Would you do it again? (New York)
Jun 22nd, 2001, 09:34 AM
#1
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Would you do it again? (New York)
For anyone that has been to NY and used the TKTS booth, I was wondering what your experience was and would you do it again? Was your wait long? Being in NY for only 4 days, I don't really want to stand in line but if the saving are that great, I guess it will be worth it. Not stuck on any particular show so that is not a concern. What were some of the prices at the TKTS booth. THANKS!
Jun 22nd, 2001, 10:54 AM
#3
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The lines move quickly but it could take as long as 45 - 60 minutes during the day. Additional block of tickets are often released late in the day (after 5 or 6PM). I've never used TKTS earlier than 5:30PM - I usually got at 6 - 6:30 and have never waited much more than 5 minutes in line. Like you, I have not generally been stuck on the idea of going to a particular show - simply decided when I got to the boarad and saw what was available. keep in mind that if a show has a range of prices (e.g. they advertise seats from $30-90) the TKTS 50% off tix will almost always be for the most expensive seats. I've only been disappointed in my seats once in the many times I've used the service(once of our two seats was adjacent to a post and I had to lean slightly for full visibility). Tix will usually cost $45-50 each including the service charge and are well worth it.
Jun 22nd, 2001, 11:44 AM
#4
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I'm a New Yorker who uses the TKTS booth regularly. You've already been given some good advice. Here's more:
1. Since you say you aren't stuck on any particular show, you're definitely going to be successful!
2. It is a great bargain. Tickets for available shows at TKTS are half-price plus a $2.50 service charge. So, you will have anywhere from a $30-$45 savings per ticket, since the regular prices for the top tickets are $60 to $90. (The Producers costs more, but that won't be available at half-price for years to come!)
3. Each blocklong length of the line will take 20-30 minutes. (Yes, the lines can get as long as the equivalent of 3-4 blocks!)
4. For matinee performances on Wednesday or Saturday, get in line around 9-9:15 a.m. (It opens at 10.) The line will not be that long at that hour. For evenings, get in line around 2-2:15. It opens at 3.
5. Owen is correct about late afternoon. The lines are seldom if ever long. If fact, they might even be non-existant, so you can walk right up to the window.
6. The earlier in the week of the performance, the better the chance for a wide choice of tickets. Weekends, naturally, are the toughest, but there are still shows available.
Remember that TKTS only takes cash and travelers checks.
Is it worth the wait in line? YES!
PS: As a bonus, you will usually meet some interesting people in line!
1. Since you say you aren't stuck on any particular show, you're definitely going to be successful!
2. It is a great bargain. Tickets for available shows at TKTS are half-price plus a $2.50 service charge. So, you will have anywhere from a $30-$45 savings per ticket, since the regular prices for the top tickets are $60 to $90. (The Producers costs more, but that won't be available at half-price for years to come!)
3. Each blocklong length of the line will take 20-30 minutes. (Yes, the lines can get as long as the equivalent of 3-4 blocks!)
4. For matinee performances on Wednesday or Saturday, get in line around 9-9:15 a.m. (It opens at 10.) The line will not be that long at that hour. For evenings, get in line around 2-2:15. It opens at 3.
5. Owen is correct about late afternoon. The lines are seldom if ever long. If fact, they might even be non-existant, so you can walk right up to the window.
6. The earlier in the week of the performance, the better the chance for a wide choice of tickets. Weekends, naturally, are the toughest, but there are still shows available.
Remember that TKTS only takes cash and travelers checks.
Is it worth the wait in line? YES!
PS: As a bonus, you will usually meet some interesting people in line!
Jun 22nd, 2001, 11:55 AM
#5
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Surprised neither Owen or Howard mentioned the second TKTS booth in the World Yrade Center. If you're staying or seeing attractions in lower Manhattan,it will be handy, and while it has fewer tix to sell and sometimes fewer or different choices, the line is shorter and indoors (protecting you from hot or cold). And there, you can buy matinee tix for the following day. Just another thing to keep in mind when planning your itinerary. (BTW, above posters are correct that often more expensive--and better--seats are for sale at TKTS. I have a family member who will only go to the theater if she can sit in a middle row or closer in the orchestra, and she loves TKTS because she can always get seats she likes for some show.)
