Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Play)
Opening: April 22, 2018
Closing: Probably never?
Theater: Lyric Theatre - 213 West 42nd Street
Synopsis: A continuation of the epilogue to the seventh installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Notable People: JK Rowling, obviously
How to Get Tickets: Visit Ticketmaster to become a verified fan of the play. Then, when new tickets go on sale, you are entered for the CHANCE to get a code which MIGHT allow you to buy tickets at a specific time on a specific day. They are offering some $20, $40 and $80 tickets but don't necessarily count on these. I was one of the lucky ones who was sent a code to buy tickets online at a set date and time. You are given two hours to purchase tickets. It took me the full two hours to find available tickets in my price range. All of the dates I searched were taken up by the time I got there or no cheap tickets were available for two people. Finally, I just went ahead and bought a single ticket for October 2018. Good luck!
The Lion King (Musical)
Opened: November 13, 1997
Closing: Open-Ended
Theater: Minskoff Theatre, 200 West 45th Street
Synopsis: The stage version of the favorite Disney movie, you know the one.
Our Review: The Lion King is absolutely magical. There is a reason that it is so popular, and that is the amazing staging and puppetry. The way the animals look and move is incredible and completely innovative.
Notable People:
How We Got Tickets: Lion King is hard to get tickets but they do have a digital lottery for $30 tickets. Enter at lionking.com/lottery beginning at the curtain time of the previous performance. Winners are notified at 9 AM on the day of the performance and have one hour to pay online.
Tickets must be picked up no earlier than 30 minutes before curtain.
2 tickets per person. We got our tickets through Sarah's university which sold discount tickets for a particular evening performance in advance. See "Our Secrets" for more details on how to use these discount methods.
My Fair Lady (Musical)
Opening: Previews - March 15, 2018, Opening - April 19, 2018
Closing: Open-Ended
Theatre: Lincoln Center Vivian Beaumont Theater - 150 West 65th Street
Synopsis: You know this one!
Notable People: A Lerner and Lowe musical directed by Bartlett Sher, starring Lauren Ambrose as Eliza and Norbert Leo Butz as...her dad?!?
How to Get Tickets: Use your Linctix or other Lincoln Center membership. They will also offer $32 student rush tickets at the box office on the day of the performance, 1 per student ID.
Phantom of the Opera (Musical)
Opened: January 26, 1988
Closing: Never. Ever.
Theater: Majestic Theatre, 247 West 44th Street
Synopsis: Broadway's longest running musical. We don't really think we need to describe this one, you know it.
Notable People: Music by Andrew Lloyd Weber.
How to Get Tickets: Discount tickets have been offered on tix4students.com or TDF.org for $45 each. Phantom also has $26.25 standing room only (SRO) tickets available at the box office when the performance is sold out. Seats in the last two rows of the mezzanine are also available for $26.25 for Monday-Thursday performances. These tickets can be purchased at the box office or online through Telecharge.com. See "Our Secrets" for more details on how to use these discount methods.
The Preacher's Wife (Musical)
Tituss Burgess (of Broadway's Little Mermaid and TV's 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) is making a musical adaptation of the Whitney Houston film of the same name. He has written the score.
The Prom (Musical)
Opening: November 15, 2018
Closing:
Theatre:
Synopsis: "Emma becomes an instant outcast—and a national headline—when her high school cancels the prom rather than let her attend with her girlfriend. Sensing a chance to correct an injustice—and maybe get some good publicity along the way—a group of fading celebrities takes up the cause, and invades Emma's small Indiana town. But their bumbling attempts at social activism make the situation far worse than they—or Emma—could have ever imagined. Cultures clash and the town erupts in chaos. The community's reputation, Emma's future, and the celebrities' careers, all hang in the balance, until a true hero emerges to save the day. Uproarious and ultimately uplifting, this new musical proves that standing up for yourself—and inspiring others to accept their differences—can make you the star you were always meant to be." - Broadway.com
How to Get Tickets: I got mine through TodayTix for $49 + fees. It is also often available on TDF.org with a membership for the same price.
