic and narrative elements, and new orchestrations. The show has been successfully touring the U.S. as well as the U.K, France, Spain, Japan and Korea. The latest version will also soon open in Canada, Spain and Australia. Previews on Broadway begin March 1, 2014 and the show will open March 23, 2014. It will play at the Imperial Theatre.

First Broadway Run

The revival of Les Miserables offers a stirring reimaging of the musical.

Group discount sales for the Broadway revival may hit a fever pitch as they did during the initial NYC run of Les Miserables. The musical, which opened March 12, 1987 on Broadway, ran for 6,680 performances, closing May 18, 2003. The show was nominated for a dozen Tonys and won Best Musical and Best Score, amongst others.

The score includes many recognizable, popular songs, such as “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” and “Master Of The House.”

The dynamic staging, huge theatrical effects, massive score and adroit performances made Les Miserables a huge favorite amongst theatregoers. The film, which came out this year and was a box office hit, has certainly rekindled interest in the musical.

Save with Group Tickets

The new production of Les Miz on Broadway should be magnificent and pricey. Contacting Broadway group sales at All Tickets Inc. and securing discount tickets is the best way to curtail costs while securing the best possible seats. The rush to see Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Les Miserables should be considerable. Early prices tend to be lower and reserving and purchasing before the mad rush is a good idea. Call All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 for information on the new production of Les Miserables. Casting will be up coming. We’ll have another update on this exciting revival in the next few weeks.

Broadway Theatre: Tony Watch Time in New York City

Kinky Boots has 13 Tony nominations and we have group comps.

It’s that time of year again for New York and Broadway- the Tonys are upon us. All Tickets, the leader in Broadway group sales deals, comps and discounts, is taking next week to consider the Tonys. We’ll look at Tony history, what’s nominated this year and consider possible winners. Also next week, our Theatre Trivia Tweets will focus on the Tony Awards. It’s a Tony week all next week!

Comps for Tony Nominated Kinky Boots

The musical Kinky Boots leads the Tony nods with 13 nominations. Please note that along with Broadway group discounts, All Tickets’ group sales agents have free tickets for those who book their Kinky Boots tickets through us. This comp offer ends May 31, 2013. Comps are offered to schools, educators and camps at the rate of 1 complimentary ticket for every 25 purchased (up to 4 comps per group per performance booked) and for tour and group operators at 1 comp for every 30 bought (up to 4 comps per group per performance booked). That is the best group deal in town on Broadway’s new big hit musical Kinky Boots.

Free Tickets Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike

The Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike cast got 3 noms and the show six total.

All Tickets also has comps for the six-time Tony nominated play Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike. This new comedy by Christopher Durang has the most Tony nods of any straight play. With three actors being given the Tony nod, including David Hyde Pierce, and nominations for best direction and play, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike looks to be a contender next week. The same comp ticket deal that we are offering for Kinky Boots is also being provided to those who book their seats to Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike through All Tickets by May 31, 2013.

Keep in Touch with Us!

All Tickets Inc., which has also included the upcoming Broadway musical Big Fish in its comp promo offer, provides its clients with the best Broadway ticket deals, great comp promos and premium personalized service. Whatever your group needs when coming to New York and the surrounding region we’re ready to serve you.

Two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz (left) will star in Big Fish.

Be sure to follow our Tony blog and connect with our Trivia Tweets next week. In fact, you should simply stay in touch with All Tickets Inc. before, during and after Tony week so you’re always informed about the latest and best discounts and deals on all Broadway shows. For more information on our latest comp deal, which ends in just a few days, follow this link. To contact All Tickets directly call 1-800-922-0716 or visit out contact page on the web. All Tickets has New York’s total group experience.

The Tonys will be held on Sunday night, June 9, 2013 at Radio City Music Hall. They are being broadcast on CBS TV at 8 pm.

Broadway Welcomes Pinter, Betrayal Stars Daniel Craig & Rachel Weisz

Married couple Weisz and Craig to appear together on Broadway in Betrayal.

Harold Pinter’s play Betrayal should be on your Broadway group ticket list. Directed by Mike Nichols, Betrayal looks to be a powerful Broadway group experience. Nichols, who has won 10 Tonys, directs real life husband and wife Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz in this drama about a married couple and their good friend. Weisz, who is an Oscar winner, will play Emma and Craig has been cast as Robert. Playing the third role in the play, a literary agent named Jerry, is Rafe Spall.

Limited Broadway Engagement for Betrayal

Groups wanting Broadway discount tickets should act early as Betrayal is booked for an engagement that’s scheduled to end January 5, 2014. The play premieres on October 1, 2013 and will open November 3, 2013. The last time Betrayal played Broadway was in 2001. It premiered on the London stage in 1978 and is considered by many to be one of Pinter’s most accomplished works.

There are a lot of heavyweights involved in this production. Along with one of Broadway’s most celebrated directors, Nicholas, the creative team includes Ian MacNeil (scenic design), Ann Roth (costume design), Brian MacDevitt (lighting design) and Scott Lehrer (sound design).

The Story

Rafe Spall, seen here in Constellations, makes his Broadway debut.

The story of Betrayal focuses on three people- Robert and Emma, who are married, and one of their very best friends, Jerry. Told in reverse chronology, the drama details the lives of the three who purport to be friends but who constantly deceive and work against one another. In the play, Emma and Jerry have had a longtime affair, deceiving Robert. As the story works backwards, we discover a growing number of lies, deceptive behavior and malice that defines the relationships between the three characters. Betrayal asks poignant questions about honesty, love and friendship.

Betrayal Cast

Craig last appeared on Broadway in 2009 starring with Hugh Jackman in A Steady Rain. His film career, which is extensive, includes three James Bond titles, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Infamous, Road to Perdition and Munich.

Weisz in Streetcar.

Making her Broadway debut in the Pinter play will be Oscar winner Weisz. Weisz starred in the West End production of Suddenly, Last Summer. She received an Olivier Award for the 2010 West End revival of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. Her notable film credits include The Deep Blue Sea, The Constant Gardener, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Bourne Legacy, The Whistleblower and The Lovely Bones.

Spall, who with Betrayal will also appear on Broadway for the first time, most recently starred on stage in Constellations for which he received an Olivier nomination as Best Actor. He has been in various films, including Prometheus, Life of Pi, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Anonymous and One Day.

Broadway Group Sales for Pinter

Betrayal group tickets for the Broadway revival are available through All Tickets Inc. group sales agents. Our Broadway group sales personnel can secure the best possible seats at the best group discount prices. This revival of Betrayal looks to a premium Broadway experience for groups that want to see finely directed and acted drama. Call All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 for more information on this show and all shows on Broadway and Off-Broadway.

Broadway Long-Runs Group Discounts: Phantom, Chicago, Lion King & More

Phantom continues its unprecedented Broadway run.

Six Broadway musicals, Phantom, Chicago, Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and Jersey Boys,
have two things in common- great Broadway group discount tickets and they’re each in the top 20 of Broadway long-run musicals. Our Broadway group sales agents at All Tickets Inc. have the best group prices, the best available seats and the best combo, comp and volume discounts deals around.

Top Broadway Runs

Kander and Ebb along with Fosse gave us Chicago which is the longest running American musical on Broadway

At this point the longest running show in Broadway history is the currently open The Phantom of the Opera. Phantom has seen 10,527 performances. The story, which is well-known, is about opera singer Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a disfigured composer who haunts the opera and lives in the sewers of Paris. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, refined voices and major stage effects are all a part of this Broadway musical that has been running more than 25 years.

Third all-time and second amongst currently running shows, Chicago has presented 6,853 performances. The Kander and Ebb musical, with a book by Bob Fosse and Ebb, has something in common with Phantom- both shows focus on the dark side of human behavior. But in terms of style, Chicago is very different than Phantom. Satirically biting, with American characters that play on our country’s mythos and choreography that is signature Bob Fosse, Chicago features a sexy, bump and grind, scandal-driven story. It is sassy, brassy and jazzy.

Diversity

The Lion King is a family favorite amongst groups.

As far as long-run Broadway group shows with big group discounts, I don’t know if there are two more different musicals on the list than #3 The Lion King and #4 Mamma Mia! The Lion King (6,455), which is fifth all-time for Broadway long runs, tells the story of a young lion cub who in the wake of his father’s death must grow up quickly. This is a production that emphasizes spectacle. The music is by Elton John and the lyrics by Tim Rice. It is a fantastic family show.

If you’re a FOABBA (Fan of ABBA), then Mamma Mia! is your show. In fact, even if you’re not a fan of the Swedish rock group that offered up so many hits in the ‘70s, Mamma Mia! may still be your show. Along with a score that comes from ABBA’s long list of chart topping hits, this Broadway musical has outrageous characters, romance and a winning story. Plus, there’s an ABBA tribute at the end! Mamma Mia!, which is ninth all-time on Broadway’s long-run chart, has put in 4,803 performances.

Wicked & Jersey Boys: Musicals About How It Started

Wicked continues to be popular with all ages.

Wicked is fifth on our list of long-run shows currently in performance and 12th all-time on Broadway’s long-run list with 3,967 performances. The Stephen Schwartz/Winnie Holzman musical focuses on the two witches from the Wizard of Oz and their backstory. The full title of the musical says it all- Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz. The musical is known for its wonderful music, lyrics and characters, insightful story and big Broadway stage effects.

Another musical that looks back at some people before they became famous is Jersey Boys. But unlike Wicked, this Broadway musical focuses on real people, mainly Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It recounts how four guys from Jersey who grew up together hit it big as pop stars and how their amazing journey affected them and their friendships. The score is comprised of hit songs such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “My Eyes Adored You.” This is a musical about fame, fortune, friendship and character defining moments. Jersey Boys is 18th on the overall hit list and sixth on the roster of currently running shows as it clocks in with 3,116 performances.

Great Shows, Long-Run Discounts

Kinky Boots creative team- will they break long-run records?

Get Broadway group discounts on Phantom, Chicago, Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and Jersey Boys and see some of the biggest shows in the history of Broadway. All Tickets Inc. Also has group discount tickets for Broadway’s newest hits and Tony contenders, including Kinky Boots and Pippin. Our group sales agents will help you plan the perfect Broadway group experience. Contact us today at 1-800-922-0716.

Two Shows with Eternal Titles Headed to Broadway

Forever Tango returns to Broadway as sultry, powerful and sensual as ever.

Forever Tango and Always…Patsy Cline, shows that promise eternity in their titles, are the newest additions to the Broadway group sales arena. Discount Broadway group tickets for Always…Patsy Cline and Forever Tango can save you 40% or more on single ticket prices. Although both shows promise eternity in some form, each is unique and quite different from the other. Here’s a quick look at Forever Tango, which plays this summer for a limited run, and Forever Patsy Cline, which is projected for the 2013-2014 Broadway season.

Forever Tango

Forever Tango returns to Broadway after making a huge impression in 1997 when it ran for 14 months at the Walter Kerr and Marquis Theatres and then returning in 2004 for a limited four-month run at the Shubert Theatre. If you have a group that wants great Broadway discount tickets for a stunning show that will leave you breathless, then Forever Tango needs to be on your dance card.

The show includes 16 masterful tango dancers, a featured vocalist (five-time Grammy Award winner Gilberto Santa Rosa will star as the first special guest star for the initial three weeks of the engagement) and an 11-piece, first-class orchestra. Forever Tango is created and directed by Luis Bravo who in 1997 earned a Tony nomination for his choreography. Contact a Broadway group sales agent at All Tickets today for group discount rates and special combo pricing.

Always…Patsy Cline

Bowersox plays Patsy Cline on Broadway in Always…Patsy Cline.

Broadway group tickets for Always…Patsy Cline are sure to be on the list of country music fans, Crystal Bowersox fans and Patsy Cline fans everywhere as the musical Always…Patsy Cline makes its Broadway debut. Always…Patsy Cline, which has enjoyed various regional productions since its premiere in South Carolina in 1990 and an Off-Broadway run in 1997, is projected to start performances on Broadway this summer. Exact dates and theatre are still to be determined.

Annette O’Toole plays Seger.

Always… Patsy Cline tells the intriguing, true story about the country music star and her number one fan, Louise Seger. Seger was devoted to the country star and their story is one of total friendship. In the two-character musical, Louise narrates the story, describing the fateful day in 1961 when she met Patsy at Houston’s Esquire Ballroom. Patsy then kept close with the woman who she considered to be her number one fan by sending her long, hand-written letters. Those letters, which the singer signed “(Love) Always, Patsy Cline,” continued until the day Cline was killed in an airplane accident. Afterward, Patsy kept in touch with her number one fan by writing her long hand-written letters until the day in 1963 that she died tragically in a plane crash.

Patsy Cline playing the country-western look.

Broadway group sales look to be big as Crystal Bowersox (Cline), a country/soul singer who finished second on American Idol, makes her Broadway debut and Oscar and Emmy nominee Annette O’Toole (Seger) stars opposite her. Featuring the music of Cline and a book by Ted Swindley, the musical includes 27 of Cline’s hits including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces” and “Walking After Midnight.”

