Seats for a song

Rush tickets to Broadway and Off Broadway shows can sell for as little as $20 apiece. Go to the theater’s box office on the day of the performance (most open at noon) and wait in line. Some sell rush tickets early, others an hour before curtain. Many shows also offer discounted rates for students and seniors.

Discount tickets are available for same-day performances through the Theatre Development Fund/TKTS, whose temporary location is outside the New York Marriott Marquis hotel on W 46th St between Broadway and Eighth Ave. Its hours are Mon–Sat 3–8pm; Wed, Sat 10am–2pm (for matinee tickets); Sun 11am–7pm.

You can also use the TKTS South Street Seaport Booth, located at the corner of Front and John Sts. Its hours are Mon–Sat 11am–6pm; Sun 11am–4pm. Cash and traveler’s checks only. Don’t assume that your chosen show will be available; it’s best to arrive with a few alternatives in mind. Check to see if you qualify for TDF’s Mailing List Program.

Check to see if you qualify for TDF membership. If so, you can purchase discount tickets to Broadway and Off Broadway shows online for less than $35 each. Students, teachers, retirees and civil servants are among those eligible. No membership is required to purchase TDF Vouchers (sets of four for $36), which are good at many Off-Off venues. For more information, go to tdf.org or call 212-221-0885, ext 251.

Discount codes—for use when purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster—can be found at broadwaybox.com. This useful site provides links and phone numbers that will help you purchase Broadway and Off Broadway tickets for up to 50 percent off.

Half-price tickets can be purchased at box offices by presenting Hit Show Club vouchers, available at the club’s office, 630 Ninth Ave at 44th St, eighth floor; call 212-581-4211 or visit hitshowclub.com. Group-rate discounts are available through Broadway Bucks. Go to 226 W 47th St between Broadway and Eighth Ave, tenth floor; call 800-223-7565; or simply visit bestofbroadway.com.

Budget-conscious theatergoers between the ages of 18 and 35 can buy half-price tickets to Roundabout Theatre Company productions by joining its Hiptix program. Membership is free and allows you to purchase tickets to plays and musicals for $20. Call 212-719-1300 or register online at hiptix.com.

Students ages 13 to 18 can purchase $5 tickets to many Off and Off-Off Broadway productions through High 5 Tickets to the Arts. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit high5tix.org.

Librarians, teachers and students can pick up vouchers for 30 to 50 percent off at the School Theater Ticket Program, 1560 Broadway between Sixth and Seventh Aves, suite 1113 (Mon–Fri 11am–4pm). For more information, call 212-354-4722 or visit schooltix.com.