I'll be in New York from the ninth of October til the 24th. I've never been before and I probably won't be back for a looong time. I don't think I'll be able to afford to see more than two shows + maybe something off Broadway? I'm having a hard time figuring it out because I want to make my two Broadway shows count and off Broadway seems overwhelming, haha. For a musical I was thinking My Fair Lady but is it likely to still be open then? As for straight plays I'm pretty lost but I'd definitely love to see one. Ditto off Broadway. I'll be really grateful for any recommendations and advice :)
If you know cannot afford tickets to more than two shows and an off-broadway, maybe try rush/cancellation. The average ticket is around $110. With rush, one could see 2/3 $40 shows on rush or cancellation. Personally, this is how I've seen every show besides Hansen and Sponge so far. It works great, and you could get to maybe 6 Broadway shows doing that! Which shows would be your top picks? Lotteries are amazing too if you have a smartphone.
When I visit NYC, I usually buy all my shows in advance. As I am accustomed to balcony seats in the large theatres in Chicago's Loop, having balcony seats in the smaller theatres of Broadway is a treat as one is closer to the stage.
I have sat in the top row at many NY productions:
Bright Star and M Butterfly at the Cort
Matilda at the Shubert
The Humans, Dames at Sea, and Xanadu at the Helen Hayes
Dr Zhivago and Miss Saigon at the Broadway
Come From Away at the Schoenfeld
Hamilton at The Public
The Band's Visit at the Barrymore
She Loves Me and Cabaret at Studio 54
Billy Elliott and The Great Comet at the Imperial
The Front Page at the Broadhurst
A Gentleman's Guide ... at the Walter Kerr
Rocky and Cats at the Winter Garden
Hair at the Hirschfeld
I like to see a show every night when in NY, yet need to watch my budget. I like buying top row aisle seats ahead of time so that I arrive with my evenings planned.
For October, I recommend Dear Evan Hansen, The Band's Visit, and Come From Away.