Advice on what shows to rush/buy in advance

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 7/19/14 at 4:18pm

Hi all! I know I don't post a ton, but I could really use some advice. I'm a college student, never been to New York, finally may get the chance to go this October. Naturally, I want to see a few shows while I'm there, having only ever been around touring productions. I think I've narrowed it down to three shows I want to see: Gentleman's Guide, Les Mis, and If/Then.

Here's the thing: Being a college student (who's also saving for grad school next year!), I don't exactly have a ton of money to spend on tickets. I simply can't afford to go to three shows full price. I'm going with my family (my mom would probably come to shows along with me), so that helps, but it's still going to be expensive. I'd like to take advantage of rush for one or two of these shows, but I don't know which I ought to buy in advance and which to rush. Neither my mom nor I are particularly good with heights, so we tend to prefer sitting in the orchestra, maybe the mezzanine.

Can anyone give me advice about a) which shows I ought to purchase which way, and b) what the rushes are like for each show (i.e. what time should I get in line)? Much appreciated!

Updated On: 7/19/14 at 04:18 PM

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 7/19/14 at 4:46pm

If/Then has a lottery, not a rush. I know they usually do "lotto losers" seats but I'm not sure where those are. Have you considered joining TDF? There's a version of that for people who are from a certain distance away from the city (I think more than 100 miles) that's less expensive than a normal membership, so it might be worth it. If/Then has been up on TDF quite consistently for the past couple of months, that's what I did when I saw the show. The seats were in the rear mezzanine for that but the view was fine.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/19/14 at 5:08pm

Honestly, October is too far away to predict. Better to ask in Mid Sept, once things settle from the summer.

It also depends on which days of the week you will be there. Weekends will be more difficult by far in the fall than now.

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/19/14 at 5:10pm

I'd wait and see for now, but staying up on the weekly grosses and installing the TKTS app on your phone and seeing what consistently shows up on the days you'll be here is a good plan.

Broadway Spotted has a Rush Report that details times people are arriving for rush lines, etc.

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 7/19/14 at 5:20pm

Try checking rush report, they're usually pretty accurate on how early you should show up for rush. Right now you're looking at lining up around 5 am for both Les Mis and Gentleman's Guide. http://www.broadwayspotted.com/rush-report-july-13-2014/

Updated On: 7/19/14 at 05:20 PM

[bwayalltheway]

Posted: 7/19/14 at 6:58pm

Since you are in college, you can sign up for Tixs4Students. Its $5 to join (for a years membership), but If/Then and Gentelmans Guide are on the website. Tickets for most shows via this website tend to be in the rear mezz/balcony, but you can buy them in advance (2 tickets), and the service charges are included in the very cheap price. Highly recommended if you're on a budget, and if you don't care where you sit.

[broadwayfan1995]

Posted: 7/19/14 at 8:40pm

Les Miserables is doable if you get there early. It's best to go on a two show day since they have more tickets then. Somehow I got in line on a Wednesday about two weeks ago around 9:20 and was able to get a ticket for the matinee.

If/Then has lottery, but they've been known to offer "lotto loser" seats which are $40 and usually located in the back of the orchestra, but I'd imagine they are based on availability.

I'm not sure about Gentlemen's Guide, but I know they have rush.

I'd recommend you join tixforstudents (it's $5 a year, but worth it) they offer tickets to many shows at a similar price to what rush usually is. I also recommend checking out playbill.com's discount section, but they usually release some nice deals in the fall/winter.

[brdway411]

Posted: 7/19/14 at 10:48pm

Check Broadway for Broke People about what shows offer what as far as rush vs. lottery.

I have rushed Les Mis before and the seats are usually orchestra. But you need to get there EARLY...5am is not unheard of. Also, they sell the rush tickets best to worst seats. So the the earlier you are the better the seats you get. I have ended up with front row aisle seats twice. great view.

Gents Guide is a youth rush (under 35) you can get 2 tickets for $30 each, Cash or Credit, but you (the youth) would need to buy the tickets. Not sure were the seats are. I saw it via TDF tickets. and we got center rear orchestra for $45.

If/Then (which I HATED and I would recommend skipping unless you are a die hard Idena fan) is a lottery, but they do offer lottery loser seats for $50 each they are usually in the rear mez. I think the Lottery seats are in the front row.
Broadway For Broke People.