Summer Fun with Broadway Group Tickets

Remember, Broadway group tickets, including those for Always…Patsy Cline and Forever Tango, are always offered at a generous discount. All Tickets Broadway group sales agents can help you make your group experience easy to set up and oversee, with Make-A-Group. Along with group discounts for musicals on Broadway and New York shows, All Tickets also has low prices on accommodations, dining, tours, attractions and more. Contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 for information on two shows with eternity in their titles, Always…Patsy Cline and Forever Tango.

Get Group Tickets for Broadway’s 5 Most Popular Shows and Save

The Lion King was first in ticket sales on Broadway this past week.

Broadway group tickets are a hot commodity. All Tickets, your Broadway theatre group sales specialist, notes that groups should plan ahead to snag tickets to the New York show of their dreams. Here are the five shows with the biggest grosses for the week ending May 19, 2013.

Top Three Are Long Runs

The first three Broadway shows that are big for group sales and offer discount group Broadway tickets are in long runs but they are still are very popular. The Lion King tops all shows with a gross of $1,887,665 for the week. The Lion King is the fifth longest running show on Broadway with over 6,400 performances. Wicked, which is 12th on the list with almost 4,000 performances, was second selling $1,747,141 in tickets. Wicked, which books a lot of Broadway group ticket sales, will soon pass Miss Saigon, which is currently 11th.

It’s irreverent fun, The Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon opened March 24, 2011 on Broadway, which means it has notched more than 800 performances. Groups have clamored for Broadway group tickets for this irreverent, hilarious musical. It has about another six months before it will neat the 20th spot for long runs. It was third on the list with Broadway ticket sales for the week coming in at $1,701,989.

New Shows 4 & 5

Two new shows, both of which are highly sought after by Broadway group ticket buyers, came in fourth and fifth. The only straight play on the list is Lucky Guy, which stars Tom Hanks. Lucky Guy, which was written by the late Nora Ephron, has earned numerous Tony nods, including one for Hanks and one for Best Play. Group tickets are hard to get for Lucky Guy and Hanks as the playt has a limited Broadway run.

Kinky Boots leads the Tonys and is a major hit.

Broadway group sales for Kinky Boots are very good. The Lauper/Fierstein musical earned the most Tony nominations this year- 13. Kinky Boots lucky number may be 13 if it walks away with the Best Musical Tony. Based on the indie film, which is also entitled Kinky Boots, the musical offers Broadway group ticket holders a wonderful book, fine score and rich characters. Kinky Boots focuses on the relationship between a young man who has begrudgingly inherited his father’s failing shoe factory and a cross-dresser who helps save the factory and finds acceptance amongst those who at first are antagonistic towards him.

Two Other Winners

Pippin is a big hit again.

There are two other Broadway shows that are winners not because of their gross ticket sales but because they are selling at 100+% capacity. The Book of Mormon, Lucky Guy and Kinky Boots, which are on the highest ticket revenue list are also on the frontrunner list for selling over 100% of their capacity. Also on the list is I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers. The show stars Bette Midler. The other show on that list is the spectacular revival of the musical Pippin.

Get Broadway Group Tickets Now

It’s the perfect time to book your discount Broadway group tickets as the spring rush will start soon. Also, after the Tonys are held, it can be even harder to get group tickets to Broadway shows like Kinky Boots, Lucky Guy and Pippin. All of these New York shows have numerous Tony nominations. For Broadway group tickets call All Tickets sales agents. They’ll be happy to help you plan your New York visit and get you the best discounts possible on Broadway shows. Also be sure to ask about our latest exclusive group comp promotion, which includes Kinky Boots. You can reach All Tickets by calling 1-800-922-0716.

The Beauty of Broadway Group Discounts from ATI Explained

Kinky Boots with 13 Tony noms is one of the hottest shows on Broadway.

Broadway musicals are hot and so are group sales and discount tickets for these New York shows. Broadway group discounts can ticket buyers 40% or more. All Tickets group sales agents are experts at ensuring you’ll save as much as you possibly can on the next Broadway musical you see. What should you look for when going the Broadway group discount ticket route? Here are a few suggestions.

Look for Personalized Service

The fact is all group ticket agents offer the same discounts on Broadway musicals. They differentiate themselves through their personalized service. This is a hallmark at All Tickets Inc. and it includes our commitment to work with you to make sure you get the best tickets possible to the show of your choice. We will coordinate each and every aspect of your trip, including transportation, meals, accommodations and other group experiences. If you’d like suggestions of how to enrich your Broadway experience, we’ll gladly make recommendations.

Matilda stands out from other Broadway musicals.

If you dread having to coordinate your group, All Tickets Inc. makes it easy through our Make-a-Group service. This service will help you effortlessly build your group, contact your group members and enable you to collect payments and inform members of developments and changes.

Extra Discounts

Although Broadway discounts for groups for a specific show are consistent and uniform, All Tickets does offer extra discounts for those who combine a Broadway show with another experience or event and we also provide our clients with special volume discounts. We’re dedicated to making the total New York experience affordable and we’ll gladly work with you to get you the best deal on your entire group experience.

Group Agency Comps

Pippin brings the circus to Broadway,

All Tickets Inc. often provides groups who purchase Broadway tickets with us complimentary tickets. These comps are paid for by All Tickets Inc. We run various promotions throughout the year. For our latest comp tickets promotions contact us at 1-800-922-0716. If you’d like to read about our present comp promo see our newsletter. By the way, producers will also sometimes offer groups comps. If they do, All Tickets Inc. will be able to secure those for you also.

Broadway Group Sales Experts

All Tickets Inc, the Broadway group sales experts, is ready to help you secure the best tickets, deepest group discounts on New York experiences and events and comps through our exclusive promotions and from producers. We’re ready to work directly with you and make your group experience a premium one in every way possible.

Tony Nominations for Best Broadway Musical for 2013

The young actresses in Matilda The Musical will each receive a Tony.

Broadway group tickets for Tony nominated musicals Matilda and Kinky Boots are available. See two of the best musicals on Broadway at group discounts. Here’s a look at each of the four nominated musicals and what makes each of them worthy of a Tony nomination.

Matilda The Musical

Broadway group tickets have been going strong for Matilda The Musical, which has 12 Tony nominations and has actually already won a 2013 Tony. The four actresses who play the lead role will each be given a Tony for Special Accomplishment at the ceremony this June? Why weren’t they nominated for a regular Tony? Here’s the problem according to nominating rules only one could receive a nomination. The producers of Matilda thought all four were worthy; so the Special Tony is a way to honor their accomplishments without breaking or changing the rules.
This 2013 Tony-winner and nominee has a lot going for it. The music, lyrics and book are topnotch and the direction and illusions are both masterful. Bertie Carvel plays Miss Trunchbull with aplomb. He won the Olivier for the role this past year and could also take the Tony!

Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots leads the Tonys.

Group tickets for Lauper and Fierstein’s Kinky Boots are popular as is this Broadway musical with the Tony nominating committee. Kinky Boots garnered 13 nominations. The musical about diversity and acceptance is a pure joy and the messages are offered in a powerful manner. Lauper and Fierstein have done admirable work and the ensemble is a pleasure to watch. The characters are vivid, the staging clean and crisp and the overall effect is fashionably upbeat.

Bring It On

Group discount ticket sales were strong for Bring It On, the musical based on a national cheerleading competition. The musical, which arrived on Broadway in the summer after a successful road tour, surprised many. It offered energy, great routines and

Audiences loved Bring It On.

choreography and the twists and turns in the plot were thoroughly entertaining. The musical was cleanly staged and gave audiences polished performances. Bring It On was a huge hit and got a nomination for Best Musical. We may see it on Broadway again.

A Christmas Story

Groups scrambled for discount tickets to A Christmas Story, the musical that is based on the iconic movie of the same name and the

Will A Christmas Story receive “A Major Award?”

fourth Tony nominated musical for 2013. How could anyone resist a musical chorus and dance number based on and called “A Major Award?” All the great characters, situations and lines were in place and the creators found just the right way to turn this into a new holiday classic. Again, we may see A Christmas Story on Broadway next holiday season with group discount tickets available.

Time to Buy Broadway Group Tickets

Will Bring It On bring it back to Broadway?

All Tickets Inc. Broadway group sales agents have discount tickets for Matilda The Musical and Kinky Boots. Contact us at 1-800-922-0716 for savings on tickets to both of these Tony nominated musicals. Check with All Tickets for group sales and discounts regarding another visit to Broadway from the musicals Bring It On and A Christmas Story The Musical.

Broadway to Welcome American Classic Glass Menagerie in Fall

In The Glass Menagerie, Amanda tries to find common ground with Laura.

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams arrives on Broadway this fall. Broadway group sales featuring student discounts are attractive to schools as Glass Menagerie is standard reading for high school students. Why is The Glass Menagerie an American classic and what makes it a fantastic play for schools, students, educators and others? Here are some themes and elements that make this drama so powerful and important.

Diversity

A major theme in The Glass Menagerie is diversity and acceptance. Both Laura and her brother Tom are considered to be odd and peculiar. Each is seen as being a misfit of some sort. This is a common feeling amongst many middle school and high school students. Often they feel as if they simply do not fit in and they feel isolated.

Need to Escape

The Gentleman Caller at dinner.

For those Broadway group ticket buyers that see The Glass Menagerie, there’s no lack of subjects for discussion. Student groups will identify with the need that the characters have to escape from their feelings of isolation. Laura tries to escape from her loneliness through the fantasy of her collection of glass animals, by going to the zoo and by listening to records on the Victrola. Tom, who works at a dead end job at the shoe warehouse, wants to leave everything behind and go off on his own. He’s trapped by family obligations and manages to escape by writing poetry, going out to the movies and drinking.

Amanda, the mother, has a difficult time accepting that her children are different. She wants Laura to have a “normal” life, which means getting married and having financial security. She’s willing to let Tom go off and be himself if he will help her secure a husband for his sister.

Acceptance

Student and other Broadway group discount ticket buyers will find a lot to discuss in The Glass Menagerie regarding Amanda and her relationship with her children. Amanda has a difficult time accepting her children and even admitting that they are different from others. Jim, the Gentleman Caller, is someone who is very accepting. He works with Tom and has known his since high school. He calls Tom “Shakespeare,” and although he acknowledges that he’s different than others, he accepts the poet for who he is.

Jim with Laura- finding acceptance.

Although Laura behaves strangely and awkwardly around Jim, he sees good in her and gently tries to help her find self-confidence. In his romantic moment with her, when he dances with Laura and kisses her, he reveals to her that she has a special quality that makes her attractive. After he realizes that he has gone a bit too far, he shows Laura respect by apologizing and admitting to her that he’s engaged to a girl named Betty.

Symbol of the Unicorn

The unicorn is now like all the other horses.

In The Glass Menagerie, when Jim dances with Laura and literally sweeps her off her feet they run into the table on which sits the girl’s favorite glass animal, the unicorn. The unicorn topples to the floor, and its horn breaks off, making it more “normal.” Now it looks like a horse. In this action is the message that acceptance, like the kind that Jim offers to Laura, can make outcasts feel as if they are part of society and like the rest of us.

Broadway Discounts for Groups

Broadway group discounts can make the difference between student groups seeing or not seeing The Glass Menagerie. This classic American drama offers student groups and others many important topics and themes for discussion. Contact All Tickets Inc. today at 1-800-922-0716 for information on group sales and Broadway group tickets for Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.

Broadway Group Tickets Deals: Kinky Boots 13 Tony Noms

Tony Awards will be held June 9, 2013.

Get group tickets deals for the Broadway musical hit Kinky Boots from All Tickets today! With a lucky 13 Tony nominations, Kinky Boots in one funky hit as critics and audiences love the show. Kinky Boots leads all new Broadway musicals with its baker’s dozen Tony nominations. Here’s how some of the other musicals and plays did with Ms. Tony.

New Musical Noms

Matilda the musical was close behind Kinky Boots; it received a dozen Tony nominations. Matilda is also a big hit with the group sales crowd. Kinky Boots and Matilda both got nods for Best Musical as did two musicals that have closed- Bring It On and A Christmas Story. A Christmas Story received three nominations total and Bring It On two. I’d expect both musicals to swing through and onto Broadway sometime in the fairly near future. Check with All Tickets Inc. for these shows, possible special comp promotions and Broadway group discount tickets.

Golden, Lucky, Vanya

Hanks earned a nomination.

In the realm of New York plays, three straight shows, two that are big with Broadway group tickets, are in the Tony race this season. Tom Hanks got a nomination for his role in Nora Ephron’s Luck Guy. Lucky Guy garnered six nominations. The revival of Clifford Odets’ Golden Boy captured the most nominations as the show earned eight. Hanks Broadway debut has been a major success for the veteran screen actor. The Durang comedy Vanya & Masha & Sonia & Spike was also given six nominations. David Hyde Pierce is up for the Best Actor award. Both Lucky Guy and Vanya & Masha & Sonia & Spike are on Broadway group radar screens.

