Spontaneity can be fun, but not when you’re looking for last-minute Broadway tickets. Making the trek to Times Square with your favorite show in mind only to find that you have very little chance of seeing it that same day is a huge letdown. There are, however, lesser-known ways to help you in your quest for that coveted seat.
Go to box offices or TKTS booths around an hour before showtime.
Here’s a little-known fact: Often, a Broadway production—particularly a buzzy one—will release unutilized house seats, press seats, or seats designated for friends and family at this time. And because of their VIP-ish nature, they’re always excellent locations and views. The seats usually won’t be in the “premium” category, so you can purchase tickets at regular cost—and if you’re lucky, possibly at TKTS for even less.
Speaking of TKTS…head on down!
Depending on the day and whether you go to the Times Square or Lincoln Center location, TKTS is swarmed with people when it opens at either 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. But good things can also come to those who wait. If you hold off for even a few hours, you can waltz right on up to buy tickets for a show, and chances are there will still be options to choose from. If you’re not close by but want to see what’s being offered in real time, check out its website, TKTS Live, which provides live updates.
Linger around the entry lines and see if anyone gets stood up or won’t make the show.
Seriously, this method has been known to work, but be incredibly careful trying it. There are a lot of scammers out there who sell fraudulent tickets and they will get flagged. But if you see a sweet-looking theatergoer looking to unload an unused ticket due to travel complications or illness, or a group that suddenly got a little smaller, they might be looking to sell those unused seats to you for nothing more than a parking garage fee.
What Are Broadway Rush Tickets?If you’ve got the stamina, consider a standing room ticket.
Sure, it’s less comfort-based, but if you’ve ever sat in those cramped Broadway seats, the luxury of stretching your legs seems more and more desirable. Also, if a show is sold out, standing room tickets are often available for considerably cheaper. And best of all, you’ll rarely have any obstructions and you’ll get a terrific view of the stage, whether you’re on the orchestra or mezzanine level. (Broadway’s Ambassador and James Earl Jones theaters have great standing room views, just to name a few.) Plus, if seats go unused or open up, an usher will often offer them to you, so you get a good deal for a steal.
Consider seeing a talented understudy when someone has called out of a show.
There’s nothing like seeing one of your favorite luminaries in a plum role, but if they happen to be off for an illness, a personal day, or a planned vacation, you may find that many more tickets are available for those performances, and with even better seats to choose from. And because of the unbelievable talent pool in New York City these days, you could be seeing one of the brightest stars of tomorrow in a key role, giving you “I knew them back when…” bragging rights.
Among the gifted thespians I’ve seen as understudies before their breaks are Ariana DeBose, Sutton Foster, Danny Burstein, and Norbert Leo Butz, who have no less than five Tonys and an Oscar among them.