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Tips On How To Enjoy
A Good Show
BEFORE
the show
buying of tickets
Anchor 1
when to buy
time & day of the show
TIME:
Matinee - afternoon show | 2pm or 3pm
These shows usually have cheaper tickets and more availability of seats.
Evening - night show | 7pm or 8pm
These shows guarantee the attendance of the original cast most of the time. Although most tickets are more expensive and provide a limited number of seats (due to the large audience), watching an evening show is the best way to end the day.
DAY:
Weekdays:
Tickets are least expensive from Mondays-Thursdays since most people are at work. Matinee shows on weekdays are the cheapest since only a small number of audience purchase these.
Weekends:
Unless booked early, seats are always limited and most likely more expensive compared to weekdays shows.
MONTHS BEFORE:
If you're watching a show like Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen, it's recommended that you purchase your tickets 6 months before. Last minute tickets are only possible if you wait in the cancellation line. The remaining tickets might either be the most expensive ones or the worst seats.
2-3 WEEKS BEFORE:
This is the best time to buy a ticket and get a desirable seat.
LAST MINUTE
At some times, purchasing tickets the day before the show or before the show itself may be a good idea. They give out good seats at an affordable price. But because they are last minute, you never have the liberty to choose your seat. Sometimes it's better to have the worst seat than to have nothing at all.
where to buy
ONLINE:
To be able to get seats ahead of time and through the most convenient way, it's recommended to book online via the website of the show, Broadway.com (for Broadway shows), or westendtheatrebooking.com (for West End shows). Take note that if you purchase tickets online, you have to pay service charge (additional payment to the original price). A perk of this is that you could either choose to print your ticket or claim your ticket at the box office before the show.
AT THE BOX OFFICE:
The box office is the place at a theatre where tickets are bought or reserved. It's usually at the entrance of the theatre. It's hard to purchase tickets at the box office especially if it's in a far location, but one of the major benefits of buying there is that you have full knowledge on the seat you are reserving. Unlike booking online, you can ask the box office staff the cheapest seats they have at the moment. You could ask them to recommend the seats for you since they know the theatre more than anyone. People tend to choose seats at the sides because they are cheaper than the ones in the middle - the staff could point out to you which side seats still show the entire stage (since some don't show 1/4 of the stage).
TKTS:
Buying at TKTS can get you super affordable tickets if you're willing to wait a very long line. There are 4 locations: Times Square New York City, South Street Seaport, Downtown Brooklyn, and Lincoln Centre. The line can get very long to the point that it goes around in circles. There are staff members walking around to advertise and guide confused customers. There is also an announcement board that shows which shows are on sale.
Anchor 2
the show
DURING
clothing and souvenirs
where to sit
ORCHESTRA:
This is the main floor of theater. This area has the nearest seats to the stage. There is not much elevation among seats (in comparison to the balcony) so there is limited angle view.
BALCONY: FRONT MEZZANINE
This is the front part of the balcony. They provide a panoramic view of the stage and it is nearer to the stage compared to the back of the orchestra. Best recommended seats are from Centre Front Mezzanine
BALCONY: REAR MEZZANINE
This is the back part of the balcony. They are cheaper compared to the Front Mezz because they are found farther back.
BOX SEATS:
This is the separated seating area in the theater found at the sides. Some parts of the show will be out of sight unless the box is angled for the viewers to see most of the stage.
what to wear
SMART CASUAL:
When watching a show, you must wear the proper attire. Since it is a social event, wearing a neat outfit gives the theater an organised and refreshing atmosphere. It's also exciting to see other people dressed up so nicely.
FORMAL:
If it is the Opening Night or Anniversary of the show and only select guests are invited, it's good to arrive in your formal attire. Comfortable formal clothes is greatly recommended to make it easy to sit, stand, and socialise throughout the night.
when & what to buy
WHEN:
The best time to buy your souvenirs is before the show. If you're not very familiar with the show you're watching, you may enjoy the first act and then buy during the intermission. It's best to buy during those times because it can get a bit chaotic after the show. It's hard to buy souvenirs when everyone is headed there as well. And if you're after meeting the cast by the stage door, you won't have enough time to look around the items.
WHAT:
Many of the items for sale are keychains, CDs, posters, lapel pins, program guides, music sheets, mugs, stuffed toys/figurines, and other accessories. If you greatly enjoyed the show and you're curious of it, the best souvenir item for you would be the program guide. It's around $20-30. Most musical souvenirs are overpriced because they can only be bought in the theater. But they are very worth it if you're a fan. If you want a cheaper item to remember it by, a keychain or mug would be a great memento. If you're a big fan, it's best to get an item that represents the entire play (ex. the Phantom's mask from Phantom of the Opera, the music box from Anastasia). This might be the most expensive item in the shop, but it will be a great token to keep.
AFTER
the show
at the stage door
Anchor 3
WHAT TO BRING:
Prepare a black and silver sharpie, playbill, gift/letter for the cast (optional), and a camera. Bring these items with you before you go to the show. It's always hard to borrow a pen from an impatient fan.
HOW TO STAGE DOOR:
Make sure you know where the stage door is before entering the theater. They're usually beside the entrance. In other cases, it's sometimes at the back of the theater (the other street). After the curtain call, immediately proceed to the stage door to see you favourite cast. It's nice to be the first one there because you get to be in front and near the stars, not squeezing in from the back. The actors usually start signing from right to left (facing the stage door). So if you want to be the first, head to the right side. But if you want more time to talk to them, stay last in line. But some are really tired after the show so you have to act fast. Keep brief and enjoy your few seconds with them. Let your playbill be signed and take a photo. A great way for them to remember you is to give them a letter or little token.
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