If you’re in town specifically to see Broadway shows, make this your base. I say that not only because Civilian is just a 2-3 minute walk from most of the city’s major playhouses, the hotel itself is theater geek nirvana, taking “backstage” as its theme. So there’s photos of the goings on in the wings from famous productions on the walls; drawn velvet curtains framing the beds for a proscenium-like effect; and a cocktail lounge decorated with model sets, props and costume pieces from recent Broadway musicals and plays. The hotel has a partnership with the American Theater Wing which lends it memorabilia on a rotating basis in return for the gentle nudge the hotel gives guests asking for donations to this storied non-profit organization. Rooms are, alas, the size of the Great White Way’s tiny dressing rooms, but they’re decorated by style star David Rockwell, so they’re quite pleasant. Tip: Make your reservation directly and they’ll match any price you find online, and throw in free daily passes to a swish gym down the block (a $30 value).