Anyone willing to wake up and get to the box office early, spend some time in a line, or stand during the show, can get greatly discounted tickets to the majority of shows on Broadway.

It all started with Rent, which, at the peak of its popularity, sold all seats in the first two rows of the orchestra for $20 to whomever would get to the box office in time on the day of the performance. Naturally, students embraced the opportunity and lines formed at dawn. Since then, Broadway has offered rush and SRO tickets to encourage an enthusiastic theatre community.

Rush and SRO tickets are sold on the day of the performance, usually as soon as the box office opens, unless otherwise specified. Many policies are restricted to students and require valid student IDs. Seat location varies with different shows, from front row to rear mezzanine. A wait in line is usually inevitable. For more popular shows, it's reasonable to anticipate a wait spanning a couple of hours. Also note that many box offices only accept cash for rush and SRO tickets.

Standing-room patrons must stand in numbered spaces that are the width of a regular seat. They are usually located at the back of the orchestra. SRO tickets are trickier to get because they are generally only available if the show is sold out. There's no definite way to predict in advance whether a performance will sell out, although shows that sell out often include Wicked, The Book of Mormon, The Lion King and Jersey Boys. Unless otherwise specified, one SRO ticket is sold per person.

Here are the rush and SRO policies of different Broadway shows. Also included are shows offering low-priced regular tickets.

All Student Rush ticket purchases require a valid and current student ID. All Lottery Rush ticket purchases require a photo ID.  Broadway box offices typically open at 10 AM (12 noon on Sundays) and close between 8:15 and 8:30 PM.

Note: This feature is updated frequently, but policies are subject to change without notice. Please email mblank@playbill.com regarding any information that is no longer accurate.

Ann
Student Rush: $30 - Based on availability, a limited number of $30.00 student tickets will be available two hours prior to curtain at the box office. Students must show a valid student ID card. There is a limit of 1 ticket per ID.

Annie
Lottery Rush: $40 - limited number of orchestra seats. Sign begins up 2.5 hour prior to curtain. Drawing happens 2 hour prior to curtain. Winner must be present at time of drawing. Limit 2 tickets per winner. Cash only.

The Assembled Parties
Student Rush: $27 - available on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Must show photo ID verifying current enrollment in a degree or diploma program. Limit 2 per valid ID. Subject to availability. Credit cards accepted.

30 Under 30 Program: $30 tickets sold in advance to patrons under age 30. Available dates are sent to members via email. Cash or credit card accepted. Click here to sign up for free.

The Big Knife
Student Rush: A limited number of half-price seats sold a half hour before curtain. They are subject to availability and limited to 1 per person with a valid student ID.

General Rush: $32 - A limited number of tickets sold when the box office opens on the day of the performance. Tickets are subject to availability and limited to 2 per person. Tickets located in the rear sides of the mezzanine. Cash or credit card.

Hiptix: $22 - Roundabout's Hiptix program allows registered patrons between ages 18 and 35 to purchase 1 pair of tickets per production at this price. Free registration is required. Ticket may be purchased in advance as availability dictates. Info at: http://hiptix.com/

The Book of Mormon
Lottery Rush: $32 - a limited number of tickets for each performance will be sold through the lottery. Entries will be accepted at the box office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance; each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $32 each. Only one entry is allowed per person. Cards are checked for duplication prior to drawing. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Tickets may be purchased in cash or with a valid credit card. Tickets are subject to availability.

Standing Room: $27 - available at the box office one hour prior to curtain, only when the performance is sold out.

Chicago 
General Rush: $37 - tickets available at the box office only, when the box office opens. Limit 2 per customer. Not available for Saturday evenings. Subject to availability.

Standing Room: $26.50 - available at the box office, day of performance, only when the performance is sold out.

Cinderella
Student Rush: $32 - for Monday through Thursday performances, producers are making $32 tickets available to students with a valid ID. Student rush seating locations are at the discretion of the box office. Subject to availability.

I'll Eat You Last
General Rush: $35 - A limited number of rush tickets (including facility fee) will be available for purchase in person at the Booth Theatre box office (222 West 45th Street) when it opens for that day's performance(s) only. There is a limit of two tickets per person. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances.

Jersey Boys 
Student Rush: $27 - a limited number of student tickets per performance available at the box office on the day of the performance beginning at 10 AM. Two kinds of photo ID must be shown: a non-expired full time student ID, as well as a government issued photo ID, drivers license or passport. Limit 2 tickets per person per 30 day period. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Locations may be partial view. Cash only.

