TKTS???

[beacon1]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 10:08pm

I keep seeing folks referring to something called TKTS booths and that being a better way to get tickets to shows. If I come in the fall (like I'm hoping to do) would it be better for me to take my chance that way to see a show...or pre-purchase at least one? I'm scrimping and saving right now and want to plan the best I can.

Thanks for helping out this neophyte!

[Bway_Mill_Fan]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 10:12pm

it depends what show you want to see. if its something like wicked or avenue q i say buy in advance. most other shows are there and if you get early they have great seats!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 10:13pm

Prepurchase tickets for the shows you absolutely MUST see. Go to the TKTS Booth for your other shows. Not every show is available there; certainly not the blockbuster shows like WICKED and LION KING. Check Playbill On Line's "Broadway Grosses", and assess for yourself what shows are doing capacity business. They won't be available at TKTS. The other shows mostly likely will be available at a discount.

[Sunfish]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 11:02pm

Also, many shows are available in advance with a discount. Not THIS far in advance, for Fall shows, though. They seem to go by seasons. Sign up for the Playbill.com Club, and TheaterMania.com and SeasonofSavings.com, all free. You can have offers sent to your e-mail address---overwhelming if you aren't going to be using them for a while---or just visit the sites periodically and see what they are offering. Sign up for direct offers as it gets closer to your trip.

[racerchiquita76m]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 3:19pm

I've also had luck with broadwaybox.com

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 4:21pm

you can check out www.tdf.org to find what was on TKTS from the prior week.

[Broadwaygirl4life]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 5:06pm

with tkts are you allowed to purchase tickets for a matinee the same day? like if i wanted to see Aida on a sunday at 3:00 could I purchase tickets the day of?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 5:58pm

Yes, TKTS is for buying tickets the day of.... the one in Duffy Square at least. I remember hearing there was one downtown that sold tickets the day before. I think the one in Duffy Square opens at 11:00 or 12:00 for Sunday matinees.

Updated On: 2/20/04 at 05:58 PM

[bially082]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 8:43pm

There is one downtown. Where is that at? Never heard of it...

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 8:44pm

I want to say I heard it was near South Street Seaport. Let me check... I'll see if I can find it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 8:46pm

From the TDF website:

TKTS ® Lower Manhattan Theatre Centre at South Street Seaport
(the corner of Front and John Streets, the rear of the Resnick/Prudential Building at 199 Water Street)

Monday - Friday for all evening performances:
11am - 6pm

Saturday for all evening performances:
11am - 4pm

Closed Sundays

*At this tkts location only, matinee tickets must be bought the day before. For example, Wednesday matinee tickets must be bought on Tuesday; Saturday matinee tickets bought on Friday; and Sunday matinee tickets bought on Saturday. tkts accepts cash or travelers checks.

[lostwallflower]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 8:52pm

Do some research. If it's a show you have your heart set on, buy ahead. But if you figure its not a big deal, I'd say try TKTS. Right next to Aida is a visitors center where, if you go up to the desk, you can see a binder full of discounts. I do recomend broadwaybox.com, and playbill.com can give you discount passwords where you take the printout to the theatre and buy tickets with it. I live in CT so I don't bother buying tix. by phone, so I'm not as farmilliar with how to work that.

Avenue Q, for instance, has tickets for a little over 20 dollars, just for the day of the show, front rows only, available for a lottery 2.5 hours before the show. I went Tues and they only had 12 tickets to sell, (so I saw Boy From Oz instead). It all depends on how bad you want to see a play. Plan ahead for the ones you're dying for, and risk it on the ones you're iffy about.

[stop!]

Posted: 2/21/04 at 10:55pm

tkts is a last minute resort for producers to sell tickets...some try to never go there......but some big shows do end up there during dry periods....best bet book what you want to see in advance and take a chance on others.....ive seen great shows from booth by fluke....oh and dont forget rush policies i saw frog and toad for $15 bucks!!