Open to All: $15 Rush Ticketsat Williamstown Theatre Festival

For the first time in recent Berkshire memory, Rush Tickets are being made available to the general public by the Williamstown Theatre Festival . The sharply discounted tickets, priced at $15, are available to all - not just students, youth or seniors. This is an extraordinary move that can only help expand audiences for WTF in an economy where ticket buyers are watching their entertainment dollars more closely than ever.

“We believe strongly in the value of what we provide to our audiences. Now, more than ever, we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the magic of Williamstown Theatre Festival’s productions,” Board President Matt Harris said in announcing the news.

The hilarious 1920's spoof The Torch Bearers has audiences howling at the Williamstown Main Stage through August 9. T. Charles Erickson Photos.

OTHER THEATRES, OTHER DISCOUNTS

This program is in addition to another discount program where buyers can get $10 off mainstage tickets by presenting stubs from another theatre company. There are also four half price ticket booths in Adams, Pittsfield, Great Barrington and Chatham, New York for day of performance tickets not only for theatre, but for dance and other events in the Berkshires and adjacent New York State.

A "mysterious presence" takes up residence at the Nikos Stage from August 5-16 is the wry new comedy Caroline in Jersey which features Lea Thompson and Matt McGrath as best friends in the play.
DETAILS: The rush ticket policy applies to both Main and Nikos Stage shows. You can now purchase rush tickets, based on availability, starting at 4pm until the curtain goes up at 8 pm, 8:30 pm on Saturdays. for all same-day evening performances. The $15 tickets - surprisingly - are even available by phone at 413.597.3400 or in person at 1000 Main Street in Williamstown. Beyond availability, there are some obvious restrictions: the discount cannot be applied to previously purchased tickets and cannot be combined with any other offer. Tickets are subject to availability and are only valid for same day performances. Limit 2 per person. Williamstown seating charts, ticket information

Broadway's Phantom of the Opera at Half Price

Broadway Ticket Deal of the Week

Can it be more than two decades since the legendary Phantom of the Opera first opened on Broadway? I wonder how many different people have played the key roles since the first performances with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.

A phalanx of Phantoms

POTO is likely the most spectacular show on Broadway, and if you haven't seen it yet, have I found a deal for you. Half price tickets you can order by phone for performances between now and March 13, 2009. Tickets for orchestra and front mezzanine seats are just $60 for Monday to Friday evenings and Wednesday matinees. There are even some Saturday matinee tickets at $70. The only blackout dates I know of - so far - are February 14 and 16. Other dates will no doubt be added after this post appears and tickets continue to be gobbled up.

For the Broadway production, the roles of Christine and the Phantom are currently being performed by Jennifer Hope Willis and John Cadia.

So here is the deal. Just call 212-947-8844 and use code PHNYTW9. You can also go to BroadwayOffers.com and enter the same code number.


Tim Martin Gleason as Raoul has spent most of his adult life with Phantom.

Equus on Broadway: Pick of the Week

Daniel Radcliffe rides high in Equus. Carol Rosegg photo.

With only about five weeks left in its run, this is the time to think seriously about seeing the brilliant revival of Equus on Broadway. The play by Peter Shaffer hardly needs stars to succeed in pleasing its audiences. But its top roles have been filled by major actors such as Richard Burton playing the role now filled by the remarkable Tony-winner Richard Griffiths.

Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway. Carol Rosegg photo.

That Daniel Radcliffe, star of the popular Harry Potter films, so captivated London and Broadway theatre-goers is no surprise. This is not a shallow teen idol filling an opportunistic role, but rather a serious actor proving his mettle. Equus wins our "Pick of the Week" because it is a great psychological inquisition into the character of a young stable boy who blinded horses, and great theatre that will keep your mind actively involved in the evolution of both the boy's pathology, and that of his equally troubled psychiatrist. As if that was not enough, even more is bared in the famous nude scene, in his relationship with his girlfriend, all while the authorities sort out his crime.

According to the UK's Daily Mail, the nude scene with actress Joanna Christie had many parents objecting that someone who plays a boy wizard in films for children should remain innocent. But Radcliffe clearly wanted to get beyond such type casting, and spent months in the gym pumping up his physique so his love scene would not disappoint.

