Judging by anyone who's been recently...it seems that if I show up as a single by 6 AM on a weekday (except Wednesday) I have a good shot at getting in? Correct me if I'm wrong! I'm looking to go soon!!
jdra said: "Yes!! Of course! I'd be happy to be anywhere in the theater"
"just reiterating incase the only resort for anyone is resale. The seat isn't horrible. My sister loved her seat and I was being foolish to want to sell for a closer seat. The venue is so intimate--but do understand that for the demand, it needs to be moved to the MetLife stadium! LOL!"
First of all, a apology to @bucky3 and 3 other people who I said no to pair up. I was torn this morning for not teaming up with the boy for tonight's show. After all, he attempted it since 4 a.m. for Monday's show and didn't get in. It says something about his character. And just saw him today after the show, I am confident he will have no problem. And my best bless goes with him.
So trip 2 report:
I was #2, 3 premium tickets released this afternoon. Someone in the line took them. 30min before the show, I decided to conditionally pair up with #3 Chris since he may only need 1 ticket. In the case box office force to sale 2 instead of 1, I will enlist Chris's help. I was very indecisive on whether to give up any mezz and standing seat. Considering I was #2 in line, I could safely risk it by bypassing them twice. But in the end didn't go that route, reason 1) I never did the last 30min of the cancellation line before, so I don't know if they are going to ask me how many tickets I want before they let me into the box office 2) I was nervous and decided to take whatever seat is available
In the end, they didn't ask me how many tickets I need before letting me into the box office. When I was in the box office, I said 1 and that's it. I never got to ask what seat since it is already after 7pm and I honestly thought I would have taken any seat and it was better that way not to ask.
So in a shell:
3 Premium tickets released in the afternoon.
5 min before the show:
#1 ORCHESTRA CENTER E105, E106 (my rough guess, they sit right across me)
#2 ORCHESTRA CENTER G104 (me)
#3 ORCHESTRA CENTER G103 G102
#4 standing room pair
#5 1) ORCHESTRA CENTER G101 2) somewhere ORCHESTRA RIGHT H10/H12 (just a guess)
#6... i think 3 more people/couple? maybe? got in.. But I am not sure.
I personally prefer orchestra seat way way better than any mezz seat. You see character's expression very clearly. It was a way more awesome experience than my last.
And thanks again for everyone tolerating me in the cancellation line :P
steins said: "I personally prefer orchestra seat way way better than any mezz seat. You see character's expression very clearly. It was a way more awesome experience than my last."
Oh yes! The up-close experience I had last week was wonderful. They really do put their heart into their performances. You can see Chris Jackson sweat, Leslie Odom's tears. Seeing it last night from up above reminded me of the wonderful usage of lighting on the stage floor. Some look like cobblestone, dried wood, waves of water. And love the square outlined lights marking tiny rooms where it happens.
From up above, I couldn't help but notice two empty seats two rows ahead of where I sat 8 days ago. First row--Row CC seats 2 and 4 were empty! What happened to those lottery winners?!?!? SMH
Here is my line experience. Day one I flew in from Portland OR and got in on a red eye on Saturday. As reported before the lines in Saturday were short - like less than 10-15 a few hours before curtain. On Saturday my sister and I got in line for the evening show around 2:30 and we were around 7-9 in line. In line math that could mean up to ticket number 14 since everyone ahead of us could have attempting to seats. The staff said we were the last iffy chance with waiting. At the end some last minute folks - including a group on a Segway and carry a boombox from the ticket holders got in. Celebrities spotted that night were Robert Downy Jr. and John Tesh.
I forgot to mention that on Saturday how helpful and kind the line dudes were.
I came back on Monday and was on line around 5:15-5:30 amped the tips on this beautiful and and the amazing line dudes. I was next to the now legendary teenage boy. He was great. The next person I line after me showed up between 6 and 7 am. The person before us got in line at 11ish on Sunday night.
I stayed at the Marriott on 54 and Broadway and the walk was safe at 5 am.
I brought a blanket and no chair and was comfy. Folks watch out for each other and I was never bored. I barely read the book I brought.
On Monday the premium $477 tickets were released around 10:30 and there were six. I was physically number 6 but in line math at two tickets per person I was the possible twelfth ticket which is the last vaguely possible chance.
