The Rush is On

The availability of rush--or any discount--tickets varies by venue and performance. Call the box office the day of the show to make sure it isn’t already sold out and bring cash and a valid I.D.

Starting with the 1997-98 season, the Ahmanson Theatre has changed its rush policy. It will offer $12 rush tickets for balcony seats two hours prior to performances for a portion of the run. Tickets are not available for Saturday evenings or Sunday matinees. Seniors may buy half-price tickets the day of the show, except Saturday evenings. No rush for “Rent.” (213) 628-2772.

The Mark Taper Forum has also switched to $12 rush tickets two hours before curtain for the B section, except Saturday nights, Sunday matinees and the final week of the run. Seniors can buy half-price tickets the day of the show except Saturday evenings. (213) 628-2772.

South Coast Repertory sells its own half-price tickets the day of the performance after 5 p.m. (noon for matinees). Student tickets are available for $8 half an hour before curtain. SCR also gives $5 off to seniors or $10 off to students for advance sales. (714) 957-4033.

The Alex Theatre sells $10 rush tickets 15 minutes before the performance for shows it produces. (818) 243-2611.

The Geffen Playhouse offers student tickets for $15, available 30 minutes before curtain. (310) 208-5454.

Events sponsored by the UCLA Center for the Performing Arts have student and senior rush one hour before the performance, usually $9-$15. (310) 825-2101.

The Los Angeles Opera sells student and senior tickets for $20, up to an hour before performances. Fewer performances mean more sellouts, but returned subscriber seats are sold as rush tickets, so great seats can be had. (213) 972-8001.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic offers $8 student rush tickets for most concerts and $8 senior tickets for Wednesday evenings and Friday afternoons. (213) 850-2000.

The Hollywood Bowl sells midweek concerts for $1 for classical and $7.50 for jazz. Weekend classical is $3. (213) 850-2000.

The Shubert Theatre is selling $25 student tickets two hours beforehand. (310) 201-1535.

Nederlander--which runs the Pantages, Wilshire and Henry Fonda theaters--offers pay-what-you-can or public rush tickets, but programs vary with different shows. “Cats,” Sept. 9-14, at the Pantages will have $12 tickets for children under 12. (213) 468-1770.

Other discount ticket outlets:

Tickets L.A. offers members half-price theater tickets for a $25 annual fee. Call (213) 660-8587.

On the House gives members free tickets to local theater for an annual fee of $149. Call (310) 392-7588.

Ticketmaster sells half-price tickets to some events the day of the show only on its Web site, https://events.ticketmaster.com. Click on Southern California Ticketmart.