Photo Flash: Laura Osnes Rings Bell at New York Stock Exchange!

For the 40th Anniversary of TKTS in Times Square, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella Star Laura Osnes rang the bell to open the New York Stock Exchange with Theatre Development Fund (TDF) Chairman, Earl D. Weiner, Executive Director Victoria Bailey and Managing Director Michael Naumann. Check out photos from the special event below!

Operated by Theatre Development Fund (TDF), a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, TKTS opened for business on June 25, 1973 and quickly became a mecca for theatregoers from all over the world. Making theatre affordable with same-day discount tickets and providing an urban fellowship of theatre lovers on Duffy Square (47th Street and Broadway) has helped turn TKTS into one of New York City's most photographed landmarks. The current TKTS Booth, housed under red glass steps, opened in 2008 and has garnered over a dozen international design awards. The glowing red staircase above TKTS became the first public space in Times Square, and it quickly became a popular respite for locals and visitors 365 days a year.

TKTS has distributed over 58.5 million tickets to Broadway, Off Broadway, music and dance events in The Big Apple since it first opened for business on June 25, 1973. These tickets represent over $1.9 billion in revenue from these same-day sales to thousands of stage productions. The small per ticket service charge (currently $4.00 per ticket) is used to operate the booth and to help fund TDF's myriad of education, access and service programs. A free TKTS app is available which is directly connected to the TKTS show boards to patrons can see in advance what shows are on sale at the Booths.

TKTS operates two satellite booths: in Downtown Brooklyn at 1 MetroTech Center; and another at South Street Seaport. (TKTS Seaport is currently under reconstruction after damage from Hurricane Sandy and will reopen in early July). For more information go to: www.tdf.org/tkts