As you have read the theater has you line up standing around five and they give tickets out between 6 and 7- or a few minutes later. Only eight tickets were sold and none were lottery. No was behind the teenager who REALLY wanted to go and he didn't get in. As sad as I felt for me I was devastated for him. After the last ticket is give those of us who are left and were together for the day hugged and left.
The he last twenty minutes are very stressful and tense but in an anxious and hopeful way.
@mbusani14 - I saw the show on 5/2/16 (Monday) from the cancellation line. I got there at 9:40 that morning. I was 8th in line. By 1:00 pm, two people ahead of me (6th and 7th) had left and that put me at 6th in line. The fifth person got on line at 2:00 that morning (5/2). Counting for all the tickets that folks were getting in front of me, I would be getting the 10th ticket available. I did get in to see the show and there were only 15 tickets available for that night (with two of those being no-show lottery). So to answer your question, it's really hard to say! I think my case was more the exception, not the rule. All things being equal to my situation, if going as a single, I would think getting there by 6:00 am you should have a good shot of getting in. Pretty much anything after number six in line, you likely will not get a ticket. Try for shows on Tues. and Thurs.. If you can get there next Monday (the last Monday show until July), try that day as well. According to the SOLD guys, Wednesday and Saturdays are pretty tough to get tickets if you were to come in that late (6:00 am). It's really hit or miss if you're not within the first three or four places in line. Give it a try and good luck in your efforts!
I was #2, 3 premium tickets released this afternoon. Someone in the line took them. 3 Premium tickets released in the afternoon."
So you passed on the premium tickets? Do you know how long the person who got them waited?
Thanks.
"
Pretty much any one in the first 5 spots passed. There is a reasonable chance that we will get in. And there is really no reason to take Premium Seat which cost about 500. As a matter of fact, premium are only premium in terms of the pool of tickets released to the public (I believe), when House Seats, are truly premium premium seats. Those house seats are release to the cancellation line in the last 10 min (from experience), at regular 177USD price.
I do want to add there is a chance of getting unclaimed lottery ticket as part of cancellation line. Those lottery tickets may not be that good. Since your sight levels with the stage floor and they are really really close to the stage. A retired military fan John(?)(who is doing cancelation line today #2) told us Richard Roger theater CC row are way closer than other theaters and he did not seat comfortably when doing In the Height there. I didn't personally go to the front row to checkout but from afar that seemed to be the case.
I was #2, 3 premium tickets released this afternoon. Someone in the line took them. 3 Premium tickets released in the afternoon."
So you passed on the premium tickets? Do you know how long the person who got them waited?
Thanks.
"
Pretty much any one in the first 5 spots passed. There is a reasonable chance that we will get in. And there is really no reason to take Premium Seat which cost about 500. As a matter of fact, premium are only premium in terms of the pool of tickets released to the public (I believe), when House Seats, are truly premium premium seats. Those house seats are release to the cancellation line in the last 10 min (from experience), at regular 177USD price.
I do want to add there is a chance of getting unclaimed lottery ticket as part of cancellation line. Those lottery tickets may not be that good. Since your sight levels with the stage floor and they are really really close to the stage. A retired military fan John(?)(who is doing cancelation line today #2) told us Richard Roger theater CC row are way closer than other theaters and he did not seat comfortably when doing In the Height there. I didn't personally go to the front row to checkout but from afar that seemed to be the case.
"
Do they let you know where in the theater the premium seats are located or do you find out where they are after you buy them? If I'm further along than #6 in line I would consider it vs paying scalpers but not for mezzanine seats.
We got tickets off the cancellation line last night. (Hi @steins and @Lori_H2!)
Two of my friends got there at 11:30pm on Monday night and camped out all night (for Tuesday's show.) They were tickets #8, 9 and 10. I joined them on the line (to hang out, not get extra tickets!) in the morning and spent some time on the line. It was a really friendly group, lots of awesome people, including Miguel from SOLD.
They didn't start selling cancellation line tickets until not even five minutes before the show started. They called people in very quickly, and my friends got the last pair, and then they came out and said that there was one single ticket left, so I was the last one who got in, and it was ticket #10. It was literally moments before showtime--I didn't even have time to call my husband and tell him I had gotten a ticket before they dimmed the lights and asked people to shut off their phones.
