And while we're on oldies, but goodies, why not consider 'Chicago?' I don't know anyone who didn't enjoy it.

Tell me what shows you saw last week and what you thought of them. I would love to hear.

I always get tickets from the half price ticket booth in Times Square or at the Seaport when I am in NYC. There is always something there I want to see. Unless you absolutely must see a specific show, why pay full price. The last time I did this, I saw "Mary Poppins"--which I enjoyed very much.

Eventually "Wicked" will be on half price too but you need to wait awhile.

I should have added: My "Mary Poppins" ticket last spring cost about $62 if my memory serves me correctly. First row in the mezzanine on the side. Great seat, great price and great show!

Have you tried the official ticket site for Wicked, which is Ticketmaster? Clearly you are looking at scalper tickets as the regular prices for tickets bought direct are NOT that high. Of course it's a very popular show and many performances are sold out, but many others, particularly mid week DO have tickets available at the regular prices (generally $110 --not $180 or more).

Budgetqueen's comment about the discount offers being cheaper than TKTS is misleading. The discount offer tickets can be cheaper, BUT the seats would not be as good. Thus you are paying less for CHEAPER seats at a discount offer for less than you would pay at TKTS for the MOST EXPENSIVE (and obviously better) tickets.
The discount offers usually are in the range of 60-65% of the regular price, while at TKTS, you can usually get Broadway shows for 50% off, plus a small handling fee (either $2 or $3 a ticket), I forget which).

Well, either way is better than paying full price in my book. I am not saying TKTS is always the cheapest way. For me it is just convenient. I am not one of these people who plans each and every minute of a trip in advance because I do not like to be locked into a schedule.

It goes without saying that ticket brokers always seem to have tickets to any show you want, but those tickets come with a price.

Howard, I'm confused by your statement to Budget Queen, "The discount offer tickets can be cheaper, BUT the seats would not be as good." Most of the time the discount coupons are good for best seats available (although recently there have been a few exceptions to that). And since you can use the coupon offer at a box office weeks or sometimes months ahead of the performance, for the most part you will have a much better selection of seats and more opportunity for "good" seats than getting them at TKTS the day of the performance.

One point also worth making is that for us out-of-towners, doing advance coupon purchases by phone or internet costs a lot in the extra fees. But if you can take your coupon to the actual box office and use it, you save those fees.

Patrick, maybe I didn't express it the best way. My point is that it is possible to get the cheaper-priced seats on a discount offer which would cost you less than if you went to TKTS and got the more expensive seats at half price. Now, is it clear?
Incidentally, just about all of the discount ticket offers I've gotten lately include discounts for all priced tickets. In fact, the last couple times I used an offer, I was glad they had all priced tickets on the offer, because there were none of the highest-priced ones available, so I had to settle for the less than best.

OH, yes. I see. You're talking about getting the cheapest seats with the discount coupon as opposed to getting the more expensive seats at TKTS. Yes, that is true. But recently there have been some discounts for more than 50% that include the best seats.

The best deal is when you have your sister doing wardrobe for a show and get a comp.

Hasn't happened in awhile, but sweet when it does. It doesn't happen for shows like "Wicked" which is always sold out.

Is this show that amazing?

In their day, Gypsy, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Most Happy Fellow, Guys and Dolls, My One and Only, Sweet Charity, and Phantom of the Opera were amazing, but, in my opinion, Wicked is not in the same category as these and a dozen other amazing musicals I might list.

I don't much like "Phantom of the Opera". I thought the high point was when the chandelier descended. It went downhill from that. I saw it ONE TIME. That was it. Yuk!

What you like is personal. The American musical theater is relying on revivals because the current ones, in my opinion, are mediocre with some exceptions. Besides "Mary Poppins", I really enjoyed "Spamalot". I saw "Spamalot" in DC. I just loved the number, "You can't go to Broadway without Jews." Of course, I'm Jewish so that could explain it.

I vote for a traditional show, or even a current "classic" such as The Lion King or The Color Purple. You can always opt for the same day box office ticket places, but your plans would have to be very flexible.

I saw Phantom of the Opera in the early to mid nineties and I loved it! I also lucked out and got third row tickets. You have provided good insight and information. Kudos to you.

Ummmm. The Color Purple closed on Broadway over a year ago!

"Ummmmmmmmmmm"

Oh NeoP...not you tooooo

I thought it was still touring. Shows how often I actually get to enjoy the shows.

Re: Wicked

Hated it.

Loved the book.

Just a comment about my reply using printed out offers- playbill, broadway box etc. I HAVE gotten excellent seats using these the day of the show, compared to what TKTS had available. I did this recently in Dec for Hairspray, which ended up being $15 cheaper for row 8 center orc. Last did the same for Pay Joey, slightly cheaper because of no fees, for row 4 aisle left center orc.

I'm only offering another booking option, since the lines at TKTS can be long. After 9-11 it seemed, there was way more tolerance for questions and decision making at the counter. Years ago, you essentially had to have your choices and alternatives in place. At the agent, have your money in hand and take what was spit out at you, NEXT!!!

I've been going to TKTS since they opened 30 years ago. And they just now allow Credit card use.