traveler2005

We are planning a trip to NYC this spring to see some shows. We had planned to stop somewhere on the way and spend Tuesday through Friday nights there.

It just occurred to me that we might be better off rearranging our trip so that we are there Monday through Thursday.

The logic of that is that Broadway shows might be cheaper and/or less crowded on Monday than on Friday. However, I next wondered if shows tend to be dark on Monday.

Any thoughts?

HowardR

The early part of the week is the slowest time for the theater. And, conversely, weekend performances are the busiest. So, you are more likely to get tickets--both full-price and discount--the early part of the week.
Even popular shows like Wicked and The Lion King might have have tickets (full-price, but definitely not discount ones) for weekday performances. However, don't expect to find tickets for The Book of Mormon, unless you want to pay hundreds for premium tickets, no matter what performance you are talking about.
I hope this answers your question.

doug_stallings

Broadway shows are never cheaper unless they are discounted, but one thing you'll notice about discounts is that they often do not apply to Friday or Saturday night shows. So yes, coming during the week is better. Shows are less crowded on weeknights and during matinees. Friday and Saturday night are always the toughest tickets to get (Saturday being tougher even than Friday). But as Howard points out, don't expect some super special deal just because you're willing to go to see a show on a Tuesday. Most shows are off on either Sunday or Monday or both, but there's almost always something playing.

mclaurie

Many shows are dark on Mons. But a few do have performances like Priscilla. Have a look at the left column of broadwaybox.com to see which shows are on discount. Whether you buy tickets like that or try for the TKTS booth, the shows tend to be the same ones on offer. Mon- Thurs tends to be cheaper than Fri/Sat and some of the bwaybox offers aren't good for Sat night.

mclaurie

PS if hotel prices are an issue, Sun tends to be a good night for hotel bargains. Most shows have a Sun matinee and a few have Sun evening performances. If I were coming for a theater trip, I'd consider Sun- Thurs.

traveler2005

When we came last time, we went to the tix place every day and bought what was available. We were pleased with the selection of shows (Million Dollar Quartet, Memphis, In the Heights, and Billy Elliott) although maybe our seats were not as good as if we'd reserved them further in advance at full price.

The good news is that we've seen Lion King and Wicked in their travels, so they aren't my first choices. I'd like to see Book of Mormon - but realize that isn't likely to happen this spring.

It does sound like we might be better off with hot tix availability on Monday rather than Friday.

Are matinees normally only on Wednesday and Saturday?

traveler2005

I should have said the TKTS discount booth - not hot tix.

volcanogirl

We were recently looking at getting tickets and both shows we were interested in were dark on Monday.

nytraveler

Many shows are dark on Monday. Instead of wasting time standing on line at TKTS g to broadwaybox.com and you can see which shows are routinely discounting. You take the code listed to the show's regularonline ticket seller and it will showyuoticket availbilty. This way you also get a chance at better tickets.

Bowsprit

nytraveler: Is the TKTS booth still open at the Seaport? I know you can't get 'same day' tickets there but the line is almost always short and at times, non-existent.

mclaurie

Yes, South St Seaport is still open and you CAN get same day tkts there, just not matinees. Tdf.org/tkts
Matinees are Wed, Sat and as I said, Sun.

traveler2005

Thanks, NY traveler. I went to broadwaybox.com to walk myself through it (haven't chosen plays for sure yet). The one that I chose to try it out took me to ticketmaster. Is that the normal way it works? You are still using ticketmaster and pay their fees, but get a discount on the base price of the ticket?

Bowsprit

Thanks, mclaurie. I did mean matinees, not same day. My mistake.

starrs

Yes, that's how it works. Broadwaybox.com loads in the discount code but via the link you actually buy the tickets from ticketmaster or telecharge.

doug_stallings

Book of Mormon does have a daily lottery for cheap tickets, so don't count it out completely. People in the office tell me that you can pick up a number and know your fate in less than hour. I've never done it because I've seen it already.

traveler2005

Sounds like it would be worth an investment of an hour.

volcanogirl

Doug, where do you do that - at the theater itself?

mclaurie

"I went to broadwaybox.com to walk myself through it (haven't chosen plays for sure yet). The one that I chose to try it out took me to ticketmaster. Is that the normal way it works?"

<red>Yes. Broadwaybox is not a seller, just a conduit for discounts. It will take you to either ticketmaster or telecharge, whichever is the official seller for any given show. Playbill.com and theatermania.com do the same thing but require you register for free with them for emails.</red>

"You are still using ticketmaster and pay their fees, but get a discount on the base price of the ticket?"

<red> Yes, but what you can do to avoid paying the transaction fees is print the offer off, bring it with you to NYC and go directly to EACH box office with the offer. By going to the box office, you avoid the transaction fees you pay by phone or online. But I suggest doing it before the day of the performance you want to see. I think on the same day, they send unsold tix to the TKTS booth. I have better luck at least a day or two or more before.</red>

Here's info on lottery tickets for every show offering them. You do go to the box office. http://playbill.com/celebritybuzz/ar...-Only-Policies

emalloy

Another site to look at for tickets is stubhub.com They are a legitimate reseller of tickets and if you have a printer you can print out tickets on the spot. The price of the tickets seem to vary by how many are available, but you can see which seats you are getting. They also sell tickets to sports events.

HowardR

mclaurie has given you a thoroughly explanation of the process. Whether you get tickets for a show in advance or save money by waiting until you get here to get the tickets depends on the show. For example, Sister Act and Priscilla are not doing that well and you can probably waiting until you get here and still get decent seats. For other shows, you should probably get them in advance.
So, let us know what shows interest you and we can better guide you.