Musical Revivals

Although Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella has never had a first class Broadway production until this year, it is considered a revival. Of the revivals nominated this musical got nine nominations. The first major revival of Pippin on Broadway leads all musical revival with 10 Tonys nods. Both shows are looking at strong runs. Each is a topnotch production.

The Matilda Leads

The four Matilda actresses will be honored.

The controversy over the four girls who play the title role in Matilda The Musical was solved (to a degree). The Tony rules state that only one of four could be nominated and that meant that the Matilda producers, who felt all four young actresses deserved a shot at the award and wanted them nominated as a group, withheld all the names from nomination. They felt it was unfair to choose one of the girls over the other three. The result was the four actresses who created the title role of Matilda on Broadway – Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro- will be awarded special Tonys honoring “Excellence in the Theatre.”

When and Where

Want Broadway group tickets for one of the big Tony winners. You can find out immediately which musicals and plays are the major winners of the 67th annual Tony Awards by watching them on CBS- TV. They will be held and aired live on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at 8 pm. The event will be held at Radio City Music Hall. If you group would like tickets to musicals on Broadway or any professional New York plays contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716.

New Broadway Musical Beautiful: Show about the Queen of Songwriters, Carole King

Carole King- the early days.

A new musical entitled Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is set to make its Broadway debut spring 2014. Prior to Broadway, Beautiful will tryout in San Francisco. The musical is based on the life and work of King, who started writing hit songs when she was a teen and created one of the most successful albums of all time, Tapestry. Tapestry sold over 25 million copies. The lead single from the album, “It’s Too Late”/”I Feel The Earth Move” held number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. In Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, the album was ranked 36th.

Beautiful Writer and Director

Although no cast has been announced the writer and director are set. Douglas McGrath, who wrote the films Infamous and Emma and who collaborated with Woody Allen on the film Bullets Over Broadway, is writing the book. McGrath received an Oscar nomination for Bullets Over Broadway.

Marc Bruni, who directed Pipe Dream, Ordinary Days, and Old Jews Telling Jokes, will stage Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. It is scheduled to run from Sept. 24-Oct. 20 in San Francisco. Bruni was involved in a mid-April reading of the King musical.

A Word from the Creators

Tapestry sold over 25 million copies.

A statement from the creators observes, “Her voice would define a generation, but first she had to find it. Long before she was Carole King: chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein: Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll.” It goes on to observe, “But it wasn’t until her fairytale life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of King’s rise to stardom, alongside husband and co-writer Gerry Goffin and fellow song writers Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, set to the music that made her one of the recording industry’s most enduring icon.”

King Notes

In an earlier statement, King said, “What’s so great about this for me is that musicals were a major influence on my songwriting. In fact, when Gerry and I first met, we made a bargain that I would write music for the Broadway show he wanted to write if he wrote lyrics for my rock ‘n roll songs. The songs took off, and the show idea never came to fruition. Now that our songs have merged with a Broadway show, we’ve come full circle”

Coming to Broadway

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical will be on Broadway about a year from now. With a double album of Carole King songs as its score, we know it will have winning music. King’s story is a rich one with a lot of entertainment potential. Look for great deals on group discount tickets to this new Broadway show.

Barnstormer Tours: Summer Theatre, Summer Sites and Sounds

It time to start thinking about Barnstormer Tours- theatre, culture and nature are the focus of these one- to three-day adventures. Get away and enjoy great summer theatre, natural beauty and regional history and culture. All Tickets Barnstormer Tours are for groups looking for a new horizon that’s fun and affordable.

Where We Go?

Barnstormer Tours travels to selected areas of the Atlantic States, New England and other regions. Our focus is on theatre, culture, and natural beauty and our belief is that in America there are amazing places to visit that are quickly and easily accessible.

Here are just a few of the places we’ll take you:

New Jersey’s Vibrant Gold Coast
Verdant upstate New York
Philadelphia’s spirit of independence
Cape Cod’s National Seashore
Historically rich Boston
New Hampshire’s famous White Mountains and Lakes Region
Vermont’s quaint, legendary towns and verdant valleys
The expansive mansions of Newport, Rhode Island
Quebec City and Old Town Quebe
Cosmopolitan Toronto

The Best of the Best

All Tickets will plan your Barnstormer Tours itinerary; plus, we will gladly create a special tour just for your group. Included with each tour is a licensed, knowledgeable, friendly tour guide with transportation via a luxury motor coach. We are fully insured and bonded. Leave all of your worries behind, All Tickets’ Barnstormer Tours will take care of everything.

Relax and Enjoy

It’s all about relaxing and enjoying yourself with friends and family. We’ve designed Barnstormer Tours to make everything easy- the planning, collecting payments, travel, accommodations and meals. We’ll get you tickets to a great regional or summer theatre show, provide topnotch accommodations and strive to make every moment a pure pleasure.

NYC is on the List Too!

For some people getting away from it all involves traveling into the culturally rich and always exciting New York City. Yes, the City is also a part of our Barnstormer Tours destinations. Enjoy Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, museums, sites, great food and more on a one- to three-day trip the Big Apple.

Summer’s Almost Here!

Summertime beckons and there’s nothing better than going someplace new where you can immerse yourself in unique, fun, exciting experiences. The dunes of the Cape, the Barnstomers Summer Theatre in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region and the foothills of its White Mountains, and Newport Mansions, music and the International Tennis Hall of fame. Be a part of a very special summer through Barnstormer Tours. We’re Regional America’s Total Group Experience! Here is more information on All Tickets Inc. Barnstormer Tours. Call us today at 1-800-992-0716 or contact us through the web.

Take Your Group on a Guided Tour of a NYC Neighborhood

Tour NY’s Central Park.

All Tickets Inc., the leader in Broadway group discounts and comps, offers tours of NYC by fully licensed, trained and experienced multilingual tour guides. Add a tour at a group discount rate to you itinerary to enrich your NYC adventure. Along with expert guides, our group sales agents will book your group on a comfortable, well-equipped bus. Double-decker buses, open-top buses, climate controlled single-deckers and specialty buses are available. Here are some ideas on what you can do.

Times Square

The extreme hustle and bustle of Times Square seems to pulse through all of Manhattan. Here you’ll see the magnificent signage, ads and marketing campaigns; the glitz of the theatre; and the entire spectacle of what is the central artery of the City while discovering the inside scoop on what’s behind all the show and bravado of Times Square. The man credited with creating the modern Broadway theatre, George M. Cohan, is honored by a statue situated in this busy neighborhood.

Harlem

The historic Apollo Theatre in Harlem.

With a rich artistic and cultural heritage and a diverse history, Harlem is popular with group tours. New trends in drama, art and music are part of present-day Harlem and also a major aspect of its history. Discover the groundbreaking Apollo Theatre, the historic site of the Cotton Club and the Studio Museum of Harlem. Journey to what was the center of NYC’s jazz and blues and the genesis of the Harlem Renaissance.

Wall Street

Wall Street tours are popular.

The financial center of the world is located in Wall Street. The NY Stock Exchange, Federal Hall (the original site of our national government) and Trinity Church are all a part of this informative tour of one of the busiest financial districts on Earth. See Trump Towers and other symbols to the massive fortunes made and lost on Wall Street.

Central Park

Over 25 million people visit the 800-acre park every year. It beckons to those who want to get away from it all. Central Park is an homage to beauty, as over 4 million forms of plant life representing 1,500 species may be found in this oasis of nature, art and human engineering. Enjoy the history, splendor and uniqueness of Central Park.

Other Tours

Other exciting NYC neighborhoods await you, including Chinatown, Greenwich Village and Washington Heights. All Tickets can also help you create a customized tour for your group. To get started, you may want to utilize our NYC directory of sites and attractions or simply call us at 1-800-922-0716 with your ideas and/or itinerary. For more information on each of the NYC neighborhoods covered on our guided tours follow this link. Get to know NYC through some of the best tour guides on Manhattan. See NYC in a whole new light

Discount Group Rates: Family Friendly Musicals New and Old

Newsies is a major family friendly musical.

It’s a fine time to get discount rates through All Tickets Inc. and our Broadway group sales agents. There are numerous musicals on Broadway that are family friendly and perfect for your next group event. There’s nothing like taking the entire family to a Broadway show and group discounts make that a lot easier as you can save anywhere from 30 to 45% on single ticket prices. Here’s what it takes to be a group and a look at some long run and new family friendly shows.

How Big is a Group?

Some people think that you need 20 or 30 people to get group ticket discounts to a Broadway show. This is not the case at all. For many musicals the group rate kicks in at 10 and for others 15. To find out what the minimum is in order to get a group ticket price simply call All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Family Friendly Musicals

Wicked continues its long run.

Long run family friendly Broadway musicals with deep group discounts include The Lion King and Wicked. Both are hugely entertaining. A more recent addition is the revival of Annie, which is directed by James Lapine. Annie will charm and disarm you. Newsies is a smash hit and an important story, offering families a lot to talk about as far as kids, fairness and rights are concerned. If you’re looking for big effects in a big show, then consider Spider-Man. This superhero musical continues to entertain all ages.

Finally, there is Cinderella and Matilda The Musical. Cinderella offers audiences a smart, new script and great Rodgers and Hammerstein songs. This production is staged with verve and majesty. The latest major musical on Broadway is Matilda. Matilda is the story of an extraordinary little girl who must contend with various bullies in order to find happiness. Directed by Tony- and Olivier- winning director Matthew Warchus and featuring illusions by the masterful Paul Kieve, Matilda is an awe-inspiring musical.

Get Family and Friends with Families

Take a moment to contact some family and friends and set a date, call All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 and you’ll be on your way to enjoying a family friendly musical on Broadway.

Houdini The Musical Has Not Disappeared, Just Delayed

Jackman will play Houdini.

Houdini, the new musical which is said to be destined for the Broadway in 2013-2014, seems to some to have disappeared, mimicking Harry Houdini himself (Houdini is considered to be one of the greatest illusionists and escape artists of all time). Well, first of all, the new musical based on Houdini has not disappeared although one part of the creative team has left the show. Despite this departure, Houdini, the new musical that is to star Hugh Jackman, is still in development.

Sorkin Gone

Aaron Sorkin, who was the second book writer on the project, left the show early in 2013. Sorkin, who is an Oscar winning screenwriter, TV producer/writer and playwright, is noted for having written A Few Good Men, The Newsroom and The Farnsworth Invention. Sorkin is said to have left Houdini to write the second season of The Newsroom (HBO) and to work on a film about Apple founder Steve Jobs.

When Sorkin departed producers Scott Sanders and David Rockwell issued a statement that read, “Mr. Sorkin’s considerable talents are an asset to any project and we regret that he’s unable to remain with Houdini.” They also noted, “However, what Hugh and the creative team continue to create is one of the most exciting projects we’ve ever been a part of. Our projected arrival on Broadway and additional creative team announcement will be made at a future date.”
The final part of that statement makes it impossible to project an accurate Broadway opening date for the musical. But the show is definitely moving forward. Slowly, that is.

Facebook Page

Jackman won praise for his work on the Les Miserables movie.

The Facebook page for Houdini was last updated on April 14 when the cover picture was changed. Someone wrote at that time, “Would love to hear some news.” Jackman then posted, “Yes, we really would.” The page is not very active but that doesn’t mean a lot; however Jackman’s comment certainly indicates a certain restlessness regarding the project. The projects Twitter account has not had a posting since January.

One dilemma concerns Sorkin whose compensation for his contribution to the project must be sorted out. Another problem concerns the fact that a new book writer is needed.

Other Creatives

Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell) is the composer/lyricist on the show. Others who have been said to have collaborated on the score at some point include Danny Elfman, David Yazbek and Glenn Slater while Kurt Anderson was the initial book writer. Tony-winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, Coast of Utopia) is slated to direct the show.

Schwartz’s Wicked is in a long Broadway run.

Watch for Updates

All Tickets will be tracking the anticipated arrival of Houdini. The project seemed to be in full swing last October with Jackman reported to be hard at work on the musical but with Sorkin’s departure in January it appears to be at a crawl. The promotional video for the musical promises big things. Big things take time to develop on Broadway. Continue to check this blog for more information.

Rock, Pop Musicals and Broadway Group Discount Tickets

Rock on Rock of Ages!

Group discount tickets for Broadway shows are a fantastic deal. Groups can see the finest NY theatre, musicals and plays, at huge savings. Right now is a great time to book your Broadway show as there’s a wealth of new and long run shows from which to choose. These include some rock/pop musicals that have stood the test of time and continue to entertain. Here are a few that are well worth seeing.

