Lotteries

[Judith84]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 7:06pm

I'm going to the city in a few days and have two free nights, so I wanted to enter some lotteries. I was wondering which were the best to enter(or least crowded)? I know newsies will be packed since it is closing so soon, but how are shows like Wicked and Kinky Boots? Any advice would be great!

[Wickedmonkey332]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 7:20pm

Check the rush report on broadwayspotted.com for chances of winning each lottery!!!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 8:22pm

Wicked it still one of the hardest lotteries to win. From my experience, you have a much better chance at Kinky Boots.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 8:59pm

Like Kathy said, Kinky Boots seems to be a relatively easy one. From my experiences walking past there, most people seem to win.

Another lottery I have some experience with is Aladdin, which I've entered there times and have yet to win. It tends to attract at least 100 people or so. With only 20 tickets being available, it's a more difficult one.

[playbill-love]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 11:39pm

Generally, weeknights are easier for most shows. Kinky Boots has been pretty sparse compared to how it was maybe a year ago. Wicked is still very intense and hard to win, as are the big newer shows from this season, and Book of Mormon as it has been its whole run. I have consistently had good luck with Newsies (although I;m sure it is harder now that it is closing) and Matilda.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 11:57pm

Newsies doesn't have a lotto anymore. It's now a general rush.

[Broadwaygirl202]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 12:16am

Islander_fan Newsies just switched back to lotto as of last week. It said so on the rush report.

[delongpre]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 12:31am

I won the If/Then lottery the first time I tried it. There were about 75 people there. I have yet to win Wicked lottery after 6 tries. Always over 100 people there.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 12:53am

While we're talking lotteries, are the tickets up for grabs for Kinky Boots' even worth it? From what I've read they sound extremely partial view since they're in the boxes, but I'd appreciate any other opinions.

[Gilly1732]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 1:00am

If you sit at the last 2 rows in the box, the view is very obstructed and you have to tilt your head a lot or lean to the side. If you are the very last to win, you'll get seats at the side of the mezzanine. They are still a little bit obstructed, but MUCH better then the box seats.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 1:15am

Thanks for the quick response, Gilly! I think I may chance it then. Even though asking where rush or lottery tickets are located before buying them is something I never do, I think I'll be making an exception in this case just to err on the side of caution.

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/5/14 at 7:59am

I think it depends on the weather as well. A few weeks ago my friend and I went to Matilda lottery on a rainy weeknight and only around 35-40 people showed up. In fact, both my friend and I won tix (I kindly turned it down since my buddy already won and the 2nd ticket was for me.) Good luck!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 8/5/14 at 9:04am

^^It's funny because I have won the Matilda lottery a number of times..but never on rainy days/nights. Especially in the summer and during the nicer weather months, it's pretty crowded when it rains. There have been way less people on those drop dead gorgeous days (when people might have outdoor plans) than I have ever seen on rainy days.

That said, I won If/Then at first try - with about 200 people there..and then I didn't win Kinky Boots one time when they gave out 24 tickets and there were like 26 people there. Your odds are going to be better with less people but you are either going to be lucky or you are not. Good luck!

[sharona39]

Posted: 8/5/14 at 12:38pm

How do the lotteries work - do you win a single ticket or a pair? Also, are If/Then tickets difficult to win and what are the seats like?

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/5/14 at 12:42pm

Pair.

Difficult? You just put your name on a slip of paper and wait to hear if it's called, so pretty easy. As for chances of winning, it changes every night, but you have the same chance as anyone else.

If/Then lotttery seats have been discussed elsewhere, can't remember where they are.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 8/5/14 at 1:22pm

The Matilda Lotto is really strange because some days there will only be 30 and the next there will be 200, whether its a weekday, matinee, etc.

The best lotto I guess to enter right now is If/Then because I believe they always offer $40-$50 full view loser seats.

[sharona39]

Posted: 8/5/14 at 2:58pm

Poor choice of words - my bad - by difficult I meant - chances for winning.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/5/14 at 3:03pm

Already mentioned, but here's a clickable link: http://www.broadwayspotted.com/category/rush-report/

[electrode10]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:31am

Does anyone know the location of the Matilda lottery seats as well as the seats they sometimes offer for "lotto losers?" Is it usually what's left? Thanks!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:42am

Matilda regular lottery tickets are usually the orchestra seats all the way to the side (last two seats)..my experience from maybe Row F to Row N - both sides. They are called partial view and you can't see certain things way to the back or side of the stage but for $27, they are amazing seats. You see 90% of the show in perfect view and really up close to see faces, expressions. I personally think sitting in house left is slightly better than sitting in house right.

I have never done the lottery loser seats but when the "lottery guy" announced it when I was there, he said they were "further back"....but not sure what that refers to.

I prefer the lottery seats to sitting way back in the balcony or mezz - even if they are centered. The actors use the orchestra aisles during the show and it's nice to see it. But that's me..I am sure others would prefer the full view from further back.

[electrode10]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:45am

Thank you so much Kathy!

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:57am

I actually just got a lotto "loser" seat for Matilda yesterday. It looked like they varied between orchestra and mezzanine, but mine was about 8 rows back in the mezz in the center.

Unfortunately that meant you missed all of the stuff that happens in the aisles, but still not a bad view at all for under 50 bucks.

[electrode10]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 10:06am

Thanks Broadway!