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Discounted tix to Broadway shows..worth it?? Which sites are best?

Discounted tix to Broadway shows..worth it?? Which sites are best?

Old Aug 16th, 2011, 12:46 PM
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Discounted tix to Broadway shows..worth it?? Which sites are best?

I'm guessing that this topic has been discussed before, but I can't find anything on the topic in prior threads. Perhaps, I'm not using the correct wording.

Anyway.....We're planning a trip to New York and would love to see several shows. That, however, promises to be quite expensive. First off, should we just go for broke and purchase tickets directly or, for some performances, would going by way of discounted tickets be encouraged? If so, I'm sure that some websites are more reliable than others and would love to hear your suggestions.

Thanks everyone!
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 12:59 PM
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Use broadwaybox.com.

Join them now via email or Facebook and you'll get updates on a regular basis. When you are on their website, use the column on the left. If the show you are interested in is not there, you'll probably have to buy tickets directly from Ticketmaster or Telecharge (depending on the show).

Some people like to buy tickets from the TKTS booth in Times Square. The discounts are great (40 to 50% off) but sometimes the discounts via Broadway Box are almost as good - and you don't have to spend vacation time standing in line
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 02:03 PM
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Starrs...You're terrific! Thanks for the prompt response and terrific info. I'm not big on lines and I figure that we'll be standing in enough of them during our visit to Manhattan, so I'm off to "broadwaybox".
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 02:05 PM
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For the broadwaybox.com discounts, you use the discount code when purchasing from the regular official ticket vendor. This includes online (Ticketmaster or Telecharge) as well as purchasing in person at the box office of the particular theater. This is a great option because you can buy tickets before your trip and then you have the tickets you want before arriving in NYC. Some people will purchase tickets for shows they definitely want to see and then bring printouts of the discounts for shows they might want to see so they can stop by the box office while on their trip once they know their plans.

The TKTS booth in Times Square is a great option, but you won't know what shows are available until the day of the performance, and then you have to stand in a possibly lengthy line in order to purchase the tickets. This works fine for many people, but you will know better if you prefer to have set plans ahead of time. The lines at the South Street Seaport location tend to be shorter or even non-existant.
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 02:05 PM
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As I am in the city for an extended time, I print out the discount offer and take it to the theater's box office. Thye have always accepted it.
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 02:05 PM
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I also use broadwaybox.com.

If you order tickets without using the broadwaybox code you will find that the same seats are offered to you, but without the discount!

HTTY
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 02:06 PM
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I was typing (poorly-"existent") while you were responding, but hope the extra info is useful to you.
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 02:06 PM
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If the discounts are not effective for the dates you'll be in town, just check back. They'll offer more discounts for later dates eventually. Today's list and discounts will give you an idea of what may be offered later.
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 03:16 PM
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Thanks to all! It's more reassuring to hear that several of you use Broadwaybox and have had such good results. It would appear that one would be crazy not to utilize their services. I know that I'll be watching the site and trading with them.
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 03:21 PM
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I went to the TXTS booth at the Seaport location last Friday.
It opens at 11am and we got there at 10.30am to find a line stretching about 50m. It moved quickly once the place opened and we left at 11.30 with tickets for Mary Poppins, (discount of 50%).
The line was even longer by the time we left so I recommend getting there before it opens (take a coffee!).

There was a board in the window with a list of available shows for that night and if you check their website it tells you which shows are usually available.
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 04:05 PM
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The key is that Broadwaybox.com sells you nothing—it just provides the codes. You purchase through the official sales venues you would even if you did not have a discount code, so there is no risk. After you review the Broadwaybox offers, all the purchase links take you to the official online sales service.
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 04:49 PM
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Also try
playbill.com
theatermania.com

These work similar to broadway box. Sometimes a show is on one but not the other, or different types of seats (orchestra vs mezzanine) or the discount varies a bit. I check all of them.

Travelzoo also has some theater discounts http://www.travelzoo.com/entertainment/new-york/
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 04:54 PM
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one caveat - some shows are never or hardly ever discounted. Over time they have included Jersey Boys , Wicked, Lion King etc. SO if there are shows you KNOW you want to see you could check here again and get some advice.
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 05:05 PM
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Broadwaybox.com works for sows that are discounting - usually older, not big hits and not with full houses.. the biggest hits rarely if ever, discount - and for them you need to get seats as soon as possible through the official on-line seller - esp if you want more than 2 seats together and better seats. These shows include Wicked, Lion King and usually Jersey Boys - and for them you will have to pay full price and buy as soon as possible.
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Old Aug 16th, 2011, 06:05 PM
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Discounts also are often available for the first few weeks of a show, esp straight plays and not musicals.
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Old Aug 17th, 2011, 02:43 AM
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Do you know about TDF? Might be worth joining if the conditions suit you. You will have a huge range of events (shows, concerts, etc) but you will get tickets for a fraction of the box office price...never more than $39 and sometimes much less. There are some conditions you must fulfill in order to join but if you do, you can save lots of $$$ if you are willing to select from their offerings and do not have your heart set on a particular play or show.


http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=59&%20do=v



Audience Extras is another site; tickets usually cost $3.50.


http://www.audienceextras.com/pub/index.cfm?r=255797324
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Old Aug 17th, 2011, 05:15 AM
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I too am a huge fan of Broadway Box (and Playbill.com pretty much offers the same discounts that work the same way). But be aware than ordering using the discount online or by phone, you'll stay pay some extra fees of up to $14 per ticket. If you can wait and take the printed discount offer to an actual box office for the show you want to see, you'll save those fees.

One other point to be aware of. It used to be that those discounts were for 'best seats' available. In other words if you went to the box office and paid full price, your selection would be the same as with the discount. But unfortunately this is becoming less and less true. Many shows now only include some sections of seating at the discount price. It is not unusual to find the only seats they'll sell you are almost against the wall or the back few rows of orchestra or starting at about the third or fourth row of the mezzanine or balcony.
In some cases this is spelled on on the discount site or coupon, but in many cases it is not.
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Old Aug 19th, 2011, 06:55 PM
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Just gotback from New York. Ordered all my tickets using discounts on broadwaybox.com For all three shows I was able to select the seats I wanted, usually first row of the mezzanine or midle of the orchestra on center aisle. The shows all had some tickets available at TKTS but not the seats I wanted and I didn't have to wait in line.
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Old Dec 6th, 2011, 12:17 PM
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I bought my flights for christmas in NYC last night and the anticipation is building! You just made this girl VERY happy with broadwaybox!!!! Thank YOU! Thank God for Fodors. It also saved me thousands on a trip to Turks & Caicos last year!! Someone had a great tip on a friends and family discount at a resort.
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Old Jan 29th, 2014, 08:57 PM
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Just loved this show.
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