Daniel Radcliffe and Joanna Christie in the London Production

Of course our pick of this show would not be complete without providing a key to some discounts. This one is particularly good, and there are others around. This may prove particularly useful for weekday performances since it is very deeply discounted at $49.50 for rear mezzanine and $66.50 for orchestra and front mezzanine on Tuesday to Thursday evenings. Click here for tickets. Or check one of the ticket brokers that specialize in discounted tickets. Cheapest for fees is to visit one of the TKTS booths run by the Theatre Development Fund. Finally, you can call "Special Promotions" at 212-947-8844 and mention code EQNYT28.

This riveting tale is one whose images will stick in your memory for a long time. The stylized horses, with heads wrought out of steel and whose actors carefully constructed stances and actions makes them real to the audience is a minor miracle of theatrical trickery, aided and abetted by a magnificent cast and brilliant technical support.

Updated NYC Ticket News - Discounts for Broadway, Radio City and Disney

Even the Spectacular Radio City Christmas Show is discounting!

The big, expensive New York City shows have all taken a hit with the downturn in the economy, and it is almost as if Broadway is having a clearance sale.

Certainly a number of blockbuster shows - like Hairspray, Gypsy, Grease and Young Frankenstein - have gone discount crazy. Disney too has reacted to the economic times with wisdom and what amounts to a huge price cut for its tickets to their three Broadway shows. Scroll down to check out our story on discounted Broadway tickets in New York, and across the USA which we compiled last weekend.

The Fabulous Disney Promotion

Disney has a "Kids Go Free" promotion which yields one free ticket for a child with each adult ticket you buy. First announced several weeks ago - see our earlier blog entries - it has just been extended for the second time, and this promotion is effective on until the day before Christmas for performances that take place early in 2009. It applies to “The Lion King,” “Mary Poppins” and “The Little Mermaid.”

Now there are a couple of important details. First, the window for buying the tickets is very short. During that period, ticket buyers can receive one free child’s admission (18 and under) with each purchase of a full-priced but this is just for performances between January 6 and March 13. Some dates blocked out, including what is school vacation week. To get these tickets, just go to this special Disney website which has been set up for this promotion.

Last week there were plenty of half price tickets for Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid at ticket agents and TKTS.

Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular has a 40% Off promotion!

The annual outing of the RCMH holiday show is a wonderful and nostalgic treat for adults and children, and there are significant discounts available - as much as 40% - for the remaining shows through the end of December. All you need is the discount code which is DECNYT. You can call the Ticketmaster Christmas Hotline at 212-307-1000 and get a discount using this code. If you prefer to do this on line use this link.

Discounted Theatre Tickets Plentiful From Broadway to the Boonies

Sometimes you just have to get in line, but more discounts are being offered on the internet.

It's happening all across America, tickets for theatre, music and dance are being discounted more heavily than ever before. If you are in the hinterlands, you may be able to find deals as well. Our survey indicates a growing number of half price and discounted ticket operations springing up everywhere.

If you want to get away, travel to the big cities is being discounted as well, Amtrak just finished its holiday promotion, and Greyhound has just began theirs. The airlines are beginning deep discounting again what with a recession and oil prices dropping like a rock.

The biggest destination of all is New York City, but further down in this blog you will find details on Atlanta, Austin, Boston, the Berkshires, Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas, Los angeles, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, DC. If we have missed one, let us know through the comments sections.

Half Price Tickets in New York City

TKTS during its recent construction in Manhattan

I have written before about TKTS, run by the Theatre Development Fund, but I have only mentioned their Times Square location. There are two others as well - in South Street Seaport on the lower East Side and in Downtown Brooklyn in the MetroTech Center. 

The TKTS ticket booths offer same-day discount tickets to Broadway shows, Off-Broadway, and other arts events at up to 50% off their original prices. There is no way of finding out which shows are featured day to day, or even minute to minute, since additional tickets often arrive as show time approaches. The theatres are mostly close by, so if the box office manager thinks the show will be left with unsold seats, TKTS may be called and a messenger dispatched to pick them up.

If ticket lines and seating roulette is not your idea of fun, there is a wonderful site you can visit that enables you to buy show tickets ahead of time, and at deep, deep discounts. You can even choose the seats, though it is always from whatever inventory remains at the time you buy.

