TKTS Booth Question

On matinee days (Wed/Sat), the ticket booth opens at 10AM. Can you buy tickets for both the afternoon and evening shows if you go in the morning or do you have to come back later in the day for evening tickets? My friend and I were hoping to go and get tickets to see two shows on the same day.

Let's say I want to see MATILDA, and it's 50% on TKTS.

When I get to the booth, do they automatically give you the best available? Or WOULD I be able to choose to buy a Mezz or rear orchestra seat instead of get the "best available"? My main concern is money, and yes I know they're discounted and I know Lotto and SRO, but I'd like a physical guaranteed seat. If the show is 50% off, I would rather get a rear orch or mezz for 50% off rather than a best available for 50% because it's cheaper. Thanks!

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The earlier you get there the better your seat in my experience. Often side orchestra in the first 10 rows for shows that aren't in very high demand. However, sometimes shows release additional seats later in the day that could be better so it's a YMMV situation.

The TKTS computers select what they think are the best seats at the time and the sales folks have little leeway to get you other seats.

"When I get to the booth, do they automatically give you the best available? Or WOULD I be able to choose to buy a Mezz or rear orchestra seat instead of get the "best available"?"

You don't get to pick different sections... shows are most likely to sell their most expensive remaining tickets at 50% off, it isn't 50% off any section in the theater. If the shows have a discount, you can already get up to 40% in most cases in advance, so they don't have much incentive to give you a lot of flexibility.

"It is what ever the computer spits out. You cannot choose your seats."

Not exactly true. It depends on the agent you're talking with. Some are firm that "this is it. Take it or leave it". But I have asked some "do you have any closer?" or "nothing in the front of the mezzanine rather than the rear of the orchestra?" and had them relook and give me different seats than first offered. But I think it is true that they will only give you whatever section and price they are then offering, not a cheaper section.

Like Patash said, I've rarely had them give a choice. In July the seat the computer gave was way to the left for Newsies and she found me a better seat without me even asking. That is rare, it's usually take it or leave it. I have seen people with special needs such as being afraid of heights or needing an aisle due to leg problems accommodated. But it is very much YMMV.