After a long day at BEA, the siren call of HBO and minibar snacks in your hotel is hard to resist. But trust us when we say that nothing on cable can compete with the live entertainment on Broadway. Catching a show on the Great White Way has always been a quintessential New York City experience, and it's worth the effort to snag a ticket. Just sitting under glittering chandeliers waiting for the lights to go up, you'll get a second wind and you'll completely forget your tired feet when it's time for a standing ovation. Here are our tips for securing the least-expensive seats.
Rush Tickets
The cheapest--though chanciest--ticket opportunities are found at participating theater box offices on the day of the performance. These tickets, usually about $25, may be distributed by lottery and are usually for front-row (possibly neck-craning) seats. Check the box office or the theater directory in the New York Times to discover current shows offering this kind of deal or similarly priced "rush" offers. Obstructed-view seats or those in the very rear balcony are sometimes available for advanced purchase; the price of these is usually in the $35-$40 range. Keep two things in mind: these tickets are very competitive for popular shows and lines for them often form during work hours, making it hard to squeeze it into your day.
Day-Of Bargains
For seats at 25%-50% off the usual price, go to the TKTS booth (Duffy Sq. at W. 47th St. and Broadway). Although they tack on a $4 per ticket service charge and not all shows are predictably available, the broad choices and ease of selection--and, of course, the solid discount--make TKTS the go-to source for the flexible theatergoer. Check the electronic listings board near the ticket windows to mull over your options while you're on line. At the snazzily updated Duffy Square location (look for the bright red glass staircase), there is a separate play-only window to further simplify and speed things. Hours are Monday-Saturday 3-8 (for evening performances); for Wednesday and Saturday matinees 10-2; for Sunday matinees 11-3; Sunday evening shows, from 3 until a half hour before curtain. Credit cards, cash or traveler's checks are accepted. Check out the Web site before you go; it lists what was available at the booths in the previous week to give you an idea of what shows you'll find. It also notes whether they're "frequently," "occasionally," "rarely" or "never" available at their booths.
Discounts in Advance
For advanced discount purchases, the best seating is likely available by using a discount "code"--procure these 20%-50%-off codes online. Several Web sites offer these types of codes. (You will need to register on each Web site.) The broadwaybox.com site provides a compilation of all discount codes available; bestofoffbroadway.com does the same but concentrates on the smaller shows off the Great White Way. With TheaterMania and Playbill, you must bring a printout of the offer to the box office, and make your purchase there.
So what are our top theater picks during BEA?
For sheer star power, catch Exit the King starring Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 W. 47th St., between Broadway and 8th Ave., 212-239-6200; Shubert Organization). This 1928 Elizabethan theater is decked out with two stone archways.
Broadway workhorse Matthew Broderick is taking on the absurdist play The Philanthropist at American Airlines Theatre (227 W. 42nd St., between 7th and 8th Aves., 212-719-1300; Roundabout Theatre Company). This splendidly restored 1918 Venetian-style playhouse--the venerable home to the works of Coward, Kaufman and Porter in their heyday--is now home to the Roundabout Theatre Company, which is acclaimed for its revivals of classic musicals and plays.
Entering into a limited run, Desire Under the Elms showcases the acting chops of Brian Dennehy. Productions take place in the St. James Theater (246 W. 44th St., between Broadway and 8th Ave., 212-269-6300) where a little show called Oklahoma! premiered.
For more New York City recommendations, check out Fodor's New York City 2009, the guide the New York Times calls "the can't-go-wrong choice" or visit fodors.com.