NYC: Story and Secrets of Broadway Small Group Experience

You’ve seen the shows on stage at Broadway — now, let us take you backstage with Broadway's only narrative small group experience to learn the history and inner workings of theater’s iconic street.
Anyone can visit a historic theater or two — take your time on Broadway to the next level with the only small group experience that will give you the full chronological story of Broadway's past and present. Learn why Broadway settled in midtown in the early 1900s, and who invented the idea of "Broadway." Walk through Shubert Alley and Sardi's Restaurant to discover how the Shubert family saved and nearly destroyed Broadway in the mid-1900s. Visit famed theaters like the St. James, Nederlander and New Amsterdam to hear how specific shows redefined what could be seen on Broadway. Jump to the present as you stop at modern Broadway haunts like 54 Below and the Palm to learn about today's traditions as well as where shows currently perform and how to get last minute tickets.

- Meet your guide near Times Square at the statue of George M. Cohan with a small group capped at 8 to ensure a personalized experience. Begin your story in the early 1900s, as you learn why the New York theater district settled in midtown and how Cohan helped invent the idea of Broadway.

- Next, enter the 1920s as you walk down the famous Shubert Alley, hearing the story of the Shubert brothers who helped launch and save New York theater in the 1920s.

- After that, you'll visit the Shubert Theater and Sardi's Restaurant, uncovering the battle for the Shubert empire that took place in the 1950s and 1960s and how an unsuspecting pair of lawyers worked to save American theater from ruin. Plus, at Sardi's, you'll uncover how this period led to insider traditions that continue to this day.

- After that, you'll explore how Broadway shows evolved from that point forward, starting with a visit to the St. James Theatre where the 1943 premiere of "Oklahoma!" forever redefined what was possible in a musical.

- Next, enter the golden age of Broadway in the 1960s and 1970s as you visit the Nederlander and Steven Sondheim theaters to learn how operatic artistic movements evolved musicals as an art form.

- See how the golden age ends with a visit to the New York Marriott Marquis, the site of the 1982 Great Broadway Massacre.

- Continue to experience the tumultuous 1980s and 1990s on Broadway at the Majestic and New Amsterdam theaters, learning how a phantom and a beast changed who the power players in the theater district were.

- Then, you'll enter the modern day and stop by the TKTS booth, learning how to get discounted tickets for present Broadway shows.

- You'll continue your journey through today's theater secrets as you step off Broadway to the New Worlds Stage and learn the inside story of how one block can make all the difference in a show’s legacy.

- To wrap up your tour, you'll stay in the 21st century and stop by current Broadway haunts like 54 Below and the Palm to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on how top talent is discovered for the New York City stage.

- Finally, if you have tickets to an evening performance, your guide will direct you to your theater.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.