Neopolitan, I can beat your story! Years ago, while in the audience of Miss Saigon, a woman came in and sat next to me. She was wearing a fur coat with a NIGHTGOWN underneath--and it wasn't a nice nightgown either. This woman, named Shirley (she introduced herself to me), was very large and wore no bra. Of course, she kept trying to take off her coat, but I was so horrified that I talked her into keeping it on.

"You'll catch a terrible chill, Shirley," I kept repeating.

The poor woman constantly rummaged through her purse, muttering, "Where are my pink pills?"

Thank the Lord, Shirley kept her mouth shut during the play. It is too bad she couldn't have kept her coat shut. :)

Christine Gonos

For upscale restaurants check. Most have given up and no longer require jacket and tie (but some still suggest jacket - which means they would really like to refuse you without one- but don;t.) If it says nothing assume you will be OK with business casual - and better off with smart casual.

No shorts, tank tops or giant white athletic shoes.

handmaiden, I'm sitting here hoping that you have posted that story before. I swear I've heard it before and am now wondering if it was from here, or if this lady is a regular in Broadway audiences.

But you're right. That tops the marathon runners.

Thanks nytraveler. I'm originally from a city, D.C., and actually know how we should dress, but I guess I was indulging in wishful thinking. We are only in NYC from early Sat. to late Wed., and we plan to cover a lot of ground, dressed comfortably. We'll just have to plan our fine dining. Our hotel is in Midtown West so it shouldn't be difficult. Any suggestions? This is my first trip to NYC.

No, Neopolitan, I have never posted this information on Fodor's before. I have only been posting here for a few months.

Shirley was indeed a regular at the Broadway shows. She told me that she had seen Miss Saigon 5-6 times. From the looks of her fur coat and purse, she was far from poor--probably a madcap heiress.

Christine

I think John posted it under one of his earlier names.

Well, I went to a matinee of Avenue Q on Saturday. The woman seated next to me not only brought her 8 yr old son but kicked off her flip-flops, put her feet up on the seat and played with her toes. Now I see that I should be happy that she wasn’t wrapped in a beach towel. I give up – wear whatever you want. I am clearly the minority.

So if I do dress up will I look out of place?

Not out of place. There are still others who dress up. I've been to some where at least half of the audience looked civilized.

Hmmm. What I should have said is that those who aren't dressed up are the ones who look out of place. Otherwise we all wouldn't be talking about how they stood out, would we?

joelst--
No, you will not look out of place if you dress up. You will be properly attired for an evening out in NYC! I always dress for a show. There will be plenty of too-casual dressers and plenty of those dressed appropriately in urban evening wear. Which group do you want to be associated with? Other posters are correct in that it is likely to be FREEZING! After seeing Wicked last March I vowed to bring a blanket next time it was so cold in the theatre.

Great, thanks. My husband and I are dressing up.

I have to tell you that I think that it is lovely that you are dressing up a bit. I was raised to belive that when you attend the theater - a recital, etc. - that you dress up a bit out of respect for the artists. I live in Seattle - very casual city - but whenever we go to the ballet, theater, etc., I alway dress it up a little and do belive that it is more respectful. Have a wonderful time!