Broadway Ticketing.. Questions (Simple answers please!)

Hi,

I am a first time visitor to Broadway from the UK, visiting with my partner for 5 days.

Further to my other posts, some other questions have arisen. I know these must seem terribly simplistic to those experienced theatregoers, but it seems the ticket situation on Broadway is *completely* different to the West End and the rest of Europe, and I would really appreciate some honest, simple answers to a few questions, if at all possible?


1) Can somebody please explain to me what "Student Rush" is, who is entitled to it (e.g. under a certain age, or with what specific ID - is it for U.S residents only?) - and attached to this, which shows offer "Student Rush"?

2) When I booked two top price Orchestra seats for TLM and Phantom from Ticketmaster last October, for my upcoming visit to New York this week, I did so believing that they are two of the top selling shows, and therefore would not be at TKTS. Am I right in now thinking I could've saved myself $230+ by waiting until on the day, or is it better to have seats guaranteed for these two shows?

I've also booked second row just off centre for Wicked - does that usually sell out through the week, and are they good seats?

3) The above "Student Rush" and "lottery" tickets, do they only apply to top price orchestra seats, or could they be anywhere in the house? What is the usual discount, and which shows do/don't participate?

4) I have three shows booked with room for one more on the Saturday night we arrive (we haven't booked in advance in case of delays) - what is the best show I am likely to get from TKTS, based on past experience - and what would folks recommend to see? If nothing at TKTS, which is the best deal at the box office? I am wary of getting ripped off..


I'd really appreciate any advice - have I gotten a raw deal so far?

>>1) Can somebody please explain to me what "Student Rush" is, who is entitled to it (e.g. under a certain age, or with what specific ID - is it for U.S residents only?) - and attached to this, which shows offer "Student Rush"? <<

I think 99% of them are for actual students. I know what you mean because at times places (like museums, parks, etc.) will place a student AND age limit. I bought a ticket for Gypsy and wasn't even carded (I'm 30 but sometimes still get carded for drinks) and I'm a grad student.

As far as where Student and Lottery tickets are vary by the show itself. My ticket for Gypsy was in the orchestra level off to the side while the ticket for Spring Awakening was 3rd row orchestra, far left corner (obstructed view and annoying teenagers behind me so I moved at the interval). For Rent, I know they had the first 2 rows of the orchestra specifically for the lottery.

As far as TKTS, if you go to their website, www.tdf.org you can follow the links and see what shows were sold at the booth the previous week and that will give you a general idea of what might be available.

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5. The tickets at TKTS are based on what the house releases. Luck of the draw. And sometimes there are actually better seats just before curtain. All depends.

6. Virtually since the reviews came out. TLM is NOT the huge seller everyone assumes. When you see it, you'll see why. Definitely nowhere near Wicked, The Lion King, or Jersey Boys proportions.

It is a holiday weekend, so things might be more full than usual...but who knows.

Typically you don't ask for an upgrade here. At intermission, if you are positive there are empty seats and you want to try moving, go for it if you choose. I HAVE actually encountered people who show up with legit tickets who missed act 1 but are going to see act 2, so there is never a guarantee that it's empty.

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Also, a good way to tell (now, I do this because I HAVE to for a course I'm taking) but check out the Broadway grosses chart on Playbill to see which shows are selling out and which are not. They also tell you there which show were not being sold at the TKTS booth to give you a better idea which are the hot tickets.

http://www.playbill.com/features/section/7.html

And just like givesmevoice stated, if you are going to see a matinee performance, I say go to the Southport or Brooklyn booths to get your tickets a day early.

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Sadly, once you've bought the ticket at the price you did, you bought that ticket. That's what non-refundable means. And every discount I've seen states that it is not applicable to previously purchased tickets.

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You may already know about this, but there are also discount ticket codes available through broadwaybox.com and playbill.com. I have found that the price I pay for tickets at these sites can be comparable to what I pay at TKTS--the discount is usually 50-65% off full price. I like using these sites because you can get your tickets in advance and you are able to look at seating charts at your leisure and figure out if you like the seats being offered. If you really want to see a show and don't want to gamble on getting student rush/lottery/TKTS, that might be another option for you.
If you'd like to see a play in addition to your three musicals, "The 39 Steps" is a lot of fun. Broadwaybox has tickets from $49-$65 (regularly $111.50).

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save your money on the big green flop!

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Do they accept UK student id's at any of the theatres though I wonder?

I'm not completely positive but I think that The Little Mermaid is the only show woth student rush that doesn't accept high school ids.

I'm pretty sure most theaters accept international ids, a friend used her Norwegian school id (in Norwegian, it really could have been anything) at a couple theaters and never ran into problems.

Another play I HIGHLY reccommend would be to see August:Osage County. THis would probably be available at TKTS.

Can I ask WHY you are so determined to see the shows that are "selling out"? That doesn't mean that the show that AREN'T aren't any good. Just because they are popular doesn't make them extraordinary, either. Be adventuresome and try something that will either BECOME the next big hit or you might not have the opportunity to see again!

Have a great visit!

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It's okay and all sorted now everybody. I think we made the most full itinery known to mankind! lol

Thanks for all the recommendations - I am not adversed to seeing a play FWIW - it's more a case of wanting to do the whole "tourist thing", and sitting down for a serious play might bring down our spirits a bit, when we want to be running around like crazy.

I found a couple of absolute *gems* to fill the empty nights!

You're quite right of course, what ho!