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Broadway shows and musicals are great entertainment for the entire family. If you like to get deals and you also like theater, this fun post is for you.
It’s all about saving, while enjoying the arts in NYC with your family.
Live theater is not only fun, but also quite inspiring. However, live theatre is not cheap in New York City.
But, you can save money even on Broadway as a local New Yorker or as a tourist.
There are a few reliable venues to purchase cheap or discounted Broadway theatre tickets.
I have used these 5 places to get budget friendly theatre tickets. One of these venues sell very cheap last minute Broadway show tickets (Is not the lottery)
The Tricks to Buying Cheap Broadway Tickets
We’ve seen about a dozen Broadway shows; some of these include School of Rock, Aladin, Matilda, Beetle Juice and the Lion King.
Every time we go to the city to see live Broadway theatre, I use one of these venues to purchase tickets because we love the theater, but not the prices.
These discounted tickets would normally go unsold. So, it’s a win-win for everyone to offer them at affordable prices.
Get cheap Broadway theatre tickets with TodayTix
Now a days there is an app for everything and the live theatre business is up with the times. The app I use is called TodayTix. This app sells discounted and even cheap Broadway shows tickets.
TodayTix is an app and also a website. You can purchase tickets weeks in advance and get last minutes deals too. You can save anywhere from 30-40% off regular ticket price.
Once you’re in the app, look for the shows and dates of your preference. There is a service fee of $12.50 for most shows. However, sometimes TodayTix offers no service fee Broadway tickets.
Once you pay for the tickets, there is no physical delivery or download.
A representative from the company will meet you 30 minutes before the show to hand deliver your tickets, I know crazy. Meeting is by the theater.
Also, you can’t select the seats. You’ll receive an option.
Todaytix is a great alternative to save on Broadway theatre, if you’re willing to accept some inconvenience.
Standing Room (this is the cheapest way I promised you above)
So, this is an interesting way to get Broadway tickets and it’s fun.
I discovered it not long ago when we went to see the play Beetle Juice and regular tickets were sold out.
The prices are seriously discounted for standing room, around 50% or more
off and no service fee. I promise you won’t be alone. The standing room section was sold out too.
The way it works is that some theaters, not all, have standing room tickets available for sale. You need to call the theater and ask if they do this for the play or musical you are interested in.
You go to the theater the day of the play, make the line and buy standing room tickets. You stand to watch the play behind the orchestra section. A spot is assigned to you, just like a regular sit, but you stand.
Chatting with some theater goers on the box office line, I found out that some people come from out of state just to do standing rooms for their favorite shows.
I met people from Vermont and Rhode Island who come to NYC once a year to watch Broadway plays in standing rooms.
So, if tourists can do standing room, why wouldn’t I try that new adventure?
Again, not all theaters offer this option. You need to call ahead of time or check the Playbill website for theaters having the standing room sales.
Some of the Broadway theaters offering standing room include; Beetle Juice at the Winter Garden, Come From Away at the Schoenfeld theater, Chicago at the Ambassador theater and The Book of Mormon at the Eugene O’Neill theatre.
My experience with standing room was good. The stage’s view is excellent. The prices are unbeatable. You do get a little tired after one hour, but a little stretch goes a long way. I would definitively do standing room again.
Rush Tickets – half priced Broadway tickets
Some theaters started to offer Rush tickets as the prices of Broadway shows were increasing.
Rent was the first show to sell Rush tickets. The idea was successful in bringing more people to theaters and now many theaters offer them. Like standing room tickets, Rush tickets are sold around 50% discount.
The best way to buy Rush tickets is first reviewing which plays offer them. You can do that at the Playbill website.
Then get ready to go early to the theater to stand online. Rush tickets are sold at the box-office with no service fee. However, most of these seats have partial view of the stage only.
Tip: Make sure to select 2 or 3 shows you’re interested in. Your first selection may be sold out of Rush tickets, then you can try another theater. Most theaters are within walking distance, located within the Theater District.
TKTS Booths
The TKTS booths are another option for buying discounted Broadway shows tickets. These tickets are sold for same day or next day performances at around 50% off.
Like with Rush tickets, you need to pre-plan to buy them at the Booths. TDF which sponsors the discount booths keeps a listing of Broadway shows selling at cheap prices at the Booths.
So, you pick your show from the list of available performance, then head to one of the TKTS booths in NYC. It’s better to go early in the day to get early picks.
There is a $6 per ticket service fee at the TKTS booths.
There are 3 TKTS locations in New York city
TKTS Times Square – Located at Broadway and 47th Street
TKTS South Street Seaport – Located at 190 Front Street
TKTS Lincoln Center – Located at 61 West 62nd Street
Be aware of fake tickets sold outside the booths. Don’t buy tickets outside the TKTS booths. Only the ones sold inside are legitimate tickets.
Other tips to get last minute discount Broadway tickets
TDF.org – To get discounted Broadway tickets you can also join the non-profit organization TDF.org. This membership is opened to qualify individuals and there are only certain shows available. However, these shows are offered at discount at TDF.
In person – You can purchase tickets at discount and regular prices, but save on online service fees when you buy at the theater, in person. Also, there may be cheaper seats not available for online purchases.
These are the many ways to find cheap or discounted Broadway show tickets. If you’re willing to get up early and make the line at the theater’s box-office, you can land some serious discount on Broadway.
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