SMSLP said: "Good luck to everyone! I had the ability to see the show at the end of March by purchasing a TM resale close to showtime. Best money I ever spent hands down. Center of tenth row-amazing. Dustin Hoffman and his family were in the row right in front of me. I am a HUGE fan, but I was in such a pre-Ham state that it didn't really hit me until after the show that he was there. I was all (in my head), "hey, there's a super famous guy...now please sit down so I don't miss Leslie's entrance!"
Anyhoo, I tried to do the cancel line that day, and I was willing to hire a line sitter (SOLD) the night before, but no one was available. Every SOLD employee was very professional in my experience. I am planning another trip in June, and I am honestly bummed the rules have made this service close to impossible to use. Let me explain: I have read pretty much every post on this thread over several months, and it is a common occurrence to see people complain about how line sitters "aren't fair to people with less money". People are celebrating the fact that these employees, offering a legal service (and not against the rules until recently), are no longer able to work, and it is almost universally assumed that those using them have more money than sense. I also have read frequently that "true" fans will get up and do what needs to be done. Here is the problem I have with all of these assumptions: I have worked for years with people with physical limitations that would keep them from being able to participate in the line. From MS, post-stroke, heart conditions, heat/cold insensitivity (as you see often with MS; it can cause a relapse), to cancer/chemotherapy, sun sensitivity due to life-sustaining medications, joint replacements: there are people out in this world that are just as big of a fan as someone who can't afford a ticket that may have saved for months/years to have spending money. Those people may have seen the cancellation line and heard of the line sitter option and thought, "wow! I can use this money I have sold things to have, saved to have, earned by whatever means I could, and this service could allow me to hold my spot in line so I have a shot at a ticket." This service is a gamble, no matter where you are in the line, but they feel it would be worth it. I don't think this is an isolated option; I bet that there are more of these instances than not. And I bet if you asked any one of those people if they would rather have their health or money, they would choose health every time. How do I know this? I am one of them. It is shocking to me that the "it's not fair" mentality comes out of the mouths of people who have their health and at least enough money to be standing in line at all. What further concerns me is that I could try to go stand in line and, based on many people's comments here on this thread, get my picture taken and used as a way to kick me out of the line if I have to take a break for medical reasons. This self-policing situation that has been developed has merit to an extent, but the extent to which people have proclaimed they will "self-enforce" the line also needs to be monitored. Have some compassion for people in that line; you never have a full idea of what is going on with them, what challenges they face on a daily basis, and what they are sacrificing to be there to witness greatness. It could be money, it could be time, it could be more than comfort; it could be their long-term health. If you see someone targeting someone else who swaps out or takes a quick break, please make sure you understand the whole story before you stand by and allow that to occur.
That being said, I plan to try the cancel line in some way/shape/form. I will have a friend with me, and we plan to stand in line; we both plan to see the show. I will be in the line as much as I can, but I also plan to use the fact that each person can purchase 2 tickets to argue my right to take short breaks, alternating with my friend as needed. I will talk with those in line and make sure I extend that same kindness to anyone needing to take a moment or 10, whether they have a medical issue or not, because that's the right thing to do. I would even consider meeting some friends here that want to trade their physical prowess for my money for a ticket-in a way that respects the rules-if anyone messages me with that offer. Sorry for the novel I just typed. Again, good luck to everyone, especially those that demonstrate kindness and understanding to their fellow Hamilnerds.
"
I really love this post. Thanks for the reminder to everyone to have some compassion. I know we all REALLY want to see the show, but I agree that the common goal and love for Hamilton should bring everyone together, not create divisiveness and competition in our scramble to get tickets.
I was thinking about this last night when I decided against bringing a line sitter into the theater with me to circumvent the rules. Yes, it is within the rules. However, I would be robbing someone in the cancellation line of their shot to see the show, just for my own selfish gain. So, premium tickets it is! :) (Of course, this isn't to say that the line sitters aren't fans of the show... But again, I would feel like I'm taking a spot from someone who could have made it in from the line.)
Anyways, GOOD LUCK with your wait! I hope you're able to get tickets and see the show!!
Hellob said: "It's a shame that the sitting is over because it did employ a lot of young black people and the job was pulled out with no warning. Sucks."
