So you want see a Broadway show but don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on tickets?
Don’t despair! There are plenty of inexpensive shows in New York City that provide the Broadway experience at a fraction of the price. Check out our top budget alternatives. New World Stages: This underground theater sits a block from Broadway but sells tickets for half the price of most Broadway venues. Shows include long-running Broadway hits Avenue Q and Rent, as well as quirkier productions (Naked Boys Singing, Gazillion Bubble Show). Avenue Q tickets start at $69.50 for an 8 pm midweek show in March.
Website: http://newworldstages.com
Twitter: @newworldstages
Location: 340 West 50th St, between 8th and 9th Avenues, in midtown Manhattan Cost: Tickets start at $44.50 per person
Burlesque: If you want a sensual, funny performance, skip Chicago and catch a burlesque show. The fine art of striptease is popular across New York City and it’s possible to see a burlesque performance any night of the week. Simply show up a bar, lounge or club on their burlesque night and pay a small cover charge; no reservations are required. Options range from ritzy cabarets (Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn) to intimate bars (Kitty Nights in the East Village).
Website: Check out About.com’s burlesque guide for a list of shows. Always call venues to confirm show dates before heading out. Location: Various Cost: As low as $5 per person
Fringe Festival (August 12th - 28th, 2011): This annual celebration of performing arts is North America’s largest multi-arts festival. Each summer 1,200 performances take place at 20 venues across New York City. Shows include musicals, plays, dances and bizarre performance art. The theaters are small, so you can get close to performers and will have an unobstructed view of the action.
Website: http://www.fringenyc.org/ Twitter: @FringeNYC
Location: Various theaters in lower Manhattan (below 14th Street) Cost: Tickets typically cost around $20
Discount Broadway Tickets: Before you give up on Broadway, check the Internet for cheap tickets. Travelzoo.com frequently includes Broadway shows in its Travel Deals section. A keyword search for “Broadway” turned up tickets to Sister Act ($37), Priscilla ($48) and Mamma Mia ($75). While you are on the site, make sure to check the Local Deals tab for discounts on dinner and drinks after the show.
Website: http://www.travelzoo.com/entertainment/new-york/ Twitter: @TravelzooNYC
Cost: Tickets start at $37
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