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NYC Broadway Lottery Tickets

Recommendations
Published on: Oct 19, 2022
Last Updated on: Sep 26, 2024
By: Kathryn Willingham
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NYC Broadway Lottery Tickets 

The musical Rent is credited with implementing and popularizing the modern Broadway ticket lottery system. When the show transferred from New York Theatre Workshop to Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre in 1996, producers started a rush ticket program, making the first two rows of the center orchestra available for just $20 per ticket in an effort to keep prices accessible. Tickets were given out first-come, first-served, and the program proved so popular that lines snaked around the block, with some people even sleeping overnight for a chance at the discounted tickets. Concerned about the safety of their fans, Rent implemented a lottery system instead, choosing names at random a few hours before each performance. This eliminated the need for hours-long lines while keeping the decision fair. Many other shows followed suit, and the rest is history. 

Over time, the lottery system has evolved. Nowadays, most Broadway lotteries are offered online rather than in person, so it’s even easier to score great discounts for some of the most popular shows in New York City. Lotteries are entered on sites like TodayTix, Lucky Seat, Rush Telecharge, and Broadway Direct, and winners are drawn throughout the day for a chance to purchase discounted tickets. Usually, winners can buy up to two tickets, and seating location varies and is determined by the box office of each theater. Many shows also offer rush tickets and standing room only options. Keep reading for a comprehensive list of shows that offer these opportunities, as well as all the fine print you need to know!

And-Juliet-Stephen-Sondheim

& Juliet

& Juliet offers discounted rush and standing room only tickets! Don’t miss your chance to see this musical that reimagines the ending of Romeo and Juliet…only this time, Juliet decides Romeo isn’t worth it and ditches him to find her own happiness. & Juliet is a jukebox musical filled with pop songs from Max Martin like “I Want It That Way,” “I Kissed a Girl,” “Oops!...I Did It Again,” and “Since You Been Gone.” It was nominated for nine Tony Awards and has been packing the house since it opened in 2022.

Theater: Stephen Sondheim Theatre

Digital Rush: A limited number of $39 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix app.

The Fine Print: Tickets become available at 9am on the day of the performance. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Standing Room: A limited number of $45 tickets are available at the box office on days when the performance is sold out.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 per person, standing room is located in the back of the orchestra.

Aladdin

Aladdin

Aladdin offers discounted lottery tickets! Based on the classic Disney film of the same name, come experience magic carpet rides, a showstopping genie, and a love story for the ages. Featuring all the songs you know and love like “A Whole New World,” “Friend Like Me,” and “Prince Ali” as well as new songs written for the stage, this family-friendly musical is sure to wow. It has been running on Broadway since 2014, has tours in the US and UK, and even has international productions in Japan and Spain. See what everyone’s been talking about!

Theater: New Amsterdam Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $35 tickets available at Broadway Direct.

The Fine Print: Entries are accepted from 9am - 3pm the day prior to the performance. If you are selected as a winner, you have 60 minutes to pay for your tickets via credit card. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office and may be partial view.

Back to the Future at the Winter Garden Theatre

Back to the Future

Back to the Future: The Musical offers discounted lottery and rush tickets! This musical is based on the iconic film of the same name starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. When teenager Marty McFly and Doc Brown go back in time, Marty inadvertently changes the future when he accidentally stops his parents from falling in love. Now he must fix his mistake or risk erasing his future entirely! Come see this heartwarming show and be awed by the flying DeLorean!

Theater: Winter Garden Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $45 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $40 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the August Wilson Theatre

Cabaret

Cabaret offers discounted lottery tickets! Come book a seat at the Kit Kat Club and see this hit musical starring Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin as the Emcee and Sally Bowles. This is the fourth time Cabaret has been revived on Broadway, and for good reason. With songs like “Willkommen,” “Maybe This Time,” and “Cabaret” and a stirring story about a cabaret singer and a young writer set against the backdrop of Berlin as the Nazis rise to power, this musical has captured the imagination of multiple generations.

Theater: August Wilson Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $25 tickets available at LuckySeat.

