Anyone willing to shell out advice on getting tickets...

[thez914]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 9:38pm

I am coming to New York over spring break (March 6-10) with a friend, and was wondering what our options were as far as getting the cheapest tickets available to shows.

Anyone with info on standing room, student rush, etc. - and which are the best options - your help would be greatly appreciated.

I am somewhat familiar with TKTS, but what time should we plan on showing up? I have no idea how early lines begin to form, but this is during the week, so maybe it won't be as chaotic(?) I also have no idea how dependable this service is, so anyone willing to offer any advice or a little crash course in TKTS, your help would also be greatly appreciated.

Also, I remember talking to someone who said they ushered for a show and were then able to see it for free. We would DEFINITELY be willing to do this, so anyone with info on that (or who knows if this is even an option) please let me know.

Finally, I was wondering what shows have lotteries. Here are the shows we decided are on the top of our list:

Avenue Q
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Jersey Boys
Sweeney Todd
Light in the Piazza
Phantom of the Opera

Bridge and Tunnel
Doubt
Rabbit Hole
Dog Sees God

Anyone with info and the willingness to share your thoughts would make this boy very happy. Also, anyone who has tickets they are looking to get rid of for the week we'll be in NYC - and if you'd accept less than $30 per ticket - I'd be glad to take them off your hands...

Updated On: 2/16/06 at 09:38 PM

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 9:40pm

This site has info on Rush/SRO policies.
http://www.talkinbroadway.com/boards/

[thez914]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 9:46pm

Thank you so much #1Elphie...that site is great.

Anyone with more insider info on student rush/standing room? Is this a better option than TKTS - especially if we want to spend less than $30 per ticket?

*EDIT: I'm also really interested in the ushering option, so if you know ANYTHING, your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. And you would be my new favorite person (big incentive, i know...)

Updated On: 2/16/06 at 09:46 PM

[Rebecca]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 10:58pm

I know the New York Theater Workshop takes ushers and lets them in for free, if you're interested in seeing one of their shows. I think they take 5 each performance or something.
NYTW

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:06pm

broadwaybox.com

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:09pm

Other than Roundabout shows (where there is usually a 3-4 week waiting list for ushering volunteer positions), you must be a memeber of the usher's union to usher any Broadway shows.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:11pm

Off Broadway, Second Stage Theatre (where "The Little Dog Laughed" is currently plaaying) takes volunteer ushers. PM me if you'd like the info.

[broadwaygiant19122]

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:17pm

according to BWW, dog sees god is closing next weekend.

[thez914]

Posted: 2/17/06 at 1:06am

no way. i thought dog sees god was extended (again)...?

Hey Rebecca...do you know what all is playing at NYTW? I visited the website and only found THE SEVEN as a production they were offering.

OH YEAH...PS...I was told by a friend who recently visited New York that he got in contact with someone over a discussion board (not BWW) who worked for a ticketing agent and got him some great deals. So anyone that might be willing to extend a helping hand in that respect...

PSS...thank you all for your help and responses!

Updated On: 2/17/06 at 01:06 AM

[peach]

Posted: 2/17/06 at 10:05am

You may have some luck on Playbill.com (join the club to get access to the discounts), especially for midweek shows. I use it quite often when I'm headed into NYC, as I'm too much of a planner to take my chances on lotteries - I like to know my agenda in advance. Finding tickets for less than $30 might not be feasible, but you can usually get a 20%+ discount for a lot of shows.I've gotten some great seats.

TKTS is great, but I don't often have the patience to wait on line. TKTS is just as packed midweek as it is on weekends. I've seen it backed up for blocks. If you are patient and have the time to wait on line though, I think you're looking at a 30-50% discount depending on the show. Note, not all shows are available (Wicked for instance, is definitely not on TKTS, althought DRS sometimes is, Phantom often is). It's definitely a good deal, and sometimes/often the seats are fantastic.



Updated On: 2/17/06 at 10:05 AM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/17/06 at 10:15am

Dog Sees God

[thez914]

Posted: 2/17/06 at 4:53pm

Thanks peach. I wasn't even aware that there was a Playbill Club.

Ok, sorry to be persistant about this, but just a few more questions:

*For Student Rush, TKTS, etc. - do you get to choose your seats or are they assigned to you randomly? Would it be better to get standing room and then just find the best vacant seats, or does this not always work out?

*Is there any way to find out what is going to be on TKTS ahead of time? Is there ANY chance of finding tickets there for less than $30, maybe $40? Is it worth it for the amount of time you spend waiting in line?

*Exactly which shows have a lottery?

Thank you all, your help is invaluable!

[thez914]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 3:11pm

[bump]

OH YEAH - and does anyone have any info on activities going on during the day realted to theatre...tours, workshops, classes, etc...that we could take part in while in NYC?

Updated On: 2/18/06 at 03:11 PM

[starletta8]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 4:32pm

http://www.tdf.org/tkts/

Click on "Broadway at the Booths"- it's supposed to have a list of what's appeared at the TKTS booth recently.

I can't stand TKTS, so I try to mostly pounce on cheap seats/heavy discounts. Broadwaybox.com and playbill have good lists, as well as the NY Times Theater list. (I got $20 tix for Glass Menangerie last summer, for example)

[Marlene]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 4:51pm

Can anyone think of shows that I could easily get student rush for during a Wednesday matinee, say after I lose the Wicked lottery?

[starletta8]

Posted: 2/18/06 at 4:53pm

Add Wednesday night to that list, too.

I'll be in NY all day Wednesday and my "official" commitments end around noon, so I'd love to try to rush 2 shows.