Rock of Ages

It’s irreverent, hysterical and mildly historical as this musical revisits the ‘80s heavy metal sound and characters. Set in the Hollywood during a time when rock bands offered the public bad boys, cutting guitar riffs and pounding drums, Rock of Ages is a high-speed, drug-laced, sex-crazed-maze of frivolity set to the hits of that wild time. The story is fairly light, which helps to emphasize, as does the fact that drinks are served at your seat during the show, that this musical is about a time of excess and wildness.

MaMa Mia!

They didn’t play heavy rock but ABBA did offer a sound that was disco-connected pop and often ballad driven. ABBA was one of the most popular rock groups in the world and although these Swedes spoke little English they managed to dominate the US pop charts. MaMa Mia! is a musical about love, marriage and the wild past of one mom whose daughter wants her dad at her wedding. However, it’s not really clear who her dad is. MaMa Mia! is a funny, nostalgic journey with a happy ending.

Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys is still popping along.

Jersey Boys is the story of the chart-popping Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Coming out of New Jersey, these four friends found their loyalties tested by fame and fortune. Jersey Boys includes over 30 Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons hits. The Tony-winning show is expertly directed by Des McAnuff.

Pippin

Join us once again as Pippin’s first Broadway revival, replete with a magnificent circus theme, takes the stage. This is a high energy, finely tuned production of this rock musical. The story focuses on one young man’s attempt to discover what makes him extraordinary (if anything). Of the four Broadway rock musicals featured in this blog, Pippin is the only one to have recently opened. It’s also the only one with an original score written specifically for the show. This highly theatrical production is designed to entertain.

Pippin still rocks.

Contact All Tickets

For more information on Broadway group tickets and discounts for these rock/pop musicals take a moment to contact us at 1-800-922-0716 or see our contact page. With Rock of Ages, MaMa Mia!, Jersey Boys and Pippin, there’s something for every rock music lover in the audience. Of course, All Tickets has group discount rates for all musicals on Broadway and all New York plays. We’ll ensure you get the best price on the show you want to see.

Broadway Fall 2013: New Shows, Musicals and Plays

McKellen and Stewart in Waiting for Godot

Broadway group tickets for a wealth of new musicals on Broadway and New York plays will soon be available. All Tickets group sales agents have great discounts for audiences to see Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Orlando Bloom, Cherry Jones, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Weisz and many other stars on New York’s Broadway stages. Revivals include No Man’s Land by Harold Pinter, Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, Betrayal by Pinter, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. There are numerous new shows scheduled for the 2013 season, including Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Story starring Leslie Uggams, If/Then starring Idina Menzel and Sing Happy: The New Kander & Ebb Musical. Here are a few highlights.

McKellen & Stewart

Broadway group tickets will soon be available to see McKellen and Stewart reprise their roles in No Man’s Land and Waiting for Godot. The two appeared in the plays in London to critical acclaim. McKellen and Stewart are considered to be two of the finest actors in the English-speaking theatre.

Bloom & Rashad

Bloom and Rashad in Romeo and Juliet.

Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad are slated to star in a new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This marks Bloom’s Broadway debut while the youngRashad is a Broadway veteran with a Tony nomination. This classic should be a hit with school groups as Romeo and Juliet is one of those plays that most students read in high school. Bloom, who is known as a Hollywood heartthrob, will be tested by his first stage role.

New Musicals

There are numerous new Broadway musicals in the wings and All Tickets has group tickets for all. Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Story, which has had numerous out-of-town productions, will star Tony-winner Leslie Uggams. Horne was a groundbreaking performer who was known for her unique renditions of songs, including her signature piece Stormy Weather.

If/Then starring former Wicked star and Tony-winner Idina Menzel is on its way to the National Theatre in Washington, DC, for an out-of-town tryout before coming to New York. The musical is the result of efforts by the Next to Normal creative team of Tom Kitt (music), Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics) and Michael Greif (director). Next to Normal won a slew of awards including the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Other new musicals on Broadway will include Cotton Club Parade, which has been seen in New York in 2010 and 2011 but not on Broadway, and the revue Sing Happy: The New Kander & Ebb Musical. Cotton Club Parade features music from the 1920s and ‘30s and includes “Stormy Weather,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “Digga Digga Doo,” “I’ve Got the World on a String” and “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.

Kander and Ebb gave us Chicago which is the longest running American musical on Broadway

Sing Happy celebrates the songwriting partnership between John Kander and Fred Ebb who created numerous Broadway hits over a half-century partnership. Broadway musicals include Cabaret, Chicago, Zorba and Kiss of the Spiderwoman. This looks to be a great group experience.

Stay in Touch

If you’re interested in Broadway group tickets to these and other new shows be sure to stay in touch with All Tickets Inc. by subscribing to our weekly eblast newsletter. To subscribe simply follow this link to our contact page where you’ll find a simple subscription form on the lower, right-hand side of the page. Along with offering group tickets at big discounts, ATI often runs special complimentary ticket promotions, provides volume discounts and combo deals and can book your group at any and every attraction and experience that New York has to offer. We also have discounts on hotels, meals and transportation. All Tickets Inc. gives you New York’s Total Group Experience.

Broadway Group Tickets: All Tickets Comp Promo Ends Soon

Matilda The Musical is part of the ATI comp promo.

All Tickets Inc. (ATI) exclusive comp promo will end April 30th. Buy group tickets to designated musicals on Broadway and New York plays and your group gets comps. This comp promo is exclusive to All Tickets Inc. Student, educator, and camp groups get 1 comp for every 25 tickets paid (up to 4 per group per performance) and tour groups receive 1 comp for every 30 tickets paid (up to 4 per group per performance).

Hit Musicals

There are some great, new hit musicals on Broadway and All Tickets Inc. is offering comps to many of them. Included in this offer is Matilda The Musical. Matilda just opened and as it did in London it was a massive, smash hit. The musical with the biggest Grammy-winning score to ever grace Broadway, Motown, is also part of our comp offer. We’ve also include the Broadway debut production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Laura Osnes. Like the other two, Cinderella is a big time Broadway show. The revival of Annie and the new Lauper/Fierstein musical Kinky Boots are a part of this offer too.

Featured Plays

All Tickets comps are also available for those who buy group tickets for Holland Taylor’s one-woman show Ann and for Christopher Durang’s new comedy Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike. Taylor, who wrote the script, has created an insightful show based on Democratic Texas governor Ann Richards. Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike transfers to Broadway after a successful Off-Broadway run. The comedy stars David Hyde Pierce and Sigourney Weaver.

The wonderful production of Cinderella is one of our COMP shows.

Do More, Save More, Have More Fun

Utilize All Tickets Inc. and its comp program to save more money. Also, consider booking more than one experience through ATI. We can get you fantastic group rates on dining, accommodations, maritime adventures, museums, tours and more. Groups save more by combining different aspects of their New York City trip and booking each through All Tickets Inc. Call us today at 1-800-922-0716 or link to ATI here. All Tickets offer New York’s Total Group Experience.

Theatre Speak: The Word Theatre and Other Such Things

The Greeks created the first formal theatre.

We use a lot of terminology in the theatre, which may be called “theatre speak.” Some of it is very specific to the industry. Terms such as “strike,” “tech,” and “blocking” are associated with specific activities/duties/jobs in the theatre. These are words that are used specifically in the industry. But what about more generalized terms such as those that many of us who are not in the theatre use? Specifically, today we’re talking about the word “theatre.”

Dionysius Baby

We trace the origins of the first formal theatre back to ancient Athens. Sometime around the 6th or 5th century BCE, plays were being presented in Athens. Dionysius was the God of Theatre, Wine and Revelry. We also trace the origins of the word we use for the art form in which actors offer live performances in front of an audience and to the building in which those performances occur to this time.

The word theatre comes from the Greek word “thea.” Thea means to see or view. Of course, unlike a narrative that is told, theatrical performances include things that an audience could and would want to see- actors, their actions and reactions, spectacle, etc. So theatre was something that you viewed.

Theatron

The Greeks in Athens called the place in which the audience sat and watched a play the “theatron.” That would be the “viewing place.” The Greek theatron was semicircular and configured around a circular playing area called the orchestra (dancing circle). Upstage of the orchestra, there was a “skene.” Skene means “hut.” The skene was first a tent in which the actors changed costumes but eventually it because a raised platform which held changing rooms for the actors and on which actors could stand and play out scenes. This structure also had doors through which actors could enter. The skene was about 14-feet higher than the orchestra.

By the way our word “proscenium,” which we use today, comes from the Greek “skene” and “proskene”.” In the Greek theatre the proskene was in front of the skene. It helped to frame and define the skene, adding some additional acting areas. The proscenium in our theatre buildings is the frame that surrounds the stage, helping to define the difference between the acting space and audience space.

The Theatre

A drawing of a drawing of the Globe Theatre from the Renaissance

Interestingly enough the name of the first permanent theatre building used exclusively for live performances of plays in London was The Theatre. The Theatre was owned by the Burbages who eventually took the building down and shipped the boards out of the walled City of London across the Thames to Bankside where they built The Globe, which was the theatre company of which William Shakespeare became a member.

NOT in New England

n London during Shakespeare’s time there was a group that was very critical of the theatre. In fact, they focused a lot of their energy on closing down the theatres and during the Reformation did so. That group was the Puritans. The Puritans were persecuted in England and a group sailed to the New World. They first settled in what would become Provincetown, MA. But they left fairly quickly and created a permanent settlement in Plymouth, MA. One of the reasons people point to the slow development of theatre in America is the Puritan influence. In Massachusetts and much of New England into the early 20th century it was hard to find a “theatre.” You might find a museum, opera house or lyceum where plays were presented, but the word “theatre” was anathema.

Boston Museum was a famous 19th theatre.

Going to the Theatre

So when you are going to the theatre you are going to a place where you can “see” or “view” a play. We, the audience, sit in what is called the “auditorium.” Ironically, the root word for “audience” and “auditorium” means “to hear.” I guess it makes sense since we do go to the theatre to see and hear the live performance of a play or musical. That’s it for now. More theatre speak to come.

Musicals on Broadway: Pippin + Circus Inventive, Vibrant

Looking for a musical on Broadway? Pippin!

Broadway group tickets for the first major New York revival of Pippin have become popular. Of the musicals on Broadway this season, Pippin is one of the most inventive and vibrant. The show recently opened to rave reviews and this hit New York musical from the ‘70s is a hit once again.

Fosse: Original Production

The original production of this musical on Broadway, which was directed by Bob Fosse, was a tentative hit at first. Reviews were mixed but Ben Vereen’s performance as the Leading Player, Stephen Schwartz’s songs and Fosse’s direction helped to make Pippin a hit it’s first time out on Broadway. The comedy was wry, production numbers provocative and the entire show was a vaudeville of social commentary.

American Rep

Ben Vereen had a lot of “magic to do” in the original Broadway production of Pippin

Broadway group tickets for the American Rep production, which was directed by ART Artistic Director Diane Paulus, are available, offering generous discounts. The musical about a young man trying to discover what makes him extraordinary is still charming, clever and immensely entertaining. Around the same time, composer/lyricist Schwartz had two major hits, Pippin and Godspell, and both offered rock scores that were polished, energetic and eclectic. Schwartz’s songs, such as Corner of the Sky, Right Track and Magic To Do, connect with audiences in terms of their theatricality and musicality. In remounting this Broadway musical, Paulus uses the solid foundation given by Schwartz and Fosse and finds new energy for Pippin.

Circus Theme

Paulus chose to utilize a circus theme in the Broadway revival of Pippin, making it new. It’s tough for New York shows to survive and a show like Pippin, which is so connected to the Broadway scene of the ‘70s, really needed some innovative conceptualization to make a Broadway musiucal of the 21st century. Paulus uses gymnastics, which have been coordinated and devised by Gypsy Snider, who is from the Montreal circus troupe of Les 7 Doigts de la Main. The acrobats help define the circus them and given Pippin a dazzling workout feel different from the bump and grind of the original Broadway production.

Pippin dazzles!

Magic To Do Once Again

Those looking for a musical on Broadway that will give them a wonderful night of entertainment need to consider the revival of Pippin. Broadway group tickets offer deep discounts for a great, new production of the musical that won nine Tonys the first time around, including two for Fosse. The story of King Charlemange’s son as told in the context of a travelling circus troupe that offers a normal, everyday person the chance to shine on stage for one brief moment connects with today’s reality TV craze and after all of these years, Pippin still makes the point that in many ways the simplicity of life is what we should enjoy and celebrate. As they said at the end of the original production of Pippin on Broadway, “Ta da!”

Broadway Group Tickets: What Makes Matilda a Hit New York Show

Matilda The Musical is a story of triumph.

Matilda The Musical, which All Tickets finds big when it comes to group sales for musicals on Broadway is big, is a major hit. There are a lot of New York shows to see but few become the one that everyone wants to see. This season, Matilda The Musical, may reach that status. What makes for a hot, hit Broadway musical? If we could answer that, we might all be rich. But here are a few things at least.

Great Story!

By “great story,” we don’t mean great literature. We mean “GREAT story.” Something in that tale being told in the musical on Broadway has to connect with audiences and one thing that often does it is the story.

