NEXT TO NORMAL Replaces Rush with Lottery

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:28pm

I guess the student rush got out of hand:

Beginning Monday, October 12, the Broadway musical Next to Normal will replace its current rush policy with a new ticket lottery. Beginning 90 minutes before each performance, patrons are invited to enter a lottery drawing to purchase a limited number of $25.00 tickets to that day's performance. Names will be drawn at random. There is a limit of two tickets per person and winners must be present with valid identification at the time of the drawing.
BWW Article

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:31pm

I heard about this last night. Some fans are quite angry, of course, because it means they won't be guaranteed anything. I shudder to think about what one fan, in particular, will do, now that she can't have "her seat" on Sunday evenings anymore.

I think this is great news. Also, smart move by David Stone scheduling it AFTER the Wicked lottery. I'm sure, given his association with both shows, they will promote this lottery at Wicked.

This is a great decision, one that I'm sure was brought on because of the over zealous, overnight campers.

Bravo!

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:32pm

It's about time.

[tking001]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:33pm

So they take names 90 minutes before and draw 60 or take names 2 hours before and draw 90 like ROA?

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:42pm

Now that they're implementing a lottery system, it's nice that they're going to give those of us who don't have a few hours to wait around for tickets in the morning a fair shot.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:50pm

I, too, am pleased. I showed up at 7:45 on Saturday morning and was about 25 back in line. The girl a few in front of me had gotten there by 6, so I can't imagine how early the other 20-or-so had gotten there.

I left and did A Steady Rain instead.

[trombonist]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:51pm

When I read "Beginning 90 minutes before each performance, patrons are invited to enter a lottery drawing to purchase a limited number of $25.00 tickets to that day's performance." that tells me that they will take names beginning 90 minutes prior. It is rather unclear though as to when they will draw.

The ironic thing is that from reports, it seems that the weekday rush had been fine, it was the weekends that were crazy still.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:51pm

Ohhh people are going to be upset.

I'm pleased. I want to see this again, but can't afford to pay full price and do not want to wake up at 4 a.m.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:54pm

I'm sure some people are going to be upset--as AdamGreer's post points out, some diehards have already started to feel that they are entitled to their rush seats--but I doubt it will have any great impact. From what I gather, the people who love this show really love it, and I assume they'll stick by it through thick and thin. They just may have to get used to seeing it less often.

Posted: 10/5/09 at 12:56pm

Thank god. About time!!

[Marianne2]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:10pm

I say let those few be unhappy. I'm sure the majority of people will be okay with this. I'm actually happy because it gives everyone an equal shot to get in. I'm also glad to know that I don't have to worry about needing to camp out all night either.

[trombonist]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:14pm

I have no problem with it. Since I work during the week, if I wanted to see the show and could only afford rush/lottery prices, I was limited to the weekends when I'd rather sleep in. This way, I know that lottery is an option during the week. :)

But yes, I'm also interested to know how the person adamgreer speaks of deals with not necessarily getting "her seat" on Sunday evenings as I have experienced her rantings on the rare occasion she hasn't gotten it.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:26pm

This is great news. Rushes in general are unfair to people who work, the ill, the elderly, just to name a few. Lottos are much better and no one loses a day or gets to the performance dead tired from being up at the crack of dawn.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:27pm

Thank God!

What are all those crazies going to do?

[Katecab99]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:32pm

Play the lotto?

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:34pm

Here's how one feels. From Alice's facebook.


"The rush line for this show was more than just a way tio get amazing seats. but it was a great chance to connect to the other people on that line. share stories. goof off. connect. going to miss that a great deal. made some good friends on that line"

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:35pm

Excellent!

I usually prefer rush because you can know right away if you'll get a seat or not, rather than the luck of the draw at a lottery, except when the rush line becomes overrun with the same few people who wait all the time & get there at insane hours. In this case a lottery makes it fair for everyone.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:37pm

So now they can make good friends waiting for the names to be drawn in the lotto.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:48pm

I remember the good old days, when I rushed the second preview. Got there like an a hour and a half before and had a front row center seat. Leave it to the crazies to **** that up.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 1:50pm

^ Word.
Updated On: 10/5/09 at 01:50 PM

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 2:26pm

Yeah, it's not very clear about the timing. I'll investigate today and come back tonight with a full report. :)

[mina3]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 2:26pm

Just so everyone's clear, names will be taken starting two hours before each performance, and the drawing will be 90 minutes before the show - same schedule as Rock of Ages and other shows I can't remember right now. The press release has been amended to clarify.

Also, I doubt David Stone had much to do with this scheduling. I think it's just conventional wisdom that unless you're a powerhouse show like Wicked, it's good to be the latest lottery option. It means the people who don't win will be more likely to just buy tickets, instead of going off to try another lottery.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 2:30pm

Never mind then.

Thanks, mina!

[EveHarrington]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 2:37pm

Thank god. Thank GOD.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 10/5/09 at 3:38pm

I rushed this a few weeks ago and got there at 8:15. There were only 5 people in front of me, and I got the last front row seat. I really thought the crazyness had stopped...