By Jeremy Saum

You're vacationing in the big city and want to see The Producers, but two tickets at $60 each would bust your budget. No problem—there's a chance you can buy them for as much as 50 percent off. Many cities offer last-minute half-price tickets to shows of all kinds—from musicals to modern dance—at special outlets. Tickets go on sale in the late morning for performances that night. You'll probably have to pay in person (possibly with cash), but you may be able to check ticket options by phone or online (and some outlets offer online sales). Arrive early for the widest selection and be flexible: You never know what's going to be available that day.

BOSTON, BOSTIX (617) 262-8632, www.artsboston.org CHICAGO, HOT TIX (312) 554-9800, www.hottix.org LAS VEGAS, TICKETS2NITE (702) 968-8800, www.tickets2nite.com LOS ANGELES, LA STAGE TIX www.lastagetix.com (no booth, available only online) NEW YORK, TKTS (212) 221-0013, www.tdf.org/tkts PORTLAND, CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (503) 226-2811, www.pcpa.com SAN DIEGO, ARTS TIX (619) 497-5000, www.sandiegoperforms.com/artstix SAN FRANCISCO, TIX BAY AREA (415) 433-7827, www.tixbayarea.org SEATTLE, TICKET/TICKET (206) 324-2744 VANCOUVER, B.C., TICKETS TONIGHT (604) 684-2787, www.ticketstonight.ca WASHINGTION, D.C., TICKETPLACE (202) 842-5387, www.ticketplace.org