getting student rush tickets hour/half hr. before curtain

[contraseraph]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 3:32am

just a quick question.
i heard of my friend doing this once (i THINK this was what she was doing.) she basically went around with a friend "theatre hopping" and just asked around if there were any rush tickets left for that night i guess like around 7ish or so. and it might work, might not. (just to clarify, for b'way)

so i was wondering, is this more common that i actually think it is? or is it just a complete no-no.

thanks in advance!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 3:53am

MOST shows have some kind of discount, but it varies...some are lotteries, some are rush. Some are just for students, some are for anyone.

Here is a pretty up to date list of who does what: http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/82428-Broadway-Rush-Lottery-and-Standing-Room-Only-Policies

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 4:50am

^that really doesn't answer the OP's question but it isn't as uncommon as you think

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 5:54am

Sure it does as it lists just how common rush and discounts are. Then it gives all the info on how to obtain it.

Of course if he was only asking about how many people try for last minute tickets, then I suppose not. I suppose I understood his question to be about how many shows OFFER rush vs how many PEOPLE are interested.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 8:39am

Recently I've gotten last minute rush tickets at A Little Night Music (I've actually been able to since the cast change and the rush policy change), Brief Encounter (their student rush policy does not go into effect until half hour to curtain anyway though they have general rush when the BO opens). I can imagine Mrs. Warren's Profession has the same deal as Brief Encounter as they're both Roundabout shows (that aren't selling out). I've heard of a few people getting tix right before curtain at Promises, Promises, but probably not on the weekends. Basically, most theatres that still have rush tix available are willing to sell them at a discount rather than let them go unsold. At the Music Box, however, I've run into the same issue with La Bete as I did with Lend Me a Tenor, where they only sell the tix right when the box office opens. If anyone else has had better luck with La Bete, let me know (I arrived at 1 pm on a Sunday, so only an hour after open).

[BellatrixxLestrangee]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 9:18am

Do shows have assigned rush seats? Or is it basically whatever seats are available?

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 9:21am

Most shows at least have assigned types of tickets. For example, Night Music sells far side orchestra tickets, but they've also had some mezz and balcony seats when I've been. Promises always seems to have them in the Rear Mezz. I would imagine that the actual number of tickets available is based on how the sales are doing for that day so far and how many of those types of tickets they would sell for full price before curtain.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 10:15am

PROMISES depends on the day. I went last Saturday and asked how many tickets, and she said it varies, however she assured me for the rest of the weekend there would not be rush. Better to ask the day before, for that show.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 6:53pm

It is possible to get rush tickets to a show up until curtain.


*Now that American Idiot does student rush, it seems that they've been available any time (only for weekday performances though).
*A Little Night Music seems to be whatever's left, so as long as the show isn't completely sold out you should be able to get a ticket.
*Someone said that they went up to the Next to Normal box office and asked for lotto loser tickets and got them.
*Rock of Ages. Just enter/win the lotto when they're doing it or buy a student ticket at any time.
*Roundabout shows are usually really easy as well. I know that Roundabout says they do general rush when the box office opens, but I've gone about an hour after it opening and have gotten a ticket. Or just join hiptix to be on the safe side (if you're eligible). Why pay for half-price student tickets when you can get $21.50 general rush tickets or hiptix?

Those are all the shows I can think of off the top of my head. Hope that helps!

[broadwayboy101]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 7:40pm

I've recently done the student rush for A Little Night Music, Mary Poppins, and A Life in the Theatre.

Went to the ALNM and Life in the Theatre box offices around 1 in the afternoon and they still had tickets. Went to the Mary Poppins BO literally 15 minutes before curtain and they still had some.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 9:18pm

Re: buying student rush tickets at Roundabout. The first time I saw Brief Encounter, I felt like splurging a bit, so I got a half price 2nd row center orchestra ticket instead of going for the cheaper and farther back option. Sometimes it's nice to have options. Hiptix is wonderful, but the mid-rear mezz at Studio 54 is not my favorite and that's where they always put you. It just feels so far from the stage! So that's a reason why someone might choose the student rush option over Hiptix/general rush options.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 9:36pm

Anyone know if there are lotto loser tickets for BBAJ?

[legally_popular]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 10:19pm

Good point, Cockeyed. BTW, my previous comment about that wasn't directed at you. (I didn't even read your reply before I posted mine). I love Roundabout for having so many reasonable options. That's awesome you got such an amazing seat and still at such a great price. Either option is totally worth it, I think.

[jds2001]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 11:21pm

There have been no lotto loser for BBAJ during previews, I know this for a fact - though at only ~83% capacity I don't see why. Some money for a seat is better than an empty seat. Perhaps they'll start it now that it's opened....

[alawhat]

Posted: 10/13/10 at 11:52pm

For student rushes do they only check ID at the box office?

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 12:32am

Some people say to bring student IDs back and they'll be checked at the door, but I have never seen that happen.

[April Saul]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 10:14am

You can do extremely well with Night Music rush--it's not uncommon for seats in the first few rows to be given out, if you get there early enough and that happens to be what's left.

Manhattan Theater Club used to give kids whatever was left as well; although recently, for Pitmen Painters, they seemed to be limiting their student rush to mezz only.