Perhaps you simply had an oblivious treasurer because I saw the show again last week on a rush ticket (wanted to see it one more time before Nathan left) and my buddy from DC visited this week and did the same.
The most current rush listings on Playbill.com also indicate that they continue to offer rush at $36.50.
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I went on Jan 22 and was able to get a rush seat for the matinee. It was in the middle of the Mezz, not a bad view at all. The ticket was $36.50. (BroadwayForBrokePeople.com has it incorrectly listed as $41.50.)
For those who said they were told there was no rush, did you specifically ask for Student rush? Because when I went I at first just asked if there were any rush seats and the man at the box office said they didn't have any. I then asked if they usually sold out right away and he said that they don't even offer rush seats. I was a bit confused by this so I said that I read on their website that they had student rush seats, and the guy said "yes we do have student rush seats left. Would you like to buy one."
So perhaps you are getting this same guy who is a bit pedantic when it comes to rush seats.
I did it today. Got there around 1pm. I got a lady box office person. I guess it is best to specify student rush because at first I just said rush and she corrected me. The lady seemed bothered by the fact that my ID doesn't put dates on it, but she sold me one anyway. $37 (the fee was $2). The mid-mezz was very empty so there were plenty of seats.
Thanks for the information everyone. Do they except high school student IDs? When I went to try to get a student ticket for Elf, they said they wouldn't validate it.
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