Lose the Nosebleeds, Rush the Stage

Like many things in this great city, the price of going to the theater has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2007, it isn't uncommon to see tickets to Broadway shows for as high as $150. However, there are many ways to get inexpensive tickets to great performances, especially if you are a student.

Student Rush Tickets

Many plays offer student rush tickets, typically available either the morning of the performance or an hour before. These are the last few unsold tickets for the performance, which the theater will then sell at an enormously discounted price to students. Usually, you must go to the theater in person and present your student ID to buy student rush tickets. To avoid a futile trip, I would advise calling the theater ahead of time to ensure that the performance isn't sold out. The following shows are among those offering student rush tickets for the upcoming weeks:

• Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre, $26.25,

when the box office opens.

• Company at the Barrymore Theater, $36.25,

two hours before each performance.

• Les Miserables at the Broadhurst Theatre,

$26.25, two hours before each performance.

• Spring Awakening at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre,

$25, starting at 10 a.m. each day.

TKTS

Half-price Broadway tickets are available daily at the TKTS booths in Times Square and South Street Seaport. The selection varies daily. Be prepared to wait in line, possibly for many hours.

Student Rates

Certain plays have set student rates for tickets that can be purchased in advance. These plays are often off- and off-off-Broadway and are a great way to experience non-mainstream theater. Some plays with student rates this semester are:

• Apocalypse Neo at the Kraine Theater: The

New York Neo-Futurists perform three takes

on the apocalypse. Student tickets are $10.

• Dutchman at the Cherry Lane Theatre: Starring

Dulé Hill and Jennifer Mudge. Student tickets

are $10.

• Cycle at the Studio at the Cherry Lane Theatre:

"A vaudeville-inspired play." Student tickets

are $15.

• The Tragedie of Macbeth at the WorkShop

Theater: Student tickets are $10.

Free and Cheap

Some performances are simply free or cheap. Take advantage of these, too.

• 365 Plays in 365 Days: Playwright Suzan

Lori Parks wrote 365 short plays, which are

being performed across New York for free.

Visit www.publictheater.org/365 for

information about tickets and locations.

It's easy to find more discounts by going to a play's Web site. Remember, you don't have to break the bank to see great theater