AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 4 Tickets to The Judy Show

Are you due for a laugh? Then join two-time Emmy winner Judy Gold for The Judy Show: My Life as a Sitcom as she journeys back through iconic television sitcoms from the 70s, 80s and 90s (you know, the ones you keep handy on your DVR in case nothing is on cable). You'll laugh, you'll cry, well, you probably won't cry, but you'll definitely enjoy yourself. 

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away two pairs of tickets to see The Judy Show: My Life as a Sitcom off-Broadway! Tickets are good for shows through 11/27 and winners will pick up their tickets at the box office. There are 5 easy ways to win and each comment counts as an entry. Please include your email in all comments so I know how to contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Subscribe to this blog by email, using the submission box in the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment below telling me about your favorite TV show character from the 70s, 80s or 90s and why he/she is your favorite.

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

5) Tweet or blog about this event and let me know with a link to your tweet or blog in a comment below.

You have until Thursday 10/20 at 5 p.m. EST to enter the contest. A winner will be announced shortly after. Good luck!


Congratulations Elizabeth and Jerry! You have each won a pair of tickets to The Judy Show! Check your email for more information.

For those who just can't wait for a good deal, you can snag 50% off tickets (normally $65) through 11/27 using code JSHHC45 at Broadwayoffers.com, calling 212-947-8844 or at the DR2 Theater box office at 103 E. 15th Street (between Park Ave. and Irving Pl.).

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Stomp!

The risk you take by going to see a brand, spanking new theater show is, well, that it could suck. However, when a show has been around successfully for more than 20 years, you know you're in for a treat. STOMP is the legendary anything-can-be-an instrument show that has been captivating audiences and using four blocks of athlete's chalk and 30 brooms (among other random items) a week to create soulful and high-energy musical performances. If you remember the old TV show Doug and the "bangin' on a trashcan, drummin' on a street light" song, you will be thoroughly entertained with this show.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pairs of tickets to see STOMP! The tickets are good for most performances in the show's East Village theater through the end of March. There are 5 easy ways to win and each comment counts as an entry. Please include your email in any comments so I know how to contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Subscribe to this blog by email, using the submission box in the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment below letting me know why you want to see this show.

3) Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

5) Tweet or blog about this event and let me know with a link to your tweet or blog in a comment below.

Two winners will be chosen using Random.org on Tuesday 8/23. You have until Monday 8/22 at 6 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

A winner has been chosen! Congratulations Jerry! He was the 8th person to comment and wins two tickets to see the Off Broadway show STOMP! Thanks for playing everyone and stay tuned for more giveaways!

If you didn't win the contest, you can grab discounted tickets by clicking here, visiting the box office or calling 800.982.2787 and using the code AMC47 through September 4. You will be able to find tickets for as low as $47.50 (regularly $72.50).

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Voca People

Ever wanted to see an intergalactic, a capella musical complete with white aliens and lots of fun? The specific desire may not have crossed your mind, but you can now enjoy this showcase of uniqueness at Voca People - a new musical theater event playing at the Westside Theater in Hell's Kitchen.

The show, which has traveled around the world, features talented performers who entertain the crowd with familiar songs without the use of instruments. The characters hail from the planet Voca, where all communication is made by musical and vocal expressions. 

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to see Voca People! The tickets must be picked up at the box office the day of the show. There are 5 easy ways to win and each comment counts as an entry. Please include your email in any comments so I know how to contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment below letting me know why you want to see this show.

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Tweet or blog about this event and let me know with a link to your tweet or blog in a comment below.

5) Subscribe to this blog by email, using the submission box in the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

One winner will be chosen using Random.org on Wednesday 6/29. You have until Wednesday 6/29 at 12 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

A winner has been chosen! Congratulations Cindy! She was the 1st commenter and wins two tickets to see Voca People! Thanks everyone for entering and stay tuned for more awesomeness.

Spend more than $50 on Broadway? Puh-leeeease!

I cannot tell you the last time I spent more than $50, if not less, on a Broadway ticket. Honestly, between TDF's membership program, Yelp's Broadway Nights, lotteries and rush tickets, I laugh at anyone who spends more than a Ulysses S. Grant on a show. But alas! There's more! For those of us "young" theater-goers, there are several programs that you need to know about!

Roundabout's Hiptix
The Roundabout Theater Company produces some of the best shows on Broadway -- currently: The Importance of Being Earnest, Anything Goes and The People in the Picture. If you're between the ages of 18-35, you can purchase two tickets for each of their productions for only $20 each! They often run promotions for $10 tickets as well and throw parties for Hiptix members with free drinks and snacks. You have to order your tickets via phone and pick them up the day of the show with proof of age (your guest must also be between 18-35 and show proof of age as well). Signing up is free so what are you waiting for?

Manhattan Theater Club's 30 Under 30
MTC is another big name theater organization, currently producing Good People, Cradle and All and Master Class. If you are under the age of 30, you can purchase two tickets for each of their shows for just $30, pending availability. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, by phone or online and your guest can be of any age (this is different from other young patron programs). Also, MTC offers additional perks like parties, readings and giveaways that you will have access to upon signing up for the program and receiving their emails.

