TKTS Help

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 6/6/10 at 11:11pm

I am going to New York at the beginning of July and I am seeing two shows, a matinee and an evening performance. I know I definitely want to see Promises, Promises at night and I am having a hard time picking out a matinee. I've been to NYC quite a few times but I have always been clear-cut on what I wanted to see but I have always seen TKTS and curious about the experience. I was wondering what your thoughts were on TKTS for matinee performances and what kind of shows are on there. Maybe you could help me narrow down my list.
La Cage
Come Fly Away
The Addams Family - I already saw this in Chicago and LOVED it but I wanted to see what changes were mad.
Memphis
A Little Night Music (if it extends)

Thank you for any help!

[Marianne2]

Posted: 6/6/10 at 11:52pm

Here is a link to the list of what is up on a day to day basis. You can just check to see the type of pattern a show has, if there is on.

http://www.entertainment-link.com/tkts.asp

And out of the shows on your list, it looks the The Addams Family is the only one that is not up there.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/7/10 at 12:12am

If I am not mistaken, if you go to the actual TKTS website, what you are seeing are shows that were up in the past and it looks like the site posted here is more current. It can change from day to day but I understand that there are some that are up a lot.

I always grab discount tickets online before I go. Sometimes I leave one matinee open just so I can go to TKTS. Every seat I have gotten there has been good. The last seat I got was for "Curtains" and I had a great orchestra seat.

I get there about an hour before it opens. I just enjoy meeting people in line and chatting. Also, rumor has it this evening that Stritch and Peters will be going into A Little Night Music but the show will be dark for 2 weeks after Lansbury and Jones' last performances.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 6/7/10 at 7:25am

You can sign up for daily email notifications of the shows available on TKTS AND for matinee performances you can buy tickets the day before at the Brooklyn or South Street Seaport locations.

http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?Id=80&do=v

the link to sign up for what is available, day of or next day's matinees:

https://secure2.tdf.org/TKTSToday/

What was on TKTS last week:

http://www.tdf.org/TDF_SupportPage.aspx?id=68&do=v

keep in mind what was and what will be may not be the same, the lines for the TKTS booth at Times Square is crazy busy, better off going to one of the other locations. If you can come in on a Tuesday, you can go to either Brooklyn or South Street, buy tickets for Tuesday night and Wednesday Mat at the same time and beat the crowd. : )

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 2:24pm

Remember, can't buy Matinee same day at Times Square - South Seaport is the way to go. It's a fun place to hang out - the "Bodies" exhibit is cool, and the TKTS booth line is lots shorter.

I got great seats at TKTS for Mamma Mia and Lend Me A Tenor at 50% off. Also try Broadwaybox.com - they have some good discounts.
Updated On: 6/10/10 at 02:24 PM

[singer73192]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 4:24pm

"Remember, can't buy Matinee same day at Times Square"

You are certainly able to buy same day tickets for matinees at Times Square.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 4:28pm

Yes, the booth opens earlier on matinee days. I think if you aren't set on seeing a particular show and are willing to be flexible, TKTS is a great option. The spontaneity of it is also kind of fun.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 4:45pm

All of the tickets I have purchased at TKTS Times Square have been for matinees.

Updated On: 6/10/10 at 04:45 PM

[singtopher]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 5:20pm

From TDF's website:

Hours:

For evening performances:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 3pm - 8pm
Tuesday: 2pm - 8pm
Sundays: 3pm until one-half hour before the latest curtain time being sold.

For matinee performances:
Wednesdays and Saturdays: 10am - 2pm
(Please note: no evening tickets are sold from 10am to 2 pm at Times Square) Sundays: 11am - 3pm


TDF

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 6:00pm

Well, I work there, and here's the deal (at least as of last Sunday)

Of the shows you listed, Addams Family is never at TKTS.

The other shows that are never available at TKTS are:

Wicked
The Lion King
Jersey Boys
Fences

Memphis has been there consistently at 50% off. So has Come Fly Away. La Cage is usually there at 30 or 40% off (I have seen it at 50%, too), and A Little Night Music is hit or miss, though usually there, and at 40%.

