Rush" tickets have become something of a Broadway institution.
In April 1996, Rent initiated a policy of offering the first two rows of the orchestra for $20 to anyone willing to stand in line, generally starting before dawn on the same day of performance. The idea was to encourage people, especially students, who might otherwise have difficulty affording the full $75 price.
The producers of Rent have since changed their policy, but many other Broadway shows have instituted similar student rush policies. The shows involved will sell tickets for (usually) $20 to either students with ID or to the general public.
As a public service, Playbill On-Line have updated our survey of the current (September 25, 2001) shows to determine their various "rush" policies. All student and rush tickets are subject to availability.
Broadway shows that sell rush tickets from the box office for $20-$25 without restrictions (i.e., student ID), are: * Cabaret -- Seats are located in the rear mezzanine and available four per person for $25 each the day of show (Friday and Saturday nights do not apply).
* Chicago -- Seats are located in the front row of the orchestra and on the sides. Tickets can be purchased at 10 AM with a limit of two per person for $25.
* Rent -- Each person wishing to purchase tickets will be given a card and asked to fill in their name and the number of tickets (one or two) they wish to purchase. The cards will be available starting at 5:30 PM for the 8 PM performance, 11:30 AM for the 2 PM performance and 5 PM for the 7 PM performance. The cards will be placed in a container and a drawing will take place at 6 PM for 8 PM, noon for 2 PM and 5:30 PM for 7 PM. Eligible ticket buyers will then line-up at the box office to show ID and purchase tickets.
* The Women -- The last row of the mezzanine is available for $20 the day of performance.
* Urinetown -- The last row of the orchestra is sold 3 hours before curtain for $25.
The following Broadway shows have lower-priced tickets that anyone may purchase, at the box office:
* Les Miserables -- $20 tickets are available in the rear mezzanine for performances Monday-Thursday at 8 PM and Wednesday at 2 PM. These tickets are also available over the telephone, through Tele-charge or anywhere else tickets are sold.
* Sexaholix -- The first 2 rows of the orchestra will be available at $15 per seat the day of the performance.
* The Lion King -- Two level $20 and $15 standing room tickets available on the day of performance (limit one ticket per person in line). The box office opens at 10 AM all days except Sunday (11 AM).
* The Phantom of the Opera -- $20 tickets are available in the rear mezzanine for performances Monday-Thursday at 8 PM and Wednesday at 2 PM. These tickets are also available over the telephone, through Tele charge or anywhere else tickets are sold.
* The Producers -- $31 standing room tickets available, sold after all other seats are sold.
Here are the shows that require a student ID to purchase rush tickets at the box office; prices vary:
* Aida -- 20 seats in the orchestra go on sale at the box office at 10 AM (noon on Sundays) for $25.
* Contact -- $20 student tickets available.
* 42nd Street -- $21.50 student tickets available in the front row.
* Hedda Gabler -- $21.25 student tickets available the day of performance.
* Proof -- $20 student tickets available 1 hour before curtain.
* Thou Shalt Not -- $21.25 student tickets available the day of the performance.
* The Full Monty -- $29 student tickets available day of performance.
* The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife -- The last row of the mezzanine is available for $20 per seat the day of performance with valid student ID .
* The Women -- 1/2 price student tickets available 1/2 hour before curtain.
* Kiss Me, Kate -- $25 tickets for the back row of the mezzanine.
Off-Broadway shows that sell rush tickets from the box office without restrictions (i.e., student ID), are:
* De La Guarda -- 20 $20 rush tickets available 2 hours before curtain.
* First Love -- $10 student tickets available 2 hours before curtain.
* Tick, Tick...BOOM!. -- $20 rush tickets available 2 hours before curtain (up to 2 per person).
Here are the Off-Broadway shows that require a student ID to purchase rush tickets at the box office; prices vary:
* An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein -- $10 student tickets available 1/2 hour before curtain.
* Blue Man Group -- $25 student tickets available 1 hour before curtain.
* Down South -- $15 student tickets available 1 hour before curtain.
* Eat The Runt -- $25 student tickets available day of performance.
* Exit The King -- $10 student tickets available 1 hour before curtain.
* Havannah is Waiting -- $25 student tickets available day of performance.
* I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change -- $25 student tickets available 10 minutes before curtain.
* Love -- $10 student tickets available.
* Metamorphoses -- $10 student tickets available 1/2 hour before curtain.
* Stomp -- $30 student tickets available 1 hour before curtain.
* The Fantasticks -- 1/2 price student tickets available a few minutes before curtain.
* The Late Henry Moss -- $15 student tickets available 1 hour before curtain.
* The Spitfire Grill -- $15 student tickets available 15 minutes before curtain.
* The Vagina Monologues -- $20 student tickets available 10 minutes before curtain.
* Unwrap Your Candy -- $15 student tickets available 1 hour before curtain (1 ticket per ID).
* Where’s My Money? -- $20 student tickets available until 1 hour before curtain the day of performance.
* Wonder of the World -- $20 student tickets available until 1 hour before curtain the day of performance.
-- By Rafi Levavy and Christine Ehren
