Hedwig Advice

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 10:33pm

Hi, I went to the 10 pm show this past Saturday and have some stuff to pass on. Possible spoilers here so I will give the advice first then tell the story.

If you are doing SRO line you can enter the lotto too.
If you are doing the SRO line be prepared to stand the whole time waiting in line. They do not allow you to sit. and they check frequently.
If you are in the SRO line they ask you to keep the volume of your conversation down (if you get loud, or what they consider loud). there is a show going on in the theater.
When you get to the theater TURN OFF Your phone and don't take pictures. They will make you delete them. and they are Very persistent about making sure your phone is off. (My friend was powering down her phone and they came over 3 times to check that it was off.)
If you show up for the 10pm lottery, it is moved down the block because they cannot have all the people in front of the theater while the show is going on. They have people outside to tell you where to go if you cannot find it.
DO NOT YELL "NEIL", "WE LOVE YOU NEIL", Or anything else at him. HE did that bit, It got written up. Some idiot kept yelling at quiet times in the show and he (NPH) ignored the first 3 times this idiot yelled "NEIL". The fourth time NPH made up some stupid line about Standing and continued the show.
Okay lastly and most important. When you get to the theater, PEE. Depending on what section you are in once a certain part of the show passes, they will not let you back to your seat if you are on the by the bar side of the theater.



SPOILERS BELOW





Okay so my friend and myself got SRO tickets for the show. Great standing spots. About 3/4 of the way through I hear this loud whispering going on over by the far aisle. The usher is telling this woman that she cannot return to her seat because a costume change is about to happen and they had to keep the aisle clear, so you will have to watch the end of the show from here (far SRO by the sound booth). Well the woman would have none of this and came over and pushed her way into our SRO spots and the usher told her over and over that she HAD TO MOVE. After about 5 minutes of this I went off on the woman (I am 60 something, The other woman was in her 50's) The usher gave me a big smile and the woman left until after curtain call when she returned to try and tell me off. The usher returned when she saw the situation and very nicely asked the other woman to leave. So to avoid any problems just pee when you get there. It's only a 90 minute show. Hold it until the end.









Updated On: 5/5/14 at 10:33 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 10:55pm

SPOILER





It is of the utmost importance that the aisle and certain area in the back be kept clear at that moment. Yitzak has around a minute to run down that aisle and change from a man into a woman in her gown, makeup, and wig. A crucial part of the show. The house staff must be strict as hell. It's an intense moment.

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:02pm

I knew this going in (i saw the show from lottery seats while it was in previews) But, this woman was not having any of it. She informed me how much she paid for her seats and Look where I was watching the show from. In STANDING ROOM like i was the scum of the earth. She was a total b##ch. I am just glad I made the poor usher's night when I told the woman off.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:07pm

They make you stand in line the entire time? How is that even legal?

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:11pm

Yes, Clyde. I do not know how legal it is, but they do and they check. My friend tried to sit for a few minutes to eat and they told her stand or she would have leave the line.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:16pm

Seriously F*CK THAT! I'm not trying to stand for 5 hours as some reports have stated. If you brought a folding chair they wouldn't allow that either?

Thanks for the advice also, brdway.

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:23pm

Nope and there is no where for the folding chair to be put when you get in to the theater. With SRO they are VERY STRICK. I stepped back to stretch my back for a minute and an usher came over and told my I NEEDED to stand in my SRO spot close to the wall. And we were nowhere near where the costume change happens.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:24pm

Wait, why would it matter, as long as the line is organized? I can't even imagine why you wouldn't get to sit. They check on you? Who do they think they are, the police?

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:28pm

Not sure peeing before a show is Hedwig-specific advice.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:29pm

They have a very Strick house manager also, which is a good thing for the chaos that ensues at Hedwig.

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:30pm

Yes, They keep coming out and checking on the line. To make sure that everyone is behaving, and standing. Oh, and god forbid you get to close to the steps. They have a cow. "THE STEPS MUST BE KEPT CLEAR AT ALL TIMES"! "If we have to tell you again, we will get security".

It was one of the most unpleasant SRO lines and experiences I have ever had.

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:32pm

Haterobics: It is Hedwig specific if you are in the area where they will not allow you to return to your seat. I counted at least 10 people get up and leave to pee.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:34pm

I appreciate strict house staff once I'm IN the theater. But.... Jesus.

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:38pm

I kind of think that should be the policy at every theater, though. If you already interrupt/make people in your row get up in the middle of the show to let you out... stay out until intermission (most shows)/the end (one acts).

You are making a good case against the 10pm show, though. People who had time after dinner to drink before heading to the show... Updated On: 5/4/14 at 11:38 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:42pm

No, I think it's ridiculous that people don't go to the bathroom before the show or can't hold it for such a short show. Especially when you are making people get up for you. I was talking about them checking on you outside.

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:42pm

^^^ I agree, and all the drama could have been avoided.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:46pm

I guess it's better than having lax security who lets people do whatever they want. Yeah?

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:52pm

Is there any actual law/legal ruling that gives theaters any standing on thinking they have any say on what happens on the city sidewalk outside their theater? I know they think they own to the curb, but...

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:54pm

I forgot the other piece is advice I had. DO NOT YELL "NEIL", "WE LOVE YOU NEIL", Or anything else at him. HE did the bit, It got written up. Some idiot kept yelling at quiet times in the show and he (NPH) ignored the first 3 times this idiot yelled "NEIL". The fourth time NPH made up some stupid line about Standing and continued the show.

Updated On: 5/4/14 at 11:54 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:55pm

But... can we yell Neil?

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:57pm

Thanks will correct. My Auto correct is acting up.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 5/4/14 at 11:59pm

I hate it when people get up to go to the bathroom, I mean, hold it unless you are about to burst. also, I hate when people come late, and not just a couple of minutes but LATE, when I saw Ghost on tour, two ladies came 35 minutes into the show and made half an entire row get up, then took forever settling in and to stop talking- Low Class.

- I do think what is going on on the street is just plain crazy though.
"Sure, it's sheer abuse of power, ain't that what power's for!- Ursula, The Little Mermaid

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/5/14 at 12:06am

"Is there any actual law/legal ruling that gives theaters any standing on thinking they have any say on what happens on the city sidewalk outside their theater?"

I don't have knowledge of that law but I'm sure the theater staff doesn't keep coming out to check for the sheer enjoyment of it.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 5/5/14 at 12:53am

^ ok when I do SRO on saturday for 7 hours lets see them try and make me stand the whole time, my first response will be, "thats nice please feel free to call the cops if im breaking some rule". Cant stand power trips.

To my knowledge it is not illegal to sit on a nyc sidewalk UNLESS you impede the flow of pedestrians Updated On: 5/5/14 at 12:53 AM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 5/5/14 at 1:04am

Jane, the issue is whether or not there is legal standing (pun intended) for the theatre to require people to stand for hours on end on a public walkway. It would seem to me anything outside the theatre is fair game and they cannot require any such thing. Part of me wants to call 311 and ask about this.