Broadway (and Off-Broadway)
Unless you have your heart set on a specific oft-sold-out show, one of the best ways to acquire tickets is through one of the TKTS booths in Times Square, the less crowded one near the South Street Seaport or Brooklyn TKTS. TKTS tickets are sold with the approval of the theaters. See what's been available lately.
Broadway resources:
all current Broadway shows
current Off-Broadway shows
Broadway discount codes
Theatermania discounts
OffOffOnline
NYTheatre.com
All That Chat
Audience Extras
usher a show, see it for free
Play by Play
Even sold-out shows often have (full-price) tickets for sale the day of the show at the theater box office. You can also get cheap student and standing-room tickets for several shows.
Another high school musical, "13," opens on Broadway
 Not all the critics picked on “13: The Musical,” which opened on Broadway on Sunday night. In fact, the critic at amNewYork gave it four out of four stars, and the Post and Star-Ledger found it charming.
But the influencers took a number of shots at the tween-themed musical with a thin, Disney-fied plot with limited appeal to anyone a few years beyond the target audience. “13” is a musical about an Upper West Side kid whose parents divorce, landing him in Indiana where he hopes to fill his Bar Mitzvah with the cool kids in his new school.
“13” has an open-ended run at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, located at 242 W. 45th St., map. Regular tickets are priced from $76.50 to $111.50, while premium seats are $200 and $250. Student rush tickets cost $25, and if a show is sold out, standing-room tickets will go on sale for $21.50.
The selection of the reviews:
New York Times - “Yet as one who remembers being 13 with vividness and enduring horror, I can’t say that these obviously talented kids ever made me shiver, sweat or even smile in honest recollection. Though it features a buoyant score by Jason Robert Brown (‘Parade,’ ‘The Last Five Years’) and a book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn that dances friskily on the borders of bad taste, ‘13’ ultimately feels as pre-processed and formulaic as that money-churning Disney franchise ‘High School Musical.’”
Variety - “There’s not much in this sweet all-adolescent tuner to engage anyone past puberty, but the other lesson of the Disney franchise is that a narrowly defined demographic is no barrier to success.”
amNewYork - “Though it shares the pop culture catchiness and peppy energy of “High School Musical,” “13 the Musical” is also extremely passionate, authentic and a joyride from beginning to end. Not once does it condescend or descend into camp. It easily wins our vote for class valedictorian.”
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October 6, 2008 10:08 AM Comments (0)
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'Seagull' opens on Broadway with Kristin Scott Thomas
 Kristin Scott Thomas last night made her Broadway debut to rave reviews in a new translation of Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull.”
Transferring from London’s Royal Court, the play will only be in New York for 14 weeks.
Many of the critics rank the production among the best-ever for Chekhov (including the New York Times, Variety and Newsday,) but there are some who fail to agree, (including Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal and Newark Star-Ledger.) Peter Sarsgaard, one of the few Americans added to the cast in the transfer, is sometimes singled out for criticism.
“The Seagull” features a new translation by Christopher Hampton and is directed by Ian Rickson. It plays through December 21 at the Walter Kerr Theatre at 219 W. 48th St., map. Regular tickets are priced from $41 to $110, but aisle seats are $135 and must be purchased in pairs.Premium seats are $252.
A selection of the reviews:
New York Times - “The careful cultivation of such transparency, to the point that we feel instinctively tuned into the minds of every individual onstage, helps to make this “Seagull” the finest and most fully involving production of Chekhov that I have ever known.”
Variety - “Rarely is the writer’s signature balance of humor, pathos and tragedy so exquisitely rendered or the modulation between them orchestrated so affectingly. Despite one casting choice that doesn’t quite measure up, this is powerful theater.”
Newsday - “How thrilling, finally, to have a version of “The Seagull” that understands why we cherish Anton Chekhov.”
USA Today - “Sadly, though, Sarsgaard doesn’t rise to the challenges confronting him any more than his complex and crucial character does. It might be an overstatement to say that his curiously awkward, lackluster performance fatally wounds this Seagull, which opened Thursday at the Walter Kerr Theatre, but only a slight one.”
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October 3, 2008 9:24 AM Comments (0)
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Legitimate cheap Broadway tickets from $20 for fall
 The New York Times is taking another look at cheap Broadway tickets, and decides the front-row ticket lottery is probably the best game in town. Currently $26.50 and a little luck can land you next to the footlights at “In The Heights,” “Avenue Q,” “Hairspray” and “Wicked.”
The paper also notes the sure-things available at the shows’ own box offices, including “Spamalot” for $36.50, “Phantom of the Opera” for $26.50 and “In The Heights” for $41.50.
There are more the Times doesn’t mention, including the $41 tickets you could snag for tonight’s red-caret opening night of “The Seagull,” the $20 tickets to “13: The Musical” while it’s still in previews, the $40 digital rush tickets for “Spring Awakening” and regular-priced tickets for “Billy Elliott” start at $41.50.
