Here is my experience from the Cancellation Line for the 5/2/16 performance.
If you read 'alittlelessmiserable's post (#1024), I'm the 'older gentleman' she was talking about. She is spot on with how the line was when she was there, so I won't rehash too much of what she said and I'll take my story from when she left. A quick recap, I got there at 9:40 that morning and was number eight in line.
After 'alittlelessmiserable' left, I was now sixth in line. The first four people were getting pairs, and the lady in front of me and myself were getting singles. The line pretty much stayed the same until about 2:00. A mother/daughter team came after me and settled in. The line stayed that way until another woman (looking for a pair) and a man looking for a single came on line. This was around 3:00. Then another mother/daughter team came in around 3:30 with plans to start the line for Tuesday show, but they figured why not wait in our line and give it a shot. After 4:00, more people started to fill in the line.
At 5:00, they moved everybody over to the other side of the entrance and got us in a more orderly line. The tension is starting to build and I'm not sure if I'm going to get in. The 4th person in line was a SOLD sitter and he was giving us some tips on some of his experiences in line (Thanks Shalann[sp]). He said that he's seen as many as 22 tickets available to only one being available, but he said that where I was in line, my chances were pretty good. That made me feel a little better, but I was still nervous. At 6:15, the first two pairs (a mother and her three daughters) were told to go to the box office. In doing the ticket math, I would be getting the 10th ticket available. Looks pretty good so far. Come to find out, of the first two pairs that were sold, one of those pairs was a no-show lottery tickets (lucky on them!). So now that means there are still a pair of house seats up for grabs. My chances are getting better!! By 6:30, the line now has about 30 people in it. It's now 6:40 and no more tickets have been sold since the first two pairs. Getting nervous again. Five minutes later, the third pair is called to the box office. Then another five minutes go by and the next pair goes in. Now I'm second in line!! The lady in front of me said that when they say the next pair, come with me and we'll go in as 'a couple'. I said I was good with that! The mother/daughter team that was behind me for some reason was no where to be found (my guess, they went the StubHub route)! So the woman that came at 3:00 looking for the pair got moved up behind me. At 6:50, they called the lady in front of me and me to the box office. I'M IN!!!!! I couldn't believe my luck! The weight of wondering if I was getting in or not was finally lifted and it felt like I could walk on air!! My seat was Row G, Seat 101, $177. The mother/daughter team that came expecting to start the new line for Tuesday's show was able to get in. When it was all said and done, not including the premium tickets that were sold earlier in the day (2) or the two no-show lottery tickets, 13 tickets were available for purchase (12 seats, 1 SRO).
The show was amazing!! Les Miz has always been my favorite show, but I think there's a new number one in my book now!! My wife had to work that day so she couldn't see it with me, so I cant wait to see it again and take her with me. I'm so happy that I took the effort to do this. I'm glad that I didn't have to do the 3:00 am to get my spot on line. My situation I think was more the exception, not the rule. If you do the wait, your results may vary.
And finally, the SOLD guys stated that there will be some more changes with the line sitting policy regarding tents and overnight stays (stay tuned). Also, with the Tony nods going out this morning (Hamilton w/16), demands for tickets will be greater. SOLD also said that the worse and hardest day to get tickets are for the Wednesday matinee. All in all, it was a fun day and a great show and I look forward to seeing the show again.
