Unless that show is “Hamilton.”

Since opening at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre last July, the hip-hop musical tracing the unlikely story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton has been playing to sold-out audiences.

Related articles:

• 7 ways to save on Broadway tickets

• Head Off-Broadway for Great Shows and Cheaper Tickets

• Cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

And not just your average sold-out audiences. “Hamilton” has attracted the world’s top celebrities — from musicians Jay-Z and Beyoncé to entertainment royalty Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg and even a bipartisan caucus of current-day political figures led by former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and President Barack Obama.

Hamilton is attracting huge audience and even bigger price tags. But there are still a few ways to score cheap tickets. Photo: Chip Pate

How Hot Is “Hamilton”?

Ask Laurens! (Sorry, that’s a thing from the show.) But seriously, even in the dead of winter, when many Broadway productions are scrambling to lure anyone into the theater, “Hamilton” was selling every seat and packing more into standing room. According to published figures, they were paying an average of about $165 per seat, with the top tickets on sale at the box office — when they have any — for a staggering $475 each.

Finding tickets at all is a real challenge. Standard and premium seats available from the theater are still being snapped up the moment new dates go on sale. As of early March, the revolutionary show was sold out 10 months into the future.

If price is no object — and that doesn’t apply to any of us cheapos — tickets are available on the secondary market. The best option is TicketMaster, which allows verified ticket holders to resell their tickets. But brace yourself: The cheapest ticket for a recent weekend performance was $695 for a seat the following day, and most offered further in advance were between $1,200 to $2,500. Yes, per seat.

You may need to empty the national bank, but at least your tickets will be real. With such exorbitant prices, forgeries are everywhere. The New York Times has reported that people try to enter the theater almost daily with fake tickets.

Related: Cheapo Guide to visiting New York City

There Are Cheap Options

It is a long shot, but don’t throw it away! If you want to see the ground-breaking musical — and even do it in true cheapo fashion — consider the ticket lottery and standing room.

Crowds line up for the Hamilton lottery outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Photo: Chip Pate

1. Ham4Ham In-Person Lottery (most of the year).

If you manage to win this “Hamilton” powerball, you’ll enjoy the best deal on Broadway — the opportunity to purchase one or two front-row seats for $10 each. That’s a sort of poetic price, since the hero of your show is also the face on your $10 bill. Hence, the catchy title, “Ham4Ham.”

To enter the in-person lottery, complete an entry form at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 West 46th Street, beginning two and a half hours before the performance you want to attend. Entries are accepted for 30 minutes, closing two hours before the performance, when winners are drawn and immediately purchase their tickets. Usually, 21 front-row seats are available.

Hundreds show up for the in-person lottery, so your chance to win isn’t all that great. On the other hand, during the production’s first seven months, before winter set in and the lottery moved online, most lotteries included The Ham4Ham Show, a live performance outside the theater just before winners were drawn. Often featuring cast members from “Hamilton” and other Broadway musicals, the shows became so popular that many fans came just to see the performance. (You can see them on YouTube.) The Ham4Ham Show also has moved online for the winter and if it returns live this spring, it’s likely to be offered only on two-show days.

2. Ham4Ham Online Lottery (winter)

Perhaps it was the brutal weather, or maybe the army of fans spilling into 46th Street, but whatever the reason, “Hamilton” shifted to an online lottery for the winter.

To enter, visit the official online lottery site starting at 9 a.m. the day you want to attend. Applications are accepted from 9 am to 11 am for matinee performances, from noon to 4 p.m. for evening performances that follow a matinee, and from 9 am to 4 pm on days with only an evening performance. Once winners are selected, they are notified by e-mail and have 60 minutes to pay online for tickets, which cannot be transferred to anyone else. Nobody is saying how many people enter each lottery, but there were enough the first day that the entire system crashed.

Expect a bustling scene on performance days outside the Hamilton Theatre. Photo: Chip Pate

3. Standing Room Tickets

When the in-person lottery is offered, standing room tickets are part of a duel process. After the $10 lottery tickets are gone, drawings continue for the opportunity to purchase standing room tickets at $40 each. Not many are available — maybe one dozen on a good night — but it is another cheapo way to see the wildly inventive and popular musical. (Public sale of standing room tickets disappeared when the online lottery began.)

And, If You’re a New York City 11th Grader …

You’re young, scrappy, hungry and lucky! Thanks to “Hamilton” producers and The Rockefeller Foundation, more than 20,000 11th-grade students will see “Hamilton” for $10 each in an initiative designed to bring the show’s historical perspective to New York City students attending high schools serving low-income families. It doesn’t help most of us cheapos see history unfold on stage, but it’s still a pretty impressive outreach. And it’s something that would make Eliza Hamilton, Alexander’s wife and founder of the city’s first private orphanage, justifiably proud.

