We will be in NYC the first week of October. We would like to see at least two Broadway musicals. We would like tickets to Wicked and one other perhaps the Lion King. Anyhow, do we need to buy the tickets in advance online? When? Also, we are on a budget, should we wait and try to the buy the tickets when we are there? Also, is joining TDF (Theatre Development Fund) worth the effort and money? It supposedly enables one to buy tickets at a discount but are the tickets to plays that are popular, mainstream?

The 2 shows you mention are never discounted and regularly sell out. If that's what you want to see, buy them at full price NOW. Every show has an official seller, either ticketmaster.com or telecharge.com. That's where you buy them. I can never remeber which shows use one or the other so I usually use a link from playbill.com

You can buy discounted tickets to MANY shows with links from the left column of broadwaybox.com usually within a 2-3 month period before the performance. So it's too early now for October but you can get an idea of which shows are available and at what prices.

There are also discounts available same day from the TKTS booths run by TDF. Tdf.org/tkts has info and shows what's been available but doesn't say where the seats are. I recently tried for Kinky Boots at TKTS to discover they only had rear mezzanine and the tix were pricey at something like $85 each. Using broadwaybox you know what seats you'll get (you can pick them). Neither of these discounts options (bwaybox or TKTS booth) are likely to be as cheap as joing TDF, but if you're only here for a short time, I'm not sure it's worth joining TDF. I guess it depends on what it costs to join. My friend belongs and has access to $40 tickes but you never know where the seats will be and often the show you want is not available.

I agree. Definitely buy your Wicked tickets ahead of time.

Here's the link to Broadwaybox.com (showing the Newsies discount) -
http://www.broadwaybox.com/shows/new...c_tickets.aspx

Here's the link to the TKTS website, showing the recent discounts on shows -
http://www.tdf.org/TKTSBoards.aspx

If you have a smartphone you can add the TKTS app and check out what shows are being discounted before your trip.

I like the savings via the TKTS booths, but I also value the actual time in NYC. I'd rather buy ahead of time and get a 40% discount than wait in line for maybe a 50% discount. I'd rather spend those few dollars and do something other than standing in line waiting.

If those two shows are the only ones you are interested in, buy ahead of time via the two approved vendors (as described in the previous post). Anything else is via resellers.

If you are a big fan of Wicked, consider the Behind the Emerald Curtain tour - offered on Saturdays.

As everyone else has said, if these are the two shows you want to see, buy your tickets today for the best availability. You're going to NYC during the busiest time of the year, and you'll have to pay full price (which means around $140 per ticket per show). If you are on a budget and don't care which show you see, then definitely utilize TKTS, but if the show matters, then you have to buy tickets in advance.

Thanks for the prompt answers and all the useful information. We will order tickets for Wicked soon. If we decide to see Lion King, we will order it soon also. Thanks again!

P.S. Am I correct in thinking this? The Rockettes do no show until the Christmas show and it starts in November?

You're correct about the Rockettes (in NYC at least ... they tour throughout the year).

I am disappointed about the Rockettes, I should have done the research before I bought airline tickets and booked a hotel! Oh well, we are counting on having a splendid time!