Roman Holiday (Musical)
Opening: Coming Soon?
Closing:
Theatre:
Synopsis: "In the midst of a whirlwind tour of European capitals, a young princess yearns to experience life—to explore the world beyond diplomatic dinners and Royal balls. Enter an American reporter, who, almost overnight, goes from covering the royal family to covering up her great escape. And in the span of 24 unforgettable hours, they discover the magic of Rome, the promise of love, and a secret they will share forever." - Broadway.com
Notable People: A Cole Porter musical
How to Get Tickets: Stay tuned
Scrubs the Musical (Musical)
Opening: TBA?
Notable People: While Zach Braff will not be reprising his role as J.D. for the Broadway musical, he is involved in producing it!
Shakespeare in Love (Musical)
Coming from the West End to North America for the 2016 Ontario Stratford Festival. Rumored to be hitting Broadway next.
Singin' in the Rain (Musical)
Opening: ?
Closing: TBA
Theater: TBA
Synopsis: Stage adaptation of the favorite movie musical starring Gene Kelly.
Notable People: Derek Hough stars as Don Lockwood
How to Get Tickets: TBA
To Kill a Mockingbird
Opened:
Closing:
Theater:
Synopsis: The stage adaptation of the classic Harper Lee novel.
Notable People: Aaron Sorkin is adapting the novel for the stage and Bartlett Sher will direct. Jeff Daniels as Atticus Finch and Celia Keenan-Bolger as Scout
How to Get Tickets: I got mine through my LincTix membership for about $30.
**Waitress (Musical)
Opening: April 24, 2016
Closing: Open-Ended
Theater: Brooks Atkinson Theatre - 256 West 47th Street
Synopsis: "Based on the 2007 film by the late Adrienne Shelly, Waitress follows Jenna, a pregnant waitress in the south trapped in an abusive marriage and looking for a happy ending. She finds relief—and potentially that happy ending—by making creatively titled pies and forming a romance with an unlikely newcomer." - Broadway.com
Notable People: Music & lyrics by the amazing Sara Bareilles, directed by the incredible Diane Paulus. Katharine McPhee starring as Jenna beginning April 10, 2018.
Our Review: The music is amazing and the show is beautiful and fun! Definitely a favorite of ours. A really uplifting, joyous, and female-empowering show.
How to Get Tickets: Waitress is offering standing room only (SRO) tickets for $32 at the box office on the day of the performance, only when the show is sold out. For Standing Room Only tickets to Waitress, you actually don't necessarily want to be at the box office at 10am when it opens. For a weekend performance, you may want to operate under the assumption that the show will already be sold out ahead of time and arrive at the box office early to be there right when it opens. For other performances, you may want to wait for the show to sell out and arrive at the box office only an hour or two before the performance. I showed up at the box offie around 12:30-12:45pm for a summer Wednesday matinee performance and I was the 6th person in line for SRO tickets. We waited in the box office, hoping for a few last minute ticket sales that would sell out the show. And, sure enough, at about 1:20 or 1:30 we got the go-ahead from the ticket sales window inviting us to buy standing room tickets. Went and got a bite to eat and came back for the show at 2pm!
Wicked (Musical)
Opened: Oct. 30th, 2003
Closing: Open-Ended
Theater: Gershwin Theatre (222 W. 51st street)
Synopsis: It's sort of the prequel to the Wizard of Oz. It tells the story of how the "wicked witch" became "wicked" and also gives the background of Glinda (Ga-linda) the good witch.
Our Review: Wicked is, of course, one of our all time favorites. Let's face it, Stephen Schwartz is incredible (so the music is gorgeous) and it's a classic show. Christy has now seen it 3 times, and has enjoyed it every single time.
