Hair @ Delacorte - Question- Page 2

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 11:26pm

I'm thinking plan on camping out. Fortunately, this is one I'm not the least bit interested in seeing, so I'm able to stay dry and comfy in my bed. :) But have fun!

[exhalemusic]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 11:44pm

I'm a bit confused now, I thought tickets were free? Isn't that what it says on the website for the Public Theater? I thought it was too good to be true!
Can someone clarify?

[NSLV]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 12:20am

Tickets ARE free. But they're first come first serve starting at 1pm, and in the good old NYC spirit of waiting around forever for free things, people line up early (at times all night) to ensure they get one of the limited number of free tickets given out each day.

If you want to become a "Summer Supporter" and spend $165 (tax deductible), you get a reserved seat. Basically you make a donation to the Public and get a seat.

With the exception of those, and probably a few house seats each night, the bulk of the tickets are free.
Updated On: 7/16/08 at 12:20 AM

[chrysler99]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 12:46am

Two years ago when Meryl Streep was in Mother Courage at the Delacorte, people started waiting in line the night before. If you are a senior citizen or know one, there's a special line that's much shorter (but still only 2 tix available per senior).

I'm glad my employer is paying for a bunch of us to go through the Summer Supporters program. It's actually a pretty good tax deduction if you can take advantage of that sort of thing.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 6:41am

^ Yep. I got there around 3am and was halfway between the bathrooms and the rock. By 7, the end of the line couldn't even be seen, and I don't think anyone who got there after 8 even got tickets. And that was during previews!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 7:39am

Gonna be fun!!

[AntonEgo]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 11:18am

I'm thinking about going at 1 or 2 in the morning. I don't mind waiting around so long to see it, but from people who have camped out, is it safe? I'm assuming there will be plenty of other people around? Thanks.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 1:58pm

The line develops its own little community. It's kind of like summer camp in a weird way. There's a deli (Andy's) that will deliver. You can look it up online...I think I'd searched Shakespeare in the Park on google and there was a guide to waiting and stuff and it had the number there. They're really nice ~ no minimums but it is cash only. The guys come over on their bikes and ride up and down the line with the deliveries. You just tell them around where in the line you are ~ close to the bathrooms, between the bathrooms and the rock, close to the rock, etc.

[hellostar]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 4:54pm

This is considered the 'Shakespeare in the Park' production, correct? With Jonathan Groff, etc?

So basically, if I understand correctly - this whole "free tickets" thing really doesn't matter much considering actually getting a HOLD of tickets is nearly impossible? Am I right in thinking that?

Hm. I really wanted to see this. Are there any student options?
Updated On: 7/17/08 at 04:54 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:17pm

Yes, HAIR is a production of the Public's Shakespeare in the Park.

No student options, as the tickets are FREE. Getting tickets isn't impossible at all - you just have to be there early enough.

[hellostar]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:24pm

Thank you!

And the most recent time that is considered early enough these days, I believe I read, was 5 am? Are people arriving earlier?

I'm also wondering what the best options are for people who do not live in the city, and cannot get there nearly as early as those who do. Updated On: 7/17/08 at 05:24 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 7:19pm

5 is kind of late I would think. I got there last year for A Midsummernight's Dream which really didn't have Names in it and there were already people there and camped out already ~ during previews. I can only imagine what it will be like for this as I think I'm the only person in New York who couldn't care less about it.

Your options short of coming in and camping overnight are most likely: 1) pay the $165 'donation' to guarantee a seat, 2) try the online line and hope for the best, or 3) check craigslist and the like to see if people are offering their waiting services for a fee.

[zephanellenbogen]

Posted: 7/20/08 at 1:53am

The park doesn't open until 6am. Having said that, people do get there earlier, but run the risk of getting in trouble with the cops... got in line last september for the concert version at 5am and there were already 300 or 400 people in line. Updated On: 7/26/08 at 01:53 AM

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 1:46pm

I signed up for the virtual line right at midnight. I could have sworn I was one of the first people, but nada.

Did anyone get tickets for today?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 3:00pm

verynewyorkcurious:

The virtual line is NOT on a first come first served basis. It is totally random. It doesn't matter if you are the first to sign in or the last...you have equal chances of getting the tix.

I haven't heard how many they are releasing for the virtual line: but it doesn't seem like many. It really only sounds like a good option for two types of people: those who kind of want to go, but won't think twice about it if they don't; and those that live/work in NY and can simply keep trying as their schedule allows.

I'm coming to NY for a week and one whole day is pretty much put aside for Hair tix...starting after our evening activiites the night before.

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 3:10pm

Do they have Standing room?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 3:18pm

double post

Updated On: 7/22/08 at 03:18 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 3:18pm

I don't really know (but I'm thinking no) however, I know people will often just hang out/picnic NEAR the park to listen to the show if they can't get tix.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 3:40pm

I figured. They should call it the virtual lotto, not virtual line.

I'm not a camping out kind of guy, and if the virtual line chances are slim, I guess I'll have to miss this.

[AntonEgo]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 3:42pm

Did anybody stand in line today for tickets? I'm curious what time people got there.

[Mrs. Lovett's bf]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 3:52pm

I would never wait in line for this. Updated On: 7/22/08 at 03:52 PM

[zephanellenbogen]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 9:20pm

the first guy in line was there at 2:30am

mind you, the park doesnt open until 6am. Cops can ticket you, fine you, and kick you out of the park.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 9:32pm

But do they do that? Is it a common occurance???

[scott68]

Posted: 7/22/08 at 9:38pm

I've waited in line for Mother Courage, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and last year's Hair, getting there around 5 each time, and never had any trouble with police. I think that would be the least of your worries, really.

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 2:39am

I'd like to correct some misinformation... The Delacorte has approximately 1,900 seats. The Virtual Line is getting approximately 1 - 2 thousand hits for only a small allotment of tickets, so it is foolish to count on The Virtual Line. This is an option for those who live in Manhattan and are willing to try often and won't be upset if they are never chosen.

Today, I arrived at the Delacorte at 5.30a and I was the fifth in line. It is true that the park officially opens at 6a, but this is a rule that doesn't seem to be enforced. The line manager seems to believe that people arriving as late as 9a are likely to get a ticket, but of course can make no guarantee and given the size of the theater, are likely to be in the back or towards the back of the theater.

The senior citizen option seems like a good deal, although many of those people were seated on the extreme side (close to the stage, but way over). There is also a line for disabled people that is also easier than the main line.

Anyway, I saw tonight's performance of Hair and I thought it brilliant. I highly recommend seeing this show.