NYC: Rush Tickets or TKTS?

[broadwaykid2]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 9:37pm

Sorry in advance - I ramble a lot!

CONTEXT: This is my first time in NYC and I'm a big musical buff, so I wanted to see a Bway show with an original broadway cast (mostly original!) before I left, since that would probably be the first and only time I catch an original broadway cast live as opposed to over recordings. I'm open to any show, if anyone has any recommednations! I'm with my sister who refuses to watch stories she's not familiar with so our only options are the disney ones (lion king/aladdin), waitress, anastasia, avenue q (off broadway), hamilton (unlikely, though, given that lottery is impossible and prices are atrocious).

QUESTIONS: Planning on going to get rush tickets for Anastasia tomorrow, and was wondering if anyone has tried getting Anastasia's rush tickets on a weekday? If so, can you share your experiences with the seats you received and the buying experience? E.g., do you get a say in which seats you get (from the very limited options you receive for rush tickets and partial views), or is it more of an assigned seat from the staff and a "take it or leave it" kind of situation? The box office guy was incredibly rude when I tried asking earlier today. Alternatively I could try my luck at TKTS, but I've been trying for the past 5 days that I've been here and Anastasia's been sorely absent from the list of options so I was planning to go straight to the Broadhurst box office instead since I'm set on watching Anastasia. I've never bought TKTS tickets and was wondering if someone could share their experiences with it? Like how are the seats compared to rush seats? Also, TKTS prices - when they say 50%, do they mean like orchestra/good seats that would normally cost $200 but are now $100? Or are they just regular/partial view seats sold for 50%?

Updated On: 1/15/18 at 09:37 PM

[WaffleOnWheels]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 9:43pm

On the subject of TKTS seating, I got some for Spongebob (Great show that I would totally recommend, BTW), and they were OK seats. Second row in rear mezzanine, and had a railing blocking some of the far downstage action. Not to mention some people in front of us leaning on the railing blocking it even more. Nonetheless, It didn't dampen my enjoyment much and, I was satisfied with those seats for what I paid for, which seems to be the general consensus with TKTS. 

[WaffleOnWheels]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 9:43pm

On the subject of TKTS seating, I got some for Spongebob (Great show that I would totally recommend, BTW), and they were OK seats. Second row in rear mezzanine, and had a railing blocking some of the far downstage action. Not to mention some people in front of us leaning on the railing blocking it even more. Nonetheless, It didn't dampen my enjoyment much and, I was satisfied with those seats for what I paid for, which seems to be the general consensus with TKTS. 

[gudetama]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 10:35pm

I have done both rush and tkts for Anastasia and always on weekdays. The first time I did rush, they didn't ask me which seats, just gave me two seats in Box B. Missed some stuff on the left side from that view, like the chalkboard. The second time, they asked me if I preferred to sit next to my friend or one behind the other for seats with less of a blocked view. They suggested one behind the other when I couldn't make the decision and we got orchestra, extreme right. Missed some stuff on the right side, like Gleb at his desk, but the seats were closer and better than the box. I do not know which seats we would have gotten if I had said we wanted to be next to each other.

I haven't seen Anastasia for 50% off at tkts lately, only 30 and 40 if at all, but the only seats I've ever been offered from there were orchestra and always good ones, not partial view. I was always alone for those times, though, so did not need to get multiple tickets close to each other. You are correct, seats that would normally cost 200 would then be 100. I would say I normally get orchestra center for between 83 and 92. The worst seat I probably ever got was Row M, but it was still orchestra center and was still a good seat. Only once did I get orchestra side, but it was far enough away from the side to not be partial view and very close to the front.

It's Broadway Week so if you're going with someone, see if you can get two-for-one.

https://www.nycgo.com/broadway-week

Updated On: 1/15/18 at 10:35 PM

[broadwaykid2]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 10:51pm

Oh!! I had no idea about the 2-for-1 deal!!! I'll definitely check that out!

 

I also got the general idea that TKTS would give me a better deal, so I think I'll do that instead of rush. Thank you all so much!!

[ellbellthomps]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 11:29pm

TKTS is definitely a lot more expensive, but (usually) better seats. but if there are a good number of seats on telecharge for tomorrow id say there is a good chance on it being on TKTS

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 12:36am

Avenue Q does rush. I think it is 27 bucks cash. First row. They do 10 tickets. If you get there just before box office opens you have a good chance of snagging tickets.

If The Band's Visit does rush, I sAY go for that and have your sister see somethibg she wants to see. I keep hearing SPONGEBOB is lots of fun. I am not togally familiarmwith the shos but I plan to see it!

