Broadway Rush, Lottery and Standing Room Only Policies

By Matthew Blank
January 28, 2012

To make tickets more affordable to students and other theatregoers on a budget, many Broadway shows have implemented rush, lottery, and standing-room-only (SRO) policies.

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.

Anything Goes
General Rush: $30 - limited number of tickets available when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Limit 2 per person.

Student Rush: Limited number of half-price seats sold beginning three hours before curtain. Subject to availability. Limit 2 per valid ID.

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/

This production accepts credit cards for the above discounted tickets.  

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: $36.50 - 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.

Godspell
Lottery Rush: $30 - For each performance, there will be a pre-show lottery drawing for a limited number of special stageside seats. Lottery will take place 90 minutes before each performance. Entries will be accepted starting two hours before the performance. (EXCEPTIONS: For Saturday and Wednesday matinee performances only, the lottery will take place 2 hours prior to curtain, and entries will be accepted starting 2 and a half hours prior to curtain. For Sunday matinee performances only, the lottery will take place 60 minutes prior to curtain, and entries will be accepted starting 90 minutes prior to curtain.)

How to Succeed...
General Rush: $30 - tickets available on day of performance when box office opens. Limit 2 per customer. Subject to availability.

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.

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.

Mary Poppins
Student Rush: $32 - sold on the day of performance when the box office opens.  Subject to availability.  Only available to college/university students. Limit 1 ticket per valid ID.  

Memphis
Student Rush: $26.50 - limited number of tickets available day of performance when the box office opens.  Subject to availability.  Limit 2 tickets per valid ID.  

Other Desert Cities
Student Rush: $31.50 - Lincoln Center Theater offers $31.50 student rush tickets beginning two hours before a performance at the box office. Limit 1 per person. Must show a valid college/university ID. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Cash or credit card accepted.

LincTix: $31.50 – Lincoln Center Theater's LincTix program allows registered patrons between ages 21 and 35 to purchase 1 ticket per production at this price (subject to availability). Free registration is required. Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at the box office. Sign up at www.LincTix.org.

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.  

Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Lottery Rush: $40 - Entries are taken beginning 2.5 hours before curtain, and winners are drawn 2 hours before curtain. Limit 2 tickets per winner. Seats are located in the front row.

The Road to Mecca
General Rush: $30 - limited number of tickets available when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Limit 2 per person.

Student Rush: Limited number of half-price seats sold beginning three hours before curtain. Subject to availability. Limit 2 per valid ID.

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/

Rock of Ages
Student Rush: $27 - available day of show when box office opens, subject to availability. Must show student ID. Only two tickets per student ID. Cash only.

Seminar
Student Rush: $29.50 - available at the Box Office on the day of the performance only, two hours prior to curtain. Subject to availability. One ticket per valid and current student ID. Seating is best available.

Sister Act
General Rush: $26.50 - rush tickets (price includes $1.50 facility fee) in the front row of the orchestra sold at the box office. These rush tickets, which are available to all patrons, can be purchased beginning at 10:00 AM the day of the performance (12:00 PM on Sundays). There is a limit of 2 tickets per person.

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.

Stick Fly
General Rush: $35 - sold on day of show when the box office opens. Limit 2 per person. There is a limit of 2 tickets per person, some seats may be considered "partial view" and rush tickets are only available for purchase at the box office.

War Horse
Student Rush: $30 - Lincoln Center Theater offers $30 student rush tickets beginning two hours before a performance at the box office. Limit 1 per person. Must show a valid college/university ID. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Cash or credit card accepted.

LincTix: $30 – Lincoln Center Theater's LincTix program allows registered patrons between ages 21 and 35 to purchase 1 ticket per production at this price (subject to availability). Free registration is required. Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at the box office. Sign up at www.LincTix.org.

Wicked
Lottery Rush: $26.50- 25 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. 

Wit
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.