Kinky Boots
General Rush: $37 - rush tickets will be available at 10 AM on the day of performance when box office opens. Rush tickets will only be available at box office. No student ID required. Maximum two tickets per person. Tickets may be partial view.

Lucky Guy
Student Rush: $35 - a minimum of 20 student rush tickets will be available for purchase for $35 for the first preview performance on Friday, March 1 and for Monday through Thursday evening and Wednesday matinee performances beginning March 4.  Student rush tickets will be available at the Broadhurst Theatre when it opens for that day's performance(s) only.  Limit of one ticket per person with a valid student ID.   Seating locations are at the discretion of the box office.

Standing Room: $27 - standing room tickets for $27 will be available at the box office 90 minutes prior to curtain, only when the performance is sold out.

Macbeth
$30 Under 30 Rush: $30 - Individuals under 30 years of age with a valid ID indicating their birth date will be able to purchase one ticket at the Barrymore box office for day-of performances.

Mamma Mia!
Student Rush: $31.50 - may be available on day of performance when the box office opens.  Subject to availability.  Limit 2 tickets per valid ID.

Standing Room: $21.25 - available at the box office on the day of the performance only if the performance is sold out. Goes on sale two hours prior to curtain. Limit is 2 per person.

Matilda
Student Rush: $27 - student rush tickets will be available for Monday through Thursday performances. There will be a minimum of 20 tickets available per performance. Student tickets will be available at the box office on the day of the performance beginning at 10 AM. Two kinds of photo ID will be needed: a non-expired full time student ID, as well as a government issued photo ID, drivers license or passport. Limit 2 tickets per person per 30 day period. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Some locations may be partial view. Other blackout dates may apply and this policy is subject to change without notice.

Nice Work If You Can Get It
Student Rush: $37 - a limited number of student rush tickets will be available for purchase in-person at the Imperial Theatre box office when it opens for that day's performance only. There is a limit of one ticket per person with a valid student ID. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Seat locations may be partial view.

Newsies
Lottery Rush: $30 - Beginning two-and-a-half hours before every performance, patrons are invited to enter the lottery; winners will be drawn two hours before each performance. Winners may then purchase up to two $30 cash-only tickets to that day's performance. Winners must be present with valid identification at the time of the drawing. The lottery will be offered before every performance other than the opening-night performance. Entries are checked for duplication prior to drawing. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner.

Standing Room: Available when the performance is completely sold out, though only available for purchase immediately following the Lottery, which is drawn two hours before the curtain. Tickets are limited to two per person, and they are $30 each. There are 22 Standing Room locations available, though sales may be limited at any time.

Once
General Rush: $35 (Tuesday-Thursday) and $40 (Friday-Sunday) - a limited number of general rush seats will be sold for each performance, on the day of the show only, when the box office opens. Rush tickets can be purchased by cash or charge at the box office. On 2-show days, rush tickets for both shows will be sold when the box office opens. Locations will be at the theatre's discretion. Each patron in line may purchase a maximum of two (2) tickets.

The Phantom of the Opera
Standing Room: There are $26.25 tickets available at the box office only, only when the performance is sold out. There are only 28 standing room positions.

Tickets in the last two rows of the Rear Mezzanine are priced at $26.25 for Monday through Thursday performances. These tickets may be purchased through Telecharge or at the box office.  

Pippin
General Rush: $37 - a limited number of $37 rush tickets will be available for purchase in person at the Music Theatre box office (239 West 45th Street) when it opens at 10 AM (noon on Sundays) for that day’s performance only. There is a limit of one ticket per person. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Cash or credit is accepted.

Rock of Ages
Student Rush: $37 - available day of show when box office opens, subject to availability. Must show student ID. Only two tickets per student ID. Cash only.

Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark
General Rush: $39 - sold on day of show when the box office opens. Limit 2 per person. Subject to availability, and may not be available for every performance. Cash only.

The Trip to Bountiful
Student Rush: $32 - two tickets per valid student ID day of the performance beginning when the box office opens Mon-Sat 10 AM and Sun 12 PM. Subject to availability. Best Availability: Tues-Thurs evenings.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Youth Rush: $37 - theatregoers 35 and under will be able to purchase $37 tickets for day-of performances at the Golden Theatre box office. Two tickets are available to each individual. Subject to availability.

Wicked
Lottery Rush: $30 - 26 front row seats available for each performance via a lottery drawing held two hours before curtain. Entries are accepted starting two and a half hours prior to each performance (or 30 minutes before the drawing itself). Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per winner. Winners must be present at time of drawing and valid identification must be shown to purchase tickets. Cash only.