Karma Blog

For a list of current shows, please see our Broadway show ticket page.

In most industries, there is a gold standard; a company, group, or product that embodies everything that is most desired by the consumer.  For English-speaking theater, that ideal is known as “Broadway”.  But what is it that makes a show a Broadway show?  Is simply showing in New York enough?

First, Broadway is geographic.  The section of Manhattan designated  as Broadway is a dazzling collection of theaters  of various dimensions and capacities.  While this area accounts for thousands of showings each year, the plays and musicals that qualify as Broadway shows represent only a small fraction of New York city productions.

The criteria is really pretty simple – a show can be called “Broadway” if it is showing in one of the 39 theaters that are considered Broadway.  This designation may seem inconsequential at first, but  only Broadway shows may be nominated for Tony Awards.

The 39 theaters considered Broadway houses  are, for the most part, located in 10 blocks in Manhattan’s West Side.   Broadway theaters on average seat more people (between about 500 and 2000) than other theaters in New York.