Buying tickets to a show its opening week?

[SweeneySchism]

Posted: 1/8/10 at 7:20pm

I was in the process of planning a trip to New York to see the Tim Burton exhibit at the MoMA when I heard about American Idiot coming to Broadway. Unfortunately, these two events only have a 6 day overlap. How hard is it to buy tickets to a show on its opening week?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/8/10 at 7:23pm

I don't think you'll have any problems with the tickets unless you're a "seat snob" and will only sit in the very best locations.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/8/10 at 7:45pm

Opening NIGHT is probably the only INCREDIBLY difficult day. Keep your eye open for when tix are released and you shouldn't have any problems.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/8/10 at 9:45pm

There have been many instances where Opening Night tickets were available at TKTS on the day of performance.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 5:17am

dolly -- isn't that because of the producers releasing tickets late, after they satisfy the cast and crew needs?

[Hank]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 1:48pm

Opening night tickets are often only sold to the public in the last few rows of the mez.
Tickets for the weekend after opening are usually difficult, but available if you plan ahead.
As for American Idiot, previews start Mar 24, and it opens Apr 20. That's a Tuesday, so chances are good for the Wed or Thur after. Also, consider a preview the week before. That's when the critics see it.

[winston89]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 5:31pm

The closest I have come to seeing a Broadway show near its opening was when I saw Rock Of Ages for the first time. I opened up the playbill and saw on the top of the title page that had the date of the opening night. Turned out to be the very next day. I've heard of people who plan to in advance either go to the show as close to the opening as they can or go on the opening itself. For me, I really wasn't paying attention to when Rock of Ages was opening. Just happened to be a cool coincidence.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 5:43pm

OK...

[once a month]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 6:02pm

I always try to attend the final preview before opening. There's never any problem, and oftentimes a celebrity or two are also attending, which adds to the fun. The only openings I ever went to were The Leaf People and Perestroika.

[trombonist]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 6:05pm

Actually you have about a month's overlap. American Idiot will be in previews from March 24. Opening Night is April 20, so yes, there are only 6 days after opening, but there's almost a month's worth of previews before.

(BTW, the exhibition is amazing!)