Matilda The Musical is a Broadway group sales agent’s dream in this case as it focuses on an enchanting little girl who has an uphill battle against bullies. We are rooting for her all the way. Plus, it has what so many good stories have: interesting characters battling for supremacy.

Winning Direction

Matilda The Musical is directed by one of the best who is currently working on London and the U.S. and that’s Matthew Warchus. Warchus knows what makes for dynamic, interesting theatre and he knows how to connect it to life. He’s done that time and again with shows such as God of Carnage and Boeing, Boeing. He’s able to coordinate the conceptualization of every element of a New York show, creating an entity that is focused and fascinating.

Matilda The Musical has big characters.

Dynamic Music that Fits

The music in a Broadway show needs to be dynamic- something special that makes it worthy of the theatre. It also needs variety as it works towards encapsulating, expressing and expanding the power of a moment, emotion, scene, confrontation, etc. Plus, the music has to “fit” in terms of style of the show, director’s concept, etc. We rarely leave the theatre humming the tunes we just heard but we do remember the way in which the music created heightened moments on stage.

Much More

Broadway group sales are about giving people who decide to attend the theatre together a chance to see a show they might not otherwise be able to see. That’s due to the fact that group sales focuses on discounts. With Matilda The Musical the group discounts are especially welcome because audiences get the opportunity to see a hit show at great value. For group tickets to Matilda (and COMPS with orders made until the end of the month) contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716. Have a great group experience at a hot, hit musical.

Broadway Debut: Anne Hathaway in Cabaret with Alan Cumming in Fall

Anne Hathaway and Alan Cumming to star in Cabaret.

Anne Hathaway, who won the Oscar for her Les Miserables performance, is reported to be Broadway bound in the Kander and Ebb musical Cabaret. Alan Cumming, who played The Master of Ceremonies on Broadway in 1998 winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award, will reprise his role. Cumming is currently on Broadway performing in his one-man version of Macbeth. Hathaway will play the lead, Sally Bowles.

Cabaret Premiere

When the musical Cabaret premiered on Broadway in 1966 it made quite a stir and for many reasons. Joel Grey was a huge hit as the Emcee and the production and the production won eight Tonys, including one for Grey and another for director Hal Prince. The staging was unique for the time. When the audience entered the theatre the curtain was already up and a largew mirror was on stage, reflecting the audience sitting in their seats. There was no overture, just a drum roll to start the musical. Plus, Cabaret featured songs related to the storyline and also other songs that were basically social commentary and performed in the Cabaret. This technique combined the standard American musical theatre manner of using songs for development of plot and character and the Epic Theatre method developed by director Betolt Brecht for utilizing songs as social commentary. (This was a technique that Brecht picked up from his days as a cabaret performer in pre-World War II Berlin.

Liza Minnelli in the Film

Liza Minelli was Sally Bowels.

The film Cabaret, which was directed by Bob Fosse, starred Liza Minelli as Sally Bowels and Grey as the Emcee. Along with being a big hit, the movie forever connected Minelli with the character of Bowels. Minelli’s Bowels, and not that of actress Jill Haworth who played the role originally on Broadway, became the standard by which portrayals of the role are measured. This Broadway debut by Hathaway looks to be big as she transitions from her Oscar-winning performance to the possibility of winning a Tony.

Hathaway in Film

It was 12 years ago that Hathaway caught audience’s eyes in the Disney film The Princess Diaries. She also starred in the 2004 sequel as well as Brokeback Mountain and Havoc in 2005, The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and Becoming Jane (2007). In 2008, she was nominated for an Oscar for Rachael Getting Married and in 2012 she was Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises.

Hathaway in Les Miserables won an Oscar

Jackman on Broadway Too?

Hugh Jackman , Les Miserable co-star, is scheduled to be on Broadway this fall too as he portrays master illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini in a new musical. The new 2013 Broadway season is looking even more interesting with the announcement that Hathaway will make her debut. Also upcoming are Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in a double-bill of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Pinter’s No Man’s Land.

Contact All Tickets for group sales and discounts on all plays and musicals on Broadway. We can be reached by calling 1-800-922-0716.

Romeo & Juliet: Broadway Student Discounts for Bloom & Rashad

Bloom and Rashad are Romeo and Juliet on Broadway.

Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad star in Romeo and Juliet and we have Broadway tickets and school group discounts. Of the shows in NYC for the 2013-2014 season, Bloom and Rashad in Romeo and Juliet is a hot ticket. Rashad is a Broadway veteran while this NYC production, which is directed by Tony nominee David Leveaux, marks Blooms Broadway debut.

Classic with a Twist

Diversity and race will be issues dealt with in this Broadway production as the Capulets being played by black actors and the Montagues by white actors. The feuding families are the major obstacle to Romeo and Juliet’s love. The teenage love story and the added diversity element along with the classic nature of the play make this a perfect choice for school groups. Group discounts for school and educational groups are available through All Tickets. This Broadway show is bound to be a great source of discussion for the classroom.

Major Challenge

Bloom moves from screen to stage.

All eyes will be on Bloom as he makes his Broadway debut in Romeo and Juliet. Bloom is primarily known as eye-candy in Hollywood and his decision to do a Broadway play, and Shakespeare no less, is big news. Romeo will prove to be a major challenge.

Bloom has been in many big Hollywood movies including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Kingdom of Heaven, Troy, The Three Musketeers and Black Hawk Down. Rashad, his co-star, has an impressive Broadway resume that includes a Tony-nominated performance in Stick Fly and this season The Trip to Bountiful with Cecily Tyson, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Vanessa Willams.

School Groups

School groups will want to check out Broadway play discounts for Bloom and Rashad in Romeo and Juliet. The NYC show premieres August 24, 2013 and opens September 19. Combine your trip to see Romeo and Juliet with another experience, such as a visit to a museum, a maritime lunch cruise around NYC or a tour of one of New York’s fascinating neighborhoods.

Springtime NYC: Group Discounts on Attractions from All Tickets

New York Botanical Gardens are magnificent.

Group discounts for those springtime NYC attractions are available through All Tickets Inc. Our group sales agents, who have great deals on Broadway shows, are ready to help you get the best discounts possible on fantastic attractions that seem to embrace and define spring.

New York Botanical Gardens

The New York Botanical Gardens, which are located in the Bronx, have special events and beautiful exhibitions throughout the year. As the days get longer and warmer, the outdoor gardens start to come alive. Any day is a magnificent one at this NYC jewel . Groups can enjoy self-guided tours, guided and customized tours. In March and April the annual Orchid Show offers groups a dazzling experience. What a great way to celebrate spring! All Tickets can make sure your New York Botanical Gardens experience is perfect. Call us.

Maritime Experiences

New York has many different maritime experiences.

There’s nothing like enjoying one of New York’s many maritime experiences. Your group can take the NY Water Taxi to the 9/11 Memorial. This is a moving experience that connects each of us with deep emotions and memories. Or you may have a student group that would love a lunch cruise or a tour group looking forward to a jazz cruise. There’s not end to what you can do on New York’s surrounding waterways- history, ecology, sightseeing and more. Call All Tickets Inc. for more information. We’ll find the line and experience that just right for you.

Cloisters Museums & Gardens

In NYC the Cloisters Museums & Gardens are beautiful.

The Cloisters Museums & Gardens are one of New York’s most innovative attractions. Taking inspiration from medieval Europe’s art and architecture, this branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art will enchant you with its gardens and 3,000 works of art from the 9th through the 16th centuries. It’s a little bit of medieval Europe in New York City. Enjoy group tours, special educational programs, informative lectures, musical presentations and special exhibits. Contact All Tickets Inc. to book your group at a great discount.

Much More!

There is so much more for groups to experience in New York City in the spring, including events and sites in Central Park, New York’s waterway parks and various walking tours. All Tickets Inc. has a wonderful free directory of 100 attractions and experiences that will help you find exciting and interesting places and events.

Always feel free to contact us at 1-800-922-0716. Along with offering your group hefty discounts, we’d love to help you plan every part of your New York visit. Of course, we can also get you deep discounts on Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Remember that for many experiences and shows a group can be as small as 10 and group prices for some Broadway shows are as low as $32.00 per ticket. For more value, All Tickets Inc. is offering two different COMP ticket promotions until April 30, 2013. Save more, get more and have the best group experience possible when you book through All Tickets Inc. We offer New York’s Total Group Experience.

Broadway Group Discounts Make Musicals and Plays More Than Just Affordable

Phil Silvers in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” revival.

It’s a given that the Broadway group discounts (and COMP promos for groups) from All Tickets Inc. make seeing a musical or play a lot more affordable. Along with affordability, there are other positives about going with a group to a Broadway show. Depending on the adventure you plan for your group that visit to NYC may include dining, an overnight stay, enjoying a special tour of a show or a theatre class and some of the wonderful, exciting sites and experiences that are unique to New York and the surrounding area.

A Different Sort of Memory

I still remember taking the bus with the Thespian Club into NYC to see my first Broadway shows. It was an exciting experience in many ways as I sat in the mezzanine and saw my first-ever Broadway musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” It was the first revival and it starred Phil Silvers, Larry Blyden and Carl Ballantine.
It would have been great if I had gone with my family but getting the chance to see that Broadway musical with the other members of the club, the actors and technicians, was extra special. We were all into theatre and simply excited to be there. Some of us were also musicians, singers and dancers and the entire Broadway musical experience brought together all of these elements into a matinee performance that was funny, engaging and thoroughly entertaining.

Oooops!

Life theatre is…well..live. When you’re young, you are so frightened of making a mistake on stage, especially of “going up” (forgetting a line). There we were, 9th through 12th graders from the high school drama club watching the best of the best on Broadway and what happens but a mistake. It was the talk of the group, mainly because none of us thought mistakes happened on Broadway.

Phil Silvers, Larry Blyden and Carl Ballantine in “Forum.”

It was simple a simple error but definitely recognizable. At one point Phil Silvers (Pseudolus) and Marcus Lycus (Carl Ballantine) have a purse they a struggling with. The bit involves Pseudolus eventually getting the small bag of money. Instead, as the bit proceeded, Balantine let go of the bag and it flew out of Silvers’ grasp going about eight feet stage right. It landed downstage near the edge of the small apron. Both men looked at the bag for a moment and for a split second, they looked perplexed. Then Silvers crossed to the bad, picked it up and kept the scene moving.
It was no big deal in the course of the run of a show. In fact, it probably didn’t even make it into the stage manager’s performance report. But the Thespian Club talked about it a lot, secure now in the fact that, yes, Broadway stars were, like us, human after all.

Group Bonding

Carl Ballantine and Phil Silvers.

Going to a Broadway show and enjoying the break that group discounts offer is one piece of the experience. But the other part is the group bonding that can happen. Sometimes it’s something very simple that creates that bond, like two veteran actors letting a little bag of coins control them rather than them controlling the bag. But whatever it is chances are it will be memorable and such memories can last a lifetime.

Student, educator and camp groups qualify for 1 comp for every 25 paid (up to 4 comps for 100 paid) on select shows and tour groups receive 1 comp for every 30 paid (up to 4 comps for 120 paid). This free ticket offer for groups, which ends April 30, 2013, is from All Tickets Inc. only. Call All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 to book your memorable group experience.

All Tickets: Cinderella, Matilda & Annie Photo Galleries

All Tickets Inc., which offers great group discounts and comps for the Broadway musicals “Cinderella,” “Matilda,” and “Annie,” offers a pictorial glimpse of each of these hit shows. Enjoy the photo tour of each Broadway musical.

Cinderella

With an updated book by Douglas Carter Beane and a winning score and lyrics by the great Rodgers and Hammerstein, “Cinderella” finally makes its Broadway debut. Although it was first seen by Americans via a live TV broadcast starring Julie Andrews more than 50 years ago, and two more popular television productions followed, the musical had never been produced on Broadway. This production stars one of Broadway’s finest talents Laura Osnes as Ella ( a.k.a. Cinderella).

Matilda the Musical

It was first a best seller by Roald Dahl and then a popular movie. “Matilda The Musical” was then created for the stage and when it premiered in the U.K. it won an unprecedented seven Oliviers! This is an amazing show, enchanting, entertaining and enlightening. Now it’s on Broadway and groups are loving it. It’s hard not to with group tickets prices starting at $32.00.

Annie

Directed by Tony-winner James Lapine and starring Lilla Crawford as Annie, Katie Finneran as Miss Hannigan and Anthony Warlow as Daddy Warbucks, the musical “Annie” is once again a Broadway hit that’s charming families, school groups, camps and anyone who sees it. The score includes some of Broadway’s finest tunes, such as “Tomorrow,” “Little Girls” and “NYC.” Of course, there’s also the big little girl number, “Hard Knock Life.” “Annie” is an classic American musical.