The Fine Print: Entries close at 9:30am on the day prior to the performance. Drawings start at 10am and will continue throughout the day as needed. Winners will have a limited time to purchase tickets, so keep an eye on your email. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office and may be partial view. Pairs may be split up.

Chicago

Chicago offers discounted rush and standing room only tickets! This revival has been playing on Broadway since 1996 and regularly sees stars in its lead roles of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, Billy Flynn, and Matron “Mama” Morton. Actors have included Pamela Anderson, Mel B, Jinkx Monsoon, Wayne Brady, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael C. Hall, and more. This musical is based on the true stories of the murderous Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly and their court cases with defense lawyer Billy Flynn. It was made into a movie musical of the same name starring Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Theater: Ambassador Theatre

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $49 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office. 

Standing Room: $27 standing room tickets are available at the box office only when the performance is sold out.

walter-kerr-theatre-hadestown

Hadestown

Hadestown offers lottery and standing room tickets! This hit musical follows the Greek myths of Hades, Persephone, Orpheus, and Eurydice and has been running on Broadway since 2019. It was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won eight, including the Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score. The show has had several star replacements, including Lillias White, Lola Tung, Ani DiFranco, Betty Who, Solea Pfeiffer, and Jordan Fisher. It is currently the longest-running show at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

Theater: Walter Kerr Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $47.50 tickets available at LuckySeat.

The Fine Print: Entries close at 10:30am on the day prior to the performance. Drawings will begin at 11am EST and will continue throughout the day. If selected as a winner, details on purchase deadline will be included in your email. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office and may be partial view. Pairs may be split up.

Standing Room: A limited number of $39 tickets are available on days when the performance is sold out. Get tickets at the box office at 12pm for matinees and 5pm for evening performances.

The Fine Print: Limit 1 per person, standing room is located in the back of the orchestra.

Hamilton-Broadway-Musical

Hamilton

Hamilton makes 46 tickets available for every performance through its digital lottery! Known affectionately as Ham4Ham – or Hamilton for a Hamilton – each ticket is just $10. Hamilton has become a global sensation. Based on the biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, it follows America’s founding fathers including Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Aaron Burr. It has been playing on Broadway since 2015 and was nominated for sixteen Tony Awards, winning eleven of them, including the Tony Award for Best Musical. It also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Theater: Richard Rodgers Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $10 Ham4Ham (Hamilton for a Hamilton) tickets available through the official Hamilton app.

The Fine Print: Winners have 2 hours to pay for their tickets. Limit 2 per winner, seats will be in the front row orchestra. 46 tickets are available for every performance.

harry-potter-cursed-child-at-lyric

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child offers discounted lottery and rush tickets! Immerse yourself in the wizarding world when Harry Potter’s son Albus attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and becomes best friends with Draco Malfoy’s son Scorpius. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was once in two parts, but it’s since been condensed, so you can see the entire spectacle in one jaw-dropping show! The play was nominated for ten Tony Awards and won six, including the Tony Award for Best Play. The stage magic will blow your mind.

Theater: Lyric Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $40 tickets are available on the TodayTix app.

The Fine Print: Enter from Monday at 12:01am to Friday at 1pm ET for a chance for “Friday Forty” tickets. Winners will have 60 minutes to pay for tickets via credit card. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $49 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Sunday.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Hell's Kitchen at the Shubert Theatre

Hell's Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen offers discounted lottery and rush tickets! The musical is inspired by Alicia Keys’ childhood in Hell’s Kitchen and features her music, including songs like “Girl on Fire,” “Perfect Way to Die,” and “Empire State of Mind.” Following 17-year-old Ali, this coming-of-age story celebrates the relationship between daughters and their mothers and the importance of community. It was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards – catch it before the awards ceremony to say you saw it first!

Theater: Shubert Theatre

Digital Lottery: Limited number of $39 tickets available at Rush Telecharge. 

