New York City, New York
The purpose of this family trip to New York City was for my Mother’s 60th birthday and while the trip was a splurge at 5 nights, we wanted to keep costs under control.
We foolishly hoped we could go see Book of Mormons – oh silly Canadians…well we could if we wanted to pay $300 a ticket.
We didn’t want it that much.
But we still wanted to celebrate and oh we did – this is how to see a broadway play in New York City.
1) Make your mother wear a 60th birthday sash and pin to embarrass her during the day. Realize that most people in NYC are dressed more ridiculously and no one notices her.
2) Head down to TKTS Seaport – NOT the one in Times Square! Here in Seaport you can get tickets day before or day of, and there’s no line wrapping down the block.
Blankly look at the list of shows available and the nice boy standing outside will help you choose one. He has seen pretty much every show and knows which ones have won awards. Go inside and buy tickets for 50% off the regular price.
3) Celebrate your keen sense of getting a deal by splurging on drinks at an outdoor patio at Seaport. Sure the drinks are ridiculously expensive but you just saved 50% on a Broadway play!
4) Head over to the show. Ask a clueless man to take your photo but remember he’s an idiot so he won’t put the show billboard in the background but instead include your ugly but sensible shoes. Oh yeah it will also be out of focus. Then take an awesome photo of him and his girlfriend.
5) Decide you can take a better photo yourself with your iPhone. But wait short people have short arms. That’s okay as long as everyone gets one eye in the photo and the play name (Memphis) behind you it will be good enough for Facebook.
6) Realize you have spent too much time outside screwing around and go sit down. It’s time to talk about important things, like the hot concessions stand guy. How much money does he make? How many jobs does he have? Can he even afford to live in New York? Does he travel from New Jersey?
Oh wait the play is beginning to start, it’s time to shut up.
How was the show???? I’ve never seen Memphis – but gosh do I ever love Broadway!
It was amazing, although I don`t know if I have been to a musical I didn`t like so I may not be the greatest judge.
Hahaha you three are so cute! My family made me wear a stupid 30th Birthday sash when I turned 30. I wanted to die. Looks like you all had a lot of fun!!! How could you not, right? It’s NY baby! 🙂
My mother was horrified. We loved it!
Still haven’t seen a show on Broadway…but seen several in London’s West End…does that count?? And $300 bucks a ticket is ridic…
So ridiculous, I would rather wait for the show to age, get a new cast and pay a fraction of the price.
I love this. Awesome tips, great story. Every time I see a photo of you with your mom or sister I am amazed by how much you all look alike! Also, i find that any time you ask someone to take a photo of you, they act like they have never seen a camera before and do a horrible job with the photo.
I have walked around town at home and people stop and ask if I`m her daughter, there is no denying it.
Your photo is MUCH better. Wow, was he drunk when he took that photo? I have never had the desire to see a broadway play, but it looks like you had fun leading up to it.
To be fair it was with my iPhone but I took one with his Android, are android users stupid?
haha. Fun! Excellent eye photo. 😀
But… you should have asked me first!
Damn…
LOL. How was the play? I can’t recall if I’ve seen a Broadway play, I guess not, if I can’t remember but do know I saw a few shows when I was there.
yes, the dilemma of asking someone to take your photo- usually there photography skills aren’t as good as yours.
The musical was fantastic, it was one of those old theatres that has been around forever. We`ll definitely come back to New York to see more.
Bahaha. I love your tips. Especially the one about having a random guy take a bad photo of you. 😉
I have an even BETTER tip, though – go a couple of hours early to a show that raffles off “lottery tickets” before each performance. Do this 2 or 3 times until you win tickets to “Wicked,” and then pay $25 per ticket to sit in the front row.
That’s what my mom and I did a few years ago in NYC!
But seriously. The TKTS Seaport tip is a good one. Might have to use it ourselves next month, since Book of Mormon is ALREADY completely sold out all 4 days we are there.
The only problem with the lottery is that you get two tickets and there are 3 of us. But yes definitely a good tip for couples!
You are hilarious! Don’t worry there is nothing wrong with short arms or legs. good things come in small packages I say!
That is our family motto!
Oh my god, I laughed out loud when I read this post. We’ve all had that moment of a photo someone else takes of us that sucks. Then taking one yourself where half of you is there. I hope the play was awesome! It looks like your mom had a great time.
Why do people think I need my feet in the photo, and not the musical sign? Come on people, waist up!
I can really relate to the short people, short arm issue! haha that’s really funny cos it happens to me always!
That photo was great though, nice share there!
My arm is long enough to get me in a photo but definitely not all three of us.
Wow, I did not know about the Seaport TXKT booth! Great tip!
Man, don’t you hate it when someone takes a bad photo – there should be a rule about tourists taking each others photos: you have to keep taking it till the other group is happy, and only then is it your turn! Ha!
A friend told me right before I went and thank goodness because I saw the regular TKTS line-up – that is for suckers!
Ahh wish I knew about TKTS at Seaport.. Would’ve saved me a lot of time. Lol. Next time I’ll know better.
NYC is one of those cities where you know there will always be a next time.
I am visiting NY later this year and so excited about it. Will definitely be taking in a broadway play. Will remember your tips ha!
Make sure you also read Matt Karsten`s tip above.
Ha ha this article made me laugh out loud. Particularly point 1…classic!
It made us laugh too.
Bargain tickets from TKTs Seaport, will have to remember that one! I have that horrible luck with travel photos too…I cringe when people ask me to take their photo. hehe
I always have to ask people from the waist up and to put me to one side, not in the middle. It seems high strung but when I don`t I get photos like the one above.
Hilarious! I hear you on the short arms and people that take bad photos. Sounds like you had a great time though!
It is always a good time with my family.
Hahaha, I will take every piece of this advice for when I head there in April. So, how was the play in the end? I don’t know much about Memphis.
It was the last run for Memphis so you won`t be able to see it but the guy who stands outside at Seaport is really helpful in picking something you will like.
Tell me, what’s the verdict on Memphis? I’m headed to NYC in the new year.
It was fantastic but it won`t be around next year. Because there is no line at Seaport you have time to ask questions, unlike in Times Square where they need to move you through quickly.
Definitely a great list of tips! I’ll be sure to share this with my NYC Tourists so that they know
Hilarious! It looks like you had as much fun on your journey to get the tickets as you probably did at the show! The next time you head this way Family In New York would be a great addition to your visit! They offer custom private New York tours. They can create a tour with your family and their unique interests in mind! They also know some top secret ways to get great prices on Broadway shows!