Tickets 101

Tickets 101

What do tickets sell for, anyway? Not counting the limited "premium seat" category (or discount deals), the top ticket price for Broadway musicals is now hovering at $130; the low end for musicals is in the $70 range. Nonmusical comedies and dramas start at about $60 and top out at about $120. Off-Broadway show tickets average $35-$70, while off-off-Broadway shows can run as low as $15-$20. Tickets to an opera start at about $25 for nosebleed seats and can soar to well over $300 for prime locations. Classical music concerts go for $25 to $100, depending on the venue. Dance performances are usually in the $15 to $60 range, but expect seats for the ballet to go higher.

Scoring tickets is fairly easy, especially if you have some flexibility. But if timing or cost is critical, the only way to ensure you'll get the seats you want is to make your purchase in advance—and that might be months ahead for a hit show. In general, tickets for Saturday evenings and for weekend matinees are the toughest to secure.

For opera, classical music, and dance performances, go to the box office or order tickets through the venue's Web site. For smaller performing-arts companies, including dance, music, and off-Broadway shows, also try Ticket Central (212/279-4200. www.ticketcentral.com). For Broadway (and some other big-hall events), sure bets are the box office or either Telecharge (212/239-6200; 800/432-7250 outside NYC. www.telecharge.com) or Ticketmaster (212/307-4100; 866/448-7849 automated service; 212/220-0500 premium tickets. www.ticketmaster.com). Virtually all larger shows are listed with one service or the other, but never both; specifying "premium" will help you get elusive—and expensive (upwards of $200-$300)—seats. A broker or your hotel concierge should be able to procure last-minute tickets, but prices may even exceed "premium" rates. Be prepared to pay add-on fees (per ticket and per order) for all ticketing services.

Although most online ticket services provide seating maps to help you choose, the advantage of going to the box office is twofold: there are no add-on service fees, and a ticket seller can personally advise you about sight lines for the seat location you are considering.

If you're in Midtown, inside the Times Square Visitors Center is the League of American Theatres and Producers' Broadway Ticket Center (1560 Broadway, between W. 46th and W. 47th Sts., Midtown West, 10036. 888/BROADWAY. www.livebroadway.com. Subway: 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S to 42nd St./Times Sq.; N, R, W to 49th St.). Ticket hours are Monday-Saturday 10-7, Sunday 11-6. You can find a selection of discount vouchers here; it also serves as a one-stop shopping place for full-price tickets for most Broadway shows.

Broadway (And Off) at a Discount

The cheapest—though chanciest—ticket opportunities are found at participating theater box offices on the day of the performance. These tickets, usually about $25, may be distributed by lottery and are usually for front-row (possibly neck-craning) seats. Check the box office or the Times's theater directory to discover current shows offering this kind of deal, or similarly priced "rush" offers. Obstructed-view seats or those in the very rear balcony are sometimes available for advance purchasing; the price point on these is usually in the $35-40 range.

But for advanced discount purchases, the best seating is likely available by using an discount "code"—procure these 20%-50%-off codes online (you will need to register on each Web site). The www.broadwaybox.com site provides a compilation of all discount codes available; bestofoffbroadway.com does the same, but concentrates on the smaller shows off the Great White Way. In some cases, as with all discount codes offered through the online subscriber services TheaterMania (www.theatermania.com) and Playbill (www.playbill.com), you must bring a printout of the offer to the box office, and make your purchase there.

For seats at 25%-50% off the usual price go to one of the TKTS booths (Duffy Sq. at W. 47th St. and Broadway, Midtown West, 10036. Subway: 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S, W to 42nd St./Times Sq.; N, R, W to 49th St.; 1 to 50th St. www.tdf.org). Although they do tack on a $4 per ticket service charge, and not all shows are predictably available, the broad choices and ease of selection—and of course, the solid discount—make TKTS the go-to source for the flexible theatergoer. Check the electronic listings board near the ticket windows to mull over your options while you're on line. At the snazzily updated Duffy Square location (look for the bright red glass staircase), there is a separate play only window to further simplify, and speed, things. Duffy hours are Monday-Saturday 3-8 (for evening performances); for Wednesday and Saturday matinees 10-2; for Sunday matinees 11-3; Sunday evening shows, from 3 until a half hour before curtain. Seaport hours are Monday-Saturday 11-6, Sunday 11-4. Brooklyn hours are weekdays 11-6. With the exception of matinees at the Seaport and Brooklyn locations (they sell these for next-day performances only), all shows offered are for that same day. Credit cards, cash, or traveler's checks are accepted at all locations. Planning ahead? Their Web site lists what was available at the booths in the previous week to give you an idea of what shows you'll find; and for all current shows, it notes whether they are "frequently," "occasionally," "rarely," or "never" available at their booths.

What's Playing Where

New York is rich with easily accessible and comprehensive listings resources in both print and online formats. The New York Times's (www.nytimes.com) listings are concentrated in its Thursday, Friday, and Sunday papers, as well as online. The New Yorker (www.newyorker.com) is highly selective, but calls attention to performances with its succinct reviews. It hits the stands on Monday. In New York magazine (www.nymag.com), also on newsstands on Monday, see "The Week" section for hot-ticket events. The freebie tabloid the Village Voice (www.villagevoice.com), comes out on Wednesday; it has extensive listings—especially for theater, music, and dance—as well.

Online-only venues www.nytheatre.com, www.nyconstage.org, www.tdf.org, indietheater.org,and offoffonline.comprovide synopses, schedules when theaters are dark, accessibility info, run times, seating charts, and links to ticket purchases. (Tip: most of these also cover nontheater performances, but they do Broadway and independent theater programming best.)