How We Got Tickets: There's really not an easy way to get cheap tickets to Wicked. Sigh. They do offer a lottery at the theater for $30 tickets, but we have tried it several times and have never won -- usually over 200 people show up. It's worth trying, if you're in the area 2.5 hours before the show. They also have a digital lottery for $35 tickets. Enter at lottery.broadwaydirect.com/show/wicked from 8:30 AM until 2 PM on the day of the performance. Winners will have 60 minutes to pay for their tickets online. 2 tickets per person. BUT, if you really want to see Wicked (which, you should), we suggest splurging and paying for tickets full-price. It's worth it - it's an amazing show for all ages and it's certainly a must-see for all theatre lovers! See "Our Secrets" for more details on how to use these discount methods.
Young Frankenstein (Musical)
The original broadway production had an amazing cast (Megan Mullally, Sutton Foster, Roger Bart, Christopher Fitzgerald, and Andrea Martin) and obviously an amazing creative team in Mel Brooks and Susan Stroman. I saw it in 2007 and loved it but it didn't do that well on Broadway. General opinion is that it was over-produced and trying too hard to live up to the expectations placed on it based on Brooks' and Stroman's first mega-hit, The Producers. Now, apparently, a stripped-down version of the show is headed to London's West End with possible sights on Broadway. Stay tuned for more info!
Some Shows I've Seen and How I got Tickets
** = The "Must See's"
I'm not updating this page much anymore so it may not reflect the shows that are currently on the boards. Check out my Instagram (@broadway2people) to stay up to date on the shows I've seen and how I got tickets
Broadway To The People
Opened: March 20, 2014
Closing: Open-Ended
Theater: New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street)
Synopsis: The musical follows the movie for the most part, from what we have heard. The songs from the movie are included in the show, along with a few new ones written just for the stage.
Notable People: Telly Leung stars as Aladdin!
How to Get Tickets: We haven't seen this one yet. Currently, tickets are pretty expensive, and they do not have rush tickets available. The only way to get cheap tickets to Aladdin is by trying your luck at the Digital Lottery ("May the odds be ever in your favor!"). Click here to enter the digital lottery for your chance to get two $30 tickets, credit card only.
Enter at aladdinthemusical.com/lottery from 7 PM the day before until 8:30 AM on the day of the performance. Winners will have 60 minutes to pay for their tickets online. We'll probably try our chances at the lottery, though it's not likely we'll win, and then maybe splurge on TKTS or Playbill.com tickets or wait to see if tickets come on sale on TDF.org or tix4students.com...though who knows how long we'll be waiting for that! See "Our Secrets" for more details on how to use these discount methods.
**Avenue Q (Off-Broadway Musical)
Opened: March 2003
Closing: Hopefully Never!
Theater: Though Avenue Q was on Broadway at the Golden Theatre from July 2003 to September 2009, it has since moved Off-Broadway to the New World Stages Theatre at 340 W. 50th Street.
Synopsis: Avenue Q is the adult Sesame Street. (Emphasis on the adult. This show is not suitable for children). The show utilizes puppets and actors, and the characters in the show are a mix of puppets and humans (like Sesame Street). It takes place in the fictional New York City neighborhood, Avenue Q, where 23 year-old Princeton finds his first post-college apartment (because it is the only place he can afford). There he meets his neighbors, a rag-tag cast of characters including Kate Monster, Trekkie Monster, Rod, Nicky, Christmas Eve, Brian, and the superintendent, Gary Coleman
(yes, that Gary Coleman). It's a hilarious and heartfelt tale of growing up and trying to make it on your own in the world. The Tony award winner for best musical in 2004, Avenue Q draws on the style of Sesame Street, but with an adult-themed satirical twist (songs include "The Internet is for Porn," "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," and "It Sucks To Be Me").
Our Review: Utterly brilliant! It especially resonates with those who are, or have been, young and trying to figure themselves out, and those who grew up watching Sesame Street. The show pokes fun at the earnestness of Sesame Street and, at the same time, has a sweet and uplifting message. It is clever and fun and will have you laughing out loud.
