The Top 10 Questions Broadway Theatregoers Ask About Buying Tickets To Broadway Shows, And The Best Answers We Could Come Up With
Got a Question About Broadway Tickets? We’ve Likely Answered It Below
Get educated and then treat yourself to a Broadway show. There’s nothing like it in the world!
10 - Do Broadway tickets get cheaper closer to the date?
No, they do not. Broadway prices are set pretty well in advance and they’re only likely to rise, especially if the show is selling really well. But more third-party discounts may become available at any time. Unsurprisingly, if your dates, times and show preferences are set in stone, you’re really at the mercy of the prices. But if you can afford to move things around and be a little impulsive, you may find a better deal as you get closer to the show date. Of course, it’s a gamble.
9 - Is it cheaper to buy tickets at the Broadway Theatre?
Usually, yes. Buying tickets directly from the box office will always save you on fees. Full stop. Also, you can often bring discount codes to the box office as well and they will be honored. Rush and lottery tickets can also be purchased at the box office, though they’re never a guarantee and you have to revolve your day around it. If your plans are flexible, be spontaneous and show up at the box office third minutes or so before the show and the box office will often release house seats (read: excellent seats) at face value. At that point they are just trying to fill the house.
8 - What day of the week is the cheapest to see a Broadway show?
That varies depending on if a show is in previews or it’s the holiday season. But generally speaking, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings (as well as the occasional Monday night offering) tend to be the most wallet friendly. Weekends and matinees will always be the most cost prohibitive. Also, if it’s possible for you to attend a preview performance (prior to a show’s official opening) you’re likely to score a deal even on the weekend.
7 - What are the best seats to get at Broadway shows?
There are many factors to consider. For an intimate play sitting close up makes you feel like you’re part of the action, like the actors are playing right to you. That can be thrilling for some and terrifying for others who'd rather keep their distance. Big musicals with lavish sets, high production values and big dance numbers are best enjoyed from the front of the mezzanine. Rear balcony (and for some, rear orchestra) are the least desired because views may be obstructed.
6 - Why are Broadway tickets cheaper on Tuesdays?
Broadway tickets in general are cheaper on weeknights because those performances don’t draw the same tourist crowds as weekends or even Wednesday matinees. Weeknights (which includes the occasional Monday night offering) tend to be favored by locals. Often with a Tuesday night performance, you’re getting performers who are fresh and fully rested after their day off so it’s a great time to take advantage of those sweet ticket deals.
5 - Is SeatGeek Legit for Broadway tickets?
Absolutely. SeatGeek is an official ticket seller for many Broadway shows, which means it’s totally legit for purchasing tickets. But it’s also a secondary market reseller so you’re likely not going to get the cheapest tickets through their service. As with other ticketing outlets, SeatGeek is required by law to disclose any hidden fees up front. The official ticket sellers on Broadway are Telecharge, Seatgeek. Ticketmaster, Roundabout, MTC and Ambassador Theatre Group.
4 - Is Ticketmaster Trustworthy For Broadway Tickets?
In a word, yes. Ticketmaster is a reputable, legitimate purveyor of Broadway tickets. But as with everything else, buyer beware. Laws require companies like Ticketmaster to disclose all fees clearly and explicitly at the outset of the purchase so that consumers are no longer hit with a major upcharge just as they click to buy. That’s an improvement to be sure. However, these sometimes astronomical fees can be avoided by going directly to the box office. The site may also be confusing since Ticketmaster now sells resale tickets which tend to exceed face value.
3 - How Much Do Broadway Tickets Cost?
That depends on how flexible your dates are and how much time you have to spend finding the best deals. Many shows— even the big hits— have reasonably priced tickets available but you’ve got to be willing to do some legwork. Sites like Theatremania and Broadway Box, subscription services like TDF and Audience Rewards, apps like TodayTix, rush lines and of course TKTS outlets, all offer discounts. But if you’re constrained by date and the show you’re determined to see, you have less flexibility price-wise. Broadway tickets can run anywhere from $40 to $400.
2 - Do Broadway Cast Members Get Free Tickets?
Well, sometimes. When a new show goes into previews, it’s really important for the house to be filled with enthusiastic folks to laugh and cheer with support, since that’s when critics are there as well. So, if a show doesn’t have a huge advance, producers may “paper” the house which means that cast members and other outlets affiliated with the production may offer free tickets to friends, colleagues and family. Once a show opens, though, the best you can hope for is a staff discount which may not even rival what you could find on TKTS or TDF.
1 - What Is The Best First Broadway Show To See?
While it’s difficult to answer such an arbitrary question— everyone has their own taste— you really can’t go wrong with a long running hit with mass appeal like Wicked, Hamilton or The Lion King. Those shows have stood the test of time for a reason. It also depends on the age of the proposed ticket holder. The Book of Mormon has staying power but its humor is not intended or appropriate for a 6-year old. At any rate, listening to a show’s cast recording beforehand can be a great way of introducing a younger patron to the music so they know what to expect. That kind of familiarity tends to make a theatre lover out of anyone!