This arrangement works best for those who make frequent trips to New York and don't mind paying a membership fee. New York Tix

My personal choices are August: Osage County from the incredible Steppenwolf company - a resident Chicago company, and Slava's Snowshow, a holiday pick. Among the musicals, there is Young Frankenstein, Hairspray and Gypsy. Timing is important since many of these shows will close shortly after Christmas.

Here's some great news for parents! The Disney "Kids Free" promotion which I detailed in an earlier Arts America blog entry has just been extended until December 23. I will work up a new blog entry on that tomorrow.

The basic rule of thumb for buying tickets to live performances is that the earlier you act, the better your seats. On the other hand, if you wait, you can often get the remaining seats at bargain prices.

Here too are some links to shows doing various other promotions.

The Blue Man Group - Use code NYTTW and call 1-800-blueman or go to this page.

Gypsy with Patti LuPone until January 18 - half price which means only $59.50 orchestra and $27 balcony - Use code GYNYT54 at 212-947-8844 or go to this site.

And if you are 40 or under, you can get tickets for events at Carnegie Hall for $20 with a "57 and 7" Membership. Details are here.

Even the super expensive Metropolitan Opera has instituted a $25 Weekend Ticket program which is more like a lottery than a sale, but worth the effort. You could end up with $250 seats at that bargain price. The incredible Met Lottery Deal Each week's entries begin on Mondays at 10:00 am ET.

Never, ever, trust scalpers!

Now on to the other cities.

Half Price Tickets in Atlanta, GA

There are plenty of same day half price tickets in Atlanta, and two places you can get them - the Underground Atlanta Vistitor's Center and Lenox Square Guest Services. You can also buy them online and in advance.

Atlanta's Metro makes it easy to get around too. However, if the word "Peachtree" is in the address, be sure to note exactly which Peachtree, since it seems about half of Atlanta's addresses use the word. There's a world of difference between Peachtree Street, Avenue, Place, Way etc.

Atlanta Performs website

Half Price Tickets in Austin, TX

Austin's Paramount and State Theatres

Austin continues to be an up and coming Texas city with a growing arts community. Certainly there is nothing shabby or second rate about their music scene. But theatre is growing too. Covering most of Central Texas, the Austin Circle of Theatres has established their own full price and discounted ticket venue on line, AusTIX.

Visit Austin, Texas

Half Price Tickets in Berkshires, MA

There are four half price ticket buying locations in the Berkshires


Even in our lightly populated Berkshires, there is so much going on that we have developed three half-price ticketing operations which have offerings ranging from Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow and Barrington Stage Company to Shakespeare and Company and the Berkshire and Williamstown Theatre Festivals.. The four locations are in Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Adams and Chatham, NY.

This past summer I detailed its operation and hours for Berkshire Fine Arts. You can read it here: Half Price Tickets in the Berkshires article

Half Price Tickets in Boston, MA

The biggest provider of half-price and other discounted tickets in Massachusetts is ARTS/Boston which is still going strong several decades after I helped create this umbrella organizaion. They have two BOSTIX booths with day of performance half-price tickets. Their half price kiosks are located in Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Copley Square. There are also advance on-line discount tickets, and you can find all the details on their website. Bostix has more than 160 participating arts organizations and theatres.

The ARTS Boston website

Half Price Tickets in Chicago, IL

The Hot TIX booth.


In the Windy City it is the Leaague of Chicago Theatres that runs the Hot Tix booth. With more than 190 member theatres, the Hot Tix booth lists discount tickets on line. You can find a link from their home page.

There are two ticket booth locations, 72 E. Randolph and 163 E. Pearson in the Water Works Visitor Center.

League of Chicago Theatres website

Half Price Tickets in Houston, TX

Houston's Hobby Center is designed for musical comedies.

There is a mailing list you can get on, and sporadic online discounts to performances in the Houston area. Not much more. Sad, especially considering the great performing arts groups that are located there. I guess they still believe theatre is only for the elite and well to do, and that the masses can get their music and theatre in church.

Houston Theatre District

Half Price Tickets in Las Vegas, NV

Tix 4 Tonight has grown to six handy locations in Las Vegas.


Tix 4 Tonight is the key to Las Vegas, with six locations, at Fashion Show Mall, Hawaiian Marketplace, Downtown, North Strip, Showcase Mall and Bill's Casino. You have to visit them in person to take advantage of their low prices. However, you can preview many of their attractions on their website.

Even some of the expensive Cirque du Soleil shows have been offered there. They have lots of discounts for other things like golf and restaurants, too.

