TKTS, THE FACTS YOU NEED FOR DISCOUNT BROADWAY TICKETS with some suggestions and helpful hints
Written: Mar 30 '03 (Updated Nov 13 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent prices for Broadway and Off Broadway shows.
Cons: Lines in the elements can be long. No definitive choices guaranteed.
The Bottom Line: TKTS makes it possible for my wife and I to see more plays, with decent seating, at the best of prices.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: TKTS |
Update Nov 2006. The usual TKTS booth in Times Square is now closed for renovation. TKTs is now temporarily housed in the the Marriot Marquis just a block away.
end update
We all know the price of theatre tickets are sky high. The great thing is, if you are willing to wait and take a chance, you can get them at far reduced prices than available at the box office.
WHERE TO GO
TKTS is the place to get them. They have hooked up with many, many Off Broadway and Broadway Theatres to sell unsold tickets on show day at well discounted prices. Most are 25 to 50% off. Some offerings may go as far as 75% off but are very rare from what my wife and I have observed. One drawback is that you never know for certain what shows may be selling tickets discounted. You can get a pretty good idea by checking out the TKTS web site. It does list what was sold the week before. Though it's not a perfect way of searching it is indicative of what you may find. The site can be found at www.tdf.org/programs/tkts
I'll give a partial list of what was available last week.
42nd Street....Aida....Beauty and the Beast....Cabaret....Chicago....Le Miserables....Man of LaMancha....Rent....Say Goodbye Gracie....Take Me Out....The Phantom....Thoroughly Modern Millie....Urban Cowboy...and Vincent in Brixton.
Also available are scores of Off Broadway tickets. There are many choices. My wife and I go with an idea of a few choices. We then check the board of what's available that day. Once up at the booth we discuss what seats are available for the shows. Sometimes you will find excellent seats for one show while another show may not offer quite the same.
Another point to understand is that being there early does not mean you will get the best seats. You see the box office holds onto tickets to sell at full price the day of the show. If they realize they may be stuck with unsold seats they offer them for sale through TKTS. They may be put on the TKTS sale block at any time. You don't know. We just get there early and take what's available then. We like to know we made our purchase and have the rest of the day to ourselves.
For those of you willing to take a chance and spend more time, keep checking the boards for any changes while on line. Tickets go off sale and some may suddenly come up! Hey, ya never know.
WHERE ARE TKTS BOOTHS?
There are two places in New York City you can go.
The more popular is right in Times Square in the heart of the Theatre district. This is in Duffy Square, a kind of island in the middle of traffic in this exciting area. It is on 47th and Broadway. You can't miss the TKTS Signs. It is right up the street and steps away from a subway station where many subway lines stop.
This venue is open from 3pm till 8pm Monday through Friday. Lines start an hour or so before opening.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays for Matinee shows TKTS is open from 10am till 2pm
Sunday sales for all performances is 11am till 7pm.
There is a second site. Before 9/11 my wife and I used to go to the World trade Center and use the available TKTS booth there. This was an excellent place for us to start our day. The subway let us off under the buildings, we waited indoors, and were on our way for lunch at the top of the buildings by noon.
Sadly this landmark is gone. TKTS had set up a temporary booth down by Battery park at the Bowling Green Station. That one closed and the new, second choice to get show tickets at discounted prices at a TKTS booth can be found in the South Street Seaport area.
It is in the rear of the 199 Water Street building address on the corners of Front and John Streets. Subways can get you there by riding the J,M,Z, 2,3,4, or 5 lines to Fulton Street and taking the short walk to the booth. the second Avenue Bus takes you to the seaport. there are taxi stands at the seaport too. Never a problem getting a cab there. If you are driving you can find some metered parking nearby. There are also public parking garages around. This holds true for the Duffy Square TKTS too. When in the Times Square area and driving I park in an indoor garage on 54th and Broadway. It's a $25.00 fee for 24 hours.
ADVANTAGES OF THE SEAPORT BOOTH
My wife and I like to know the whats, wheres, and whens, of our day as early as possible. The Seaport TKTS booth opens earlier than the one in Duffy Square.
We find this a big advantage. By waiting on line at nine thirty/ten o'clock am we can have our tickets purchased and continue on our day by noon!.
There is no advantage at either the Duffy Square or the Seaport on the tickets available. They all come from the same pool of tickets. What is helpful is that you have tickets in hand earlier.
The seaport TKTS booth opens at 11am and closes at 6pm. Sundays they are open 11am till 3:30pm for the evening shows.
At this location they sell matinee tickets for the next day only. Tuesdays for Wednesday, Friday for Saturday, and Saturday for Sunday matinee shows.
Please always check times before going. Though they have not changed recently, the Seaport booth is still relatively new.
We have found that the lines move fairly well, and, as noted earlier, at the lower Manhattan booths, we are finished within an hour or so. The people selling tickets at the booths are very helpful and knowledgeable of the seating and theatres. I have heard lines at the Duffy Square booth are longer. The advantage there is that you are near most of the Broadway Theatres and midtown hotels.
CASH ONLY !!!!
There is no begging, crying, or promises that will change this policy. We have watched people try. it won't work. It's cash only!!!! For the traveler who does not like to carry too much cash they do accept travelers checks. NO credit cards at all!!
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Yes, you can purchase gift certificates at the booths. Ha, cash only!!. The certificates can be used as cash when the gift bearer goes to the booth.
A FEW OF THINGS TO NOTE
.The people who sell the tickets are very knowledgeable, yet, they are also moving a lot of tickets. They work at a brisk pace. They have people working the lines and near the windows to keep the people moving. Know your options and questions before you get up to the booth. Don't expect to be able to use a cell phone to discuss options with another party while at the booth.
.We have made choices of available shows by talking to others in line. Many of these people are avid show attenders. They know the story lines, actors in the show at the time, and are very willing to give their opinion.
.One person can purchase just four tickets. If you need more others must be in line. You still may not get the seating together.
.Lines can grow very long quickly, particularly in good weather and holiday weeks.
.If a show is not available at TKTS they still may be available at the box office at full price.
.It is better to have two people getting on line to get tickets. One person can always go check any updates on the daily board. Another reason is so one can always pick up a cup of coffee or any snacks if need. In my case I can always stay on line while my wife has some freedom to shop.
.Restrooms can be found fairly easily at either the Duffy Square or The South Street Seaport booth.
.Be aware of scalpers and scam artists selling tickets to those on line. It is very tempting if there is a long line, somebody seems to want to give up tickets for a last minute reason, or if you are bargaining for a great deal. Do know there are guys out there that may have forged tickets. It is you who will not be allowed entry into the theatre after spending $$$$$ for the phony tickets.
My wife and I have done well through tickets. Great seats at great values. I do hope you can take advantage of this terrific deal at TKTS. Enjoy yourself while in town and see a great Broadway or Off Broadway Show.
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Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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