Notable People: Robert (Bobby) Lopez and Jeff Marx are the
lyricists and composers of Avenue Q, for which they also won a Tony for best music and lyrics in a musical. You might know Bobby Lopez for his work as co-writer of the book, music, and lyrics of the Broadway hit 'The Book of Mormon' and also for writing the music and lyrics for the movie Frozen, along with his wife Kristen Anderson Lopez. Lopez is the youngest person to ever win an "EGOT" (That is: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony). Next up, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
How We Got Tickets: We saw Avenue Q through the 20 at 20
program. This program allows theatergoers to buy tickets at $20 each, 20 minutes before curtain. We lined up about an hour or so before curtain and were able to get tickets for $20 no problem! It's a small theater, so all the seats are great. We were in the first couple rows of the theater, in the center. We've also seen tickets on TDF.org for $31. See "Our Secrets" for more details on how to use these discount methods.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Musical)
Opened: January 12th, 2014
Closing: Open-Ended
Theater: Stephen Sondheim (124 West 43rd street)
Synopsis: Basically, this is the story of Carole King, from her humble beginnings to the star that she is now. It's in the form of what is known as a "jukebox musical," in that most of the songs are popular and recognizable. All of the music in the show is Carole King's. The first act features a lot of music she wrote in the 60s for other performers
such as the Drifters, the Monkees, the Shirelles, and more (songs that you know and sing along to, but might not have known were written by King). And the second act sees King's transition from writing pop music for other acts to creating beautiful music for her debut solo
album, Tapestry, borne out of her personal heartache. 'Beautiful' the musical is the story of Carole King from the age of 16 to her first concert performance at Carnegie Hall in 1971 and the amazing journey she took to get there.
Our Review: This is a very fun show! Jessie Mueller
gives a magical performance as Carole King and is totally worth seeing, especially while she is still in it. Its especially resonates with audiences who grew up with Carole King and her music (think of taking your parents or getting them tickets!), but anyone can enjoy it, whether you love Carole King or not. We both enjoyed it immensely, and learned a lot about the amazing music that Carole King wrote that we never knew she had written! This musical is definitely a sing along!
Notable People: Ben Jacoby, who Sarah grew up with, plays Barry Mann.
How we Got Tickets: Beautiful offers $40 general rush tickets when the box office opens on the day of the performance two per person. Beautiful offers a digital rush as well. A limited number of tickets will be available for all Tuesday - Friday performances through this new digital lottery, which will open at 8:00AM daily for both matinee and evening performances, and will remain open until 10:30AM and 3:00PM, respectively, when the winners will be drawn. Winners will be notified by email shortly after each drawing, and will have 60 minutes to pay for their tickets with a credit card online. Tickets will be $39 each, including the facility fee. Click here to enter the lottery. Not sure if this is still available but, when we went, they also have a limited number of SRO (standing room only) tickets. Get there early (by 8:30am) and wait at the box office for a chance at these. You can buy two per person for $37 each. This theatre (Stephen Sondheim) is a bit unusual, as the SRO places to stand were in the Mezzanine just in a small alcove. So, no rail to lean on. But, at intermission an usher came to find us (and the other SRO people near us, too) and moved us to empty seats in the Orchestra. Score! That may not happen every time, so don't plan on it, but it was definitely a plus for the experience. See "Our Secrets" for more details on how to use these discount methods.
The Bodyguard (Musical)
Opening: Rumored to be coming to Broadway soon, opened at the Papermill Playhouse on November 25, 2016
Closing: Closed at the Papermill on January 1, 2017
Theater: The Papermill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ
Synopsis: "Based on the Oscar-nominated film, this dazzling production stars Grammy Award nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox! Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A breathtakingly romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a host of chart-topping hits including “Queen of the Night,” “So Emotional,” “One Moment in Time,” “Saving All My Love,” “Run to You,” “I Have Nothing,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and one of the biggest selling songs of all time, “I Will Always Love You.”"
How to Get Tickets: I grew up a five-minute walk from the Papermill Playhouse and discovered in my teen years that they do, in fact have a student rush. Visit their website for more information. This is a renowned theater and frequently the "out of town tryout" for Broadway-bound shows, it may be worth investing in a season subscription to catch productions like Newsies, Hunchback, A Bronx Tale, and The Bodyguard before they hit the Great White Way.
