What I learned on my annual NYC trip regarding tickets...

So, I look up what discounts are available on broadwaybox.com for American Idiot and online I get row M. I printed out the discount, took it to the theatre, and got row D seats for less money! I don't think I'll ever load up on tickets before I come here again.

---

That's true. I went by the box office in the afternoon. Online through the discount site the row M seat was $97.00. At the box office the row D seat was $85.00. Still quite expensive, but what a great seat. Loved AI by the way.

---

"I think you just lucked out. I would never do this for a show that was selling out. American Idiot doesn't have that problem."

Not true. Even shows that sell out do that, but I don't think BO versus online matters. I get all my tickets online, but it's just about timing. Many times I've just kept trying daily for a date I wanted for a 'sold out' show and ended up in great seats. It's timing not a matter of selling out or not.

---

You got either a house seat or a cancellation. You lucked out.

For shows that are difficult to get tickets to, it's better to get them in advance, to guarantee you have them. For shows that aren't selling well, try TKTS or TDF or Rush.

---

It's luck in timing BUT it happens a LOT. Even a couple of summers ago when Wicked was still selling out like crazy, my coworker asked how to get tickets last minute and after I laughed at her, she found Row D tickets too 2 days before. And since, she keeps finding great seats last minute too on supposedly "sold out" shows.

Ken Davenport has brought up the issue on his blog. How producers (including him) keep holding back house seats but to what benefit in the long run?

---

tobias, the rush seats for ALNM were standing room when I went. Being used the ginormous Fox theatre though, that was kinda close to me. Can't beat it for 27 bucks.

---