The post New York: 3 Ways to buy cheap tickets to “Hamilton” on Broadway appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This year you can find 2-for-1 tickets for performances of 22 Broadway productions between September 7 and 20. See blockbusters like “Chicago”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Wicked”, “Jersey Boys” or “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”,  just to name a few.

With the average Broadway ticket now ringing in at more than $100 (to say nothing of “The Book of Mormon” and “Lion King”, which both average more than $160 per seat!), this is a rare chance to save big on one of New York’s most cherished cultural attractions.

Tickets are going fast — in fact, so fast that the site’s server was having a hard time keeping up this morning. Get your 2-for-1 tickets now, while they’re available.

Too late?

Even if you’re not able to catch this deal, there are still ways to save on Broadway shows, year-round. Check out:

• Our guide to saving on Broadway (including 7 easy ways you can save when looking for tickets)

• Ways to save big on Off-Broadway shows

• Ways to make the most of your night at the theater

• Top affordable hotels in or near the Theater District

The post Cheapo Alert: 2-for-1 Broadway tickets on sale for “Broadway Week”, Sept. 7-20 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

No matter how much you spend, though, it’s always a good idea to make the most of your night at the theater. Here are our tips to do just that.

Related articles:

• 7 ways to save on Broadway tickets

• Head Off-Broadway for Great Shows and Cheaper Tickets

Read Reviews Before You Buy

The staggering cost of bringing a new show to the stage means complete bombs aren’t nearly common as they once were. Still, you don’t want to waste time seeing a mediocre show when there are dozens of great ones happening all around. You can usually guarantee a good experience by reading reviews before you buy your seats.

Sure, reading reviews can take a little time. But for people who love theater, New York is the world’s biggest and best candy store. Part of the enjoyment is sorting through what will be on the shelves when you arrive — and deciding which ones to sample.

Two particularly helpful sites:

DidHeLikeIt.com is a one-stop roundup featuring top reviewers from the New York Times, Washington Post, Variety and other major media outlets. Click on a show to get a quick look at which reviewers give it a thumbs up, thumbs down or are on the fence. Then, go deeper by reading full reviews, learning what new shows will open before you arrive or signing up to get new reviews by e-mail on opening night.

Time Out New York is a particularly good source. The short, concise format makes them easy to read, the star rating system helps you sort through options and their reviewers cover a lot of ground — including plenty of Off-Broadway productions.

Brave the crowds by the stage door and you may get an autograph from a star like Alan Rickman. Photo: jastrow75.

Meet Stars at the Stage Door

The stage door is literally as it sounds: The place where actors and musicians enter the theater to get backstage. More importantly, it’s where they almost always leave, which gives you a chance to meet the people you just saw perform.

Of course, there are no guarantees. Once in a while, an actor needing to get away quickly slips out another exit. And on two-show days — usually Wednesday and Saturday — they may stay inside between performances. But more often than not, even the most famous take time to sign programs, pose for photographs and maybe even hang around to talk with fans.

What to expect depends on the size of the crowd. The scene was a madhouse when Daniel Radcliffe, AKA Harry Potter, was performing in “How to Succeed in Business.” On the other hand, I’ve seen the entire casts of “Next to Normal” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” — two Tony Award-winning shows with Tony-Award winning actors — hang out for a good 30 to 40 minutes with two dozen fans.

To have an enjoyable stage door experience, bring your camera and a Sharpie marker or two (in case one disappears in the crowd). Then, before the show begins, ask an usher where the stage door is located and whether your favorite actor is likely to sign autographs and talk with fans. While some stage doors are obvious, others can be hard to find; one is actually located one block behind the theater’s main entrance.

After the final curtain, move quickly to the stage door. Depending on their obligations after the show, some stars will come out quickly; others may take a while. A member of the theater security staff will usually let you know if your favorite performer is still inside or has already left.

And one more tip: Out of respect, don’t ask actors to sign anything that’s not related to the show they’ve just performed. It’s considered rude and many simply won’t do it. After all, actors are generous with their time because people have taken the time to come see them perform that show.

The post NYC: How to Make the Most of Your Night at the Theater appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That’s why no trip to the city is complete without attending at least one show.

Even the most casual observers are familiar with Broadway, the glitzy home of “Wicked,” “The Lion King” and “The Book of Mormon.” (And, indeed, I wrote a post last week about how to score cheap seats to Broadway shows.) But some of the best shows take place in smaller theaters — where tickets are a fraction of the cost and, sometimes, the stars are shining just as bright.

