Does anybody know the cheapest way to buy tickets for Chicago - we will be in NYC at a busy time and so I do not want to count on the kiosk in Times Square, I'd prefer to buy them online on by phone. Thanks!

By a "busy time," I assume you mean the year-end holiday season. If that's the case, you're not going to have many, if any, options other that waiting in line at TKTS....and there might not even be any available there for the performance you want during that period.
Since that is the busiest time of the year, discount offers for Chicago may be non-existant.
I think you'll have to either bite the bullet and pay full price to guarantee that you get tickets or wait in line at TKTS.

Howard is probably right, but here's one thing you can try.
Call 212-947-8844 and use code number CH725TM (this is from TheatreMania). If there are tickets available for your dates you can save up to 35% and get them in advance.

There is also a TKTS booth downtown, and it opens earlier, 10am, and there is usually not much of a line. You also get the pick of the shows before the TKTS booth opens in Times Square.

The downtown booth is on the back of the Prudential Building at Water and Fulton St.

Have a fun time while you are here.

Thanks everybody! I looked at discounts and they all seem to expire before we are going. I just hate paying that big handling fee at broadway.com.

Unfortunately, the only way to avoid the $5-7 per ticket handling fee is to buy them at the box office. So, your only alternative is to take a chance and go right to the box office as soon as you get to the city! Exactly, which dates are you talking about?

Hi Howard, We are looking at going to a show Dec 27. Do you think I could get decent tickets at the Chicago box office? Thanks.

That's a tough call. You want to go on a Thursday night during the busiest week of the year. And, Thursday is a popular night.
You might trying going to the Telecharge website or calling them now (800-432-7250) to check on current availability. (I had no luck with the website just now in trying to find out current availability. Maybe you'll ahve better luck.) That might give you an idea of whether you can wait until you get here to get tickets, i.e., how good or bad the choices are now should give you some idea about whether there'll be any tickets if you wait. Also, keep in mind that if you wait, obviously there's a good chance that if there are seats available,they probably won't be very good.

Howard, look at your calendar. I think Dec. 27 is a Monday, not a Thursday. Not that is makes much difference in what you say, as it is all very true, I'm sure! The last time I did the week between Christmas and New Year's in NYC I did my tickets about 6 months ahead and paid full price for nearly everything!

Ooops, you're right Patrick. I have no idea what calendar I was looking at!
Being a Monday night may make this whole discussion academic, as the show may not be performing that night! (Which may also explain why I couldn't access info on the website!)
Thus, I would suggest you call telecharge and find out if the show is even performing that night!

www.playbill.com

wliwl, the bottom line is you are either going to have to pick a less popular play that week or pay a higher price.

Everything is at a premium that week.

Well, if "cheapest" is out, then the best seats I've gotten have been at the theatre box office a few hours before the show. I've enjoyed front row center tickets this way. I think unused VIP tickets may be released for sale to the public the morning of the show. Whatever...there is no service charge and I've been delighted with my seats.

Just for the record VIP seats will never be front row center, usually some of the worst seats in the house.
But sometimes you can get released VIP or "house" seats at the box office on the day of the show at regular prices. They are usually 5th to 10th row center, depending upon the theatre.

Yes, it would be a serendipity to get great seats at the last minute. But, if you're set on seeing a show, I would not put all my eggs into that basket.
In fact, around holiday time, I know from experience that these seats are often in great demand!