A few years ago Rick surprised me with season tickets to the beautiful new Dallas Theater Center for our anniversary. Swoon! As we know, it’s hard to get out on a date with the husband but it feels so great when we do. This guaranteed that we would be “forced” to get gussied up and hit the town at least once a month. You might think that your man isn’t the “theater” type but he could surprise you, and himself, with how much he enjoys it!
Now that the girls are getting a little older and can almost sit still for a few hours (sorry for the seat kicking, family sitting in row E orchestra left) we have started taking advantage of local shows like Bass Performance Hall’s current run of Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan.
Yes, Cathy Rigby exemplifies never-grow-up by continuing to dazzle audiences with her fantastic vocals and aerial acrobatics. The dance numbers are outstanding, especially those featuring Jenna Wright as Tiger Lily. My girls are still talking about their favorite parts including Rigby’s last big surprise of the night!
For those in the DFW area, Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan runs through Sunday night and tickets start at $38.00. Here is a list of additional cities the tour will hit this Spring
Sounds awesome, right? Does this get you in the mood to introduce your family to live theater this year? While I think theater is one of the most worthwhile ways to spend your entertainment budget, ticket prices can make it out of reach, especially when you have a big family in tow. The good news is that no matter where you live, there are ways to get a bargain on tickets to big (and small) shows. Here are my favorite ways to save…
Attend shows at off-peak times
For most performances, weekend evenings are when tickets sell at a premium. If budget is your top priority, try attending shows during the day. Not only will you save a few bucks, but you’ll also beat the crowds.
Pay-What-You-Can
Many local stages offer pay-what-you-can previews, which allow patrons to see shows and pay whatever price seems reasonable to them. (This doesn’t mean nothing. If you cough up at least $10 to see a great show, that’s still a bargain.) Do a search for “Pay What You Can Theater” + your city name
Bypass Broadway
When most people talk about live theater, they think of Broadway. Sure, seeing Wicked or Book of Mormon on the big stage is amazing, but it’s also pricey. Instead, attend performances at local community theaters, colleges or even high schools. The production won’t be as splashy, but it’s still entertaining — and you might catch a rising star in the process. Plus, you can probably see one of these shows for as little as $5.
Same day tickets
If you have your heart set on a big ticket show, many larger “theater cities” have services like DC’s TICKETplace and New York City’s TKTS booth. The outlet sells same-day and advance half-price tickets to theatrical performances. You can also stop in at a theater’s box office and ask about same-day ticket lotteries and deals.
Summer Stock
Summer Stock provides a training ground for actors and great, inexpensive entertainment for vacationers. Also search out schedules for your hometown’s Theater in the Park for an amazing and affordable outdoor theater experience this Summer.
Volunteer at a theater
One of the thriftiest ways to see a show is to volunteer as an usher. In exchange, volunteers not only get to see performances for free but also may acquire backstage access.
If you have any questions, leave me a comment here and I will try to help you out. Happy Easter Superstars!
