Wizard on Broadway part 1 -- How to Buy Tickets
I just game from a week on the east coast, including three days in New York. A trip to New York is not complete without seeing at least one Broadway play, at least in my opinion. Plus, in my case, I didn't have much else to do. So I saw a musical on both full nights I was there.
Before getting specifics, let me say something about the ticket buying process. Since my last visit a big set of red bleacher seats was set up in Times Square. This is a great idea, as it affords a place it sit and rest with a great view of Times Square. Underneath said structure are several ticket windows selling tickets to a host of Broadway plays, many at discount prices. I think the discount tickets are only for the same day performances, I'm not sure. Perhaps any New Yorker member can comment.
In addition, there are lots of people representing the various theatres and shows selling tickets directly. These not shady guys selling counterfeit tickets but they are in uniform and may have some signage indicating the show(s) they are selling tickets for. Maybe it was because I was there on the 9-11 anniversary weekend, but it seemed like a buyer's market, with tickets to just about every show available at discount prices.
As an example, the show I saw Saturday night was Rent. I was going to inquire about tickets at the windows under the steps I just mentioned, but the line was rather long. Then I noticed a guy with a big stack of tickets in his hand, and the top one was for Rent. Like a doofus, I referred to it and asked, "Is that a ticket for Rent?" He explained it was a voucher for a ticket, which I would have to exchange for an actual ticket at the theatre. The price was 40% off face value. I purchased it and then walked a few blocks over to the theatre to exchange it for an actual ticket.
The second show I saw was "The Book of Mormon," which was the hottest ticket at the time. Everyone told me it would be very difficult to get a ticket outside of scalpers who would charge way above face value. Still, it never hurts to try. So I walked over the Eugene O'Neil theatre on 49th street and tried to make a cold purchase. Surprisingly, it worked. They had seats for two, one on the isle, in what I think was the 9th row. Of course, I had to pay full price, which I was happy to do, as the alternative was to pay about double face value from scalping web sites.
Quote: WizardI just game from a week on the east coast, including three days in New York. A trip to New York is not complete without seeing at least one Broadway play, at least in my opinion. Plus, in my case, I didn't have much else to do. So I saw a musical on both full nights I was there.
My dad was like that. He traveled to NYC twice a year, sometimes more, on business each year. Of course I know on business trips sight-seeing isn't a priority of, in many cases, even a possibility. But my dad took it to extremes. He'd begun going int eh late 60s, yet it wasn't until 1984 or 85, when he traveled with my brother and I, that he did things like visit the Empire State Building, the UN, or even toured a museum.
He did watch one or two musicals while he was there, every trip without fail. Only musicals, mind, because he didn't understand English that well. He could enjoy the songs, but not really follow the action. Some he watched over again in latter trips. When my brother and I accompanied him, we saw "Cats" and "My One and Only."
I think we bought tickets at the window each time, but things were different then. I do recall we bought tickets in the afternoon.
Personally I don't much care for musicals. It seems silly that the action gets interrupted, pretty much, for people to break into song. Worse yet when they conduct dialogues singing. Still, one of my favorite movies is "The Sound of Music."
Quote: benbakdoffQuote: WizardThis was originally going to be one long post, but it ran so long I'm going to break it into three pieces. Here is part one on getting tickets in the first place.
I just game from a week on the east coast, including three days in New York. A trip to New York is not complete without seeing at least one Broadway play, at least in my opinion. Plus, in my case, I didn't have much else to do. So I saw a musical on both full nights I was there.
Before getting specifics, let me say something about the ticket buying process. Since my last visit a big set of red bleacher seats was set up in Times Square. This is a great idea, as it affords a place it sit and rest with a great view of Times Square. Underneath said structure are several ticket windows selling tickets to a host of Broadway plays, many at discount prices. I think the discount tickets are only for the same day performances, I'm not sure. Perhaps any New Yorker member can comment.
In addition, there are lots of people representing the various theatres and shows selling tickets directly. These not shady guys selling counterfeit tickets but they are in uniform and may have some signage indicating the show(s) they are selling tickets for. Maybe it was because I was there on the 9-11 anniversary weekend, but it seemed like a buyer's market, with tickets to just about every show available at discount prices.