A handful of shows allow on-stage seating, including ‘Spring Awakening” for $40, and Richard Griffiths’ and Daniel Radcliffe’s “Equus,” which isn’t so cheap at $76.50.
Even Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” with Katie Holmes, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest and Patrick Wilson has both student rush and standing room tickets for $26.50.
[title of show] also does a $26.50 front-row lottery, but it’s closing October 12. “Legally Blonde,” which is closing October 19, also has $26.50 student rush tickets.
Check your show’s official website before you buy, and if it’s Ticketmaster, look for the “getting tickets” link at the left that will give you detailed price info before you click “find tickets” at the right.
And of course there’s always the TKTS discount booth and websites such as Broadway Box and TheaterMania.
Some theaters will also let you usher a show and see it for free.
Picture credit: Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.
October 2, 2008 10:13 AM Comments (0)
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Laurents' 'West Side Story' returns to Broadway in Feb.
 “West Side Story” will return to Broadway this winter in a new production directed by the musical’s original librettist, Arthur Laurents.
Previews will start February 23, 2009 at Broadway’s Palace Theatre with opening night set for March 19.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public starting October 18.
Casting hasn’t yet been announced but producers in a statement said the original Jerome Robbins choreography will be re-staged by Tony nominee Joey McKneely (whose credits include “The Boy from Oz.”) “West Side Story,” which was based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” was composed by Leonard Bernstein and it was lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway debut.
The 90-year-old Brooklyn-born Laurents last year was nominated for another Tony for his direction of the current Broadway production of “Gypsy,” for which he wrote the book for in 1959.
The new production will first take the stage at Washington D.C.’s National Theatre, (where the musical made its world premiere in 1957,) from December 15 through January 17. In New York, it will play the Palace Theatre located at 1564 Broadway, map.
After the jump, watch a clip of the 1958 cast performing “Cool” on The Ed Sullivan Show:
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September 29, 2008 11:07 AM Comments (0)
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'Naked Harry Potter' gets raves in 'Equus' on Broadway
 The revival of the unsettling psycho-drama “Equus” opened on Broadway last night and almost every theater critic from here to London weighed in with a review of play, probably for no other reason than it features a naked Daniel “Harry Potter” Radcliffe.
Mostly, the critics rave about Radcliffe’s performance and that of Tony winner Richard Griffiths, but the play itself, written by Peter Shaffer and first staged on Broadway in 1973, suffers a few knocks.
“Equus” plays the Broadhurst Theatre at 235 W. 44th St., (map, through February 8. Regular tickets are priced from $61.50 to $116.50, with variances for matinees, and Friday and Saturday nights. On-stage (side-view) seating is priced at $76.50 and $116.50. Premium seats are $251.50 and $301.50.
A sample of the reviews:
Associated Press - “Let’s get to the reason you folks bought tickets: Daniel Radcliffe in the nude. And yes, he can act on stage — quite well, it turns out.”
Variety - “But in his impressive debut in a major stage role, as the disturbed adolescent in “Equus,” Daniel Radcliffe significantly helps overcome the fact that Peter Shaffer’s 1975 Tony winner doesn’t entirely hold up. The play is an astute career move for the “Harry Potter” frontman as he confidently navigates the transition from child stardom to adult roles — and Radcliffe’s performance provides “Equus” with a raw emotional nerve center that renders secondary any concerns about its wonky and over-explanatory psychology. “
New York Times - “There’s no question that “Equus” has dated, particularly in its presentation of psychiatric investigations (something Mr. Shaffer humbly admits in a program note). But taking it too seriously may not be the best way to serve it in revival. This version had no crackling artificial fire to match the annoying smoke that kept rising through the stage floor. And as much as I admired the sensitivity and intelligence of Mr. Griffiths’s and Mr. Radcliffe’s performances, this revival might have been better off if everyone had just gone for the Gothic.”
Post - “His acting, beautifully understated and withdrawn, has just the right manner for this horribly mixed-up adolescent, at the prey of a wayward religiosity and a twisted sexuality cemented together with suburban hypocrisy.”
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September 26, 2008 7:46 AM Comments (0)
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$20 preview tickets for Broadway's "13: The Musical"
 20at20, which normally offers a $20 deal for Off-Broadway shows, is pitching a special $20 deal for a new teen-themed show nearing its opening night on Broadway. You can get $20 tickets to “13:The Musical” from September 25 through October 4.
The show’s opening night is scheduled for October 5.
The show, which boast the “only all-teenage cast ever to hit Broadway,” is about a New York City kid who has to move to Indiana and try to break into the cool crowd at school.
To get the $20 seats (which are in the mezzanine) use offer code 13TX420 at BroadwayOffers.com.
