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Hamilton fans will love this New York experience

Recently updated on September 1st, 2022 at 03:21 pm

If there’s one thing that’s synonymous with New York, it’s Broadway. The test of any true actor and a right of passage for visitors to the Big Apple, catching a show on Broadway is a bucket list must.

But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes? What does it take to ‘make it on Broadway’? How do actors cope mentally with the gruelling work schedule? If you’re anything like us, you probably have a million and one questions to ask, which is where Broadway Up Close comes in.

This walking tour, available to all Trafalgar guests on our New York Explorer trip, goes behind the curtain of Broadway, sharing secrets of past and present. Fans of the hit show Hamilton, will especially be in their element as they chat to a current cast member about what it’s like to a part of one of the most successful productions in the world. 

Want to know what else you can expect from this unique and insightful New York experience? We spoke to Tim Dolan, owner of Broadway Up Close Walking Tours, to find out all the juicy details…

broadway up close experience

How would you describe the Broadway Up Close experience?

The Broadway Up Close experience begins with a journey through Broadway’s Beginnings, covering all of the theaters on the southern end of the Broadway Theatre District. Guests journey back in time with our Green Team Guides to Broadway’s early years of roof garden theatres, tap shoes, and theatrical con artists. In addition, tour-goers hear how a show is created from the first rehearsal to opening night and all of the craziness in between. 

Utilizing iPads chock full of rarely seen photographs and videos from years of research, our guests see Broadway’s past and present merge before their eyes. At the conclusion of the tour we’ll pose for a photo of the group in Times Square before heading to a Broadway audition studio to meet a cast member from Hamilton: An American Musical. For 45 minutes guests will get an up close opportunity to connect with this artist to hear about their theatrical journey, how they became involved with this incredible musical and hear first-hand stories about their time with Hamilton. The entire event will conclude with a final photo with the performer. 

Broadway Up Close theatre experience

Is the Hamilton performer guests meet a member of the current stage production?

It is all based on the schedules of the performers as they are always changing. We do our best to get a current cast member, but in some cases it will be a cast member who has a history with the show in some direct capacity. 

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Why is learning about Broadway such an important part of any New York experience?

Broadway is one of the key cultural events in New York City. No visit to his wonderful city is complete without basking in the glow of singing, dancing, and some of the world’s highest-caliber performances in the same theatres where it all began over 100 years ago. 

Broadway Up Close theatre experience

What does Broadway up close do differently?

While there are other walking tours in Times Square, none match our ability to mix history, Broadway anecdotes, and unique stories all conveyed through the lens of an actual working performer or stage manager. Every Green Team Guide is authentic, real, passionate, and knowledgable and will articulate our industry so by the time a guest is concluding our experience they’ll feel connected to Broadway in a whole new way. 

Broadway up close theatre experience

What kind of behind the scenes access do guests get to enjoy?

The stories we tell are one of a kind that give a true behind-the-scenes glimpse at Broadway. And where else can you finish hearing about Broadway’s past and then spend 45 minutes with Broadway’s present performers in the hottest show in New York City? It doesn’t get more behind-the-scenes than that.

What feedback do you get from guests about the experience?

The reviews on our TripAdvisor page are testament to the experience our guests get to enjoy. I think the fact that the tours are all lead by actors or individuals directly involved with Broadway in some way, adds an extra dimension to the experience. Guests comment on our level of insight, our love of the arts, and the element of fun we try to bring the tour. We’re proud of what we have built over the past 10 years, and we’re looking forward to the next decade!

The Broadway Up Close walking tour is available to Trafalgar guests travelling on our New York Explorer trip.

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