The Opening Night Perofmrnace and Opening Night Party are two different things completely. You may have tix to the actual performance, but the party itself is invitation-only, oftentimes, a very private affair.
Broadway Shows I've Seen: Hairspray, Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors (2003), The Wedding Singer, Spamalot, Riverdance, Rent, Beauty and the Beast, Spring Awakening, Wicked, Legally Blonde, Phantom of the Opera, Sweet Charity (revival), Drowsy Chaperone, The Lion King, Dreamgirls(2010 Tour).
Or happens to know people involved with the publicity crew of the show. This is how I've been fortunate to attend many 'invitation only' Opening Night After-Parties. You just need to know the right people.
Heres the deal...If you purchase your ticket AT THE BOX OFFICE, four days before the opening night, and its raining, and its lent, and the box office assoicate has just eaten a pork chop, and after you pay for the ticket you hand the associate a hard boiled egg, a bottle of Moxie and a penny dated 1939, then you will indeed get a ticket to the opening night party.
It depends on the show. Some shows, the doorman and/or ushers are invited. Some shows--no. Same for the Tony party, etc.
A bunch of things have been said about the Gondas, but let me tell you that they treated everyone in that theatre as an equal and everyone (as far as I know) was invited to every party--and many were thrown. Opening and the Tony party were definitely a fantastic time and the Christmas party was magical.
Very disappointed in this thread - - question was interesting and it all got out of hand quickly! Not very constructive answers from some of you kiddies !
everyone who worked on the show in any aspect. and buying a ticket is not working on the show. everyone from producers to actors, to electricians, to orchestra members, to ushers of the theater, to box office employees, to the merchandising kids, to the workers of the disney/nederlander office...
but the line stops just before buying a ticket. sorry.
I used to work merchandise and my experience has generally been that most if not all of the opening-night staff managed to get into the party. But usually only the manager and maybe one other person would be officially invited. The rest usually got in by the kindness of stage management or company management who managed to dig up some extra party passes.