For years, the public's number one request for improved service at Theatre Development Fund's TKTS Discount Booths has been the addition of credit cards as a method of payment. When TDF's new booth opens "under the red glass steps" in the newly revitalized Father Duffy Square (Broadway and 47th Street, Manhattan) on Thursday, October 16 at 3pm, ticket buyers will be able to make their purchases using major credit cards, in addition to cash and travelers checks, for same-day tickets to Broadway, Off Broadway, music and dance productions.
"We're thrilled to be able to improve our service for patrons and productions with this added feature at the new TKTS booth in Duffy Square," says TDF's Executive Director,
Victoria Bailey. "This has been a goal for some time and we've been working out the logistics of accepting credit cards at TKTS. It turned out to be much more complicated than it might appear on the surface, but by working closely with Telecharge, Ticketmaster and The Broadway League, we've been successful in developing systems that will serve the many productions whose tickets we sell 365 days a year, while maintaining the transaction speed necessary to keep the lines moving quickly. We've been accepting credit cards at our South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn TKTS Booths as a trial and I'm happy to report that the trials have been successful."
TKTS remains at its temporary home outside the NY Marriott Marquis on 46th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue through Wednesday, October 15. The ability for TKTS to accept credit cards in midtown will begin with the opening of the new TKTS Booth in Father Duffy Square on Thursday, October 16 at 3pm.
TKTS hours of operation in Duffy Square: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3pm to 8pm for 8pm performances; Tuesdays from 2pm - 8pm for 7pm and 8pm performances; Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm for 2pm matinees; and Sunday from 11am - 3pm for matinee performances and 3pm - 7pm for evening performances.
TKTS is a project of Theatre Development Fund (TDF), a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts. TDF has two other TKTS Discount Booths: in Downtown Brooklyn at 1 MetroTech Center at corner of Jay Street and Myrtle Promenade and a Lower Manhattan TKTS Booth is located at South Street Seaport at the corner of Front and John Streets. Since TKTS first opened for business over 35 years ago on June 25, 1973, over 51 million tickets have been sold at discount prices to millions New Yorkers and visitors who, without TKTS may not have been able to attend live performances. Those admissions represent over $1.4 billion in revenue returned to thousands of productions.
ABOUT THEATRE DEVELOPMENT FUND: TDF has played a unique role in strengthening live theatre and dance in New York City for the past 40 years. This not-for-profit service organization's programs have filled over 72 million seats at discount prices (with theatre lovers who would normally not be able to attend live performance) and returned over 1.6 billion dollars in revenue to thousands of theatre, dance and music productions. Best known for its TKTS Discount Booths, TDF's membership, voucher, access and education programs as well as its Costume Collection, help to make the unique experience of theatre available to everyone.
For more information about TDF and TKTS check the Web site:
www.tdf.org
