Spending and Saving

Broadway, Movies, the Opera — for Free (or Almost Free)

Going to opera and the theater feeds the soul, but drains the purse. As a result, LearnVest brings you some budget-minded ways to enjoy the performing arts:

1. Join a Membership Group

In cities that support a major opera house, there is often the option to join a young subscriber club, often called a “BRAVO! Club.” For example, the Seattle Opera’s BRAVO! Club is available for people between the ages of 21 and 39. Membership costs $65 per year and provides discounted tickets (as much as half off!), special member events, and complimentary wine and coffee during intermission. To give you an idea of their usual prices, tickets for the upcoming show of Falstaff in the Dress Circle cost at least $140.

2. Buy Tickets at the Last Minute

Rush tickets for music and theatrical performances are made available the day of the show. Rules vary by theater, but you generally must show up about two hours before the performance. The hit Broadway show In The Heights, for example, provides a limited number of front-row rush tickets for only $26.50, whereas regular orchestra seats cost $120. For Broadway rush information, click here. Theaters in many other cities have similar policies; in Boston, even the Blue Man Group has rush tickets!

3. See Movies at Off-Peak Hours

AMC Theaters has rolled out the Weekday Escape program to slash its ticket prices for weekday shows.

4. Free Movies

Film Metro allows users to sign up for advanced free movie screenings, including promotions and research screenings (in which you’re asked for feedback on the film). Not only are advanced screenings free, but they’re also sneak peeks at movies that aren’t yet available!

5. Metropolitan Matinees

The New York Metropolitan Opera House offers Live In HD, which is a series of live opera performances shown in high definition at participating movie theaters throughout the United States. The performances take place during Saturday afternoon matinees and generally cost $22 per seat. Typically, seats at the Met run from $20 (in the nosebleed section) to about $300…

Read the rest of this article at LearnVest: 9 Ways to Save on Art and Culture.

Tags: entertainment, movies, opera, saving money, theater