Hamilton Cancellation Line

[Fredd3]

My wife and i are planning on getting on line one Saturday in NYC soon (Not sure which one, we live in northern NJ so we'll play it by ear).  We'll see either matinee or evening.  What's the current news on the earliest we should get there on a Saturday this time of year to be pretty much guaranteed tickets at for either show (not premium or SRO)?

[wammyguide]

Hey all, I was thinking about seeing Hamilton within the next few months, and I was wondering how the cancellation line has been recently.

[bngu172]

Hi everyone! Also was interested in doing the cancellation line sometime this week. About what time should I arrive to box office on a weekday to sort of guarantee seats? Thank you -- any and all info is appreciated!

[mxfish1313]

Fredd3 said: "My wife and i are planning on getting on line one Saturday in NYC soon (Not sure which one, we live in northern NJ so we'll play it by ear). We'll see either matinee or evening. What's the current news on the earliest we should get there ona Saturday this time of year to be pretty much guaranteed tickets at for either show (not premium or SRO)?"

I'd been checking this thread for the last few months before my visit this past weekend and got a lot of helpful tips, despite no one having any recommendations or info for the month prior to my actual visit. BUT! I can share my experience with the cancellation line which was this past Saturday, 4/14.

My mom and I were staying at a hotel at 48th and 8th so we were only a couple blocks up from the theater.We already had 6 tickets for other shows for Thursday - Sunday so we were really banking on getting tix for the matinee that day, since we couldn't try again. We had stopped by on Thursday to see if they happened to have any they could sell to us then, but they only had one so we passed and said we'd try the line. My mom asked something about the time to get there and she said when she gets in at 9:30 there's usually only about 5 people or so. BUT, NYC has had crazy-bad weather recently and this past Saturday was forecast to be the first warm day in months. We weren't risking it.

Saturday, we woke up at 6:30, got some coffee, and headed down to the theater just before 7. There were two line sitters ahead of us, but that was to be expected. Around 7:15 another woman showed up. By 8, there were another 5 or 6. There were probably about 16 by the time the box office actually opened, so I'm glad I trusted my instincts on timing for getting down there. So the BO was now open so we wait. And wait. And wait. A guy comes out confirming that we don't want premium tickets. People who don't know the drill ask him about those and one older couple actually bites and heads in with him around 11. They still haven't pulled anyone in for actual cancellation tickets by 11:15 and one old school line sitter tells the newbie line sitter that this is really unusual. This makes my mom and I a little nervous since it seems like most people wouldn't miss a weekend matinee on a nice day. Finally they come out offering a pair just after 11:30 and pull the first line sitter in. The other actually goes with him because they were actually trying to get 3 for the same clients and were able to work something out with the venue. The theater came out with a single at about 11:45, which most of the line passed on until it got to about the 14th girl in line who took it.

FINALLY, just before noon, the guy leans around the corner and crooks his finger at us. We go in and the lady confirms that we want two and tells us the price (the usual $229 each). Mom hands over her card and I ask her where the seats are and she says "second row, center orchestra". I started hearing circus music and told her she was my favorite. It was absolutely amazing. I saw it from the 6th row Orchestra Left in LA with the same Hamilton (Michael Luwoye, so GOOD) but was only able to get one ticket so my mom still hadn't seen it until now. She loved it and agreed that the 5 hours waiting was absolutely worth it for those seats.

The weather turned bad again right before we left the city, but I'd say there's going to be more and more people waiting early as the sun starts shining more. You're never gonna beat the line sitters (these two got there at midnight and 1:30am) but just bring a couple jackets (one to sit on, those steps are hard and cold) and just people-watch. There were two kids sat next to us on the end of the aisle who were also in the cancellation line, but I'm not sure exactly how far back because the middle section turned into less of a line than a group, but they were at least 10 people back and they got in.

Hope this excess of info helps! It kind of just boils down to: if you're willing to wait, it's gonna pay off. If you REALLY want to see it, don't risk it and just show up early. Good luck!

[Fredd3]

I'll share my experience with the NYC line from Yesterday, Friday 4/20/18

My wife and i got there about 1:30 and we were the 11th & 12th in line as far as tickets (we were 9 and 10 but two people were buying 2 tickets each)

I found out that the last person before me got there around 11 so we would have had to get there at 10 to get any closer.

The first three people got tickets around 4-5:00.  After that no more for a while.  They moved us to the side of the theater around 7:00 (curtain was 8:05).  

At this point, we were #8 and 9.  I wasn't too concerned as i had heard that the most tickets become available in the hour prior to showtime and that's what happened here.  They started letting people from my line in slowly one group at a time.  I was a little concerned at 7:45 - 20 minutes before curtain, we were 2nd and 3rd but we got in and sat down about 1 minute before showtime. - Row F center orchestra!  We couldn't have asked for better seats!