Discounts and Comps

All Tickets Inc. has an exclusive COMP Promo for each of these shows. Student, educator and camp groups get big discounts on each of these musicals (group prices are as low as $32.00 for “Matilda the Musical” and they start at $39.00 for “Annie” and “Cinderella.”) and one free ticket for every 25 paid. Tour groups qualify for 1 comp for every 30 bought. Groups can qualify for a total of 4 comps per show per performance.

Of course, All Tickets Inc. has group discounts for all Broadway shows and groups can save even more when they also book attractions, restaurants and accommodations through us. To speak with one of our professional group sales agent simply call 1-800-922-0716.

Broadway COMP Promos: Group Discounts Plus Free Tickets

Cinderella with an updated book is 1 of our COMP shows.

All Tickets Inc., the Broadway group discount specialist, is offering another great COMP Promo. We’ve actually launched TWO new COMP Promos. One COMP Promo is for student, educator and camp groups and the other for tour groups. These are the best deals anywhere you’re going to get on selected new Broadway shows.

The COMP Deals

Student, educator and camp groups buying discount tickets to select Broadway shows get 1 free ticket for every 25 paid. These groups can receive up to 4 comps per show per performance. This is our best deal. Tour groups purchasing Broadway tickets can also get comps. That offer provides 1 free ticket for every 30 paid. Again, tour groups can receive up to 4 comps per show per performance.

We’re offering groups that focus on education and kids a little more of an edge. One reason for this is the fact that All Tickets Inc. is extremely interested and devoted to ensuring that the next generation of theatregoers can afford to go to a Broadway show. It’s important to that generation and to Broadway that the connection is made and that these groups have the opportunity to see what is the very best of live theatre in America.

The Shows

Seven Broadway shows are included in both special comp promos from All Tickets Inc. These are some of the newest and hottest shows. They include “Motown the Musical,” the story of Berry Gordie, Jr., the man who started Motown; and “Kinky Boots,” the new musical based on the movie of the same name. “Kinky Boots” is written by Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein.

Also included are the musicals “Annie,” “Matilda,” and “Cinderella.” These three musicals, all of which feature females as heroes, are extremely popular, bringing in a range of groups. Plus, we’ve included Holland Taylor’s winning one-woman show, “Ann,” which is about Texas politician Ann Richards, and Christopher Durang’s new comedy, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” Durang’s crazy comedy stars Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce.

Time-Limited Offer

Both COMP Promos are time-limited offers and both are available through All Tickets Inc. only. To take advantage of them you must make your booking by April 30, 2013. You may buy tickets for any date but the tickets must be confirmed by the last day of April. For more information or to get started on seeing an exciting Broadway show for as little as $32 a ticket and, at the same time, score your comps contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716.

Theatre Speak from All Tickets the Words on Acting

Stanislavski’s An Actor Prepares was published in 1936.

All Tickets Inc., which offers Broadway groups great discounts and special comp ticket promos, offers another edition of Theatre Speak. Those in the theatre have their own way of talking. Some of it is slang, some of it is technical and some is related to skills and art. Here’s a look at some more Method acting terms. When you offer any of these terms to someone who has been trained in this system, they will instantly know what you are talking about.

Emotional Recall

The idea behind emotional recall is pretty basic. If you have experienced an emotion it is buried inside of you and you can access it. This is useful when you’re in a scene and have to make the emotion real. Thus, in rehearsal, when an actor is playing a scene they remember a time in life that they felt a particular emotion and bring the feeling back, attaching it to the moment in the scene.

Sense Memory

With sense memory, the actor is remembering a specific sensory experience and using that on stage. A basic example would be that actor has to lift a heavy box on stage. The box will not actually be heavy. It is the actor’s job to give the box weight by remembering what muscles would be involved in lifting a heavy box and recreating how they would do it.

The Magic If

The Magic If is a useful tool for actors to utilize. In fact, many actors swear by it. The Magic If is used to open up an actor’s imagination and offer them character choices about which they may not normally think. As an example, let’s say you’re playing a male character who has a problem with women. He can’t seem to keep a relationship going. Perhaps there’s very little in the script about his mother. The actor may use a “What if” here, asking something like, “What If my character thought his mother was perfect?” That question might help the actor start to figure out why his character’s life is the way it is.

The Actors Studio back in the day.

Training and Hard Work

Acting is not an easy profession. It takes a lot of training to become an actor and then there’s a lot of auditioning to get to the point where you’re actually working and making money. The Method is just one aspect of actor training. Many actors also train as singers, physical actors, dancers and in many other ways. Next time you’re watching a Broadway show and you think, “Wow, acting looks so easy,” it’s not. The actor has made it look that way through years of training and experience.

Broadway Musicals that Groups Simply Love

Mama Mia is still a big audience pleaser.

The word Broadway is synonymous with the term American musical theatre. Broadway musicals, which are a favorite group experience, are made affordable through the sale of group discount tickets. Broadway was built on the musical and the man who built Broadway, and in a way encouraged the group experience, was George M. Cohan. Cohan, who gave us such songs as “Over There,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Grand Old Flag,” was about as American as someone could be and it was his theatrical musicals that revolutionized the art form, making it distinctly American and very popular.

It was over 100 years ago that Cohan made his mark on The Great White Way. He was followed by the likes of Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Dorothy Field, and many, many more fine composers, lyricists and book writers. Although musicals have changed a lot over the past 100 years, one thing is still certain, they are amazing group experiences and thoroughly entertaining. Here are some well-known, long-run shows that All Tickets Inc. offers big group discounts on and that groups love.

The Lion King

The Lion King is a major theatrical experience.

It was a hit animated movie and Julie Taymor made it a hugely successful Broadway musical that groups love. Group discounts for “The Lion King” are generous. This is a musical that it fantastic for all ages, making it a wonderful experience for families, schools, camps and more. With music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice and book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, “The Lion King,” which is a coming of age tale, is amazingly vibrant and highly theatrical. This is a big Broadway musical with great group discounts.

MAMA Mia!

The humor, nostalgia and beloved ABBA music make this Broadway musical a major hit with groups that love ABBA, romance and hysterical situations. This long running show, which continues to thoroughly entertain and enrapture, offers excellent group discount opportunities. All Tickets Inc. can get your ABBA-loving group great seats.

Jersey Boys

They were four regular guys from New Jersey who became a hit-making sensation. This Broadway show takes you behind the glitz and glamour and reveals the hardships, conflicts and friendship that defined the personal lives of Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons). Jersey Boys features more than 30 songs by this mega-hit group. Directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys connect with Broadway groups in many ways. This show won the Tony for Best Musical in 2006 and it is still going strong.

The Broadway Group Experience

The Broadway group experience is unlike any other. All Tickets Inc. has discount tickets for groups to all Broadway shows including “The Lion King,” “MAMA Mia!” and “The Jersey Boys.” Call us today at 1-800-922-0716. Celebrate these long run Broadway musicals and book your group seats through All Tickets Inc.

Theatre Speak: All Tickets Focuses on Method Acting

Stanislavski, who created the Method, in Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard.

All Tickets is fascinated with the process of acting. After all, when your group gets discount tickets for a Broadway show the primary aspect you’re looking forward is the acting.

Actors are trained in various ways. In the U.S. one of the most popular acting approaches in the Stanislavski System, which is also called the Method. There are many different versions of the Method and many famous acting teachers have created their own versions of it. We won’t be teaching method acting here, but we are taking a look at some of the theatre speak that actors use.

What’s My Objective?

Objective, demanded objective and motivation are all words that mean the same thing to an actor. A characters objective is what they want and it’s described as an action using the infinitive form of the verb and with the pronoun “I.” Using “I” instantly connects the actor to the character. As an example, if I’m playing Willie Loman in “Death of a Salesman” I might state his objective in the following manner:

“I want to be successful.” (That’s one take on Willie, here’s another.) “I want to be loved by Biff.” Objectives are dependent upon many things, including the script and how it is interpreted.

A young Marlon Brando took Broadway and then film by storm using the Method.

The Given Circumstances

One of the actor’s jobs is to figure out what’s called the given circumstances of the play. What that means is the actor has to know the period, season, time of day, place, atmospheric conditions including weather, where they are coming from just before they enter the setting on stage, what just happened to them before they entered, etc. Overall, given circumstances are usually related to something that is specifically told or fairly explicit in the play as it relates to the physical being of the character.

Figuring Out the Throughline

Lee Strasberg utilized the Method at the Actor’s Studio.

A character has an objective and the route they take in trying to achieve that objective, the steps they take, make up what’s called a character’s throughline. The throughline though connected to the plot of the play is NOT plot. It’s the different actions a character takes to attempt to reach their objective. Together these actions make up the character’s throughline.

More to Come

We will feature more theatre speak as it relates to actors in an upcoming blog. Some the terms we will look at include the Magic If, sense memory and emotional recall.

Annie, Matilda and Cinderella: Important Messages for All

Cinderella on Broadway is breathtaking.

“Annie,” “Matilda,” and “Cinderella” are vying for the Broadway spotlight and looking to attract student groups with discounts. These Broadway musicals are in a battle to attract group sales patrons, especially girls. Each has a girl or young woman as the protagonist and in each that female hero manages to win the day and find their dream. But are the messages in these plays just for girls and young women? Do the themes and situations transcend gender?

Ever Been Bullied?

For anyone who has ever had to deal with a bully, there’s a lesson or two and hope to be found in “Annie,” “Matilda,” and “Cinderella.” Each of the title characters must beat their bullies and it’s important to note that each of them does so with a little help from others. That’s not just a message for girls. It’s an important one for males too. Bullies thrive on isolating their victims and one of the best ways to stop bullying is to enlist the help of others—your school, parents and sometimes even the law.

Facing Adversity

Matilda offers a whole lot of hope!

Annie faces adversity through street smart, quick thinking and individual determination. Matilda uses her intellectual powers and extra-sensory abilities to keep her antagonists at bay. Cinderella, known as “Ella” in the new libretto, is cool under pressure and bravely determined in her fight to deal with her plight and win freedom from those who oppress her. In these three musicals young girls and women facing adversity, dealing with extreme ups and downs and learning how to survive offer all of important insights.

Dreams and Goals

Dreams and goals are important in each of these plays. Each one of the main characters wants to change their lives for the better and each one must fight to do so. But they have something that many of us often lose—dreams and real goals. Matilda has been abused by her family and teachers but she doesn’t let them take her hope away. Cinderella is also manipulated and misused by those who should be supporting her. But she keeps going on with the help of her Fairy Godmother. Annie has no family, must deal with a drunken, little girl hater and is thrown into an awkward situation with Daddy Warbucks. And despite various pitfalls, she manages to keep focused on her dream of being a part of a real family.

Redefining Family

Annie finds her family.

Matilda finds her family not through her blood relations but by being befriended by Miss Honey, a teacher who sees her amazing gifts and who has also been the victim of bullies. Annie’s real mother and father are never found but Oliver Warbucks becomes her adoptive dad and fills her life and his with love. And in this latest version of “Cinderella,” Ella finds her prince and also discovers that her stepsisters aren’t all bad. Those are lessons for everyone.

Your Choice

“Annie,” “Matilda,” and “Cinderella:” these are three very rich musicals from which groups can choose to get great Broadway discounts and an evening filled with fantastic entertainment and positive messages. Contact All Tickets for group sales at 1-800-922-0716.

Broadway Groups: All Tickets Has NYC or NJ Accommodations

Modern, convenient and welcoming- Country Inns and Suites.

Overnight Broadway groups can enjoy discounts on NYC hotels and may also get deep group discounts through All Tickets on NJ accommodations. NJ hotels are minutes from Manhattan and offer groups great savings, value, convenience and extra variety as they can easily access attractions on both sides of the river.

NY Offers Variety

If you’re going to see the sites, enjoy a Broadway show or two and go to various NYC attractions, staying in the city makes sense. All Tickets has group discounts for a range of hotels and there are a lot of fine places where your group can stay. It’s also certainly convenient to be in the city. However, for some groups even the best discount rate can still be pricy. Many find that they can stay across the river at a nicely appointed New Jersey hotel, saving money and still being able to get into New York easily.

Savings on Great Accommodations

All Tickets group sales associates can find you a money-saving discount rate on fabulous accommodation in various New Jersey locales, including Elizabeth. As an example, stay at the Country Inns and Suites and you’ll enjoy large rooms with queen beds and a full bath, free rollway beds and rates that offer the same low price for as many as five in a room. There’s an indoor swimming pool, workout room and meeting rooms for your group get-together.

Enjoy a workout or take a swim in the indoor pool.

Close to NYC

Your group will be close to NYC and very close to New Jersey attractions and great shopping. To get into the city, you simply take the Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel. Plus, when staying at the modern Country Inns and Suites you’ll get room upgrades when available for free and there are no attrition related contracts, which means easy changes and convenient payment dates. All Tickets will ably manage every part of your stay for you.

