Scotty’s Favorite Things
This used to be a widespread offer pre-covid, luckily many theaters are opening up again to this awesome program. Here are a few that currently participate:
Playwrights Horizons: email [email protected] with “ADD TO LIST” in the subject line.
Rattlestick Theatre: email [email protected].
Cherry Lane Theatre: email [email protected].
Lucille Lortel Theatre: email [email protected] and ask to be added to the future list, they will be opening up the program at the end of 2022.
Rush tickets are available at the last minute — some theaters offer them 2 hours before the show, while others offer them the morning of a performance. To get a rush ticket, you usually need to line up at the theater before the designated time. The more popular the show, the earlier you should arrive. The number of rush tickets depends on the theater and seat availability. Be sure to check the theater’s website — some offer online rush seating, so you don’t have to be there in person.
Student rush tickets work like general rush tickets, but they’re limited to students. Usually, you need to bring a current student ID to qualify.
Check out this 2022 Playbill article as well as broadwayforbrokepeople.com for a list of participating theaters.
Lottery: Broadway lotteries allow you to enter your name into a drawing for tickets. A few hours before the show, theater staff draw a set number of names; the winners get to buy heavily discounted tickets. Some Broadway shows require you to submit your entry in person and be present for the drawing; others, like Hamilton, allow you to enter online.
Not all, but many Broadway shows offer some form of digital lottery with platforms like TodayTix and BroadwayDirect. Similar to rush tickets, each show has their own policy with options like winning a same-day ticket, seat for tomorrow’s show, or sometimes you can enter in one big batch for the week ahead. Some shows set aside a certain amount of tickets for the digital lottery, and others use it as a way to offload remaining seats, meaning whether there will even be a lottery on a certain day can be hard to predict. Lotteries are more of a long-game option to get a ticket to that one show you’ve been waiting for.
Check out this 2022 Playbill article as well as broadwayforbrokepeople.com for a list of participating shows and theaters.
Standing room only: As the name suggests, standing-room only tickets require you to stand through the entire performance. Not all theaters on Broadway offer these tickets; the ones that do usually require you to get them in person at the box office on the day of the show.
Check out New York Show Tickets' current list of participating shows and theaters as well as this article explaining what to expect with SRO.
TKTS (short for tickets) by TDF (Theater Development Fund) is your consistent access to same-day theatre tickets at up to 50% off.
TKTS Discount Booths are the perfect way for everyone to experience the arts in New York City at affordable prices. Choose from a wide array of Broadway and Off Broadway musicals, plays, and dance productions on sale every day at 20% to 50% off regular prices.
TDF operates two TKTS Discount Booths in New York City (Times Square and Lincoln Center). When you purchase your tickets from TKTS, you are supporting a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to sustaining and sharing the arts and developing the audiences of the future.
Ticket availability and inventory can change quickly throughout the day. We suggest going to a TKTS Discount Booth early in the day. To help plan ahead, you can browse real-time listings on our website or on your mobile device with the official TKTS app. You can also check Broadway's COVID protocols here.
A $40/year TDF membership means getting your tickets online and in advance! Tkts range from $11-$57 saving you up to 70% on hundreds of Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway theatre shows, dance performances and music concerts daily. Your membership is also fully tax deductible!
How do you join TDF?
The quality and quantity of free events, free things to do that happen in New York City every day of the year is truly amazing. As a $20/year Club Free Time member you will not only get info about free cultural events, i.e. free concerts, free theater performances, free tours, free poetry readings, free talks/lectures, gallery openings, free movies, etc. in New York City (Manhattan mostly), but also have an opportunity to reserve complimentary tickets to events which are not free at all: off-Broadway (and sometimes Broadway) shows, classical music concerts, jazz and dance performances, etc.
Club Free Time is a one-stop-shop for finding your next adventure so don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides: stop wondering what to do; start taking advantage of
free events to go to, free things to do in NYC today!
Believe it or not applying for this (free!) official form of identification will get you tons of perks!
You will be able to use your IDNYC card as a library card. There is also a package of benefits including free memberships to 40 cultural institutions and discounts on movie tickets, sporting events, health and fitness clubs, New York City attractions, and much more.
All New York City residents age 10 and older can apply for an IDNYC card. Applicants will be required to present proof of identity and residency in New York City. You can visit the IDNYC Document Calculator or view the IDNYC Applicant Document Guide to see the full list of documents that IDNYC accepts.
You can use the card to enter all City buildings, such as schools, and access City services. You can also use it to apply for jobs, when submitted with proof of work authorization. Police officers will accept the IDNYC card as valid identification. This is important because if you do not have identification with an address, in instances where you would otherwise be issued a summons, the police officer will bring you into the police station instead.
You can even use your IDNYC card to open a bank account at certain financial institutions, as well as get discounts on prescription drugs and groceries.
Since 1999, TheaterMania has brought a passion for live events to our loyal community of patrons. We pride ourselves on being the only digital-first property to offer unique reviews and provide insight into the world of Broadway, off-Broadway, and across the nation.
Our editorial team provides up-to-the-minute news, reviews, eye-catching videos, hot-button opinion pieces, streaming content, and more to keep our community in the know. In addition to editorial content, our team works hard to publish a curated and comprehensive list of performances, both live and virtual.
For those in the New York City area who can’t get enough, we offer the TheaterMania Gold Club ($10/mo or $80/yr) with deeply discounted last-minute ticket offers.
From Broadway to Comedy, Music to Magic, TheaterMania Gold offers you exclusive content, experiences and discounts. Your membership in TheaterMania Gold gives you access to exclusive experiences that bring you up close and personal with artists and creators. Receive exclusive Presale offers as well discounts to both live and virtual events, dining and more! In addition members get access to TheaterMania Streaming with the best live streams and videos on demand in the world of performing arts.
Traveling to the UK? Visit our affiliate property, WhatsOnStage.
NYC Parks Events Calendar. Get up, get out, and do something! Just about any day of the year, you can find something fun, informative, and healthy to enjoy at an area park.
Free and low-cost events all across the boroughs. Browse the listings here, or use the search tools to find an event that matches your interests and location.
And find your local park here!
Theater Extras is a Seat Filling Audience Development organization. Theater Extras arranges complimentary and discounted tickets for its members when a performance or event is in previews, under publicized, expecting the attendance of reviewers or celebrities, or would like the benefits of a full house. Tickets to events and performances range from previews to opening nights to performances throughout a show's run.
Broadway for Broke People is exactly what it sounds like. Don’t waste your time hunting through the individual show websites to find the deals listed below — just visit Broadway for Broke People for the information! This super-helpful website lists every current show on Broadway as well as the details for its budget-friendly ticket programs.
New York Show Tickets provides discount Broadway Tickets to New York Shows. Save 50% off Broadway shows using discount codes, lottery, SRO and RUSH tickets for all the current NYC productions.
Check out the list of the shows they currently offer discounts to as well as the shows that are closing soon!
Compass
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