Hamilton Cancellation Line

[littlegrrrl]

Just wanted to share our experience with the cancellation line for the 3 PM Sunday matinee on 3/26. My daughter and I already had tickets for this show but we were hoping to score 2 more so that my husband and son could join as well. My husband got to the theater a little before 7 AM and he was the first one in line. We were shocked. A 2nd person arrived shortly thereafter. By close to 9, there were about 5 people in line and it just grew from then on.

At a little after 12, right after the box office opened, someone came out and offered premium tickets for $845 (!) which most everyone turned down, except for someone at the back of the line who said "You only live once!" Everyone else just took their chances. I arrived with the kids around 2:00 and still no change and no further offers, although the line had been moved back by the stage door which was actually cool because we could see all of the cast members as they entered (some kids pulled them aside for autographs and photos even though they seemed a little rush but most obliged). I went to pick up my tickets at the box office and asked if there would be any tickets for the cancellation line and the man said, coyly, "We might have a few...". Finally, at about 2:40, my husband was called in to the box office and was able to buy 2 tickets at $199 each which were in Center Orchestra Row J. Fantastic seats. I'm not sure how many other people in total got tickets but we did see about 7-10 other people from the line, all of which seemed to be in the orchestra as well, although one pair looked to be far side orchestra.

Since I wasn't the one standing outside, I can't really comment on the wait but my husband said it was cold and tiring but not terrible. And he did say that everyone in line was very friendly and held each other's places while they went for bathroom breaks, food, etc. I can say that the show was everything it is hyped up to be and was truly incredible and I'm so glad that the whole family got to experience it (I was having a bit of a "Sophie's Choice" crisis since we only had 2 tickets to start!). I think in the end, everyone felt it was well worth the wait. :)

[gatorgirl2]

Hey all, I'm going to be in NYC April 21st and wanted to do cancellation line that day. 

I thought I had someone to wait for me but they haven't responded to any of my messages so I thought I would try again.

Anyone willing to wait in line for me on Friday April 21st in exchange for a ticket? I won't get to the city till one and its my only day to see it. 

 

 

[kcapuani]

I've read several of the posts on this thread but can't figure out how the professional line sitters are allowed to buy tickets for their customers. Isn't Hamilton's official policy to not allow line swapping? I'm planning ahead for a June visit to NYC... Hoping for a Saturday matinee and don't want to resort to paying a line sitter.

[littlegrrrl]

I was wondering the same thing when my husband was doing the cancellation line last week but he said while he didn't see any paid line sitters, there was no issue with swapping in and out as several couples did that to give each other breaks, plus everyone was great about holding spaces in line to allow each other to use the bathroom, get food, etc. 

[Juan Perez2]

gatorgirl2 said: "Hey all, I'm going to be in NYC April 21st and wanted to do cancellation line that day. 

I thought I had someone to wait for me but they haven't responded to any of my messages so I thought I would try again.

Anyone willing to wait in line for me on Friday April 21st in exchange for a ticket? I won't get to the city till one and its my only day to see it. 
 

Sent you a PM!
 

 

 

"

 

[muffie80]

I am going to be in NYC next weekend and I am looking for someone to line sit for me. Either Saturday matinee or Sunday. Please PM me. Thanks!

[spikethebunny]

kcapuani said: "I've read several of the posts on this thread but can't figure out how the professional line sitters are allowed to buy tickets for their customers. Isn't Hamilton's official policy to not allow line swapping? I'm planning ahead for a June visit to NYC... Hoping for a Saturday matinee and don't want to resort to paying a line sitter.

 

"

There were at least six line sitters in front of me when I got there at 5am on the 18th, as well as a few other people. There doesn't seem to be any issue with them buying tickets for their clients. They didn't swap with anyone and you are given the tickets earlier now (if you're near the front) and don't have to go right in. The line sitters in front of me got their tickets around 12:30 for the 2pm show, then left to meet their clients. I got mine around 1pm and had time to go back to my hotel and freshen up before the show. 

And as someone else mentioned, people did swap in and out of line with no issues and let each other go for bathroom breaks, food, etc. I think as long as the line is courteous and quiet, (as mine was--everyone was awesome) they take no issues with swapping out.

[Amber EDWARDS]

Stopped by the cancellation line after Hello Dolly Matinee yesterday.

There were only 12 people in line at about 5:30. I was incredibly lucky got the last seat. Row G orchestra center. 

Wow, just wow..it happened, my first attempt. Now, I must see it again!! 

[elili]

is it possible to get a line sitter if we need 4 tickets?

[Juan Perez2]

elili said: "is it possible to get a line sitter if we need 4 tickets?

 

"

You would probably need to hire two sitters, since you're only allowed two tickets per person.

[casedilla2]

Hi there! If anyone is looking to get 1 or 2 tickets for nearly any upcoming show, I would be happy to do so in exchange for you helping pay for my ticket (and the ticket of the friend waiting with me, if you need 2 tickets). I would particularly like to go this weekend (4/1 & 4/2) and/or next Sunday (4/9), but I'm open to any dates. I have done the cancellation line many times and have always been successful. PM me if interested - thanks!

[Tpallai]

I was wondering what are the chances of being able to get unclaimed lottery tickets. I know you have to be one of the first people there, but could someone give me like an average number of available unclaimed lottery tickets there usually are. Thinking of going on a weekday, maybe a Wednesday or a Thursday? Any help is appreciated thanks!

[Boday]

I'm positive this is a repeat question but after scrolling through about twenty pages, I couldn't find the answer. So sorry in advance that I'm asking!

In the very hypothetical situation that my friend and I arrive first, do we just start the line on the stairs in front of the theater or outside the box office door? Or would it even matter as long as the next person knows we're there for the line?