Affordable for Groups

All Tickets is dedicated to making NY and all it has to offer affordable through Broadway group discounts, where you save 40% or more per ticket, and on overnight and extended stays. New Jersey is a money-savings alternative that allows your group to still take advantage of all New York has to offer while making your stay much easier to afford. Our group sales agents can also get you fine deals on hotels in Manhattan. But if you’re on a tight budget or looking to use more of your dollars for entertainment, meals and sightseeing, New Jersey has wonderful hotels and fantastic prices. Contact All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 for more information on Broadway group tickets, hotels, and all of the exciting experiences that await you in New York City.

Three World Class Icons of Culture and Art in NYC

Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious performance venues in the world.

All Tickets Inc., which offers great deals on Broadway shows, can also get you group discount tickets to see and tour Carnegie Hall, the Guggenheim, the Museum of Modern Art and many other world class art and cultural institutions. Here are three from our free New York City Attractions Directory.

Carnegie Hall

A time-honored joke asks: “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The answer…”Practice, practice, practice.” Indeed, the luminaries who have graced Carnegie’s stage have ascribed to such advice.

However, if you want to get to Carnegie Hall without engaging in any practice at all, then Carnegie Hall Tours may be your ticket to get on and behind one of the world’s most famous stages. Rich in history, beautiful in design and first-rate in artistry, Carnegie Hall has offered patrons premiere performances for over 110 years. Get a backstage view of what continues to be one of the most prestigious performance venues in the world.

Guggenheim Museum of Art

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the current Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened in 1959. The building’s distinctive design was Wright’s last major work and, at first, was not received by universal acclaim. Today, however, the museum is considered among the most important pieces of architectural design of the twentieth century and is registered as a National Historic Landmark.

The Guggenheim Museum is a world class art museum.

The Guggenheim houses a vast permanent collection of modern and contemporary art and counts among its collection the works of Klee, Mondrian, Chagall, Modigliani and Picasso. The museum offers impressive programming that includes special exhibits, performances, lectures, and classes. Daily tours are available.

The Museum of Modern Art

If you’re interested in groundbreaking, innovative work, then New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is a must-see. Extensive exhibits and an impressive film series are offered throughout the year. MoMA includes works by modern masters such as Warhol, de Kooning, Haring, Calder, Kadinsky, Pollack, Matisse and Picasso.

Exhibits include works of art and architecture, paintings, sculpture, prints, modern furniture design, illustrated books, film, and electronic media. MoMA offers group tours but reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Free audio programs, gallery talks, family guide activities, courses, lectures and special events complement the extensive and impressive museum collection. The Museum of Modern Art will give you a whole new perspective on culture and the arts in our era.

MoMA offers groundbreaking art.

Helpful Group Sales Agents

All Tickets Inc. has professional and personable group sales agents who can ensure you get a great group discount for tours of Carnegie Hall, the Guggenheim, the Museum of Modern Art and any and all of New York’s fine cultural institutions. You may contact us here on the Internet or call All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 and we’ll be glad to answer any questions and help your group get the very best deals possible.

Spring is Great for Broadway Group Tickets and Sightseeing

See NYC from the water at a great group discount from All Tickets.

Broadway group sales agents at All Tickets are ready for the spring thaw that results in more people going to see shows, more sightseeing and a desire to simply go out on the town and have fun! It’s about that time where the days really do get a lot longer, the temperatures are warmer and there’s a general push to switch from hot to iced coffee. What’s to do this spring? Here are a few ideas.

See a Star!

Bette Midler, Nathan Lane, Cecily Tyson, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Alec Baldwin, Shia Labeouf , Fiona Shaw, Sigourney Weaver, David Hyde Pierce and Tom Hanks are some of the stars who appear on Broadway starting in March. This is the best time to get group discounts to see these wonderful actors live.

Shia Labeouf makes his Broadway debut with veteran Alec Baldwin in Orphans.

The great thing about Broadway group sales is you get a discount of 40% or more on tickets. Group sizes can be as low as 10 for some shows. Along with seeing a show, your group can save more by booking a restaurant through All Tickets.

Lunch or Dinner?

Save on lunch or dinner by booking your group at one of the many restaurants we feature in our guide. No matter what your taste, budget or group size may be All Tickets has a restaurant that’s perfect for you. Remember, our professional group sales agents always offer personalized and courteous service.

Waterway Sightseeing

9/11 Memorial is a moving experience.

There are a lot of ways to see NYC and the surrounding areas and one of the most exciting and unique ways in on the water. Travel to the 9/11 Memorial or see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Take a tour around the Island of Manhattan and learn about its historic sites. Take a jazz cruise, brunch trek or enjoy a sailing experience. Of course, All Tickets group sales associates can get you discounts on land and air sightseeing adventures.

More to Do and Save!

All Tickets group sales agents have Broadway discounts and also offer great savings on much more. A wealth of choices for group experiences await you at All Tickets and by booking exclusively through us there’s a lot more to save. Use our helpful, free directories to attractions, restaurants and neighborhoods. These guides will give you information that you can use to plan your next NYC sojourn. Once you have some idea about what you may want to do call All Tickets group sales agents at 1-800-922-0716 and we’ll be able to help you solidify your plans at a great price.

Cinderella by Rodgers and Hammerstein at Broadway Theatre

Cinderella charms and entertains.

“Cinderella,” with Laura Osnes in the title role, is at the Broadway Theatre. All Tickets group sales agents have group discount tickets for the musical. “Cinderella” has a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and the same wonderful music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This is a historic production, as it’s the first time “Cinderella” will have a full Broadway production, and it takes place at the historic Broadway Theatre.

Cinderella Family Friendly

This new “Cinderella,” like the original by Rodgers & Hammerstein, offers great music and lyrics by two of America’s greatest writing teams. Classic songs include “In My Own Little Corner,” “A Lovely Night,” “Impossible,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Stepsister’s Lament.” It also includes all of the wonderful romance and charm of what is a classic fairy tale.

New Story

This version of Cinderella takes audiences to new places.

The new story offers all an appropriate and contemporary story at group discounts. We follow the story of Ella. She is smart and beautiful. But she’s also repressed. Ella is controlled by her wicked, self-absorbed stepmother, Madame, and by Madame’s two daughters, Charlotte and Gabrielle.

Ella has few friends. The animals in the woods love her, “crazy Marie” is her buddy and the revolutionary student Jean-Michel likes her. At the same time in different part of the kingdom, Prince Topher is in search of his true self. He’s unsure of how he fits in with his own kingdom. Like Ella, Topher is also being controlled; his nemesis is his secretly scheming advisor, Sebastian. Sebastian suggests throwing a ball so the Prince might meet potential brides. It’s at the ball, in classic fairytale fashion, Ella and Topher’s different worlds connect. What follows is totally unexpected.

A Welcome Production

This new version of “Cinderella” is a welcomed addition to the Broadway season. The Broadway Theatre, which was the venue in which Mickey Mouse made his debut in the short film “Steamboat Willy,” has hosted many important productions. These include Irving Berlin’s hit production, “This is the Army,” which opened on July 4, 1942, to benefit the Army Relief Fund and star-filled performances of the 1950s such as “Mr. Wonderful” (1956) starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and “Gypsy” (1959) with the inimitable Ethel Merman. Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin starred at the Broadway in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s premiere of “Evita” (1979). “Cinderella” could certainly be in this class. Contact All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 for group discount tickets and more information.

More Theatre Speak from the Broadway Group Discount Leader

A cue to cue.

All Tickets Inc. loves theatre speak. The theatre has its own way of saying things. Yes Broadway group sales and discounts are our specialty, but theatre speak and also trivia are our passions. Here are a few more snippets of theatre speak.

Paper Tech

A “Paper tech” in the theatre is a technical rehearsal without any of the members of the tech crew present. Usually it involves the stage manager, director and lighting designer and perhaps other designers such as the scenic. The point of the paper tech is to sit down and go through the show on paper, noting when certain cues will happen. Basically it’s done for complex shows to make sure everyone is on the same page prior to going into tech. The hope is that by talking through the show and taking notes that the actual tech will proceed a little more smoothly.

Cue to Cue

The “cue to cue” is a specific type of tech rehearsal in the theatre that includes actors but does not really focus on them at all. A tech rehearsal is one in which technical elements such as lighting, sets and sound are added to a show. This occurs as the production nears previews or opening night. Tech rehearsals are about just that—getting the various tech elements correct so that eventually the show can run seamlessly.

A cue to cue involves skipping moments in the show where there are no technical cues. In other words, you just focus on the moments when a cue is instigated. This can be a slow and tedious process, but it is an important one as it allows the designers, tech crew and stage manager to rehearse their bits and get them right. The “cue to cue” always includes actors but it does not focus on them. They are more or less bodies performing their actions so that the tech elements can be successfully added.

Half Hour

This refers specifically to when an actor must be at the theatre for a performance. The industry standard is 30 minutes. That’s the latest an actor is allowed to arrive prior to the start of the show. Of course, there are those who prefer to get there earlier and certainly they may do so. And there are times when companies will allow some actors to get to the theatre after the show begins as long as they check in somehow prior to half hour. When might this happen? A classic example involves any actress playing Olga Katrina in “You Can’t Take It With You,” as the Grand Duchess does not make her grand entrance until late in the play.

Theatre Speak Savings

All Tickets Inc. has become the theatre speak for group discounts, special comp promos and great saving. We hope you enjoyed this edition of theatre speak. There will be more to come.

Mickey Mantle Play Broadway Bound with David Leaf Backing

The Mick will be on Broadway in the future.

He was a legend, an icon and a man of contradictions. Mickey Mantle was a homerun king who battle alcoholism, stardom and physical injuries. He was a huge personality, a hero to kids, a real Yankee and a man who was plagued by demons. Now his sons, Danny and David Mantle, have announced that they have teamed up with award-winning writer/producer David Leaf to start the process of creating a show about The Mick entitled “Dad.”

Career

It was 44 years after Mantle retired that the creative endeavor was announced. Mantle, who was born October 20, 1931 and died August 13, 1995, was a hall of fame player who was a 20-time all-star, was n seven championship teams and a three-time MVP. In 1956, he won the Triple Crown. Mantle finished with a batting average of .298. He had 536 home runs, 2,415 hits and 1,509 runs batted in.

Leaf Saw Mantle

David Leaf (“The Night James Brown Saved Boston,” “The U.S. Vs. John Lennon” and “Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson & The Story of SMILE”), who as a boy saw Mantle play at Yankee Stadium, is excited to bring “Dad” to the stage. With Leaf, Danny and David will be putting together the creative team.

The Impetus

Mantle was a major slugger.

David Mantle explained some of the energy behind the project, noting, “Our mom and dad were both very humble people from Oklahoma. To them, even NYC as a place was beyond any dream they could imagine. I know they would be so honored to know that the story of “The Mick” will be on stage there. ”

Danny Mantle observed, “There has been so much written about my dad over the years. When my brother and I met David Leaf, we felt we could work with him to finally tell the real story of who our dad was as a man. Late in his life, dad spoke openly about what he felt were his shortcomings when it came to our family.” He added, “The truth is, he gave so much more to all of us than what he, or anyone else, gave him credit for. Now is our chance.”

Look for more information on “Dad” in the months to come.

Idina Menzel on Broadway New Kitt/ Yorkey Musical If/Then

Idina Menzel on Broadway in Wicked.

Tony winner Idina Menzel, who won for her portrayal of Elphaba (green witch) in “Wicked,” will be back on Broadway in a new musical entitled “If/Then.” The new musical, which will be on Broadway March 2014, is created by Tom Kitt (music) and Brian Yorkey (story and lyrics). They will work once again with director Michael Greif. The trio worked together on the Pulitzer Prize winning musical “Next to Normal.”

The Musical

“If/Then” will have its world premiere November 2013 at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. and will then make its way to Broadway with opening projected to be March 2014. The musical will focus on Elizabeth (Menzel), who decides to move to New York as her fortieth birthday nears. “If/Then” is described as being “a romantic and original new musical about how choice and chance collide and how we learn to love the fallout.”

Idina Menzel

In her first professional role Menzel was nominated for a Tony.

Menzel was recognized first Off-Broadway and on Broadway for her work in “Rent.” She created the role of Maureen Johnson for the premiere production in 1996 and also played the part in the 2005 film. For her work in “Rent,” Menzel was nominated for a Tony as Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She lost to Ann Duquesnay for “Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk.” Her last performance in “Rent” was on July 1, 1997. Although Menzel was performing as a wedding singer since she was 15 years old, “Rent” marked her professional theatre debut.

“Wicked”, which premiered in 2003, starred Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda) on Broadway. The Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman musical, which in October will mark its tenth year on Broadway, is based upon the popular novel by .Gregory Maguire. In 2004, Menzel won the Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Broadway Hits!

For group sales and Broadway group discounts to current and future hit shows call All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716. All Tickets group sales agents can help you get the best prices on theatre tickets and discounts on attractions, events, meals and accommodations. We are New York’s Total Group Experience.

Beat the Winter Blues with Broadway Group Discounts

Wicked is a major hit- it has everything to melt those winter blues away.

