Hamilton Cancellation Line

[tylergrabo]

My friend and I are going to take our shot at the cancellation line on either Saturday the 28th or Sunday the 29th, and we were planning on arriving at the theater around 7am. On Saturday, there is a 2pm and 7 pm show, and on Sunday there is 3pm matinee. I have a few questions.

- Which day would our chances be better?

- Would it be better if we arrived earlier?

- Are people younger than 18 allowed to buy tickets?

- Do you have any other suggestions to increase our chances?

Thanks!

[Robbyne]

Don't put too much hope in that theory. While the matinee performance, the line mandatorily has to dissipate. Many times, when it's time to line back up, new people will claim #1 spot. The theatre does not care at all, and will pay no attention to a list or anything like that. Could you end up with nice people who let you reclaim your rightful position, sure, but I wouldn't hold your breath unfortunately.

[dokool]

tylergrabo said:

- Which day would our chances be better?
 

If you're willing to tough it out for a whole day, Saturday simply because there's two shows and if you don't get into the matinee you still have a shot at the evening show. That said, you have to accept the risk that more people will be in line because it's the weekend, and also that there may be fewer cancellations.


- Would it be better if we arrived earlier?

Yes - if you absolutely 100% want to get into the matinee, you need to look at arriving pre-sunrise.

- Are people younger than 18 allowed to buy tickets?
 

I don't see why not if you have enough money for tickets, just be smart & safe.


- Do you have any other suggestions to increase our chances?

Beyond "get there super early" and doing the online lottery there's really no way to improve your odds.

[tylergrabo]

- Would it be better if we arrived earlier?

Yes - if you absolutely 100% want to get into the matinee, you need to look at arriving pre

 

[Rainyday3]

I'm going to be in NY for just under a week around the Presidents' Day holiday.  Looking at doing the cancellation line (well, my daughter is the one who said she'll do it), but we need/would like 4 tickets.  Is it possible to get one line sitter for 2 tickets and she waits for two as well?  I've followed this thread for so long, and am not sure what the current rules are.  I could possibly wait with her, but I honestly don't know if I can handle the cold of February for that long!  Or could a line sitter start in the line with her early and then I come relieve the sitter?  I'm looking at trying it on Tuesday, Feb. 21st.  I figured that would be best, since it's after the holiday weekend, but I leave the following day so really don't want to mess up and not get to go!

 

"

 

[dokool]

tylergrabo said: "- Would it be better if we arrived earlier?

Yes - if you absolutely 100% want to get into the matinee, you need to look at arriving pre-sunrise.

 

Is (time) am early enough for a 3pm matinee!"

 

The first rule of Line Club is you don't talk about what time you're showing up to Line Club, because someone else might see your post and decide to beat you by 10-15 minutes.

Read through the experiences of people waiting in line, pick a time you feel good about, and stick with it 

 

[labdogs42]

Robbyne said: "Don't put too much hope in that theory. While the matinee performance, the line mandatorily has to dissipate. Many times, when it's time to line back up, new people will claim #1 spot. The theatre does not care at all, and will pay no attention to a list or anything like that. Could you end up with nice people who let you reclaim your rightful position, sure, but I wouldn't hold your breath unfortunately.

 

So, on matinee days, one can arrive later in order to JUST line up for the evening performance?  in theory?  Has anyone done this?  What time does the "new" line form?  Anyone know?  This is an interesting idea, too.

 

"

 

[SameOleLineDudesLLC]

casedilla2 said: "There are companies of people who sit in this line and do the same thing I do but charge additional money on top of the price of the tickets, so if anyone is a scalper in this situation, it's them.

 

Excuse me? I strongly suggest you look up scalping before you attempt to throw line sitting companies under the bus because another poster wiped the floor with your *ss!  We provide a service, that people pay for. A former client suggested I pop in and check out your post.Glad I did. Deflect much?

