Once on This Island lottery

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 11:41am

Has anyone here tried it? Is it worth doing or totally nuts? Are they offering any kind of consolation discount if your name isn't picked? Thanks!

[Emkyga12]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 11:50am

Whoops you beat me to it! I posted another thread but will delete it. Here's the details:

A limited number of $39.50 same-day tickets will be made available at the box office prior to each performance of Once On This Island. The ticket lottery will take place 90 minutes before each performance. Entries will be accepted starting two hours before the performance. (EXCEPTIONS: For Saturday matinee performances only, the lottery will take place 2 hours prior to curtain, and entries will be accepted starting 2 and a half hours prior to curtain. For Sunday matinee performances only, the lottery will take place 60 minutes prior to curtain, and entries will be accepted starting 90 minutes prior to curtain.) Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per winner. Winners must be present at time of drawing and valid identification must be shown to purchase tickets. $39.50 cash or credit card.

So this would make the drawing times:

Weeknights: 5:30pm for a 7pm show, 6:30pm for an 8pm Show

Weds Matinees: 12:30pm

Saturday Matinees: 12pm

Saturday Nights: 6:30pm

Sunday Matinees: 2pm

Sunday Night: 6pm

Correct me if I'm wrong!
 

Updated On: 11/17/17 at 11:50 AM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 12:22pm

I tried it this past Sunday. I wouldn't say it's "nuts" but it's not an easy win either. There were maybe 100 people there (rough estimation) and they gave away 20 tickets. The woman running the lotto told me they sometimes offer lotto-loser deals, but they didn't that day. They were also offering SRO inside at the box office - those tix you can just walk up and buy (when they're offered), they aren't given away through the lottery. 

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 1:08pm

An in person lottery? How 2011 of them. And it's held so close to curtain, if you lose, your options for seeing another show other than seeing if TKTS has anything left last minute are almost nill. And by that time, you would have long since had to make a decision on any other lottery or rush ticket you might have been able to get. They're just out of sync with what everyone else is doing these days. 

Updated On: 11/17/17 at 01:08 PM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 1:12pm

I think the timing is a strategic move. If their lottery happens after everyone else's, the losers of the other lotteries will flock to them as a backup choice, particularly people from the Wicked lottery next door. 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 1:14pm

I HATE in person lotteries. I'd much rather get up early and stand in line with a good book for rush tickets where I know I'm guaranteed a ticket if I'm one of the first people there. I know some people feel that it's easier for us NY residents, but actually find it harder.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 1:23pm

JBroadway said: "I think the timing is a strategic move. If their lottery happens after everyone else's, the losers of the other lotteries will flock to them as a backup choice, particularly people from the Wicked lottery next door."

I can understand that but it does speak of someone who doesn't think the show can attract enough people who actively want to see it as one of their top choices, but rather only people who are there as a last resort cause they couldn't get anything else. Truthfully, as cheap lottery tickets are a privilege, those would be the kind of people I'd least want to see my show and benefit from a cheap ticket just on principle..

[JBroadway]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 1:34pm

UncleCharlie said: "t does speakof someone who doesn't think the show can attract enough people who actively want to see it as one of their top choices, but rather onlypeople who are there as a last resortcause they couldn't get anything else." 

 

Maybe, but they are a brand new production, still trying to build publicity. So what you're describing IS sort of the case, especially when you compare it to Wicked, which is where most of their last-resort foot traffic is most likely coming from. There's no shame in not being as popular as Wicked, for God's sake  

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 1:41pm

And I'm assuming SRO is only when it's sold out? I'll probably try the lottery and then if I lose pop over to TKTS. When I'm already paying to fly into town I'm not super in the position to spend $99 or whatever their lowest full price is. 

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 11/17/17 at 1:55pm

JBroadway said: "UncleCharlie said: "t does speakof someone who doesn't think the show can attract enough people who actively want to see it as one of their top choices, but rather onlypeople who are there as a last resortcause they couldn't get anything else."



Maybe, but they are a brand new production, still trying to build publicity. So what you're describing IS sort of the case, especially when you compare it to Wicked, which is where most of their last-resort foot traffic is most likely coming from. There's no shame in not being as popular as Wicked, for God's sake "

No one said there was any shame in that but you're making this all about Wicked and people who regularly do rush and lottos are usually interested in a lot of shows, not just Wicked. A show like The Band's Visit and really any new show that doesn't have Ben Platt or Bette Midler starring is going through the exact same thing, trying to build publicity and most of them don't have the luxury of having a much loved Tony winning star headlining or getting the foot traffic that being co-tenants with Wicked naturally produces, yet this is the only new show doing their lotto/rush this way. And remember we're not talking about filling the theater in general, we're talking about selling just 20 heavily discounted seats. If he feels he has to do this to be able to sell those 20 seats, it doesn't bode well for his ability to sell the rest of the seats at full price or more moderate discounts.

[Notreallysilent 2]

Posted: 11/18/17 at 12:06am

Back when in person lotteries were more popular among shows, the shows that did theirs later than the others was very useful, as if you lost other ones you had that one as a backup choice. Especially like the if/then lottery that offered lotto loser, so you know your always going to see something. I wonder if the reason for this time is to avoid the crowd from the wicked lottery? I imagine it’ll be crazy if two lotteries were done at the same time.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 11/18/17 at 5:13pm

I went on Thursday. There were only about 30-35 people there for 20 tickets. I lost (as I do), but got a SRO ticket. The show was sold out.

