How to Find Discounted NYC Broadway Tickets

Andrew Rannels of the Broadway hit, "The Book of Mormon."

In 2011, the average ticket for the top Broadway show, "The Book of Mormon," cost $147. The top price was $477. With prices that high, some people are willing to take the risk and try to get a discounted ticket the day before or day of the show. There are some venues in New York that make that option possible.

Instructions

1. Visit any of the discount sites online. As of 2011, just a few of the options were broadwaybox.com, theatermania.com and tickets4Broadway.com. Some of them claim to have tickets up to 50 percent off the face value. Ask about service charges before you commit to a purchase.

2. Check the theater itself for rush tickets. These discounted tickets are usually available a few hours before show time when the theater knows it has empty seats to fill. It may be limited to certain groups, like students, and may have some restrictions. For examples, rush tickets may only be available for cash, and one person may only get two at a time.

3. Try the TKTS discount booths, which sell tickets at 10 to 40 percent off the face value. This is a hit or miss if you are hoping for one specific show. The booths are in Times Square, South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn. The Times Square Booth sells day-of-performance tickets. The Seaport and Brooklyn booths sell tickets to evening performances that day or matinee shows the next day.

4. SRO (standing room only) tickets can cost as little as $25 at some theaters. They are sold on a first come first serve basis the day of the show, but if you go earlier than the designated time you will not be allowed to get a ticket. The tickets are standing room only as stated, but if someone does not arrive for a reserved seat, you may get a chance to sit down.

References

• Theater Mania
• TDF: TKTS Discount Booths
• Playbill: Broadway Rush, Lottery and Standing Room Only Policies: September 2011

Resources

• Broadway World