Related: Best cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

Broadway, Off and Off-Off: What’s the difference ?

Theater in New York City falls into three categories: Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway. And while it’s true that the flashy mega-musicals like “The Lion King” and “Wicked” are all playing on Broadway, the distinction has nothing to do with show’s content or quality. It’s all about the theater.

Broadway shows are performances taking place in one of 39 venues officially designated as Broadway theaters and ranging in size from about 600 to 1,900 seats. Most, but not all of them, stand around Times Square.

But ask someone about the term “Off Broadway” and you’re likely to get a blank stare or even concern about seedy theaters in dangerous parts of town — which couldn’t be further from the truth. It simply refers to smaller theaters all around the city, each with roughly 100 to 500 seats.

Then, there’s a third designation, “Off-Off Broadway.” The nonprofit Theatre Development Fund describes them as “more adventurous” offerings in “small or unorthodox” theaters seating fewer than 100 people.

Off Broadway: High quality and cheaper seats

Mega-shows perform on Broadway because they need the larger stage to accommodate larger casts. Not to mention larger audiences paying larger prices to cover larger production costs. But it doesn’t mean they’re better shows.

Some of the best in New York City — actually, some of the best in the world — perform Off Broadway with smaller casts and smaller budgets in smaller theaters. One good result is smaller ticket prices as well. But another is a wider variety of shows. When you don’t need to attract so many people paying top dollar, you can afford to produce whimsical comedies, risqué dramas or philosophical pieces with more of an edge.

What does all of this mean for Cheapos?

Don’t focus only on Broadway! You can have a great evening of theater Off Broadway. And you may still catch some notable stars or even see the next big Broadway hit.

Not long ago, I sat just off the stage in an intimate, eight-row theater for the final Off-Broadway performance of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” For more than two hours, I laughed relentlessly through one of those whimsical comedies as stars David Hyde Pierce, Kristine Nielsen and Sigourney Weaver led a phenomenal cast through racy routines, philosophical rants and some of the finest acting you’ll ever see. Laughing just as hard, a couple of sections over, was the legendary Meryl Streep. A few months later, the show moved to Broadway, where audiences paid far more to sit in a theater over twice the size. The show eventually won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play.

For business reasons, most Off-Broadway shows will never make the trip to a larger, Broadway theater. But many are just as good artistically — if not better. Some may disagree, but for my money, Off Broadway is where the real action is.

The post Head Off Broadway for Great Shows and Cheaper Tickets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

How bad can it get? A single orchestra (lower-level) ticket to The Book of Mormon, one of the hottest shows on Broadway, will set you back $169 to $299, depending on the seat location and day of the week. And that doesn’t even count the $8.50 service charge and any handling fees.

But don’t panic! It’s easy to enjoy the spectacle of Broadway without breaking the bank.

Here’s the big secret: You rarely have to pay full price. Except for a few blockbuster musicals that sell out every night or the occasional, short-running play headlined by some A-list Hollywood star, discounts are everywhere. You just need to know where to find them.

Related: Best cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

7 ways to save on Broadway tickets

Here are 7 ways you can save on tickets to most Broadway (and Off-Broadway) shows in New York:

1. TKTS Booth

You may have heard about the TKTS booth, an iconic fixture in Times Square for more that four decades, where tourists and locals alike line up to buy discounted seats for Broadway and Off Broadway shows that same day. TKTS also operates locations at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn where lines are much shorter.

The Good: All seats are 20-50% off, depending on the show, and it’s a fantastic option for someone deciding to see a show at the last minute.

The Bad: You’re never quite sure which shows will be available by the time you step up to the ticket window — and you’ll probably wait 30 to 60 minutes in line before you get there.

Insider’s Tip: Download the free TKTS app to track what’s available; visit the South Street Seaport or Downtown Brooklyn location to get next-day tickets for matinees only; and have a backup plan in case the show you want to see isn’t available.

2. Discount Codes

Theater producers regularly offer discount codes you can use at online ticket sites — Ticketmaster or Telecharge are the two most common — or at the theater’s box office. Plenty of websites list these codes. Two are BroadwayBox.com and NYTix.com.

The Good: Discount codes can land seats that are 20-40% off, often on par with prices at the TKTS Booth, and you can buy them weeks or months in advance.

The Bad: Producers can revoke discount codes at any moment, without notice. When does it happen the most? After shows receive Tony Award nominations, win some major honor or rave reviews are posted on opening night.