[IndyTheatreGeek]

Posted: 7/20/14 at 12:57am

October would be after the summer tourist season so rush might be a bit easier. TKTS had good tickets for all 3 shows last week. I got 6th row orchestra for Les Miz, 10th row orchestra for Gentleman;s Guide, and I saw others get front orchestra for If/Then. I wouldn't buy any of the shows in advance. I would get in line at TKTS early enough to be at the front of their line (usually about an hour or so before they open.)

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/20/14 at 1:27am

Curious Incident has its official opening on October 5. If it is half as good as the versions we saw in London, that will be the show to see. And if you're going to pay full price for a seat - that may be the show to splurge on. You don't want to be too close to the stage, as there are major lighting effects on the floor and walls. Front of front mezzanine likely would be best.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 7/20/14 at 10:55am

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I'll keep it all in mind. Definitely installing the TKTS app on my phone! If I do end up getting to see anything, I'll be sure to let you all know :)

[brdway411]

Posted: 7/20/14 at 11:15am

Just FYI, TKTS is a percentage off the normal ticket prices. So, yes, it is a savings, but the cheapest way to do it is rush or lottery or looking into TDF membership. It is totally worth it.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 7/20/14 at 1:58pm

@brdway411 Thanks! Yeah, I know rushes are the best discounts, but I figured I want to have as many discount options as possible- 30% off is still more manageable than full price :)

While I'm getting advice from all you lovely folks, a little off-topic but still related to my potential trip: any suggestions as to hotels? Again, would be traveling with family (me and my parents) but looking for a decent price in a respectable/convenient location, if that's possible.

[brdway411]

Posted: 7/20/14 at 11:59pm

try trip advisor

We used it when we went to London 2 years ago, ended up renting a flat. It was nicer and cheaper than any hotel in the area. It was great.

Link to Trip Advisor Updated On: 7/20/14 at 11:59 PM

[IndyTheatreGeek]

Posted: 7/21/14 at 3:26am

I stayed at the Best Western President on 48th St between Broadway and 8th this month and a number of times in the past. Large rooms (by NY standards) located across the street from Gentleman's Guide and a block and a half from TKTS. Just left them a 5 star rating on trip advisor. Another favorite of mine is the Mayfair on 49th St. Normal NY size rooms (small.) I have found that room rates change often, both up and down. On my recent trip I started checking about 6 weeks out and bought about 3 weeks out. The price had gone down from $240 to about $170. The Mayfair had gone from $115 to over $200 during the same time-but my dates weren't firm when I saw the cheap rate.

Search your favorite travel site (use Times Square as the search criteria) Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc. and read a bunch of reviews. You will quickly get a feel for the various hotels. I much prefer the ones within a few blocks of TKTS and most theatres-no cab fare. Weather can be blustery and showery in October (I was there for Super Storm Sandy.)

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/22/14 at 10:49am

Also, BroadwayBox.com has proven to be very helpful to me in the past. If you want to buy in advance and still get great seats at a slightly discounted rate, I would recommend using it.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 8/9/14 at 5:52pm

Thanks all! A little update: it looks like, if we do end up going, it'll be around the middle of October, and we've found a hotel with excellent reviews on all the travel sites that also happens to be very close to the Walter Kerr (so I can get up early one morning to wait for Gentleman's Guide rush). I was wondering if I could bother you all for one more set of recommendations: dining. We're not super picky eaters, but we do have to be careful when trying new places, since all three of us have a history of occasional digestive health issues. So nothing super rich or excessively spicy or off-the-wall. I also have a sweet tooth I'd like to indulge :) Anyone have any suggestions for restaurants in midtown? I really appreciate everyone's help for this would-be newbie to NYC :)
Updated On: 8/9/14 at 05:52 PM

[sharona39]

Posted: 8/9/14 at 7:24pm

I would just go to Restaurant Row. It's right in the theatre district, 46th street between 8th and 9th and you can check out their menus, most have price fix for lunch and dinner. Here's a link,
http://www.restaurantrownyc.com/media/restaurantrow.html

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 8/9/14 at 8:38pm

Since you said you like sweets, be sure to hit up Schmackary's! Their cookies are delicious. It's on the same block as the Hirschfeld.

[nicnyc]

Posted: 8/11/14 at 1:41am

For simple deli-type food in the theater area, Junior's is a good pre-show choice - the food is very consistent and the service is quick. For Italian, Bond45 is really nice & very close to the theaters. My favorite, though, is Tommy Bahama - it is a little further away (45th and 5th) but the food is fabulous, the atmosphere is wonderful (super-relaxing and spacious/no-one crammed on top of you) and the menu is not tortured food. Hope you have a great time.