My wife, daughter, and I will be visiting New York City October 17-19.
We would like to find a reputable, reasonably priced walking tour of
the Broadway Theatre district that includes a backstage tour of a
historic Broadway theatre. Our daughter is a high school junior who
dances ballet and is interested in pursuing a career in costume design
for ballet and theatre. We are looking for that special opportunity to
get a real behind the scenes view of a Broadway production and provide
her a truly educational, fun, and memorable experience.

We have tickets to Movin' Out at the Richard Rogers theatre on Friday,
October 17, so it would be ideal if we could get a backstage tour of
that production on Friday afternoon or Saturday. But we would also be
interested in a walking tour of other theatres and related landmarks
of Broadway and Times Square, and would be open to a backstage tour of
other Broadway productions.

Do such Broadway touring opportunities exist for a family of 3 in
mid-October, and if so, what would they entail and how much would they
cost? We would like to stay under $75 per person if possible.

Thanks,
Steve

Hello Steve,


My search returned the following results for New York City Tours for
your visit to New York City with your family in October. All the tours
below are related to the theatre and arts.

I am providing a description for each one, contact information and
pricing where available. Unfortunately a backstage tour does not
appear to be available for Movin' Out at the Richard Rogers Theatre
but I did locate a backstage tour of the New Amsterdam Theatre, home
of The Lion King. Since your daughter is interested in pursuing a
career in costume design, the Metropolitan Opera Guild Backstage Tour
will be of special interest as you will be taken into shops where
artisans work on sets and costumes.


======================================================


Lincoln Center Guided Tour
(212) 875-5350

“It would take a season of concert going to see as much as the
one-hour guided tour covers. Although not strictly a backstage tour,
it usually includes the Center’s Metropolitan Opera House, Avery
Fisher Hall, New York State Theater and the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.
Daily tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 24-hour advance
reservations are encouraged.”

---------------------------

 
Meet-the-Artists Program
(212) 875-5370

“The Lincoln Center’s unique program features performances by and
conversations with the singers, actors, directors, dancers and other
artists who grace the stages of the Center and Broadway. The general
public is invited to book these programs, which include the regular
guided tour, on a custom basis for groups of 25 or more.”

---------------------------


Metropolitan Opera Guild Backstage Tour
(212) 769-7020

“A behind-the-scenes look at the costume rooms, carpentry shops and
other backstage precincts of Lincoln Center’s Metropolitan Opera House
sheds light on just what it takes to stage a night at the opera.”

“If you love opera or simply are curious about how the world’s most
extravagantly staged operas are put together, the 1½-hour tour is a
must. Small groups are taken into shops where artisans work on sets,
costumes and wigs. You’ll also visit rehearsal and dressing rooms, and
the vast stage complex and auditorium. Tours run October through June,
Monday through Friday at 3:45 p.m.; Saturday at 10 a.m. Reservations
required.”

City Spin: Back Stage
http://www.cityspin.com/newyork/arts/backstag.htm

City Spin: In Concert
http://www.cityspin.com/newyork/arts/concerts.htm



======================================================


RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL 

“Experience over 60 years of magic when you go behind the scenes of
America's most spectacular showplace! On the one-hour Stage Door Tour,
you'll discover the dazzling Art Deco interiors, the Great Stage, the
private suite with gold-leaf ceilings, and even meet one of the
world-famous Rockettes! "

Adults $16; children (12 & under) $10. 
Daily tours depart from the Music Hall lobby, 
1260 Ave. of the Americas at W. 50 St. 
Tickets available at the Music Hall or Madison Square Garden Box
Offices or by calling 212-307-7171.
Group Sales 212-465-6100.  
Mention City Guide for $3 off admission
http://www.cityguidemagazine.com/nyctours1.html


======================================================


GRAY LINE NYC SHOWBIZ INSIDERS TOUR

“This exclusive bus tour provides an intimate look at the
behind-the-scenes of show business in New York City. A backstage tour
of the New Amsterdam Theatre, home of The Lion King, kicks things off;
then it’s on to the backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, where
you’ll meet a Rockette; then take the NBC studio tour. After a power
lunch at Planet Hollywood, sit back and enjoy a private performance by
a Broadway star!”
 
Daily departures at 8:30 from Gray Line Visitors Center
777 8th Ave. between 47th & 48th Sts. 
Tour length approx. 8 1/2 hours. 
Price $89. 
Reservations required; 
Call:  212-445-0848.
http://www.cityguidemagazine.com/nyctours1.html



======================================================


You can explore America’s favorite entertainment palace and meet a
Rockette on the Radio City Stage Door Tour at 1260 Ave. of the
Americas, (212) 307-7171.


Or you can learn a lot of backstage lore on Carnegie Hall Tours at
57th Street and Seventh Avenue, (212) 247-7800.

