How do I get tickets the day of performance for a Broadway show?

September 23, 2005 7:52 AM

I will be in New York City on Sunday for a few hours (from about 10am to 7pm). I would like to attend the 2pm show of Avenue Q. What is the best way for me to get tickets without spending 2-3 hours standing in line at the box office trying to get standby/lottery seats? Is this even possible?
posted by anastasiav to Media & Arts (13 answers total)

Best answer: arrive at the tkts booth in times square IMMEDIATELY upon your arrival. the lines look worse than they really are and Avenue Q happens to be one of the discount shows being offered. you won't have to wait long, you'll get a cheap-er seat and you'll have a few hours to go get drunk and eat before the show
posted by Makebusy7 at 7:57 AM on September 23, 2005

You could also try asking or searching on Craigslist.
posted by ducksauce at 7:57 AM on September 23, 2005

Best answer: I've heard the same thing -- that the TKTS line usually looks bad but isn't. Besides, there aren't too many options, so it's worth a shot. Good luck -- Ave Q is a great show.
posted by danb at 8:02 AM on September 23, 2005

Best answer: I've done the TKTS thing with my theater-going parents; I doubt you'd be waiting longer than 20 minutes.
posted by bcwinters at 8:06 AM on September 23, 2005

Best answer: I just tried through Telecharge, and was allowed to purchase a ticket: 1 Ticket, Left Orchestra Row C, Seat 115, 5 rows from Stage. Seat 115 is 8 seats off aisle.

They're pricey: $96 or so. Are you hoping to find them at a reduced cost? Were you not able to buy them online? (Am I overlooking something?) Also: BroadwayBox.com is a good resource to find discount codes for tickets. Unfortunately, they seem to be for the later shows.

Just tried again and found 2 tickets available: 2 Tickets, Right Orchestra Row P, Seats 126-128. 17 rows from Stage. Seat 126 is 13 seats off aisle.

I must not have understood your question, methinks.
posted by Hankins at 8:17 AM on September 23, 2005

Response by poster: Hankins -- interesting, Telecharge told me last night that the show was sold out for that date and time.
posted by anastasiav at 8:23 AM on September 23, 2005

TKTS link
Looks like you would have to go to the Times Square location which opens at 11:00.
posted by exogenous at 8:30 AM on September 23, 2005

Avenue Q doesn't have a line for standing room; they do a lottery, so you wouldn't have to wait for hours- it starts and finishes in half an hour. It's always worth a shot- tickets are in the front row, and they're $25. Read about it at TalkinBroadway.com (go to their Rush Pages).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:36 AM on September 23, 2005 [1 favorite]

TKTS is cash only, which can surprise people.
posted by smackfu at 8:41 AM on September 23, 2005

I wouldn't get your hopes up for the lottery, esp. on the weekends. The standby line can definitely work if you are in the first 10 people or so. If not, I wouldn't bother. TKTS might work, but I wouldn't guarantee it either. (Ave. Q is a popular target now.)

I would just try calling telecharge back, or, better yet, continually trying online. A ticket in hand is worth three in the bush.
posted by deadfather at 8:53 AM on September 23, 2005

My dad's visiting me from the UK, and I went to line up for tickets for a matinée show at TKTS on Wednesday morning this week. I started lining up at around 10AM and had my tickets by around 11AM. YMMV, but by the time I was at the front of the line, it was twice as long as it had been at 10AM - this may vary especially as it will be a Sunday. Having said that, the line moved a lot quicker than I thought it would (as others have mentioned). Two things... take something to read, unless you enjoy reading all the billboards and LED signs in Times Square (they are curiously engaging), and don't count on being able to use your cellphone while you wait, as the 'entertainers' and other general Times Square noises can make both ends of a phone conversation unintelligble.

We went to see "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" starring John Lithgow (highly recommended if anyone's looking for a tip) and paid about $51 for each ticket - getting some great seats.

The cashiers at the booth are pretty abrupt, and will basically give you the best seats available straight away... oh, and take cash (or travelers' checks) - no credit cards.

Having re-read your post, - it doesn't seem like you are in it for the cheap tickets, just the seats, so go with Telecharge if you can.
posted by DannyUKNYC at 8:59 AM on September 23, 2005

Um, it appears from the TKTS faq's that they are not open on Sunday and to get tickets to the Sunday matinee, you actually have to be there on Saturday. Unless I'm totally missing something?
posted by dpx.mfx at 1:39 PM on September 23, 2005

Nevermind, I just saw what I was missing.
posted by dpx.mfx at 1:40 PM on September 23, 2005