As an example, the show I saw Saturday night was Rent. I was going to inquire about tickets at the windows under the steps I just mentioned, but the line was rather long. Then I noticed a guy with a big stack of tickets in his hand, and the top one was for Rent. Like a doofus, I referred to it and asked, "Is that a ticket for Rent?" He explained it was a voucher for a ticket, which I would have to exchange for an actual ticket at the theatre. The price was 40% off face value. I purchased it and then walked a few blocks over to the theatre to exchange it for an actual ticket.
The second show I saw was "The Book of Mormon," which was the hottest ticket at the time. Everyone told me it would be very difficult to get a ticket outside of scalpers who would charge way above face value. Still, it never hurts to try. So I walked over the Eugene O'Neil theatre on 49th street and tried to make a cold purchase. Surprisingly, it worked. They had seats for two, one on the isle, in what I think was the 9th row. Of course, I had to pay full price, which I was happy to do, as the alternative was to pay about double face value from scalping web sites.
The TKTS booth under the red steps sells only same day tickets. Matinee tickets can be purchased a day in advance at one of the other two TKTS locations but not under the red steps.
Wiz, next time you are in the area take a ride up I-95 and check out the Ct. casinos. You're fans would love to meet you.
Quote: WizardI think the discount tickets are only for the same day performances, I'm not sure. Perhaps any New Yorker member can comment.
The second show I saw was "The Book of Mormon," which was the hottest ticket at the time. Everyone told me it would be very difficult to get a ticket outside of scalpers who would charge way above face value. Still, it never hurts to try. So I walked over the Eugene O'Neil theatre on 49th street and tried to make a cold purchase. Surprisingly, it worked. They had seats for two, one on the isle, in what I think was the 9th row. Of course, I had to pay full price, which I was happy to do, as the alternative was to pay about double face value from scalping web sites.
The TKTS booth under the bleachers in Times Square not only is restricted to same day, but also to the next performance. On the days when there is matinees, the booth opens up twice, and you cannot buy an evening ticket during the morning.
TKTS also has a second booth located at South Street Seaport (at the corner of Front and John Streets), open Monday through Friday, 11am - 6pm, and Saturday from 11am - 7pm. In addition to shorter lines, this location offers day-of-performance tickets as well as a limited number of matinee tickets sold one day prior to performance date. TKTS accepts only cash or travelers checks.
Most theaters were tired of scalpers and re-sellers making most of the money. Now show tickets are priced extremely high, but all but the biggest shows are available for half price. As the Wizard said, it never hurts to walk to the box office for even the biggest shows, especially if you are looking for one or two tickets.
If you are driving to the city sometimes it pays to park at one of the PATH stations in New Jersey and take the train in. Several stations in New Jersey have trains to either downtown or midtown. That way you can take one train into downtown to buy your tickets at South Street Seaport, you can see the World Trade Center, and work your way up to midtown stopping in Little Italy, Chinatown, or Tribecca if you like, and then leave from Mid-Town after the show. Parking at Journal Square in New Jersey is roughly $12 for 24 hours, and they have 17 lots. I think the train is 11 minutes to downtown or mid-town.
Parking Lot Finder will help you if you want to drive into Manhattan. Just keep in mind that parking downtown is nearly impossible.
It has gotten much easier to get into Manhattan from the airports. There is frequent trains from Newark into Penn Station. It will still be some years before there is a seamless way to get in from JFK, but public transportation has gotten much better.
The cheapest way is to to take the AirTrain (that circles the airport and stops at all terminals ) to the Jamaica station (every 4 to 10 minutes). The AirTrain ride takes about 10 minutes. The AirTrain JFK is connected to the Railroad's hub by escalators, elevators, people movers and an overhead mezzanine bridge.
From there the cheapest trip is by subway (full $2.25 subway fare and $5 AirTrain JFK fee) which takes an hour more or less depending on destination.
A little faster is Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica to Penn Station $13 (35 min. express train).
East Side Access in 2016 will speed up the trip if they raise the $10 billion to build it.
A taxi is much cheaper from JFK then from Newark Airport.
The trendy Yotel in New York just opened in a brand new building in mid-town Manhattan very near the Port Authority bus station on 42nd Street (right across from the Seinfeld apartments). If the rooms seem to small at Yotel, nearby is a real bargain at the Travel Inn hotel on 42nd and 10th Avenue which has free parking for guest and the latest in 1963 era decor in your rooms. It's about a miles from the Time's Square theaters at night, so a modest taxi ride may be in the safest way to get back.
Official web site.
Continental / United flies direct from Las Vegas to Newark. However, there may be cheaper alternatives to JFK.Quote: WizardPersonally I landed at JFK. As far as I know there are no non-stops from Vegas to the other two NY airports.
