Can You Tell Me How TKTS Works? Please.- Page 2

[unckristen]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 6:03pm

I don't claim to be the expert, but can't you only get the following day's matinee tickets the evening before?

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 6:16pm

This is on the front page of their website:

1. The Times Square Booth sells day-of-performance tickets only.
2. The South Street Seaport Booth sells tickets to evening performances on the day of the performance, and matinee tickets the day before.

http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 6:51pm

But doesn't the TKTS under the marquis open at 11? When I went, it was open at 11 AM and only open for a little while.(it was a sunday)

[vinnylin]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 7:10pm

My apologies in advance if I repeat any of this information has previously been posted. I would note that virtually all the information you would likely need is on the tdf.org website. (The Theatre Development Fund runs TKTS).

TKTS at the Marquis opens at 11 am only on Sunday. They open at 10 am to sell matinee tickets on Wed and Sat, and at 3 pm to sell tickets for the evening shows. Hours are different for Southstreet Seaport.

At the Marquis, you can only get tickets the day of the show. On matinee days, you can only purchase evening tickets starting at 3 pm (sales from 10 am-2 pm are for matinee tickets that day only).

At Southstreet Seaport, you can get tickets for matinees the day before. You can get tickets for evening performances only the day of (however, since Southstreet Seaport opens at 11 am, you can get them earlier).

Tickets sell at discounts of 50%, 35% or 25%, depending on the show (this is determined by the producers). On top of that, you pay a $3 service fee for each ticket.

Ticket availability obviously varies, and can vary throughout the day as producers release new blocks of tickets. If you want to get an idea of what's typically available, the tdf.org website has a list of the Broadway and off-Broadway shows that were sold during the prior week. Of course, this is no guarantee that there will be tickets available for the same shows the day you go, but it gives you a general idea. It's common sense, but typically it will be easier to get tickets during the week than for weekend performances. You can also get an idea by checking out weekly grosses, which are posted on this website as well as on playbill.com. You should note that there are a handful of shows for which you typically will not be able to get discounted tickets. (For example, don't expect any discounted tix for Wicked or Jersey Boys.)

I believe somebody wrote about student rush tickets and lotteries and such -- they are absolutely correct that you can generally get cheaper tickets that way than through TKTS, but of course the availability will likely be more limited, so TKTS is a good option. You can also look for discount codes on playbill.com or on other websites, which will often give you pretty good discounts (though often not as good as on tkts). But it saves you standing in line.

Good luck!

[thtrbear]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 7:23pm

Coupla points.

Student tix are a LOT cheaper, usually around $25 for bway i'd say, while tkts booth is usually around 50-55$ + 2.50? handling.

For so many bway shows, you can go to broadwaybox.com and get an offer to buy (often the best available) tix for $66 or less(plus costly charges if you're not buying at the thtr box office). Sometimes not avail for weekends or part of the weekend. TKTS seats are so often not very good!

However, in my experience you can ask where the seat is or, for a couple of shows, which has better seats. I don't really use the booth anymore though.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 7:43pm

vinnylin... I always thought the percentage was determined by the availability (less tickets, lower discount) ~ because I've seen the same show at all three percentages on different days. Or do the producers decide on a day by day basis?

[retrogirl44]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 7:43pm

Generally, better seats are available on weeknights, Tues., Wed.night, Thurs., instead of weekends. Individual shows have individual availability, so you must be flexible and grateful, not to say overly wimpy. ALWAYS a good idea to bring the STUBS book with you (seating chart for all venues). You can buy it (cheap) at the bookstore on 44th, across from the Majestic Theatre). It's YOUR money, get what YOU want. Have a few shows in mind. The board is digital, and is instantly updated.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 8:02pm

"vinnylin... I always thought the percentage was determined by the availability (less tickets, lower discount)"

I believe the percentage is based on seating location and the non-discounted price of the ticket. All top price tickets are half price. The percent discount decreases with the original ticket price, i.e. you would not get half-off the rear Mezz $60.00 seats if that is all they have.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 8:17pm

Thanks Fosse. I never understood the percentage thing. But what you said makes sense.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 8:26am

Bumping up this old thread. I think I have the answer, but I just want to make sure it is.

For a Saturday, you can only buy the evening tickets after 3pm in Times Square, but all day at South Street Seaport. Well, when it opens anyway. Is this correct? I would hate to end up going all the way down there for nothing.

[auggie]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 8:36am

Now taking AX.

I liked the Marquis location because there was a roof over your head during bad weather.

[singtopher]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 8:45am

Yeah, the marquis was nice, and you didn't have to deal with all the tourists. Also, the percentage is more based off of a)How many seats are left, B)How greedy the producers are. Popular shows like In the Heights, South Pacific, and Mamma Mia are usually 30% or 40% off, and you CAN get orchestra seats at those percentages. I always advise having a plan A, B, and C since just because it's listed as having tickets on the board, doesn't mean that the seats are any good, or that they are together (if you need multiple), or that they have just been sold out. Some of the guys behind the windows are straight up jerks. Overall, the customer service there is terrible.