For a matinee, they open at 10 am on Saturdays and Wednesdays, 11 am on Sunday. People start lining up an hour or an hour and a half before the booth opens, but it's honestly not worth it unless you want THE absolute best seats, or a harder show to get tickets to. The line moves quickly, so if you get there just as they open, you won't have to wait an hour, unless it's a HUGE line, and even then, an hour wait is still not that common when things are running smoothly.

But if you'd rather be safe than sorry, get there early. There's always the risk that the show you want won't be offered that day, so have a few options in mind.

And be nice to the promoters, who are there to answer questions while you wait in line :)

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 8:57pm

Oh, also, the Times Square booth sells same day tickets only. On a matinee day, they won't start selling the evening shows until 3 pm. However, the other TKTS booths (South Seaport, and Brooklyn, if I'm not mistaken) do sell matinee tickets the day before.

[singtopher]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 9:41pm

Add "Addams Family" to the list of never available shows.

[HBP]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 5:38pm

hey everyone! just a quick TKTS question. i'll be in new york tomorrow and i'd love to see the 8pm La Cage.. what would be the best time to arrive at the TKTS booth? i can get there early but do they release more tickets closer to showtime? what's my best option? thanks!

EDIT: going to the times square booth :) Updated On: 6/23/10 at 05:38 PM

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 5:44pm

Which one are you going to: Times Square, Seaport, or Brooklyn?

[HBP]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 5:45pm

sorry, times square.

[Ryguy7]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 5:48pm

I also think buying a $36.50 balcony seat for La Cage isn't the worst idea ever. Guaranteed a seat, no line-up..

[HBP]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 6:03pm

i considered it but with online fees it comes out to be about the same anyway... and i want to try out the TKTS booth..

[HBP]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 7:59pm

sorry to double-post, but any advice on when to get to the times square booth for 8pm tickets to la cage? my friend and i are trying to plan train times.. thanks again!

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 8:10pm

^ If you're going tomorrow, they start selling tickets for evening shows at 3PM.

[Ryguy7]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 9:26pm

Sorry - I meant go day of to the box office. Avoid the fees - and chances are they won't be sold out? Could always check online before.

Otherwise - if you want tickets that bad, go at 3pm..

[HBP]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 9:26pm

thanks.. but i heard they release tickets all day.. so is it better to go closer to showtime or earlier? i like your avatar, by the way.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 9:30pm

Then just know you aren't guaranteed a seat...and honestly it's a toss-up in terms of what time to get there, I've gone sometimes when they open and sometimes 10 minutes before a show and gotten a seat before. I'd recommend getting there when it opens I guess so in case you can't get what you want from there you have time to make an alternate plan. And even with Telecharge fees the balcony seats should only be about $45...a 50% discount usually comes out to between $65 and $75 so it's a fairly large difference. Obviously it's up to you but I think you'd be better off buying a cheap seat in advance (the balcony in there is actually very good) and then moving down at intermission if you can.

[Ryguy7]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 9:40pm

Yah, I also think it just depends on how many seats they have, and how many they'll release to TKTS. I have gotten great seats an hour before, and great ones right at opening.

I agree that if you are set on TKTS, go at 3pm in case you need another plan. You could always try asking the TKTS person..but they are usually grumpy and unhelpful (unless they've gotten new employess recently)..

I still think Balcony, bought day of at the box office is your surest bet and cheapest bet..

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/24/10 at 12:46pm

I'm planning on seeing Hair this Saturday at night. Usually, how much are Hair tickets at TKTS?

[singtopher]

Posted: 6/24/10 at 12:57pm

Usually, a lot of HAIR tickets.

HBP- If you get there at 3, you'll still have to wait 30-45 minutes depending on how busy it is. I say get there before 2:30. That way you'll wait, but you'll be at the front right when it opens. As far as getting the best seats, it's a total crap shoot. It all depends on what TKTS has been given to sell by the show's box office.