 

"

 

[TayTay2]

Was here yesterday. We were number 19 and 20 and we missed getting in. There were still 7 people in front of us. The first couple who arrived got here at 8 am. By 5 pm there were about 26 people. The first couple were able to get tickets an hr before the show started. Closer to 7 the line grew to close to 40. 

[TayTay2]

Anyone interested in tickets for tonight pm me.

[Valyitz]

Walked past the theatre about 15 minutes ago and there was only 1 person in line.

[rosemary234]

PM'd you!

[Plantthefern28]

TayTay2

 

I PM'd you

[MyFavoriteBrunette]

boonanas said: "I'm curious... what is the general occupation of most people that do this line?  Like... I guess I'm mostly talking about the local folks... not the tourists that come out and want to see Hamilton during their big trip to NYC. 

Are most of the 'die-hards' unemployed or students?  Would love to know... ASKING FOR A FRIEND

I sell luxury home fragrances for a living.  Did the line for (see avatar) hours back in March (no ticket obtained) and called out the next day due to complete exhaustion!  An occupation with benefits!  Sick days!   YAY!  

 

[LaVieBoheme2]

Super last minute offer but my friend and I were waiting for the matinee and they ran out of tickets right as they got to us. So now we're waiting for the evening show TONIGHT - we're 3rd in line (two line sitters are ahead of us getting two tickets each). We only need two so we can take up to  2 as our plus ones, if you're willing to pay for our ticket as well. If you're interested, message me!

[234817]

Out of curiosity.. how long was the line today before and after matinee?

[xruby]

LaVieBoheme2 said: "Super last minute offer but my friend and I were waiting for the matinee and they ran out of tickets right as they got to us. So now we're waiting for the evening show TONIGHT - we're 3rd in line (two line sitters are ahead of us getting two tickets each). We only need two so we can take up to  2 as our plus ones, if you're willing to pay for our ticket as well. If you're interested, message me!

"

That's so nice of you!! I hope someone took up your kind offer :) 

[xruby]

Two of us are going to be waiting in the cancellation line next Saturday (1/14) and wanted to see if anyone else was waiting!

I did the line back in May so I'm pretty familiar with it - but I think the cold will be a new challenge for me haha. 

[defygravity2]

After obsessively reading this thread for the past year from California, I finally got to experience it first hand, and I LOVED every minute! I was first to arrive at 4:40am, and by 5:05 there were 6 of us in line (8 tickets total needed). Even through there were nine hours of wind, snow, and VERY cold weather (California born and raised!), I would do this again in a heartbeat! I am thankful I was dealing with HOURS instead of DAYS of waiting in line. 

I will spare you all the details, as they pretty much confirm all the fun stories on this thread of anticipation, camaraderie, and perseverance. I was fully prepared to get our tickets at the last minute, but the one factor I never considered was the last minute craziness of all the ticket holders, will call people, lottery ticket winners, and random people trying to buy a last minute ticket swarming around he theater (probably made even worse from the wind and snow). 

We ended up in a 3rd row orchestra aisle seat (!), and I know at least 8 tickets were given out for the matinee. The box office guy said that there were NOT a lot available.  Earlier in the day, a gal came by  and told me that only 3 tickets given out on Wednesday, 10 on Thursday, and 10 on Friday. I will try to find out how many were actually given out for today's matinee (at least 8 and tonight's show (met some very nice line sitter guys in the past two days who can get me info).

So all this to say, it was a GREAT day for this 50-something, theater-obsessed  mom to experience! Thank you to all the people who have posted your line experiences for the past year.....I have read every single comment and felt prepared for today.

[dokool]

defygravity2 said: "Earlier in the day, a gal came by  and told me that only 3 tickets given out on Wednesday, 10 on Thursday, and 10 on Friday."

3 on Wednesday? They must have been talking about the evening show because at least 20 got into the matinee by my headcount. Congrats though, I was very lucky to do that line on Wednesday w/ great weather and definitely wouldn't have survived the weekend!

[stormyweather2]

Hey HamilFans -- I'm a couple months early with this post, but just trying to get a sense of what my plan should be. I've been reading this thread for a couple weeks and there is a ton of great information here -- thank you guys for being so diligent, kind, and informative!

