Stupid Mistake - Could Use Advice

Hey Everybody.

So silly me, I got a ticket for Spring Awakening which should let out at about 10:15 PM on Wednesday near 49th and Broadway, and I thought my train out was at 11:45 but it's actually at 10:45 from Penn Station on 34th.

Since I can't change my ticket, and that is the latest train out that night - wondering what might be my best bet for getting to the train station on time - cab, bus, subway, or just on foot.

Thought I would ask on here because people may know if the traffic is worse than usual, or if the streets are going to be more clogged trying to walk because of other shows ending times.

Any advice would be appreciated.

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The subway might be your best bet, but you could walk and get there with enough time to spare. When I walk from theatres in that are it takes me around ten minutes to get to Penn.

Assuming you hit the stations when the trains are getting in. Personally I'd just hoof it...down 8th since it's slightly less crowded than Broadway. You can cut over at 42nd if you want.

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If you're going for the subway, I'd probably go to 42nd street station ~ you can get to the A, C and E lines on 44th. Gives you a much better chance as there are 3 lines there and they're on the same level. At 50th, you've got only the 1 on that set, then on the other side (8th) you've got the C ane E, but they're on 2 different levels.

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8th avenue. Definitely faster than anything else. Walk on the west side of the street to avoid the theater crowd getting out from everything east of eighth ave. Shouldn't be a problem at all unless it's an all reserved train.

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Just to let you know, the show will get out closer to 10:25 than 10:15.

definitely walk. and DEFINITELY take 8th avenue over 7th.

(walk QUICKLY, if it's really more like 10:25p.)

i ride ramtrak ALL the time (i even have status -- "preferred selct" ... you all may admire me!). track access is much closer to 8th avenue than to 7th ... everyone goes in @ 7th, but the trains are @ 8th. plus the crowds are slightly more manageable at street level walking down 8th ave, and you will definitely lose time trying to negotiate once you are *in* penn station if you enter @ 7th. the 7th avenue escalator alone is a disaster ... then you have to get across the entire concourse to 8th avenue where most track access is located.

(there are a few track access points underground b/t 7th and 8th avenues, but you have to know: (a) where they are; and, (b) what track your train is leaving on ... unless you take the same train EVERY DAY, you cant know the latter.)

i also think you are a little tight taking the subway. when you actually factor in the time to get up and down, PLUS the variable of a just-missed train, i definitely say hoof it.

and at intermission warn the people b/t you and the aisle that you will be knocking them over to get out the door. seriously, you have no extra time once the curtain drops! forget the nicities ... skip the applause -- you have no choice.

dont be fooled ... you can do this, but your timing is VERY, VERY tight. if you can swing it, scope out your route from the station entrance at the SE corner of 8th and 33rd right to the tracks BEFORE the show. find the monitors so you can check your track number as soon as you arrive. then head right to the track. it will help to know what youre doing in advance.

not sure whether youre headed north or south, but your train is probably not originating in NY (more likely DC or boston, depending.) your train will be well en route by you intermission, and in theory you could check status at half-time to see if by chance it's running late (the Regionals frequently do). however, the information in my experience is not altogther reliable, and trains do make up time (tho rarely do they make up time coming into NYC from jersey or CT).

prolly more than you wanted, but i have been in your shoes many, many times.

good luck and enjoy!

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Subway from 50th- no question. I walk down 8th every night from 53rd to 42nd and it takes nearly 20 minutes navigating through the slow moving tourists and waiting for all the lights. Once you get past 42nd it will of course be a lot quicker- but even if you just miss a train and have to wait 20 minutes for another one it will still get you there faster than walking- which is a bad, bad idea.

Also- 10:15 is a much better estimate than 10:25. On the rare occassion that I'm working there I can do all of my post show and still be gone by 10:30 with the audience long gone.

craftmarley: if walking is such a bad, bad idea why do you "do it every night?"

even w/ the pokey tourists walking is better, imho.

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However, the subways are very slow in coming at that hour of the night. It might be better to walk. Just walk in the street, right off the curb, to avoid tourists.