A Guide to Boston Theater Subscriptions

It may seem hard to believe, but theater subscriptions aren’t just for donors with deep pockets. They can actually be a great budgeting hack for catching multiple shows during the season, while getting to know a new-to-you-theater or more deeply engaging with a theater you already know well.

While many shows in Boston don’t sell out, sometimes having a season ticket can get you in the door for shows that do. 

The other benefit: season tickets can save you 30-40% per ticket price. But that’s only if you actually use the tickets. And for casual theatergoers, a season ticket can mean that for that season, your theater time is committed to one theater. All of which means that finding the package that’s best for you, your wallet, and your calendar is a matter of preference. Let’s break it down into the common options. 

The Traditionalist Fixed-Seat

This is the model most people think of when they think of subscribing to a theater’s season. This package is for planners who value a consistent view of the stage. 

Most theaters with this subscription model make it a “same seat, same day of the week” package where ticket-holders have first pick of premium seating at shows on a fixed day and time, so if you have a consistent opening in your weekly schedule or enough flexibility to work around your designated showtime, this is a great option. 

While the fixed-seat model tends to require the most upfront commitment, it rewards subscribers with deep discounts, first pick of highly sought-after seats and, often, flexible exchanges if you can’t make your time slot. 

• The Huntington: The “Applause” Package offers fixed-seats starting at $115 per show at a 3-show minimum. 
  • Additional benefits: Unlimited FREE ticket exchanges for another time slot. “Bring a Friend” voucher for two free tickets for any show. Access to special events. Installment payment plans available!
  • Here is a graphic to help you pick which series/time slot for each show in the season best suits your schedule.
• Lyric Stage Company of Boston: Fixed-seat option available to full season subscribers who choose to save on all five shows of their season. Side seats start from $210 total, center seats start at $285. Prices change depending on the subscriber’s chosen time slot. 
  • Additional benefits: Up to 4 guest tickets per performance at $50. Ticket exchanges to different performance dates (potential upgrade fee based on performance). Discounts at partnered restaurants and parking. 
  • You can pick from a 3-show or 4-show subscription that offers the “best available seats” for chosen performances if you don’t want to commit to the full season. 
• SpeakEasy Stage Company of Boston: Offers three pricing categories for “seated subscriptions” that guarantee the same seat for each performance part of your scheduled date. Their upcoming season consists of three productions. 
  • “First Look”: Lets you see one of the first three performances of the productions. $130 for two shows, $174 for three shows. 
  • “Prime”: Lets you pick from all weeknight and weekend performances after the first weekend. $150 for two shows, $204 for three shows.
  • “Midweek Matinee”: Lets you see the 2 PM Thursday matinee showtime of your chosen productions. $120 for two shows, $159 for three shows.
  • Unique benefit: For $165 per person, you can “SuperSize” your subscription, which gives you access to an early rehearsal of an upcoming show, a conversation over cocktails with SpeakEasy’s artistic director after a show, and lets you read the script before the show and join an online discussion with their dramaturg 

The Flex Pass

For the non-committed folks who tend to find themselves at the theater on a whim, many Boston companies offer flex passes or choose-your-own bundles. You purchase a minimum amount of tickets that can be redeemed whenever you want. You can see each production a theater is showing, or go back to rewatch a show you loved. Most of the time, if you run out of vouchers, you can re-purchase your flex pass package. 

“We find this approach works especially well for today’s audiences, who appreciate the freedom to plan as their schedules come together instead of committing to fixed dates months in advance,” said Bryan Miner with Greater Boston Stage. 

• American Repertory Theatre: While sold out this season, their subscription package is good to keep on the radar for the future. They offer two zones for seating options with different pricing: Zone A with the best view and Zone B with seats further away and to the sides. 
  • 4-Play Opening Night: $600
  • 4-Play Total Experience: $252-$336
  • 3-Play Choose-Your-Own: $201-$267
  • 3/4-Play First Look: $147-$196
  • Benefits: Early access to premium seats. Access to ticket sales before they’re open to the public. $10 off additional tickets with no handling fee. Free ticket exchanges.
• Central Square Theatre: Choose between a “Peak Package” or “Off Peak Package” for either four or five performances. 
  • 4/5 Play Peak Package: $296/$349. Lets you attend any performance, including showings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
  • 4/5 Off Peak Package: $256/$299. Access to Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evening performances. $10 upgrade to a peak performance showing. 
• SpeakEasy Stage Company: Their Flex Passes offer flexibility while maintaining subscriber benefits. 
  • 3-Ticket Flex Pass: $210
  • 4-Ticket Flex Pass: $280
  • 6-Ticket Flex Pass: $420
• Greater Boston Stage: Go beyond the Boston city limits to experience great theater with 4 flex pass options. 
  • All Access Flex Pass – $500: Unlimited admission to all Mainstage, special events, and Young Company productions for one full year. 2 Bring-A-Friend tickets.
  • Premier Flex Pass – $350: 6 Mainstage admissions. 1 Bring-A-Friend ticket.
  • Wednesday Flex Pass – $325: 6 admissions for any Wednesday matinee Mainstage performance.
  • First Look Flex Pass – $325: 6 admissions to Opening Weekend performances of any Mainstage production.
  • Seniors 62+ get $10 off any standard flex pass purchase. 
• Actors’ Shakespeare Project: Offers a flex pass for classics-lovers who want to subscribe to their upcoming 4-show season. 
  • Subscribers have the option to buy 4 to 16 flex passes to save on ticket prices, get first access to seat selection, and receive unlimited ticket exchanges. Prices range from $280 to $1,120. 
  • Bypass fees and save $20+ on each ticket, as full-price premium seats cost $90 plus fees. 
• The Huntington: Ticket vouchers purchased in groups of four or more can be redeemed for any Huntington performance. Flex passes do not expire and can be used for any available seat in the theater.
  • $75 per flex pass

The Discounts

Now, even if all of these options are marketed as the “budget-friendly” options for seeing multiple shows each season, the upfront cost might still feel prohibitive. If those upfront costs seem to be outweighing the benefits, there are more options for some specific groups, including students, seniors, and those needing disability accommodations.

• The Huntington: The “Bravo” package gives you all of the benefits of the “Applause” option, without the guaranteed seats. This option lets you see premier productions for $72 per show at a 3-show minimum. Additional discounts: 
  • Military: Veterans and active-duty military members and their immediate family can access the “Applause” membership for $30 per seat, rather than $115. 
  • HYPE: Theater-goers age 40 and under can become “Bravo” members for $30 per seat per play. Gain access to exclusive pre/post show events. 
  • Student: Full-time students with valid ID can purchase any season ticket package starting at $10 per seat. 
  • Access: Season tickets for ASL-interpreted, open-captioned, and audio-described performances are available at $20 per seat per play. 
• Central Square Theatre: Students can also save on flex passes. 
  • High school, college, and graduate students can buy a 5-ticket package for $75.
  • MIT Students are offered 5 tickets for $50. 

Season tickets go fast, so if there’s an option on your radar, it’d be best to grab one as soon as possible. If you need any help finding what’s playing this season or figuring out the vibe of Boston’s long list of theaters to make your pick, check out our guide for finding great theater in Boston.

Have you ever bought a season ticket? We’d love to hear about your experience! Send us a note telling us which company you subscribed to and what shows you got to see.