Half-price Theater Tickets

You're vacationing in the big city and want to see The Producers, but two tickets at $60 each would bust your budget. No problem—there's a chance you can buy them for as much as 50 percent off. Many cities offer last-minute half-price tickets to shows of all kinds—from musicals to modern dance—at special outlets. Tickets go on sale in the late morning for performances that night. You'll probably have to pay in person (possibly with cash), but you may be able to check ticket options by phone or online (and some outlets offer online sales). Arrive early for the widest selection and be flexible: You never know what's going to be available that day.

BOSTON, BOSTIX
(617) 262-8632, www.artsboston.org [3]

CHICAGO, HOT TIX
(312) 554-9800, www.hottix.org [4]

LAS VEGAS, TICKETS2NITE
(702) 968-8800, www.tickets2nite.com [5]

LOS ANGELES, LA STAGE TIX
www.lastagetix.com [6] (no booth, available only online)

NEW YORK, TKTS
(212) 221-0013, www.tdf.org/tkts [7]

PORTLAND, CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
(503) 226-2811, www.pcpa.com [8]

SAN DIEGO, ARTS TIX
(619) 497-5000, www.sdartstix.com [9]

SAN FRANCISCO, TIX BAY AREA
(415) 433-7827, www.tixbayarea.org [10]

SEATTLE, TICKET/TICKET
(206) 324-2744

VANCOUVER, B.C., TICKETS TONIGHT
(604) 684-2787, www.ticketstonight.ca [11]

WASHINGTION, D.C., TICKETPLACE
(202) 842-5387, www.ticketplace.org [12]

Photo Illustration by William Duke

This article was first published in September 2004. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.