Student and General Rush

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 4:04pm

While this may be a VERY unpopular opinion, I'm wondering if anyone else is annoyed with the "one ticket per ID" policy most shows have now taken to with a general or student rush? I love seeing shows and while I don't mind going alone occasionally, I would much rather have a friend with me. I have recently noticed many theatres/shows have a strict policy for 1 ticket per id and I think that really sucks. I have alot of friends who work and their schedules don't allow them to sit on a line waiting for 10am to arrive. I COMPLETELY understand the whole "well, if you sit there for hours on end you deserve a ticket whereas your friend did nothing to obtain a ticket other than sleep in" thing, I still think it's unfair for those with 9 to 5 jobs who although they are working, don't want to spend the $125+ to see a show. I know last summer I was able to sit on line for Sister Act while my cousin sat at Once and we were able to get 2 tickets each and see 2 shows in one day. Now, barely any "new" shows have that option and I'm just wondering if anyone else is annoyed by that.

*let it be known, although i RARELY post on here, I have been a theatre fan for about 7 years now and realize the reasoning behind it, i'm just looking to discuss with other theatre fans their OPINIONS.

Thoughts?

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 4:07pm

Well the other alternative would be to offer no type of rush ticket. Something is better than nothing.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 4:13pm

Go on the weekend if your friends all have 9-5 jobs.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 4:24pm

there is a difference between "not feeling like paying" and not being able to.

If you are working a full time job, you likely are not a student and therefore not eligible anyway.(although I know there are exceptions)

You can't expect to get favors (discounted prices) without some sort of sacrifice.

Rules are rules. Be thankful what they offer.

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 4:42pm

ljay889 - good point. i agree, better than nothing.

dramamama611 - the "rules are rules" comment...I understand and am thankful, however, my main point is just that I know there used to be so many shows that offered 2 per ID. I'm not arguing the system, I'm just annoyed they changed it and wondering why. I guess as I said, I do hold an unpopular opinion.

[loliveve]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 7:56pm

Though it's a guess, I think shows offer only 1 ticket per ID to cut back on resales of the tickets and, in the case of student rush, non-student patrons getting student tickets.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 9/3/13 at 12:40pm

Then again, if a show is not exactly selling out, box offices have been known to stretch that One Ticket to a Two. I've witnessed it.

Here's my pet peeve: I totally get why student rush is important, but my experience has borne out that whether a general or student rush, the lines are overwhelmingly student. So why not just call it a rush and include everyone? Believe it or not, there are adults out of work or underemployed who could use a financial break, too.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/3/13 at 12:47pm

From the standpoint of someone rushing for tickets, I can understand why you'd get annoyed. However, at the same time, it is best for the theaters to implement this policy. Two tickets are easier to scalp than one. Theaters are trying to curb scalpers by putting a limit on rush tickets.

Updated On: 9/3/13 at 12:47 PM

[StickIt]

Posted: 9/3/13 at 12:49pm

Also the tickets are money-losers for a show, they could easily sell the seats for more. They're supposed to be limited. If you can't get up to rush, why should you get a cheap ticket over anyone else who didn't do anything to earn it? For student tickets, they're for students and maybe shows don't want a student to rush and then give their extra ticket to someone who could purchase one for themselves.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/3/13 at 12:52pm

I wouldn't necessarily call the tickets money-losers, SitckIt. Rush tickets are, for the most part, sold in a limited quantity. The current high ticket prices, including premium seats, help offset the cost of rush tickets.

Updated On: 9/3/13 at 12:52 PM

[StickIt]

Posted: 9/3/13 at 12:57pm

Right, but either way, the tickets are subsidized by patrons who pay the "sticker price" if you will. The point is they are being provided at under market-value so it makes sense that there would be some rules governing who has access to them.

[chuckydisc]

Posted: 9/4/13 at 1:24pm

Whereas I do agree that it's a "pain" when it's a 1-per rule, and that it's happening more-so nowadays than in previous years, I do NOT agree that it is MOST "new" shows that do it.

The only Broadway shows this past year that gave out less than 2 tickets per person ( that I know of ... correct me if I'm wrong ) were: Ann, Cinderella, First Date, Lucky Guy, Macbeth, The Nance, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Pippin.

Here's some, if not all, that were 2-per ( granted some of them have now either closed or have switched to lottery ): Annie: The Musical, The Assembled Parties, The Big Knife, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Bring It On: The Musical, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Forever Tango, Hands on a Hard Body, I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers, Jekyll & Hyde, Kinky Boots, Matilda, Orphans, Romeo & Juliet, Soul Doctor, The Trip to Bountiful, Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike

Plus people also have the 6 "old" shows that are still around and are all 2-per ( Chicago: The Musical, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Once: The Musical, Rock of Ages, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark ).