The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[Imzadi]

Can someone explain the Broadway rush tickets? How do they work? Which shows have them?

I bumped into a lady who went to see whatever show is currently at the American Airlines theatre. Apparently they have rush tickets at this theatre all the time. Right now, it's some farce. She said she got there around 12:30 and asked for the rush tickets. She said she should have gotten there at 11:30, but they got diverted in Times Square as there was the kickoff to see off the U.S. Olympic team as they head into their final 100 days before the summer Olympics in London. (I got to meet an Olympic gold medal winner for track & field and hold his gold medal! )

Anyway, this woman stopped back through after the show, which is when I bumped into her. She and her friends got to see the show for $22. She loved the show. It was very surprisingly hilarious. Lots of physical comedy. She highly recommends it. She said the orchestra section wasn't full, so they got to move closer.

What other shows can I get rush tickets for? I don't want to be laughed at when I ask at the box office.

Also, does Wicked still have the lottery to see their show? How does that work? Any other shows do a lottery? I had been sick for so long and didn't have much energy to do anything. Now, with the weather getting nicer, I want to catch up on things I missed. Especially Broadway shows. This is why I live in this neighborhood near Times Square.

 

[cornflake]

There are two things - student rush and rush, as opposed to lottery or standing-room.

As far as I know, the great majority of shows that do rush only do student rush. Some off and a few main might do regular rush.

Lottery, as I think you know since you asked, heh, is when you put your name in and names are chosen at random and those ppl can buy tix.

Rush tix are generally first-come, available at box office open, and yes, cheap, usually $30 a seat and you'll often get orchestra, though you never can tell.

Mostly, these are for students; anyone with a student ID can claim them, usually an ID holder can buy two tix. General rush is just for anyone, but shows that do it are limited. Standing room is generally sold-out shows and first-come at whatever time, often like an hour or two before curtain.

I think playbill.com has a list of rush and lottery policies (as available times differ) for all open shows, though may only be B'way, not off or off off, or you could call the Box for a show you want. Since you're here, if you just want to see something, if it's not like Xmas, you usually can if you just go down and wander from theatre to theatre doing lottery or rush or some shows also will sell released tix (seats that were reserved, usually house seats, and they find aren't needed that night) for a discount in the afternoon.

Oh, you can also, if you don't have a student ID, sometimes get onto someone else's bandwagon. If you're down wandering around at student rush time (like I said for most, box office open), there can be people WITH student IDs just buying a ticket for themselves and if you ask nicely, you can find someone will buy the two and give you the extra (that you pay them for, obvs.). They're usually allowed to buy 2 and it doesn't matter who uses the second, like they don't ask for ID for that person, so it's cool.

 

[Imzadi]

Thanks Cornflake. I had heard of student rush tickets, not rush tickets. And thanks for the idea of seeing if a lone student buying one ticket will let me buy the other ticket (s)he is not getting. Years ago, I've given my extra Shakespeare in the Park ticket away when a group of people were one ticket short, or so that all the people didn't have to wait in line till the tickets were handed out. This was the old days when they made us stand in line for several hours and we'd melt in the sun.

 

[MissDisney121]

I'm going to see Memphis this weekend. What are some opinions?

 

[krcit]

I'm going to see Memphis this weekend. What are some opinions?

I didn't see it but my 17 year old daughter did and she liked it.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Hi!

I just happened upon this thread and had to stop in. I just got back from my very first trip to NYC last week and while I was there I saw Wicked! Oh, my, was it ever wonderful! I bought the CD and have listened to it everyday since I got home. The soundtrack has been playing in my head all day. I have seen a decent number of live productions and I rate Wicked as one of the top three, possibly my favorite ever! It was just FABULOUS!

I love live theater and look forward to reading more on this thread

 

[AllisonK]

I'm seeing Evita in two weeks! I'm so excited! I'm going to NYC for 2 nights (a huge deal since I usually only go for the day and take the bus in - I got a hotel room and I'm taking the train this time) and have room in my schedule to see two more shows - not sure which ones I'll see yet, but I'm trying to keep it fairly cheap since my Evita ticket was NOT cheap!

