For example, if I got a rush ticket to War Paint, and either Patti or Christine were out, would I be able to refund it since their names are above the title? Or would I not be able to since it's a rush ticket?
Ask them when you buy your rush ticket if both stars are in. The guy may even tell you if they’re out before you purchase. I’ve gotten rush/tkts tickets before when a star is out and they’ve always told me before I paid if someone was out.
This happened to me last year with the Fiddler on the Roof revival. I bought my rush tickets right when the box office opened and at that time there were no known absences, but when I got to the matinee, Danny Burstein had called out sick. The box office refunded my money without issue. I'm not sure if that would vary by production or box office, so I'd check with the box office directly to find out.
When I rushed Bandstand the few days Laura Osnes had another engagement (concert? I don’t remember), they told me at the box office before I bought the ticket. This was a pre-planned absence, though. I rushed Great Comet once when Dave was meant to go on and only found out that Scott was going in his place when I got to the show- however, I don’t think the box office knew when it opened that Dave was going to be out.
It will depend on when the box office hears about the absence, I imagine.
I tried to get my rush ticket refunded when Alfie Boe was out of Finding Neverland, but they wouldn't do it (I know, I know - I didn't miss much - but I was curious to see him in the role and I had already seen Kevin Kern as Barrie). I'm not sure if he was above the title or not, though.
MY friend had seen War Paint on a lottery win, and Christine was out so they gave everyone in the audience tickets to come back and see it again. I'm not sure if they would do that in every circumstance, or just in last minute decisions
The box office is usually really good about refunding when one of the main stars is out. I think I read somewhere that it's policy or a law that they must do that if one of the main performers is out.
If the star's name is listed above the title of the show, they're required to offer a refund, rush ticket or otherwise. Any others would be at the discretion of the box office. So, if either Patti or Christine was out, a refund would be offered. If Ben Platt was out, though, a refund wouldn't be guaranteed. However, at this point, he's the Tony-winning main draw of the show, so refunds are given if he's out.