I did it last month for a Friday evening show and I think the first people got in line around 3:45 or so, but it didn't seem like it really filled up for another hour. The holiday may make an impact for you, though, yes.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
I am planning a trip to New York. Just to clarify - you waited from 3:45 until 8 pm (when the show started) for standing room only tickets? Or were the tickets distributed at some point and you could return for the show? I would like to know how long one must wait for these tickets.
Standing room tickets at Mormon are sold immediately following the sale of the last lottery ticket. So depending on how efficiently lotto goes and how quickly the lotto winners get their credit cards/cash out, it's usually around 6:15.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
and while in SRO line you can also enter the lottery for front row and box seats. I have done SRO for BOM 12 times and got in every time. Longest wait was 13 hours (in the beginning), shortest wait about 3 hours about a year ago.
Longest I have ever waited for anything was about 18 hours for NPH's last week of Hedwig and well worth it.
I remember once as a fluke earlier on in the run, I went straight from Peter and the Starcatcher to the Mormon standing room line. I would estimate that meant my wait was only about 2.5 hours or so. It can depend on the weather, too.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Thank you for the information. I'm still thinking about whether I'm ready to stand for the entire performance. I'm not a college student anymore. We will be visiting with our 2 kids, one in high school and one in college. No way can we afford regular tickets to The Book of Mormon, but I have never stood through a performance before. Of course we will try the lottery, but it doesn't sound promising.
Many years ago I lived in London and theater was cheap and easy. I didn't realize how good I had it. The prices in New York are overwhelming. We will have four days in the city. I have purchased Les Miz tickets and plan to see Ave Q, which seems pretty easy to get. I'd like to see Wicked, but it will only happen if we win the lottery. Would love to see the King and I, but it seems to be pretty sold out. I thought the kids might be able to see that through student rush but I don't know. Is Broadway in Bryant Park something you would recommend? I thought Amazing Grace might be a possibility, but the reviews have been negative.
I'm not in college anymore either. This really is the best way to see it for a great price with a great view. I've done the line near families, married couples, college students, high school students, you name it.
The first time I sat down for Mormon after a dozen or so times standing for it, I felt so confined! It's really not a bad standing room experience at all (and it's the only two-act show I've ever stood for).
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Thank you again for the information. I've learned a lot from reading this message board. I already have tickets for Wednesday night, so from Thursday to Saturday is the Saturday Matinee the best time to try?