If your destination is the city, via public transportation, JFK is probably the better choice.
Quote: WizardPersonally I landed at JFK. As far as I know there are no non-stops from Vegas to the other two NY airports.
There are non stops to Newark on Continental only for very high prices. Hopefully Southwest will eventually change that (they fly to Phoenix instead of Vegas). It is illegal to fly nonstop to La Guardia that distance (overcrowded airport).
So JFK would be the way to go from Vegas (presumably on JetBlue).
The bus was about the price of the Long Island Railroad, and more than the subway. Transit time is indeterminate since it depends on traffic and how many terminals you must visit. I disliked driving around those terminals (that used to be the only way to go before the AirTrain opened in 2003. But the advantage of the bus is you don't have to change. Unless you are staying withing walking distance of Grand Central, you may have to get on the subway or a taxi anyway.
Driving in the boroughs is a different matter. You might as well be in a big Midwestern city.
The AirPorter bus is a good choice. Taking the subway can take forever.
Quote: teddysI am one of the few people who enjoys driving in Manhattan.
I'm proud to say I rented a car in midtown to drive up to Vermont. Ever since I planned the trip I was very nervous about driving in Manhattan and leaving without getting lost. I must have spent at least an hour planning my route the night before. When I got to Avis I asked the gal for advice on getting to the I95 northbound. She gave me a card with directions that I managed to follow without incident.
Actually, I always stop of pedestrians, which caused me to get honked at, but I can live with that.
Quote: WizardI'm proud to say I rented a car in midtown to drive up to Vermont.
Did you have to drive back to JFK or did you fly out of New England?
Driving in Manhattan is not as bad as many other cities (i.e. Boston or Philadelphia). In Manhattan you are rarely lost for more than a few minutes since the streets are numbered and mostly in a grid. Plus the speeds are usually low.
NYC’s traffic fatality rate is about a quarter of the national rate and less than half the rate in the next 10 largest U.S. cities.
Traffic fatalities in 2009 were down by 35% from 2001.
Presumably that statistic is per population. A number which must be skewed because no other American city has such a large percentage of their population that doesn't drive.
Quote: pacomartinDid you have to drive back to JFK or did you fly out of New England?
NYC’s traffic fatality rate is about a quarter of the national rate and less than half the rate in the next 10 largest U.S. cities.
Traffic fatalities in 2009 were down by 35% from 2001.
No, I returned the car in Burlington VT, took the Greyhound to Montreal, and flew back from there.
That does not surprise me about NYC. It is logical finding your way around once you're there, except for restrictions on making turns on certain streets. I just find it tricky getting in and out of Manhattan, and navigating the highways around it, especially in NJ.
Quote: WizardNo, I returned the car in Burlington VT, took the Greyhound to Montreal, and flew back from there.
There is an AMTRAK train called "The Vermonter" that goes from Penn Station to Burlington and onward to about 15 miles from the border. It takes 10 hours to go the distance (385 miles) so it is very slow.
The slow train from NYC to Washington DC average about 60 mph including stops and an Acela averages 80.
Quote: pacomartinThere is an AMTRAK train called "The Vermonter" that goes from Penn Station to Burlington and onward to about 15 miles from the border. It takes 10 hours to go the distance (385 miles) so it is very slow.
I was going to take it, but much of the track is closed for repairs, necessitating a bus service.
1. TKTS is a good way to go if you want same day performances and don't mind waiting in line. However, I use playbill.com, signed up for a free membership, and buy tickets in advance there, typically for 30 - 40% off. I've seen the Phantom and South Pacific that way, and it sure beats full price.
2. There are plenty of free shows in NYC if you book them well in advance. David Letterman, Jon Stewart, Colbert, and Fallon all tape there. I've seen three of the four (well, Conan before Fallon). You might luck out with standby tickets at all four.
3. Manhattan on a map looks scary, but if you're on the road between 10am and 3pm or after 7pm, you're fine on most routes. And there are plenty of ways to get to I-95 from Manhattan, but I like doing the transfer north of the city and like coming down into New york up the Henry Hudson as broadway is much closer to the west side, parking west of Broadway is fairly easy, and you avoid the hassles of most crosstown traffic (which can really be a bugger).
4. The cheapest way to get downtown to JFK is via the A/E train with the Air Train. $7.50. You get closer to your stop, but you take your luggage with you.
How was montreal?
