BROADWAY FOR UNDER $50

There is a common misconception that you have to pay over $100/ticket for a Broadway show; or that the only deals are found waiting at the TKTS line in Times Square.  The fact is there are a TON of ways to see live professional theatre without spending a fortune.

STANDING ROOM ONLY

Some Broadway theatres offer SRO tickets.  These spots typically sell for around $30 a few hours before curtain on the day of the show.  Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, and The Book of Mormon are just a few of the hit shows that offer this option.  You don’t have to be a student and there’s no age limit.  If you’re willing to stand, you can catch these shows that sell $300 tickets for a tenth of the price.

STUDENT RUSH

For those with a student ID, discounted tickets are sold the day of the show, typically around 10am when the theatre box office opens.  Again, these typically run around $30, but unlike standing room, you get a seat.

GENERAL RUSH

Instead of a student rush, some theatres offer a general rush in which anyone can purchase one of those cheap seats when the box office opens on the day of the performance.

LOTTERY

Many hit shows like Wicked and Book of Mormon also offer a lottery. Around two to two and a half hours before show time you can put your name in a box with whoever else shows up for the lottery that day and the theatre will draw names for however many lottery seats they have available.  If your name is drawn you can score seats for as low as twenty some bucks for that evenings performance.

All of the policies listed above vary from theatre to theatre.  Check out the articles below from playbill.com to determine the policy of the show you want to see. 

Broadway Discount Ticket Policies.

http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/82428-Broadway-Rush-Lottery-and-Standing-Room-Only-Policies

Off Broadway Discount Ticket Policies.

http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/144419-Off-Broadway-Rush-Standing-Room-and-Inexpensive-Ticket-Policies

Some only have student rush.  Some have rush and standing room.  Some only have a lottery.  Almost all of these discounted tickets must be purchased with cash only.  Each theatre also has its own policy on how many of these discounted tickets each person can get and what time those tickets are drawn or go on sale. 

Know that the popularity of a show will have a huge impact on the likelihood of you getting tickets.  The Book of Mormon lottery gives away about 20 tickets, but hundreds of people show up.  They also have a standing room line that starts forming in the morning even though those tickets aren’t sold until a couple hours before show time.  Jersey Boys, however, also offers standing room and rarely has a line, even when it’s time for the tickets to go on sale- not because it’s not a great show or it’s unpopular, but because it’s been around for almost 7 years whereas Book of Mormon is still the latest craze.

In addition to all of these amazing deals some Broadway theatre companies offer even more discounts through free membership programs.

HIPTIX

The Roundabout Theatre Company- which is always producing Broadway shows, the Tony award winning revival of Anything Goes being among them- offers a free program called HIPTIX.  They offer $20 tickets, available for advance purchase.  You have to be between 18-35, but no student ID required, just proof of age.  Each member can purchase two tickets, so your older friends and parents can come along as guests.

http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/HipTix.aspx

LINCTIX

Lincoln Center Theatre, home of the hit show War Horse and many others, offers a similar program for 21-35 year olds.  These tickets are available for advance purchase and cost $30.

http://www.lct.org/linctixMain.htm

30 UNDER 30

This is Manhattan Theatre Clubs version of the discounted ticketing program.  Again, you can purchase these cheap tickets and bring a guest of any age.

https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/30under30/30under30-details.htm

In addition to all these programs, sites like playbill and broadwaybox are always putting out new coupon codes for Broadway show tickets.  The deals are endless.  The best way to find them is to do a little bit of internet research or go to the theatre’s box office.  These shows perform 8 times a week and they have thousands of seats to fill, they’ll do what they need to to fill it up, and you can benefit from the discount.  So use this information and go see live theatre.  With discounts like this, Broadway can be an affordable luxury.