Cheap, last-minute show in NYC?
 

I'm flying out to NYC this weekend (a last-minute trip, didn't really have time to plan much) and have Saturday night free. I would love to catch a show and was hoping for some recommendations. I was hoping for something not too expensive (maybe around $50 or so per ticket?) and am open to most types of shows (musicals, plays, opera, dance, etc). I know that the big broadway shows tend to sell out early (and are quite pricey), so I was hoping for some insider recommendations on alternative (but still high quality) shows.

The answer is to go to a TKTS office. Here is the link: http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56

Tickets at $50 is cutting it close. Be flexible.

These are the shows that were available at TKTs at various times last week:

ANYTHING GOES*
CHICAGO
GODSPELL
HOW TO SUCCEED...
JERSEY BOYS*
MAMMA MIA!
MARY POPPINS*
MEMPHIS*
OTHER DESERT CITIES
PORGY AND BESS*
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
ROCK OF AGES
SEMINAR
SISTER ACT
SPIDER-MAN
STICK FLY
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA*
THE ROAD TO MECCA
VENUS IN FUR
WIT

I put an asterisk next to shows I like or would like to see.

HTTY

Have a look at broadwaybox.com to see which shows are discounting. You can get the discount code, go to the show's web site, pick out seats and have them hekld fo ryou at the box office.

Of the ones on the list I think I would choose Anything Goes if you haven;t seen it.

Most Broadway shows are not going to cost $50 at TKTS. They're going to cost $65 to $75, though some plays can be cheaper. Look for an off-Broadway show (there are usually several available at TKTS).

I'd actually consult Time Out to see what's going on. There's so much to do (music, comedy, plays, opera, symphony, etc.) that you can almost always find something good that's not sold out far in advance.

Great, thanks for the recommendations. I'm definitely open to all sorts of shows (off-broadway or off-off-broadway would be perfectly fine). I'll definitely take a look at Time Out.

I also heard good things about the NYC Opera (much less pricey than the Metropolitan Opera). Anyone gone to any of their shows?

<i>I also heard good things about the NYC Opera (much less pricey than the Metropolitan Opera). Anyone gone to any of their shows?</i>

I went years ago when Beverly Sills was with the company. It was excellent. I would love to see their current production--La Traviata. I'm sure it's very well done despite what the NY Times says: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/ar...-traviata.html

HTTY

Your options for discount tickets for a Saturday evening performance (the most popular one of the week) are going to be relatively slim. You're likely to find that fewer than half the shows listed above will have tickets available at TKTS for Saturday evening. And, Doug is right on about the price. You'll few if any Broadway show tickets available for less than $65. Discounted Off-Broadway shows will fit your budget.

See my Feb thread. If you like political Satire, the Thalia Follies is great. I saw Primary Colors yesterday. The price is reasonable and the attached Thalia Bar is fun!

thestarryeye.typepad.com/explorenyc

Just to report back, I did check out the TKTS booth, but lines were really, really long (I know some people are great about patiently waiting; I just can't do it).

I ended up checking out NYC Opera's La Traviata. Turns out they had a special with all tickets in the house being $25. I don't know what the NYC opera was like before it moved to Brooklyn, but this production was pretty amazing (I may be biased because I love Verdi, but still...).

Forget the last posting by a first-timer! A typical attempt at a free ad. It's just not what the poster claims.

This forum have useful information! I will recommend it to other friends~