#91: Look Around a Bit
Monday 11/4/24
Last night I saw Ragtime at NY City Center - it was their Gala Production for the opening of the season. The Gala production is different than the “encores” series. Encores is a set of 3 shows that run for 1-2 weekends. These are usually productions of slightly obscure musicals or more popular shows that haven’t been on Broadway or off-broadway in many years. This upcoming Encores season includes Urinetown (well known, but there has never been a revival), some show called Love Life? I know NOTHING about it, never even heard of it!, and then LaChuisa’s The Wild Party - which is the lesser produced The Wild Party. However the Gala aims for a more well known show that people will be excited to see as this is a massive fundraiser for NY City Center. There is an actual Gala dinner & celebration that follows the 1st Wednesday performance of the 2 week run. It’s a huge event and their is always an honoree as well! And, now you know how it all works!
The Encores series tickets get released to the public in like September/October for shows starting in February. You can be a subscriber for $100 or more (which gets you some extra perks and early ticket access), but I usually just buy all 3 sets of tickets the day they become available. I’ve rarely been out of town for the date i choose - i pick sunday night performances because even if i’m in a show, i can still make a 7pm NYC show. I sit in the Grand Tier row J seats 2 & 4. I like these because they are house right and there are only like 6 seats in the row - since 2&4 are on the aisle, i don’t have to get up much. And the tickets are usually around $100! Not too bad and to me, it’s work it. I buy two and just ask someone to come with me or take my mom if I know she’ll like it. But that’s the key - you have to BUY THEM ASAP. Don’t wait til the casts are announced. They are highly coveted jobs with the hopes of a Broadway transfer so the actors will always be exciting.
If you are 40 and under, you can get $28 tickets (fees included) to all City Center productions when you register online. It's free! Ticket availability is not guaranteed and changes by production.
One thing to note: City Center is MASSIVE. Honestly if you have a fear of heights do not get balcony tickets. The balcony is SO HIGH, especially the back 10 rows are so. It is steep, and high. So high, that one time I bought last row of the balcony seats and the AC vent was about 4 feet above my head as i was seated. It was unbearable and i like AC! The prices are the most cost effective but you can honestly hardly see and it is a ROUGH journey. Additionally, un-balcony related, there are tons of stairs and while there are 2 elevators, it is not really an accessible space.
All this to say, if you are able to get to City Center, I’d make it a part of your life! It’s cool to see the performers of course, but I LOVE seeing shows I don’t really know or little gems that are rarely produced.
Dreams Don’t Die
Julie