It’s Showtime! A Broadway Adventure With Your Grandchild

4:00-4:30 p.m. Program Registration: 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. If you arrive late, please ask for your envelope when you check in. 4:30 pm 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.

In the Tick Tock Diner just off the hotel lobby.

The group leader will lead a short introductory neighborhood stroll.

In the Tick Tock Diner.

We'll start our morning with a walking introduction to New York's Times Square Theater District. Our local expert will give us insight into the history of this storied cross roads and we'll learn about the various theaters.

In the hotel meeting room.

We’ll gather in our hotel meeting room for the first of our theatre workshops for both kids and adults. We’ll be joined by an educator in movement who will teach us singing and dance moves and routines.

At a neighborhood restaurant.

NYC isn’t all about theater. Tonight, we'll visit the observation deck at one of the city's most famous landmarks: The Empire State Building. We will arrive before sunset; stay as long as you wish and return to the hotel at your leisure.

In the meeting room.

We’ll review what we learned in our previous workshop and meet with our educator in stage movement who will take us through more moves.

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.

As a special highlight, 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 or take a break.

At a neighborhood restaurant.

We’ll attend a theater performance. (Depending on the location, we will either walk or take the subway.) Generally, this is a casual, off-Broadway offering. Our program is 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.

In the meeting room.

This morning we will visit the Museum of Broadway. Having opened in late 2022, this still-new museum is, in some ways, two museums in one. The first section offers an in-depth overview of the history of Broadway from its earliest days to the present. The second section focuses on those behind the curtain, from producers and managers to designers and stagehands, these are the unsung contributors to a great night in the theater.

Brown bag lunch in midtown.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your 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. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. If you want to attend a specific Broadway show, you may want to order tickets in advance. Same-day tickets for many performances are available at 20% to 50% off regular prices at the TKTS Discount Booth in Times Square. The Group Leader will be happy to give advice on how to use this outlet. See www.tdf.org for details. The app TODAYTIX is also helpful, and one can purchase future performances at a discount. The fee is modest and well below those paid on Ticketmaster or Telecharge.

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

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

In the hotel meeting room.

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!

On your own to enjoy what you like.

For our third and final 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.

At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our final dinner together.

We will attend a Broadway musical. Our program is planned far in advance when details were not available. When confirmed, 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. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure after our closing session in the morning.

In the meeting room.

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!