I was sitting next to a bunch of line friends in Orchestra center G101 on the aisle. Could not have asked for better seats, or a better experience.
navahw said: "We got tickets off the cancellation line last night. (Hi @steins and @Lori_H2!)
Two of my friends got there at 11:30pm on Monday night and camped out all night (for Tuesday's show.) They were tickets #8, 9 and 10. I joined them on the line (to hang out, not get extra tickets!) in the morning and spent some time on the line. It was a really friendly group, lots of awesome people, including Miguel from SOLD.
They didn't start selling cancellation line tickets until not even five minutes before the show started. They called people in very quickly, and my friends got the last pair, and then they came out and said that there was one single ticket left, so I was the last one who got in, and it was ticket #10. It was literally moments before showtime--I didn't even have time to call my husband and tell him I had gotten a ticket before they dimmed the lights and asked people to shut off their phones.
I was sitting next to a bunch of line friends in Orchestra center G101 on the aisle. Could not have asked for better seats, or a better experience.
"
So they where #4 and #5 in line? Did anyone have a problem with you joining later?
gatorgirl2 said: "So they where #4 and #5 in line? Did anyone have a problem with you joining later?"
I wasn't joining later! I was just keeping them company. I would never have joined the line for additional tickets in the middle of the line, gah! In this case my friends had also told the other people on line that I'd be joining them in the morning, so everyone was prepared and there were no surprises. By the time I got there, half the line knew all about me already!
My friends were there getting two tickets each--I was one of their plus-ones. I just came to hang out and bring lunch and moral support and stuff. They were #5 and #6 on the line, for tickets #8, 9 and 10.
Hi, mom of teenage boy (Ilan) here. 'LoriH2' and 'Steins' so glad you were able to see the show and had such a good experience. (No apology necessary Steins. Sorry if I gave you a hard time yesterday, I was mostly teasing.) Thanks for the kind words about 'my son'. (Yes, an attempt at a Hamilton reference). He is going to try again and will hopefully have better luck!
And thanks to the person who posted about the 'sidedoor stage door' - as we stopped by (after seeing Dear Evan Hansen which is amazing!) last night to deliver some pizza to Miguel, (a super nice SOLD line sitter that Ilan had befriended during his stint on line), I noticed several cast members and Tommy Kail exiting said door. A kind theatre goer gave me an extra playbill and I was able to get some autographs for my daughter (surprise- another Hamilton fanatic) who was home studying.
Best of luck to all those planning a cancellation ticket attempt!
That's awesome you guys had a great experience last night!!!
@Steins, were you able to sleep while camping out at RRT Monday evening? Were you awake the entire time during the show? Just asking because the earliest I had ever been at RRT was 4am and I was wide awake. I am not sure if I can do a 5:30pm the day before though as that's over 24 hours of waiting!
Also, for those who got Standing room, did they specifically ask for standing room? From my experiences and my friend's experiences, normally the last tix to go to cancellation are SRO.
I did the cancellation line last week and had similar experiences. I also met Miguel from SOLD. Really nice guy. Robert too. If I can afford it I'd use SOLD's services but alas I can't so waiting in line I'll do. :)
Wick3 said: "Also, for those who got Standing room, did they specifically ask for standing room? From my experiences and my friend's experiences, normally the last tix to go to cancellation are SRO."
I can't swear to it, but I don't think so--I think it's just what was offered to them when they went in, and you can take what they offer, or pass and hope there's still other tickets left. In this case, the people on line ahead of us ended up in standing room while we had seats.
@Wick3 honestly I almost think I would pass out 30min before the show. I didn't consume any coffee. But once the show started, I was so excited and kept me completely awake even after the show. Last month I waited from 2am-2pm(12hs) and then slept for 5 hours before the show in the hotel. It was more tiresome last time I think. I probably shouldn't have gone to sleep before the show even though I got the ticket early last time. This time 3pm-7pm 28hs is much much better. I did sleep at night. I don't think it was a deep sleep but I think I rested well. Thanks again for many tips about the portable chair on the forum.:)
navahw said: I wasn't joining later! I was just keeping them company. I would never have joined the line for additional tickets in the middle of the line, gah! In this case my friends had also told the other people on line that I'd be joining them in the morning, so everyone was prepared and there were no surprises. By the time I got there, half the line knew all about me already!"
