Hedwig Advice - Page 2
Hedwig Advice
Hedwig Advice #25
Posted: 5/5/14 at 1:35am^ see above comment, it is not illegal to sit on a nyc sidewalk as long as you don't obstruct the flow of pedestrian traffic.
Hedwig Advice #26
Posted: 5/5/14 at 3:59amWhen I did standing room for Lucky Guy last year, I was sitting on the sidewalk in front of the theater. Two cops walking by told me to stand up because it is against the law, they said, to sit on a sidewalk in NYC. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! But I did stand up.
Hedwig Advice #27
Posted: 5/5/14 at 8:46am
"Jane, the issue is whether or not there is legal standing (pun intended) for the theatre to require people to stand for hours on end on a public walkway. "
Ya think? Did you read my post? oy
Understudy Joined: 2/10/12
Hedwig Advice #28
Posted: 5/5/14 at 8:51am
I said this in another thread as well, but yes, they are being super strict about no sitting on the sidewalk outside the theater. Their policy and/or enforcement have changed, though, as in previews I brought a small folding chair a couple of times and was fine until they started setting up the barricades for the line to enter the theater an hour before the house opens. So it was a surprise - and, honestly, kind of a pain - on Saturday night, because that's 4-5+ hours of standing for people who were there for the 10:00 ... before the show even starts. The house manager said on a past occasion when people didn't want to stand up, "I'm trying to run a business here!" I understand that he doesn't want the theater looking sloppy, but a) that doesn't seem to be a problem at Book of Mormon, where this has been happening for years, and b) part of me thinks it's actually good PR for them to show high demand for tickets.
Regardless, I'm not about to start making demands of people who grant me access to see a show I love at steeply discounted prices. It's their prerogative, and I don't want to interfere with their ability to do their job as they see fit. It just adds a cost to the financial one to know you'll be standing for several hours rather than 90 minutes.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/04
Hedwig Advice #29
Posted: 5/5/14 at 8:54amWhy the hell do you want to sit on a filthy NY sidewalk so much anyway?
Hedwig Advice #30
Posted: 5/5/14 at 9:40am
" The house manager said on a past occasion when people didn't want to stand up, "I'm trying to run a business here!" I understand that he doesn't want the theater looking sloppy,"
The house manager is a woman, though.
Understudy Joined: 2/10/12
Hedwig Advice #31
Posted: 5/5/14 at 9:50amOh, sorry, false assumption on my part - I don't know his title, then.
Hedwig Advice #32
Posted: 5/5/14 at 12:24pmThe sidewalks in front of BOM and other theaters on the other side of broadway are double wide.... In front of the Belasco, they are not.
Hedwig Advice #33
Posted: 5/5/14 at 12:47pm
There is a sitting law as far as discouraging homeless/begging situations, but it seems a stretch to extend that to a rush line, as long as there is a way to have people sitting AND there still be some sidewalk available to pedestrians.
As for people saying they will be sitting since it is legal, it is also legal for the theater to not sell you a rush seat later for not listening to their instructions. So, you will be legally sitting and legally not standing at the back of the Belasco for the show that night. 
Hedwig Advice #35
Posted: 5/5/14 at 1:37pmIf you guys arrive 5 hours early, that is YOUR CHOICE. No one owes you a seat. How entitled!
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/12
Hedwig Advice #37
Posted: 5/5/14 at 1:48pmThat house manager mist have been the warden of Cell Block H. Don't mess with her! She did a wonderful job of keeping that rowdy house in line and I was grateful that she was there.
Hedwig Advice #38
Posted: 5/5/14 at 1:52pmI was not being B###chy or entitled. I understand how rush/Lottery/SRO lines work. Have been doing it for shows for years. This was just a weird one for me. I have never seen an SRO line so structured and watched (by the house) so much before (the MET comes close). I get it. There is a show going on inside, keep sidewalks clear. Keep noise down. They have a job to do. I get it. I never said it was a problem. I was just passing on info so that others can enjoy the experience and know what to expect.
Hedwig Advice #39
Posted: 5/5/14 at 1:57pm
^ well then I wasn't addressing you specifically, was I. Those who are complaining they should be allowed to sit on the sidewalk because they have to stand for such a long time have decided to be there such a long time and they know what it entails.
Personally I'm glad sitting on the sidewalk is not permitted. Besides it being filthy and taking up pedestrian space, it looks extremely déclassé. LOL!
Hedwig Advice #41
Posted: 5/5/14 at 2:06pm
Cabaret got around this issue by just selling its bar rail spots on their website for $122. It's not like any theater HAS to do day-of standing room... if you don't like people queuing up on the sidewalk outside the theater, stop selling things that inspire lines on your sidewalk.
The show is nearly sold out all the time anyway, a lot of people would totally buy them online in advance. Can even release them daily on telecharge, or set up something like Shakespeare in the Park, where you have to register by noon, and at 1 p.m., they e-mail the winners with instructions on how to pick up their tickets, etc.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/12
Hedwig Advice #42
Posted: 5/5/14 at 2:12pm
At Saturday's 10pm the first shout out was "We love you, Hedwig!" to which Hedwig said nothing. Then the person who yelled "NEIL!!", which was ignored as well. When the person yelled "We love you, Neil!" Hedwig answered, "I refuse to kneel!"
Updated On: 5/5/14 at 02:12 PM
Hedwig Advice #43
Posted: 5/5/14 at 2:14pmThis is a sit-lie ordinance. I've read that it's heavily enforced in San Francisco.
Hedwig Advice #44
Posted: 5/5/14 at 2:19pm
"it's heavily enforced in San Francisco."
I lived in SF when this passed. It is only selectively enforced in San Francisco. It is mainly used to make undesirables keep moving, in many cases they were setting up semi-permanent structures as housing, as well as reducing business traffic because the homeless would hang outside certain stores, etc.
Hedwig Advice #45
Posted: 5/5/14 at 2:35pm
"if you don't like people queuing up on the sidewalk outside the theater, stop selling things that inspire lines on your sidewalk. "
I thought the issue was sitting on the sidewalk, not merely lining up. Every theater seems to have lines outside. standing.
Hedwig Advice #46
Posted: 5/5/14 at 2:39pmExplain to me how wanting to sit in line is being entitled. now, if the line is moving, then I get it, but standing four hours in the exact same spot, "Not going left, not going right", I don't see what the problem is with sitting.
Hedwig Advice #47
Posted: 5/5/14 at 2:40pmEvery line I ever waited in for rush has been sitting on the sidewalk.
Hedwig Advice #48
Posted: 5/5/14 at 2:42pm
"Explain to me how wanting to sit in line is being entitled."
Because you think the rules are for someone else, not you.
Hedwig Advice #49
Posted: 5/5/14 at 2:44pmYou know what, folks? Sit your ass on the filthy sidewalk, take up pedestrian space, whatever. I don't care enough to continue arguing.
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