Support the Arts (as Cheaply as Possible)

There is simply no place like New York to enjoy the arts. The City boasts the best in venues for enjoying music, both classical and contemporary; the best museums for viewing contemporary, classical, ethnic, and folk art; movie theaters for first run films, camp classics, and everything in between; the uniqueness of Broadway and off-Broadway, and so much more. The trouble is, partaking of these treasures can get to be a chunk of change. But take heart, as there are ways around the hefty price of tickets.

Theater Development Fund (www.tdf.org): This site is a godsend to those of us who love theatre. TDF, in addition to sponsoring the TKTS booths in Times Square and South Street Seaport, where every day you can get steeply discounted tickets for many of that day's performances, has a program for students and educators. By signing up and paying a $25.00 annual fee, you will be alerted by TDF as to what Broadway and off-Broadway shows are available on a given date along with a brief description. At that time, you send an email to your posse (I told you they would come in handy), letting them know what's available and seeking interest. There is a time limit involved, generally by mid-morning the next day, and you usually have to get ten tickets. Go to the site and check it out because it's definitely worth it.

Some sold out Broadway Shows offer a certain number of same-day discounted tickets as well as standing room for same-day performances. Check with the individual box office on the day you would like to attend to inquire as to their policy.

Ticket Central at the Kimmel Center for University Life: Show your ID and get discounted tickets for shows, concerts, sporting events, etc. as well as discounted movie passes for films. Certain restrictions apply, but this is really a great deal. As an example, offerings have included discounted tickets for "Caroline, or Change," "Little Shop of Horrors," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Wonderful Town," a new comedy from a member of the Upright Citizens Brigade troupe entitled "Who's Your Daddy?," and a Yankees Game.  

In addition to the faculty and student recitals, productions, and exhibitions available here at NYU, a great place go for musical performances and recitals is Greenwich House (46 Barrow Street between West Fourth Street and Seventh Avenue South). Further uptown, the Manhattan School of Music offers similar programming (120 Claremont Avenue). Recitals and performances are either free or very reasonably priced.

Be a member of the studio audience of a television show: Guys, you have to do this at least once, because it is a unique New York experience and just a hell of a good time...and they are free!

"Saturday Night Live" is really difficult to get into because there is a tremendous demand. Tickets for the season are assigned by lottery every fall. To participate in the lottery, send an email to snltickets@nbc.com sometime during the month of August, or you can try the standby lottery on the day of the show by lining up outside the NBC Studios at 8:15 a.m. (Dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m., taping for network feed at 11:30 p.m.)

Another NBC Show, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," is a bit easier to get into. Call (212) 664-3056 at least three months in advance, or standby outside the NBC Studios at 9:30 a.m. on the day of taping (Tapings are at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday).

"Late Show with David Letterman" is tough, but not impossible, to get into: go to the Web site (www.cbs.com/lateshow) and fill out a request for a specific date, or telephone The Ed Sullivan Theater at 11:00 a.m., (212) 247-6497, on the day you would like to try for a standby ticket.   (Tapings are Monday through Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.)

For tickets to Barbara Walters' "The View," send a post card to Tickets: "The View," 320 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023.

"Live with Regis and Kelly" is a little cheesy, but I happen to think that Kelly Ripa is hysterical. America must think so as well, because it can take up to a year to get tickets. They have a stand by line that forms outside the studio (on Broadway and 68th Street) at 7:15 a.m. on the day of taping (taping is at 9:00 a.m., Monday through Friday). Once all guests are seated, standby tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to request tickets in advance, send a card to Live Tickets, P.O. Box 230777, New York, NY 10023-0777.

OK, I admit it:"The Peoples' Court" is a total guilty pleasure of mine. And I have to further confess that I attended a taping of the show just last week. Oh my God. From the cheesy set, to the apparent "regulars" who are one step shy of stalking the judge (Marilyn Milian, a feisty Latina who graduated from Georgetown University School of Law and takes no crap), to the group of paid students from an acting school who are on standby in case there are not enough "real people" who show up--this is truly an experience. Judge Milian actually tries to stick to the rule of law, but it's sometimes difficult given the zany behavior by the over-the-top litigants (tickets: 888-860-TKTS).

"The Jon Stewart Show" and "The Graham Norton Effect" on Comedy Central all offer tickets for their tapings. Go to www.comedycentral.com for instructions on obtaining tickets for each show.

Museums:  Most of the major museums have one day or evening on which they either greatly reduce their admission price or waive the suggested donation altogether. It's best to visit the Web site of the individual museum that you are interested in because you can also see what's on display at the same time. And don't forget that New York has a tremendous number of galleries that are open six days a week and feature the preeminent names in today's art scene, all for free.

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