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $39 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Job at the Hayes Theatre

Job

Job, written by Max Wolf Friedlich and directed by Michael Herwitz, comes to Broadway’s Hayes Theater after sold-out runs off-Broadway at the Soho Playhouse and the Connelly Theatre. It follows tech worker Jane (Sydney Lemmon) and therapist Loyd (Peter Friedman), who has to sign off on her return to work. The New York Times gave the play a Critic’s Pick and called it, “a stress test that feels like it’s life or death.”

Theater: Hayes Theater

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $47 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $39 rush tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Left on Tenth

Left on Tenth

Left on Tenth offers digital lottery tickets and features Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher in a play by Delia Ephron, adapted from her best-selling memoir. Full of the warmth and hope, this delightful and uplifting story explores second chances, love, and surprising twists in life. It’s both touching and motivational.

Theater: James Earl Jones Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $49 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

Robert Downey, Jr. in McNeal

McNeal

McNeal, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar and directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, stars Academy Award winner Robert Downey Jr as Jacob McNeal, a celebrated writer working on his next novel. Over the course of the play, McNeal navigates a strained relationship with his son and a keen interest in AI. This buzzy play is sure to be a hot ticket, so get a seat while you can!

Theater: Vivian Beaumont Theater

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $48 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

Neil-Simon-MJ-Musical

MJ the Musical

MJ the Musical follows the life and career of Michael Jackson and takes place when he is preparing for the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It features his iconic music including the songs “Beat It,” “I'll Be There,” “Smooth Crinimal,” “Thriller,” “Man in the Mirror,” and more. It was nominated for ten Tony Awards and won four, including the Tony Award for Best Choreography. This crowd-favorite has been entertaining crowds since it opened in 2022.

Theater: Neil Simon Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $35 tickets available at BroadwayDirect.

The Fine Print: Entries are accepted from 9am - 3pm the day prior to the performance. If you are selected as a winner, you have 60 minutes to pay for your tickets via credit card. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office and may be partial view.

Moulin-Rouge-Broadway

Moulin Rouge! The Musical!

Moulin Rouge! The Musical! is based on the Baz Luhrmann film and follows composer Christian and courtesan Satine at the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris. This larger-than-life jukebox musical features pop songs like “Lady Marmalade,” “Your Song,” “Bad Romance,” “Chandelier,” “Roxanne,” and more. Come watch Christian and Satine fall in love, and fall in love yourself with the songs, dance, and impressive visuals.

Theater: Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $34 tickets available at LuckySeat.

The Fine Print: Entries close at 10:30am on the day prior to the performance. Winners must purchase their tickets by 3pm. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Oh, Mary! at the Lyceum

Oh, Mary!

Oh, Mary! offers discounted lottery and rush tickets! Written by and starring the wildly funny Cole Escola, the play follows Mary Todd Lincoln: alcoholic, dreamer, and aspiring cabaret star. Throw in a discontent President Lincoln, an acting teacher you may recognize, and a chaperone who can’t keep up with Mary, and you have a recipe for an 80-minute thrill-ride you won’t soon forget. The New York Post called it “the funniest show in town…an unmissable highlight of the season.” After a sold-out run off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, the show transfers to the Lyceum. Get tickets while you can!

Theater: Lyceum Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $47 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $43 rush tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Once Upon a Mattress

Once Upon a Mattress

Once Upon a Mattress stars Sutton Foster and Michael Urie as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone and Prince Dauntless. Adapted by Amy Sherman-Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and directed by Lear deBessonet, Once Upon a Mattress hilariously reimagines Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Princess and the Pea.” TheaterMania called this musical comedy, “a great night out, and one that will delight people of all ages.”

Digital Rush: A limited number of $45 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix app.

The Fine Print: Tickets become available at 9am on the day of the performance. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $45 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office. 

Our Town with Jim Parsons

Our Town

Our Town, written by Thornton Wilder and directed by Kenny Leon, plays at the Barrymore Theatre and offers both lottery and rush tickets. Its starry cast includes Jim Parsons, Katie Holmes, Zoey Deutch, and Ephraim Sykes. Come visit the town of Grover’s Corners, where the large and small acts of being alive take center stage. This Pulitzer Prize winning play is one of the most performed plays in America – come see why in this brand new production!

