- ALL THAT CHAT/TALKIN' BROADWAY
1.a. A post just disappeared from the forum - why?
Top Twelve Reasons Posts are Removed from All That Chat
Because the post ...
- ... featured a subject that is off topic (i.e., not theatre-related
enough, too political, or refers to someone's personal life).
What is on and off topic? The subject of a discussion must be specifically theatre-related. We also allow some discussion of opera, movie musicals, and some social and personal posts about All That Chat members. This is, of course, subjective and what we determine to be off topic for All That Chat may not be what others think is off topic. What should be examined is the thrust of the discussion as put forth by a poster: If a TV show features a Broadway actor, a discussion about the TV show in general (or its plot, its ratings, etc.) is off topic, but a discussion about the actor's performance in the movie is on topic. Questions and comments about what subjects are on topic should be emailed to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com
- ... included something potentially libelous, defamatory,
obscene, pornographic or abusive. This includes personal attacks
toward other forum members. Posts that are made solely to critique another poster's spelling/punctuation, depending on the tone, or to make a personal insult may also be removed. Also, unhelpful answers to specific questions may be removed. For example, if the question is, "I'm thinking of seeing ___ from the rear mezzanine. Is that a good seat?" and the answer is, "The only good seat for that show is outside the theater."
- ... contained a solicitation of funds, advertising or
solicitation for goods or services without permission of Talkin'
Broadway management.
- ... included a mention of, or reference to, an illegal
recording (e.g: "bootleg" audio or video tapes or reproductions, or items that were not released/distributed by the rights holder), including any mention of or allusion to such recordings, or linking to or mentioning the domain or site name of websites where bootlegs are shared or discussed.
- ... was considered to be a poll. Though a poll is
generally defined as "Any post which directly or indirectly calls for the
casting of votes or recording the preferences of all forum members on any
question," we realize this can be a gray area. If you think a post may be
considered to be a poll, email webmaster@talkinbroadway.com to see if it
can be worded in a way to not be considered a poll. As a rule of thumb, "Who/what is your/the favorite/best fill in the blank?" is always a poll. Posts that would likely result in information that could be of interest to all readers are more likely to be allowed.
- ... included a request for or provision of a specific code.
- ... included an offer or request to buy, sell, give away
for free, or trade tickets, recordings, or personal memorabilia. These posts should be made on the
Shoppin' Broadway board.
- ... included more than a very brief quote from a
review or article from another source or website. Copying and
pasting complete, or substantial portions of, articles violates
copyright laws. Linking to other sources acceptable.
- ... was deemed to be "spamming": repeatedly posting the
same message within a thread or in more than one thread, even over
the course of more than one day. Also, starting a high number of threads within a short period of time. Also repeating something (espeically an announcement of some kind) that has already been posted.
- ... started a new thread on the same subject as an existing thread, or was a continuation of a discussion in an existing thread. An exception to this is that we allow everyone to choose whether to start a new thread or add to an existing one when posting their own report of the viewing of a show. Sometimes same-subject posts are moved to the existing thread by us instead of being deleted.
- ... questioned the removal of a post. All such questions should be sent by email to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.
- ... was a reply to a post that was deleted for one of the above 11 reasons.
In most cases, you will receive an email with the reason for a post deletion. If you don't, or have any questions, email TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.
1.b. Other forum members are criticizing me for my spelling/grammar/punctuation. Is that fair?
If you want to get your point across and participate in a discussion, it's best to check your spelling (especially of names). Maybe it's not fair for someone to concentrate only on your spelling or grammar, but you will get a more serious response if you take such things seriously.
The "free form" (i.e., no punctuation) method of writing is often difficult to read, and typing in all capitals letters is widely interpreted as "shouting," so be prepared for a reaction to those styles as well.
1.c. Where's the archive?
There is no archive. Once a message has been deleted or aged off the board, it can no longer be read. Messages on the main All That chat board last a few days [currently 8 days]. Messages on the Las Vegas and West Coast boards last considerably longer, due to the lower level of activity on those boards.
1.d. I see "nm" and "nmi" in the subject line of some posts - what does it mean?
Both are abbreviations to designate a message whose complete content is included in the subject line (the body of the message will be blank). "nm" stands for "no message" and "nmi" stands for "no message inside." When using the disignation in the subject line, you can post a blank message by pressing the spacebar.
1.e. What special characters and codes are permitted in posts?