Insider’s Tip: Codes have expiration dates, but it’s not unusual for new ones to be issued as an expiration date approaches. Also, if you’re already in New York, buy directly at the box office to avoid paying the service charges tacked on by Ticketmaster and Telecharge.

You can join TDF as a local or “national” member.

3. TDF Membership

One of the best-kept secrets for finding truly cheapo seats is membership in the Theatre Development Fund, a nonprofit supporting the performing arts. Visitors living more than 100 miles from New York City can join for just $12 per year — less than the service charge for two tickets purchased online — and members enjoy huge discounts.

The catch: Not everyone qualifies, though membership is open to a lengthy list of people that seems to include everyone except middle-aged part-time workers or professionals in for-profit organizations. (Seriously, check the eligibility list to see if you or someone in your family qualifies.)

The Good: The prices can’t be beat and sometimes the seats are very good. Tickets run about $30 to $45 on Broadway, $20 to $30 Off Broadway and $9 Off-Off Broadway.

The Bad: You won’t know exactly where your seats are until you pick them up just before the show and only select dates are available for popular shows, if they appear at all.

Insider’s Tip: Monitor TDF listings regularly, since more popular shows often appear one to two weeks before the performance, and pay close attention to buying notes, including where your seats may be located and what theaters require when you pick up tickets.

HipTix is the Roundabout Theatre Company’s free program for theatergoers 18-35 years old. It sells tickets to all shows for $20.

4. Free Memberships for Young Audiences

In their ongoing effort to attract younger audiences, theater companies all over New York City offer free memberships that include cheap seats for people under 30 or 35 years of age. There are too many to list, but those staging Broadway productions include HipTix, LincTix and 30 Under 30.

The Good: The price, of course, which usually runs about $30 per show. Membership includes other benefits, as well, ranging from post-show parties to free stuff.

The Bad: There’s a limited number of member seats for each performance and, let’s face it, if you’re approaching middle age, you’re out of luck.

Insider’s Tip: Check membership guidelines for exact age requirements and join early if you’re out-of-town and want the best chance at the limited number of cheap tickets.

Lottery winners are announced before a performance of the “Book of Mormon”. Photo: andrepierre

5. Lottery Tickets

Some shows hold drawings where winners can buy one or two of the most inexpensive seats on Broadway. And sometimes those seats are some of the best, too — even on the front row, where the person sitting just behind you is paying $100 or $200 more. Rules vary, but most begin registration two-and-a-half hours before the performance and hold the drawing 30 minutes later. Details are available on official show websites, and Playbill.com publishes an overview of Broadway and Off Broadway policies.

The Good: Lottery tickets are dirt cheap, about $30 per seat, and it’s the only way to get cheap seats to blockbusters like Wicked and The Book of Mormon.

The Bad: There’s no guarantee you’ll win and lottery seats occasionally have a partial view (it will be stated in the rules). Oh, and make sure you bring cash; credit cards are rarely accepted.

Insider’s Tip: If you’re attending the lottery alone, double your chances of winning by finding someone else flying solo and agreeing to attend together if either wins.

6. Rush Tickets

Don’t want to take a chance on winning lottery tickets just before the show? Some theaters sell a limited number of lottery-priced discount seats, usually as soon as the box office opens, for same-day performances. “Rush,” as it’s called, is either for students only (“student rush”) or anyone at all (“general rush”). Details are available on official show websites, and Playbill.com publishes an overview of Broadway and Off Broadway policies.

The Good: You don’t need to hit the lottery to score some of the cheapest seats on Broadway and you can get your tickets early in the day — with plenty of time for Plan B if no tickets are available.

The Bad: The number of rush tickets varies by performance and there’s usually a limit of one or two per person.

Insider’s Tip: Arrive early! It doesn’t hurt to wander by a couple of hours before the box office opens and, if there’s no crowd, come back a little later.

7. Last-Row Seats

Some theaters offer last-row seats for $30 to $50. These are not true discounts — they’re just the least-expensive seats in the theater — but you will be paying $30 less than the person sitting right in front of you.

The Good: You can buy these long in advance.

The Bad: If you buy online, you’ll still pay service and handling charges.

Insider’s Tip: Buy early! Since they’re few and cheap, they may not last long.

With so many options, it can seem daunting to navigate the world center of theater to find good seats at a good price. But the fact is you can find discounts — and even truly cheap seats — with just a little research. And if you end up saving $50 to $100 per ticket, that can be well worth the time.

The post 7 Ways to Save on Broadway Tickets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And so begins the beloved New York tradition that is Shakespeare in the Park.

