Harry Potter Friday Forty

I am more impressed that they are actually awarding unclaimed lottery tickets to lottery entrants, unlike Hamilton which sells them at top price to the standby line.

That said, the theater opens an hour before the start of the performance, so you can grab your tickets and get in the line. I'd rather "waste" that hour entering the theater, browsing/buying merchandise. and getting snacks in the theater than walking around Times Square.

I am curious what others who have won the Friday Forty think of the seat location. I was fortunate to win and certainly am not one to complain about lottery/discounted tickets. That said, they advertise the Friday Forty as "best seats in the theatre" and it didn't seem to be the case. We were in the dress circle, Row A but all the way in the corner which led to a limited view of the right side of the stage and a railing in our way.

To be clear, I was very fortunate to get these tickets at such a low price and certainly shouldn't be complaining. But I find it odd to advertise "best seats" and to provide partial view to winners.

dramamama611 said: "GG_Appropriate said: "But I find it odd to advertise "best seats" and to provide partial view to winners."



Sorry, I've heard nothing but good things about the seats.

"

Except you know, from the poster right above you...

GG_Appropriate said: "I am curious what others who have won the Friday Forty think of the seat location. I was fortunate to win and certainly am not one to complain about lottery/discounted tickets. That said, they advertise the Friday Forty as "best seats in the theatre" and it didn't seem to be the case. We were in the dress circle, Row A but all the way in the corner which led to a limited view of the right side of the stage and a railing in our way.

To be clear, I was very fortunate to get these tickets at such a low price and certainly shouldn't be complaining. But I find it odd to advertise "best seats" and to provide partial view to winners."

I was floored when I won these, and got seats in the same area (Row A Dress Circle all the way to the side) and I thought the view was EXCELLENT, and I can be a seat snob. I could see all the effects and facial expressions. Seats in that area sell for over $100.



Re: the original question, I actually didn't show up a full hour before claiming, I actually just got in line approx 45 min before, and as I found out the box office was not the same door way as the main entrance but along the way, I popped in and took me 2 min to grab my tickets and got back in line where my friend was holding the spot. Felt very efficient :) But yes the line is looong.

Go straight to the box office if you see a long line because it's probably not the line to the box office.

One more question--

You've mentioned a very thorough security process, just how thorough? I always carry a stainless steel water bottle with me and no theatre has ever even questioned it or stopped me for it, even the Rudin shows that say no outside food or drink.

Not super recent, but when I won in January of 2022 this was the view from my seat. It was the last two seats in the row; it wasn't the worst lotto seat I've ever had, but when I was sitting all the way back in my seat, I recall there was some obstruction - mainly from the railing in front.

Just lost the "Friday Forty" lottery, but instead won what I'll call the "Losers Forty-Nine" lottery: "A Special Offer" to buy 2 tickets for $49 each for the matinee next Saturday. Anybody have any recent experience, either with Friday Forty or Losers Forty-Nine, as to seat assignments? Lots of seats still available for the show, hoping box office would assign better vs mediocre seats.

perfectlymarvelous said: "It depends on the day, but the lottery loser seats seem to be on the sides of the orchestra and occasionally up in the dress circle (I'm an usher there so I can see where folks bought their tickets from). They're not selling top tier seats or anything, but most of the time they're a pretty good deal for the price."

Thanks very much, good to know. I'll be sure to share our seat assignments on this thread after we've seen the show.

EDITED TO ADD: Our "Loser Lottery" seats were N 34 & 36. Far right side aisle seats were absolutely terrific. Unfortunately the seats were the best thing about the show. But that's for another thread...

Updated On: 8/7/23 at 09:18 AM