Almost Free Theater!

Many of you want to see a Broadway show when you come to NYC and I don't need to tell you how frighteningly expensive this pursuit can be.  Still, a live show is an unforgetable experience and those of us who are lucky enough to live here have found several ways to "never pay retail."

By now most people know about the TKTS booth, operated by the Theater Development Fund.

You must wait on line, but you are rewarded with a half price ticket on the day of the show. Booths are located in Manhattan in the Theater District, at the South Street Seaport, and in Brooklyn.  Check the link to get hours of operation and remember the earlier you get there, the better your chance of getting the show you want.



While you're at the website, you may want to check your availability for TDF membership. I have been a member for years and it is one of the best Broadway bargains around.  As a member, you can order tickets online.  There is a better selection, no line and the tickets are held for you at the box office.

Because everyone is desperate now to see  Hamilton (and if you are not, you definitely should be)

I wanted to find out more about something I heard about a few years ago.  Many Broadway theaters sell rush, lottery, and/or Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets.  Designed originally for students, it has expanded to the 99% of us who cannot afford the astronomical ticket prices charged for Broadway shows.

Before I go further, let me divert a minute here to say that I do not criticize the actors, musicians and tech people who bring us these marvelous productions.  It is close to impossible to make a decent living in the arts and those who make it to Broadway are worth every penny.

The issue, in my opinion, is the general lack of government support for the arts in this country. When my daughter was young, we got involved in an Off-Off Broadway theater troop that put on a sold out 10 show run of Annie.  At $25 a ticket, with an all volunteer cast, this wonderful production barely broke even.  A startling lesson in theater economics...but I digress.

Click on this link to Playbill's rundown of Rush tickets.  It is a list of every theater's current policies on rush, lottery, & SRO tickets.   You have to get up early and stand on a line, but a $10 ticket to see the hip hop American History musical is worth whatever you have to do to get it!

I saw Hamilton when it was in previews at the Public Theater.  It was a fundraiser for the Morris Jumel Mansion, a history-filled tourist attraction in my neighborhood.  My son, who had Lin- Manuel Miranda for a substitute teacher when he was in 7th grade (!) took me to see the play on my birthday!  Former Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner was in the audience, and we had better seats!  It is no exaggeration to say this is a transformative experience.  You laugh, cry, and learn about American history, while groovin' to some down and dirty hip hop!  Seriously, I am inarticulate in expressing how extraordinary this musical is.
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I'm headed to the free water aerobics class at the High Bridge pool tomorrow morning to stay cool.  If you enjoyed this blog, please forward it to a friend.  Sign up to receive it by email or to comment.

Stay calm & carry on...Lori