HAIR tickets question...

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 3:15pm

I may sound really stupid by asking this...but I don't understand how one gets tickets to HAIR? And...I take it the theatre is outdoors? I've never been to the Public Theatre before. I'm moving to NYC on September 2nd and really want to see the show before it closes that Sunday, September 7th.

What's the best way to make sure I get a ticket?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 3:19pm

A. You donate $165.00 as a summer supporter -they will give you a RESERVED SEAT on the date you want. They will get back to you within 78 hours.

B. Fall in line as early as 5am- they distribute FREE tickets at 1pm. The last 50 people who would not get a ticket at 1pm. they give you a voucher for cancellation- you have to go back later, to see if you can get a ticket that day.
(note: for those falling inline- you can ONLY get tickets on the same day, NO ADVANCE)

Public Theater-Shakespeare in the park is a FREE theater. So most people get inline to get tickets. They usually give you TWO tickets...If they ran out- you'll just have to come back the next day. If it rains that night- you run out of luck! but if you donate money-they will reschedule it for you.

Its at Delacorte Theater- its an outdoor theater:


What's the best way to make sure I get a ticket?

It depends. the best way for me for NOT living in NYC is to donate money, so there's a guarantee seats for me, so I dont waste my trip.

and really want to see the show before it closes that Sunday, September 7th.

Yeah. its extended. you can fall in line as 5 am. Ive heard that some people who arrived at 7am were still able to get tickets...If you live close- yeah take your chance! IF YOU ARE REALLY DYING TO SEE THE SHOW! I suggest you go there at 5 am~to be sure: REMEMBER - its FREE and they got a lot of raves reviews, so most likely people will flock to see it. Some people even camp for the night!
also since that's the last day.. I suggest GO THERE at 5 am!

Remember : ITS FREE!

J*


Updated On: 8/11/08 at 03:19 PM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 3:24pm

I posted this on another thread:

For those not familiar with Central Park's Delacorte Theater. Here's some photos. I guess (from based on what I read here) the APPEAL of the show comes from being performed outdoors, like you can hear the city's noise...etcs.....

I combine photos of the theater + production photos to give you the idea!



















This girl looks like Shakira!







As you can see ~looks like there's no background- just the (natural) trees at Central Park. The stage is just a grass turf and a tent (with band)

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 3:34pm

you can all take little Groffy, Will Swenson is all MINE!!!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 3:44pm

btw..is there a stage door? and where is it? yankeefan is on vacation.. i usually ask him...

J*

[StarUsher]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:17pm

There isn't technically a stage door for the Delacorte but the closest thing is Gate 1. Facing the stage it's the entrance/exit on the far right. If the cast/crew is going to greet anyone, that's where they will leave from.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:39pm

If you get there before 6am, you need to be at the entrance at 82nd and CPW. The line starts there before 6 and then moves into the park after then.

I saw the show last night. The first guy in line got there at 11:30pm the night before. I got there about 6:45am and quite a few people were already in line.

The closer to closing, the earlier I bet you need to get there.

It's a fanf***ingtastic production. Worth the wait in line--which was actually pretty fun.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:42pm

He is going there on the last day! so I suggest - GO THERE VERY EARLY like 4 or 5 am.. then when you get your ticket at 1pm.. just go home and take a nap till 6 pm...

It's really a WHOLE DAY activity for this one!

Good Luck, Dustin!

J*

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:45pm

Sorry JRB that is not so. We were at the park before 5:30 am and went directly into the park and to the Delacourt. There were already people there maybe about 20 or 30 before us. Word was the very first folks had been there since 2:30am.

I know that TECHNICALLY the park isn't open until daybreak, but I don't know how often (if at all) that is enforced as long as you are obviously in line. At 5:30 there were DOZENS of runners and cyclists all over the park as well.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:48pm

Well, that is good to know. I just saw the signs on barricades that said that the line starts at that entrance before 6am. So, it would seem that people should definitely check over at the Delacorte before waiting outside the park.

But the first guy in line got there at 11:30pm, so if you wanna be first, an overnight stay is what you are in for. But how perfect is doing that for THIS show?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:50pm

So what do you guys do ? bathroom? where do you get breakfast & lunch? do people just sit down on the concrete floor or you can bring some sort of bedding to lie down? ..just wonderin..

BTW- here's a map of the Delacorte Theater:












Updated On: 8/11/08 at 04:50 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:55pm

You can make bedding on the pavement and/or bring a chair. I would recommend this as that pavement is hard on your body. LOL

You can use the Delacorte bathroom. This is the only time you can leave the line. They have strict line policies--though some people do break them and then it depends on the people behind you whether or not you get told on.

