Profile for LesMizazz

Here is my long, somewhat detailed, summary of my experience in the cancellation line yesterday (Wednesday) 

I took the train to Manhattan from Queens and was originally going to do Book of Mormon lottery. I put my name in at 4:30pm when the sign-up started and then decided to wander down to Hamilton to see how long the cancellation line was. 

When I got there, the student matinee was about to let out, but I saw a group of about 10 people standing together, which I assumed was where the cancellation line forms when a performance is about to let out, so I got in line around 4:40. 

I wasn't even sure if there was a performance that night since there was no lottery, but I'm pretty sure they cancelled the lottery due to the NYC Teacher event they were sponsoring. 

The matinee let out around 4:50, and then once it was clear, a guy moved the line in front of the theatre where the doors and stairs are. I decided to give up on my Book of Mormon chances since it seemed like a good chance of getting a Hamilton ticket. 

Around 5:30, a guy came out and said there were Premium tickets available for $850. Only 1 lady in front of me was interested so she went in, but came out 10 minutes later making it sound like there would likely be much cheaper tickets a little bit later, so she got back in line.

Around 6:00 or so, Williams? the cop who hangs out around the theatre came by and gave the rundown of the cancellation line. Then he counted how many people were in line and I ended up being Number 13. 

1-6 were too far ahead for me to talk to, but I think most of them got in line around 1pm.

7 and 8 got there around 3 and were a guy and girl in their 20's. 

9 got there around 3:30 and was the lady who was going to buy the premium but opted out.

10 got there around 4 and was a lady who I thought had originally gotten in line with 2 other people, but they ended up leaving and she was only getting a ticket for herself. She was really nice and gave me an extra bagel that her friends had gotten for her. (I was dumb and didn't eat any lunch before standing in line).

11 and 12 got there around 4:30 and were a mother and son who drove in from Ohio for the son's 10th birthday! They were both really sweet and the boy (George) has been wanting to see the show for a really long time. His Dad passed away last November and so his Mom was really hoping he'd get to to see the show even though she was freezing waiting in line. We let them leave and get pizza and coffee across the street, and nobody minded them getting back in line. I was telling myself and the people in line behind me that even if tickets ran out by the time I got to the box office, I wouldn't mind as long as George got to see the show! He even rapped Guns and Ships for us while we stood in line. 

13 was me, who got there at 4:45. 

14 got there around 5. He was a visiting from Australia for 5 days who wanted to see as many shows as possible. He was really fun to talk to about Australia and theatre in general. If he happens to read this, can we please get married so I can escape the political craziness here in the States? 

15 got there around 5:30 and was a girl who is moving to California next week, so she wanted to be able to see the show while she still lived here. For pretty much the majority of waiting in line, she was on the phone with Delta booking her flight to CA.

16 got there around 5:45 and was a nice 20 something girl who often walks past the line after work. She too had noticed that there was no lottery today so she thought she'd come by and see what availability was like.

There were about 3 more people in line behind them and then the barricades for the stagedoor were set up. On the other side of the barricades the line continued with people having showed up around 7 or so. 

At 7:30 they stared letting people with tickets enter the theatre. It was a little crazy because people with tickets lined up right next to the cancellation line, so it was hard to tell if people were cutting into the line or not. Everyone in the line was very aware of this though and we looked out for each other. 

The ticketholder line dissipated around 7:40, and then they started calling in the cancellation line 1 or 2 at a time. Once George and his Mom were called, it was a pretty cool feeling to be in the front of the line (and I was also happy that they got tickets!). 

It was probably around 7:50 that the guy came out and said he had 5 standing room available and if we wanted them we had to tell him now! I was actually hoping for SRO so right away I said yes, as did 14, 16 (and I assume 17 and 1. The girl who had been on the phone the whole time didn't want to stand (I think), but I still ended up seeing her walk into the theatre so she must have gotten a seat. 

I have no idea how much the people in front of me paid for their seats (I'm assuming $199), but I am so happy I got in line when I did and was able to get a $40 Standing Room ticket! 

I only wish I had dressed a little bit warmer (i was wearing a t-shirt under a jacket, but more layers would have been much nicer). But for only having to stand in line for 3.5 hours for an SRO ticket, I'd say the Cancellation Line was very worthwhile!

You could always call them up. You'll speak to the same box office person you would in person: (212) 239-6200

I've seen it on the TKTS boards. 

If you want to get tickets in advance, Living Social has $45 tickets right now: https://www.livingsocial.com/events/1623826-ticket-to-the-radio-city-rockettes

To me, Andy Mientus is a classic example of a former musical fanboy (I believe he used to be a Renthead) who enjoyed seeing shows multiple times, stagedooring, and bootlegging shows, just like some of the rest of us.

But once he became "famous" he has become the polar opposite and looks down on his "fans", goes off on bootlegging rampages, and thinks he's better than all of the people he used to be before he was cast in the Spring Awakening tour.