I’m sorry. They’re how much?
In my opinion, there are a few musts for first-time visitors to The Big Apple. They are, in no particular order:
- Saluting Lady Liberty in New York Harbor
- Spotting the colossal blue whale at the Museum of Natural History
- Navigating the world-famous subway system and
- Catching a Broadway show
By the way: nobody in NYC calls it “The Big Apple.” Lesson learned.
Though there are literally THOUSANDS of amazing things to do in New York City, each with a wild swing of price tag and time commitment, almost everyone I’ve encountered hopes to see a show on the Great White Way before they head back to Hometown, Planet Earth.
And they absolutely SHOULD. Starry-eyed talent from all over the world go there to chase dreams of stardom on the Broad-WAY. But what many don’t know is that the business of show brings more revenue into New York City than all the sporting events COMBINED. Ticket prices can be steep, to say the least. So how can folks enrich their cultural lives while not blowing a mortgage payment on an unforgettable few hours of diversion? Well. I’m glad you asked. The following is our official guide for how to get cheap Broadway tickets!
TKTS
If you’ve been to Times Square before, or seen photos from this incredibly familiar landmark, you’ve seen the big red staircase that provides a welcome rest for many a tourist. Before the staircase, there was TKTS. Now you get two of the most-needed resources right there in one spot–last-minute theater tickets and a kennel for your barkin’ dogs. Walk around the bottom of the stairs to find the start of the line, and a list of all the shows they’re selling tickets for.
There are three of these sprinkled throughout New York City–the one in Times Square has siblings at Lincoln Center AND South Street Seaport. They offer discount tickets to theatergoers for day-of viewing. A few years back, you had to pay cash at the window, but now you can charge it up for great seats for shows on the same day, matinee or evening. They’re also great about showing you which seats are available for which shows so if you’re a little flexible with your choices, you might be able to score a SWEET seat for a hot ticket for pennies on the dollar.
That App Life
Ever’body is glued to their phones. I get it. I don’t LOVE it, especially in New York City, where one should be aware of one’s surroundings at all times. But I’m not so crusty a curmudgeon to be blind to the world in which we live. And when you’re trying to figure out how to get cheap Broadway tickets, that one-eyed blue-lit monster can be a very valuable tool in the search for savings.
My favorite app to use for tickets to all KINDS of venues–Broadway musicals, Broadway plays, off-Broadway productions, comedy, and even some really cool “wild card” offerings–is TodayTix. The filters on the app make it easy to find specific shows for specific dates to fit your itinerary. You’ll pay a little extra in convenience fees, but that’s exactly what it is–convenient. And it’s worth the money if you want to be sure to get the ticket for the show you want on the date you want, offered at prices often much lower than those online or at the box office.
While we’re on the topic…
Oddly enough, sometimes the best deal you can find on a ticket will be at the theater’s box office! I know. I was shocked, too. But it’s a resource not nearly enough people use to their utmost benefit.
If you’re working on a tight schedule, sometimes ticket outlets and wholesalers are your best bet to be sure you can see what you want to see in the time you’ve got. But if you find yourself free on a Wednesday afternoon or Thursday night in New York City, you might want to check the box office same-day for a great deal on a stellar seat. I just saw “Hadestown” and was seated next to a gentleman who paid HALF what I paid because he checked last-minute availability at the box office.
Rush tix!
While you’re at the box office, inquire as to whether or not they offer “rush” tickets. If you arrive the morning of the day of the show you’d like to attend, many theaters on Broadway will offer what they call rush tickets. You arrive early in the morning and they save a few tix in some CHOICE seats for folks who go to the hassle of waking up early to stand in a line. Or, if you go on a weekday, say a Tuesday or Thursday, you may be the only one waiting! I’ve seen several shows on Broadway this way. You know what they say about the early bird. Bring coffee and headphones.
When the curtain comes down
No matter how much or how little you spend on your tickets, a well-told story is worth your time and money. But as for me, I’ve always found that part of the thrill of the lights going down and the leap of the orchestra into overture was knowing that I got a great deal. And part of that was because I knew where to look.
Love y’all! Hopefully, after reading this guide you’ll have a bit of a better grasp on just how to get cheap Broadway tickets. Let us know what shows you’ve seen, or are excited to see! Happy theatergoing!
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