“ I ca n’t do less than five hundred . I ’d rather eat it . I spend thirteen hundred . ” So says the calm , elegantly polished older cleaning lady outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre moments before the cast ofHamiltontakes the stage .
Her husband , she tell me , is " quite ill " and unable to get together her for this evening ’s public presentation . After a lightning - fast conversation ( more facial signals than anything else ) , Greg and Lanie K. of Atlanta say they ’ll go for it . And thus a gentleman’s gentleman in a unripe Marco Polo shirt , tan short pants , and a soft sunburn leaps from the standby line to chase after down a very Upper East Side adult female in a spangly frock . Five Ben Franklins subsequently and Greg has a printout in his deal . Lanie had been endure / sitting / snoozing on West 46th St since morning while he was " in meetings , " but not betimes enough for her to get one of the $ 40 nimiety ticket that do exist . Greg is thrilled she gets to go , but is n’t too deplorable for himself . “ I find out it ’s great , but I ’ll go hang out at a Starbucks . ”
Alexander Hamilton , America ’s founding capitalist , is surely divert by the nightly fiscal pandemonium that accompanies each performance ( a furor that ’s only increased since star / composer / lyrist / close - personal - supporter - of - Barack - Obama Lin - Manuel Miranda has annunciate he’llstep away from the production in July ) . survey the vista on a random summertime Thursday , one finds that the audience share a common trait : everyone is uncoerced to throw down serious cash to get in .
Courtesy of Atlantic Records
" Hamilton ! Hamilton ! " an usher outcry , as though this were Yankee Stadium , not the multimillion - dollar societal event of the yr .
" Do n’t ask ! " the materfamilias of the Geller family of Westchester , NY express mirth when I enquire what they paid for four just the ticket to tonight ’s show . " It ’s amount from her college fund ! " she says as she points at 15 - year - old Melanie , who already screw the songs inside and out . The overjoyed adolescent say thatHamiltonmakes US account much more interesting and relatable , before break up herself up for " sounding like a total dork . "
Elsewhere on the ticketholder line are Mike and Karlin , vacationers from Tampa , who also reject to recount me incisively what they paid their third political party broker for tonight ’s show . " It ’s the matter , right ? " Mike jokes , while Karlin admit that she has n’t heard one call from the show . When I warn them that , despite the play being staged at the Richard Rodgers Theatre , the music is n’t traditional “ show euphony , ” they are undiscouraged . " We see 50 penny ! "
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Fellow Floridians Ron and Mary are more willing to discuss the issue of ticket agent , a system about which Lin - Manuel Miranda himself voiced his displeasurein aNew York Timesop - edbeforeraising the price of choice seating area for the show . " Clearly they are doing very well , " Mary enounce , nodding her head word toward the dramatic art , not too concerned with the opinion of money not getting to the show ’s producers . “ I do n’t feel like I was scammed , ” Ron tell , though still hesitant to give me a accurate fig for what he laid out for tonight ’s spear . " And mind , " he adds , peek at his StubHub printout , " more power to Barney O. for having the foresight to purchase tickets over a year ago . He ’s glad , I ’m happy , everyone is well-chosen . "
Happiest on the ticketholder line is Amy Taylor of Los Angeles , California , theonlyperson I can find attending this eventide ’s operation at face - note value prices . " I grew up in New Jersey and was raise on theater . I come across [ Lin - Manuel Miranda ’s previous show]In The Heightsand loved it . I knew I was start to be in New York this week for a wedding , so I bought my tag about a year ago . "
But it has n’t been an easy twelvemonth for Taylor . While melodious field lover around the world have been lose their idea over songs like " Non - check " and " Who Lives , Who Dies , Who Tells Your Story , " she ’s salute herself to rigorous show - line abstinence . " I wanted to go in fresh , so I ’ve drive the soundtrack aside . " When I joke that she might be the most organised and driven woman in the commonwealth , her date for the night whispers an aside : " You have no idea . "
The Richard Rodgers Theatre support in the shadow of New York ’s massive Church of Scientology construction , and to say this new musical comedy has a bit of a cult adopt is an understatement . A family of five from Louisville who have n’t seen the show yet proudly wearHamiltonT - shirt and , despite ascribe fundament numbers , hover near the front of the ticketholder line so they can pounce the moment the doors open .
And when those doors do open , the folly really kicks in . " Hamilton ! Hamilton ! " an usher shouts , as though this were Yankee Stadium , not the multimillion - dollar social event of the year . Women in gown amalgamate with slovenly person in gymnasium shorts , and nervous individuals take to their cell earpiece . " Where ARE you ! ? ! " a char screams , while another adult female , panicked at how presently it is to showtime , bark " check explain yourself and MOVE YOUR ASS ! " Two womanhood abide in the midriff of the street , eye every cab hybridisation 8th Ave . " He ’ll be here , he ’ll be here , " they repeat , sounding more like a prayer than a statement of fact .
Most dying are those at the front of thestandby line . All have been there for at least eight hours , and will presently memorise if it was deserving it . As it ’s explained to me , there are a few seats save for VIPs that get release at the last mo , in plus to those who call in last - second cancellation . These tickets are sold at face value , plus there are often stand room tickets that trade for a mere 40 clam .
It ’s 7 promethium on the dot , and Nancy is seeingHamiltonon the tatty for the second metre .
KK from Park City , Utah , got there at 11:30am , holding a spot for her daughter , a late college grade who " really has a job . " ( You are appropriate to hold for one additional person . ) At 10 - to - seven , KK ’s daughter keeps attain refresh on StubHub . " It ’s at $ 600 now . " If it function down to $ 300 they ’ll moot .
It ’s now 6:52 and a group at the front of standby got in . They have cheers and extolment from the people directly behind them . The 1 further down the personal line of credit are get a little worried .
That ’s when the cleaning woman with the spare ticket approaches and is nearly tackle amid the scrum of ticketholders trying to get in the theatre flux with general Midtown Manhattan foot traffic . But her firm position ( " Not less than $ 500 , I pass $ 1300 " ) drives most aside . After Greg and Lanie make the decision to go for it , Lanie skips past security system with a big smile and call back to Greg , commanding him to stay on business . " You might get in ! " ( Obviously , he does n’t . )
At 7:03 , KK and daughter seem give up to her lot , but then they get the undulation . There ’s one more fundament only . The daughter run in , taking some cash from Mom . She might have enounce give thanks you , it ’s hard to say for sure . “ It ’s OK . My back is killing me , I ’m work to a barroom to drink heavy . ”
A few straggler linger , but the doors close and the show begin . There is , however , one womanhood , Casey Maher from Connecticut – who was actually in front of KK on line – that sits down . She was never here for tonight ’s performance . She ’s in the middle of her 30 - hour wait so she and a friend who ’ll be fall in by and by can be first on the standby line for Friday ’s performance . She has some pillow and warm wearing apparel , and a book to keep her busy . She ’s just a few chapters into Ron Chernow’sAlexander Hamilton . Though it ’s possible she may still get exclude out , being first minimizes the risk as much as potential for a person without 100 of dollars to drop . And she ’s not throw away her crack .
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