**Book of Mormon (Musical)
Opened: March 27th, 2011
Closing: Not for a long time, if current sales are any indication
Theater: Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street)
Synopsis: This risque comedy is a musical written about the Mormon church by the writers of South Park. It tells the story of two Mormon missionaries who are sent to Uganda to convert the people there to Mormonism.
Our Review: We. Love. This. Show. The music, the humor, the religious references - it's all hilarious and totally entertaining. A Tony award-winning best musical, Book of Mormon plays on a lot of the conventions of Broadway (think jazz hands, tap dancing,
and lots of sequins) but the subject matter is anything but conventional, making it a perfect comedic concoction. Warning: Pretty much every song in this show includes something that could be offensive to someone. Don't go if you are easily offended or if you can't handle a lot of jokes about religion or Jesus.
Notable People: The creative team includes Matt Stone
and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, and Bobby Lopez, the musical and lyrical genius behind Avenue Q and the movie Frozen.
How We Got Tickets: Ok, so this is a show that almost
always sells out and tickets are very expensive. There are three ways to see this show if you are a student, or you just don't have $150 to spend on a ticket. 1) The Digital Lottery: $50, credit card only. Enter at jujamcyn.com beginning one week prior until 11am the day before the performance. Winners are notified by 12pm the day before the performance. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm the day before the performance. 2 tickets per person. 2) In-Person Lottery: The lottery is open 2.5 hours before the show and then names are drawn 2 hours before curtain. They usually draw 12 names, and the seats are great if you win ($32 each and you can buy 2). 3) Standing Room Only (SRO). Basically, to get the SRO tickets you go to the box office as early as you can on the day of the show. They don't sell the SRO tickets until about an hour before curtain, but when we have gone we usually get in line about 2pm or at the latest 3pm for an 8pm show. That said, the timing changes by season (when it's cold out and when there are less tourists in town, you might not have to get there that early). Also, it's been a few years since we've done that and Book of Mormon may not be as popular anymore so you might not need to show up as early as we did :)
Here's the key to the Book of Mormon SRO: Count the people in front of you. Ask them if they are getting one ticket or two. Don't wait in line unless you have a VERY good chance of getting one of the tickets. They usually sell 20 or 22, sometimes less. Do the math -- Know that if you are number 10 in line and everyone is buying 2 tickets, you might wait for a few hours and not get to see the show. Bring a book and a blanket and wait in line - it's totally worth it. The SRO for this show is at the back of the Orchestra and there is a rail to lean on. You have a great view, and for $27 you really can't beat it. Also, while you are in the SRO line you can enter the lottery for seats. See "Our Secrets" for more details on how to use these discount methods.
Chicago (Musical)
Opened: November 14, 1996
Closing: Open-Ended
Theater: Ambassador Theatre, 219 West 49th Street
Synopsis: This revival of Chicago has been running on Broadway for nearly 20 years! A jazz-age musical about six "merry murderesses" and the infamy they espouse. This revival features dance based on the original iconic Bob Fosse choreography.
Notable People: The original cast of this revival included Bebe Neuwirth, who won the Tony for her role as Velma Kelly. Music and lyrics by Kander & Ebb. Original choreography by Bob Fosse. Book by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb. And right now, Jaime Camil (Rogelio from TV's Jane the Virgin) stars as Billy Flynn!
How We'll Get Tickets: Chicago offers a limited number of $37 front row rush tickets (max 2 per person) on the day of the performance when the box office opens at 10am, except for Saturday evening performances. The show also sells $27 Standing Room Only tickets (max 2 person) at the box office when the performance is sold out. See "Our Secrets" for more details on how to use these discount methods.
Our Review: When the show first opened, or even in its first few years, it probably felt really original and fresh and electric. Seeing it now, in its twentieth year on Broadway...it's definitely lost some of that electricity. It's still an enjoyable show and, as always, love the Bob Fosse choreography. But the audience is full of tourists and the show just feels a bit stale. Worth seeing just to see it, and because it is so iconic.