Theater: Barrymore Theatre

Digital Lottery: Limited number of $49 tickets available at Rush Telecharge. 

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $45 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Student Rush: A limited number of $30 tickets are available at box office with valid student ID.

The Fine Print: Subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo + Juliet

Romeo + Juliet offers digital lottery and in-person rush tickets and stars Kit Connor (“Heartstopper”) and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes). Featuring music by Jack Antonoff, choreography by Sonya Tayeh, and direction by Sam Gold, get your tickets to witness these star-crossed lovers and enjoy a beloved Shakespearean play in a completely new way!

Theater: Circle in the Square Theatre

Digital Lottery (Standing Room): A limited number of $49 standing room tickets are available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $49 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Digital Rush (Cancellation Tickets): A Limited number of $99 tickets are available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Rush requires access to social media. Check back frequently as cancelation seats may become available close to the desired performance date.

Six-musical-broadway

Six

Six remixes history and puts Henry VIII’s six wives in the spotlight. Staged like a pop concert and with a lean running time, this musical has garnered a worldwide following. In fact, its cast recording – the first ever recorded live during a show – was released in May 2022 and was streamed over 23 million times in just the first five months. Come see Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr and cheer for your favorite Queen!

Theater: Brooks Atkinson Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $30 tickets available at Broadway Direct.

The Fine Print: Entries are accepted from 9am - 6pm the day prior to the performance. Limit 1 entry per person and 2 tickets per winner.

Standing Room: $49 Standing Room tickets are available at the box office on days when the performance is sold out. Limit 2 per person.

Cancellation line: Visit the box office before the scheduled performance for last minute tickets. Prices and seat location vary.

Stereophonic

Stereophonic

Stereophonic written by David Adjmi and directed by Daniel Aukin transferred to the Golden Theatre after a hit run off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. The play follows a band as they create an album. But even as their creativity and success grows, their relationships splinter. Stereophonic received 13 Tony Award nominations, including a nomination for Best Play and Best Original Score. Will Butler from Arcade Fire provides the music.

Theater: Golden Theatre

Digital Lottery: Limited number of $40 tickets available at Rush Telecharge. 

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

Digital Rush: Limited number of $30 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Rush requires access to social media. Tickets available at 11am each day. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

Suffs at the Music Box Theatre

Suffs

Suffs tells the story of the Suffragettes and their fight for the right for women to vote. After a hit run off-Broadway at the Public Theater, the musical now plays at the Music Box Theatre. With book, music, and lyrics by Shaina Taub (who also stars as Alice Paul), this inspiring show is backed by Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai.

Theater: Music Box Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $49 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $45 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office. 

Book-of-Mormon

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon offers discounted lottery and rush tickets! This irreverent comedy from Trey Parker and Matt Stone (South Park) and Robert Lopez (who co-wrote songs for Frozen and Coco with Kristen Anderson-Lopez) follows a group of Mormon missionaries as they travel to Uganda to spread their faith. This musical is hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt and won nine Tony Awards including Best Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

Theater: Eugene O’Neill

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $45 tickets available at LuckySeat.

The Fine Print: Entries close at 10am on the day prior to the performance. Winners must purchase their tickets by 3pm. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office and may be partial view. Pairs may be split up.

Digital Rush: A limited number of $39 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix app.

The Fine Print: Tickets become available at 9am on the day of the performance. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby offers discounted lottery and rush tickets! Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this musical set during the Jazz Age stars Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada as the titular Jay Gatsby and socialite Daisy Buchanan. When Daisy’s cousin Nick Carraway comes to town, he finds himself immersed in a world unlike any he’s ever seen.  See this story about money, obsession, and the American Dream in a whole new way!

Theater: Broadway Theatre

Digital Lottery: Limited number of $45 tickets available at Rush Telecharge. 

