I don’t know whether this should go into Shor Sharaba or Culture, but since some knoweldagble New Yorkers check this forum more regularly, so I’d post it here.
Broadway, in New York, as I understand, is the centre of performing arts and theatre activities. Is that right? What sort of plays are generally played there? Are they high budget, expensive-set type of plays?
Also what does the term “Off Broadway” means? Is it just that the theatre is not on Broadway or does it indicate a further shift in the type of plays?
Furthermore, what does the terms “Off off Broadway” means? Here I am totally clueless. Does it mean these theatres are further away from Broadway, or is it a completely different type of plays. Low budget and all.
I thank you for taking the time to read the questions, and hopefully for a knowledgable response. 
I am glad you asked Pristine. Boradway is mainly on Broadway in and around Times Square (40s - 42, 43, ...47th st. sometimes as far as 52nd and 65th, but generally in the 40s), and the play/musicals/shows, etc., etc., are of very very very high quality (e.g., Beauty and the Beaast, Cabaret, Contact, 42nd Street, Phantom, Les Mis…all of which all I have seen except Les Mis, which I have seen 6 times . It is performers life dream to be able to perform on a Broadway show/play etc. Off Broadway is like theaters that are not in that area but close to that area, they also play excellent material. Off Off Broadway is not close to the area, but the stuff that is played in them is also of high quality. Whatever gets rejected in New York is moved either to LA or to London’s westend as a last resort.
originally poste by pristine:
What sort of plays are generally played there? Are they high budget, expensive-set type of plays?
are you palnning to produce a play???
Pristine, off Broadway will be mainly downtown (lower manhattan) (in the teens, some in 20s).
Thanks NYA... that was helpful
So does it mean, that the plays either on Broadway, Off Broadway or Off off Broadway have almost similar quality, and its only a matter of where the actual theatre is located?
I had originally thought, incorrectly I must say, that off off Broadway represents something similar to independant cinema... low-budget, artisitcally independent plays (like art movies). Whereas Broadway presents more to mainstream high-budget theatre with elaborate costumes and sets.
Also, the ticket prices must vary, right? How much does it cost to see a play on Broadway? ($40-100 per person)? How much will be the ticket price for an off-Broadway or off-off-Bradway play? Are they pretty much the same?
Pristine, Off Off Broadway is not a term commonly used. It means the plays are small potatoes compared to the ones on Broadway. The tickets are 30 to 200 bucks depending on theater and the seat. A few days ago I went to the box office to pick up 8 tickets for the Lion King. We were able to get it for June and the seats are not together. You get the idea. For Shows like the Producers, you had to wait for upto 8 months to get a ticket. Some plays go on for years (e.g., the Phantom of the Opera, “Cats” had a very very long run).
Then there are seasonal shows (e.g, Nutcrackers, the Christmas Carol) that are only shown during the Christmas Time. I already have tickets for next season. It is a NY tradition.
In terms of quality of plays/shows, they are all of good quality. Some have elaborate sets, while some do not. For example, the “Producers” set was a crappy room. But some musicals have very elaborate sets, e.g, Cats or the Phantom. When you come to NY, I will treat you to one.
Hehe.. NY, my trip to NY might be closer than you think… 
But the thing is, the way you explained it, I need to decide several months ahead, before coming over, so I can reserve some seats… That hurts!
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/frown.gif
