Hamilton Cancellation Line

[chris7264]

My wife and I are hoping to get 2 tickets for May 5. We can definitely help with someone's tickets for help standing in line! Please PM if interested.

[abbsav]

Hello, a friend and I will be standing in line on Wednesday, May 3rd, matinee or night show. We should have at least 2 tickets we would be willing to sell. Please PM me if interested. 

[labdogs42]

So, if you have two people, one of you can leave the line for bathroom breaks or a coffee run and come back and then send your buddy?  I definitely want to try the line this summer (I've seen the show once already last August with resale tickets, but I want to go again and try the line!) and I want to make sure I know the protocols!

[doritxuuu]

labdogs42 said: "So, if you have two people, one of you can leave the line for bathroom breaks or a coffee run and come back and then send your buddy?  I definitely want to try the line this summer (I've seen the show once already last August with resale tickets, but I want to go again and try the line!) and I want to make sure I know the protocols!

 

"

Actually, if somebody could confirm how it's done for individuals as well, it would be great! I am planning to do the cancellation line the Saturday just before the Tony's and will be alone. I live in London and people here are pretty laid back about popping out of the line for a quick coffee run or bathroom break but wouldn't want to risk my chances for Hamilton.

[Lappina]

doritxuuu said: "labdogs42 said: "So, if you have two people, one of you can leave the line for bathroom breaks or a coffee run and come back and then send your buddy?  I definitely want to try the line this summer (I've seen the show once already last August with resale tickets, buI want to go again and try the line!) and I want to make su

 

"

Actually, if somebody could confirm how it's done for individuals as well, it would be great! I am planning to do the cancellation line the Saturday just before the Tony's and will be alone. I live in London and people here are pretty laid back about popping out of the line for a quick coffee run or bathroom break but wouldn't want to risk my chances for Hamilton

 

So I went as a single back in March and really as long as you mention it to the person in front of you or behind you in line everyone is pretty cool about it. The hotel (I believe the Marriott) which is right beside the theatre is awesome about you using the washroom! Everyone in line is usually very friendly and accommodating! Just as long as you don't come back with extra people to join you in line then no one really gets bothered. 

[Lappina]

doritxuuu said: "labdogs42 said: "So, if you have two people, one of you can leave the line for bathroom breaks or a coffee run and come back and then send your buddy?  I definitely want to try the line this summer (I've seen the show once already last August with resale tickets, buI want to go again and try the line!) and I want to make su

 

"

Actually, if somebody could confirm how it's done for individuals as well, it would be great! I am planning to do the cancellation line the Saturday just before the Tony's and will be alone. I live in London and people here are pretty laid back about popping out of the line for a quick coffee run or bathroom break but wouldn't want to risk my chances for Hamilton

 

So I went as a single back in March and really as long as you mention it to the person in front of you or behind you in line everyone is pretty cool about it. The hotel (I believe the Marriott) which is right beside the theatre is awesome about you using the washroom! Everyone in line is usually very friendly and accommodating! Just as long as you don't come back with extra people to join you in line then no one really gets bothered. 

[Lappina]

doritxuuu said: "labdogs42 said: "So, if you have two people, one of you can leave the line for bathroom breaks or a coffee run and come back and then send your buddy?  I definitely want to try the line this summer (I've seen the show once already last August with resale tickets, buI want to go again and try the line!) and I want to make su

 

"

Actually, if somebody could confirm how it's done for individuals as well, it would be great! I am planning to do the cancellation line the Saturday just before the Tony's and will be alone. I live in London and people here are pretty laid back about popping out of the line for a quick coffee run or bathroom break but wouldn't want to risk my chances for Hamilton

 

So I went as a single back in March and really as long as you mention it to the person in front of you or behind you in line everyone is pretty cool about it. The hotel (I believe the Marriott) which is right beside the theatre is awesome about you using the washroom! Everyone in line is usually very friendly and accommodating! Just as long as you don't come back with extra people to join you in line then no one really gets bothered. 

[Megsamegatron]

I also went solo a few weeks ago, yes the Mariott is great. You'll make friends so as long as you don't abuse it and help others in line do the same your fine. 

Now I would recommend trying to limit yourself after the box office opens because the line could move fast (with unclaimed lottery tickets) and you want to be there so you don't miss your shot. 

[Tiffany5]

Hi! I'm planning on queuing for the matinee this Saturday (5/6) as a singleton, I'd love to buy someone's ticket if they'd help with mine!

