Tkts - HALF-PRICE BROADWAY TICKETS - Earn $300/Hour Just For Standing In Line!
Written: Jul 30 '05 (Updated Sep 02 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Deep discounts on Broadway shows. Convenient Times Square location in heart of Theater District.
Cons: Lines can be long and are outdoors, therefore your comfort is weather-dependent.
The Bottom Line: Unless you absolutely have your heart set on one specific show, then waiting in line is well worth the deep discounts on Broadway and off-Broadway tickets.
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| radioroger's Full Review: TKTS |
There are only two possible reasons NOT to buy your Broadway tickets at "tkts"... 1. You absolutely have your heart set on one particular show. 2. You have enough disposable income that waiting in line for a few minutes to save a pile of money just isn't worth it.
Location
Tkts is conveniently located and is easy to find. It's located in the Times Square area in the island created by the diagonal intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue (Duffy Square) in Midtown Manhattan. It's nothing more than a long row of ticket booths, like the box office at your local movie theater. The relatively small one-story building is, in fact, quite easy to spot. It has white signs on top of it facing every direction that say "tkts" in big red lower-case letters. Most of the theaters are within an easy 5 or 10 minute walk. Tkts also has a location at the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan (corner of Front and John Streets). This may be a convenient option those who are lodging in Lower Manhattan, but it's a considerable distance from the Theater District.
Overview
Here's how it works... tkts sells unsold Broadway tickets on the day of performance. Unless the show is sold out, most tickets are discounted 50%, although some are discounted 25%. Our sole tkts experience was on a sunny Sunday afternoon in mid-summer... before the afternoon matinees. My daughters (12 and 14) and I had chosen and prioritized five musicals that we would like to see... "Mamma Mia", "Spamalot, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, "All Shook Up", and "Imagine". Lighted electronic boards near the ticket boots clearly indicate which shows have discounted tickets and what discount is being offered (in most cases,it was 50%), so you have the opportunity to make a final decision before you reach the ticket boots. To my surprise, four of the five shows we had chosen had tickets available at 50% off, including Mamma Mia, our top choice... and I'm not sure our fifth choice ("Spamalot") was even playing that afternoon. We got three $97 tickets to "Mamma Mia" for $47.50 each, plus a $3 handling fee per ticket. So we saved close to $150.
Lines
The lines are long. I had been told that I may need to wait in line for an hour or longer, but we waited for only 20-30 minutes. Again, we were there on a Sunday afternoon. It is likely that the line is longer and the selection slimmer for evening performances, especially Friday and Saturday. The lines forms outdoors, with no shelter from the sun or precipitation, so you are at the mercy of Mother Nature. There are no chairs or benches as you wait. While in line, you'll be approached by representatives of some of the shows and restaurants. They'll hand out literature and encourage you to visit their establishment or see their show. Although the line may be long, it moves fairly quickly.
Prices, Payment and Seat Selection
I already mentioned the price for "Mamma Mia". That's probably about average for a Broadway show. Ticket prices vary widely. Some tickets are considerable more expensive for premium seating or the most popular shows. Some tickets are considerably less if you don't mind the less-desirable seats. Tickets to several off-Broadway plays are also available and may be even less expensive. Here is a mistake that I made... When we reached the ticket window, I simply asked for, "Three for 'Mamma Mia'." Unfamiliar with the correct terminology, I failed to ask about price ranges and seat location. Although we enjoyed the show, our seats in the 1500-seat Cadillac Winter Garden Theater were probably among the least desirable... in the extreme right rear. We were at a severe angle from the stage and our view of the stage area was mildly obstucted by the balcony above. The show was not sold out and there were plenty of empty, but better seats in front of us. (No, they won't let you move to a better seat.) So, unless you ask about seat location, you're likely to receive the worst possible seats at the highest possible price. They'll save the better seats for those who DO ask. So even if you're not familiar with the seating terms ("mezzanine", "orchestra", etc.), I suggest that you simply ask, "What are the best available seats at that price?". Tkts does not accept credit cards. They only accept cash and traveler's checks and do not offer refunds.
Hours
The tkts Times Square box office is open Monday - Saturday from 3PM - 8PM. Most evening performances begin at 8. They are also open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10AM - 2PM for matinee tickets. And they are open Sundays from 11AM - 7:30PM. To put it simply, they are always open 3-5 hours before curtain time. Of course, the earlier you get in line, the best chance you'll have to get good tickets for your favorite show.
Closing
For an Ohio family's first trip to NYC, waiting in line was not a problem for us. In fact, we rather enjoyed it. Since we were standing in Times Square, we spent the 30 minutes watching people and soaking in the fast-paced atmosphere that is uniquely New York. If you have decided in advance that you are ABSOLUTELY going to a specific show, then tkts may not be for you. Although our first choice WAS available and there were many other choices, there is the risk that your favorite show will be sold out. Other than that, you'll save a bundle if you get your tickets here. From a frugal traveler's point of view, I look at it as getting paid $300 per hour to wait in line with my kids!
TO SEE A FEW PHOTOS FROM MY FAMILY'S NYC / PHILADELPHIA TRIP, PLEASE VISIT MY TRAVEL WEBSITE:
www.mikebechtol.com
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
radioroger
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: Rural Ohio
Reviews written: 46
Trusted by: 32 members
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