Hamilton Cancellation Line — Page 162

Dokool - I was one of the first people you spoke with yesterday 1/3 in the cancellation line at 7pm. :)   The first folks that got there arrived around 7:30AM, all four got in and had ochestra seats.  The next four arrived shortly before 9AM, they also got ochestra seats.  The next two arrived at 9AM and got orchestra seating as well.   My daughter and I were next in line, we arrived shortly after 9AM and we got the last two tickets which were standing room only.   The weather wasn't too bad, not too cold but it did rain all day however, we were under cover.  They didn't start calling us in for tickets until 6:55PM.  They only take two people at a time in for tickets so my daughter and I were called in with 2 minutes to spare, curtain opens at 7:05pm.  We made it to our SRO spots just in time.  (All ochestra seats were 199.00 and our SRO tickets were 40.00 each).   All of the people we met in line were AWESOME!    We even had pizza together for lunch - pretty cool.   I would highly recommend waiting in the cancellation line but get there early.   The police officer that was controlling the line close to showtime told us he thought the first 10 would get in and then it becomes dicey after that.  My daughter and I were 11 and 12 and we made it but were the last two.   Dress warm, bring water and snacks for the line since you'll be there all day.  No one had chairs but we sat on the steps in front of the theater.  We were all under cover too so we didn't get wet.  I would also recommend staying at the Marriott Marquis if you are coming for the night.  It's right next door.    I would get there earlier next time to get seats, my only regret.  Standing was tough after being in line all day but still VERY HAPPY we got in for only 80.00 and saw the show!    Hope this helped!!!!

Updated On: 1/4/17 at 09:01 AM

Update from today's matinee line: at about 12:10 they offered eight tickets, all unclaimed lotto AFAIK. So including the two box seats that went around 9:30, that's 10 of us who have gotten in so far!

craynyc said: "sweet! What time did the folks in that line start getting there?

First trio arrived at 5:20, I got there at 5:45. Basically everyone who was in line by 7AM got an unclaimed lotto.

Also, if someone was standing in line but their other person wasn't there yet, were they allowed to wait for them or was everyone told to go in as soon as the tickets were given out?"

It was early enough that we could buy our ticket(s) and leave to go get lunch or whatever. Both people did not need to be present AFAIK.

I'm a high school teacher :) 

Definitely play the lottery while you are in line!! The people in line usually remind each other to do it anyway! $10 front row tickets are even better than $200 front row tickets! I have read of at least one person winning the lottery while waiting on the cancellation line.

Wednesdays have been known to get tricky because of the two shows, but if you are willing to spend an entire day in line, you will get tickets any day of the week- it's really all a matter of getting on line super early in the morning. :) 

The only time I have seen people ordering tickets from stub hub or another reseller while on the cancellation line was when they realized that they were not going to get tickets through the line for that night. Or they just tired of the line and wanted to get off of it. 

Maybe now that it's cold out 7am might be okay, but when we did it this summer we were lining up closer to 4am. I might still line up before 7 for a matinee. These are total guesses, of course. I haven't done the line since November so just really going by what I've read here. 

Big Apple2 said: "I have a follow up question on a two-day show like Wednesday.  If only 12 people got in for the matinee show and I'm the 13th person in line and willing to continue to take my chances for the evening performance, do I now become the first person in line for cancellation tickets?"

Yes.

My friend and I are going to take our shot at the cancellation line on either Saturday the 28th or Sunday the 29th, and we were planning on arriving at the theater around 7am. On Saturday, there is a 2pm and 7 pm show, and on Sunday there is 3pm matinee. I have a few questions.

- Which day would our chances be better?

- Would it be better if we arrived earlier?

- Are people younger than 18 allowed to buy tickets?

- Do you have any other suggestions to increase our chances?

Thanks!

tylergrabo said:

- Which day would our chances be better?
 

If you're willing to tough it out for a whole day, Saturday simply because there's two shows and if you don't get into the matinee you still have a shot at the evening show. That said, you have to accept the risk that more people will be in line because it's the weekend, and also that there may be fewer cancellations.


- Would it be better if we arrived earlier?

Yes - if you absolutely 100% want to get into the matinee, you need to look at arriving pre-sunrise.

- Are people younger than 18 allowed to buy tickets?
 

I don't see why not if you have enough money for tickets, just be smart & safe.


- Do you have any other suggestions to increase our chances?

Beyond "get there super early" and doing the online lottery there's really no way to improve your odds.

I'm going to be in NY for just under a week around the Presidents' Day holiday.  Looking at doing the cancellation line (well, my daughter is the one who said she'll do it), but we need/would like 4 tickets.  Is it possible to get one line sitter for 2 tickets and she waits for two as well?  I've followed this thread for so long, and am not sure what the current rules are.  I could possibly wait with her, but I honestly don't know if I can handle the cold of February for that long!  Or could a line sitter start in the line with her early and then I come relieve the sitter?  I'm looking at trying it on Tuesday, Feb. 21st.  I figured that would be best, since it's after the holiday weekend, but I leave the following day so really don't want to mess up and not get to go!

 

"

 

Robbyne said: "Don't put too much hope in that theory. While the matinee performance, the line mandatorily has to dissipate. Many times, when it's time to line back up, new people will claim #1 spot. The theatre does not care at all, and will pay no attention to a list or anything like that. Could you end up with nice people who let you reclaim your rightful position, sure, but I wouldn't hold your breath unfortunately.

 

So, on matinee days, one can arrive later in order to JUST line up for the evening performance?  in theory?  Has anyone done this?  What time does the "new" line form?  Anyone know?  This is an interesting idea, too.

 

"

 

Was here yesterday. We were number 19 and 20 and we missed getting in. There were still 7 people in front of us. The first couple who arrived got here at 8 am. By 5 pm there were about 26 people. The first couple were able to get tickets an hr before the show started. Closer to 7 the line grew to close to 40. 

Walked past the theatre about 15 minutes ago and there was only 1 person in line.