There's a lot of energy we feel from kids in the audience. They're also an audience Broadway producers very much want to court. Adults are more apt to make theater going part of their lives if they first gazed up at a stage as a child, said League of American Theatres and Producers' Executive Director Jeb Bernstein. With the sparkling renovation of Times Square, the numbers of children taking in a matinee or evening performance has jumped dramatically to 1 million a year. It helps that there are growing numbers of kid-friendly offerings in New York and touring companies.
Theater is a worthwhile addition to any vacation itinerary.
Theater is one place where they'll still find things that are new and powerful. Go in the morning, as soon as the box office opens. Buy discounted matinee tickets the day before at the Lower Manhattan Theatre Center in the mezzanine of 2 World Trade Center. Lines are shortest at noon for matinee performances and 6 p.m. for evening shows at the Theatre Development Fund's other TKTS discount ticket booth at 47th Street and Broadway. Same-day seats are available at up to 50 percent discount for many shows.