History of Shakespeare in the Park

Much ado about something

Rain or shine they come. They wait in line, they endure mosquitoes, they strain to hear over car alarms… But why all the hype around Shakespeare in the Park? Well, New Yorkers are fanatic about their traditions, and rightly so about this one.  It has certainly accomplished the goal of Joseph Papp, who founded the Shakespeare Workshop (today’s Public Theater) in 1954 with the goal of bringing the Bard to those who might not otherwise experience him.

Like many of the city’s institutions, this one began as a scrappy upstart, running early performances in a crumbling church, along the East River, and then at Turtle Pond in Central Park before the Delacorte Theater was built opened in 1962. And oh what a theater it is. With Belvedere Castle rising in the background, this is magical place for enjoying theater alfresco—whether you’re dancing with the cast at the end of “Hair,” or enjoying the stars and Turtle Pond while Lorenzo praises “How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!” in “The Merchant of Venice.”

It’s this magic, along with rotating all-star casts (James Earl Jones, Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and many others have graced this stage), that keep people coming back for this fabulous, and FREE, event.

And it is the combination of free and popular that adds up to ever-increasing competition for tickets. Your options can sometimes seem confusing, but we’ve broken down all the ways you can score seats, and threw in some tips for good measure.

Getting tickets the simple way

A midsummer day’s wait

The most common way to acquire Shakespeare in the Park tickets is to wait in line, sometimes for hours. Tickets are distributed in front of the Delacorte (enter the park at Central Park West and 81st Street) on the day of each showing.

Bring entertainment to make the wait fun. Photo: smackfu.

Here’s what you need to know about receiving one:

1. Arrive early. Tickets are distributed at noon on a first-come, first-served basis, so would-be attendees have been known to camp out and wait. How early should you arrive? Well, the park opens at 6 a.m. (don’t come earlier than this), and many will begin lining up then. We say arrive no later than 10 a.m., but if you get in line around 8 a.m. you should be okay.

2. Bring supplies. You’ll be sitting until noon, so bring along items to occupy yourself. Books, magazines, even a game will surely come in handy. And don’t forget a blanket or chair, plus food and plenty of water.

3. Come in a group and arrive together. Tickets are distributed two per person, so if you need more than two tickets, be sure to bring along a buddy (that game you brought is more fun with a pal anyway). However, note that latecomers are not allowed, so make sure your group arrives together or you’ll all be sent to the back of the line.

4. Don’t leave the line. You leave the line, and you lose your place, so plan to stay put. Bathroom breaks are, of course, allowed, and you can find restrooms right at the Delacorte. They are relatively clean, but because they will be used a lot, you may want to add tissues and hand sanitizer to that supply list.

5. Time it well. When tickets are handed out at noon, will you get one? Depends on your place in the line, of course. A latecomer’s best chance for scoring a ticket will be on a weekday, or if you brave the wait on a rainy day when fewer folks will venture out.

Other options for tickets

To wait or not to wait

The wait for tickets is completely worth it, and some might even call it part of the fun, but there are times when you just aren’t able to sit in line for hours. Never fear, you still have options:

Brave the rain for a better chance at tickets. Photo: lilyo.

• Head to an outer borough. On select dates, vouchers are available at outer borough locations between 12 and 2 p.m. Supplies are limited, so we again suggest arriving as close to the noon open time as possible. Note that once you receive your voucher, you’ll have to be at the Delacorte between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to exchange it for a ticket. Check the Shakespeare in the Park site for information on dates and locations for these tickets.

• Enter the lottery. The Public Theater also offers a daily online raffle for those who can’t make it to the park to wait. Simply create an account and sign in between midnight and noon on the day of the performance. You’ll receive an email after 12 p.m. letting you know whether or not you have received tickets, and then you can pick up your tickets at the Delacorte between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

• Stand-by. If tickets are available before the start of the show, they are distributed, one per person, to those in the stand-by line. Guests can line up for to wait as early as 1 p.m., but we’d say 5:30 p.m. is a reasonable time to start waiting. The same rules apply: Bring food and entertainment, and know that this is not a sure thing (but if nothing else you’ve enjoyed a picnic in the park).

Tell us: Have you been to Shakespeare in the Park? Do you have any tips for obtaining tickets?

The post New York: A guide to getting free Shakespeare in the Park tickets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So, in celebration of our city’s generous share of movie-going choices, here are our favorite theaters for taking in a foreign film.