Also, I've never done this before but I'm planning on getting there as neurotically early as necessary; with the weather getting nicer and it being a weekend, would you say 4:30 is early enough? Or should I shoot for like, 3AM?

Thanks so much in advance and please PM me if you're interested in the extra ticket!

[casedilla2]

Hello all,

A friend and I are planning to do the cancellation line sometime between 5/11 - 5/14. If anyone is interested in seeing the show on one of those dates, we'd be happy to pick up an extra pair of tickets for someone in exchange for help paying for our tickets. Message me if interested!

[dbird]

Thanks both for the responses, I am glad to hear people are understanding of singles in the line! I am definitely planning to limit leaving the queue as much as possible and be nice to people so fingers crossed everything goes smoothly!

Slightly different question - are SRO tickets offered for every performance? I am willing to pay the $199-229 if needed but would prefer to keep the expenses low as I am hoping to do 9 shows in 7 days.

[darthkimmy]

Hi all, my boyfriend and I are planning to queue for tickets tomorrow (5 May) or Saturday (6 May) - if you're in New York and would like a pair of tickets we'd be happy to get yours if you help get ours! PM me to let me know.

 

[Rainah]

Based on reports, SRO tickets are not offered at every show. Hamiltonstagedoor estimates the average offered is 3-4 seats per show, when they are offered

[darthkimmy]

Hi - quick question. On Matinee days, what time should we go if we hope to make the evening show?

[Tiffany5]

@Rainah

by 3-4 seats do you mean cancellation/SRO in total or just SRO?

[10086Sundays]

Tiffany5 said: "@Rainah

by 3-4 seats do you mean cancellation/SRO in total or just SRO?"

I think they meant SRO.  On a recent day there were 18 tickets sold.  Don't know how many were SRO.

Darthkimmy - I walked by after the matinee this Wednesday and there were about 10 people in line, which is usually the number "guaranteed" to get in.  (Even though they never promise how many.)  As summer comes, that will probably change, plus there are always random days like when families of 5 show up and the 5 people ahead all want 2 tickets.  If you can go by in the morning to get a feel for the line, I would do so.  Stay if it's long, leave if it's short.  Wednesdays are better than Saturdays.

[Rainah]

Tiffany5 said: "@Rainah

by 3-4 seats do you mean cancellation/SRO in total or just SRO?"

Sorry, I did mean SRO only! I don't know why there's so much fluctuation in them, doesn't make a ton of sense to me (Wouldn't you just have a set number of standing spots?) but that's what I've seen. Sometimes there are like 8, sometimes none.

For the 199 seats I've seen typically like 12-15? And up to like 18-20

[MyFavoriteBrunette]

[MyFavoriteBrunette]

Rainha said: Wouldn't you just have a set number of standing spots?

There is a set amount.  Each SRO has a number on the ledge of the back wall and it matches the number on your ticket. 

but that's what I've seen. Sometimes there are like 8, sometimes none.

It all depends on how many SRO theater staff has sold to friends/family.  In the spring of 2016, a colleague of mine saw Hamilton via a venue connection.  He had the choice of sitting in house seats or SRO.  He picked SRO cuz it was cheaper.  He felt $177 was too much for any show.  So maybe more people feel this way.  If they can gain inside access to the show, go for $40 over $199.  So there will be less SRO's to go around.

For the 199 seats I've seen typically like 12-15? And up to like 18-20

 

[darthkimmy]

Feel like I've joined a special club but I can finally share my experience today did the line today for the matinee on Saturday, May 6th. My boyfriend and I joined the cancellation queue at 5.30am, and were 4th in line. 1st (single) got there at 3.20am, 2nd (line-sitter) got there 3.30am and 3rd (pair) got there at 4am. We were in a pretty good spot and we bought a cheap pillow to bring along after reading about how it helps and it definitely did. Another woman (pair) joined at 6am, then another couple after them at about 7am. The line got longer after that with a couple of singles and pairs at 7.30am and 8am, but after about 9am the line was going past the marquee and people who came by to join the line just walked away - I suppose they thought their prospects were bad? 

At around 8.30am, a woman came by in a bicycle and approached the line sitter, and said something along the lines of "I never said Hamilton, I said 45th Street! The guy's already on his way!" The line sitter got up and left and a while later she came back to ask what time we all got there and said "you just saw a line sitter get fired." It was really intense. Poor guy. 

At 10am, the box office opened up and the guy came out to count the number of people in line and said that tickets today were a range, from $229 - $849. He came out again shortly after to just ask if anyone wanted premium tickets but no one took them. 

