NY trip - lottos vs. tickets ahead of time

[midwestsarah]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 2:29pm

Hi guys, I am headed to NY for a little over a week (from May 16-25) and fully intend to see as many shows as possible. I've searched for up to date lotto/student rush info on BWW boards, but for many of the shows I couldn't find the info I was looking for.

My question is, for the following shows, would you advise getting tickets ahead of time, taking a chance with a weekday lotto/rush, or even chancing it for weekend lotto/rush tickets? I'm not asking for precise probabilities, but just rules of thumb...

39 Steps
Adding Machine
August: Osage County
Avenue Q
Boeing-Boeing
Catered Affair
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Chorus Line (I have never seen it!)
Curtains
Gypsy
In the Heights
Legally Blonde
Passing Strange
Phantom of the Opera (again I have never seen it!)
Sunday in the Park with George

Also, I'd be curious to know if there are other good shows you'd recommend that aren't on my list. Thanks for your help.

PS Long-time lurker, but I rarely post. I'm hoping to avoid snarky comments from LizzieCurry et al, but I suppose that would make my initiation on the BWW boards complete. :)

ETA - Thanks for the great advice so far.
Updated On: 5/13/08 at 02:29 PM

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 2:40pm

Welcome back to posting! I would say get as many tickets ahead time as possible. Definitely add Spring Awakening to your list. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 2:41pm

For the things I really want to see, I get tix ahead of time. I usually find discounts online. (I use theatermania the most) Outside of that, I just go to TKTS. Not sure if the nominations will boost sales, but I would get the August: Osage tix ahead of time. And for a fun time, see Fuerzabruta if you can. I really enjoyed it. And take someone with you if you can. Have fun!

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 2:46pm

With Avenue Q, I'd get tickets in advance...that lottery is a real crapshoot and I always ended up with crap.

I used to do lotteries more, but find myself booking in advance or taking my discount codes directly to the box office while I'm down there. I'm too old for anything but general rush, but if you're not picky about seating, take that route too...that's how I saw August. Got day of $26.50 tickets in January.

TKTS is kind of a last resort these days unless I'm sure I can get a better deal through them.

[shh282]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 2:56pm

My two cents via my experience -
August: Osage County - when I walked by the rush last Sunday there were atleast 20 people, I don't know how many they give out though.
Avenue Q -When I lottoed this probably 3/4 of the people who were there won- even if you dont win they have discounted tickets and it's aa small theater so anywhere should be good.
Boeing-Boeing - Wouldn't bother rushing because you need to see a view that th box rush doesn't offer- by the mezz tickets for 26.50 and you'll have a perfectly acceptable view.
Catered Affair - not popular enough- I went at 5:30 when there was a 7 o clock show and got rush tickets
Chorus Line (I have never seen it!) - I was literally the only one who rushed the sunday performance I went to, really disappointing actually
Gypsy - When I rushed this there were 15 people there by the time of the box office opening,
In the Heights - I won both times I lottoed but if you do happen to lose the price will go up pretty high as the mezz tickets sell out quickly- the view from the mezz is fine that's where I saw it the first time and I was happy
Legally Blonde - losing popularity, rush isn't nearly as difficult as it used to be
Passing Strange - rushed this after I lost Wicked lotto, it was like 6 ish? for an 8 o clock show and they still had tickets
Sunday in the Park with George - The night before I rushed this I went at 7 30 to ask about rush policy and they wanted to know if I wanted one for that evening because they had plenty available - not difficult to get rush.
Updated On: 5/13/08 at 02:56 PM

[joe5]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 2:57pm

You have plenty of options. If its something you really want to see. I would say go ahead and get tickets. But looking at your list of shows. You should be able to try the half-price window. Or Broadwaybox.com for discounts. Have fun!!!!!

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:31pm

Check out Wicked while Stephanie J. Block is still with the cast.

[hubee]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 4:35pm

To add to Shh282 because I generally had the same experience (except Ave Q, no luck there and none of my friends have either but again, its luck),

Adding Machine i did tkts this past weekend and no prob. (not a student and didnt have my sis with me so couldnt rush it). (except I didn't like it at all even though reviews are raves).

Passing Strange is easy. which is too bad because it deserves a bigger audience.

Gypsy, if you get there by about 8ish, should get front row studnet rush, but theres more in the mezz if not.

if youre 35 and under, just order hip tix for Roundaybouts Sunday and Liaisons ahead of time.

Cat is popular on Terrence Howard days. my sis had to go at about 8am to get rush.

rushed Curtains a while ago last summer (so "busy" season) and got standin room 30 min. before the show started. So actually, not that hard. (thouhg not that great of a show either)

and I too definitely say Spring Awakening is a must. 8-9am should be fine except this Sunday when Groff and Michelle have their final performance.

[midwestsarah]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 10:55pm

bump

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 10:59pm

Gypsy - My Mom and I went in day of and got Partial view for 27.50 ORCH twice, Great Seats!
In the Heights - Lotto is okay, depends on the day but will get more crowded after today.
Legally Blonde- They are very picky about ID's
Phantom of the Opera- 26.50 seats in the rear mezz, not sure how fast they sell

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 11:02pm

I would get the tickets for In the Heights ahead of time. A Chorus Line has rush, and it's usually not hard to get.

[bethyd]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:58pm

I have a very similar question.

I'll be in the city this Sunday for the evening Spring Awakening. My friend wants to catch the matinee of Avenue Q beforehand. We'll be in the city by 11am, and had been planning on hitting the TKTS booth for Q or whatever's available. But now I'm tempted to try the AveQ Lotto instead. Is it worth taking the chance? If we lost, what are the odds anything will be left for that show at TKTS? Or are there any other discount possibilities for post-lotto?

[shh282]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 1:09pm

When I was at Ave Q - I won the lotto, and even after they offered people who lost cheap seats. it's up to you though