compliementary ticket services? anyone a member?

I currently belong to Theatermania Gold and Theaterexttras, and was previously a member of Audience Extras. Never been a member of Play By Play.

All 4 services are very serious about members not disclosing what they see on comps, so I'm not to post a list of "what I've seen for free", and I doubt you'll find members posting that elsewhere. But I'm happy to share my general thoughts.

The services are great an adjunct to your core theater going. I go to the theater once or twice a week, and between the two services I belong to, end up using them for about 10 or 12 performances a year. So they do pay off.

The vast majority of offerings are early previews, almost all off and off Broadway. So you don't have the benefit of a review or much blogosphere rabble to go on when deciding to take an offer. I've picked up comps for all the major non-profit theaters with the exception of the Public and LCT. There are quite a few small or off the beaten path productions, and even staged readings. Broadway shows are occasionally offered, but they're pretty rare.

The services are best for real theater junkies. You'll see some dogs, but also some things that are great or destined for greatness. I've enjoyed quite a few surprisingly great nights at the theater through these services, and I'm very grateful for them.

There are a couple of downsides. Once you've booked the offer, you're obligated to go. Read the policies of the different services carefully on cancellations or no shows before you join. Theaterextras will allow you to cancel up to 5 hours prior to curtain without a penalty. No-shows are a BIG no-no, and can result in membership cancellation with most of the services.

You're also asked to pick up tickets at specific times. For many theaters, you need to pick up at the box office from 60 minutes to no later than 30 minutes prior to show time, although the smaller venues tend to be more relaxed about this. Occasionally there's an alternate pick up point, where a representative of the service is waiting to hand out tickets. I've never had a problem with ticket pickup, and have never been made to feel like a second class attendee on a freebie. But you need to follow some etiquette. Don't scream through the box office window, "I'm picking up two comps for tonight." You're also asked to NEVER discuss that you're on free tickets when you're in the theater, and this is something to emphasize to the guest attending with you.

Seats? The box office is filling comps from what they have available in that last hour or two before the curtain. What you'll get is similar to what you'd get through TDF. I've gotten some great seats and some not so great seats. Recently I attended a major symphony at one of the major concert halls and my guest and I got seats in a first tier box.

That brings up the fact that there is more than just theater on offer. Theater Extras seems to have quite a bit of classical music, while Theatermania Gold and Audience Extras have more jazz. I've seen professional basketball and hockey tickets show up, along with various and sundry events like wine tastings and party bashes. There are even preview showings for Hollywood movies, but the bread and butter of all 4 services is theater.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the purpose of these services are for last minute seat filling. Offers show up typically the same day or the day ahead, and only occasionally more than 3 days out. So they're best suited for those who like to be spontaneous, and can act quickly. When a great opportunity pops up, you don't have hours to think about it and coordinate with friends. You have to act then.

I hope this helps you to decide whether these services are for you. I love 'em, but they're not for everyone.