Overnight Rush/SRO

Please excuse my ignorance on this topic, but I have a couple of questions regarding standing/sitting/sleeping overnight in front of a theater to try and get rush/SRO tickets for a hot-ticket show. I'm trying to decide whether or not it's worth doing.

• What do you bring when you camp out overnight in front of a theater? Sleeping bag/blanket, food, water, rain jacket/trash bags (in case it rains), lawn chair, good attitude, etc.?

• What should you NOT bring? (Obviously, super valuable things, but I'm wondering if there's something else that should be avoided that one wouldn't normally think of.)

• Have any of you camped out overnight and got the tickets to the show you wanted...only to be super tired during the show itself, causing you to drift off or zone out?

• Is it a bad idea to try and camp out overnight if you plan on seeing two shows the next day (whether it be because of tiredness or another reason)? Or plan on seeing multiple shows over a weekend trip?

• Anyone regret camping out to see a show? If so, I'd be curious to hear your reason why.

Thanks in advance!

I've done it twice: once for Into the Woods in Central Park, and once for Sunday in the Park with George (I really like Sondheim). Then I helped my girlfriend do it for Hello Dolly: I didn't join her for reasons I won't get into, but I took over for her at 8am, and I set her up with all the equipment she needed.

It can be a really taxing experience, but it can also be really fun. The first thing I'll say is that a sleeping bag and an air mattress will make a WORLD of difference. Even a folding chair will wildly improve your experience, though it won't be as easy to sleep in. I tried it with just blankets and it really didn't cut it in terms of warmth and comfort (though maybe in the warmer weather you can get away with blankets instead of a sleeping bag). I would also recommend:

--comfortable clothes, like sweatpants and a t-shirt.

--shoes that you can easily store if you want to take them off. If you have a sleeping bag, you'll want to take your shoes off, and you don't want to leave them lying on the sidewalk.

--an eye-mask to block the times square light

--ear-plugs to block the Times Square noise

--snacks and water

--learn where the nearest bathroom is.

--if you don't think you can get much sleep, bring a book, or music to listen to, etc.

And last but certainly not least: MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR LINE-BUDDIES, and look out for each other. It makes a huge difference.

As for being tired, yes, if can potentially be a problem. I recommend a mid-day nap, and lots of caffeine. When I did Into the Woods, I had just seen 2 shows that day, then went to the line at midnight. I got my tickets at 1pm, then immediately ran off to catch the 2pm performance of Dogfight, before seeing ITW in the evening. That was the craziest theatre thing I've ever done, but luckily I was running on adrenaline. But that was 5 years ago, and honestly I'm not sure I have the stamina for that anymore. If you want to try a 2-show day after an overnight, it can be done, but you'll need caffeine, and you need to know your own body's limits and sleeping patterns.

But at the end of the day, I've never regretted it. I was pretty tired for Sunday in the Park with George, but my only other option was to not see it at all.

Updated On: 6/5/17 at 11:35 PM

I have never camped out overnight (sorry, nothing's been worth it for me) but I have woken up early and sometimes waited a couple of hours.

What to bring? As I said, I only waited a bit but I like to bring a collapsible camping chair. I saw people camped out for SNL recently with heavy blankets (NYC at night can be colder than you'd think) and tents. I will say that if you're going to bring a blanket or cushion, you need something thickly padded. Before I got the chair I tried a thin blanket once. It separated me from the ground but the sidewalk is still very hard if you're sitting on it with no support. If you're staying overnight, food and snacks are important. And water. If you're concerned with hygiene, maybe a toothbrush and whatever toiletries you need. I don't have one but if you're relying on electronics during the wait, maybe consider some kind of portable charger. And in the heat, you definitely want to make choices to take care of yourself. Sunscreen, hat, water, etc. And most importantly, bring a friend or a friendly demeanor so you can make a friend in line. It's the best way to get through a wait.

What to not bring? Nothing big or valuable that you couldn't take with you in case you had to leave the line. If you'd feel uncomfortable having a stranger watch something for you like a laptop, I'd avoid bringing it. Also, don't bring anything that creates too much mess as you might not be near a garbage. Also, I need quiet to read so I've learned to not bring books.

I've never been too tired for a good show. If my attention is wandering, the show isn't compelling enough to keep a hold of it. Even if I'm exhausted, I always manage to perk up when the lights go down if a show is good. The longest I've waited was once for Shakespeare in the Park and then for Side Show. I was a little tired for the former, but it was a longer show and I hadn't taken a break to have a nap in the middle of the day so that was 6am through whenever the show ended at night. I still followed it fine and enjoyed myself but I wouldn't do that kind of wait again without getting some sleep. For Side Show I waited in the morning but they ran out of rush and I had to continue waiting for SRO and then I finally got it and had to stand. Again, still followed the show and enjoyed it. I'd say I was less mentally tired and more physically tired. If you're going to wait that long, you can't do it standing and then still stand for the show.

I think two show days can be fun but exhausting. I don't like to pack things in, especially if I know some of the shows will be weaker because I'll have less patience for the weaker shows. There is something special to going out to the theater or to see a movie. But when you're doing it all the time, it becomes a little more commonplace and you have to work a little harder to conjure up that magic. I'd rather put myself in the best possible place to enjoy each show.

No regrets. I'd only have them if I waited and didn't get tickets.

For me the one must-have is a portable phone charger!!!

ive done overnight for Hedwig (NPH's last weekend), Hamilton, and Dear Evan Hansen and never had an issue with being too tired while watching the show. As others have said, I think it's the adrenaline that kicks in!

good luck!

I have camped out overnight twice — once in the summer and once in the winter. Neither time was deadly, just a bit uncomfortable. I wasn't alone either time, so I did sleep here and there.

I did have a camping chair both times, but I lived close enough where I was able to bring it home before the show. A friend who didn't was able to check her chair into coat check without any problem.

If you do try to sleep at the Marriott, you might get away with it on the 8th floor, but I'm not sure how vigilant the staff is about that kind of thing overnight!

3NU, I've only done overnight rush once: for ''Sunday in the Park With George.'' I never worried about safety because there were dozens of other Sondheim fans outside the Hudson Theatre, and there's a kind of camaraderie that develops. Definitely make friends and chat with the folks in the line in front of you, and behind you, so you can watch out for one another. And scope out the nearby 24-hour McDonald's for cheap eats and the use of their restroom. Others here have offered many great tips, so take their advice. (I would NOT try to sleep in a hotel lobby; they'll kick you out.) For what it's worth, I wrote up my overnight experience about ''Sunday in the Park'' for BroadwayWorld.com, so here's a link. Have fun!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Sunday-in-the-Dark-for-Rush-Or-How-Fans-Slept-Their-Way-to-See-Sondheim-20170421

Updated On: 10/10/17 at 12:03 PM

Thanks again for all this great advice. Much appreciated.

I ended up getting to the theater around 230am and was the first one there. As Wick3 noted, there were three people on the DEH line across the street, and the lighted Carousel sign at the Imperial was bright enough to light up the sidewalks on both sides of the street that were nearby. As such, I took the chance to just secure my belongings and sleep at the Schoenfeld. By the time I woke up from my first nap at 530am, there were already 2 other people in line.