Rush Policies for Broadway Shows in NYC

In an effort to help make Broadway shows more affordable for theater lovers on a budget, many shows have incorporated rush, lottery, and standing room only policies. These policies provide deeply discounted tickets for those willing to get to the box office early, stand in line, and/or stand during the show.

Both Rush and Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets are sold on the day of the performance as soon as the box office opens (unless otherwise noted). Waiting in line comes with the territory and for popular shows the wait can extend to a couple of hours. Many box offices will only accept cash for these types of tickets and many policies are restricted specifically to students. Note that all student rush tickets require a valid student ID. All rush lottery tickets require a valid ID as well. SRO ticketholders are required to stand in numbered spaces that are the width of a regular seat, generally located at the back of the orchestra.

Below are the rush, lottery, and SRO policies of various Broadway shows:

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder– A number of $35 tickets will be made available for each performance to patrons 35 years and under. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the show in person at the box office, and are subject to availability. A valid photo ID is required and patrons are limited to two rush tickets per performance.

Aladdin– A limited number of $30 tickets will be made available for purchase in person at the box office when it opens. Two and a half hours before the performance, lottery entries will be accepted and winners will be selected two hours before curtain call. Up to two tickets can be purchased by winners with cash only.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical– A number of $40 tickets will be made available for each performance for purchase at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre the day of the performance. Tickets are subject to availability and are limited to two per person.

Chicago– A number of $37 dollar tickets will be made available at the box office when it opens. Does not apply to Saturday evening performances. Tickets are subject to availability. Standing room only tickets will be for sale for $27, available at the box office the day of the performance only when the performance is sold out.

Cinderella– A number of $32 student rush tickets will be made available for Monday through Thursday performances by producers. A valid student ID is required. Student rush seating locations are determined by the box office. Tickets are subject to availability.

Disgraced– A limited number of $32 general rush tickets will be made available at the box office the day of the performance. Tickets are limited to one per person.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch– A limited number of $37 lottery tickets will be made available before each performance. Beginning two and a half hours before each show, lottery entries will be accepted at the Belasco Theatre. Winners will be drawn two hours before each performance and must be present at the time of the drawing. A valid ID is required and tickets can be purchased with cash or credit. A limited number of $29 standing room only tickets will be made available for purchase at the Belasco Theatre box office 45 minutes prior to curtain call on the day of the performance, but only if the performance is sold out. Tickets are limited to 2 per person.

If/Then– A limited number of $35 same-day lottery tickets will be made available for purchase at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre. Beginning two hours before each performance, lottery entries will be accepted and winners will be announced 90 minutes before curtain call. Tickets are subject to availability and are limited to two per person. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and present a valid ID to purchase tickets. Cash only.

Jersey Boys– A limited number of $27 student rush tickets will be made available for purchase at the box office on the day of the performance beginning at 10am. Tickets are subject to availability and are limited to two tickets per person per 30 day period. A valid full-time student ID as well as a government issued photo ID, drivers license, or passport is required to purchase tickets. Only cash will be accepted. Seats may be partial view.

Kinky Boots– A limited number of $37 lottery tickets will be made available for each performance. Beginning two and a half hours before each performance, lottery entries will be accepted outside the Al Hirschfeld Theatre box office. Entries will be collected and winners will be drawn randomly two hours before each performance. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and present a valid ID in order to buy tickets. Tickets are subject to availability.

Mamma Mia!- A limited number of $32 rush seats may be made available when the box office opens on the day of the performance. Tickets are limited to two per customer and are subject to availability. Standing room only tickets will be made available for $27 at the box office only on the day of the performance if it is sold out. Tickets go on sale two hours prior to curtain. Limited to two tickets per patron.

Matilda- A minimum number of 20 tickets will be sold for $27 via lottery for each performance. Beginning two and a half hours before each performance, patrons will be able to enter the lottery by printing their name and number of tickets desired (1 or 2) on a provided card. Entries will be collected and winners will be drawn randomly two hours before each performance. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and present a valid ID in order to buy tickets. Tickets are subject to availability. Seat locations may be partial view. Standing room only tickets will be made available for $27 the day of the performance when the box office opens. Only available when the performance is sold out. Limited to two tickets per person.

Motown the Musical– A limited number of $30 standing room only tickets will be made available for purchase one hour before curtain call, but only when the show is sold out. Tickets are limited to 2 per person and can be purchased with cash only.

Once- A limited number of general rush tickets will be made available for $35 (Tuesday -Thursday) and $40 (Friday-Sunday) when the box office opens for each performance on the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased with cash or a valid credit card at the box office and are limited to two per person. On two show days, tickets for both shows will be sold when the box office opens.

Pippin- A limited number of $37 rush tickets will be made available for purchase in person at the box office when it opens (10am) at the Music Theatre box office for that day’s performance. Tickets are limited to one per person and are subject to availability. Cash or credit is accepted.

