New York City: Discount tickets debut at Lincoln Center
You no longer need to own a fur coat and Rolex to join in with the Lincoln Center crowd. The famously highbrow home of a dozen cultural mainstays—including the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic—is making some big changes as it celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009-2010. Along with a billion-dollar renovation, Lincoln Center will debut a crowd-pleasing new addition: a same-day discount ticket booth.
On January 7, the Zucker Box Office opens with a special promotion of $20 tickets for 20 days. Since the full range of Lincoln Center productions participate in the program, you have a chance to get reduced-price seats to shows like Carmen at the Met; the New York City Ballet rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream; and the Tony-winning South Pacific at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. After January 26, the booth will offer discounts of 25 to 50 percent off regular ticket prices.
The Zucker Box Office works similarly to the outdoor TKTS booths for inexpensive Broadway tickets. As with TKTS, tickets are based on daily show availability and can sell out quickly. (They go on sale at noon from Tuesday to Sunday; Monday's tickets are sold on Sundays.) But unlike TKTS, Lincoln Center's box office is inside the comfort of the newly opened David Rubenstein Atrium.
For the real bargain-seeker, the Atrium also offers free live music performances every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Acts vary from jazz to classical to country to pop, so check here for the latest line-up.
Going to New York City? Just back from a trip? Our New York City page lets you post questions, recommendations, photos, and browse hotels and deals—and you might hear back directly from our editors.
MORE ARTS COVERAGE