| Broadway Shows: How to save a few bucks |
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In these tough economic times it is appropriate to look at ways to save money, but not so many people have renounced to their vacations, certainly shorter than before and choosing more domestic destinations. New York City is always at the top of the most
visited cities in our country, and when you are in the Big Apple you cannot miss catching the thrill of a Broadway show. A Broadway show is always a good choice, whether a Musical or a Play, in New York you always find the most successful artists in the Entertainment industry. In fact all great artists are often seen in these productions. Ultimately many great artists work in a Broadway production. In fact artists of the caliber of Al Pacino, Lisa Minelli, Helen Mirren, Hugh Jackman, just to name a few, have performed on those stages. Of course these are among the best productions on the planet therefore they are “kind” of expensive; the price of the tickets for these shows varies from a minimum of $40 for balcony seats to several hundred dollars for the best orchestra seats.
It can appear that not all of us can afford to see a Broadway show, but not many people know that there are several ways to go see these productions, even in the most expensive seats, at a very affordable price.
Filling up a theatre with 300 or more people, for 8 or 9 weekly performances, is not so easy. In fact production companies use many promotional tools to fill out their theatres. When it is clear that they cannot fill it up for that specific performance they sell the available seats at half of the original price. Yes half price!
In New York there is a company called TDF Theatrical Development Fund that among other things sells Broadway and off-Broadway shows at a discount rate. Usually the discount is 50% off the regular price but you can also find tickets at 35% and 25% off for some shows. The only “catch”, if you want to call it a “catch”, is that they only sell the tickets the same day of the performance. You just need to go to one of the TKTS ticket booths the same day of the performance in New York and see the shows available for that night and buy the tickets at the named discount price.
Generally you can find most of the shows but it is hard but not impossible to also find the most successful shows like Mamma Mia or Wicked. You can visit http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56 to see what shows are generally available at their ticket booths. There are three TKTS booths in New York. One is located in Times Square in the heart of the Theatre District. Another booth is located at John Street at South Street Seaport near the Financial District in Lower Manhattan (In this location it is possible to buy tickets for the Matinees the day before of the performance). The third location is in Brooklyn at 1 MetroTech Center at the corner of Jay Street and Myrtle Avenue Promenade.
If you do not want to wait the same day of the show to get your tickets you can find discount coupons for a lot of the Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. In New York you can go to the Times Square Visitor Center and ask for the discount coupons at the front desk. They will show you a list of the shows that are discounted. Once you choose the show from the list, take the coupons, go to the theatre and purchase the tickets. Usually the discounts are 25%-35% off the original price for most of the seats.
Even if you are not in New York but are planning a trip to the “City that never sleeps” you can get discounted tickets before arriving in the Empire State. To do this you have to become a member of the mentioned TDF. This is a non profit organization whose purpose is to help develop theatrical art in New York. However, there are some pre-requisites to become a member of this organization. Visit TDF website to see if you are eligible. Once you become a member of TDF you will be able to get discounted tickets for a wide number of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
Use these tips when visiting New York City and planning to experience the unique joy of a live theatre performance. The Broadway experience will be part of your life forever. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites          |