Opening Night Tickets

[Nagrom5280]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 7:09pm

*Warning - I searched and found nothing*

Now, I will be in New York during the week when a show is scheduled to open. I happen to be there for business when Patti opens in Gypsy.

1 - What is the chance of me getting one opening night ticket?
2 - How would I go about it?
3 - Is it worth going and watching for stars if I can not get it?

Any thoughts, opinions, suggestions would be great. Going to a broadway show is part of my "bucket" so I was hoping to figure out a way in.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 7:12pm

1 in 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Unless you pay like $5000

[RyToast1]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 7:12pm

The only way I know to get an opening night ticket for Gypsy is to know someone in the cast.

I got one!

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 7:12pm

cool who do you know?

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 7:48pm

"1 in 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Unless you pay like $5000 "

Wow I must be really lucky because I have attended quite a few openings and never spent more than the price of a ticket.

To answer the actual post, the St James is a large theatre, Im sure they will release a hand full of tickets (most shows do, especially in bigger theaters) a few days before. You might have to wait it out as long as the day of and keep checking ticketmaster/telecharge.

About the stars, I would say no. Unless its a really high profile opening like Three Days or Cyrano there arent likely to be very many stars. A few notable industry people, yes. Actual stars, unlikely.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 7:55pm

Start checking telecharge a week before opening night and they may release some balcony seats. This is only a possibility and not definite.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 7:57pm

I bought tickets for opening night of "A Chorus Line" revival the day of (I think they released them the night before). I bought tickets for opening night of "Curtains" several weeks in advance. You could luck out.

Don't trust a broker!!!!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 8:06pm

I've attended several opening nights, and have only ever known someone in the opening night cast once. Generally, for some time, the entire house will be held back, and the show will appear "sold out." As the night approaches, and they see how many of those tickets they need, they begin to release some back for sale. Generally, it's a matter of luck- checking online multiple times a day, beginning about a week or so before the opening. When a seat becomes available, pounce. I was actually able to get two opening night tickets for Wicked, using a discount (!!!). We were seated in the orchestra, believe it or not.

Opening nights are great fun, because the energy level is incredible. It's definitely worth trying to do.

[wexy]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 8:10pm

I've been to hundreds of plays and I've only been to one opening. Somehow I got an opening night ticket to "Some Americans Abroad" at Lincoln Ctr through TDF.
I met former Mayor Lindsay who was a trustee at Lincoln at the bar.
Pia Lindstrom was sitting two rows behind me. Thats the only time.

[Nagrom5280]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 6:05am

Thanks to Cape and everyone after for your help. I am going to go for it, and plan on getting tickets and see what happens.

Thanks

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 1/31/08 at 6:09am

You can always try the box office for any unclaimed house seats. Go there 48 hours before the performance..that is when they are released.