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $40 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

Student Rush: A limited number of $25 tickets are available at box office with valid student ID.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

The Hills of California

The Hills of California

Jez Butterworth – known for his acclaimed plays The Ferryman, The River, and Jerusalem – brings his newest play, The Hills of California, to Broadway after its hit run in London. The play follows the Webb sisters and is set in the 1970s in Blackpool, England. As they sweat through the summer heat and attend to their dying mother, the sisters remember their own childhood as a singing musical act and wait for their final sister to join them.

Theater: Broadhurst Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $52 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $37 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person available at the box office on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is at the discretion of the box office.

Lion-King-Broadway

The Lion King

The Lion King offers discounted lottery tickets and has been playing on Broadway since 1997 and is the highest growing Broadway production ever. It has played all over the world and all across America. Based on the Disney film you know and love, with songs like “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” as well as songs written especially for the stage, this musical really soars because of its stage magic. Watch the entire menagerie of animals come to life in front of you.

Theater: Minskoff Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $30 tickets available at BroadwayDirect.

The Fine Print: Entries are accepted from 9am - 3pm the day prior to the performance. If you are selected as a winner, you have 60 minutes to pay for your tickets via credit card. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office and may be partial view.

The Notebook at the Schoenfeld Theatre

The Notebook

The Notebook offers discounted lottery and rush tickets! Based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks, this musical is a romance just waiting to sweep you off your feet. With music by Ingrid Michaelson and a book by Bekah Brunstetter, come see Noah and Allie’s relationship from the spark of first love to how it endures over decades.

Theater: Schoenfeld Theatre

Digital Lottery: Limited number of $44 tickets available at Rush Telecharge. 

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $49 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

The Outsiders at the Bernard B Jacobs Theatre

The Outsiders

The Outsiders offers discounted lottery and rush tickets and is based on the best-selling young adult novel of the same name by S.E. Hinton. The musical is proving to be just as popular with twelve Tony Award nominations including the Tony Award nomination for Best Musical. The show follows the working class Greasers and the rich Socs in 1960s Oklahoma and has some killer choreography. This coming-of-age story about community, identity, and friendship contains all the hope and frustration of growing up when it feels like the world is against you.

Theater: Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

Digital Lottery: Limited number of $49 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $45 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability. Seating at the discretion of the box office.

30 Under 30: $30 available at box office daily to patrons under 30 years old.

The Fine Print: Subject to daily availability, limit 2 tickets per person. Guest may be over 30, but ticket buyer must be under 30 with valid ID.

The Roommate

The Roommate

Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow star as unexpected roommates in this comedy about two very different women. When Sharon finds herself divorced and needing a roommate, it’s perfect timing for Robyn, who needs a fresh start. What follows is a story about friendship, transformation, and second chances.

Theater: Booth Theatre

Digital Lottery: Limited number of $35 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

Digital Rush: Limited number of $30 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Rush requires access to social media. Tickets available at 11am each day. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

Water for Elephants at the Imperial Theatre

Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants offers discounted lottery and rush tickets! Based on the book of the same name, this musical brings the circus to life at the Imperial Theatre. The show has a book by Rick Elice (known for Jersey Boys) and music by PigPen Theatre Co. Come for the epic romance, but stay for the truly jaw-dropping acrobatics. The animals are all played by humans or puppets, and by the end of the musical, you may just want to run away to the circus yourself. The show was nominated for seven Tony Award nominations including the Tony Award for Best Musical. 

Theater: Imperial Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $45 tickets available at Rush Telecharge.

The Fine Print: Lottery requires access to social media. Entries open at 12am the day before the performance and close at 3pm. Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Limit 2 tickets per person.

In-Person Lottery: A limited number of $40 lottery tickets available starting two hours before curtain at the Imperial Theatre box office.

The Fine Print: Entry begins two hours prior to curtain. Limit two tickets per winner, and winners will be drawn 90 minutes before curtain. Seating is at the discretion of the box office.

In-Person Rush: A limited number of $49 tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis when box office opens. 10am Monday – Saturday, 12pm Sundays.

The Fine Print: Limit 2 tickets per person available at the box office on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is at the discretion of the box office.

