What's the most you'll spend ...- Page 2

[Alix]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 10:15am

See Cabaret. It's perfect. If you're under 35, sign up for Hiptix to get $25 rear mezz tickets (though there may not be many available this close to your trip).

You could also become a Hiptix Gold member--it's a yearlong membership for $75, but once you're a member you can get much better seats to any Roundabout show for $25. Even if you paid the Hiptix Gold membership fee just to see Cabaret, you're still paying less ($100 total) for better seats than the $173 rear mezz seats you were looking at. If you're going with someone else, see if they'll split the membership fee with you; then you're essentially paying $62.50 each ($75 membership + $50 for 2 tix = $125) for potentially great seats, if they're available the day you want to go.

Of course, again, this all only applies if you're under 35. :) Good luck!

Updated On: 5/2/14 at 10:15 AM

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 10:50am

I do LincTix for Lincoln Center and Hiptix with Roundabout. I have been able to see the productions through these programs-I've never not been able to get a seat.

I like the Priceline approach for day of tix.

I do SRO (it's how I saw Book of Mormon and Hedwig) and it's fine. I rush, do rear mezz, and discount codes when all else fails.

The only time I've paid a 'premium' price (nowadays that premium is the norm) was before I moved here-I wanted to see The History Boys and all that was left was a single $150 premium seat. So, I bought it-and don't regret it a bit. (That's not the norm now, but I was only here for two days and that was the only full price ticket I bought.)

[SNAFU]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 10:53am

I have paid premium prices for some shows (even WICKED which I worked on and can get House Seats) when I have clients or international friends come to town. It is all a part of doing business.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 10:57am

I think there are different types of ticket buyers. The tourists, I presume, who are planning a trip to NYC, have an itinerary which includes travel, hotel, food, entertainment, etc. and have a package price with a travel agent, or simply budget for the whole deal on their own. I don't think they quibble over the price of a ticket because they're in town for a limited time, want to see certain shows on a certain date.

Then there are the locals who are savvy enough to know where and how to get a cheaper ticket or better day to see the show they choose.

Finally, there are those to can afford to pay just anything for anything!

p.s. I think it's mostly the tourists who keep the prices high.

p.p.s. if it's a show i'm dying to see or an actor I"m dying to see, I"ll pay anything under $200. If I'm not dying to see it, I don't go.

Updated On: 5/2/14 at 10:57 AM

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 11:16am

"if it's a show i'm dying to see or an actor I"m dying to see, I"ll pay anything under $200. If I'm not dying to see it, I don't go."

^the last sentence of this is so true-it's not just the money, it's also the time spent there when you could be doing or seeing something else.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 11:22am

"$300 for a balcony seat? You just have to laugh at something so preposterous."

I would agree, except balcony seats to Hedwig have been selling on StubHub for that and more. It's not preposterous if you have the money. Based on the demographics, well off people attend the theater the most, and they certainly have the money.

I won't spend over $200.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 11:27am

I don't spend more than $40.

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 12:49pm

Clyde-that's pretty much my limit nowadays.

[broadfan327]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 12:51pm

I have paid full price to a Broadway show twice in my life. I always try and find a discount somehow...

[Marianne2]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 1:07pm

I go between discounts or paying full price. Like I've found myself in the position where paying full price for a rear mezzanine seat ended up being less than the discounts offered. Or those are the only seats I can afford if there isn't one. I don't mind it because I've gotten to see a lot more shows than if I decided to be picky about seating.

Only twice I can think of now where I spent a lot of money for tickets to something. But, they were 1 night only events.

[binau]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 7:23pm

I paid $300x2 ($600) + fees to see Bernadette in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, and given I travelled 16,000KM and saw what I think is the best performance of a song in the musical (Send in the Clowns) I don't regret it. I'm really proud of some of my ticket purchases (e.g., $141.75 for the SCOTTSBORO BOYS) because I know that it's people like me who help keep a show open. Only some cases have I regretted paying full cost (e.g., I don't think the NYPhil Sweeney was worth $200).

[bobs3]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 11:21pm

I know a couple who who used AIRBNB.COM and found a private room in luxury apartment for $125.00 per night on the UWS (instead of a $350+ hotel room). They stayed 5 days and were able to afford to see a show every night because of the money they saved on accommodations.-

Updated On: 5/2/14 at 11:21 PM

[Everlast85]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 11:27pm

I just moved to NYC for college, so I will have to settle into life as a poor college student who loves theater. Meaning, I will rely on rushes, student discounts, and lottery only. Nothing over $40.

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 11:43pm

Usually we get our tickets via Rush, lottery, TDF, TKTS or another discount site. But, there have been special events or occasions where we bought full price tickets. One was Sondheim's 80th Birthday Celebration at City Center and we bought day of tickets in the $250 range. The other pricy ticket we got was opening night for Pippin. They were in the $100 range. Both my husband and I enjoyed the Ben Vereen version many year ago, and we had never been to an opening night before so we splurged and it was fun to rub shoulders with some of the celebs at the opening. Martin Short was a lot of fun.

[mrsyaj]

Posted: 5/3/14 at 2:11pm

I wouldn't buy from a scalper.