**Come From Away (Musical)
Opening: Previews - February 18, 2017, Opening - March 12, 2017
Closing: Open-Ended
Theater: Schoenfeld Theatre - 236 West 45th Street
Synopsis: "Come From Away is based on the true story of when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned in to an international sleep-over when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from across the globe, were diverted to Gander’s air strip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family." - Broadway.com
Notable People:
Our Review: A completely uplifting, joyous, healing, moving show. The Irish folk/rock kind of music is super fun and the stories that are told (both little and big) are so human and beautiful. Highly recommend!
How to Get Tickets: Come From Away is offering rush tickets at the box office on the day of the performance for $38 (2 per person). They are also offering $32 standing room only tickets at the box office when the show is sold out. Tickets may also be available on the TodayTix app.Visit the "Our Secrets" page for information on how to buy discount tickets.
Opening: November 14, 2016
Closing: Open-Ended
Theater: Music Box Theatre - 239 West 45th Street
Synopsis: A favorite for the Tonys. Patti Lupone loved it, isn't that recommendation enough? "A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. Both deeply personal and profoundly contemporary, Dear Evan Hansen is a new American musical about life and the way we live it." - Broadway.com
Notable People: Ben Platt from Pitch Perfect and Book of Mormon starred in this Tony-winning role. It also features Rachel Bay Jones, who we loved in Pippin. Music by famed composing duo Pasek and Paul (of the film LaLa Land, and stage musicals A Christmas Story, Dogfight, and more)
My Review: I cried throughout the entire show. Ugly cried. Ben Platt gave probably one of, if not THE, most impressive performance I've ever seen. The show is beautiful and moving and better than therapy. All the feels.
How to Get Tickets: Dear Evan Hansen is offering an online lottery for $40 tickets, max two per person, available at www.dearevanhansenlottery.com. You have to enter your social media account information in order to enter the lottery. They also offer Standing Room Only tickets and cancellation tickets at the box office on the day of the performance.
The Devil Wears Prada (Musical)
Opening: Coming Soon
Closing:
Theatre:
Synopsis: "The Devil Wears Prada follows aspiring writer Andy Sachs as she lands a job as an assistant to notorious Runway Editor-in-Chief Miranda Priestly. The new gig demands 15-hour workdays, an impossibly demanding list of chores, a demoralizing trip to Paris and an extensive makeover montage. Andy eventually finds her way and realizes that fashion is more than clothes and "this stuff," forcing her to determine her own set of morals in the merciless industry." - Broadway.com
Notable People: Music by Elton John and Shaina Taub
How to Get Tickets: Stay tuned
*****Hamilton (Musical)
Opened: Opened January 20, 2015 at the Public Theater, Closed May 3, 2015 at the Public Theater and re-opened in previews on Broadway on July 13, 2015. Opened August 6, 2015
Closing: NO.
Theater: Richard Rodgers Theater, 226 West 46th Street (where Lin Manuel Miranda's first Broadway musical, In the Heights, was also performed)
Synopsis: An original modern musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton and the founding of the United States, infused with hip-hop, rap, R&B, jazz, Brit Pop, and good old Broadway.
Notable People: music, lyrics, and book by LIN MANUEL MIRANDA and starring LIN MANUEL MIRANDA (who will leave July 9 and open the show in London in the fall)! Also starring Chris Jackson and Mandy Gonzales (from In the Heights), Brandon Victor Dixon, and an all-around phenomenal cast. Every single person in and around this production is fantastic.