Rock of Ages– A limited number of student rush tickets will be made available for $37 when the box office opens the day of the show. Patrons must present a valid student ID and are limited to two tickets person student. Cash only.

The Book of Mormon– A limited number of $32 tickets will be made available via lottery. Beginning two and a half hours before each performance entries will be accepted at the box office. Patrons will print their name and the number of desired tickets (1 or 2) on a provided card. Two hours before curtain call, names will be randomly selected to purchase tickets. One entry per person is allowed. Tickets are subject to availability and may be purchased with cash or a valid credit card. Standing room only tickets will be for sale for $27 at the box office directly after the lottery.

The Country House– A limited number of $27 student rush tickets will be made available when the box office opens on the day of the performance. Tickets are limited to two per person and a valid student ID is required for purchase. Tickets are subject to availability and may be purchased with cash or a valid credit card. A limited number of $30 tickets will be made available to individuals under the age of 30 via the 30 Under 30 Program. Available dates are sent to members via email. Tickets can be purchased with cash or credit.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime– A limited number of $37 general rush tickets will be made available for purchase at the box office on the day of the performance. Tickets are subject to availability and are limited to two per person. Note that the price of the tickets includes a $2 facility fee.

The Last Ship– A limited number of $30 lottery tickets will be made available for purchase at the box office on the day of the performance. Beginning two and a half hours before each performance lottery entries will be accepted with winners being drawn two hours prior to curtain call. Tickets are subject to availability and are limited to two per person. A valid ID is required and tickets can only be purchased with cash.

The Phantom of the Opera- Standing room only tickets will be available for purchased at $26.25 at the box office when the performance is sold out. Only 28 standing room positions are available. Tickets in the last two rows of the Rear Mezzanine can be purchased for $26.25 Monday through Thursday. These tickets can be purchased via Telecharge or at the box office.

Wicked– 26 front row seats will be made available for each performance via a lottery drawing to be held two hours before curtain. Beginning two and a half hours before each performance, patrons will be able to enter the lottery by printing their name and number of tickets desired ( 1 or 2) on a provided card. Entries will be collected and drawn randomly two hours before each performance. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and present a valid ID in order to buy tickets. Cash only.

Please note that policies are subject to change without notice.

****Rush Archives****

A Night With Janis Joplin– A limited number of $30 rush tickets will be made available for purchase in person at the Lyceum Theatre box office when it opens for that specific day’s performance(s). Rush seats will be located in the front row of the orchestra. Tickets are subject to availability and are limited to two per person. Note that tickets may not be offered at all performances.

Bronx Bombers– A limited number of $32 student rush tickets will be made available at the Circle in the Square Theatre box office when it open’s for that day’s performance. Tickets can only be purchased in person and only one ticket is available per person. A valid student ID is required, with seating locations being at the discretion of the box office.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill– A limited number of $40 rush tickets will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis for purchase at the Circle in the Square box office when it opens for that day’s performance. Tickets are subject to availability and are limited to two per person.

Macbeth– A limited number of $32 student rush tickets will be made available beginning two hours before a performance at the Lincoln Center Theater box office. Students are required to show a valid student ID. Cash and credit cards are accepted forms of payment. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. The Lincoln Center Theatre’s LincTix program also allows registered patrons ages 21-35 to purchase one ticket per production at $32 (subject to availability). Free registration is required. Tickets via the program can be purchased in advance online or at the box office.

Machinal– A limited number of half price tickets will be made available to students a half hour before curtain. Tickets are subject to availability and limited to one per person with a valid student ID. A limited number of general rush tickets will be made available for $32 when the box office opens the day of the performance. Tickets are subject to availability and limited to two per person. Cash or credit cards accepted. Roundabout’s Hiptix program will also offer $22 tickets to registered patrons between 18 and 35 to buy one pair of tickets per production. Free registration is required. Tickets may be purchased in advance as availability allows.

Newsies- A limited number of lottery tickets will be made available for $30 before every performance. Beginning two and a half hours before each performance, patrons will be able to enter the lottery by printing their name and number of tickets desired ( 1 or 2) on a provided card. Entries will be collected and drawn randomly two hours before each performance. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and present a valid ID in order to buy tickets. Standing room only tickets will be made available for $30 immediately following the lottery. Only available when the performance is sold out. Limited to two tickets per person.

No Man’s Land– A limited number of seat in front row orchestra and other location will be made available exclusively to rush buyers for $30. Beginning at 10am daily (and noon on Sundays when the box office is open), patrons can purchase tickets on the day of the performance. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Cort Theatre box office and are subject to availability.

Waiting for Godot– A limited number of seats located in the front row orchestra and other locations will be made available exclusively to rush buyers for $30. Beginning at 10am daily (and noon on Sundays when the box office is open), patrons can purchase tickets on the day of the performance. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Cort Theatre box office and are subject to availability.