Jun 22nd, 2001, 11:58 AM
#6
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TKTS is great. I use it all the time.
However, not ALL of their tickets are half-price. Some are only 25% off. Still a great deal.
The lines will look horrendously long but don't let that put you off -- they move quickly. Have someone save your place while you go to the front to look at what's available. Once you are up there, there is no time to hem and haw, so know what you want and have your cash ready.
I actually don't mind the waiting in line. It's kind of entertaining to people-watch, or you can bring a book to read, or eat your breakfast/lunch (there's a Starbucks nearby for a coffee fix).
The lines at the World Trade Center tend to be much shorter.
However, not ALL of their tickets are half-price. Some are only 25% off. Still a great deal.
The lines will look horrendously long but don't let that put you off -- they move quickly. Have someone save your place while you go to the front to look at what's available. Once you are up there, there is no time to hem and haw, so know what you want and have your cash ready.
I actually don't mind the waiting in line. It's kind of entertaining to people-watch, or you can bring a book to read, or eat your breakfast/lunch (there's a Starbucks nearby for a coffee fix).
The lines at the World Trade Center tend to be much shorter.
Jun 22nd, 2001, 12:24 PM
#7
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Caitlin's correct about the World Trade Center. Just keep in mind that its allotment of tickets is far smaller than the one in Times Square.
As for Lisa' comment that some tickets are only 25% off, those tickets are usually for off-Broadway shows. Any Broadway show available at TKTS is usually 50% off.
As for Lisa' comment that some tickets are only 25% off, those tickets are usually for off-Broadway shows. Any Broadway show available at TKTS is usually 50% off.
Jun 22nd, 2001, 12:41 PM
#8
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The rare show that gets posted on TKTS at 25% off is typically a show that is available through TKTS on very infrequent occasions. This past winter we saw Rent on a Friday night - the tix were $80 loge seats that we paid $62.50 for incl service charge. It was well worth the price (my second time seeing the show) and it's one of the few times I've ever seen a discount available for Rent. I did neglect to mention the TKTS booth at WTC but unless one is already planning to be down there it's a bit out of the way.
Jun 22nd, 2001, 02:40 PM
#9
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I will be in NYC for a few days next month and want to see a few shows. I'm sure that understudies are great, but I'd rather see the regular leads of the shows that I see. Is there any rule of thumb as to which performances during the week that the understudies perform?
Jun 22nd, 2001, 04:34 PM
#11
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For discount tickets nothing beats the TKTS booth for price and number of shows available. On most weekdays tickets for close to 2/3's of the Broadway shows are usually available. If this fact is not already known to you keep in mind tickets purchased are for the same day performance except for matinee tickets which can be purchased the day before at the 2 WTC ticket booth. There is another option for purohasing tickets - theater discount coupons. With these coupons tickets are purchased at the theatre boxoffice and any price ticket can be purchased. They are usually a little more than half price. Advantage - no lines and you can purchase a ticket for any performance within the range of dates listed on the coupon. The number of shows offering discount coupons is limited. You can usually find them at the service desk in a hotel and they are always available at the Visitor's Center across the street from the 47th St. TKTS booth. Go to the information desk and ask for discount theater coupons. You will be given a book showing which shows are available.
Jun 22nd, 2001, 04:38 PM
#12
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Chances are in your favor that you won't see an understudy for the star. It does happen, but not that often. Obviously, the most likely day would be one when there are two performances (Wednesday and Saturday). However, since Saturday performances are more likely to be sold old than any others, it rarely happens on Saturdays.
If it's any consolation, Mike, if the star is big enough (i.e., Nathan Lane or Matthew Broderick in The Producers), you can get a refund if he's out! The night we saw Follies recently, Blythe Danner was out and the couple in back of us did walk out and got a refund.
If it's any consolation, Mike, if the star is big enough (i.e., Nathan Lane or Matthew Broderick in The Producers), you can get a refund if he's out! The night we saw Follies recently, Blythe Danner was out and the couple in back of us did walk out and got a refund.
