Broadway shows are big in every sense of the word – inspirational music, timeless themes, elaborate productions, and, often, big-name actors and actresses. Dallas has a rich performing arts history that includes a variety of events, and Broadway shows in Dallas have taken center stage for decades in venues like the Dallas Theater Center and the Music Hall at Fair Park. Joining the thousands of people who regularly enjoy the dazzling array of productions in Dallas can make for a fun outing, offering a way to enjoy cultural and artistic diversity without ever leaving town!
What Makes a Show a Broadway Show?
Most shows start in the Broadway theater district in New York City, even the Broadway shows in Dallas. People tend to think of this performing arts genre as consisting of all musical productions, but that’s not true. Granted, most Broadway shows traveling around the country and gaining recognition are musicals, like the eternal “Hello, Dolly!” or “Jesus Christ Superstar”. However, many non-musicals such as “August: Osage County” and “Noises Off” are also Broadway shows.
Many of the Broadway shows presented in Dallas are put on by New York-connected touring companies. Community Broadway productions are primarily put on by local theaters that purchase the rights to the plays. However, Broadway plays normally do not make up a large part of community theater productions.
Finding the Big and the Small
It can be easy to find the larger, well-known theaters, but how do you find smaller community theater productions? Here are a few sources to start searching for Broadway shows in Dallas presented on the big and small stages:
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GuideLive.com is a website managed by The Dallas Morning News, covering all the entertainment happenings around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Select “Things to Do” and then “Performing Arts” for event type during your search.
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BroadwayWorld.com has a listing of Dallas regional theater performances, so you can find a variety of shows around the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs maintains a list of facilities the city owns or manages, and many offer professional Broadway shows on a regular basis.
The DallasObserver.com is another good source. It has an Arts tab that you can click on to find what’s going on around town, including at venues like the Dallas Theater Center.
Get Going!
The best way to appreciate Broadway shows in Dallas is to see one! Buying tickets is as simple as going online and purchasing through a ticket vendor, or directly from the theater. Attending Broadway shows enables you to connect with the local performing arts community. Once you see a Broadway show in Dallas, you’l see what we mean!
Photo by Rob Boudon
Suzy S.