Discount Tips for Catching a Broadway Show

Nothing is quite as magical as seeing a show on Broadway. The theatrics, the sense of wonder, the escapist pleasure of following a musical on stage: a visitor's first Broadway show is always memorable. One thing it ain't is cheap. With shows sometimes running upwards of $100 each, some folks blow through the Big Apple never checking off Broadway from their bucket list. Here are some tips for avoiding high ticket costs and seeing this year’s Wicked and Book of Mormon.

Pre-trip research

You’ve booked your flight and accommodations, and have figured there's time to swing by the Great White Way for a night out. You seek out shows you’ve heard about, only for sticker shock to set in.

One route for obtaining discount tickets prior to your trip is to sign-up for discount newsletters and websites, which will offer you tickets as high as 50% off. Playbill Club, TheaterMania and Hit Show Club are good bets. PC sends weekly listings for deals, while sometimes, TheaterMania will offer up same day discounts that can be reserved online, with prices cut 40 to 50%. Hit Show Club offers mostly Broadway shows (no off or off-off Broadway), but the deals are still comparable to the first two. Lastly, check out the Web sites and Facebook pages of the shows themselves: sometimes, they offer fans special promo codes.

In New York City

Start your search for discount tickets by checking out Playbill’s extensive listing of shows. Determine what you want to see and take down the number for the box office. The deepest discounts come from standing room and rush tickets, which can cost as low as $25-$30. Contact the box office directly to learn when these tickets go on sale and when you should show up to snag them. You’ll have to stop by a few hours prior to the show starts – often with cash in hand – but you’d be surprised at what shows you can see.

Alternately, check out the TKTS Booths in Manhattan (Times Square and South Street Seaport) or downtown Brooklyn. Operated by the Theater Development Fund, TKTS offers tickets around $50-$75 for same day tickets.

Pro-tips

Hot ticket items like Book of Mormon and Kinky Boots will be hard to procure standing room, rush or discount tickets, as the crowds are still clamoring for seats. While this can be a disappointment, it is a clue: see those shows that are less hyped. Long-running shows or those close to closing have the deepest discounts but can still be as transformative and wondrous as the big names. On that note, don’t rule out Off-Broadway (and off-off) shows! You don’t often need the discounts, as they’ll already be affordable from the get-go. Some of these are the year’s sleeper hits, and besides, you’ll have that much more street cred when you return home.

What Broadway show would you like to see?

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.