Love Me Some Cheap Theater

I don't know if you've noticed, but there are some AWESOME Off-Broadway shows out there right now. I have so many on my want-to-see list, it's ridiculous. From Rent to Million Dollar Quartet, The Fantasticks to Traces, there's something for everybody!

While we await the big spring Broadway openings, I would highly recommend taking advantage of a current promotion available at more than three dozen shows called 20 at 20. Basically, you have 20 days to see amazing shows like the aforementioned for just $20. The 20 days started Jan. 18th (sorry for the late notice!) and goes until Feb. 6th. The way to get your $20 tickets is to show up to the box office 20 minutes before curtain and say you want your 20 at 20 tickets. It's that easy!

Plus, if you manage to see 7 shows over the course of the promotion, you get a free dinner for 2! Whatcha waitin' for?

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.

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!

TDF - It's More Than TKTS

If you haven't figured it out yet, I love theater. Thing is, if you love going as much as I do, it can put a pretty heavy strain on your wallet. Fortunately, I've found many ways to win tickets (pay attention to Facebook and Twitter people!!), but there are always shows I just can't find giveaways for or that out of town visitors specifically request. This is when I'm glad to have discovered the Theater Development Fund.

Some of you might know TDF as the organization that runs the big TKTS booth in Times Square where you can buy day-of discounted tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. TDF is so much more than just TKTS. I recently signed up as a member for an annual fee of just $30 for a year and now have access to all sorts of tickets for even cheaper than they are sold at TKTS. Bonus - I can buy them in advance!! For example, I purchased two front orchestra tickets to see Rock of Ages and only spent $77 including all fees!! It really can't get much better than that. 

Some caveats - you don't always get a choice of where your seats are, but in my experience, they have been surprisingly good. Also, not everyone can join TDF. You have to be one of the following (and provide proof): full-time students, full-time teachers, union members, retirees, civil service employees, staff members of not-for-profit organizations, performing arts professionals, members of the armed forces or clergy. If you fall into one of those categories and love theater, I would recommend signing up asap. It's just a short application and you have to send in a letter proving that you qualify for membership. You can purchase up to 10 tickets for each show on your account, so tell your friends. They won't want to miss out on the cheap tickets either!

Awesome Extra: TDF also has a great guide to Broadway and theater for newbies. It will answer all of your questions - check it out!