Wayman_Wong said: "''I will say, I loved seeing the generosity of people on this board with the whole "I wait in line, you pay for my ticket" vice versa thing. It was refreshing and incredibly nice to see.''
Boy, I have a totally different take on this. It wasn't about generosity. It was a business transaction. One stranger was asking another stranger to, in essence, cut in line on his behalf because he wasn't willing or wasn't able to wait in line for hours. In exchange, the one who could pick up the extra ticket, got their ticket for free. In principle, I don't see how it's any different than the ''professional'' line sitters who get a fee for their services. In this case, it probably was cheaper to hire a stranger here. Why does it matter? I imagine these transactions helped bump people who actually waited in line for hours, and missed the cut, thanks to the people who had the money to pay others to do their bidding. Oh, well. Who cares, right? As long as you get your own ticket, screw the rest of the line.
"
It's different because line sitters make a HUGE amount of money, therefore keeping the people who can't afford it at bay. I happen to have found someone who was willing and generous to stand in line. I say generous because it really is. They have the right to buy two tickets. And for a small price (tickets) they do this. I happen to be in NYC for 3 days. 3 days with 3 kids. I can't sit in line for hours. But I happen to have a 13 year old son who has attached himself to these songs and lyrics and messages. A 13 year old boy who is cutting himself because he feels lost. And though this show isn't therapy or a salvation. It's what he's asking for right now in his life.
Just because someone can't be in line for three days doesn't make them less of a fan or less deserving. And as long as rules are being followed, people are being honest, and no one is making a fortune off standing in line, I think it's all done in the spirit of community.
Really- let's all blame the Tonys. :)