Just to be clear, my wife and I were the ones who waited on the line for navahw. Here's our whole story (It's long, so buckle up and bring popcorn):
We had been talking about doing this for a while. My wife had waited on a cancellation line for the Producers back in 2001, but that was only like 8 hours and that was a bigger theater so there were many more cancellation tickets.
Our original plan was to get there at 5-6 in the morning and wait all day.
Navahw works 2 blocks away and also wanted to go with us, but couldn't wait all night.
We read through the message boards here and determined that Tuesdays were a good day to try.
On Monday I messaged navahw to go by the line after work and check out how long it already was and she went by and talked to the second guy on line (who turned out to be steins) who recommended showing up at 2-3am AT THE LATEST to be in the "safe zone".
At that point, she said that it probably wasn't worth it to do and we should probably give up on the idea. We were home and were like, "If we are going to sleep from 9:30 until 1am and then drive in, we might as well drive in now so we drive less tired and then pass out on the line."
We actually flipped a coin to decide if we were going to attempt it, Heads we go, tails we don’t. When we flipped it we realized that both sides were heads because it is the South Dakota state quarter and the "back side" had Mt Rushmore, which has 4 heads. That is now our lucky quarter.
We got some camping chairs, packed two backpacks with some extra clothes (unneeded), supplies, blankets (three picnic/camping blankets) and a cooler bag with some snacks and headed in.
We wore layers (and we needed them because it got cold, but mostly AFTER sunrise with the wind).
When we arrived we were #5 and 6 on the line. Because steins was only buying 1 and decided not to have anyone join him (THANK YOU steins!!!!) to be fair to those behind him, we were Tickets #8, 9, 10, and 11. We had navahw and another obsessive who works nearby as our +2.
There were two SOLD guys ahead of us who laid out the line etiquette and chances of getting tickets. We were at the edge of the "safe zone according to them. The line polices itself. People can use the bathroom, go get lunch. Up to an hour away is considered OK. Any more and we get a little upset. We were a little more lax overnight when one guy went to get a jacket and returned 4 hours later. Apparently he fell asleep on the 2/3 train and wound up at the end of the line before having to wait for a train to come back.
My wife took an ambien, put on an eyemask and earplugs and passed out around 1:30. I had my headphones on under my hoods (hoodie plus long rain coat for more wind protection).
I started to pass out around 2:15, and at about 3 I know that I had nodded off but woke up to find another person on line behind me. So we talked a bit. She had seen it before (premium tickets from a previous line wait). Eventually I tried to sleep while she worked/read.
More people came at 4, and 4:30 and 5.
At 5am, a SOLD guy (Miguel) came and said he was first on line for Wednesday's show! He was the nicest guy, and since some of the people on line had been there yesterday, he had already met them and made friends.
5 am to 10:30 or so really flew by with meeting new people and talking, but getting hungry for lunch time made time slow down again. Navahw joined us on line a bit after 9:30 to offer support and see the line and be part of the experience with us when she didn't have to be at her office. She stayed most of the day other than when she had meetings.
People went to get food at local joints or coffee at the starbucks in the Marquis. The bathrooms in there are nice and clean. I was told that they open the lobby back up at 7, but the first SOLD guy said he went in at 6 and wasn’t given any problems, so that is good to know. If you have to use the bathroom between 1am and 6am, you can probably just use the McDonald's down the block.
The box office opens at 10, and more action at the theater starts around 11 on non-matinee days. Crew enters. Theater staff are hanging around. Costumes that were sent out for dry cleaning are delivered (The british army’s uniforms coming in was a highlight)
Around 2pm we started getting a little loopy and took pictures with the shadow figures around the theater (in Hamilton poses)
Around 3:15 Daveed Diggs showed up (first cast sighting), but we didn't talk to him because we were preoccupied and just spotted him late coming in.
Lin-Manuel came about 30 minutes later and I said hi as he ducked in the door and he flashed me a peace sign and said hi. But no conversation or selfies.
Around 4pm (I think, time was a little hazy by then) they came out and offered 3 premium tickets. Those a couple behind us jumped on those.
