It pretty much get's that response everywhere. I tried lotto a few times when it was up here in Rochester thinking that the turn out would be small since most people are unaware of Lotto...but was I wrong...honestly there was at least 150-200 each time
"Life in theater is give and take...but you need to be ready to give more then you take..."
I highly doubt 500 people show up for each lottery. That's a ridiculous amount of people... I've been there several times for Saturday evening lottos and there were about 150 people AT MOST. Other days I've seen anywhere between 60-80 people.
500? I was there during Christmas time helping an exchange student friend, and not everyone on the line made it in time (from 5:30-6) to get their names in. So I'd say there were probably 300, but only 200 got their names in. Granted, the week between Christmas and New Years is like summer tourists on crack.
Last time I tried, on a Saturday night in March, and this is a pretty accurate estimate, there were probably 275-300 something people. 500 wouldn't shock me at a specific performance, and it always looks like less than it actually is.
Expect a big crowd still on any day. Saturday and Sundays will be the worst day. Good luck. Try and find people there who might only want one ticket so that way if one of you win you both get to see the show (that's only if you need one ticket though).
I went on June 7th (Saturday), and there were probably about 150 people there. I didn't win, but some overly-caffeinated mid-40's lady did. It was a horrific sight when she found out she won.
Theatre is my life. No one can take that away from me.