Film Forum
209 West Houston Street
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $12.50

What started in 1970 with 50 folding chairs and a projector has become a New York institution. Film Forum is the only autonomous nonprofit cinema in New York (and one of few in the U.S.). A self-described “cinema of ideas,” Film Forum screens myriad independent films from all over the world. Two of its three theaters are devoted to ongoing film programs: One premieres American indie and foreign art films and the other shows repertory classics.

Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd Street
Web site
Tickets: $10 for a day of screenings (see below)

The MoMA has an excellent and diverse film screening program, showing some American and many foreign films in its three theaters. The week starts with Modern Mondays, an exploration, through screenings and discussion panels, of the cutting edge in cinema. More traditional screenings from the MoMA film library happen daily, with many festivals and special exhibitions, as well.

Film tickets for all three theaters can be purchased at the lobby information desk starting at 9:30 a.m. daily. You can also purchase tickets for the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters 1 and 2 at the film desk beginning at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on weekends, and for the Celeste Bartos Theater (Theater 3) at the lobby desk of the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building starting at 1 p.m.

All tickets for a day of screenings cost $10 ($8 for seniors and $6 for students, free 16 and under). Tickets are (our favorite word) free during Target Free Friday Nights, every Friday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. (as is the rest of the museum). Planning to attend more than one film in a day? Simply present your ticket stub at the film desk to receive your ticket for the next film. Hello bargain!

Sunshine Cinema
143 East Houston Street
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $13

Built in 1898, the beautiful building now known as Sunshine Cinema has gone through incarnations as the Houston Hippodrome movie theater, a Yiddish vaudeville house and a hardware warehouse. Currently run by the art-house company Landmark Theatres, the Sunshine shows first-run indie and foreign films on five screens.

Get there early to check out the Japanese rock garden, or head up to the impressive third-floor glass annex for some jaw-dropping city views.

Cheapo tip: While regular ticket prices are $13 ($9 for seniors and the under-12 set), Sunshine offers special midnight showings cult favorites like Clue and the bizarre The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things for just $10. Check the Web site for featured weekend films.

Quad Cinema
34 West 13th Street
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $11

This Greenwich Village mainstay has been showing great foreign, independent and documentary films since 1972—and has played a role in popularizing many of them (think Cinema Paradiso and Hoop Dreams), to boot. Given its Village location, expect many a social-issue film and an old-school “boho” vibe.

Angelika Film Center
18 West Houston Street
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $13

This pretty little art house theater is located just around the corner from EuroCheapo headquarters in the Village. It’s so close, in fact, that our afternoon coffee runs often involve glancing at posters that line the building’s outer wall for the latest and greatest in edgy, artsy and foreign flicks.

The Angelika café on the main floor is a great place to dabble in pre-movie lattes or even organic sandwiches (dinner and a movie all in one place!). It’s so popular, actually, that it’s not uncommon for non-moviegoers to stop in to enjoy tasty treats and health shakes among chandelier and columns of the lavish, old-fashioned lobby.

BAM Rose Cinemas
30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $12

Across the river, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, hub of all things art, operates a four-screen theater in what was formerly the academy’s music hall. That means pretty, historic spaces with excellent acoustics. Three screens show first-run independent and foreign films, and the fourth is dedicated to BAMcinématek, a program that shows repertory classics. Also keep an eye out for special film festivals.

Tickets cost $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and students 25 and under (do note that the student price is valid only Monday through Thursday). Matinees, Monday through Thursday before 5 p.m. and Sunday before 3 p.m. can be seen for $8.

Your favorite movie theater in New York?

Have a theater to add to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post New York: The best movie theaters for foreign films appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It would figure that “the city that never sleeps” is home to many of the late night greats, from “Saturday Night Live” to “Late Night with David Letterman.” And where there are late night shows, there are studio audiences. The coveted (and free!) tickets to these shows are hard to come by, and usually require some advance planning. Because each show has a different set of rules, it can all amount to quite a headache.

But before you reach for the aspirin, check out our handy dandy breakdown.

Saturday Night Live

Really, “SNL” simply wouldn’t be the same without the phrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” Tickets to the weekend mainstay are issued by a lottery system. To be entered, send an email with your contact information to snltickets@nbcuni.com. If selected, you’ll be granted two tickets to a randomly determined show date.

Important Note: The email must be sent in the month of August (for the 2011-2012 season) and specific date requests are not allowed. Only those selected will be notified.

Standby: Try your luck, and line-waiting, at standby tickets for either the 8 p.m. dress rehearsal or the 11:30 p.m. live show. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at 7 a.m. on the morning of each taping. Plan to line up at the 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza early (read: sleep over). Note that a standby ticket does not guarantee admission, and tickets are limited to one per person.