Our Review: Genius. Truly truly genius. We saw this show at the Public Theater and on Broadway in previews and plan to see it a few hundred more times. This show totally blows you away, believe the hype. The music is incredible, the energy is palpable, it has a real "epicness" to it, the choreography, the acting, and the whole production are just really superb. What's more, it tells this bit of history in a way that is so relevant and connected to today, through hip-hop and other modern styles of music. AND, because of the casting (nearly all young people of color), and the style of music, the story of a bunch of old white guys becomes the story of immigrants and women and people of color involved in a revolution and building a country, debating ideas through rap battle. Which, let's face it, is exactly how it would have happened if it were going on today. It pays homage to so many different styles of hip hop, and musical theater (hello revolving stage, Les Mis much?). And, ultimately, we find it was really Alexander Hamilton's wife who left us with his story and legacy, a storyline that we liked a lot :)
How We Got Tickets: We got tickets to the Public Theater production from Sarah's uncle. Thanks Uncle Pete! Then, Sarah won the lottery for the Broadway production when it was in previews!
Here's what you need to know:
Hamilton is offering $10 front-row lottery tickets. A Hamilton for a Hamilton, or #Ham4Ham for short. In January 2017 they'll be opening up more lottery tickets.
As of January 2016, the lottery has gone virtual. The lottery can be accessed at: hamiltonbroadway.com/lottery or on the new Hamilton app. They are no longer doing a live lottery (with a short 5 minute show) every Wednesday before the matinee.
The Cancellation Line/Standing Room Only line is still available outside the theater for that day's performance. Get there early and bring snacks. I think you're not allowed to bring chairs anymore but a blanket to sit on might be alright. The cancellation tickets are for same-day cancellations and are sold at face-value. The box office may also have standing room only tickets available for those waiting in the cancellation line. These tickets are $40 each. According to Playbill.com, as of August 29, 2016 the first person in the cancellation line had gotten there at 2:30am. The tickets are given out starting with the first person in line usually about 2 hours before to 5 minutes after curtain.
A helpful link on Playbill.com on how to get Hamilton tickets: http://www.playbill.com/article/8-ways-to-actually-get-tickets-to-hamilton
THERE IS NO LONGER A LIVE LOTTERY! For the live lottery: As of September 2016, Hamilton is no longer doing a live lottery at the theater. However, we're leaving this information here in case they ever bring it back.
For the live lotto, show up at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 46th street two and a half hours before the performance (11:30am for the 2pm matinee). There will probably be a long line, that's fine. Just wait in line and then at 12pm it will start moving. There are THOUSANDS of people. It's a lottery so it doesn't matter if you come first or last, everyone is putting their name in the same hat. When you finally reach the front of the theater, grab a piece of paper and a pencil (they have both available), write your name on it, and put it in the box for a chance to buy up to two tickets for $10 each. Cash only. Names are drawn two hours before the show. If they're still doing #Ham4Ham shows, at 12:25 you'll see a little something special from Rory O'Malley or whoever is hosting and at 12:30 they'll draw names. They usually have 21 tickets available for front row lottery (so if people are buying two tickets each, that means they're only going to call out 11 names). Sometimes they have a few Standing Room Only tickets for $40 each and will draw a few more names from the bucket for those.
Note: We've heard tales of people folding their paper into little fans or airplanes or just crumpling their papers up to give them some more texture and this apparently WORKS! Those people have won the lottery multiple times. So do that.
Sarah actually won the lottery on the first try! I arrived at the theater around 5:45 for an 8pm show one night in July 2015 when the show was still in previews. There were hundreds of people there and I thought that was a lot but it's nothing compared to how many were showing up in July 2016. I wrote my name on the slip of paper and threw it in the basket. Then, right before the drawing, Lin Manuel showed up and he and two of the cast members did a 5-minute show of a few short numbers from Bring it On the musical (which Lin-Manuel Miranda co-wrote). (These shows, called the "Ham4Ham" shows, were held during every lottery when Hamilton was in previews. Eventually, they reduced it to only the 2-performance days and then finally to only the Wednesday matinee.) Then they drew names from the basket - they had about 24 front-row seats available - and sure enough, my name was called! WHAT?!? They also had a few $40 standing room only tickets available that evening and they drew a few extra names out of the basket for those tickets. One of the greatest nights of my life, not gonna lie.