If you know html, you can use html tags for bold, italics, lists, underline, strike-out, the anchor tag for hyperlinks and special characters like accented letters, etc. in your posts. Imbedding images is not permitted.
Because the system scans for html tags, which are designed by the angled brackets < and >, you cannot use these brackets when not specifying html tags (your post will not display correctly).
Italicized and bold text can be formed by putting an I (i) or B in the angled brackets before the text to be formatted and a slash-I or slash-B in brackets after the text:
- Italics:
<I>Sweeney Todd</I>
will appear as
Sweeney Todd
- Bold:
I was <B>very</B> happy.
will appear as
I was very happy.
There is a place on the posting form for one link (the Link field), but you can list more links in your post by using this format:
1.f. Is there a UK All That Chat?
We tried a UK All That Chat, but activity was not high enough to warrant keeping it open. You are welcome to discuss worldwide theatre topics on classic All That Chat.
You may also want to this site for UK theatre chat:
Is there a UK IBDB.com?
For musicals, ovrtur.com includes information on London productions in addition to their Broadway and regional data.
thisistheatre.com has some information on current and past London shows and theatre information.
1.g. How can I put a clickable link in my post?
What does Link and Link Title mean?
The easiest way to put a clickable link in your post is to type or paste the URL (the website address) in the box next to "Link" below the space where you type your message.
You can copy a website's address by selecting it at the top of your browser when on the page you wish the link to, and clicking Edit|Copy or pres Ctrl-C. The address can then be pasted.
The "Link Title" box is optional when you are placing a link. If you type or copy text in the box next to "Link Title", that is the text that will show and be clickable in your post. When someone clicks, they will go to the address you include in the Link box.
If you don't put text in the box next to "Link Title", the Link itself will show and be clickable.
- BROADWAY SHOW INFORMATION
2.a. Where can I find the running time for a current Broadway show?
Visit our On the Boards page
2.b. Broadway Show Schedules
Visit our On the Boards page and choose to Order by Performance; or just click here
2.c. What's the difference between Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway?
A Broadway theatre is a house of 500 seats or more, used primarily for theatre, and in the district bounded by Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue, 41st to 54th Streets. The Vivian Beaumont is outside this district but also qualifies as Broadway.
Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and City Center all have larger houses than Broadway but theatrical shows in those houses aren't considered Broadway.
99 to 499 seats is a reasonable guide for Off-Broadway but the strict definition is about whether the shows are mounted by companies working under an Equity contract or not. There are some Equity companies working in under-99 seat houses, some of which call themselves Off-Broadway and some of which don't.
The 99 seat cutoff derives from Equity's showcase code which specifies the conditions under which Equity actors may work for a production not governed by a contract. It limits the the length of run (20 or 24 performances), the price which can be charged and the size of theatre which can be used (a maximum of 99 seats although the Fringe Festival has an exemption).
The theatre festivals and most of the Off-Off-Broadway companies of any note in New York are operating under showcase code and there are hundreds of them. Sooner or later a company gets too big for showcase and must move to a transitional Equity contract. Even if they don't move theatres they are entitled to call themselves Off-Broadway at that point and they usually seize the chance because their expenses go up and hence their prices must go up as well.
2.d. Where can I buy a copy of the libretto for Merrily We Roll Along?
After more than 20 years, it is back in print. Available at Amazon.com.
2.e. I've heard that all Broadway shows are videotaped and stored at the New York Public Library. How can I view these shows?
The Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT) archive is part of the Billy Rose Theatre Collection at the NYPL. The archive is available for research purposes and includes tape or DVD versions of many Broadway shows, as well some Off Broadway, regional, and non-U.S. productions. You may view films and DVDs by advance appointment, though some screens are available for walk-ins. All viewers must have a professional or academic reason for viewing. Viewers must have an NYPL card. Requests can be made by phone at 212-870-1642. More information about the Billy Rose Theatre Collection is available at www.nypl.org/research/lpa/the/the.html and details on using the archives can be viewed at www.nypl.org/research/lpa/the/the.usarch.html.
2.f Who is Ken Mandelbaum and where is he?
Ken Mandelbaum is a theatre writer, best known for his book about Broadway flops called Not Since Carrie. Mr. Mandelbaum also wrote for Show Music and TheaterWeek magazines, as well as Playbill. Though his writing has not appeared publicly since leaving Playbill in 2006, people have corresponded with him and he is reported to be fine. Fans anticipate the return of his well-regarded writing and are hopeful for a follow-up to Not Since Carrie.