I'm going to be in NYC over St. Patrick's weekend (coming up from NC for the half marathon on Sunday 3/19). I'll only be there for a few days (Thurs-Mon), so I have a couple of things already scheduled. I've been obsessed with the Hamilton soundtrack for ages but still have not managed to see the show, so I'm thinking of taking a shot at the cancellation line.

My options are as follows, each with a caveat:

 -- Friday 3/17. I could get there very early and wait in line all day / as long as needed. The only issue is, I have a Wicked ticket for that night. I'm willing to sell it back (I've seen that show a dozen times) but I'm concerned about there being enough time to do so, since with the new Ham rules, it seems like tickets are handed out very last-minute and then you're not allowed out once you step in to the box office.

 -- Saturday 3/18. Again, could get there early and wait as long as needed. The issue on this day is that I have a Behind the Emerald Curtain ticket (which I've never done before and so don't want to give up) at 10am. I'd only be gone for 90 minutes or so, but under new rules, seems like swapping in and out of line is no longer allowed? 

 -- Sunday 3/19. This is the day of the half marathon, so although I'll be free all afternoon and evening, I wouldn't be able to get in line super early (realistically, probably not before noon). I've seen a few kindhearted people posting here about line-sitting in exchange for their ticket cost being paid, and I'd be more than willing to do that for someone on that Sunday (or Saturday, for that matter), if anyone happens to see this and is so inclined. 

Thanks in advance for any advice. I know I'm trying to squeeze a lot into one weekend, so if this doesn't happen, that's okay too, but I want to at least make the best effort possible. Either way, I figure I'll mostly just be sitting on my butt eating carbs for the majority of the weekend, and I can do that just as easily in the cancellation line as anywhere else, right? :)

[Browneyes142]

I sent you a pm.

[220Basswood]

I showed up yesterday a little after noon and was 14th in line.  4 more people showed up after me close to 1pm.  We all got tickets at five minutes prior to the curtain.  The seats were in the 6th and 7th rows dead center orchestra.

[casedilla2]

SameOleLineDudesLLC said: "casedilla2 said: "There are companies of people who sit in this line and do the same thing I do but charge additional money on top of the price of the tickets, so if anyone is a scalper in this situation, it's them.

 

Excuse me? I strongly suggest you look up scalping before you attempt to throw line sitting companies under the bus because another poster wiped the floor with your *ss!  We provide a service, that people pay for. A former client suggested I pop in and check out your post.Glad I did. Deflect much?"

I strongly suggest you read what I said before making assumptions and publicly attacking me. I did not say I have any problem at all with the service you offer - clearly I do not since I offer a similar one, just without an added fee. What you do is completely within the rules of the line and I have nothing against you - in fact, I've always gotten along very well with your line sitters and enjoy their company in line. All I meant is that if someone wanted to get technical, your service is much closer to reselling Hamilton tickets at a higher price than face value than mine is, which is why it's odd that a poster decided to specifically come after me for "scalping" when line sitting has been mentioned many times here. I never said there's anything wrong with it.

[220Basswood]

Everyone in the line yesterday was quite nice but I did not meet any line sitters.  I know this because we all told each other that we were only getting tickets for ourselves and then we saw each other sitting in the theater.  The tickets were 200 for the orchestra and some people waiting in line saw that the stub hub prices were 400 but nobody was willing to pay twice the price of the face value for a ticket.  I discovered that the people were willing to let me leave for an hour as long as I later on let them leave for an hour also.  That way none of us paid more than face value and we were not stuck in the line for the entire time. 

[Cupid Boy2]

SameOleLineDudesLLC said: "Excuse me? I strongly suggest you look up scalping before you attempt to throw line sitting companies under the bus because another poster wiped the floor with your *ss!  We provide a service, that people pay for. A former client suggested I pop in and check out your post.Glad I did. Deflect much?"

 I don't care who said what, but the tone of your response is a great impression to give potential customers viewing this thread.