cheap pleasures
That's the Ticket!
TKTS isn't the only place in town to score inexpensive tickets to theater and performance events.

ticket sources
TKTS
The famous red-and-white booth sells tickets to select Broadway and Off-Broadway shows for 25 or 50 percent off the original price. The same tickets are sold at both TKTS locations, so no need to hit both. Show up in the early evening � lines are shorter, and additional tickets often go on sale just prior to curtain time. Cash or traveller's checks only.
• 47th St. at Broadway: Monday through Saturday, 3pm-8pm for evening tickets; Wednesday and Saturday, 10am-2pm for matinee tickets; Sunday, 11am-showtime (varies).
• South Street Seaport, 186 Front Street, the corner of Front and John Streets, the rear of the Resnick/Prudential Building at 199 Water Street. At this location, matinee tickets must be bought the day before.
• See tdf.org/programs/tkts for additional information. Note that Web site does not sell tickets or list availability.

Theater Development Fund
TDF vouchers offer steep discounts to Off- and Off-Off-Broadway productions as well as other events sponsored by small, independent production companies. To qualify, you must be a student, teacher, performing arts professional, retiree, union or armed forces member, or clergyman.
• 212-221-0885 or tdf.org.

High Five Tickets to the Arts
Kids between 13 and 18 years old (or anyone in middle or high school) can buy tickets to participating arts events or museums for $5 per ticket for weekends or $5 for two tickets for Monday through Thursday events. Tickets can be bought through Ticketmaster.
• � 212-HI5-TKTS or high5tix.org (Web site includes event calendar).


inexpensive venues
HERE
Downtown's best overall Off-Off Broadway venue, with a consistent lineup of the top experimental productions in the city, including works by Elevator Repair Service and HERE's director and founder, Kristin Marting.
• 145 Sixth Ave., 212-647-0202; here.org

The Flea
Every year, this celebrated little TriBeCa performance space seems to get better, with regular visits by downtown talents like Rude Mechanicals and playwright Mac Wellman. Currently, the Flea is home to The Guys, Anne Nelson's powerful two-person drama about a fire captain who asks a journalist to help him write eulogies for his fallen men.
• 41 White St., 212-226-0051.

La MaMa ETC.
Founded in 1961, La MaMa provides a home for some of the city's most innovative experimental theater, dance, and performance art. Tickets cost between $10 and $30.
• 74A E. 4th St., 212-475-7710; lamama.org.

Luna Lounge
See uptown comedians on a more laidback downtown circuit. Comedy shows are on Monday nights from fall through spring; $5 includes drink ticket.
• 171 Ludlow St.; lunalounge.com.

P.S. 122
P.S. 122 presents eclectic fare from all over — theater to dance to experimental puppetry. Performance tickets run from $10 to $30.
• 150 First Ave., 212-477-5288; ps122.org.