Ninety minutes prior to each performance of The Drowsy Chaperone at the Marquis Theatre, patrons will be invited to enter a lottery drawing for a limited number of $25 tickets to that day's performance. Names will be drawn at random one hour prior to curtain. There will be a limit of two tickets per person and tickets may be purchased using cash only.

The lottery seats will be in the first row of the orchestra section.

Winners must be present with valid identification at the time of the drawing to purchase their tickets.

Rent is a visible example of a major show offering a lottery to make the experience accessible to those who may not be able to afford the top ticket price — particularly young people. Rent lottery seats are for the first two rows of the orchestra.

A lottery creates the added publicity kick of creating a line at the box office and a gotta-get-there energy — a buzz — for prospective patrons. Kevin McCollum, one of the producers of Drowsy is a partner in Rent, as well. Previews for The Drowsy Chaperone begin April 3 toward a May 1 opening.

The Drowsy Chaperone — a rare case of a show not inspired by source material — is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar.

"To chase his blues away, a modern day musical theatre addict known simply as 'Man in Chair' drops the needle on his favorite LP — the 1928 musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone," according to the producers. "From the crackle of his hi-fi, the uproariously funny musical magically bursts to life on stage. Man in Chair's infectious love of The Drowsy Chaperone speaks to anyone who has ever been transported by the theatre."

For more information, visit www.drowsychaperone.com.