It’s Showtime! A Broadway Adventure With Your Grandchild

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, take your bags to your room. At 4:00 p.m., come to the designated hotel meeting room (location will be posted) to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your envelope when you check in.

Dinner: 5:00 p.m.: In the Tick Tock Diner just off the hotel lobby, we’ll have our first meal together and order from a select menu. This 24-hour diner features American cooking and “comfort food.” Dinner in the diner is included even if you arrive late. You may eat later but please attend Orientation first. Or, get “take out” and bring your plate to the meeting room.

Evening: 6:15 p.m.: Orientation. 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. This is a Road Scholar Intergenerational program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Children are never to be left unsupervised. This active program involves extensive walking and use of public transportation including the New York subway system with many stairs up and down. Periods in the daily 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/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Following the Orientation session, we will walk three blocks with our Group Leader to the Empire State Building for a bird’s eye view of the city. The Group Leader will return to the hotel and you may stay as long as you like. The observation deck is open until 2:00 a.m.— but we don't advise staying that late! The next day is a busy one.

Activity note: Use of New York City subway. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day.

Breakfast: In the hotel meeting room, we’ll have bagels, muffins, bananas, hard-boiled eggs, cold cereals, cream cheese, jelly, and butter, plus milk (regular and low-fat), orange juice, coffee/decaf, tea.

Morning: We’ll take a field trip to the New Amsterdam Theatre for a Road Scholar exclusive field trip. We’ll also see props from some of the most popular Disney shows. Depending on the theatre schedule, we’ll see what’s happening that day. Next, we’ll walk through the Theatre District with a local expert to learn about and become familiar with the area. We’ll then return to the hotel.

Lunch: In the hotel meeting room, we’ll have deli sandwiches and a beverage.

Afternoon: This afternoon is the first of our Intergenerational theatre workshops for both kids and adults. We’ll be joined by a local expert, an educator in movement, who will teach us singing and dance moves and routines.

Dinner: At a retro 1950s theme diner — featuring singing waiters who aspire to be future stars of stage and screen — we’ll order from a select menu and have plated meals.

Evening: We’ll take a walk through Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal.

Activity note: Use of New York City subway. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day.

Breakfast: In the meeting room.

Morning: We’ll review what we learned in the workshop before and then we’ll meet with an expert in stage movement who will take us through our moves.

Lunch: 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.

Afternoon: As a special highlight of the program, we’ll meet a young performer on their way up and learn how they got started. Grandkids will then rehearse their theater workshop moves and grandparents can watch if they like or take a break.

Dinner: At a neighborhood restaurant.

Evening: We’ll attend a 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. Generally, this is a casual, off-Broadway offering. 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.

Activity note: Use of New York City subway. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day.

Breakfast: In the meeting room.

Morning: In the Theatre District around Times Square, we’ll divide into two smaller groups and set out on a field trip to explore the heart of New York show business. We’ll have maps and clues to discover some of the famous sights and take pictures to document our discoveries. We’ll then return to the hotel.

Lunch: In the meeting room.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. If you want to attend a specific event such as a Broadway show you may want to order tickets in advance. There are always a lot of options available at the TKTS Discount Booth for same-day tickets at 20% to 50% off regular prices. The Group Leader will give advice on how to make it go as smoothly as possible. See www.tdf.org for details.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. If you have something special in mind, we recommend making reservations in advance.

Evening: At leisure. Experience more of what New York has to offer to see and do what interests you most.

Activity note: Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day.

Breakfast: In the hotel meeting room.

Morning: Another special highlight, we’ll meet a theatre professional who works behind the scenes in wardrobe. We’ll hear how those quick changes work to support the performers on stage. Next, we’ll be joined by a seasoned Broadway actor who will tell us about life of a performer and what it takes to be successful — meaning, employed!

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: For our third and last theatre workshop, kids and adults will join together again to learn more about movement in Broadway musicals. Our educator will take us through the moves we’re perfecting.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll order from a select menu with beverage choices of soda, coffee, tea, water. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: We will attend a Broadway Musical. 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.

Activity note: Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: In the meeting room.

Morning: We’ll have a lively wrap-up session and discuss the performances included in the program and any you may have attended on your own. 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!