Also see Atlanta (click here), Charlotte (click here), Denver (click here), Los Angeles (click here) or San Francisco (click here).
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Please submit tips for Blitz Theatre-Going in your favorite city. Email the tips to info@playsondvd.com. PlaysOnDVD will be pleased to credit your submissions with a byline.
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Step 1: Pick a Play in Charlotte
Charlotte has a remarkable resource for this www.charlottetheatre.com. This site is dedicated solely to performing arts in and around Charlotte. Search for plays for the weekday you hope to be free. Print out a couple of choices and make sure to pick up the addresses of the Theatres as well as the Curtain Times.
Step 2: Book Your Arriving Flight to Land Early or Return the Next Day After the Show
Generally, I would suggest booking a flight that arrives at least 2 hours before curtain in most cities. But, the Charlotte Airport (CLT) is relatively close to the downtown area via Interstates adjacent to the Airport. So, you might be able to land only one and a half hours before showtime and not be strained getting to the show from the airport.
If you decide to see the play in the evening after your meetings, consider this: You will leave the Theatre at around 10:30PM or so. This is probably too late even for a red-eye flight. (At least it should be!) If you need 8 hours sleep, select a flight the next day that lets you get up around 7AM. If your work ethic requires a good business reason for returning the next day, see Step 5. :-)
Step 3: Getting To the Theatre
Your play will probably be at a Theatre somewhere near downtown Charlotte. This is referred to as "Uptown" locally, which reflects the pride that Charlotte should have for having such a nice active downtown hub. Even during rush hour, I found traveling to Uptown via Interstate 77 or 85 to be a very reasonable way to get there. The exits from the Interstate 277 loop around Uptown are a bit a bit confusing however, so be sure to take a map.
Use www.mapquest.com/directions/ or maps.yahoo.com/dd to get driving directions from your last meeting place--or the Airport--to the Theatre’s address that you picked up from your Web search. You most probably need to go directly from your last meeting to the Theatre to guarantee that you make an 8PM or earlier curtain. Figure you will pick up a Salad or Sandwich for dinner near or at the Theatre if you do not have time for a nearby restaurant.
Step 4: Print Out All of Your Theatre-Related Information
When your last meeting ends, your time to actually hit the show will probably be tight. There will be no time to diddle with a computer. Have every thing you need to Blitz the Theatre on paper.
Step 5: Buy the Tickets at the Box Office just Before the Show
Let us face it; you are seldom certain that you are going to make the show at all. Your last meeting could run late, an important business contact could ask you to dinner at the last minute or your plane could end up circling forever. So, if you wait to buy your ticket until you make it to the Theatre, you can bail out of your Theatre Blitz anytime with no waste of money. Even Shows that are “sold out” frequently have a single seat available just before the show begins, especially midweek. So, your likelihood of getting a seat just before curtain is high. If you like, have an alternative play picked out nearby as a backup plan.
Enjoy The Show!