Also, the ticket broker from the Marriott Marquis came out and offered 4 seats in the mezz for 350 apiece, so four more people behind us on line got seats. People had left the back of the line throughout the day, and at that point the line ended with one woman behind us (the one who had shown up at 2:30am while I slept. She’d already seen the show. A couple more nice people joined us when they saw how short the line was (They definitely made Line Family status despite only being there for a few hours).
At around 5, they moved us to the other side of the theater to allow them to set up ticket-holder lines.
That was also when some cast members left to get some dinner. We saw Daveed, Oke, and Lin head out.
When Lin left, he was actually at the side door near where we were so I was just standing around stretching and the doors open and I'm like, " LIN! Hi!". He then comes by the cancellation line and is like, "Good luck, good luck, good luck, good luck, good luck" before heading down the block.
On his way back he also came by the line and said, "I hope EVERYONE cancels tonight!"
At around 6pm, I went over to talk to navahwwho decided to hang by the stage door. She got selfies with Christopher Jackson, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and while talking, Daveed came by and he was so nice and talking to kids on the street, and then took selfies with both of us and wished us luck with cancellation.
As 6:30 approached we started getting nervous. Our other friend showed up from work and hung with us. We got together to take a picture of our line family (seriously, we grew close - that's what happens when you're in a crazy situation for a long time together).
They let in the regular ticket holders and we still waited. At 6:55 they called in the first 2 tickets. We all cheer for them. A minute later ticket #3 (steins) gets the call (More cheering). A minute later, Ticket #4 and 5 followed closely by 6 and 7.
We're next. It's 7 o'clock, but they haven't announced that they're out of tickets, so we're getting hyped.
And then, we get the call. Cheering again (like for each previous ticket). We are in a haze. They check our bag, I walk up to the ticket window, and hear them say "We have one more single!" So now we know only navahw is getting in (which had been a possibility discussed before). I gave them my credit card and get two tickets still not believing this was happening. I honestly don’t remember them telling me how much the tickets were. They could have charged me $3000 in that moment and I might not have noticed I was on such a high.(Just for safety, I checked my charge bill just now and it was only $177 apiece :-P)
We got to our seats, sat down, and IMMEDIATELY the cell phone announcement starts so we LITERALLY got in at the last minute.
Information on our seats: We got row H, right Orchestra, the non-set seats (they are comfy dining room table-type chairs), so this is perfect for leg room and nobody behind me directly (the middle aisle is behind J). Navahw got Row G Center section on the aisle! She sat next to most of the line family. Quirk of the theater, Row G center is even with our seats in H because of the curve/rise of the theater so I looked directly to my left to see our friends. Our seats were technically partially obstructed, but we missed no choreography and possibly didn’t see the face of one or two people for a grand total of like 30 seconds in the entire show when they were far right back on the top level of the stage. We could see the cast's faces and reactions. (Tears in Leslie's eyes and running down his face at various times, Lin leaning over and telling the @**hole in the third row personally to stop photographing while not breaking up the flow of the Cabinet battle or letting the rest of the audience in on what was happening - really well done on that, BTW), the stage lighting, and just about everything else.
Hi everyone, I'm so glad I found this board - I was reading articles trying to get info on this, but was worried about accuracy since they were posted months ago.
A message that was just posted said a SOLD guy got in line for thursday's show at 5am on wednesday? Is that for real??
Can anyone tell me when people start lining up for saturday tickets nowadays? I'm hoping it's not earlier than friday evening. I can't wait for any of the weekday shows because of work :/
Wow, I give you guys credit. I could never do this! I'm enjoying reading your stories though. So suspenseful. And I'm glad the show seems to be living up to your expectations!
Carly6 said: "A message that was just posted said a SOLD guy got in line for thursday's show at 5am on wednesday? Is that for real??"
So I edited my original post slightly to clarify. The front SOLD guy on line for TUESDAY's show got there at 6am on MONDAY (apparently showed up an hour later than he was supposed to but was still first). The front sold guy for WEDNESDAY's show got there at 5am on TUESDAY. While we were in the show last night two more Wednesday waiters showed up and then two guys showed up who decided they were going to be first on line for THURSDAY (so about 43-45 hours before the show starts). They didn't seem to be professionals, and Miguel (the SOLD guy) said that this might shift his boss's strategy suggestions if it happens again. I hope SOLD doesn't start doing 48 hours out or more. That would be truly ridiculous, and people not paying for line spots might be SOL (leave off the last D for devastating).