Harry Potter Friday Forty

[nasty_khakis]

I was lucky enough to win tickets via TodayTix for both parts this Saturday. The email says to arrive no later than an hour before curtain to pick up the tickets.

To me, this seems a bit excessive (even though I obviously can pick them up and kill an hour elsewhere, I'd rather not). Has anyone had experience picking them up later? I don't want to assume it'll be ok and have them have resold the seats to the cancellation line or whatever.

[GeorgeandDot]

This is the case with a lot of lotteries and yes, they will be released if they are not claimed at that time.

[nasty_khakis]

Thanks! I've won other lotteries through TodayTix and other sites and always been fine picking them up at 15 minutes until curtain.

I'll just get there early. Thanks!

[linus84]

Honestly, for this show, I would recommend getting there early anyway as they have a thorough security check. Also there is so much to look at in the lobby that I was glad I had extra time just to walk around.

[kmissa]

I agree, the theater is gorgeous and the line to get in is stupid long. I won lottery and was able to pick hem up earlier. Sorry if I’m reading wrong, but it’s easier to grab them and waste the hour than worry about them being sold. I remember grabbing them at noon that day. Enjoy.

[Fosse76]

I am more impressed that they are actually awarding unclaimed lottery tickets to lottery entrants, unlike Hamilton which sells them at top price to the standby line.

That said, the theater opens an hour before the start of the performance, so you can grab your tickets and get in the line. I'd rather "waste" that hour entering the theater, browsing/buying merchandise. and getting snacks in the theater than walking around Times Square.

[nasty_khakis]

Thanks for all the help.

I've seen the inside of the theatre already and have no plans to buy overpriced snacks and tshirts. I'll pick them up early then walk over to 8th/9th Ave and have a bite to eat and drink.

[GG_Appropriate]

I am curious what others who have won the Friday Forty think of the seat location. I was fortunate to win and certainly am not one to complain about lottery/discounted tickets. That said, they advertise the Friday Forty as "best seats in the theatre" and it didn't seem to be the case. We were in the dress circle, Row A but all the way in the corner which led to a limited view of the right side of the stage and a railing in our way. 

To be clear, I was very fortunate to get these tickets at such a low price and certainly shouldn't be complaining. But I find it odd to advertise "best seats" and to provide partial view to winners.

[dramamama611]

GG_Appropriate said: "But I find it odd to advertise "best seats" and to provide partial view to winners."

 

Sorry, I've heard nothing but good things about the seats.

 

[LxGstv]

dramamama611 said: "GG_Appropriate said: "But I find it odd to advertise "best seats" and to provide partial view to winners."



Sorry, I've heard nothing but good things about the seats.

"

Except you know, from the poster right above you...

[GG_Appropriate]

So there were not my specific seats but another Friday Forty winner posted this view. Seems I'm not the only one who was in the corner behind a railing.  You end up having to strain your neck most of the show to see the show which, again, I wouldn't consider "best in the theatre."  They are certainly close to the sage, just on a strange angle and you have to be tall to see everything over the railing.

https://aviewfrommyseat.com/photo/89030/Lyric+Theatre/section-Dress+circle+left/row-A/seat-29/

[mpkie]

GG_Appropriate said: "I am curious what others who have won the Friday Forty think of the seat location. I was fortunate to win and certainly am not one to complain about lottery/discounted tickets. That said, they advertise the Friday Forty as "best seats in the theatre" and it didn't seem to be the case. We were in the dress circle, Row A but all the way in the corner which led to a limited view of the right side of the stage and a railing in our way.

To be clear, I was very fortunate to get these tickets at such a low price and certainly shouldn't be complaining. But I find it odd to advertise "best seats" and to provide partial view to winners."

I was floored when I won these, and got seats in the same area (Row A Dress Circle all the way to the side) and I thought the view was EXCELLENT, and I can be a seat snob. I could see all the effects and facial expressions. Seats in that area sell for over $100.

 

Re: the original question, I actually didn't show up a full hour before claiming, I actually just got in line approx 45 min before, and as I found out the box office was not the same door way as the main entrance but along the way, I popped in and took me 2 min to grab my tickets and got back in line where my friend was holding the spot. Felt very efficient :) But yes the line is looong.

Go straight to the box office if you see a long line because it's probably not the line to the box office.

[kmissa]

It's hard to complain with the price of lottery seats, but we missed some things seated in the front row. I think b/c the stage is a bit high? 

[nasty_khakis]

One more question--

You've mentioned a very thorough security process, just how thorough? I always carry a stainless steel water bottle with me and no theatre has ever even questioned it or stopped me for it, even the Rudin shows that say no outside food or drink. 

[linus84]

You do go through a metal detector in which you have to put keys, phone, etc in a tray before you walk through. I don't think the water bottle will be a problem but I also didn't bring anything in with me.

[Kendale1974]

Has anyone shown up after the 1 hour requirement? The trains are down and we're in an Uber but we'll be 20 min late.