Pay Less for Plays in NYC, Part One

Editor's Note: This is the first entry in a multi-part series on saving money on Broadway and off-Broadway tkts. Enjoy!

In NYC, the play's often the thing, but unfortunately not when the cost of tickets upstage the contents of your wallet. Never fear, the cheap chick is here with a variety of suggestions to save money when buying theater tickets!


TKTS booths-At these NYC standards, you can stand shoulder to shoulder with tourists wearing hip sacks and wait in line to get up to 50% off ticket prices. http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56

Lotteries-Many Broadway and off-Broadway shows offer a lottery for discount tickets on the day of the show. Be sure to check the show’s website to see if they offer a lottery, and note the time you must arrive in order to be entered into the drawing. Lotteries are great, but often involve waiting in line and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get tickets, but if it works, you have attained the Holy Grail of theater-going.

Student IDs-I’m here to tell you that if you still have your college ID and bear at least the slightest resemblance to your picture, then I beg of you, please use it to get discount tickets. All you have to do is take your student ID to the box office (and cash-many of the theaters don’t take debit/credit cards for student rush deals) to purchase these tkts for about $20-$25 each. Generally you need to buy these tkts when the box office opens or a few hours before the show starts.

Show websites-Before you decide to stand in line at the TKTS booth, you may want to check the show’s actual website, many offer discounts and the option of signing up for email lists to keep on top of upcoming specials and deals.

Craigslist: You can find a job, love, and bookshelves on craigslist. Why not check it for theater tickets here? http://newyork.craigslist.org/tix/

Rush tickets-Got some time before the show starts? Wait on line at the box office 20-30-minutes before the show starts and see if there are any cheap tkts available from the no-shows. Their empty seat is your gain!

Stand and Believe!-If you don’t mind using your own two legs to earn cheap theatre tkts, you can buy standing-room only tkts for most Broadway shows. You can only get these tkts on the day of the show and only if it’s sold out, but the price ranges only from $15-$25 and you may get to view the show right behind the orchestra. Check with the box office for info on individual shows.