The Late Show with David Letterman

Letterman tickets are also distributed via a lottery, and you can either request either by using their online form or visiting the theater (1697 Broadway). In-person hours are Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Note: Arriving prior to 9 a.m. will disqualify you!)

Tickets may be requested for up to one month in advance of the taping date, and those with flexible dates should note that listing multiple date requests increases the likelihood that you’ll be selected.

Standby: To be placed on the standby list, call the phone line (212-247-6497) at 11 a.m. on the morning you wish to attend. Then show up at the time you are given (the show tapes in late afternoon) and keep your fingers crossed that seats will be available.

The phone line remains open for 30-60 minutes, depending on the number of standby slots, so call as early as possible. Government-issued IDs matching the names given over the phone are required for all standby tickets.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Fun fact: Crush-worthy late night host Jon Stewart is this New Yorker’s favorite New York celebrity sighting. Unfortunately—though not surprisingly—said sighting does not make up for the fact that his show books up quickly. When available, up to four tickets and be acquired through an online request form. Simply choose from the dates offered, fill out your form and wait for a response.

If nothing is available, be persistent. The site changes quickly (we visited three times within one night and each time offerings were different) so keep checking back for available dates. You can also email requesttickets@thedailyshow.com, but we prefer following up with the form. Those with flexible dates can sign up for the email list for alerts to new shows.

The show tapes Monday through Thursday at 733 11th Avenue (at 52nd Street), and doors open at 5:45 p.m.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

To watch funny-man Jimmy Fallon do his late-night thing, call (212) 664-3056 to request up to four tickets. Tickets are usually booked one month in advance.

Standby: Follow Late Night’s Twitter updates for updates on last minute ticket openings, or head to the “NBC Studios” marquee on the 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza (GE Building) on the morning of the taping. Arrive no later than 9 a.m. to receive tickets (one per person), or visit the NBC Studio Tour Desk on the second floor of the NBC Experience Store in Rockefeller Plaza later in the day to see if there are any extra tickets available.

Tickets must be picked up by 4:15 p.m. for the 5:30 p.m. taping. As with all shows, visitors should note that a standby ticket does not guarantee admission.

The post New York TV Shows: Free tickets to late-night tapings appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In true New York fashion, however, there are ways around paying $200 a ticket to see a hit show. Check out these vendors if you’re looking for a cheaper Broadway seat:

Related: Best cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

TKTS
Web site

If you have some spare time to stand in a line and don’t have a specific show you want to see, then this is the option for you. With locations in Times Square, South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn, TKTS booths offer up to 50% discounts for Broadway, Off-Broadway and other arts events for same-day performances and next-day matinee performances (Seaport and Brooklyn only).

Don’t be discouraged if the line seems endlessly long—it moves at a reasonable clip and allows you plenty of time to survey the ticket board that lists that day’s available show tickets. Once at the ticket window you choose which show you want to see and the agent doles out the tickets, usually without allowing many seating options (luckily most of the seats are orchestra or front mezzanine, so you won’t be stuck behind a pole). Be sure to check TKTS’ website for hours and to see which shows were offered the previous week.

BroadwayBox.com
Web site

This website is your best friend for theater discounts if you are pining to see a specific show on a specific date. In addition to offering discount codes offering savings of up to 50% off the normal ticket price for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, it also has access to high-demand show tickets like “Billy Elliot” and “Jersey Boys.”

BroadwayBox allows you to browse their coupons by clicking on various show titles and then you can purchase tickets online using their referral link, on the phone with the discount code, or by stopping by the box office in person. Reviews of the shows are also accessible on the website, which makes it ideal for anyone trying to plan a theater trip in advance.

HipTix.com
Web site

Created by the Roundabout Theater Company, HipTix aims to spread the love of theater and encourage attendance by the 18-35 age-group by offering two $20 tickets to members for every Roundabout production. It is free to become a member and there is no obligation to attend each show.

Membership is easily attainable by filling out a contact form on their website and ticket reservations can be made over the phone by calling (212) 719-1300. You won’t be able to personally select your seats, as availability varies by production and theater By putting in just a minimal amount of information, you can easily see RTC shows like “The Importance of Being Earnest” or “Brief Encounter” this winter!

Standing Room Only and Rush Tickets
More info

If you happen to be more of the last-minute type of ticket buyer, you may get lucky by stopping by your desired show’s box office the day of the show and asking if they offer any rush tickets, lottery tickets or “standing room only” tickets. Sometimes purchase of these tickets require a valid Student ID. Furthermore, be sure to have cash on hand because the box office is typically cash-only for these promotions. Check the above website for rush ticket pricing for each Broadway show.

