The Frugal Duchess: Recovering My Frugal Groove: How To See the Lion King & Other Traveling Broadway Shows For Free

Friday, March 02, 2007

How To See the Lion King & Other Traveling Broadway Shows For Free

The Lion King and other Broadway shows travel around the country. But even in our local theaters the tickets can cost plenty. A few years ago, my extended family (including my parents) saw a traveling Broadway show at a steep discount by purchasing SRO (standing room only tickets).

We really enjoyed the show and were quite comfortable. But there's a way to see traveling Broadway shows for free: Become an usher. This tip was sent to me via email in a news release that provides good info.

Here's the note:

"People wishing to see The Lion King for free (Broward Center April 19 – June 3) need only become an usher. The Broward Center uses an ALL-volunteer usher force for its three stages as well as the Parker Playhouse and the Miniaci Theater.

In addition to Lion King, ushers at the Broward Center/Parker/Minaci could have seen Spamalot, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joel Grey, Bernadette Peters, Kevin Nealon, Lewis Black and entertainers from all genres. Many of the regional theaters also have usher programs."
-- email note from Savannah Whaley of Pierson Grant Public Relations

Here's the actual news release. The details apply to South Florida, but the process applies to other regions of the country:

"The Broward Center for the Performing Arts will conduct the final volunteer
orientation sessions for new ushers for the current arts season on March 6th
and April 4th from 6 - 9 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering to welcome and seat patrons during performances at the Broward Center, the Parker Playhouse and the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University can download an application from the website: http://www.browardcenter.org/ or
contact the volunteer office (954) 468-2684.

Ushering offers volunteers the opportunity to expand their horizons, to contribute to the cultural community of South Florida, and in the case of high school students, to
earn community service hours toward their graduation requirement.
Volunteers commit for the entire season to one of 10 weekly time periods choosing from seven evening and three matinee performance schedules. When volunteering,
ushers receive free parking and, the opportunity to see performances.
There is a one-time $10 fee for a bowtie and name tag. Volunteers are required to attend one three-hour orientation session. The orientation includes a tour of the Broward Center, and an introduction to ushering. Volunteers are eligible to begin ushering performances upon completion of orientation."--source: news release