Thanks so much. What an amazing resource this thread is for all things Hamilton!!!

[Justice01]

Just wanted to say thank you to all who contributed to this thread. My family loves Hamilton, and we knew we were going to be in NYC for Spring Break, so we tried to get tickets via Stub Hub. But, $800/ticket for a partially obstructed view was too much to take. I would never ever have tried the cancellation line without this thread. We arrived at 5:30 this morning, there was one professional line sitter, a family of 4, a couple and a single in front of us. At about 7 another couple of singles came behind us, after that I lost track. We got the matinee tickets around 11:30. Everyone mentioned ended up with amazing seats, we were dead center, second row. The show was everything everyone says, and waiting in line for tickets made it even more special. We loved seeing our line buddies at the show! Thank you!

[Big Apple2]

Boday said: "I'm positive this is a repeat question but after scrolling through about twenty pages, I couldn't find the answer. So sorry in advance that I'm asking!

In the very hypothetical situation that my friend and I arrive first, do we just start the line on the stairs in front of the theater or outside the box office door? Or would it even matter as long as the next person knows we're there for the line?

Thanks so much. What an amazing resource this thread is for all things Hamilton!!!"

The line starts around the corner where the exit steps are from the theatre. 

[emilienutley]

Hey guys, thought I'd share my experience.

Got to the theatre at around 8:40am and was first in line! This was on Sunday 9th April, by 9am another 3 had joined, and by 10am the queue was about 10 people deep. No idea if this was just a quiet day. Box Office opened at noon and I got a ticket around 1pm, a uncollected lottery ticket, front row of the stalls for $229. I didn't see anyone else from the line in the lottery ticket section so no idea if they got tickets in the end! (despite three of us from the queue going to pay.. i left straight away so again, no idea)

Mildly annoying thing though, everyone around you bragging about winning and only paying $10... haha

Hope this helps anyone! x

[emilienutley]

Hey guys, thought I'd share my experience.

Got to the theatre at around 8:40am and was first in line! This was on Sunday 9th April, by 9am another 3 had joined, and by 10am the queue was about 10 people deep. No idea if this was just a quiet day. Box Office opened at noon and I got a ticket around 1pm, a uncollected lottery ticket, front row of the stalls for $229. I didn't see anyone else from the line in the lottery ticket section so no idea if they got tickets in the end! (despite three of us from the queue going to pay.. i left straight away so again, no idea)

Mildly annoying thing though, everyone around you bragging about winning and only paying $10... haha

Hope this helps anyone! x

[Browneyes142]

I would love to see James Iglehart and Brian Darcy James in Hamilton.  I will be able to do the cancellation line on Sunday, April 30.  If someone would like to buy my ticket, I can stand in line for you.  Otherwise, I'm still going to be there but holding out for SRO tickets. :)

[jennywankenobi]

Justice01 said: "Just wanted to say thank you to all who contributed to this thread. My family loves Hamilton, and we knew we were going to be in NYC for Spring Break, so we tried to get tickets via Stub Hub. But, $800/ticket for a partially obstructed view was too much to take. I would never ever have tried the cancellation line without this thread. We arrived at 5:30 this morning, there was one professional line sitter, a family of 4, a couple and a single in front of us. At about 7 another couple of singles came behind us, after that I lost track. We got the matinee tickets around 11:30. Everyone mentioned ended up with amazing seats, we were dead center, second row. The show was everything everyone says, and waiting in line for tickets made it even more special. We loved seeing our line buddies at the show! Thank you!

 

"

I was the girl behind you in line! It ended up being a fun, while cold, experience waiting in line! Everyone was so friendly and helped the time pass by! 

I got there at 7:45am and another man arrived about 10 minutes later. Then there was nobody else until probably 9am. I was able to get two tickets at about 11:45am and it was so nice that we all ended up sitting in the 2nd row orchestra together! 

Whenever anyone would be called in to buy their tickets, everyone would cheer. Not only were we excited to be that much closer to getting our own tickets, but everyone was so darn excited and it was a really great feeling sharing in that! 

I would do it all over again! 

[Torontogirl]

Hi - am looking for someone to sit in cancellation line Sunday April 16 -- my husband and sons used our three tkts last night but despite a fun experience I was not successful in cancellation line yesterday  . Happy to help on tkt cost!  

[Broadway Doofus]

Hey everyone. So I'm in New York this week and I got to the Hamilton cancellation line at 6:00 AM this morning. There were close to 20 people in line so I just assumed it was hopeless and went back to my hotel. I will be going back tomorrow, much earlier than I got there today, but does anyone have suggestions as to what my timeframe should be? Is it like a camp out all nighter kind of thing, or can I just wait until 5:00 to 5:30ish?

[J-Wo]

Heading to NYC today but don't land in LGA until 12pm. I'm going to try my luck at getting last minute matinee cancellation tix on my way into town. If anyone else is in line now and is looking for a show companion, send me a pm! 

[South Florida]

I think it's harder on matinee days.  Tomorrow could be a whole different story.  You might have easily got in for tonight's performance.  There are others much more experienced in here as to the differences between a Wednesday matinee line as opposed to a Tuesday or Thursday.

 

[DottieD'Luscia]

I'm thinking the cancellation line might be a bit longer this week due to spring break.

[J-Wo]

Oh ya totally forgot about spring break for college/unit students. Oh well, this afternoon is my only time to squeeze in an extra show, got tix to others for other evenings. I'll still try my luck tho, maybe I'll win the lottery!

[Broadway Doofus]

Anybody know how early they would start handing out Cancellation tickets? Is it always right around when the box office opens or has it ever been earlier? I know that's probably already been asked before but I'm new here |: