How to get cheap tickets to New York shows

OPEN TO EVERYONE

TKTS
TKTS is a Theater Development Fund (TDF) program through which many Broadway and Off Broadway shows offer same-day tickets at a discount. TKTS booths are located in Times Square and at South Street Seaport (199 Water St; enter at the corner of Front and John Sts,) where lines are shorter and all matinee tickets are sold on the day prior to the performance. Payment by cash or traveler’s check only. Call 212-221-0885, ext 461, or visit tdf.org.

BroadwayBox.com
Broadwaybox.com lists discount codes for a number of Broadway and Off Broadway shows. Visit the website for event listings.

Rush seats
Many Broadway and Off Broadway theaters make last-minute tickets available for as little as $10 on the day of the performance. Visit theater box offices to ask about their rush ticket policies.

Playbill.com
Join the Playbill Club for daily deal e-mails and access to the site’s list of discount offers. Membership is free.

TheaterMania.com
Join the TMInsider Club for access to a list of discount offers and the site’s e-newsletter. Membership is free.

Givenik
As the name implies, the site not only sells tickets, it donates 5 percent of every purchase to participating charity. Although discounts are available, Givenik also offers regular, premium, and group tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Whatever price you pay, this is a great way to share the wealth.

Hit Show Club
Half-price Broadway tickets can be purchased at box offices by presenting Hit Show Club vouchers. For more information, visit hitshowclub.com.

TravelZoo.com
Travelzoo.com lists discount codes for a number of Broadway and Off Broadway shows. Visit the website for event listings.

LunchTix.com
An offshoot of BroadwayBox.com, LunchTix.com offers its members discounts that expire by 3pm for future performances. Sign up for free at the website.

StubHub
At stubhub.com , discounted tickets become available for pickup three days before an event (when regular delivery is no longer an option). Place your order online, then stop by the StubHub Service Center (1440 Broadway between 40th and 41st Sts, and other locations) two hours prior to the event. A $15 surcharge is tacked onto every order.

FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS

High 5
Junior-high and high-school students are eligible for $5 tickets to dance, music and spoken-word events, and to Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway theater. Purchase online at high5tix.org, or call 212-445-8587; a teen with a school ID must be present to pick up the tickets at the box office, but each eligible student can purchase an additional $5 ticket for an adult or a younger child. Check the website for event listings.

School Theater Ticket Program
Grade-schoolers, college students and school personnel, plus their families, can save 30 to 50 percent on tickets to many Broadway and Off Broadway shows, as well as to dance, opera and music concerts. Either pick up the coupons at your child’s school or the local library, or grab discount coupons online at schooltix.com to use when purchasing tickets at the box office.

TDF discount-ticket program
The Theatre Development Fund offers an online discount-ticket program for eligible individuals; Students (high school and college), teachers, union members and retirees can purchase Broadway tickets for as little as $28, as well as TDF vouchers for select Off and Off-Off Broadway theater and dance performances (four vouchers cost $28). Visit tdf.org for additional information.