It would be a shame if you missed something you want to see or is a popular on your first trip here because your sister does not want to see it! JMO

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 12:41am

broadwaykid2 said: "Also, TKTS prices - when they say 50%, do they mean like orchestra/good seats that would normally cost $200 but are now $100? Or are they just regular/partial view seats sold for 50%?"

You don't always get to pick what price level seat. So, you may only be able to get an $75 ticket that was originally an $150 orchestra seat, rather than getting to pick a $45 balcony seat that used to be $90. Depends on the show. But you can often ask where the seat is, see what else they have, etc., at TKTS. Whereas rush is usually given to you without you getting a lot of input.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 12:46am

haterobics said: "broadwaykid2 said: "Also, TKTS prices - when they say 50%, do they mean like orchestra/good seats that would normally cost $200 but are now $100? Or are they just regular/partial view seats sold for 50%?"

You don't always get to pick what price level seat. So, you may only be able to get an $75 ticket that was originally an $150 orchestra seat, rather than getting to pick a $45 balcony seat that used to be $90. Depends on the show. But you can often ask where the seat is, see what else they have, etc., at TKTS. Whereas rush is usually given to you without you getting a lot of input."

 

Also you may get there and it is half price on a premium seat. That happened to me. I went back to the theater to just outright buy the cheapest seat they had (I lost the lottery for the sjow) and ended up getting a losers lottery seat that was wonderful.

 

[SuttonFan]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 12:47am

If you don't mind waiting in line in the morning, I prefer rush. You get cheaper tickets. On one trip, I came to NYC, slept on a friend's couch, and saw four shows for less than $150 by rushing. 

[jbird5]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 7:15am

I know The Band’s Visit is selling partial view on the extreme sides of the orchestra for $80. I got row E and was very happy for the money.

[yousirname]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 11:23am

I might be a little late on the response but I've rushed Anastasia, and seen shows via the TKTS booth before so I might as well share:

I prefer rush in terms of price, and typically the view is fine but when I rushed Anastasia I got a ticket on the extreme side in the front of the orchestra and missed a ton -- any scene with Gleb's desk was beyond my range of view and I missed a lot during the ballet scene. I felt like this took away from my experience at the show, but that being said, I knew the view was going to be bad when I bought the tickets.

I got tickets to Kinky Boots at the TKTS booth recently because my aunt had given me a gift certificate for the holidays, and even with the 50% my tickets were still $95 when all was said and done, but my seats were amazing. You don't get to pick with TKTS, so a lot of the time you get 50% off premium orchestra.

Anyways, whatever you decide I hope you have a blast! 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 10:35pm

I’ve done rush, lottery and TKTS. The first time I came to NYC on a non-work trip (2012), I got 2 tickets through rush (got SRO both times as I missed out on rush seats) and 2 tickets through TKTS (also great seats). I’ve also done rush/lottery/SRO as well as TKTS since. I don’t mind SRO as long as my back isn’t bothering me. I’ve never received bad seats through lottery/rush although admittedly I usually get SRO which means I have straight ahead view of the stage.

I’ve gotten amazing seats via TKTS (I was front row at Fun Home). But I’ve also rarely gotten horrible seats although not due to view. The worst was the last revival of Cabaret. I’m tall with long legs and bad knees. I was in rear mezzanine with almost zero leg room. I was in such pain I had to get up during Act One as I was in tears from the pain. Luckily, the ushers reseated me in an aisle seat during intermission so I could at least stretch my legs into the aisle.

Rush/lottery/SRO are cheaper than TKTS, but you have to consider what’s more valuable to you. Spending your limited time in NYC in a line for hours (no idea how early people start lining up for Anastasia rush) for a cheaper limited view ticket or spending more for a better seat and not having to spend hours waiting in line in the cold.

I have to say my own answer to this question has changed over the years. I did rush/lottery a lot more my first few visits but increasingly went to buying through TKTS or non-rush at box office. I did get SRO tix in 2015 just by basically walking up to the box office at The Color Purple.

I do value standing in rush line though because you meet fellow theater fans.

This last trip in November 2017 I saw 6 shows and pre-bought all my tix before the trip because they were hard to get tix and I didn’t want to miss out.

My fave rush ticket story is in 2012 when I stood in line for 6 hours in 40-degree November weather for The Book of Mormon SRO tickets (discount seats were only available through lottery which I lost). The young woman who showed up shortly after me and waited that whole time is now a dear friend of mine on Facebook.

Updated On: 1/16/18 at 10:35 PM

[FrizzyAnya]

Posted: 1/17/18 at 6:57pm

I would similarly agree on the rush experience being worth it. I’ve made friends in rush lines a couple of different times, one of whom I later went to two other shows with.

The Band’s Visit has rush and it’s relatively cheap. It’s a great chance to see the original Broadway cast, and they’re fantastic and extremely talented. Maybe encourage your sister to try the show even if it’s something new?