West Side Story Lottery

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:40pm

They posted the lottery info on their site.

Two and a half hours prior to every performance, patrons are invited to enter a lottery for a limited number of $26.50 front-row tickets. Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per entry.

Names will be drawn at random two hours prior to curtain time. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets.

Tickets can be purchased from the box office in cash only.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:42pm

Front row at the Palace? Oy.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:52pm

I've never been to the Palace, are front-row tickets really bad? What's the most recommended section to watch the show? I haven't decided whether I should get tickets in advance or if I should just get them at the BO a couple days before the show, does anyone have a suggestion?
Either way, how great that they have a lotto, I imagine that means no student rush. Can't explain how excited I am to see this revival.

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:54pm

For $26.50, front row is not that bad. The stage is high, but not so much that it is terrible.

[theminutepast]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:55pm

Is it similar to front row at the St. James or worse?

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:55pm

If Only lotto wasn't front row.
I mean normally I love Front row seats but Front row at the Palace come on. I'm actually surprised the second row is full price even that's too close with the high stage. Y don't they do like side view ORC that'd be better.

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:54pm

I think the best seat in the Palace is front row mezz. Especially for a dance heavy show like West Side Story.

[marknyc]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:12pm

Just to be clear - if the drawing is at 6 pm, do I have to be there right at 5:30 to enter and then wait until 6 for the drawing?

Or can I enter any time between 5:30 and 6:00?

I've never done a lottery before...thanks.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:14pm

You can enter at any point between 5:30 and 6

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:26pm

Do you guys think this will be extremely hard to win?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:30pm

The front row at the Palace is NOT that bad. Yes, it's slightly obstructed in that you'll miss some of the actors' feet when they're upstage. But it's nowhere as bad as the St. James.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:47pm

"Do you guys think this will be extremely hard to win?"

I think after a month, yes. But in the beginning I don't think it will be that hard.

[aliciag]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:10pm

Yeah, I've sat front row at the Palace and St. James and I think the St. James was worse. I mean, the view is obstructed (for example, during Legally Blonde I could not see the dogs) but for $26.50 I think it was worth it.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:16pm

And who's to say that it will sell out right away? Doesn't mean you can't move back to the back of the orchestra or upper mezz.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:42pm

"And who's to say that it will sell out right away?"

it will sell out. It is selling extremely well.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:44pm

Well that's good. Just figured the first few previews it might not be. But it does have a prime location, and right next to TKTS.

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:48pm

It's almost guarenteed that WSS will sell out. It's one of the only shows that is very popular with regular theatre goers and tourists.

[hubee]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 3:07am

And from what I remember from the DC previews, it's a very front loaded show so I don't think you will miss anything important at the back of the stage from sitting in the front row. Maybe little things but nothing that will adversely affect your enjoyment of the show.

And since I'm assuming they are not keeping the subtitles (surtitles?) projections (which were on the sides of the stage and hard to see from the front row because you had to turn your head all the way to the side to read them), it won't matter.

Just don't go for lottery on the days I want to go. haha...

I've saw it 3 times in DC and I SOOOO want to go again (yes, I was NOT one of the haters)

Updated On: 2/19/09 at 03:07 AM

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 6:59am

"(yes, I was NOT one of the haters)"

I think most of the haters never saw the show. I saw it and loved it.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/19/09 at 8:07am

"I think most of the haters never saw the show. I saw it and loved it."

Agreed! You can add me to the list of lovers

[heathurr2]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:31am

So the lottery isn't all the seats in the front row? Anyone have an idea how many seats are up for grabs in the lottery?
I'm thinking of trying to see the show in May and wondering if I should risk the lottery.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:56am

"Do you guys think this will be extremely hard to win?"

I went on Monday and for the 9 pairs that were available, there were about 50-60 people who entered the lottery. And that was the first preview. I can only imagine it getting more and more crowded as time goes on and word of the lottery spreads. So, yes, it will be very hard to win and it is completely the luck of the draw.

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 11:24pm

Apparently, lottery entries are only accepted until 5:55pm. I was there today and arrived just a few minutes before 6 only to find out that they were no longer accepting entries. The guard in the lobby said they stop 5 minutes before 6pm. What's an extra 5 minutes gonna do?

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 11:40pm

I was there tonight as well. There were 40 to 50 people present. The guy running the lotto wanted to end at 5:55 so that he could announce the names at 6.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/27/09 at 3:06am

Do you think a Wed. matinee would be easier/harder?