2.g Was the recent Lincoln Center Theatre production of South Pacific the first Broadway revival of the show?
Answer: not exactly.
Between 1955 and 1965, South Pacific was produced four times at City Center, where several full-scale revivals of plays and musicals appeared each season during the 1950s and 1960s. Then the Music Theater of Lincoln Center, which produced elaborate revivals of classic musicals every summer between 1964 and 1969 at the New York State Theater, presented a completely new production in 1967.
There is some evidence that the City Center and Music Theater of Lincoln Center productions were generally considered Broadway productions at the time. The Best Plays annuals listed them as Broadway productions, taking their information on such matters from Variety. In addition, the Variety reviews of both organizations' productions appeared in the periodical's "Shows on B'way" section. This suggests that the City Center and Music Theater of Lincoln Center shows were probably produced under Broadway contracts.
All of this would seem to confirm that the shows were Broadway productions, but the Internet Broadway Database doesn't view them that way. According to the home page, " IBDB (Internet Broadway Database) archive is the official database for Broadway theatre information." The site is run by the Broadway League, which describes itself as "the national trade association for the Broadway industry."
The database lists no Music Theater of Lincoln Center productions, though it does list a few later productions that played at the New York State Theatre. It lists many productions that played at City Center, but doesn't list many others. When questioned about these matters, a representative of the site responded, "All title page credits of Broadway productions in New York City are listed on IBDB.com. Very occasionally, certain other productions have been deemed Tony-eligible because they played in a Tony-eligible venue, and these productions are also included in IBDB. (At certain times in the past, City Center fell into this category.) At some point, the New York State Theatre was considered a Tony-eligible venue thereby qualifying the production that played there during this time for inclusion in IBDB. To be clear, the production need not have actually been nominated for a Tony."
Among the City Center productions listed on IBDB are a great many that preceded the creation of the Tonys (including a number of New York City Opera productions), as well as many from after the Tonys started (including a 1955 production of South Pacific). It's a bit hard to understand why some productions at City Center were eligible for Tonys while other productions at City Center in the same season (and almost definitely produced under the same contract) were not. There is also the question of whether eligibility for the Tonys should be the primary factor in determining whether a show is a Broadway production.
Generally, productions at the Vivian Beaumont (where the current production is playing) are not on Broadway contracts when they open. Yet IBDB considers them Broadway, while the City Center and Music Theater of Lincoln Center productions, which probably were on Broadway contracts, are not.
The most recent full-scale New York revival of South Pacific prior to the current one was the 1987 New York City Opera production, which played at the New York State Theatre, the same theatre where the 1967 production played. Though the City Opera production was clearly not a Broadway production, both that production and the 1967 one did play just across the plaza from where the current one is.
-- Answer provided by Alan Gomberg
2.h What happened to the Mark Hellinger Theatre? / What Broadway theater is now a church?
In 1989, the Nederlander Organization leased the Mark Hellinger Theatre (which hadnt housed a hit since Sugar Babies closed in 1982) to the Times Square Church, which was looking for a permanent home in Midtown (after meeting at Town Hall and the Nederlander Theatre). In late 1991, the church purchased the theater outright for an estimated $16 million. The building is landmarked and cannot be altered. However, the church has stated that they have no intention to move so its return as a Broadway house is unlikely.
-- Answer provided by Mike Rhone
2.i Where can I find a good seating chart for City Center?
At Nyc Center.
2.j Where can I find a good seating chart for the Delacorte Theater in Central Park?
At Flickr.
2.k When do the three actors play Billy in Billy Elliot?
The three "Billys" are not scheduled ahead of time. At this time, information on the Billys schedule is being tracked on the Friends of Billy Elliot US Dates & Schedule Forum.
- BUYING TICKETS AT A DISCOUNT
3.a. What is a discount code?
When shows (Broadway, Off Broadway and some regional) wish to fill empty seats they frequently offer
discounts - generally 25-50% off the face value of the ticket.
These discounts are associated with special codes that must be
presented in order to obtain the discount. Codes are a series of letters and/or numbers and can be in any
format but they are usually 4-8 characters long, frequently with
letters and numbers, such as SVM01.
