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New York

The Best of Theater in New York

Program No. 11921RJ

From Broadway to Off-Broadway to behind the scenes of Broadway, dive deep into the world of New York theater as you take in three performances and meet with theater professionals.

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Itinerary

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Duration

5 days

4 nights

What's Included

9 meals ( 4B, 2L, 3D )

7 expert-led lectures

2 expert-led field trips

3 performances

An experienced Group Leader

4 nights of accommodations

Taxes and customary gratuity

Road Scholar Assurance Plan

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Day

Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Location: New York, NY

Meals: D

Stay: Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central

Activity Note

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.; Walking half a mile (not all at once).

Afternoon:

Program Registration. After 4:00 p.m., come to the hotel’s boardroom located on the lower level to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. In the same space, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Group Leaders on our programs are highly trained and knowledgeable about many aspects of the city. We will also have the benefit of local experts who will provide information and commentary on areas of particular interest. If you wish to attend a theatrical performance beyond what is included in the program, you may want to order tickets in advance. The app TODAYTIX may be helpful in this regard. The fees are modest and significantly below those paid on Ticketmaster or Telecharge. If you don't mind waiting until you're in town, same-day tickets for many performances are available at 20% to 50% off regular prices at the TKTS Discount Booth. The Group Leader will give tips on how to utilize the booth during the Times Square Walk the morning of Day 2. See www.tdf.org for details. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner:

We will walk to a neighborhood restaurant. This program is able to offer vegetarian and gluten free meal alternatives. The gluten free meals are not guaranteed against cross contamination. While modifications to accommodate other dietary restrictions might be possible on a case by case basis, they cannot be guaranteed. Participants requiring other alternatives should discuss with the group leader upon arrival, be prepared to self-select from the included menu choices and discuss modifications with the serving staff at the restaurants.

Evening:

Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day

Broadway Museum, Times Sq. Walk, Off-Broadway Play

Location: New York, NY

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central

Activity Note

Walking about 2.5 miles on city sidewalks over the course of the day, no more than 1 mile at a time. Standing in a museum. Possible limited use of the NYC subway which involves descending/climbing two sets of stairs in succession and standing on a moving vehicle.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We’ll head out with our Group Leader expert for a walking field trip around the Times Square Broadway Theater District. We’ll then visit the Museum of Broadway. The museum is both a marvelous look at the history of Broadway from its earliest days right up to the present moment as well as an incredibly informative glimpse behind the scenes at all the different technical folks who make a show happen.

Lunch:

At the hotel, we'll have boxed lunches with a choice of sandwich or salad, chips, sweet treat, fruit, water.

Afternoon:

Regrouping in the hotel meeting room, we’ll meet a professional from the off-Broadway theater world. The off-Broadway theater movement started in the 1920s as a response to the commercialism of Broadway, often located in small spaces far from Times Square. Today, off-Broadway is still home to interesting, edgy, smaller works and/or works by upcoming playwrights. New York boasts several off-Broadway not-for-profit theater companies dedicated to this mission.

Dinner:

At a restaurant near the theater. If our theater is not in Times Square, we will ride the subway to the restaurant then walk to the theater after dinner and take the subway back to the hotel following the performance. Subway fare and passes are included in the program when needed.

Evening:

Performance. We’ll attend an off-Broadway theater performance. (Depending on the location, we will either walk or take the subway.) Our program was planned far in advance when performance details were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment.

Day

Writing for the Musical Theater, Broadway Matinee

Location: New York, NY

Meals: B,L

Stay: Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central

Activity Note

Walking about 1 mile on city sidewalks.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We’ll learn about writing for the musical theater from our Group Leader, who is an accomplished writer for the musical theater.

Lunch:

At a Theater District restaurant.

Afternoon:

Performance. We’ll attend a matinee performance of a Broadway play. When performance details are available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment.

Dinner:

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You might like to grab a bite before catching another show on your own or dine at that special restaurant (advance reservations recommended).

Evening:

At leisure. It’s New York. The possibilities are practically endless.

Day

Theater History, Meet an Actor, Broadway Musical

Location: New York, NY

Meals: B,D

Stay: Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central

Activity Note

Walking about 1 mile on city sidewalks.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We’ll have two sessions this morning. First, our academic coordinator will lead a discussion of the two theatrical pieces we’ve seen thus far. Then, a theater historian will give us an illustrated lecture on the storied and rollicking history of Broadway.

Lunch:

On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon:

We’ll meet a Broadway actor!

Dinner:

We’ll walk to a neighborhood restaurant.

Evening:

Performance. We’ll attend a Broadway musical. Performance details will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number when available and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure after our closing session in the morning.

Day

Wrap-up Session, Program Concludes

Location: New York, NY

Meals: B

Activity Note

Hotel check-out 11:00 AM.

Breakfast:

At the hotel.

Morning:

We’ll gather with our Group Leader for a wrap-up session and lively discussion about our amazing theater experience. We expect to end by about 10:15 am. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.

The Best of Theater in New York

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