Ridiculous Line At Newsies

[theaterfan862]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 11:29am

My husband and I attended a matinee performance of Newsies last last week and got to the theater around a half hour before the show. We were gonna get in line when we noticed that it wrapped around the corner to 7th Ave and continued to the end of the block on 40th so we decided to walk around a bit and figured the we would come back a few minutes later when the line dies down. Fifteen minutes later we came back and they were letting people in the theater so we tried to get on line and we noticed that it was longer than before. We stood on the side for another eight minutes and it still was just as long. I know the Nederlander is not that big of a house so I was surprised the line seemed to not end. We went on the line and got in at 2pm. The show started ten minutes late and was surprised all those people got in in that short of time. Is this how it usually is at Newsies or was this a fluke? If it is a normal issue I would be shocked they haven't fixed it by now.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 11:34am

With the exception of last Monday when I went that's how it has been when I've seen it too.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 11:36am

That's how it was for me a well and we got there around 30 minutes before it started.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 11:46am

I've seen this happen at a few theaters. They don't employ enough staff to scan the tickets, and so what ends up happening is they only open one door. Then you have one, maybe 2, ushers trying to scan everyone's ticket.

Of course, part of it is showmanship, as a long line outside the theater gives passersby the impression that this must be something really popular.

Updated On: 7/8/12 at 11:46 AM

[ZoeTheGoat]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 11:49am

It's crazy there. I think sometimes they do it so people see how popular the show is. "What's this line for?" Also, going through the bags people bring it takes some time. But they're not going to start the show if their is still a line.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 11:52am

Or even if there is still a line.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 11:57am

Whenever I see a line of people waiting to get in to Roseland I always have to go see what they are waiting to see. I guess it's an OCD thing.

I do note that people LOVE to line up. Even when there are reserved seats, people are competitive and fight for their place in line...like it's going to get them a better seat. I've seen this at airport terminals, cruise ships etc. I think it's sort of irritating.

[macnyc]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 12:01pm

If the long line is caused by the lack of ticket scanners, it seems odd that the theater management wouldn't rectify that. After all, people who are in the theater before the show starts have the opportunity to buy expensive snacks and drinks. I imagine the concession stands have the potential to be very lucrative. But not if half the audience is out on the sidewalk.

Updated On: 7/8/12 at 12:01 PM

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 12:11pm

I've actually always wondered why some of the theatres didn't open an hour earlier instead of thirty minutes. It would reduce these lines, have more people inside buying drinks, food and merch. Plus the staff is already there.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 12:19pm

All shows start about 10 minutes late. Or more like 6 or 7, but still.

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 12:21pm

I had the same experience with the Newsies line. I guess that's just how they do it.

Also whenever I see Broadway shows, most start around 5 minutes past showtime. I rarely experience one that starts 7-10 minutes past showtime.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 12:23pm

No, the staff is not "already there." Front of house generally does have an hour before curtain call time, but they spend the half hour/forty five minutes changing, stuffing playbills, setting up bar or merch, etc. Opening the house an hour before would mean calling front of house earlier which would cause them to be paid more. I'm not sure of the exact union rules but that could even qualify some for overtime (I know, over 4 hours is hardly over time).

The line phenomenon always astounds me too. I used to tell patrons who complained that "everyone has an assigned seat and not to worry" but they'd bark back about restrooms, air conditioning, heat, or whathaveyou. I'm the type of person who avoids walking into the theatre until five or ten minutes before. However, if everyone did this the line would just form them and the show would start later.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 12:29pm

That would also mean that the actors that have to show up for 'fight call' and other assorted things would be required to show up earlier than their call so that anything that had to happen on stage, happens before they open the house.

I seldom arrive at the theater at 1/2 hour. That's about when I start heading over. I will wait near the doors until there is no line -- and usually there is someone there that just shoos me in, without waiting.

I often leave my tickets for Will Call, and just walk in after I pick them up -- within the 1/2 the house opens.

Updated On: 7/8/12 at 12:29 PM

[theaterfan862]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 12:57pm

I do the same thing Gator. I have to know what people are in line for as well. I guess it is a form of OCD. It does say something about the show's popularity if there is a long outside the theater. A form of free advertisement for the show; if it is this popular, it must be good.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 1:32pm

Someone told me recently that there is some sort of tradition about shows starting at a certain time (for example, 8:09 pm, or 2:09 pm) that is supposed to ensure a good show. Anyone know if this is true?

[GatorNY]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 1:32pm

double posted for some reason....sorry.

Updated On: 7/8/12 at 01:32 PM

[amoni2]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 2:21pm

Almost all shows start 8 minutes after advertised curtain time. It has been an unadvertised tradition for decades, although the theaters will actually deny it. Most people don't notice, but that has been proven the best time to have everyone seated and the always guaranteed latecomers seated. The only show I remember in recent times that advertised that the curtain raised promptly was Les Miz, because it was long and how to definitely be out by a certain time.

[winston89]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 2:57pm

I remember hearing somewhere, that shows typically start at five min past due to a superstition of it being bad luck to start on time. I know that there are some shows that telecharge lists as starting promptly on time and others they don't. But, even the ones that are listed on Telecharge to start right on time never did.

[winston89]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 2:57pm

I remember hearing somewhere, that shows typically start at five min past due to a superstition of it being bad luck to start on time. I know that there are some shows that telecharge lists as starting promptly on time and others they don't. But, even the ones that are listed on Telecharge to start right on time never did.

[winston89]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 2:57pm

I remember hearing somewhere, that shows typically start at five min past due to a superstition of it being bad luck to start on time. I know that there are some shows that telecharge lists as starting promptly on time and others they don't. But, even the ones that are listed on Telecharge to start right on time never did.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 3:08pm

It's got nothing to do with superstition. It's a built-in delay for late-comers.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 3:10pm

It's not a Nederlander thing, it's a tourist thing. Compare of any popular musical at half hour with a (non-celebrity) play. Even if both are sold out, the play will have a short line, with everyone else just standing around the entrance, and the musical will have 75% of the audience waiting in a single file line down the block.

My current theory is that people who go more often will be more likely to arrive at staggered times after half hour, and those who go less often are paranoid about being late for what is a big event for them.

[bdn223]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 3:11pm

The only shows that start on time currently that I know of are Once and One Man Two Guvnors because their pre-shows can only last "so" long

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 3:13pm

I try to be meticulous about being in or ready to walk into the theater by 7:30 PM - I stress that when I invite someone with me. If they can't adhere to that I sell the ticket to someone else who will definitely be able to meet at 7:30 PM. Once you're there you don't have to worry and you have time to hit the restroom and relax before the lights go down. The 8 minute tradition is nice but I feel better if I'm ready for the show and in my seat before 8PM. I was a latecomer once and it embarrassed me so much it never happened again!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 3:26pm

I always get there early. I do not like being late, and to me getting there 15 minutes before curtain is late - that's just me though!