Restrictions will generally
apply so it is essential to read the fine print. Discounts may not
be available for the most popular performances, such as Saturday
nights or weekend matinees. Holiday
periods will frequently be excluded as well. All discount codes
have expiration dates and most have a limit of how many tickets may
be purchased. Some codes are only for certain seating sections, but most are "best available."
There can be more than one discount code valid
for a particular show at any given time and the prices can vary.
Even when you find a code, you may wish to look a little further
to see if there is a cheaper one.
3.b. Where can I find discount codes?
If you are on a theater mailing list, you will frequently receive discounts
in the mail, generally for upcoming shows. You may be placed on a theater mailing list by being a regular buyer of tickets. Many codes are offered on the Internet.
Most codes can be used by anyone who hears about them. Others are available only to members of special clubs.
Good sources for codes and more information about codes:
Some websites which feature codes/discounted tickets for Broadway & Off-Broadway:
BroadwayBox.com - codes and information
Broadway Insider - codes plus other NYC discounts
Playbill On-Line Club
TheaterMania
Travel Zoo
Regional discount services:
NJArtsTix in New Jersey
Goldstar
TICKETPlace for Washington, D.C.
Cultural Connection Same-Day Discounts. South Florida Theater League
Arts Tix San Diego
3.c. How do you use a discount code?
Generally discount codes can be redeemed in any one of three ways:
- At the box office - this is the cheapest method because there are no
service charges. Usually you must bring a printout of the
discount, including the code and the restrictions. It is extremely
important that you read the fine print before you approach the box
office. Make sure that the date and time you desire is eligible
for the discount. Be courteous and patient. Sometimes the box
office computer has not been updated with the latest code. The
clerk will be more willing to work with you if you are cooperative
and not combatant.
- Phone orders - most codes will be accepted over the phone.
Inform the operator at the beginning of the conversation that you
wish to use a discount code. As with all phone sales, service
charges will apply, but your total cost will still be cheaper than
if you paid full price. Occasionally you must call a special phone
number in order to receive the discount. This information can be
found in the fine print.
- Internet sales - some codes are accepted on Ticketmaster.com and Telecharge's BroadwayOffers.com. The browser will inform you if
you have entered an illegal code. Again, service charges will
apply.
3.d. What and where is the TKTS booth?
There are actually three TKTS booths, operated by TDF (the Theatre Development Fund), which sell a limited number of Broadway and Off Broadway show tickets at 50%, 40%, 30% and 20% off full-price (plus a $4.00 per ticket service charge, which helps support other TDF services and programs). Not all shows offer tickets at the TKTS booths, and the offerings change hourly/daily.
The Times Square TKTS booth sells same day Broadway and Off Broadway shows tickets. The South Street Seaport booth sells tickets to evening performances on the day of the performance, and matinee tickets the day before. The Downtown Brooklyn booth sells tickets to evening performances on the day of the performance, and matinee tickets the day before as well tickets to Brooklyn performing arts events. Each booth has different hours of operation, and all accept credit cards, cash, travelers checks or TKTS Gift Certificates.
Visit TDF.org for the most up to date information on booth operation, directions, etc.
3.e. What shows have been offered at TKTS lately?
Visit TDF.org and Entertainment-Link.com for information on what shows have recently been offered at TKTS booths. TDF also offers a smart phone app for iPhone and Android phones that offers real-time reporting on listings at the TKTS booth.
3.f. How can I find about Rush and SRO tickets?
Rush tickets are discounted tickets which are available (usually to students only, but not always) at the theatre under restricted circumstances. Some shows have no rush policy, and the policies and their restrictions are specific to each show.
Some general guidelines for rush are:
- For student rush tickets, a valid student I.D. (sometimes with a photo) is usually required
- The number of rush tickets sold to each person varies
- Theaters usually require cash for rush ticket purchases
- Rush tickets are usually sold same-day, when the box office opens
- For popular shows, a line usually begins to form hours before the box office opens
- Some theaters offer a lottery system for rush ticket distribution (you don't need to line up early, but everyone gets a number, then numbers are drawn randomly at a specified time for the right to buy rush tickets that day)
SRO stands for "Standing Room Only." If a show offers SRO tickets, they are usually sold only for sold-out performances, and are heavily discounted. Some theaters do not have room for standing room, but when they do, the standing room ticketholders do actually have to stand for the entire performance, usually behind the last row of orchestra seats.
Rush and SR ticket policies are listed and can be discussed on our Rush Board.
