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| House seats? | |
| Posted by: aleck 10:34 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Often unused house seats - AlanScott 08:54 pm EST 12/29/22 | |
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| I thought the rule was that house seats set aside for people associated with the production but then unclaimed were released to the public some 48 hours before curtain. I thought that meant ALL unclaimed seats, not just a few. This "cancellation line" issue has vexed me even since once waiting outside the New Victory theatre one evening and watching the "cancellation line" in front of the New Amsterdam when Lion King was there. Beginning about 15 minutes before curtain, I counted 43 people being ushered in from the "cancellation line." Where did all those tickets come from? Testing that experience, I went the next day to the St. James where The Producers was playing. I went up to the box office early in the day and asked for two tickets, despite a sign that said sold out. When I was told I could wait in the "cancellation line," which would begin gathering at about 4pm. I questioned how "cancellations" could be available later when the terms of the sale, prominently displayed on the wall, said no returns, no exchanges. There was some huffing and puffing and was told to stand in the "cancellation line." OK. Although it was about 11am, I stood there -- and no one else was there yet. After about 5 minutes someone ushered me to the box office window and was told there was suddenly two tickets available, if I paid cash. I paid the cash and got two Row D center seats. Gee, someone must have cancelled earlier in the day than usual. And I don't find direct telephone numbers to a theater's box office when I look at theater ticket websites -- only booking agencies. My experience with New York Theatre Workshop is another story. I had two tickets to see the Daniel Craig Othello -- purchased far in advance before it became a phenomenon. The performance that I had the tickets for was cancelled for some reason -- either an illness or some technical problem. I was then told that the rest of the run was completely sold out and that my tickets could not be honored for any future performance and they would refund my money. However, on the same day, they ran a big ad in the Times saying that tickets could be available for a substantial donation to the theatre company. I made a fuss. If, I argued, there were seats available for a heavy price why were they not available to honor the people who had already made a commitment to the production. Magically, there were seats available to fulfill my original order. Front row, side. Although that situation turned out OK, why did I have to make such a fuss? And how many people just took the refund and didn't make a fuss? By the way, the way I made the fuss was to send emails pointing out the ethical issues of cancelling my face value ticket and advertising seats for thousands of dollars to every executive working at the theater group and every board member that I could find an email for. I got a call within hours offering me several alternatives for new seats. |
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| The New Amsterdam Cancellation line | |
| Posted by: CamMacFan 02:23 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: House seats? - aleck 10:34 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I actually used to work at the New Amsterdam in the early days of The Lion King and was in charge of their cancellation line for a while.(so I can only speak for that theatre..) A Lot of what goes to the lines are House Seats that aren't used for whatever reason. Not all House Seats are released at the 48 hour point. It could be 24. It could be 2. It just depends on the specific person's contract. In addition to these seats, in order to deter scalpers from hanging around outside the theatre, the Box Office would often take tickets back from people and "try" to sell them to the cancellation line. These were usually people who had members of their party that had gotten ill or were not able to make it for some reason. Sometimes it was brokers who were not able to get rid of their overpriced seats. This is often why you were asked to have cash available for these tickets. The Box Office would basically be acting as the middle man. The person leaving the tickets would then come back right before showtime or the next day to collect their money. In all the years I was there, I would say we averaged 15-20 people getting into the show a night. |
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| Thanks for the helpful answer (nm) | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 02:29 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: The New Amsterdam Cancellation line - CamMacFan 02:23 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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| nm | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| You're welcome (NM) | |
| Posted by: CamMacFan 02:52 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Thanks for the helpful answer (nm) - AlanScott 02:29 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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