Ticket Sales from Category to Category

We are using the latest version with the hack fix (I think 1.3.8). I have tried valiantly to find the correct module to add to Zen, to enable me to group five performances at three different rates into a discounted area where customers could choose specific numbers of each ticket and get a specific dollar-amount discount for each of three levels of ticket (adult, senior, student). Linking the products takes away any specificity so that I then am not told which performances the customer wants.

Putting them into different categories disallows dollar-amount discounts. Putting the tickets into attributes does not allow me to put numbers in the check boxes, i.e. to order 3 senior, 2 adult and one student ticket (for 3 different performances) which would give me a discounted rate. I wish to have a specific dollar amount discount for each of three levels. It seems to require some kind of amazing stand-on-my-head type of contortion and I feel as if I am overthinking it.

I was trying the Quantity Discount by That Software Guy but I do not think it will help me as I need more specificity than it can provide. I have a severely limited amount of $ to spend but I don't mind spending some $ if I can get this figured out. None of the other sites that use Zen seem to be doing the same thing I am doing. I am not looking for a consultant; I am simply doing a community service as a nonprofit organization and would like to know which of the modules could fit my needs.