The post How to Find Discounts on Broadway Theater Tickets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

New York City is a hub for music lovers of all tastes. The city’s neighborhoods have streets lined with venues offering live music every night of the week. So whether you’re looking for a rock show or a jazz club, you won’t have trouble finding the right place.

Manhattan is not the only borough that serves up popular music halls. Brooklyn is quickly growing into a popular home base for independent musicians, record labels, and DIY artists looking to leave their mark on New York’s dynamic music scene. Rock shows, DJ events, benefit concerts, the latest tours – these New York venues have it all:

Pianos
158 Ludlow Street (at Stanton St.), Manhattan
Web site

Pianos is a Lower East Side bar, lounge, restaurant, and music venue. Downstairs you’ll find a crowd of loud college students standing elbow-to-elbow slinging back drinks on weekend nights while the upstairs lounge offers a more laid back crowd, cocktails in hand. That’s where you should head – especially on select Friday nights as resident DJs spin all night and offer free entry to females before 10 p.m.

Musical stylings run the gamut with legendary hip-hop jingles, dance rock jams, and 80’s classics. If this is your kind of dance party, Pianos is not to be missed on a Friday night.

The Studio at Webster Hall
125 E 11th St (between 3rd Ave. and 4th Ave.), Manhattan
Web site

Webster Hall is not just known for its crazy club nights anymore. For those looking for an intimate show or to see up and coming bands, head to the Studio, located in the Hall’s basement. Showcasing touring bands of punk rock, indie pop, and straight up rock and roll genres, The Studio offers cheap tickets to small shows. It’s a perfect space to share the spotlight with bands both old and new.

Not to be overshadowed by its upstairs neighbor, The Studio serves up the ultimate acoustics in sound and lighting to maximize performances that challenge the line between audience and performers. Don’t be surprised if the lead singer himself crawls down from the stage and into the crowd to sing the words with you!

Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston St. (between Ave. A and Essex St.), Manhattan
Web site

The Mercury Lounge is the Lower East Side’s quintessential dive bar slash music venue. It’s a staple for seeing energetic live rock shows at a cheap price. Centrally located on Houston Street with doors that stay open until 3 a.m., the Mercury Lounge welcomes established indie rockers and newcomers as part of its “Bowery Presents” music family.

Audiences can expect to take full advantage of happy hour specials, spacious floors, and rattling stage performances by some of the best new musicians in the biz. New York musicians often come out to support one another here too, so chances are you might run into a familiar face at a show.

Southpaw
125 5th Ave (near Sterling Pl.), Brooklyn
Web site

Southpaw is a neighborhood bar and concert hall in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Located on the ever-so-trendy Fifth Avenue, Brooklynites from all over flock here on the weekends for cheap cans of beer, old-school arcade games, and rock-and-roll décor.

This past month, Southpaw opened its doors to benefit concerts for fellow Brooklyn bloggers You Sing I Write and Brooklyn the Borough in support of local organizations and musicians. Also, on second Saturdays of the month, “Down South at Southpaw” has introduced a new series of dance parties for the LGBT community. With events like these, Southpaw continues to be an integral part of the Brooklyn music scene. Their upcoming calendar features music showcases, journalists, and special guests such as Talib Kweli, so be sure to grab a ticket soon!

Tea Lounge
837 Union St. (between 6th and 7th Ave.), Brooklyn
Web site

This Park Slope café house also doubles as a live music space, presenting free jazz series and pop/singer-songwriters each week. Set up as a cozy living room, patrons enjoy free Wi-Fi and café drinks as performances carry on, and other attendees mingle in around the bar area for a prime view. The atmosphere is pleasant, welcoming, and relaxed which makes for a special evening that both musicians and audiences can enjoy any night of the week. At the end of the night, a tip jar is passed around to encourage donations.

If you want a more upbeat show, check out their bar parties accompanied by live bands and DJs hosted by one of Tea Lounge’s own bartenders. The café stays open past its normal closing hours just for these shows, too!

About the author: Alisha Miranda is a certified Travel Geek. A lover of all things budget-friendly, she’s constantly in search of good food and drinks, and engaging cultures. She even managed to complete a trip to Spain for two weeks under $1500 all by herself. Previously the first lady of Sosauce, she continues to guest post for travel sites, and now is the Local Expert: New York for NileGuide. Keep up with her travels at http://thisisalisha.tumblr.com/travelgeek.

The post 5 Cheapo Music Venues in New York City appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.