Gershwin-Wicked-Broadway-Musical

Wicked

Wicked offers discounted lottery and rush tickets and has been enchanting audiences of all ages since it first opened on Broadway in 2003. This retelling of The Wizard of Oz explains how Glinda became the Good Witch and Elphaba became known as…you guessed it, Wicked. The musical has since travelled the globe, and the cast album won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2005 before being certified platinum in 2006. Come see this popular Broadway musical before the film adaptation comes out this November!

Theater: Gershwin Theatre

Digital Lottery: A limited number of $49/$59 tickets avail at BroadwayDirect.

The Fine Print: Entries are accepted from 10am-4pm the day prior to the performance for matinee performances. Entries are accepted from 8pm the day prior to the performance to 11am the day of the performance for evening performances. If you are selected as a winner, you have 60 minutes to pay for your tickets via credit card. Limit 2 tickets per winner, ID will be needed to collect the tickets. Seating at the discretion of the box office. 

In-Person Lottery: 26 lottery tickets will be available for each performance at $30/ticket.

The Fine Print: Lottery will open two and a half hours before each performance and is located in the Gershwin breezeway. Limit 2 tickets per person, cash only. Winners will be announced two hours before the performance.

In-Person Student Rush: A limited number of $69 tickets are available in-person at the Gershwin Theatre box office with valid college or university ID. Limit 2 tickets per person, subject to availability.

Broadway Lottery FAQs

What is a NYC Broadway Lottery? Some shows make a limited number of tickets available for each performance to be purchased at a discount. This allows people who would otherwise be priced out of seeing a Broadway show the chance to see it for less money.

How Does a Broadway Lottery Work? First, decide what show you want to see. Then, check if it has a lottery or rush ticket available. Rush tickets are given out first-come, first-served either online or in person when the box office opens. For lottery tickets, some shows still have in-person lotteries, but nowadays, they are most often entered online. Winners then have the option to purchase tickets.  Specific guidelines can be found on this page or on a show’s official website.

How Do You Enter a Broadway Lottery? Depending on the show, you can enter a Broadway lottery online or in person. Each show has their own specific rules about timing – some lotteries are drawn a few hours before showtime, others the day before, and some shows even draw winners up to a week in advance. For in-person lotteries, the line usually starts a few hours before showtime at the box office. If there’s a specific show you want to see, their website will have a list of rules for the lottery - or just look at this webpage, we keep an up-to-date list of the Broadway lotteries available for each show.

Can You Enter a Broadway Lottery Multiple Times? Yes! You can enter every day if you want to – some shows only allow you to win and purchase tickets one time, but until that happens, you can try your luck every day. One caveat: most shows only allow one entry per person per performance (meaning, don’t try and enter multiple times for the same performance to increase your chances of winning – if you’re found out, you will be disqualified.)

Do All Broadway Shows Have Lotteries? Unfortunately, no. But most shows offer some sort of discount, whether it’s a rush or lottery ticket, young person or student discount, or other ways to save. Check out our article on Where to Find Discount Broadway Tickets for more information.

Broadway Gift Cards

Looking to give a friend the gift of a Broadway show? Check out our article on Broadway Gift Cards for different options!

Kathryn Willingham

Head of Creative Development at Jean Doumanian Productions

Kathryn Willingham has worked in entertainment for over ten years, and recent credits include: Co-producer of SHRINK currently streaming on Peacock, Associate Producer of the independent film UNA, and Creative Executive on multiple theatrical productions including HANGMEN by Martin McDonagh on Broadway, NASSIM by Nassim Soleimanpour Off-broadway and Associate on productions EVERY BRILLIANT THING by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and THE EFFECT by Lucy Prebble. She was Producer of Todd Almond’s musical travelogue “Wyoming and Parts of Kansas” and Production Coordinator for Karen O and KK Barrett's “Stop the Virgens.”

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Education: B.A. in English, Literature & Creative Writing from Rhodes College
Knowledge: Theatrical Production

Published

Oct 19, 2022

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