Is Broadway Lottery the way to go?

[Adescalzo14]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 2:03pm

I've one the lottery multiple times (Wicked, School of Rock x2, Angles in America, Spongebob the musical x2, Summer: the donna summer musical x2, and getting the band back together. I wanted to know what other people won and what do you think is really hard to win?

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 3:06pm

Adescalzo14 said: "what do you think is really hard to win?"

Powerball.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 3:24pm

The way to go for WHAT?   The more popular a show is the harder it is to win the lottery.  From your lucky list of wins, Wicked is the only one, to me, that registers as "difficult".  Currently Hamilton and Harry Potter are probably the most difficult.

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 3:37pm

It sounds like Broadway Roulette is up your alley. Have you tried it before? I'm "spinning" this Sunday.

[dearalanaaaa]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 4:25pm

The lottery is good for those who live within 50 miles of NYC and are willing to drop everything they're doing to see a show. That's why I've started to prefer rush- After Hansen lottery seat me in the first row (which I loved and hated) after making me leave classes to buy the ticket without a card or a partner to go with VS rushing Waitress for front mezz seats on the side (Which were amazing) after standing outside for 2 hours the winner was clear. I'd also throw out there TKTs if you have a bit of extra cash, they gave premium Angels in America seats for both parts for the price of one regular ticket to Hansen!

[Adescalzo14]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 5:02pm

TheSassySam said: "It sounds like Broadway Roulette is up your alley. Have you tried it before? I'm "spinning" this Sunday."

If wanted to let me know how it goes!

[FrizzyAnya]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 5:04pm

I live close and I’m cheap, so I’d say it’s the way to go. Over the last 2 years I’ve seen many shows via lottery:
The Lion King, Hamilton, Wicked, Dear Evan Hansen, Kinky Boots, Anastasia, Aladdin, War Paint, School of Rock, Groundhog Day, Spongebob, Jerry Springer the Opera, and Travesties.

But I also recommend rushing shows for rush seats or SRO. I just find it difficult because I work in the mornings. But I’ve done Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Book of Mormon, The Boys in the Band, Mean Girls, Waitress, Pretty Woman, and The Band’s Visit via rush lines.

(Like I said, I’m cheap. I set a limit of $50 max per show I was willing to spend and I’ve kept to that.)

[chapie1968]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 6:42pm

dramamama611 said: "The way to go for WHAT? The more popular a show is the harder it is to win the lottery. From your lucky list of wins, Wicked is the only one, to me, that registers as "difficult". Currently Hamilton and Harry Potter are probably the most difficult."

Add Springsteen On Broadway, maybe more(at least as) difficult than both of them.

[kelsey1389]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 7:17pm

This is probably a stupid question, but are the digital lotteries harder to win? I've entered quite a few and had no luck so far. Thursday is my first day off of work in 3 weeks so I'm entering ANY show that has a digital lottery.

[Adescalzo14]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 7:35pm

kelsey1389 said: "This is probably a stupid question, but are the digital lotteries harder to win? I've entered quite a few and had no luck so far. Thursday is my first day off of work in 3 weeks so I'm entering ANY show that has a digital lottery."

I win maybe once a week, The ones I won twice were Summer: the donna summer musical, Spongebob, and school of rock. But I think the more popular the show the harder it is, I really don't know. 

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 10:05pm

Yes, digital is likely much more difficult.  For one, you don't even have to be in the city - so anyone that feels like they can get into the city in enough time can now enter - and all the people that couldn't enter before because they were working, can do so.  About 1/2 of them aren't even the day of anymore - making it even easier for those further away having a chance.

I've never won a lottery - in person or otherwise.  (To be fair, I don't enter very often.)

[Danielle49]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 10:21pm

Oddly, I’ve had more luck with digital lotteries than in-person ones. I got amazing orchestra seats for SpongeBob and Angels in America last season after the second time entering each, and got into the free Lion King performance. That said, all of those were never difficult to win. I’ve entered The Book of Mormon lottery in two different cities multiple times and never won. Like others have said, I prefer rush.

[OnBroadway4]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 10:58pm

Lotteries are great for theatregoers who live really close. I'm 30 minutes from Broadway, so it's not difficult to make plans to attend, especially when lotteries that let you know same day inform you between 9am - 2pm and many others actually let you know the day before. This makes it quite convenient to plan ahead for us who are in the area. It's also better than having to show up at a theatre to be informed you're not a winner and trekking back home after wasting your time. Don't get me wrong, there's some fun in in-person lotteries, it's an experience and great to do - but it's not as convenient. 

So if you're nearby, entering lotteries is amazing, convenient and affordable.

I do a mix of things. I enter lotteries but I also try the TKTS booths when I really want to see something on a particular day with friends for a good price and great seats. I also qualify for TDF but haven't used it at all.

I've actually won quite a few lotteries, btw. 

[BroadwayNoob]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 11:45pm

I love the lotteries. I'm a 30 minute train ride right in to the city so I can easily pop in when I win. I saw my first show last July, and then I started entering lotteries. I've won and seen DEH, War Paint (closing night), SpongeBob, Groundhog Day, Kinky Boots, Aladdin, Phantom, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There have been a few lotteries that I've won and forgotten to check my email about too, or I couldn't go to which I kick myself over (bands visit, wicked, frozen). I love the lottery system because Broadway is so dang expensive, and I certainly wouldn't have seen this many shows without it, and most if them have been from amazing seats

[Theatregeek811]

Posted: 8/23/18 at 12:21am

I enter whenever I have a free weekend! So far I've won and seen Phantom and Kinky Boots. I've also won for The Lion King, but I unfortunately didn't see the email in time.