What I learned on my annual NYC trip regarding tickets...

[Eos]

So, I look up what discounts are available on broadwaybox.com for American Idiot and online I get row M. I printed out the discount, took it to the theatre, and got row D seats for less money! I don't think I'll ever load up on tickets before I come here again.

[dramamama611]

You may have just lucked out with timing: in that they may have just released house seats to the public.

You can never be sure what you can get at the box office v. online. How did you pay less with the same discount...or are you just referring to not having to pay Telecharge fees?

[Eos]

That's true. I went by the box office in the afternoon. Online through the discount site the row M seat was $97.00. At the box office the row D seat was $85.00. Still quite expensive, but what a great seat. Loved AI by the way.

[Mildred Plotka]

I think you just lucked out. I would never do this for a show that was selling out. American Idiot doesn't have that problem.

[bythesword84]

"I think you just lucked out. I would never do this for a show that was selling out. American Idiot doesn't have that problem."

Not true. Even shows that sell out do that, but I don't think BO versus online matters. I get all my tickets online, but it's just about timing. Many times I've just kept trying daily for a date I wanted for a 'sold out' show and ended up in great seats. It's timing not a matter of selling out or not.

[Eos]

I was always under the impression that the BO would give you a better shot at better seats - that's why I went as opposed to getting what was offered online. No idea where that assumption came from. Oh well, luck or timing, I'll take it!

[CapnHook]

You got either a house seat or a cancellation. You lucked out.

For shows that are difficult to get tickets to, it's better to get them in advance, to guarantee you have them. For shows that aren't selling well, try TKTS or TDF or Rush.

[Eos]

Thanks for the advice, CapnHook. I did SR for the first time tonight for ALNM. Although I love being up close, for that price in a theatre that size you can't beat it. Especially when you're at the end of your trip and so broke you can hardly pay attention!

[hubee]

It's luck in timing BUT it happens a LOT. Even a couple of summers ago when Wicked was still selling out like crazy, my coworker asked how to get tickets last minute and after I laughed at her, she found Row D tickets too 2 days before. And since, she keeps finding great seats last minute too on supposedly "sold out" shows.

Ken Davenport has brought up the issue on his blog. How producers (including him) keep holding back house seats but to what benefit in the long run?

[Eos]

tobias, I got to the theatre around 8am and there was one other person in line. More folks trickled in, but not until an hour or so later.

hubee, I wonder if those house seats they hold back are the ridiculously high priced ones? I would imagine they might hold out in hopes that tourists who don't know any better will shell out big $$$ for being in the first few rows of a popular show.

And no, I don't really consider myself a tourist. :)

[Eos]

tobias, the rush seats for ALNM were standing room when I went. Being used the ginormous Fox theatre though, that was kinda close to me. Can't beat it for 27 bucks.