At about 11.30am, they started calling us in. As we later learned in the theatre, the first 11 of us got second row tickets! (Unclaimed lottery) Absolutely insane tickets.

All in all, it was a great experience and everyone in the line was very pleasant and like most of the posts on this thread it really didn't feel as long as it was. The cast was brilliant and the show was so worth it.

[bwaykelly2]

Just curious @darthkimmy or anyone who knows, how much do they charge for those unclaimed lottery seats? And do hey still sell the standing room tickets? 

[darthkimmy]

Hey @bwaykelly, we got our unclaimed lottery tickets for $229, and if I'm not wrong they're priced at whatever the non-premium house seats cost for that day/season (from what I've seen, it could be $177/199/229) SRO depends on the day of, but there tends to be very little, around 3/4 tickets, and normally released very late (another line sitter got hers at less than 5 minutes before) hope that helps! 

[ccbway]

The most disappointing thing about this information is the fact that there are that many people winning the lottery and not claiming them.

[10086Sundays]

ccbway said: "The most disappointing thing about this information is the fact that there are that many people winning the lottery and not claiming them."

Yeah, it is crazy.  I saw it once via the cancellation line and got a second row unclaimed lotto ticket.  The worst part was the 4 seats next to me went empty the whole show.  I'm almost positive that there enough people in line to take those seats, so I assume the people who won paid, but just didn't show.  Or else everyone behind me opted for standing room because it's cheaper and they had lots of slots that day.

 

Side note: Are they going to fix the quote function?  All the extra space and close quote ending up so far down is driving me bonkers, especially when people don't fix it when they post.

[Phillyoz]

I am coming from Australia and will be trying the cancellation line for a Wednesday matinee on June 21.  Have investigated the best I can and have the following questions:

What time do people start these days? I've seen everything from midnight to 6am

I read that matinee is often easier to get than evening.  Anyone able to comment on this?

Can someone please confirm that I will be there until the show starts and that it's unlikely there will be anything available until 1 hour to 30 minutes before curtain call?

If I also register for the lottery, what is the time frame for an outcome with this?

How bad has the 'line sitter' situation become?

Any other suggestions would be most welcome as I am originally from the area but my Aussie partner has never been and this is a bucket list trip.

Thanks!  :)

 

[darthkimmy]

Phillyoz said: "I am coming from Australia and will be trying the cancellation line for a Wednesday matinee on June 21.  Have investigated the best I can and have the following questions:

1. What time do people start these days? I've seen everything from midnight to 6am

2. I read that matinee is often easier to get than evening.  Anyone able to comment on this?

3. Can someone please confirm that I will be there until the show starts and that it's unlikely there will be anything available until 1 hour to 30 minutes before curtain call?

4. If I also register for the lottery, what is the time frame for an outcome with this?

5. How bad has the 'line sitter' situation become?

6. Any other suggestions would be most welcome as I am originally from the area but my Aussie partner has never been and this is a bucket list trip.

Thanks!  :)

"

Hi Phillyoz, I've numbered your questions so I can answer them more easily. 

1. For a matinee, getting there before 6am would pretty much guarantee you a ticket. This would of course also depend on weather conditions - the day I went, it had just rained the night before and the pavements were still quite damp, so perhaps some people who planned to queue did not end up joining it. 

2. I think the more common saying is that it allows you more chances for a ticket. This is seeing as on two show days, you would be able to continue queueing for the following show if you aren't able to get the first one. However, I personally see it as "easier" in the sense that you do not have to wait as long as you do for an evening show, and would usually be able to get your tickets by about noon or right after if you are near the beginning of the line. 

3. They will likely start calling in the cancellation queue to get tickets after the deadline for lottery tickets has passed. On matinee days, this would be 11am. We got our tickets at about 11.30am, and we were third in line. This could go on till 5 minutes before show time, but if you get there early enough you should have the time to go off and have a good well-deserved meal before catching the show. (Note: If you get your tickets less than half an hour before the show, all parties who are attending the show must be present) 

4. Lotteries open at 8am for matinee days, and close at 10am. You will be able to check the outcome immediately after the lottery closes, and if you win you will have to make payment online within the hour (by 11am). For evening shows, the lottery opens at 10am and closes at 1pm, and payment is to be made by 2pm.  

5. I think it would depend on the day you are going, but these line-sitters do get there very early (about 3am or earlier). They're very nice though, and are open to telling you about how many tickets they need and all. They may even talk to you about the show as many of them have seen it multiple times. 

6. I'm not from New York so I'll leave it up to someone else!

Good luck!!!!! Bring a pillow, it'll definitely help.