I'm coming to NY for the 1st time...and need your help!

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:12pm

Hey all,

I am finally going to be in new York this week for the first time ever and I need som help as far as getting tickets for Broadway shows. I am not sure what is the best way to get cheap tickets to some of the shows I want to see. If people could tell me which of the following shows have rush and/or lottery:

• Spring Awakening
• Grey Gardens
• The Drowsy Chaperone
• Company
• The Coast of Utopia
• Mary Poppins
• The Color Purple

Those are my shows (in approximately the order of how much I want to see them). Any information on the best way to ensure tickets, at not ridiculous prices, would be great.

As far as the TKTS booth goes, first of all where is it now that they are renovating it? And what time should I get there to get a good chance of getting tickets.

Also if any of you have to pick just one of the Coast of Utopia to see, which would it be? Which has the coolest set as far as you thought (I AM a Set Designer, so that does affect my desicion a bit).

Again, any help to this clueless clueless boy would be appreciated.

Akiva

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:18pm

Here is the link to lottery/rush info:

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/boards/index.php?category=Broadway&rush=show&order=

The TKTS booth is located on 46th, just west of Times Square (across the street from B&tB).

If you look at the recent grosses, you'll see that most shows will be on TKTS (don't go expecting to get Jersey Boys or Wicked).

[Gpvegas]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:19pm

The TKTS booth is under the Marriott Marquis. As for cheap, I am not much help with the rushes and lotteries. But if you want check out Broadwaybox.com. Also, I am not sure if they are still valid but I would check seasonsofsavings.com they have discount tickets for SA and GG. This weekend might be hard to get some discount tickets through broadwaybox and Seasons due to some discounts are blacked out this weekend.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:20pm

Thank you so much!

Akiva

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:29pm

Of the three parts in "...Utopia," I'd recommend "Shipwreck" if you can see only one. I think it stands alone the best, as there's a definite dramatic arc in it. "Salvage" would probably be the worst choice. You need to see Herzen in "Shipwreck" if you're going to react properly to his character in "Salvage." Plus, you'd be robbed the chance of seeing Billy Crudup and Amy Irving, neither of whom are in that one.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:48pm

Thanks Calvin.

Akiva

[alliez92092]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:52pm

You can also get cheap, and guaranteed, tickets from broadwaybox.com and I'm pretty sure that the shows you want are on there.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:53pm

The Color Purple is very easy to get rush tickets for and they're all in the first two rows! I definately recommend trying that one.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 3:59pm

Grey is very easy to get rush for and a steal at 25 bucks. If you're the first in line and alone you do get one of the better seats, marred only by the height of the grand piano in act one. I got my rush tickets on a saturday, they go on sale at 3:30. I got there far too early at around 2:20 and no one else joined me in line til about 10 to 3.

Spring rush seats go onsale at 10 am and you'd be wise to get there in a warm coat with a cup of coffee and your ipod around 8 in the morning. Scout it out and if its a slow day you can come back. It varies, one night they sold out student seats by noon and then one night I was able to walk up at 6:30 and could have gotten one.

Company student rush goes onsale at 6 I think and getting there anywhere to an hour to an hour and a half before wouldn't hurt. Ask Emcee, she's the expert.

You wont regret getting TKTS seats to see Little Dog if you can't do the Trilogy. It's only 42 bucks and worth it, well worth it.

Good Luck!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 4:01pm

Welcome and I hope you enjoy your time visiting our little town.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 4:05pm

As for time to get in line for TKTS - I would get there an hour and a half before the box office opens. I was just there this past weekend and was always the first group of people in line. I hear now people don't wait hours before because it's so cold. I'd just remind to bring something to read or remember your Ipod or walkman to listen music to while you are waiting.

If the box office opens at 2pm (Tuesdays/Thursdays) get there at 12:30pm.
3pm - arrive at 1:30pm
10am (for Saturday matinee shows) - arrive at 8:30am
11am (for Sunday matinee shows) - arrive at 9:30am
*not sure when TKTS opens for Wednesday matinee maybe 10am?*

I got there on Sunday matinee and the line hadn't even formed yet - so I just got some coffee at Starbucks in the hotel lobby and then waited for someone to show up before dealing with the cold.

Hope that helps.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 4:05pm

Thanks, everyone. Carl...the specific times you gave will prove very helpful to me I'm sure.

So is there any sort of general rule as far as which shows are more worth it to try rush and which shows to go to TKTS for?

Akiva

[gumbo2]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 4:14pm

Are you a student? If you are, I think the rush is always better because it's cheaper...And to help answer the Company question, when I rushed it, just getting there an hour before (5:00 for selling the tickets at 6:00) was fine. The other time I saw it I got there right at 6:00 and still had no problem.

And Grey Gardens should be pretty easy to do rush also.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 4:24pm

I agree with Carl Magnum. The Little Dog Laughed is a great show to see, in spite of some of the negative review it got on here. I decided on it at the last minute - and so glad that I did. Too bad it's closing soon.

[FosseForever3]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 4:54pm

You probably already know this, but TKTS (and rush lines) only accept cash.
Also, TKTS gave me two great seats for Drowsy, so I would recommend that.
Hope you get to see all the shows on your list :)

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 5:03pm

hah...well I definitely won't get to see ALL the shows I want to, just due to time constraints, but I would like to see as many as possible.

Thanks guys for all you help. I'm heading down to by my bus ticket now. I am usually such a planner for trips, but I am totally winging it this time...its my last trip ever as a student and I plan to make the most of it and just kick it Carpe Dium style.

Akiva

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 5:51pm

Oh and from all the shows you have listed. The only one that will not be at TKTS is Mary Poppins.

[Spacedog78]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 5:53pm

I got great seats for SA and Company at TKTS and horrible seats for Drowsy

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:21pm

Good to know...thanks.

Akiva

[jimnysf]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:26pm

What? No "Hairspray"? :)

Have a great trip and enjoy yourself!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 2/12/07 at 11:48pm

So on nights when Salvage is performed do Billy Crudup and Amy Irving get the night off?

Link- I suggest the South Street Seaport TKTS. Almoust no line and you can buy matinee tickets for the next day...

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 12:41am

Jimnysf: I've seen it three times in Toronto. If I'm going to New York I want to see stuff that I won't get the chance to elsewhere. (I saw Wicked 4 times in Toronto, hence why its not on the list).

Neddy: Thanks.