TKTS??

[lotterymaster]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 3:48pm

I have never did TKTS before and I was wondering usually when you buy tickets from them where are the seats located?? Are they decent? I was thinking of doing it for either Xanadu or Rent. Any help would be appreciated and sorry if this was already posted.

THANKS!!!

[Mark_E]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 3:55pm

Hi, i dont know about broadway but at the London TKTS they are the best that is left at half price/25% off

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 4:01pm

Well...considering its what is leftover they are not usually the best. But it depends on how early you are in the line and how many tix they have been given for that particular performance.

Don't be afraid to ASK the clerk for a specific area. I haven't gone in a while (I use mostly discount codes now.) but I'd them to TELL me what tix were availble (front mezz vs. side orch) and decide from there. They might not be happy about it but they'll help you if you ask.

[fetzles1490]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 5:57pm

It really depends on what's left that they have available. Like dramamama said, don't be afraid to ask what sections they have available. Then you can decide if you'd rather spend less money and sit mezz or if you'd rather spend more and have slightly better seats.

I'd get in line maybe 2 hours before curtain - although the line moves at a decent speed usually, it still gets very long.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 6:10pm

For last minute tickets, TKTS is the way to go. I've always gotten fairly good seats from TKTS, better than I would getting it online with a discount code that same day. Advance tickets, go with the discount code.
Updated On: 8/16/08 at 06:10 PM

[Patash]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 6:51pm

MarkE, I wouldn't try to compare London TKTS with Broadway's in that regard (and I realize you weren't, specifically). I get nearly all my tickets in London at TKTS and I'm amazed at what a very high percentage of them are great tickets -- and I have never had really bad ones. In NYC I rarely use them as I've gotten very last row, corner seats, against a wall obstructed view, and way high in the balcony. I've also learned not to leave the booth until you've checked out what the tickets are. I once asked about which of two very poorly attended shows (Frozen and Primate) had the best tickets and the guy said, "take your pick -- close center orchestra for either". I chose Primate, believing him and after I left looked at the seats and thought it was weird -- sure enough they were in the very back at the extreme side. Because the theatre was half empty, as soon as the house lights dimmed I moved way down front. Just don't know why he lied to me.

I'm a big believer in going to the actual theatre on the day of show if necessary and using discount codes and picking the best seats available. Not quite as cheap usually as TKTS, but you can still charge them, and you don't have to stand in line.

I should point out, though, that I'm picky about seats and rarely like being under the balcony or mezzanine, or further back in the mezzanine than maybe third row for most shows. I like to see faces and subtleties, which I can't see from way back, and I hate the sound you get under the balcony.

[winston89]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:12am

I have been using TKTS as my number one way of getting tickets day of.

Patash, I don't know why you would say that they have done things like lied to you about where the seats are located. That has never been a problem with me. Usually what I do is I ask them about two shows and see which one has the better seat. I then go with whatever show has the better seat. I would say that I am not a seat snob by any means. But, if I am paying the same price for any show that is up there why not go for the one that has a better seat.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:16am

Actually, I have indeed had a tkts booth attendant lie to me. But rarely....now I always ask for the specific seat before I buy.

[Patash]

Posted: 8/17/08 at 11:39am

"Patash, I don't know why you would say that they have done things like lied to you about where the seats are located. That has never been a problem with me.

I thought I made it clear in my post. I ASKED which of two shows had the better seats. He said BOTH were close center orchestra. Then he sold me tickets that were in the very last row side section. What about that part do you not understand? It's nice that it has never happened to you, and I'm not saying it happens a lot. I never imagined he would do that, which is why I never thought to check the actual tickets before walking away -- I just assumed he was telling me the truth. He wasn't. I'm just stating a particular incident of fact. Do you understand yet?