BosTix!

Are you thinking of going to a show or performance in Boston last minute?  Check out Bostix.org!  They offer 1/2 price discount tickets to popular shows.  Some are only good for the same day or next couple days - but to save 50%, why not?  

For instance, Dirty Dancing is playing at the Opera House now - if you go through ticket master, you'll pay roughly $81 (after all fees and whatnot) for mezzanine seats for tonight's and tomorrow's shows.  If you go through BosTix.org, you'll pay about $44-$47 (after fees!)  for mezzanine seats!  I don't think you can get the "really good" seats through BosTix (although - it seems the more last minute you are, the better deal you'll get).  

How do they do this you ask, here is the answer (taken from the BosTix website)...

ArtsBoston is a not-for-profit service organization that promotes the performing arts in Greater Boston. We provide ticketing, marketing and capacity building programs that increase revenue, expand audiences and enhance professional development to over 170 theatre, music and dance member groups. 

BosTix and ArtsBoston Online enable our performing arts member groups to sell tickets that would normally go unsold, while Member Services provides Professional Development Workshops, discount cooperative advertising, marketing discounts and advice and expertise from ArtsBoston staff. In 27 years of service, we have infused $36,000,000 back into Boston's performing arts community and sold 3,000,000 tickets to cultural events. 

So if you're in the Boston area and fly by the seat of your pants, check out BosTix and see a show!  Support the Boston theater community and local economy!  Also, they do offer some tickets that are more in advance than just a couple days.  

Also - if you aren't in the Boston area, but are doing something like this, just Google "discount tickets CITY NAME" - I'm sure a lot of cities around the country have programs like this.