Lincoln Center Theater LincTix
LincTix is a program I just discovered and I think it's pretty new. You can sign up for this program if you are betweetn 21-35 for $30 tickets to any show playing at the Beaumont Theater (currently the hit show War Horse), the Newhouse Theater and all shows LCT presents on Broadway (previously Joe Turner's Come and Gone and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). While you can buy your tickets online the catch for this one is that you can only buy one ticket per member. If you'd like to go with another friend aged 21-35 then you can request to sit with that person by filling in their member number and phone number when buying your ticket, but that person will also have to buy his/her own ticket. Still, $30 for War Horse? I'm game.

So basically, if you're under 30 or 35, there's no excuse for you to be shelling out lots of dough for a show (with the exception of Book of Mormon - just pay the money and see this AMAZING exhibit of theater at its best). If you come across any additional programs like these, comment below so I can share with the rest of the Awesome in New York community.

...And Then I Wrote Another Blog Post About It

I recently wrote about an awesome one-man show that I trekked out to Jersey to see. It's called ...And Then I Wrote a Song About It and it's coming to NYC - tomorrow!

Here's my recap so that you know what you can expect to enjoy:

...And Then I Wrote a Song About It is the brainchild of writer Eric H. Weinberger, lyricist Sammy Buck, composer Daniel S. Acquisto, director Igor Goldin and actor Nick Cearley. It tells the story of a young man in the city in the late 70s and early 80s trying to make it as a performer when all his family wants from him is to marry a nice girl and get to his job at his father's meat store on time every morning. Well, his plans are very different from what's expected of him and he meets life-changing people and experiences unique New York events at a time when many circumstances of a 20-something's life were very unpredictable. And he pretty much sings a song about every one of these people and experiences. 

At a certain point in the middle of the show, I had to stop and remember that it was only one actor putting on this whole production, and you have to recognize how big of a feat that is. Complete with triumphant energy, loads of compassion and a hint of melancholy, the show will leave you feeling lucky to have the opportunities you've had and excited about the possibilities still to come. It's a subtle reminder that the people you might shrug off on the subway could have phenomenal life stories that are just waiting to be told.

If you're looking for a great New York story with the potential to be a hit show (it's playing in San Diego come March!) and don't have plans Thursday night (1/20) at 6:30 p.m., I'd highly recommend a visit to the Jerry Orbach Theater (210 W. 50th Street @ Broadway). Need even more of an incentive? Tickets are only $15! That's cheaper than two hot dogs and a can of soda at any Times Square corner vendor.

BOGO Off-Broadway Bonanza

Cheap theater is good. BOGO theater + BOGO drinks is even better! You're in luck because the city is sponsoring just that from Jan. 24 - Feb. 13 this year. Take your pick from more than 30 different Off-Broadway shows, from big names like Avenue Q and Love, Loss and What I Wore, the critically acclaimed children's show Freckleface Strawberry and a retro celebration The Awesome 80s Prom (I like it because it's awesome of course!). You will get a free ticket for every ticket purchased.

When the show's over, the party doesn't stop. Your ticket will get you 2 for 1 drinks after the show. This is a great deal and I'm thinking the city is brilliant for sponsoring an opportunity to encourage higher attendance at Off-Broadway shows. There are truly some gems out there that don't get a whole lot of attention. You can view a listing of all available shows here. Come back and let us know what you saw and how you liked it!

...And Then I Wrote a Blog Post About It

It's not often I leave the NYC borders these days (well except for a cruise to the Bahamas coming up this Saturday - eeek!). However I actually took the New Jersey Transit out to a small town called West Orange, NJ last Sunday. Now, what awesome thing brought me out there you're probably thinking? Well, it wasn't just for the original greasy spoon in a diner car called Gamburgers, but it was a fabulous one-man show called ...And Then I Wrote a Song About It.

...And Then I Wrote a Song About It is the brainchild of writer Eric H. Weinberger, lyricist Sammy Buck, composer Daniel S. Acquisto, director Igor Goldin and actor Nick Cearley. It tells the story of a young man in the city in the late 70s and early 80s trying to make it as a performer when all his family wants from him is to marry a nice girl and get to his job at his father's meat store on time every morning. Well, his plans are very different from what's expected of him and he meets life-changing people and experiences unique New York events at a time when many circumstances of a 20-something's life were very unpredictable. And he pretty much sings a song about every one of these people and experiences. 

At a certain point in the middle of the show, I had to stop and remember that it was only one actor putting on this whole production, and you have to recognize how big of a feat that is. Complete with triumphant energy, loads of compassion and a hint of melancholy, the show will leave you feeling lucky to have the opportunities you've had and excited about the possibilities still to come. It's a subtle reminder that the people you might shrug off on the subway could have phenomenal life stories that are just waiting to be told.

Playing at Luna Stage until December 19, ...And Then I Wrote a Song About It is a great show and I would totally advocate for a NY Transit ride to go see it! If you are planning to go, let me know as I might be able to get you a deal on tickets, tbd :) Oh, and you should totally hit up Gamburgers.

Here is a link to get NJ Transit train schedules.

From NYC, take a train from NY Penn to Highland Ave - they are infrequent on the weekends, but quite direct. (More often and less direct on weekdays.)