These two plays are part of a new endeavor co-sponsored by Audible (which seems to have a partnership with the theater) and Together offering free tickets to neighborhood groups, and holding back at least a quarter of the house for rush and lottery at the low price of $35. They are also hosting free readings of new plays on most Mondays for the run of the two shows. Jackman’s show is sold out completely at market-price, so the only way to get in is through the lottery and rush.
Minetta Lane is a lovely little street of historic architecture, a pleasant enough place to stand and wait. It was a little chilly but occasionally sunny, and the crowd friendly and cheerful, comparing notes on theater we’d seen lately. It wasn’t terrible when, after an hour, word came down from the front of the line that they were out of rush tickets. I decided to reward myself for the unsuccessful wait with a walk over the LES and a piece of Scarr’s pizza. (The New Yorker introduced me to it with an article titled Is Scarr’s the Best Pizza in New York?)
In the past, I’ve had success waiting outside a sold-out show and grabbing an extra ticket from the box office when someone cancels or from a stranger selling a ticket at the last minute. So, after a pleasant walk and a delicious slice of pepperoni pizza, I went back to check things out before the 3 PM matinee. I asked at the box office and was told both shows for the day were sold out and no one had turned in a ticket. Back outside, the doorman asked if I was waiting for a ticket. I said yes, and he just smiled and shrugged. I stood people-watching for about 30 minutes as everyone entered the theater and then, having failed, took the subway home after checking out what was playing at IFC Center.
At home, I heard from my friend who’d discovered that she felt best walking and wanted to know if I would walk with her. Spent a pleasant hour walking around the Central Park reservoir and complaining about aches and pains with her. All the while keeping my eye on my phone for last minute ticket sales on my ‘theatr app’ (where you can buy tickets sold by individuals at purchase price or less). By the time we parted, I’d seen nothing available, and having no other plans, I decided to go back down to the Village and try again for the evening show. I could always see a movie at the IFC if I struck out.
When I arrived, I checked in with the box office again, they recognized me and sadly shook their heads: no tickets turned in. I returned to my waiting spot outside the box office door, researched movie options, and picked my back up plan. Soon, a large group of women, some middle-aged, some young, exited the restaurant next door and took up the first place in line for the already-ticketed. I listened in on their conversation and it soon became clear they were HUGE Hugh Jackman fans. They talked about him as if they knew him or were related to him. But—it didn’t seem like they REALLY knew him, and it was apparent that most of them had traveled a fair distance to get to the show. THEN they started discussing where they were sitting: first and second row! And then—WOW—they compared how many times they had seen the show. A few of them were seeing it for the SIXTH time in 4 days! Since it alternates with the Liev Schreiber show, they skipped Friday, but saw it twice each on Thursday and Saturday and had been to the matinee that afternoon.
Eavesdropping, I realized they had come early to stand at the door because there’s only one entrance to this small theater and they knew (clearly from experience) that Hugh Jackman would enter there. The crowd grew as more people arrived with the obvious intention of seeing Jackman, some with branded bags, t-shirts, and posters for him to sign. The talk around me was about how to get a photo and who would take the pictures of their friends. Suddenly there was a RUSH of people around the door and Jackman appeared (carrying his bicycle helmet!). I cringed at the fans pressing in, but he was incredibly gracious and signed, posed, and even knowingly greeted the crowd of women I’d noticed first. The doorman turned out to double as a bouncer, protecting Jackman and eventually leading him inside.
When the bouncer/doorman returned to his post I asked whether this happened before every show. Oh yes, he said. I allowed as to how it made me uncomfortable and that Jackman’s kindness was impressive. He agreed saying Jackman is always this way. He asked whether I was back to wait for a ticket again. Yep. Good luck, he said with another shrug.
Just a few minutes a later, a young woman exited the box office, looked around, turned to me and asked: Are you waiting for a ticket? Yes! Here you go, she said handing me a ticket, my friend had to cancel. She started walking away. Did you pay for it? I asked. No, it’s a comp.
The doorman raised his eyebrows and gave me a fist bump. I walked across the street to get a water and cheese snack for my dinner. When I entered the box office at the back of the long line a bit later, the box office staff cheered for me. When the play ended, my ticket patron and I compared reactions as one does with your seat partners, even strangers.
The show is terrific, but there’s no doubt my day long interactions with other theater lovers heightened the whole experience.
Thanks for sharing your amazing story of never giving up.. loved this, and you..
Thanks Gloria – you might know where I learned that ‘never give up’ approach!