City Spin: New York
http://www.cityspin.com/newyork/bestbets/bestbets.htm


======================================================


New York City Ballet 

Enjoy a BACKSTAGE TOUR and visit to the costume display
Contact Ellen Koga at (212) 870-5692 or ekoga@nycballet.com
to arrange your special visit to New York City Ballet.
http://www.stepsnyc.com/groups/


======================================================

 
Theater District Hidden Secrets Walking Tour  
http://www.nycvp.com/frames/theater/theatre_walk.html


“Times Square, Broadway, Restaurant Row, famous 42nd Street … the
perfect tour for the first-time visitor or anyone who wants to learn
more about 'The Great White Way' and the Theatre District’s hidden
secrets.”

- 2 1/2 hour Midtown Manhattan walking tour 

“An officially licensed New York City tour guide will escort the
group. This NYCVP exclusive Theatre District Walking Tour is $15 each
adult ($7.50 each child 2-12 years). The tour departs from the 46th
Street lobby of the HOTEL EDISON (46th St. between Broadway and 8th
Ave) every Saturday morning at 10:00am. The tour operates "rain or
shine."

For reservations and additional information: 
888 692-8701 
9am - 6pm Monday thru Thursday 
9am - 5pm Friday


======================================================


Broadway Walking Tour

Walkin' Broadway, 212-997-5004

“Walkin' Broadway is an audio walking tour of Times Square & the
Broadway Theater District. Cued to walk in-sync with your hosts heard
on MP3 players, you will stroll the streets of Broadway listening to
music from shows & inside stories from from actors, directors,
designers, and producers - those that made Broadway famous.”
http://www.todonyc.com/nyrrc/Attractions%201-night.html

The Walkin' Broadway website is down so it would be a good ides to
call and see if their tours are still available.
http://www.walkinbroadway.com/


======================================================


This service may interest you as well:


Big Apple Greeter
http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/index.aspx?content=index

You choose the neighborhood you’d like to explore, and Big Apple
Greeter supplies the tour guide for free, (212) 669-8159.

“Big Apple Greeter service is not a group tour. Our visitors are
individuals 2-6 friends traveling together or a family.”

“Knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers known as "Greeters promote
New York's small town charm by accompanying visitors on 2-4 hour
journeys in any of the five boroughs, free of charge.”
http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/index.aspx?content=visit

Request Form
http://67.105.160.196/hello/hello


======================================================


Search Criteria:

"Richard Rogers Theatre" "backstage tour"
Broadway walking tours +backstage
"Backstage tour" New York
Richard Rogers Theatre 
"* * Theatre" "backstage tour" New York


I sincerely hope the information I’m providing makes this visit to New
York an enjoyable experience for you and your family. If anything is
unclear or if a link does not function, please let me know and I’ll be
glad to offer further assistance.



Best wishes,
Bobbie7

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 17 Sep 2003 21:43 PDT

Here are the ticket prices for the Metropolitan Opera Guild Backstage
Tour:

General Public $10
Full-time Students $5 

"Admission is by advance reservation only. For security reasons,
individuals carrying large bags or backpacks will not be admitted to
the tour, even if they have a reservation. Refunds or exchanges will
not be made. Wheelchair arrangements must be made at the time of the
reservation."

For reservations and further information call (212) 769-7020 between
10:00am and 3:15pm Monday – Friday or email backstagetours@operaed.org
 
http://www.metguild.org/education/calendar/backstage.aspx

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 17 Sep 2003 21:54 PDT

Steve,

These two questions answered previously by my fellow researcher
Ephraim-ga may interest you as well.

New York
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=241470

Short Break in New York
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=233290

--Bobbie7

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 17 Sep 2003 22:09 PDT

Here’s a walking tour which stops at the Palace Theatre.

Big Onion Walking Tours - Times Square  

“Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Times Square as we explore the
history, architecture, theater and underworld of this legendary area.
Stops include: The New York Public Library, Astor Hotel, Palace
Theater, Sardi's and sites associated with the Shubert's, Florenz
Ziegfeld, Bob Hope and Evelyn Nesbit.”

Meet: The southeast corner of 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, at Bryant
Park.

Big Onion Walking Tours
(212) 439-1090
476 13th St.
Brooklyn

http://www.bigonion.com/

Bobbie, Thanks so much for such a fast and thorough answer! These
links will really be helpful in planning our itinerary. We'll probably
pick one or two of the tours you identified. Regards, Steve

I'm going to add a personal recommendation here. I've personally used
Big Onion Walking Tours, which Bobbie mentions (though not for the
Times Square district), and I thought they were really good at what
they did.

/ephraim

Ephraim,

Thanks for your personal recommendation! I also found two of your
other recent answers very helpful on other things to do in the city.
We may also do the lower East Side Tenement Museum tour.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve,

Thank you very much for the five star rating and tip!
I'm glad you were pleased with the information I provided.

--Bobbie7