the NEW dirty rotten lottery- Page 2

[sanda]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 5:40pm

I don't like the kissing-ass calling.

Posted: 8/17/05 at 5:40pm

Sanda - I wish it was first come, first serve for all of the "cheaper tickets" that you get 2 hours to curtain. It makes most sense to me because that way, if you really want to see the show... then you should be willing to get there early to get your tickets. People are showing up early for Spamalot, and I would definitely have done that for DRS when I went up to NYC. It really bothered me because this man was walking past the Imperial, and he just entered his name... and he won! Oh well... it's luck of the draw, but I wish they would change all the policies to that too.

--korenglish

[Plum]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 5:44pm

Please don't make me go into my "not everyone lives in New York" spiel.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 6:39pm

well this bloody sucks, i'm going next week, i've seen shows from the balcony before and it wasn't too bad but this is a seriously crappy move. Are the lotto's for hairspray and q better?

[DreamFlyer22]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 6:41pm

I think we're all very much aware of the fact that people in the row RIGHT behind the front paid full price... but that's the idea! It's LUCK and it's great for people who can't shell out $100 a seat. So sad that lotto policies seem to be changing so they can "make more money"... honestly, those front row seats in most houses AREN'T all that desirable anyway. Knees crammed up against the orchstra pit? $100 for that? No thanks.

My boyfriend and I are going to see DRS in a couple weeks and we actually passed up on front row seats in favor of something farther back in the center of the orchestra so we could see everything. We didn't want to pay top dollar to crane our necks for 2 + hours.

[VoiceofReason]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 6:47pm

Maybe I'm just misreading this (or just not thinking clearly) but for people who have already seen the show and want to do lottery for a second go round (remember this excludes newbies), wouldn't it be fun to be in the boxes? especially if its the one behind where Freddy makes his appearance in OK. I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I think it could be kind of fun.

[mabel]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 7:04pm

I guess it all depends on how the view is from the boxes. If they aren't bad, as someone else mentioned (though the fact that they said at the lotto that they're obstructed is kind of questionable)...The boxes at the (former) Plymouth, for example were terrible. I couldn't see anything! If the boxes have terrible sight lines, they shouldn't be sold period (for full price or at lotto prices). They should be used for sound equipment or just left empty.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 7:04pm

omg i did the same thing you did today! instead though i passed drs lotto, cause i had two others with me and it would be odd number for it, and i won it before so yeah, and wicked...well just because.so we headed to doubt, got mcdonalds, wicked lotto'd and then saw it. i loved doubt, it was my first time, and yeah heather wasnt really the most entertaining thing on that stage as was cherry. i loved her so much and the cast was just really powerful. i probably saw you today
edit: i cant believe i said "as was cherry", when i meant to say "like cherry was".

Updated On: 8/17/05 at 07:04 PM

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 7:30pm

Thats so annoying, I mean its good that they still offer a lottery, but for the same price as the front row? plus, they haven't even been doing 85%!!!!!!!!!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 8:14pm

Y'all, don't complain. They could just get rid of the lotto altogether. At least they're still keeping it.

I tried eysterday for the lotto with the box seats and lost.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 9:06pm

I agree...if you're so unhappy about it...pay $100 for seats.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 9:11pm

born2c, since when it is your right to get the second row so cheaply? Be lucky that some shows do it, because those seats normally go for $100.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 9:17pm

I think the point of some theatres doing away with rushes was so there wouldn't be a clutter of people in front of the theatre. If you don't like the seat, don't do the lottery...go to Telecharge, where partial view seat (for Spamalot, for example) go for 85-100 dollars a seat. Makes the $25 seem reasonable!

[itstheM]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 9:45pm

I was there today too!!! I was sooo disapointed that they changed the lottery, even though I lost. I also lost Spelling Bee right after. It was more crowded than usual. Also the guy at DRS wasn't as chipper as he always is.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:02pm

the upside of this is that I was able to get front row tickets for my parents in late October...

sorry, I too believe that the goodwill the lotteries represent to so many people is beginning to turn sour. Jonathan Larson would be horrified.

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:11pm

Argh. I'll be in NYC for Oct. and i'm trying the DRS and RENT lotto, since i've seen RENT already i REALLY want to see DRS, i love norbert and i love the soundtrack...i really hope the lotto changes before i get there, for the better!

