Rush Tickets 101 - How to rush as a family?

[chix99]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 8:28am

New to this whole Rushing thing and previous topics have been very informative!

One thing I haven't seen answered is rushing as a "group:"

We are a family of 5 (3 kids) and visit NY next week for about 5 days - plan to rush School of Rock and Play that Goes wrong.  

Specifically, if we show up as a group of 5 for rush - will they give us 5 seats together - or 5 scattered seats around the theater?  We could do 2 and 3 tickets together but as our youngest is 7, don't want to be separated completely.

How understanding are folks in terms of us taking turns standing in line?  That is, if I'm there for 30 min with 2 of the kids and then my husband takes over - is that considered poor form or do people understand?  Just not sure how long the 7 yo can stand in line and may need to switch off with her.

Thanks!!

Fran

[Just_John]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 8:42am

If you're picking up 5 tickets, so long as you have three people on line at any point that's fine, it's totally do-able to switch off.  I've done it countless times but always explain to every one behind that we're just getting two tickets total.  School of Rock and Play the Goes Wrong aren't huge sell outs and I think rush will be generally easy.  You can probably walk up at any point and get tickets but getting there before box office opens will make it more likely you'll be able to get seats together. 

[chix99]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 8:59am

Thanks so much for the advice!

[Malatenj]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 9:18am

To add on, we've done this a half dozen times or more as a family. And sometimes we've split up on two show days to get tickets for two plays - though this approach is a little tricky as you have to be up in both lines and texting each other so you can both get opposite times (matinee or evening). Also note that some rushes are student only (though often they can get two tickets) and once in a while, some rushes only allow one ticket. See Playbills rush policy page for good details. It's also helpful to scout the rush line before the day you rush and ask what time people in line got there. And if you're not there during a rush line, you can often ask the box office about what time the first rushers are showing up. Playbill has some of that info on some shows and this board will offer other info on this if you find a thread on the show rush. 

[Melanie73]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 2:00pm

Just to add on really quick about arrival times to the box office, from what I've heard, you might want to arrive to the School of Rock box office earlier than you arrive to the Play That Goes Wrong box office.  I was in the city a few weekends ago with some friends, and my friends separately wanted to see School of Rock, but I wanted to see Play That Goes Wrong during that exact time slot, so we split up and walked to our respective box offices at the same time.  I got my tickets no problem, but they actually were not able to get tickets.  This was maybe about half an hour after the box offices opened.

I hope your family have a wonderful trip and enjoy your shows!

[JaneAugust]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 4:01pm

I recommend arriving at School of Rock a little more than an hour before the box office opens to guarantee seats. I know their rush seats are scattered. 

All of the balcony seats for Play That Goes Wrong are $30-$35 (same price as rush) and it is still a great view. I would recommend just going and getting five of those together and then you won't have to worry about rushing that show.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful time!

[Notreallysilent 2]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 4:37pm

I don't know if you are interested, but school of rock also has several Standing room spots that are available if the show seeks out. I've done it before and it's a pretty good view for $27. Your family might not want to stand thoufh, and I forget how tall the bar you lean on is so I'm not sure how it'll work with your kids. But that could always be a backup option if you are unsuccessful in getting rush and they are sold out.