[EPDD1000]

Posted: 11/20/17 at 2:39pm

How's the view for SRO? 

[Ladybug84]

Posted: 11/20/17 at 2:52pm

I went last weekend. Lost the Saturday night show lottery and tried to buy standing room but they were all being sold while the lottery was happening, so by the time all names were drawn, they were out of standing room. Learned my lesson though, and went ahead and bought standing room while waiting for the Sunday matinee lottery the next day. Ended up being the last name called for the lottery so I bought that one and sold my standing room ticket to someone trying to buy from the box office. I would highly recommend buying standing room right before or during the lottery drawing, so you are guaranteed a ticket if you lose the lottery.

[EPDD1000]

Posted: 12/5/17 at 3:00pm

Has anyone else done SRO for the show? Trying to go next Friday but plan to line up at the box office before it opens and then buy a SRO ticket when they do unless they only sell when sold out.

[idkokay]

Posted: 12/5/17 at 4:10pm

how much does SRO cost? Is it cheaper than lottery?

[cali8]

Posted: 12/5/17 at 4:18pm

Last week, I was able to get SRO after losing both the lottery and the lottery-loser drawing (additional 10 tickets that night). I stood behind seat G201, and I thought the view was excellent. There's a rail that you can put your elbows on or lean against. I was very happy with my ticket. It was $49.50 ($10 more than lottery).

[VotePeron]

Posted: 12/5/17 at 5:27pm

^ $49.50 for standing room to a show making only 49% of their gross potential just doesn't sit well with me - it seems they're more interested in taking advantage of people who cant afford actual full price tickets, when it is clear that the majority of tickets they're selling is below face value. Isn't Dolly's SRO also $49?

[moira8]

Posted: 12/5/17 at 6:28pm

UncleCharlie said: "An in person lottery? How 2011 of them. And it's held so close to curtain, if you lose, your options for seeing another show other than seeing if TKTS has anything left last minute are almost nill. And by that time, you would have long since had to make a decision on any other lottery or rush ticket you might have been able to get. They'rejust out of syncwith what everyone else is doing these days."

But it does ensure them that all lottery (and lottery loser) seats are actually claimed. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 12/5/17 at 6:49pm

Wow! They've upped the price of the SRO! When I saw it in previews the SRO was the same price as the lotto ($39.50). That's a shame that they're now charging more.

Hello Dolly's SRO is $47, I believe, as is Meteor Shower. Wasn't the SRO for China Doll a few years ago something like $67? And they didn't even have a rush to go with that. 

[moira8]

Posted: 12/5/17 at 7:19pm

JBroadway said: "Wow! They've upped the price of the SRO! When I saw it in previews the SRO was the same price as the lotto ($39.50). That's a shame that they're now charging more.

Hello Dolly's SRO is $47, I believe, as is Meteor Shower. Wasn't the SRO for China Doll a few years ago something like $67? And they didn't even have a rush to go with that."

Although comparing the view for this show's SRO to other shows, I wouldn't complain too much about the price.

 

[smokeline2]

Posted: 12/5/17 at 10:18pm

I tried the lottery tonight and lost. They gave out 30 tickets at the $39.50 price, and then drew names for 10 "lottery loser" tickets at $59.50 (which is a bit of a misnomer, since you still had to have your name pulled...) I'd say there were maybe 70-100 people there? But I am bad at estimating crowds.

I stood by the door and went into the box office as soon as I realized I wasn't going to get called to ask about standing room. The show wasn't sold out yet, so she told me to go to the end of the lottery line and it might sell out by then. When I got to the front again, it still wasn't 100% sold out but they called whoever makes such decisions and were able to start selling standing room for the $49.50 price. Very nice view and comfortable bar to lean on. But as a bonus, they ushered everyone in standing room to the two or three empty rows as the lights went down. I would never count on it, but I was grateful they let us use the seats instead of having them sit empty while we stood.

[Cbdancin]

Posted: 12/9/17 at 9:18am

I got to town yesterday with the goal of seeing this show. I usually rush/lotto/etc. I knew this one would be tough and I am taking a young friend so I went to tkts last night straight from the plane. I had just missed the last tickets they had at 30% off. I went to the box office and was told that they start selling standing room as soon as the show sells out, they will even do lottery for standing room if all the tickets sell. To me this meant that there weren’t special lottery tickets set aside, or if there were They would sell them at full price if needed then lotto out standing room. I splurged and paid full price because I have a kid joining me for the show and I am in from out of town. I love standing room in general cause it gives me space and freedom to move around more. This is a short show and standing room has a great view in this small house, if I didn’t have the kid I would have done SRO in a heartbeat. I think the lottery situation is fluid each day depending on how they can maximize ticket sales.

Anyway, I am so thrilled that this show is doing well! I can’t wait!

[EPDD1000]

Posted: 12/11/17 at 4:38pm

So sounds like people aren't lining up in the morning to get SRO aanit isn't available when the BO opens. When have people been getting tickets? Should I go around 3ish on a Friday to gauge where they're at?

I know at Waitress they're pretty strict on not selling until every ticket has ben sold.

[allusione]

Posted: 12/11/17 at 5:48pm

I was there yesterday (12/10) for the 7:30PM matinee and they had 50 (yes, FIFTY) lottery tickets to give away!! And there were only about fifty people there so every single person who entered the lottery got to see the show. The two people who didn't have their names drawn for the actual lottery got to buy the $60 "lottery loser" tickets. The show was amazing, the staging was so creative and the set was beautiful. Definitely recommend!!