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:05pm

THE SEATS REALLY AREN'T BAD!! (in big giant bold flashing pink neon letters)

i promise...i sat in them for the ENTIRE second act of DRS and maybe missed one person on the end of the chorus lines..but seriously..they're fine. i would definitely sit there again.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 12:07am

Some do not like front row cos they feel they have to crane their necks. Others love the closeness to the actors.(me!) It's been wondered about for a long time how long the DRS lottery would last esp since ManY on this board have been repeat attendees. So u don't get a top dollar seat- u aren't paying for one. Pls don't be greedy.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 12:20am

Dreamflyer22~ the front row seats at the Imperial are the best! You really don't have to crane your necks at all, the conductor is always animated to watch, and the actors sometimes stare right at you (and remember you if you go up to them for autographs afterwards). Also, seeing John Lithgow spit is hilarious and Norbert's butt is great to see up close. Just some reasons that front row is awesome.

Sad that the lottery isn't front row anymore. But someone asked, how is it that 16-18 seats are available now when the boxes can only hold (altogether) 12? Weird.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 3:15am

Hmm...I don't think I should post this b/c if less ppl do lotto in the future, more luck for me...but as a newly dubbed DRS whore, I gotta defend it..

I sat in the right box right behind the one Norbie comes into for my...5th time at the show. Got half price ticket at TKTS-was very excited, my first time ever at a box. I really enjoyed the seat, I felt...kinda special there, I dunno. I wish I could remember more. I think there may have been things here and there that I might have missed, but of course being my 5th time it didn't bother me. The only time I wouldn't completely recommmend boxes is if you're seeing the show for the first time, b/c it's a weird perspective, maybe you'd want a more center perspective. But other than that, I don't remember missing much, and as Norbert walked in he kinda gave a nod to me to say "how're you doing" right before he got into place and the lights came up, I enjoyed that. So yeah, they're really not that bad. Also there's 4 chairs in each box, but you're basically free to arrange the chairs however you want depending on who's in the box, so usually you can put it so everyone gets the best possible view.

There should be 16 seats in the boxes...4 boxes, 4 seats in each.

And lotteries solely representing goodwill is ridiculous, even in the original concept of Rent's front row tickets. I clearly remember perhaps in the Rent bible or somewhere else when describing, the rush/lotto, they said it was done for 2 major reasons...one was goodwill, so people who couldn't afford good, expensive seats had a chance to see the show in great seats cheaply, but you know the other reason kiddies, mentioned specifically for Rent? It's good for the show if there's a crowd of ppl on line(as it was in those days) to get the tickets. It makes it look like the show is selling well, is popular, and ppl seeing lotsa ppl on line to buy tickets will want to buy tickets. You can debate how much of each played a part in the concept, but I personally think the latter was more.

And personally, I think while some may justify it as goodwill, for most shows, that's the reason. Even with lottos, there's a huge group of ppl standing in front of the show...ppl pass, see clump of ppl, hmm is this show good? what are you waiting for, is this show good, etc? Now for some shows like Wicked, which constantly sellout, I suppose they really don't need the boost, but at this point they're making so much money, I don't think it's hurting them to do some goodwill, and I'm sure the hundreds of ppl who wait for lotto may help future ticket sales.

So please don't complain. Many people including myself were worried they may do away with lotto b/c it wasn't attracting as many people as the others. Personally, I prefer boxes to rear rear mezz but I love the show, I'll take whatever discounts they offer. Like was stated, the only reasons they're not over 90% now is because Lithgow's back--with full cast, I think they've been averaging 95%. That's a lot of sold seats. Just be grateful for any available cheap tickets.

Though if they really want to enhance this policy, perhaps one lucky lucky lotto winner can get a "special" seat...and instead of coming in in a box in front of the boxes ppl seat in, he will come into a box ppl seat in and sit on the lap of a lotto winner. Bet lotsa ppl would want to do lotto for that, lol!

[zzannahk]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 3:28am

what i think is really funny is in the history of the Theatre the only "good" seats were the boxes where the people with $$ sat, only peasants would sit in the orchestra section

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 7:09am

that is funny.

[mabel]

Posted: 8/18/05 at 8:57am

Yeah, but it seems those rich folks cared more about being seen than actually seeing the show. Whatever, I'm done w/ this convo and after hearing good things about the boxes, from here on out, I shall reserve judgement until I have actually sat my little ass in one of those seats.

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:53am

thank you, mabel.

guys, seriously...for the third time. the seats aren't bad!! if your best friend is chorus boy #7 all the way to stage left, you might miss him...but other than that - you get what you pay for. i would take ANY CHANCE i got to see theatre of that quality for such a reasonable price, and it just amazes me that you don't realize what you have if you actually have the opportunity to be seeing these shows for less than $30. opportunities like that don't come around vermont very often.

and so what? the producers are trying to make money. what else do you expect? everyone wants to make money.

please just show your gratitude that there's even the option, honestly.

[admanrich]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 1:13am

I wanted to try this next week. I guess I'm just gonna have to use the $50 discount code.