Please help Aussie theatre lovers

[jaykat]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 8:20pm

Hi. My daughter (16) and I (huge Musical Theatre fans) will be in New York in April. We arrive 2 nights before my son and husband (non-theatre lovers). We are aiming to see 3 shows: a Tues night, a Weds matinee and a Weds night show. Due to the high cost of the shows (and terrible Aus dollar) we want to try and rush all 3 shows. If we don't get tickets we will resort to using a code (eg broadway box, theatremania etc) or trying at TKTS. The shows we want to see are: Something Rotten, Fun Home, School of Rock, Finding Neverland, Beautiful - obviously that is more than 3 but we are not fussy (except Something Rotten is a must!)

So any hints, tips, suggestions, ideas on how to get the rush tickets and if not, then which is next cheapest option. We prefer to always sit in Orchestra, rather than Mezzanine. Also we only arrive in the afternoon on a Tuesday, so I guess trying to get Rush tickets for that night would be out...?

 

Updated On: 2/28/16 at 08:20 PM

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 11:04pm

You could enter the Fun Home and Something Rotten digital lotteries on Tuesday. I think School of Rock actually might have one too? Then if you don't win any of them, I would suggest TKTS or a discount code like you mentioned :) since your daughter is 16 you two could split up on Wednesday and rush two shows to try and get tickets for both the matinee and the evening! Most shows do two tickets per person. For instance, one of you could wait on the Rotten line while the other is on the Neverland line :) and just make sure one of you requests evening rush and one matinee rush. 

[slumdogdelaware]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 11:43pm

I did TKTS in Times Square for Fun Home for a weekday matinee a couple months ago. I got there 10 minutes before curtain and got a second row (amazing) seat for $60 (USD). So I would definitely recommend doing that as a plan b. 

Also, Fun Home is very strict about not letting people in after curtain. I had to run from the TKTS booth to the theatre to make it in time, but I did!

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 11:49pm

You can definitely try Beautiful rush in the afternoon on a weekday. If you search the Beautiful rush topic some people have said it's possible.

The others are all morning ones I think, and I would suggest getting there at least at 9am on Wednesday, and like another poster said splitting up. Or, if you don't want to do that rush one show at 9am and do TKTS for the other show.

Fun Home only has a lottery, so you could enter that for Tuesday, and if you don't win do TKTS.

[NewPhilosophy]

Posted: 2/28/16 at 11:58pm

Something Rotten does a front row rush-- you can't see their feet or all the way backstage, so it is considered "partial view" but it's still a great view for the price!

[jaykat]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 1:18am

Thanks everyone so far for your ideas!

In regard to the digital lotteries, I don't know if we would be able to enter them as our phones will be turned off (otherwise huge roaming charges), so do they notify the winners by text/SMS or by email? If its email, I could get to some wi fi and check (Starbucks maybe?)

[verdigris]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 5:21am

Hello! I'm a fellow Aussie as well, I often go on theatre trip to NYC and London. I usually buy in advance though... have you checked out broadwaybox.com? They always have some great discounts, I know I looked at a Fun Home one recently. I tried the Fun Home lottery several times when I was there last time and was unsuccessful. Something Rotten! I also lost, however in the "loser" email there was a code to go to the theatre and buy $45 dollar loser seats, which was mid mezz. (BTW I definitely recommend Fun Home and Something Rotten! Absolutely fantastic shows!)

BTW, have you thought about buying a sim for the USA for internet data? You can buy them cheap here in Australia, I got a $50 (AUD) T-Mobile one (with 3gb internet I believe). You activate it before you leave and its working as soon as you land. Here is the link http://travelsimsdirect.com/product-category/usa/t-mobile/?country_option=200

Updated On: 2/29/16 at 05:21 AM

[StephieElise]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 7:40am

I would also add the Today Tix app. We bought most of our tickets in advance last time as I just didn't want to spend the time queuing up, etc. but bought for one show on Today Tix and found it great. There's a thread on here with discount codes for your first purchase.

I also second getting a sim with data. We got ours through Lycamobile with unlimited data. It wasn't cheap but was well worth it. Hotel Internet is often sketchy if it's available at all and it's nice to have data to look up directions, public transport, etc. not to mention posting photos to make everyone at home jealous!

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 2/29/16 at 9:34am

Lottery winners get notified via email and you have an hour to claim the tickets in case of a win (if at all, I can't remember if you have to claim Fun Home, SoR isn't necessary).

You have to enter until 3pm usually, and get informed within minutes of the drawing at 3.

 

I also second the US sim card thing, at least one between all of you. It comes in really handy, also so that you can use Google maps ect...