Tix 4 Tonight website

Half Price Tickets in Los Angeles, CA

The glory of a bygone era.

Los Angeles has always been more of a film town than a stage town, and the rotting corpses of its glorious old theatres is a scandal and a crime against culture. In one section of downtown LA there are more than a dozen magnificent film houses, many of which are suitable for live performances. A new campaign has been mounted to preserve some of them, perhaps to even begin showing films in them again, though it seems a distant dream.

As the film industry seems destined to decline as did vaudeville, radio and legit, the odds seem to be turning. Las Angeles has a growing number of performing arts organizations and as their roots grow deeper, they are beginning to attract larger audiences. Many film actors are taking to the stage in a reversal of trends. We can hope this continues, and the public increasing rejects the superficial commercial-laden offerings of the bloated tv and cable networks. There is something to be said for performances that provoke and enlighten, rather than deaden and treat human beings like idiots.

The LA Stage Alliance has a number of discount programs where you can get helf price and discounted tickets. You can even search by date on their website, a wonderful feature. Their list of offerings is incredible.In fact, I think the marketing seen here is the finest in the country, a model for other cities.

The Los Angeles Stage Alliance website

Half Price Tickets in New Orleans, LA

Tickets are in ample supply

When I spent time there, culture in New Orleans was always more rooted in the Mardi Gras than the performing arts. My but how times have changed. Notwithstanding the devastation of Katrina, music, theatre and dance is very much alive here.

The Arts Council of New Orleans has a great online email ticket offer program called NOLA FunSavers, and has already offered everything from The Nutcracker to Puccini's Il Trittico. You can learn more on their website.

Arts Council of New Orleans

Half Price Tickets in Philadelphia, PA

They have a different way of discounting in Philadephia where the Cultural Alliance has an email program called FunSavers which offers discount tickets in advance. More a political organization than a marketing arm for the arts organizations, it is a start.

You can find out more about it at Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Half Price Tickets in Pittsburgh, PA

The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council has a small mailing list which receives half price ticket offers. They once had a ticket booth, a drive-in one at that! - but the politics of Allegheny Country doomed it to failure, and even the mail order program is a emaciated ghost of what it could be.

You can get information on it here:

Half Price Tickets in San Diego, CA

San Diego's ARTS Tix


In Southern California it is the San Diego Performing Arts League that runs their ARTS TIX operation. The creation of the League and its former director, Alan Ziter, it took many years for it to establish itself, but it has become a major benefit to area arts organizations.

Once just a shared box office, there are two ticket booths, one downtown near the Horton Center and one in Escondido.

Go to the San Diego Performing Arts League website

Half Price Tickets in San Francisco, CA

The Union Square Ticket Booth in San Francisco has become a landmark.


Tix Bay Area is located in San Francisco's Union Square and offers plentiful discounted tickets, usually at half price.

Theatre Bay Area, which runs the booth, has more than 365 member organizations spread over 11 San Francisco area counties.

Link to the Theatre Bay Area website

Half Price Tickets in Washington, DC

The Ticketplace Booth in Washington, D.C.


The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington runs Ticket Place, which is located at 407 7th Street NW. They offer both day of and advance discount tickets.

Ticketplace and the Cultural Alliance

Disney offers free Broadway tickets for children

Mary Poppins on Broadway

It's actually kind of amazing. But Disney has reacted to the economic times with wisdom and what amounts to a huge price cut for its tickets to their three Broadway shows.

Not exactly free, but the next best thing because with each adult ticket you can get one free children’s ticket. It is a limited time offer, and applies to three of its most popular Broadway musicals: “The Lion King,” “Mary Poppins” and “The Little Mermaid.”

The Lion King on Broadway

Now there are a couple of important details. First, the window for buying the tickets is very short. The tickets will go on sale on Monday, December 1 through Dec. 12. During that period, ticket buyers can receive one free child’s admission (18 and under) with each purchase of a full-priced ticket.

The other caveat is that this is just for shows between January 6 and March 13, the slowest months of the Broadway season due to the unpredictability of the weather. There are some dates blocked out, including what is school vacation for some.

The Little Mermaid on Braodway

But should you be able to work around the limitations, you can get one heck of a deal, mom and dad. To claim your tickets, and to find out more about these shows, you just need to visit this special Disney website which has been set up for this promotion.