Broadway vs. Off-Broadway
What makes a play a Broadway versus an Off-Broadway production?
Although it sounds like the location determines the Broadway or Off-Broadway designation, and while some of the well-known theaters are on Broadway (the street in New York City that cuts through the heart of the theater district), the designation of on or Off-Broadway is more a matter of a theater’s size, production budget, and commercial orientation versus its location.
The term Off-Broadway refers to the small professional productions that have served for years as New York City’s alternative to the commercially oriented theaters of Broadway. The plays, usually produced on low budgets in small theaters, have tended to be freer in style and more imaginative than those on Broadway.
The number of seats matters
Broadway theaters must have 500 or more seats while an Off-Broadway theater must have 100 to 499 seats. An Off-Off-Broadway theater has 99 seats or less. Most Off-Broadway theaters are also non-profit. Generally, a theatre is classed as a Broadway Theatre if it is geographically between 41st street and 54th Street and between 6th and 8th Avenue.
What makes a play a Broadway versus an Off-Broadway production?
Although it sounds like the location determines the Broadway or Off-Broadway designation, and while some of the well-known theaters are on Broadway (the street in New York City that cuts through the heart of the theater district), the designation of on or Off-Broadway is more a matter of a theater’s size, production budget, and commercial orientation versus its location.
The term Off-Broadway refers to the small professional productions that have served for years as New York City’s alternative to the commercially oriented theaters of Broadway. The plays, usually produced on low budgets in small theaters, have tended to be freer in style and more imaginative than those on Broadway.
The number of seats matters
Broadway theaters must have 500 or more seats while an Off-Broadway theater must have 100 to 499 seats. An Off-Off-Broadway theater has 99 seats or less. Most Off-Broadway theaters are also non-profit. Generally, a theatre is classed as a Broadway Theatre if it is geographically between 41st street and 54th Street and between 6th and 8th Avenue.