I've never seen a professional production of Evita before and when I did see the show it was about 7 years ago, so I don't remember it too well. But I LOVE the music so seeing it professionally done will be a treat!

 

[crazymama]

I'm seeing Evita in two weeks! I'm so excited! I'm going to NYC for 2 nights (a huge deal since I usually only go for the day and take the bus in - I got a hotel room and I'm taking the train this time) and have room in my schedule to see two more shows - not sure which ones I'll see yet, but I'm trying to keep it fairly cheap since my Evita ticket was NOT cheap!

I've never seen a professional production of Evita before and when I did see the show it was about 7 years ago, so I don't remember it too well. But I LOVE the music so seeing it professionally done will be a treat!

I am currently obsessed with Evita too. Just saw it last week at our local dinner theatre... loved it so much! The set was just beautiful, the cast was great and the music has been haunting me all week. My son is in it so it was extra special too! Didn't know I would love it that much. I am of mixed emotions with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Love JC Superstar, Joseph etc but really dislike Cats (can't really say why) and am lukewarm on Phantom.

Enjoy Evita. I'd love to see Ricky as Che!!!!

 

[elgerber]

I am currently obsessed with Evita too. Just saw it last week at our local dinner theatre... loved it so much! The set was just beautiful, the cast was great and the music has been haunting me all week. My son is in it so it was extra special too! Didn't know I would love it that much. I am of mixed emotions with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Love JC Superstar, Joseph etc but really dislike Cats (can't really say why) and am lukewarm on Phantom.

Enjoy Evita. I'd love to see Ricky as Che!!!!

I really dislike Cats also, we saw it with student rush tickets, and I would have been very unhappy if I had paid more than $20. Never again. Not that keen on Phantom either. It has a few good moments, but overall, bleh.

 

[flyergrad09]

This summer my family is going to NYC for the first time! Well, it's my parents and siblings' first times, but it's my fourth. Anyway, we're looking at doing a Broadway show. We're torn between Harvey with Jim Parsons and How to Succeed... with Nick Jonas.

Any thoughts or opinions between the two? We're all HUGE fans of Jim Parsons, but my mom really loves How to Succeed... so we're not sure which way to go.

 

[MissDisney121]

Hi!

I just happened upon this thread and had to stop in. I just got back from my very first trip to NYC last week and while I was there I saw Wicked! Oh, my, was it ever wonderful! I bought the CD and have listened to it everyday since I got home. The soundtrack has been playing in my head all day. I have seen a decent number of live productions and I rate Wicked as one of the top three, possibly my favorite ever! It was just FABULOUS!

I love live theater and look forward to reading more on this thread

Awesome! Wicked in NYC must have been amazing. That is one of my fav musicals. I have seen it 4 times here in Des Moines. I hope i get to see it in NY sometime. The music really is catchy I'm sure I've listened to the soundtrack at least a hundred times.

 

[Erin1700]

Going to see Newsies on Sunday!!!

 

[JenM]

Going to see Newsies on Sunday!!!

I'm seeing it on Monday! I can't wait. I'm utterly addicted to the cast album.

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm making plans at this moment to see The Lion King in Greenville SC in June! Yay!!!

 

[Buckalew11]

Score! Got our tickets! So excited--esp. for my mom. She loves The Lion King music, story and the FOTLK at WDW. She is 75 and will be going with me, her granddaughter, grandson and his GF. We are so excited!!

 

[Deb in IA]

Have a great time Brenda!!

Did you and your sister get to see Les Miz?

 

[Kimberle]

Going to see Newsies on Sunday!!!

You will love it! If you buy merch, you will get trading cards as well!

 

[Fivepin]

Anyone know if there are still discount for Disney Visa cardholders for the Disney shows?

 

[krcit]

You will love it! If you buy merch, you will get trading cards as well!

Do you think an 11 year old boy would like it? I want to take my son in one day soon to see a show and I'm not sure what to take him to.

 

[Kimberle]

Do you think an 11 year old boy would like it? I want to take my son in one day soon to see a show and I'm not sure what to take him to.

Yes, I think boys will love it. The cast is mostly "boys". Just google Newsies. There are lots of clips from the show.