I really need to talk to someone in the know about TKTS and Box offices!!!

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:10am

I know this is constantly brought up, but I really just need one kind soul who knows about these things and can answer a couple of involved questions...I'm leaving for NY on Thurs. and have never been!

[ShuQ]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:13am

Well what are your questions?

[Marlothom]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:17am

One thing: Check your tickets...i got 2 tix to La Cage last week...when I sat down with my friend he goes...UMM These are Fiddler Tickets...Thank god for the new scanning system....

[ShuQ]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:19am

So...were they Fiddler tickets with a La Cage barcode?

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:20am

Well, I have tickets to Fiddler, Piazza, and Golden Pond, and I three other opportunities to see shows for which I have no tickets.

I am willing to do whatever it takes to get day-of tickets to shows I want to see.

My question is: Would I be better off going very early in the morning to get at the front of the TKTS line, or would I be better off going to individual box offices in the morning?

Someone told me that the box offices have corporate cancellation tickets that they do not send to TKTS that are really good seats.

I don't plan on taking the risk of any lotteries or rush tickets that are not gauranteed.

And I'm shooting for the best (Wicked, etc.) but I know they are long shots and will take what i can get.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:23am

I think the barcode just say they are REAL tickets...

I don't think TKTS will have Wicked Tix, no matter how early you get in....They have been having hairspray there though...but wicked/Mama Mia/Lion King won't be up there

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:28am

Well then is it worth going to their box office? My ultimate goal is Wicked, Spamalot, and DRS...second choices are Hairspray, AVe. Q, Spelling Bee. Fortunately, I've seen the LK tour and dont wanna see mamma mia. But still, what about for a show like DRS--go to TKTS or to box office?

And when do box offices open? Do they also have long lines waiting for them to open?
Updated On: 6/7/05 at 01:28 AM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:35am

Keep an eye on this site.

http://www.entertainment-link.com/tkts.asp

It has a daily update of what shows were at the TKTS booth each day. I don't think I'm overspeaking when I say there's no way Wicked, Spamalot, Ave Q or Spelling Bee will be there.

As for going to the TKTS booth really early, or later on in the day--some people have told me if you go in the late afternoon, early evening, there's a chance that the B.O.s will release some good seats at 50% that they can't sell for full price, but this is really hit or miss. Last year, I was able to get orchestra seats at 6pm for Boy From Oz, and the next evening (which wasn't as full on Telecharge), I could only get rear mezz at the same time of day. So I would rather line up in the morning and not risk it.

Updated On: 6/7/05 at 01:35 AM

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:39am

Ok thanks! But can anyone answer my original question about whether I am more likely to get good tickets at TKTS or at the Box office...no one ever mentions this, but I have a friend who got great seats to two different shows by going to their box offices that morning.

And how early should I go to TKTS to be close to the front of the line?

Thank you all for all your help, I know I sound really clueless...that's because I am. I am so lucky to have this board as a resource!


And what exactly is TKTS? Am I correct that it is where each show sends its last minute cancellation tickets as well as other available seats?
Updated On: 6/7/05 at 01:39 AM

[ShuQ]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:41am

I wouldn't rely on TKTS for tickets to any of those shows that you want to see...try SRO, unsold seats, partial view, or lotteries.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:04am

I think you'll get better seats at the box office. It makes sense that they'll give the crappier seats to TKTS, with the expectation that they are more likely to sell their better seats at full price and the crap seats at 50% off, right? So if seating is more important than saving money, I'd try the box office first.

As for what time to get in line for TKTS, if you're trying the one in Times Square, when I was in NYC during low season rushing for Aida at 8am, there was already a small line-up at TKTS forming (opens at 10am, I think), so go early. The line-up is shorter at the TKTS in southern Manhattan though.

TKTS is a booth run by the TDF where some box offices send their extra available tickets (albeit not all of them) on the day of the show. I don't think they're cancellation tickets though, since that is likely to only go through the box office - it's just unsold tickets.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 1:14pm

Thanks, all. Is it even worth attempting Wicked and or Spamalot?

[BrOadWayCraZy2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:33pm

wicked tickets and Spamalot tickets have never been on TKTS and probably wont be for a long time. sorry. u can def buy them at the box office, but u wont get to see the show for another 6 months or so and the cancellation lines a risk.

If ur lookin to see the show this weekend the chances are slim especially since Wicked and Spamalot are selling the seats and packing in the theater at about 100% ive seen them both and i loved both of them. but if ur lookin for a quick weekend with a show or two id stick with TKTS.

Good Luck!!! :.)
Updated On: 6/7/05 at 02:33 PM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:40pm

TKTS will only have shows that have not sold out their tickets. Another possiblity is Standing room which is a great view, but if you are willing to stand, a great bargain, but all theaters do not have standing room.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:41pm

For the record, being first in line at TKTS doesn't mean you'll get the best seats.

More often then not, I've actually gotten better seats at TKTS just a couple of hours before the show. Sometimes theatres will release unsold seats late in the day. Plus, around 5 there is usually no line.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:42pm

I thought the TKTS booth opened at 10am for matinees, but not until 3pm for night shows?

[BrOadWayCraZy2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:46pm

Its only 10 am on Wed and Sat matinees....its 11am ofor Sunday Matinees. And tickets for night show begin to sell at 3pm.

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:59pm

I have always had the best luck hitting TKTS at the last minute- head over and see what's left. Also, it never hurts to be NICE to the ticketsellers- either at TKTS or the box office. They will definiteley go the extra mile for someone who is pleasant and easy to deal with. You get no favors being a demanding jerk.

My last tip is just to lay yourself out and ask for advice- I've had box office people "find" tickets to sold out shows or make calls to other box offices to take care of me. And, when visiting NYC alone, i always tell the ticket sellers I'm alone and do they have any single seats laying around? I've been pleasantly thrilled to see single seats for shows that are no longer lsited as available.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 3:04pm

If you're heart is set on Spamalot, DRS, or Wicked, go to the box office. If they do not have tickets for that day's performance and you still want to see it, go on the cancelation line. Tickets will open up eventually for that day's performance.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 6:50pm

If you go to the Wicked box office at like 6am, what time does it actually open?

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 6:59pm

Rent, I think you just got plenty of help with tickets,so I'll just say HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 7:07pm

Thanks, nmartin! I'm obviously very antsy and nervous about which shows I'll get to see and how to go about getting to them, so sorry everyone for being kind of annoying and anxious! I really do appreciate all the help...it seems like what it comes down to is a little bit of luck, strategizing, and hope.

[stonewall2]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 7:27pm

Rent, have a great time and please let us know what you end up seeing!

[morosco]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 7:42pm

"I think the barcode just say they are REAL tickets..."

More to it than that. The barcode is scanned by the ticket taker for several reasons: 1) to confirm that the patron is at the right show at the right time on the right day 2) to prevent a counterfit or copy of a ticket being used (the scanner will say "already used") 3) to allow the Box Office to more efficiently deal with patrons who need to be relocated due to seat kills (the scanner can alert the ticket taker who can instantly provide new seats) 4) lost or stolen tickets can be voided by the box office without having the ticket present 5) management can see a real time report of how many patrons have entered the theatre 6) and numerous other things too complex to explain.

Posted: 6/7/05 at 7:42pm

Last month I stopped by DRS to pick up a t-shirt and someone, not a scalper, was outside trying to sell two very good tickets. It was an older couple who couldn't use them and wanted face price. So you might get lucky.

BTW, the beauty of TKTS is that sometimes you wind up seeing a show you didn't expect to see and it turns out to be wonderful.