Regular tickets are priced from $76.50 to $111.50. “13” plays the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre at
242 W. 45th St., map.
Earlier: “13: The Musical” cuts “fagmo” from show after protest
September 25, 2008 4:40 PM Comments (0)
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Oh snap, 'Legally Blonde' closing Oct. 19 on Broadway
 “Legally Blonde: The Musical” will close on Broadway on October 19, producers announced today.
The announcement comes just two months after the role of Elle Woods was taken over by Bailey Hanks, who won the role in MTV’s reality show “Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods.” She made her Broadway debut July 23, replacing Laura Bell Bundy.
When it closes, the show will have played 595 regular performances and 30 previews, producers said.
The closing notice comes just a day after “Xanadu” moved up its last performance, citing the bad economic climate. “Xanadu” will close this Sunday.
[title of show] also recently announced it will shutter October 12.
“A Tale of Two Cities” is also expected to announce a closing date soon, the Post reported today.
Regular tickets to “Legally Blonde” are priced from $45 to $120, with premium seats at $250 each. When NewYorkology checked in with the box office in late July, staff warned that the anyone hoping for the $26.50 student rush seats needed to show up at last two hours ahead of the daily 10 a.m. on-sale time to be assured of a ticket.
“Legally Blonde” plays the Palace Theatre, located at 1564 Broadway, map.
Earlier: ‘Legally Blonde’ review: Omigod, It’s So Pink
Omigod, ‘Legally Blonde’ totally opens on Broadway
September 24, 2008 5:16 PM Comments (0)
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TKTS to reopen in heart of Times Square on October 16
The Times Square TKTS discount theater ticket booth finally has a firm re-opening date: October 16.
The site — located at Broadway and 7th Avenue at 46th Street — has been under reconstruction since May 2006, when the TKTS booth moved to a slightly gloomy location behind the Marriott Marquis on West 46th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue.
The TKTS booth in the redesigned Father Duffy Square (recognizing World War I hero Father Francis P. Duffy,) will reopen with an official ceremony at12:30 p.m. on the 16th, according to a statement issued by the Times Square Alliance, Coalition for Father Duffy and the Theatre Development Fund.
Earlier: New TKTS Times Square booth may open by October
No lines at TKTS Brooklyn; daily availability by e-mail
September 24, 2008 1:33 PM Comments (0)
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'Xanadu' to close Sunday, cites bad economic climate
“Xanadu,” which only last week announced it would end its Broadway run after more than a year, has suddenly decided that even October 12 is too far away. Citing the current economic climate, the musical will now close September 28, Playbill reports.
A comment thread on Talkin’ Broadway notes that “Xanadu” star Kerry Butler will actually be performing in California on Saturday, so she only has a couple more days on stage as Kira.
“Xanadu“‘s Helen Hayes Theatre was at 63 percent capacity last week, according to Playbill. Other shows with a lot of empty seats included the soon-to-close “[title of show]” (at 36 percent;) Disney’s “Mary Poppins” (at 54 percent;) “Spamalot” (at 60 percent;) reality-show-cast “Legally Blonde” (at 62 percent;) the critically savaged “Tale of Two Cities” (at 57 percent;) and a pair of still-in-preview shows “13” (at 50 percent;) and “To Be or Not to Be” (at 52 percent.)
September 23, 2008 2:42 PM Comments (0)
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Celebrating the 'theater that matters' at IT Awards
NewYorkology contributor Alexandra Farkas last night attended the 4th Annual New York Innovative Theatre Awards, while supporting her fellow theater artists. She recently directed “The Two Lives of Napoleon Beazley,” whose Rob Sheridan was honored as the Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role.
It’s hard to imagine a more exciting place to have been last night than at the 4th Annual New York Innovative Theatre Awards. New York theater legends including playwrights Edward Albee and Tina Howe, and performers such as Olympia Dukakis and Blue Man Group came out to salute Off-Off-Broadway Theater, “the theater that matters,” in Albee’s words.
Hosted by the hilarious Lisa Kron, whose play “Well” went from Off-Off to snag a Tony nomination on Broadway in 2006, it was a rousing night that highlighted the exciting, high-quality work being done by talented theater artists all over New York City.
If you haven’t seen or heard of Boomerang Theater Company (winner of the 2008 Caffe Cino Fellowship Award for all around excellence) or Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company (the big winner with four wins) or playwrights such as Bekah Brunstetter (Outstanding Original Full Length Script), Aliza Shane (Outstanding Original Short Script), Stanton Wood (Nominee, Full Length) or James Scruggs (Nominee, Full Length) to name a few, you should keep an eye out for their upcoming work.
The Great White Way may have the money to draw your attention with flashy ads and marketing campaigns, but independent theater is where you can see tomorrow’s big names doing great, innovative work for a tiny fraction of a Broadway ticket.
For a full list of winner’s and nominees, see the NY Innovative Theatre Awards website.
Image source: Edward Albee with IT Awards host Lisa Kron provided by Kampfire
September 23, 2008 1:12 PM Comments (0)
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