How to Get Cheap Theatre Tickets

Living in NYC, one of the most popular things to do is go and see a show. I know that among my friend group, we love going to see the latest shows both on and off-Broadway. But, Broadway tickets can a bit expensive for a student. During one of my previous internships for a Broadway company, I had to compile a list of discount tickets and that inspired me to write to this post.

So, here are the options you have to score cheap tickets to that show you've been wanting to see!

• Student Rush
• Not all shows have student rush, but when they do the prices cannot be beat! Getting to the box office around the time it opens is key to scoring those cheap student rush tickets. Use studentrush.org as a resource. 
• TKTS Booth
• With this one, you have to be willing to wait in line. I recommend going with a friend so you can take shifts if you need a break from waiting. 
• TodayTix App
• Easily accessible on your phone, TodayTix offers a wide variety of discount tickets for some of the most popular shows. 
• nytix.com
• This website requires a $4 a month membership but they offer a great supply of discount tickets for a variety of shows. I am not a member but I know some people who are and they love it. Typically, I prefer to use one of the free resources. 
• BroadwayBox.com
• Although I've never personally used this website, I have a couple friends who highly recommend it so I thought it was worth mentioning. 
• Lottery
• Check to see if the show you want to see has a lottery you can enter. Though you may not always win, it's still worth a try in my opinion. (Personally, I'm still waiting for the day I win the Hamilton lottery). 
• Go to the box office the day of the show
• Another option that requires getting up early in order to get to the box office early enough to see if they have any cheap day-off tickets. (I did this for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London and got an amazing discount so I highly recommend this one). 

There are so many other theatres that offer their own discount programs that are worth a look. I hope this list of how to get cheap tickets helps you out the next time you want to see a show!

Interviewing a Broadway Lyricist

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to interview a professional in the theatre industry. Her name is Susan Birkenhead and she is a lyricist for musicals. Below are the questions and answers. I hope you enjoy because she truly is a wonderful lady with such wisdom.

• Tell me a little bit about yourself.
• I am a lyricist. I’ve been working in the theatre since 1978 when I was one of five writers on a show called Working, directed by Stephen Schwartz. My mentor was Jule Styne, who wrote Gypsy, Funny Girl, among others. I have four children, now grown, and am currently working on three shows that are bound for Broadway. Monsoon Wedding is still playing in Berkeley CA (it’s pre-Broadway try-out), The Secret Life of Bees which is about to do a workshop at New York Stage and Film, and Betty Boop, which will have a workshop in the fall.
• When did you realize that being a lyricist was right for you?
• When I was in a famous workshop called, Lehman Engel’s Musical Theatre Workshop at BMI. I went in as a composer/lyricist, and realized that my musical imagination was not as fertile as those of my fellow students (some of the most famous names in musical theatre) …but my lyrics landed every time, and eventually, people began asking me to collaborate. 
• Who has had the biggest impact/inspiration for you and your career?
• Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, George C. Wolfe, Frank Loesser, Cole Porter.
• What's your favorite part of working in the theatre industry? 
• Everything. The work itself, the family that forms (and endures) with each show, the rehearsal process, and most of all…standing in the back of a theatre, watching people react to your creation. Nothing like it.
• What has been your proudest achievement?

• A show called, Jelly’s Last Jam. It was George C. Wolfe’s first show. It was called a groundbreaking musical by the New York Times, and it was. 
• What have been some of your favorite Broadway shows? 
• There are a lot…but the masterpieces are: Sweeney Todd, (most of Sondheim’s shows), Gypsy, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, …
• What are some of the challenges facing the arts? Do you think there's a way to overcome them? 
• Hard to say. Money is always an issue…but I think there’s a lack of very good training. I was so lucky to have a mentor like Jule Styne. I believe strongly in the mentor-protégé relationship. Some call it apprenticeship, and I guess that’s what it is. I always say that Jule was my PhD.
• Any advice for someone wanting to pursue a career in the theatre world?
• Resilience is as important as talent. Things fall apart constantly. People die, or go off to make movies, or have babies. You have to have at least three projects going at any given time. When a show falls apart, for whatever reason, you have to be able to bounce back. I’ve had it happen with some of the most promising projects—some of them with giants in the industry. I cry for three days, then get up on the fourth and say, “Next!"

