How can you afford seeing so many shows (or the same show so many times)? — Page 2

I've seen Wicked 7 times, with at least two shows lined up this year (but more in the works). Only one was lottery. I don't really spend my money on anything other than shows. Also, my credit cards are slightly maxed most of the time....

As a college student in NYC, I'd like to say two things:
1. I would eat cereal for every meal, live in a box, and not buy any new clothes or see any movies so I could have more money to spend on shows.
and 2. play-by-play.com. Join. It has saved me so much money.

---

Becky...take friends! LOL.

---

I'm far from rich as well, but my family mostly does TKTS, we're able to find not insanely expensive tickets online, do a lottery, or I go with my theater group. But I am still shocked by people who have seen shows like Rent about 20 to 50 times! That's just a shocker! But like, my friends spend their money on fancy trips and stuff, but we're mostly Broadway spenders. I also don't pay for my tickets yet, but I know someday I will.

Updated On: 1/22/06 at 07:35 PM

I think everyone has brought up very valid points on this topic. For me especially, if possible I NEVER shop. I hate it, as long as clothes can last me, I last. I only shop when I need to, never shop for fun, so some of my friends are shop-a-holics and they prob spend as much money on clothes as I do on broadway. And the rest about seeing bway over other things is true for me as well.

And I also think it helps that I unexpectedly attended comm. college for a year instead of going to a school that even w/ scholarships would cost like $20,000 for the whole year. Comm. college costs about $4,000. It's not like I totally have to make up for it, but combine that w/ the what I don't spend money on, cheap/rush tickets, and that's how I'm happily able to go so much.

---

Smartpenguin - I am not judging you or anyone else on this board. Like I said, better off spending your $$ on shows than on many other things... and this year I have seen the same amount of shows (7 btwn B'way and off-B'way, including the infamous $5 Rocky Horrow @ el Flamingo) that I probably saw in my entire life beforehand, so I guess this is where a lot of the money I feel comfortable spending on myself does go.

But when I meet people my age who have seen a show so many times I am just amazed that they are ABLE to go see it so many times from a financial standpoint. Same with fellow concertgoers who follow DMB or any other band across the country. I just always felt like going to a show was something special, and going so often (aside from adding up quickly) may make the experience more banal. But if I had a bottomless stack of cash I'm sure I'd be hitting up many shows and (sadly) going to Rent or Spelling Bee more times than I'd like to mention.

So thanks everyone so far for your feedback/comments/answers and I do appreciate it. Let's keep it going.

---

I think I should feel insulted...

I am a patron of the arts. If I am out of town and don't go see shows, you will see a major drop in the Broadway grosses listed each week. People like me keep Broadway in business.

I've never paid full price for a ticket, nor do I intend to. There are plenty of discounts online, which, if I plan on getting tickets ahead of time, I'll use, but for the most part, I'll either buy tickets at TKTS, or do lottos, which fortunately I've been lucky enough to win a good 80% of the time.

So because I see shows more than once or twice, and see more than one or two shows a week, my life is spiraling out of control?

Sorry, just trying to understand you.

Mom and Dad support my hobby so I use my credit card that they pay for.

---

Really don't exaggerate here about the many times I've seen RENT and LENNON. My parents have always been understanding that since I don't ask for money for expensive clothes, they send it my way for rush tickets. It is my one true love so they've always spoiled me for it. I think I maybe own one pair of jeans I spent more than 50$ on. So they've always treated me well with theater.

---