Theater
Unlike a trip to the movies, a night at the theater requires some advanced research and good planning. Fortunately, the Internet can give you a hand finding your way to the stage. On the Web you'll find tools to buy tickets, research shows, read news and reviews, and plan a theater vacation. Whatever your theater interests are, you can explore them on Internet.
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If you're flexible about what you see, there are lots of opportunities to purchase show tickets for less than full price. There are Web sites that provide special discount codes that can save you money. Search their listings to see what shows are available at a reduced price; they will provide you with your code when you click the links to purchase your tickets.
If you're willing to wait until a few hours before the show, you can buy tickets at one of the many "half-price" booths around the country. Or in New York City, you can go directly to the theater and get lottery, standing room only, or student rush tickets. Or, if you're willing to be even more creative, you can see a show for next to nothing. Be a volunteer usher at many of New York's theaters. Or, be a "professional extra" and fill seats when shows need an audience.
- The discount code is a combination of letters and numbers (i.e., DULCI557). The Web sites can provide you with the code, but you need to remember to enter it yourself. When you click to purchase your tickets there will be a place on the order form to enter your discount code. Make sure you don't forget! Often there's no prompt to enter a discount code-only a small, empty box and a fine-print label. (In other words, the ticketing agent would be more than happy if you forgot!)
- Some sites require you to become a member before accessing discounts. Membership is almost always free, and when you sign up you'll have the option of receiving e-mail notifications of upcoming deals.
For general discounts ...
BroadwayBox.com
lets you view discount codes free of charge with no membership requirements. The site also offers reviews and ratings of shows, and even links to sites that will sell you regular-price tickets if you cannot find what you're looking for at a discount. It's no coincidence that there is also a link to a site that sells tickets to sold-out shows....BroadwayBox's parent site is TicketsboxUSA.com
TheaterMania
also offers discount codes but requires that you become a member, free of charge. The page also has theater news and advertises the hottest deals.
The Theater Development Fund
allows members to buy tickets to Broadway shows for just $32. Visit the
membership page to find out if you qualify to join. Quite a few people are eligible: students, teachers, union members, seniors, and clergymen, just to name a few. If you qualify, it's the best bargain out there.
For last minute deals ...
America Performs
, as listed earlier in the section on local theaters, is the Web site for national and international local arts coalitions. This page on their site lists half-price booths where you can purchase discount tickets.
TKTS
posts information such as hours and locations for New York's two TKTS booths on this site. You won't know what shows are available until you get there, but checking online to see what was at the
booths last week can give you a clue.
Playbill.com
provides a list of all the shows that offer lottery, standing room only (SRO), or student rush tickets. It also explains each theater's policy for dispensing those seats.
For seeing shows for free ...
AtlanticTheater.org
, the official Web site of New York's Atlantic Theater Company, tells you everything you need to know about ushering at their shows.
NYmag.com
provides a list of all the New York houses that have volunteer usher programs, along with contact information for each.
Audience Extras
has a homepage that provides a great explanation of how extra services work. This company highlights opportunities to see Off-Broadway shows, although they do offer Broadway shows as well. They use proceeds to give cash grants to not-for-profit theaters.
Maybe you are feeling ambitious and want to take a theater trip to London or New York. If the idea ... read more »
Maybe going to the theater isn't quite enough for you. Maybe you want to know everything there is ... read more »
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