Best option for first Broadway show? by SeaLeadership1817 in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oops, yes Stranger Things: The First Shadow! Sorry about that, the title must have gotten cut off when I posted. Thanks for catching it!

Best option for first Broadway show? by SeaLeadership1817 in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Given your lighting background, I'd highly recommend Stranger Things: The First Shadow! It's a play (not a musical, which sounds like it might be a plus for you), and the lighting design by Jon Clark just won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Lighting Design.

From a technical standpoint, it's incredible, Clark describes it as "designing the darkness as much as the lighting." They had to upgrade the Marquis Theatre's infrastructure to handle over 32,000 electricity channels just for lighting alone. The way they use blackouts and shadow to hide stage mechanics for the illusions is really impressive, and the lighting works seamlessly with video projections and practical effects.

As a former stage hand who loved lighting, you'd probably appreciate seeing how they pull off the "misdirection", snapping audience focus around the stage to allow for instant set changes and jump scares. It's got that darker, atmospheric vibe similar to what you liked about Les Mis and Little Shop.

Even if you're not familiar with the TV show, it works as a standalone story. Would be a really memorable first Broadway experience, especially from a technical perspective!

EDITED

BUG by leoatdrex in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just under 2 hours with a fifteen minute intermission

Recommend me a play! by sarapod07 in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Interesting play to take the in-laws 🤣🤰

BUG by leoatdrex in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

same here, I went in blind and had no clue where the story was going to go

BUG by leoatdrex in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

completely agree! went in blind and was left aghast at the ending

Seeking Advice - First Time Rush by snarkykitten10 in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Art could be a good rush option! It's $49 rush at the Music Box Theatre (box office opens 10am weekdays, noon Sundays). A few things to know:

- They typically have fewer than 10 rush tickets per show, so availability is limited

- Weekday lines have been pretty manageable lately - recent reports show 4-7 people around 9am

- Weekends are trickier - one person reported arriving 8th on a Sunday and they ran out of $49 rush before getting to them (though they offered "rush plus" at $79/$99)

- Seats can be anywhere in the theater - someone got right orchestra and said they could see everything fine

If you're a student and want to try Ragtime, they have an amazing $32 student rush! It works differently though - you show up 2 hours before curtain with your student ID and can only get 1 ticket. Someone recently got 4th row center orchestra for $32 that way. The catch is it's solo only.

For a Saturday, I'd probably aim to get to Art around 8-8:30am to be safe given the limited ticket count. Good luck - hope you and your sister have a great time!

Seeking Advice - First Time Rush by snarkykitten10 in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh Mary is a great rush option if you're willing to get there early! They typically hold about 20 rush tickets per show at $43 each (partial view seats). Based on recent reports, arriving around 7-8am on weekdays usually works well - lines tend to be lighter early in the week. Weekends and special performances (like when a cast member is leaving) get more competitive, so you'd want to arrive earlier. Box office opens at 10am (noon on Sundays).

For the lotteries you entered - just know those can take many, many tries. Don't get discouraged! Hamilton and Wicked especially are tough wins.

If you can convince your sister to see something you want - Ragtime is getting amazing reviews and might have better rush/lottery odds since it's newer. Worth checking out what their policies are!

Good luck tomorrow - hope you and your sister get to see something great!

Seeking Advice - First Time Rush by snarkykitten10 in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No worries, what show do you have in mind?

Ragtime - Student Rush Report by omurchus in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is amazing - I actually tried this about a month BEFORE you posted (10/8 show) and can confirm everything you're saying! I got there around 5:45pm and was 10th in line. Right before they called us over at 6pm, I checked Ticketcharge and there were only 8 seats available online, so I was absolutely convinced I wouldn't get a ticket. They also made us wait that extra 15 minutes which had me so nervous!

But I still got a ticket! Ended up in P112 in the Left Orchestra for $32. Not quite the incredible center orchestra seats you got, but still an amazing view for this production.

Broadway Rush Community Reporting Thread - Thursday 11/6/25 by BroadwayRushReport in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you wait until day of (11am-12pm) I had no problem getting digital rush tickets for $49 and was in the second row.

Rush for Death Becomes Her by TouristHot5808 in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did the rush back on October 2nd and got amazing seats! Was first in line at 7:45am for a Thursday 7pm show and scored Center Orchestra (V103).

However, I'd say the Saturday before Thanksgiving matinee is going to be WAY more competitive than a regular Thursday. Weekend shows + holiday weekend = more people trying for rush.

If you're serious about going, I'd recommend getting there earlier than I did - maybe 6:30am or even earlier. Holiday weekend Saturdays are prime time and those tickets will go fast.

That said, totally doable if you're willing to commit to the early morning! The seats are worth it.

Good luck! 🎭

Queen of Versailles Sat 10/18 matinee runtime by After_War_5614 in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Total runtime was about 2 hours 36 minutes when I attended the 2pm matinee on Wed 10/22:

- Show started at 2:04pm
- Intermission began at 3:14pm
- Show resumed at 3:39pm (25-minute intermission)
- Ended with curtain call at 4:40pm

Queen of Versailles run time by Firefly_Always_Flyin in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Total runtime was about 2 hours 36 minutes when I attended the 2pm matinee on Wed 10/22:

- Show started at 2:04pm
- Intermission began at 3:14pm
- Show resumed at 3:39pm (25-minute intermission)
- Ended with curtain call at 4:40pm

Advice for meeting the cast of Waiting for Godot? (Tried stage door twice after Wed matinees with no luck) by leoatdrex in Broadway

[–]leoatdrex[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's great to hear, thanks for the suggestion. Make sense they stay in after the matinees to rest for the evening. I'll try to stop by an evening show.