Anyone Have An Extra Ticket?

I've actually never seen them. Do they actually get a free ticket? The only way I'd give them a free ticket is if I had received it for free.

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I don't think I have ever once gone to the theater and not seen someone asking this.

Told the guy tonight at Baby, its You, that it did not sell out & was even available at TKTS for 50% off, he just really and still hung around, I said aloud, guess he is hoping for a freebie.

They're also all known to frequent invited dress rehearsals in hopes of getting in. I don't think I've ever been to one and not seen them outside.

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They are vile and disgusting. They seem to be in attendance at every show I see, either a preview or regular performance.

So, are these the exact same people at every theater at every show? A traveling gypsy family of theater lovers? Or, is it just some random gal from the Corner?

Updated On: 3/29/11 at 08:09 AM

At the opening night of THE PRODUCERS, there was this little old lady in a turquoise raincoat haunting everyone on 44th Street for an extra ticket.

Somehow, she got into the lobby of the St. James, and as we were walking down the red carpet into the theater she reached out and tugged my sleeve.

"Oh please, please, please, do you have an extra ticket? Or would you give me yours?"

My reply was succinct. And loud.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR F*CK*NG MIND!?!"

Jordan, you can quote me.

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I love this thread! I have no idea who these people are but they are a theatrical tradition as endearing as the Gypsy Robe. I know that anytime I go to the first preview of a Roundabout production or the dress rehearsal of an Al Pacino play I'm certain to see them loitering like zombies out front, and that gives me comfort.

They've been around forever too. Years ago there was this one guy who used to somehow work his way into all the shows on 44th Street. He told me he'd seen KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN 32 times. He'd always be in front with his sign asking for extra tickets and then when I'd see him in the theatre he'd always be asleep in his seat.

A friend of mine said the other night he saw some at SISTER ACT and then thought they'd actually worked their way onto the stage for Chester Gregory's big number in Act 1.

It's the one old-ish man I always see.

I can't understand how they ever get in, but I see he does about a quarter of the times I see him. Perhaps I'm just an awful, selfish person, but if I had a spare ticket that I or my friends had already paid for, and I couldn't find anyone outside to pay ANYTHING for it--even just $20--and I had absolutely no one I knew to whom I could give it, I would rather have an extra spare seat next to me for my bag and coat rather than hand it over to a pesty stranger outside.

i would hope no one on this board has ever given these old farts a ticket at their age they should more then be able to buy there own ticket

I've seen these foul creatures at final dress rehearsals many times, and seen them sneak in with the crowd. They're sub-human; even if you were to sit them down over a cup of tea and patiently explain to them the grotesque nature of this habit, they would be as incapable of understanding your words as a dog would be. Perhaps less so.

I've got to weigh in. The only time I've ever done such a thing was for the opening night for the revival of Ragtime.

I went to the box office several times in hopes they'd be selling tickets, but alas, it was by invite only. The night of the opening I stood out front (in a suit and tie no less) to scope out my chances of getting an extra ticket. These vultures (so to speak), were out in full force and it killed me at how absolutely aggressive they were. Most of them succeeded in getting tickets, but I would not lower myself to their tactics. Needless to say, I never got in. I also saw the guy who was the stagedoor attendant give a ticket to one of these people. I was absolutely perplexed!!

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