How about a Broadway musical at great group discounts to beat the winter blues? All Tickets group sales agents have Broadway shows like “Matilda,” “Cinderella,” and “Motown” waiting for you at fantastic discounts. After all, its cold, snowy and when the wind whips it bites your skin. The days are still too short. You need something to pick you up and cut through the gloom. Remember what Annie sings, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile!”

What’s New for You

Musicals that are read to occupy the boards of various Broadway theatre’s include “Matilda The Musical,” a mega-hit in London, “Motown The Musical,” featuring great Motown hits, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” with Laura Osnes in the title role.

If you’d rather see a play, there’s a lot to choose from as Tom Hanks opens in Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy,” Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce in Christopher Durang’s comedy “Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike,” and Cecily Tyson stars in Horton Foote’s delicate drama “The Trip to Bountiful.” Plus Bette Midler comes to Broadway in the one-woman show “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers.”

Time Tested Musicals

Book of Mormon is irreverent fun.

If you don’t want to wait for these new shows to open and you want to see something that is times tested, there are big discounts for groups for many musicals. “Chicago” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” the two longest running shows on Broadway, are great elixirs. “Jersey Boys” offers audiences an uplifting tale about some working class guys who make it big and “The Lion King” is dazzling. Looking for thrills, big effects and a massive story in a musical, it’s “Spider-Man.”

“The Book of Mormon” is crazy funny, “Nice Work If You Can Get It” is a charming Gershwin hit and “Rock of Ages” is an ‘80s lovers tonic. And don’t forget last year’s big Tony winner, “Once.” There’s something for everyone on Broadway.

Upbeat Romantic Pop

Mama Mia is a major audience pleaser.

If you love ABBA, romance, nostalgia and comedy, then just say “Mama Mia!” This long running musical is an audience pleaser. It’s about young love, mature love and the wonder of wanting to find your father and finally be a family. Funny, touching, wry, clever and passionate, there’s a reason why this show continues its long run.

An Evening Out

You’re group doesn’t have to be huge. Some shows offer group rates for as few as 10 or 12 people, and group savings average around 40%! To find out how much you can save, available dates and get the inside-scoop on extra ways that your group can save call 1-800-922-0716. All Tickets will guide you through the entire planning process and save you cash on meals, attractions, and more. We even offer the We Pay, an optional planning-event tool that makes organizing, collecting money for and coordinating your event easy. All Tickets gives you New York’s Total Group Experience.

Broadway Group Discount Ticket Leader Offers Theatre Speak

Leslie Uggams in Storm Weathery knows theatre speak.

All Tickets Inc., the leader in Broadway group discounts and comp tickets, loves theatre speak. The theatre has its own lingo. Although group sales and Broadway discounts are our specialty, theatre speak and also trivia are our passions. Here are a few snippets from the theatre speak lexicon.

Space

“Space” is a common term used in the theatre as in, “What’s your space like?,” “Nice space!,” and “Man, I hate this space.” Space in the theatre refers simultaneously to both the stage and house; that is, it is comprised of the area in which the show is performed and the place from which the audience views the performance and the relationship between the two areas.

Thus, when theatre folks such as directors, designers and producers judge a space they are doing so by using various criteria that often results in a very fast pronouncement as to how good that space is. The essence of “space” is related to whether or not you would like to do a show in that particular theatre and how much the space can be used to benefit what you’re attempting to do.

Nice space!

Going Up

“Going up,” was a term you’d hear a lot in the old days when people actually ran elevators. The person in charge of the elevator would announce to those waiting which way the canister on a rope was going—up or down. In department stores, the elevator operator would often list what floors they would be going to, saying, “Going up—sportswear, men’s suits, women’s department and kitchen wears.” But in the theatre the short phrase has a very different meaning and it has nothing to do with going to a new height. In fact, it’s more related to reaching a low.

“Going up” refers to when an actor forgets a line and this is very much connected to when doing so during a run through or a performance. A conversation after two actors come off stage and one has forgotten a line might go like this:

Joe Actor: I can’t believe it!
Lucy Actor: What happened?
Joe Actor: I went up! I know that scene inside out!
Lucy Actor: Funny, I thought for a second I’d gone up!
Joe Actor: How could I forget that line!

Yes, it’s true as is the case with Lucy Actor in the short scene above, sometimes the one who did not go up thinks they made the mistake.

That Works!

This phrase is often said by a director when they like something new that has just been tried by and actor or when they see some sort of new design element. Someone may ask, “Does that work?” The answer, “Yeah, that works,” is what they love to hear. Of course they may hear, “No, doesn’t work!” or “Not quite working,” which means a solution still needs to be found.

More to Come

There you have it—three examples of theatre speak. We’ll have more on this unique manner of communicating. In the meantime, there are at least 50 different current productions on and productions in rehearsal soon to be on a Broadway stage that are speaking this specialized lingo. Some of those shows may be “Ben Hurs” and some may be “turkeys” (hopefully not), but all are either on “the boards” or “in the wings” and those involved in the shows certainly want them to be “boffo.”

To see one of these shows contact All Tickets Inc. We have group tickets to the best Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and to everything NYC and the surrounding area has to offer. All Tickets Inc. may be reached at 1-800-922-0716.

Group Discounts for NYC Maritime Experiences and Adventures

The South Street Seaport offers groups a range of activities.

All Tickets Inc. is offering group sales and discounts for a range of fantastic New York maritime adventures. We can connect your group with the Maritime experience that they desire. All groups are welcome, including schools, clubs and organizations, businesses, families and more. You can go sailing, enjoy an exclusive yachting run or take in the history of the waterways surrounding New York. It’s up to you.

School Group Ecology Cruise

School groups can enjoy the experience of an ecology cruise that will connect them directly to one of Earth’s most important and fragile habitats. A majority of the Earth is made up of water, as are our bodies. Water is one of our most precious resources. It sustains a world that is comprised of billions of organisms. Select an ecology cruise that allows students to learn firsthand about the importance of our aquatic ecosystem.

History

Ellis island defines hope and opportunity.

Take in the majesty of the Statue of Liberty and learn about the important role that Ellis Island has played in shaping America and many of our lives. Both of these historical sites are icons of freedom and opportunity. Take a New York Water Taxi to the emotionally charged and peaceful 911 Memorial. Connect directly with a site that is so intimately a part of each and every American’s life and that defines heroism and our ability to endure and persevere.

Intrepid Journey

Visit the aircraft carrier Intrepid. Tour this amazing ship and enjoy its many spectacular displays including the Growler Submarine, the supersonic Concorde and the space shuttle Enterprise. This is an awe-inspiring educational experience. School and camp groups can spend a night on the Intrepid.

There’s Lots More

There are many more maritime experiences that your group can enjoy. Contact All Tickets to find out about breakfast, lunch and dinner cruises, waterway tours around Manhattan and journeys up the Hudson River. Take a break on the water and get a whole new perspective on life. Call All Tickets Inc. at 1-800-922-0716 for more information and the numerous nautical experiences from which you may choose. For some additional quick info see our latest newsletter.

Last Days Student and School Groups Broadway Comps

Cinderella opens soon!

All Tickets Broadway COMP Promo for student and school groups ends February 28, 2013. Any student or school group of 25-plus can qualify for comps by booking through All Tickets Inc. by the end of this month. It’s a great deal and it includes all Broadway shows and any performances. This promotion is available only through All Tickets Inc.

Student and School COMP Details

It’s a simple deal. For every 25 tickets paid, your student or school group receives a comp. Each group can qualify for 4 comps total (100 tickets paid). Orders must be received by February 28, 2013. This offer is exclusive to All Tickets Inc. If producers are also providing group comps, you’ll also receive those through All Tickets.

More Than Theatre

There’s a lot happening in NYC!

Along with great Broadway and Off-Broadway deals, All Tickets can also connect your group with discounts on hotels, meals and all sorts of experiences. Museums, maritime outings, art galleries, historic tours and more are available through All Tickets.

Educational Experiences

School groups can benefit greatly by taking advantage of some of our exciting and informative educational experiences. These include theatre tours, talkbacks and workshops.

Tour Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center or the Met or get inside backstage information on “Wicked” or enjoy Disney’s “Behind the Magic” tour. Plus there are any number of talkbacks, special workshops and classes in which your group can participate.

Contact All Tickets Inc. Today

The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running show in Broadway history.

Contact us today at 1-800-922-0716 to take advantage this special student and school group COMP Promo. There are wonderful new shows opening that are perfect for student groups such as “Cinderella,” “Matilda The Musical,” and “Motown The Musical” and there are long run shows, including “The Lion King,” “Newsies,” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” Plus the stars are out on Broadway too, including Tom Hanks in “Lucky Guy” and Cicely Tyson in “The Trip To Bountiful.” Remember: All Tickets is New York’s Total Group Experience.

Broadway Brings Out More Stars Bette Midler, Cicely Tyson

Weaver leads an amazing cast in Durang’s new comedy Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike.

All Tickets is excited about the stars coming to Broadway. Our Broadway group sales agents have discount tickets to see Bette Midler, Cicely Tyson and Sigourney Weaver. The three female stars are part of a late Broadway blitz that brings Hollywood to Broadway as male stars, including Tom Hanks, Shia Labeouf and Alec Baldwin take to the stage on the Great White Way.

Bette Midler is Back

The Divine Miss M will be playing another high powered woman whose last name stared with ‘M.” Bette Midler will play mega agent Sue Mengers in the one-woman play “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers.” Tony-winner Midler, who is back n Broadway after 30 years, will play the woman who was agent to some of the biggest stars of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Mengers was also known as a social icon, throwing the most lavish parties in Hollywood to which an invitation was highly coveted. Get group discount tickets from All Tickets as soon as possible to ensure you see the wonderful Midler in a rare Broadway appearance. Performances begin April 5.

Cicely Tyson Trip to Bountiful

Cicely Tyson stars in The Trip to Bountiful.

The revival of The Trip to Bountiful looks to be an exciting addition to the Broadway season. Tony-winner Cicely Tyson will be on stage, playing Carrie Watts, an aging woman who longs to connect with her hometown of Bountiful, Texas. The cast is rounded out by other big names, including Cuba Gooding, Jr. as her perplexed son Ludie Watts, Vanessa Williams as her controlling daughter-in-law Jessie Mae Watts, and Condola Rashad as Thelma, the young woman who befriends Carrie. The Trip to Bountiful starts previews on March 30.

Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike

Sigourney Weaver will be in Christopher Durang’s in “Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike” starting March 5. The comedy premiered late last season at Lincoln Center. Emmy and Tony winner David Hyde Pierce will join Weaver, a three-time Oscar nominee. Both starred in the sold-out New York premiere of “Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike” at Lincoln Center. The show opens on officially March 14 and is scheduled for a 17-week run.

Time to Book with All Tickets

All Tickets Broadway group sales agents have great group discount seats for all shows. March and April make an exciting time on Broadway for many reasons. Along with numerous stars on the boards, there are new musicals opening including “Cinderella,” “Matilda The Musical,” and “Motown The Musical.” Call All Tickets at 1-800-922-0716 for more information on Broadway group discounts and other exciting experiences.

Broadway Group Sales Discounts See Tom Hanks & Other Stars

Group sales are on for male stars on Broadway. Tom Hanks, Nathan Lane and Alec Baldwin all open this season. Broadway group discounts are available to see these and more stars. There’s a lot of buzz about these shows. Here’s what’s coming up and fast!

Hanks in Lucky Guy

Tom Hanks is set to make his Broadway debut in Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy.” Hanks is said to be looking forward to the challenge of playing journalist Mike McClary in the play. McClary was a New York Daily News reporter who covered the crime scene in the city and received the Pulitzer Prize for his pieces on police corruption.

Hanks first read Nora Ephron’s screenplay about McClary a few years ago but was turned off by it as he found the main character to be unlikeable. After Ephron wrote the play and altered the character, the actor found him to be much interesting and wanted to take on the role. He’s in rehearsal now with renowned stage director George C. Wolfe at the helm.

Broadway Perennials

Nathan Lane is on Broadway in The Nance.

Some stars who are often associated with Broadway, including Nathan Lane and Alec Baldwin, are back on the Great White Way. Get group discount tickets to see Nathan Lane in “The Nance,” which begins previews March 21. Alec Baldwin is once again on Broadway and this time he shares the stage with newcomer and mega film star Shia Labeouf. They preview in “Orphans” starting March 19. Also, David Hyde Pierce, who many know from the TV sitcom “Frasier,” will star in Christopher Durang’s new comedy “Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike.” The play, which is a takeoff on playwright Anton Chekhov’s work, had a successful Off-Broadway run a few months ago. The show previews in early March.

Great Seats, Great Stars, Great Shows

These are some of the hot shows with premium male stars lighting the way. With Hanks and Labeouf making their Broadway debuts and Nathan Lane, Alec Baldwin and David Hyde Pierce returning, it’s going to be an exciting Spring 2013. By the way, there are many female stars also coming to Broadway.