Fantastic show and definitely worth the wait.  My advice to anyone is to pick a weekday but don't cut it as close as i did.  Show up no later than 10AM and you're pretty much guaranteed to get in.  Keep in mind that i imagine this may change as the weather gets warmer.  It was chilly yesterday so i'm sure that kept some people away.  

[bwaykelly2]

So I have been following this since the beginning but yesterday was my first time trying. I got to the theater at 6:30 PM for the wednesday evening show. I was seventh in line. Within 30 minutes of arriving, the first person was sold a ticket. Then by 7:30 PM, the next two were taken in to buy tickets. The next tickets were all sold one at a time starting at about 7:50 PM. The woman ahead of me was taken in around 7:58 PM and they came for me around 8:02 PM. I was trying to wait it out for SRO tickets because the officer who works there said they still VERY OCCASIONALLY have them if all of the cast/crew don't use them for family and friends that night. I wasn't *needing* to see the show, so I took the risk waiting I sent the woman behind me in my place and she was the last to be sold a ticket. So they had at least 7. My experience may have been an anomaly, but if someone was visiting and really wanted to see the show, I really didn't wait that long. 

I will mention that while the officer was very friendly and gave good insight, the man who was taking people to the box office seemed very annoyed when I mentioned I was wanting to try for SRO. 

[Fredd3]

bwaykelly2 said: "So I have been following this since the beginning but yesterday was my first time trying. I got to the theater at 6:30 PM for the wednesday evening show. I was seventh in line. Within 30 minutes of arriving, the first person was sold a ticket. Then by 7:30 PM, the next two were taken in to buy tickets. The next tickets were all sold one at a time starting at about 7:50 PM. The woman ahead of me was taken in around 7:58 PM and they came for me around 8:02 PM. I was trying to wait it out for SRO tickets because the officer who works there said they still VERY OCCASIONALLY have them if all of the cast/crew don't use them for family and friends that night. I wasn't *needing* to see the show, so I took the risk waiting I sent the woman behind me in my place and she was the last to be sold a ticket. So they had at least 7. My experience may have been an anomaly, but if someone was visiting and really wanted to see the show, I really didn't wait that long.

I will mention that while the officer was very friendly and gave good insight, the man who was taking people to the box office seemed very annoyed when I mentioned I was wanting to try for SRO."

That IS an unusually short wait.  Was this in NYC?  So, i take it you passed on the show due to no SRO, but you COULD have bought a ticket, right?  I wonder if you had the same officer we did.  He was also very friendly and was glad to answer any questions we had.  

[bwaykelly2]

Fredd3 said: "bwaykelly2 said: "So I have been following this since the beginning but yesterday was my first time trying. I got to the theater at 6:30 PM for the wednesday evening show. I was seventh in line. Within 30 minutes of arriving, the first person was sold a ticket. Then by 7:30 PM, the next two were taken in to buy tickets. The next tickets were all sold one at a time starting at about 7:50 PM. The woman ahead of me was taken in around 7:58 PM and they came for me around 8:02 PM. I was trying to wait it out for SRO tickets because the officer who works there said they still VERY OCCASIONALLY have them if all of the cast/crew don't use them for family and friends that night. I wasn't *needing* to see the show, so I took the risk waiting I sent the woman behind me in my place and she was the last to be sold a ticket. So they had at least 7. My experience may have been an anomaly, but if someone was visiting and really wanted to see the show, I really didn't wait that long.

I will mention that while the officer was very friendly and gave good insight, the man who was taking people to the box office seemed very annoyed when I mentioned I was wanting to try for SRO."

That IS an unusually short wait. Was this in NYC? So, i take it you passed on the show due to no SRO, but you COULD have bought a ticket, right? I wonder if you had the same officer we did. He was also very friendly and was glad to answerany questions we had."

Yeah, it was NYC. I did pass, they did not offer SRO. I would have been able to buy a ticket but I would have been the last person. 

 

[MadsonMelo]

Basically all the tickets of the cancellation line costs around U$229?

Also, I will be going to try this in October, like middle of the month, do you guys think it will be better or worse to get tickets?

[Fredd3]

MadsonMelo said: "Basically all the tickets of the cancellation line costs around U$229?

Also, I will be going to try this in October, like middle of the month, do you guys think it will be better or worse to get tickets?"

Yes $229.  I would think october would be a good time as the weather should be cooler and the kids will be back in school so that may keep a lot of people away.  Just get there as early as possible and be prepared to sit there all day.  There are bathrooms in the Marriott next door and places around where you can get something to eat.  The cop that talked to us said Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best days to try.

[MadsonMelo]

Those are mezz seats, right?

Thanks, I'll take an entire day to dedicate to Hamilton!

[Fredd3]

MadsonMelo said: "Those are mezz seats, right?

Thanks, I'll take an entire day to dedicate to Hamilton!"

They're house seats so they're most likely going to be center orchestra in the first 12-13 rows.  

We got 6th row center - fantastic seats.  No guarantees but it's a small theater so you should be fine wherever.

