TKTS Booth question
 

I've been to NYC a few times in the past year. Everytime that I've gone I've purchased theatre tickets ahead of time via Telecharge than when I got there I noticed the show I was going to see had tickets at the TKTS booth. I don't want that to happen again! :-(

I'll be going to NYC in Nov. for the Thansgiving weekend. Since that is a heavily-traveled weekend in NYC, are there not many tickets available at the booth that weekend? I want to see "Avenue Q" and "Take Me Out" and I'm wondering if I'll be able to get tickets at the TKTS booth for those shows? I'd hate to get there and be disappointed, but that is the rationale I've used every time I've bought tickets ahead of time, and they wind up being there anyway!

You might also try Playbill.com. It lists shows for which they have discounts - and they are probably the ones you'll get at TKTS. You'll have to register at playbill but it's free. (I believe TKTS has a website and you can find out which plays were available on particular days)

As you must know, the TKTS inventory changes from day to day, so it's impossible to tell what will be "up" on Thanksgiving weekend.

The TKTS website http://www.tdf.org provides a listing of shows that were available the previous week, so as your visit approaches you can get some idea of the shows that will probably be on the board.

Thanks for the responses. Yeah, I have the site that lists what shows had tickets up for that week, but it's not indicative of what'll be up there 4 months from now. I guess it's just a gamble to put off buying the tickets to something you really want to see! :-)

It's unrealistic to expect what's going to be available for half price four months from now. Some of the shows now playing might not even be running by Thanksgiving.

The New York Times recently ran an article titled "How Much Did Your Seat Cost?" You would need to register at the Times site and access the article within the next couple of days to get it for free.

It was very interesting to learn that theaters are now using some of the same yield management techniques used by airlines to fill empty seats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/20/ar...bd&ei=5070

From everything I've heard about Avenue Q, it looks like it may be the next Hairspray or Producers.

I would get my tickets now as you are going at one of the busiest times of the year.

Other sites that list what's recently been available on TKTS:
newyork.citysearch.com/feature/34843/
www.curtainup.com/tkts.html

Other sites that offer advance sale discounts:
hitshowclub.com
theatermania.com

Avenue Q does currently have discounts available.

Don't beat yourself up too much. A lot of the times the tickets at TKTS are in the upper mezz and on the side. You may have paid more through Telecharge, but I am sure you got better seats. I would absolutely purchase tickets ahead for a holiday weekend. Even if the tickets end up being available on TKTS, do you really want to spend hours of precious vacation time standing in, what is sure to be, a very, very long line?

I;ve used the ticket booth a few times (including this past weekend) and have always had luck with really good seats. We were 13th row orchestra this weekend. However, it's only a good option if you don't want to spend alot of money AND you aren't determined to see only one or two specific shows. The city was very busy this past weekend, but the line was only 45 minutes long. We found tickets for our fourth choice show - which we ended up loving so it worked out.

All that said, if you are set on seeing a specific show, buy the tickets beforehand.

On average, the tickets I have purchased at TKTS have been better than those I bought in advance.

Keith

If it were me, I'd buy the tickets NOW on one of the discount websites mentioned (ie playbill, theatermania etc.) They may not be quite as cheap as the TKTS booth, but you don't have to stand in line & you know you've got what you want.

I just realized you're talking about Thanksgiving weekend. What's available now at TKTS may not be available then. Right now it's slow season so lots more is avilable. Thanksgiving is high season. Much less to chhose form on the TKTS line.

I just wanted to make sure you understand that Thanksgiving weekend is not like ANY other weekend in NYC. There are a dozen or so high school bands that come into town for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. They buy up blocks of tickets at group rates, months in advance for the big musicals--42nd St., Millie, Aida, etc. You are taking a big chance by waiting until the last minute. Yes, there are times when you get great seats (if you are in front on the line or if by some chance house seats open up), but the odds are not with you on Thanksgiving weekend.