You have to bring food and drink with you or you can have it delivered--and plenty of places deliver.

You can sleep, read, play games, whatever.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 5:04pm

We brought a mat and a blanket. We napped. We sang (annoying to those around us, I'm sure) We listened to music. We talked.
We ordered food. (they'll come by with menus and the phone numbers of places that deliver.) We chatted to folks in line, to folks walking by. We brought puzzles, books and good friends!

I did sneak out of line twice (once before the "announcemnet" not to leave). Once I just walked around a little, the other time I went and purchased a Public Theater sweatshirt instead of waiting for the mobs at night.

As far as signs about lining up: perhaps they are being more diligent...as of Tuesday, 8/5...there were no signs or restrictions.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 5:07pm

Yeah, there were definitely signs yesterday but I got there after 6, so I dunno if they enforced the line to wait outside the park until then.

[AntonEgo]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 5:11pm

Also, don't rule out the cancellation line. Especially if there is any chance of rain, there are always cancellations. It's a bit risky because it depends on the day. Sometimes you can show up at 6 p.m. and get a ticket (like yesterday) and sometimes you'd probably have to get there a little earlier, but it's certainly not necessary to get there the night before. I think that's a bit extreme.

dramamama, I think they changed the policy because when I saw it there also wasn't a sign and we lined up at the theatre, but now there is a sign stating you cannot line up at the theatre before 6 a.m.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 5:44pm

Thanks everybody! I actually move on Tuesday, September 2nd. So, I'll have the following Wednesday-Sunday to get a chance to see the show! I'll probably fall in line early EARLY Wednesday morning to see the show that night! I may be exhausted from my travel and move, but...oh well! I really want to see this production!

How many tickets do they give out for free? How many does the Delacorte seat?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 5:49pm

Random question.. When did it change from "get in line" to "fall in line"? I have NEVER heard this expression before.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 5:51pm

They might very well have cracked down on people lining up at the theatre before 6 AM due to the reviews and the possibility of there being more people there earlier.

The cancellation line is a great alternative though a little more risky. You have a great chance of getting the left over house seats there Center stage mid tier. I know I did when I tried the cancellation line! The seat I got after waiting in line was mid tier all the way on the left beside the wall!

All the seats are free. The Delacorte has 800 seats (snicker: a little over 1830 I was told by the line narc). It is two tickets per person. The cancellation however is 1 ticket per person.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 6:41pm

And they distribute tickets at 1pm?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 7:00pm

Yes at 1pm.

Also I forgot the VIRTUAL line thru their website. You sign in from 12 am to 12;55 pm..then log back at around 1pm to check if you got FREE tickets. I was told that they only gave limited tickets a day from the website.

The only person I know from BWW that got his tickets thru virtual line is Tony Vincent. Everyone here seems to get their FREE TICKETS by falling inline in Central Park.

I have tried 3 Saturdays thru Virtual line via their website...and all I got is this...





Updated On: 8/11/08 at 07:00 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 7:08pm

Yes, they start the districution at 1-ish. The day I was there they started with the handicapped/elderly line and when that was completed they started handing out to the regular line.

Please note that unless they have stated tickets would be limited, a HUGE percentage of the tickets are given out at the Delacourt. VERY few are held for the virtual line, and even for the donation cost.

Best of luck to all....it's worth the wait!

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 7:13pm

I won my tickets through the virtual line. Guess I got lucky, cause I won on my second try. I entered precisely at midnight, if that helps. The seats were GREAT, a little to the side, but close to the stage. When you win, the message is in green, letting you know you won, and how to pick up tickets (you just show up at the BO, show your id, and get your 2 tickets).

So don't despair, it's possible to win.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 7:46pm

Hooray.....Good to know! I wish I lived closer and could just keep trying! I would LOVE to see this again...with Groff OR Henke....I just can't justify giving up another day to stand in line while I could be comfortably watching other theater for the day.

But I want to!!!!!

[rwlevin]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:19pm

This is very important. Where you are in line does NOT guarantee that you'll have good or bad tickets. Case in point: two Saturdays ago my friend and I were the second and third person in line. We were seated in row Q. Other people got in the line at 9:15. They were much much closer than we were. So if I were anybody, don't go at 5. Go at 6, go at 7. I don't know what the best time to go is now that the show has opened. I'd assume it'll let up a bit next week after Groff leaves.

[AntonEgo]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:39pm

rwlevin, I think it depends on how many people are in your party, because they have to find that many number of seats together. When we went at five in the morning, we were in the second row, but some people in front of us had a larger party, so they were behind us.