As you can see, Susan Birkenhead is a fascinating woman with immense intellect and experience. Her passion for theatre and the industry as a whole is contagious and it was a real joy getting to speak with her. The words and advice she shared with me will inspire me for years to come, I am sure of it. Thank you for your time Susan!

A Night For Theatre Kids

Last night, my inner theatre geek was screaming for joy as thousands gathered in New York City for the 71^st annual Tony Awards. In honor of the awards show, I decided to write about all the little fun facts I learned over the years about Broadway and the Tony’s.

Broadway, or “The Great White Way” has been around since the 18^th century and continues to draw people from all over the world. The nickname, “The Great White Way” refers to Broadway’s being one of the first streets to be completely lit up with lights in the US. The famous song doesn’t lie when it says, “the neon lights are bright on Broadway.” To be considered a Broadway show, a production must take place in one of the 41 professional theatres. Shows are usually categorized as a musical or a play (though there have been shows that are a hybrid). Loosely the main distinction between the two is that musicals integrate the plot into songs and dances whereas plays typically tell the story through spoken dialogue. Whether you prefer one over the other, Broadway is guaranteed to deliver a stellar show.

The Tony Awards began in 1947 by the American Theatre Wing to praise and acknowledge excellence in Broadway theatre. Each year, a Nominating Committee of about 50 professionals in theatre see all the new shows on Broadway and decide which shows and artists should be recognized. The Tony Awards are presented by two companies that come together: The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.

Who votes for the winners, you may be asking? Well, the voters come from many companies and organizations dedicated to Broadway, theatre, and the arts in general. As a former intern of one of these companies, I can vouch for them and say they are extraordinary people who are fighting to keep the arts alive.

Antoinette Perry was an actress, stage director, and philanthropist who founded the American Theatre Wing. The Tony’s were named in honor of her and the first award ceremony was held the year after she passed away. From the beginning, this night has been about celebrating all of those who dedicate their lives to theatre. It has grown into one of the most highly anticipated events for the theatre community.

So, who won last night?

·       Best Play: Oslo

·       Best Musical: Dear Evan Hansen

·       Best Revival of a Play: August Wilson’s Jitney

·       Best Revival of a Musical: Hello, Dolly!

·       Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Kevin Kline (Present Laughter)

·       Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Laurie Metcalf (A Doll’s House, Part 2)

·       Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen)

·       Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Bette Midler (Hello, Dolly!)

·       Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Michael Aronov (Oslo)

·       Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Cynthia Nixon (The Little Foxes)

·       Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Gavin Creel (Hello, Dolly!)

·       Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Rachel Bay Jones (Dear Evan Hansen)

·       Best Book, Musical: Steven Levenson (Dear Evan Hansen)

·       Original Score: Dear Evan Hansen music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

·       Best Scenic Design for a Play: Nigel Hook (The Play That Goes Wrong)

·       Best Scenic Design for a Musical: Mimi Lien (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812)

·       Best Costume Design for a Play: Jane Greenwood (The Little Foxes)

·       Best Costume Design for a Musical: Santo Loquasto (Hello, Dolly!)

·       Best Lighting Design for a Play: Christopher Akerlind (Incedent)

·       Best Lighting Design for a Musical: Bradley King (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812)

·       Best Direction for a Play: Rebecca Taichman (Incedent)

·       Best Direction for a Musical: Christopher Ashley (Come From Away)

·       Best Choreography: Andy Blankenbuehler (Bandstand)

·       Best Orchestrations: Alex Lacamoire (Dear Evan Hansen)

·       Special Tony Award: Gareth Fry and Pete Malkin’ sound design for The Encounter

A total of 12 productions (13 including the special award) accepted a Tony Award last night. It’s incredible how many productions got recognition for their outstanding work. I cannot wait to see some of these productions.