Hey guys, Has anyone done the student rush for Memphis since the Tonys? I'm going in the morning to get tickets for the evening performance and was wondering if getting there at 9am was too late.
The week before the Tony's I got a ticket at 1:58 for a 2:00 show. The BO staff is incredibly nice (which was the best part of the experience IMO), I wouldn't be terribly concerned.
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The student rush tickets ($26.50) are in row AA, the very front row. To get them, I'd recommend getting in line at least an hour before the box office opens (normally, they open at 10 a.m.; on Sunday, noon). Since the Tonys, there's been a greater demand. A couple of Sundays ago, a friend said she met someone in line who said it was their third attempt (and succeeded).
I happen to like sitting really close, but if you want to get a better perspective of the dancers, it's better to be back several rows. But then again, for $26.50, it's a bargain.
Recently, however, they've started to sell these seats as partial-view, to the general public, so they also can be bought in advance (for about $66), which can eat into the supply of the student rush seats. In that case, they sometimes go into the AA seats on the sides (which are a little problematic). Occasionally, an onstage prop (like a trunk or a table) might block your view for a little bit, but it is only temporary.
The tradeoff is being close enough to see facial expressions and the detailing on the costumes. Plus, there's an energy to sitting near the stage. Good luck, Little Broken!
Update: I was in Shubert Alley, so I stopped by 'Memphis.' Thanks to the big boost in business (and interest) they've gotten from winning the Tony for Best Musical, it looks like it'll be more competitive to get student rush. I'm told that the first person in line for rush today (Sat., July 17) was there at 7:30 a.m.; again, I don't know if this is because it's the weekend, or the new norm. At any rate, I'd urge getting to the theater earlier than just an hour before the B.O. opens.
Plus, the partial-view front-row seats (AA) that they've been selling to the general public at $66.50, are now $89.50. ... As late as mid-spring, I remember 'Memphis' would sell rush tickets to not only the front row, but elsewhere (sides of the orchestra, mezzanine). What a difference a Tony makes. Even though it makes it harder to get rush, I'm thrilled that 'Memphis' is doing so well. Updated On: 7/17/10 at 07:41 PM
Hey all, Just wondering if anyone can confirm that Memphis is still doing rush seats? I have heard different opinions. Thnx! :) -megs
Shows seen in 2011: Rock of Ages (WE, Shaftesbury Theatre - 7 Oct), Jersey Boys (WE, Prince Edward Theatre - 1 Sep), Cirque du Soleil: Zarkana (Broadway, Radio City Music Hall - 26 Aug), RENT (Broadway, New World Stages - 25 Aug), Hair (Broadway, St. James Theatre - 24 Aug), The Book of Mormon (Broadway *WON LOTTO*, Eugene O'Neill Theatre - 24 Aug), Dress Circle Benefit Gala (WE, Her Majesty's Theatre - 7 Aug), Derren Brown: Svengali (WE, Shaftesbury Theatre - 6 July), Lend me a Tenor the Musical (WE, Gielgud Theatre - 3 June), Lord of the Flies (WE, Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park - 2 June), In a Forest Dark and Deep (WE, Vaudeville Theatre - 31 May), Jersey Boys (WE, Prince Edward Theatre - 28 May), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (WE, Gielgud Theatre - 2 May), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (WE, Palace Theatre - 29 Apr), Les Miserables (WE, Queens Theatre - 20 Apr), Thrill me (WE, Tristan Bates Theatre - 14 Apr), Ghost the Musical (Manchester, Opera House - 13 Apr), Million Dollar Quartere (WE, Noel Coward Theatre - 5 Apr), The Lion King (WE, Lyceum Theatre - 16 Mar), The Exonerated (WE, Charing Cross Theatre - 15 Mar), The Children's Hour (WE, Comedy Theatre - 14 Mar), Clybourne Park (WE, Wyndhams Theatre - 12 Mar), Company (WE, Southwark Playhouse - 12 Mar), The 25th annual putnam county spelling bee (WE, Donmar - 2 March), Jersey Boys (WE, Prince Edward Theatre - 11 Feb), Million Dollar Quartet (WE, Noel Coward - 9 Feb), Love Story (WE, Duchess Theatre - 7 Feb), Lance Horne:First things last (WE, Garrick Theatre - 30 Jan), La Boheme (WE, Soho Theatre - 29 Jan), Legally Blonde (WE, Savoy Theatre - 10.Jan)
They are. I'd recommend getting there at least an hour and a half to two hours before the BO opens though if you want a good seat. They also sell the boxes as rush occasionally (the view from the boxes is iffy though) and I've seen them sell the sides of the orchestra too.
Post-Tony Awards: It's a very different picture. As Classicalprose suggests, it's best to get there around 8 a.m. or so (before the box office opens at 10). A friend who did the rush yesterday says the first person in line got there at 7 a.m. Good luck, megs1222! Updated On: 8/6/10 at 11:46 AM
Thanks for your replies, its been a while since I've been in NYC so your help has been much appreciated! :)
-megs
Shows seen in 2011: Rock of Ages (WE, Shaftesbury Theatre - 7 Oct), Jersey Boys (WE, Prince Edward Theatre - 1 Sep), Cirque du Soleil: Zarkana (Broadway, Radio City Music Hall - 26 Aug), RENT (Broadway, New World Stages - 25 Aug), Hair (Broadway, St. James Theatre - 24 Aug), The Book of Mormon (Broadway *WON LOTTO*, Eugene O'Neill Theatre - 24 Aug), Dress Circle Benefit Gala (WE, Her Majesty's Theatre - 7 Aug), Derren Brown: Svengali (WE, Shaftesbury Theatre - 6 July), Lend me a Tenor the Musical (WE, Gielgud Theatre - 3 June), Lord of the Flies (WE, Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park - 2 June), In a Forest Dark and Deep (WE, Vaudeville Theatre - 31 May), Jersey Boys (WE, Prince Edward Theatre - 28 May), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (WE, Gielgud Theatre - 2 May), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (WE, Palace Theatre - 29 Apr), Les Miserables (WE, Queens Theatre - 20 Apr), Thrill me (WE, Tristan Bates Theatre - 14 Apr), Ghost the Musical (Manchester, Opera House - 13 Apr), Million Dollar Quartere (WE, Noel Coward Theatre - 5 Apr), The Lion King (WE, Lyceum Theatre - 16 Mar), The Exonerated (WE, Charing Cross Theatre - 15 Mar), The Children's Hour (WE, Comedy Theatre - 14 Mar), Clybourne Park (WE, Wyndhams Theatre - 12 Mar), Company (WE, Southwark Playhouse - 12 Mar), The 25th annual putnam county spelling bee (WE, Donmar - 2 March), Jersey Boys (WE, Prince Edward Theatre - 11 Feb), Million Dollar Quartet (WE, Noel Coward - 9 Feb), Love Story (WE, Duchess Theatre - 7 Feb), Lance Horne:First things last (WE, Garrick Theatre - 30 Jan), La Boheme (WE, Soho Theatre - 29 Jan), Legally Blonde (WE, Savoy Theatre - 10.Jan)
I don't know how strict they are, but when I was in line the other day, there were students in front of me, trying to get the rush, and they all seemed to whip out their student I.D.'s.
As for where the rush seats are located, they're in the very front row (AA). Due to the increased demand for student rush, they recently included the box seats as well. That's good news for you students. Hockadoo!
Has Anyone rushed recently and what time did you get there? I've only got one chance to get tickets soo I have to be there on time. Let me know Broadwayworld people :) Love you