 

[(Insert Clever Name)]

I got cancelation seats in row a mezz center, so not necessarily

[Fredd3]

(Insert Clever Name) said: "I got cancelation seats in row a mezzcenter, so notnecessarily"

Front mezz or rear?  Front mezz row A would be excellent seats.  You get a nice view of everything but still pretty close.  But you're right.  There's no guarantee.  Bust most of them will be in the center orchestra.

[SherrieByTheSea]

Had tickets to another show but just went by this morning to check out line. At 10am there were only 5 people. I was kicking myself so much. I had thought line would be so long that there wouldn't be any use to even try.

[Fredd3]

SherrieByTheSea said: "Had tickets to another show but just went by this morning to check out line. At 10am there were only 5 people. I was kicking myself so much. I had thought line would be so long that there wouldn't be any use to even try."

It really can change from day to day.  I've knew someone who was walking by at 6:30 one evening and saw nobody on line.  He was able to walk right up and get a cancellation ticket.  Other days you have to line up in the early morning to get in.  You never can tell.

[david67]

Has anyone had success trying for SRO lately? I know that it is extremely unlikely, but I was hoping to try on Wednesday. 

[(Insert Clever Name)]

I know a person who happens to be a doctor of Mr. Nederlanders... They were able to purchase house seats from him for only 199 and in center orch row c. I wonder why they were not given standard row g seats?

[Shreya Jain]

Anyone had success with this recently? How early did you go?

[david67]

Last Tuesday evening everyone in line who wanted tickets for 229 got in. They had more and were trying to sell them to people walking by in front of the theater. On Wednesday, 10 or so tickets were given out maybe 30-45 minutes after the box office opened. More were available throughout the morning and closer to the matinee. In the evening, everyone in line who wanted them also got in for 229. At least 4 SRO tickets were available as well.  

[Cleareyedidealist]

Just adding in bc this thread was really helpful to me as I planned our one-day trip. We already had DEH matinee tickets for yesterday and my daughter was hoping to see Beautiful with Marissa Benoist but I didn’t realize it didn’t have a Weds pm show so I thought we’d try for Hamilton even though we have tickets to see it when it comes to our city. We arrived in nyc and got to the box office just before it opened. at 9:50am there were two line sitters and two other tourists ahead of us (so we were tickets #7 and waiting for 8pm tickets plus 6 people waiting for matinee tickets. The first line sitter got called in and got his clients’ tickets when the box office opened. Then one single matinee became available and one person in a party of three got that. Then nothing. We waited abt 30 mins before I asked the line sitter and the box office and they told me it was unlikely they would have that many evening performance tickets available before the matinee. I was told on two-show days, the pm ticket cancellations start coming in during the intermission of the matinee. I wasn’t going to be able to wait for that So we took off and checked into our hotel and went to soho to shop before DEH. By 4:30 when DEH got out I ran over to the line and learned that everyone in the morning (incl the two guys who had been waiting for pm tickets) had gotten tickets for the matinee and only one line sitter was still waiting for pm tickets. I was 6th in line (My daughter stayed to do stagedoor At DEH) but the 4-5 people in front of me had only arrived in line just minutes before. Eventually about 10 -15 more people got in line behind us and from looking around at intermission, it seemed like everyone got in (we were literally high fiving each other). The line sitter (Adonis!) said Hamilton has slowed down a lot and Harry Potter and Mean Girls are the hottest tickets. Lines may be longer in the summer and def on weekends but you never know. He said they usually have around 12-20 tickets every performance. He’s seen them have 30+. The unclaimed lottery tickets go first. Then house tickets and Standing Room (if any) become available closer to curtain time so being first in line is not necessarily the way to the best seats. The line sitter had arrived at 5:45am, waited all day, and got his clients’ tickets (unclaimed lottery Row A) at 5pm. Then another lady got called in right after him and she got two $229 tickets on the aisle Row G. Two other people got called in at 7 they got more Tow G. Then two ladies got side orchestra Row J and K. Then nothing. At 7:45 a solo lady ahead of me got called and she got Row F seat 103.  Then I got Row F seats 105/107 in the center orchestra, exactly in line with the conductor. These tickets list on stub hub for $2,660!! People behind us also seemed to get house seats Rows (K and L? ). I didn’t hear of anyone being offered $749 tickets. The box office lady told me they often put those back up for sale on Ticketmaster. All in all waiting in the cancellation line was the smartest three hours investment of my time. We got to see Michael Oluwe and he was fantastic and Gregory Treco was understudy for George WShington and was freaking amazing. Good luck!

[kmissa]

Incredible. Thanks for the detailed update.

[yesraccoons]

Just wondering if anyone knows how much the lottery cancelation tickets are? Are they full price like 229$ or?

[(Insert Clever Name)]

Yes, they are 229 and a total rip off IMO

[Fredd3]

(Insert Clever Name) said: "Yes, they are 229 and a total rip off IMO"

Oh, so you haven't seen it.  You should play the lottery and see if you can get tickets that way for your own education.