New York Theaters, Events and Discounted Tickets

[ NEW YORK, NY - NYC - Regularly Updated - www.Littleviews.com ]

Last updated: 12/6/05

>>  This regularly updated section features selected events or links to event lists that I think are particularly noteworthy.

These include reasonably priced and discounted events.

All the discounts I receive by standard mail can now be found online at sources mentioned below. When you order by phone, however, you have no control over your seating, whether discounted or not.

If you have the time, make note of the discount code (or print the ad), then redeem it at the box office for more control over your seating. Most theaters directly accept discount codes, although I can't guarantee all will.

That said, here's the official New York City information site: www.nycvisit.com. A good place to go for sightseeing and museum discount tickets is www.citypass.net.

Reasonably Priced New York Theater Events

• The best site on the web for theater-related information is www.OffBroadwayOnline.com.
  
  The people who designed this site understand why people seek information and consequently, make it very easy to find. Major groupings include category, play title, company, neighborhood, subject, author, acceptance of TDF vouchers and special offers.
  
  The neighborhood group list is particularly useful. Let's say you plan on being in a particular area for shopping or maybe drinks with friends. Go to this site and find out what plays might be going on close by.
  
  OffBroadwayOnline lets you search through its private database on a wide-range of criteria. I looked for plays related to the keyword "love" and came up with a half dozen. You will also get the names of theatrical organizations that feature the topic you want, but who do not currently have an offering.
  
  For those of you on a tight budget, search on ticket price and I guarantee that you'll be amazed at what is offered for $15 or less in this city!
  
  This site also provides the most complete list of New York-related sites I've seen anywhere. Major categories include Theatre Information, Arts and Drama Organizations, Theatre Books, Scripts and Music, New York Publications, Performance, Cultural, and Tourist sites.
  
  Although OffBroadwayOnline primarily provides a directory service for the performing arts, the way it organizes information makes you aware of trends in the industry, not to mention actual performances. All listings are followed by brief descriptions (not reviews), plus links to related websites for more detail. It also provides a rich resource for networking by organizing the means to subscribe to at least 50 email newsletters and bulletins!
  
  Use this site to learn more about New York by connecting with people in the performing arts through small venues and personal settings. Buy your tickets online, and if you are unfamiliar with the area, click on its Map.
  
  . . . and, if you happen to be a programmer struggling over issues related to information design, it'd be worth your time to study this site to see how the pros do it.
  
  
• Lincoln Center Presents Great Performers. Call 212-721-6500 and ask for their Season Calendar, which, if you don't know exactly what you're looking for, is easier to use than their web site. Flip through it to identify the $25 to $35 events which are mingled with pricier events. Should you go to www.LincolnCenter.org, type "free," "$10" or "$15" in the Search field and you may get lucky. Make sure you visit with Internet Explorer. Like many arts sites, it works poorly with Netscape Navigator.
  
  Added August 2003
  
• The Moth - Urban Storytelling. Ideas for movies, plays and novels all start out as short stories. In the good old days, before I was born, I've been told that people actually told stories to keep each other entertained. Today's media super-saturation has almost killed that urge except for the existence of the fabulous Moth! Attend Moth events (prices from $5 to $25) where you hear storytellers-in-training to experienced masters (many of whom have written best selling books). I go whenever possible and am always entertained. Good seats, however, are on a first-come, first-served basis, so prepare to stand in line even if you pre-register. www.themoth.org.
  
  
• 92nd Street Y. This organization sponsors talks, seminars, music, dance, day trips and more! Call 212-415-5698 to get put on their mailing list (ask for their extensive catalog), or check the NY Times. and TimeOut New York for their most current events. www.92ndsty.org is a fairly comprehensive site, but their thick catalog will absolutely stimulate you with ideas, especially if you like to curl up in bed with this type of reading material.
  
  
• Center for Jewish History - Music & Film. As I'm not Jewish, I would have never known about this place except as a friend's guest. It houses a comfortable, mid-sized theater and hosts a wide variety of entertainment, Jewish and secular. I discovered that Jewish folk music is as lively as American Blue Grass and ancient Jewish spiritual music has deep, mesmerizing precessions! Check www.cjh.org. Tickets for live entertainment are $25 and movies, $7. Sign up for mailings by calling 917-606-8200. Union Square area.
  
  
• Upright Citizen's Brigade - Improv Comedy. First rate, "TV quality" improv supported by $7 tickets, along with seriously funny raunch. Find out where improv artists learn their stuff and laugh at them while doing so. If you'd like to be part of the act, sign up for one of their "how to" courses. While their comedy is fast, their website, www.ucbtheater.com, loads slowly over a standard phone connection. Still, it's lively and easy to find their schedule. Tip: Get to the theater at least a half hour early (maybe 45 minutes) and prepare to stand outside in line. If you're last in, you'll have to sit on the floor around the stage.