Off-Broadway

Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City in smaller theatres than Broadway, but larger than Off-Off-Broadway, productions.

Related Topics:
Plays - Musicals - New York City - Broadway - Off-Off-Broadway

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Off-Broadway theatres are those with 100 to 499 seats, offering less commercial productions than Broadway—often experimental. Generally the shows are less expensive, less publicized, less well-known and feature less-famous performers. The smaller scale also often allows more experimental, challenging work to be presented. Many off-Broadway groups are non-profits rather than commercial producers, meaning that they can more easily afford to take chances on plays which might not be commercial hits; however, they still have to ensure enough interest in their plays to have a large enough subscriber base to keep them financially sound.

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The classification of theatres is governed by language in Actors' Equity contracts, rather than by whether the theatre has a Broadway address.

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It is not uncommon for successful Off-Broadway shows to later have a Broadway run—for instance, the musicals Avenue Q, Rent, Hair, and Little Shop of Horrors and the plays Doubt and I Am My Own Wife were initially shown in New York Off-Broadway.

Related Topics:
Avenue Q - Rent - Hair - Little Shop of Horrors - Doubt - I Am My Own Wife

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Notable Off-Broadway Theatres include: Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theater, Manhattanan Theatre Club, and Dodger Stages.

Related Topics:
Playwrights Horizons - New York Theatre Workshop - The Public Theater - Manhattanan Theatre Club - Dodger Stages

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