Ron Drew's Music Page - Activities

Singing - South Shields Amateur Operatic Society

Chapter 5.22 - Snippets of Chorus Lines

How I Got a Ticket For That Show
by
Meg Hogg

I visited New York in July and enjoyed the usual sights and two Broadway shows, but my main objective was to see 'The Producers' - the hottest show in town and booked for months ahead. My friends and I tried to obtain tickets from various venues, but in vain. I couldn't believe I had gone all that way to be disappointed.

The show is based on the marvellous film starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder and has long been a favourite of mine. The "Spring Time for Hitler" section is a knockout!

Now back to my story -
I'd been in the city for almost a week and it was Sunday - very hot, 98 degrees. We'd lunched at the 'Diner in the Square' on 6th Avenue and my friends were discussing another visit to Macys'. We'd already spent the morning there!! I turned to them and said, "I think I'll go to the theatre shops." They told me to take care and off I went.

Can you imagine it - me alone in a strange city and my destination, the St. James' theatre was 12 blocks away on 44th Street. I crossed into 5th Avenue and hurried towards my goal. The heat and humidity was almost overwhelming but I carried on. Trust me to be in New York when they were experiencing their worst heat wave in years! I reached the theatre and thought "Oh well! If I don't get a ticket, I can pop into 'Phantom' across the road. I've only seen it nine times"

The crowds were milling around outside and the box office queue was long. The time was 2.45pm - curtain up at 3.pm. I spotted a gentleman in a dinner suit and thought, "Maybe he's the front of house manager." I walked up to him and said "Excuse me, I've come all the way from England just to see the show, I don't suppose you have a return or one spare ticket?" He replied "Come with me"

He took me through the crowds and past the long queue to a ticket window with no patrons waiting. The young man behind the grill was sorting his takings. 'Dinner Suit' said, "This lady has travelled all the way from the UK to see the show - find her a ticket." I thanked him and waited.

It was now 2.50pm and the audience was going in. I was given a seat in the stalls for the princely sum of $100. I couldn't believe my luck. And then it was CURTAIN UP.

What a show - It was everything I'd hoped for. Wonderful performances, fast and funny and the musical numbers were terrific - especially "Spring Time for Hitler". My long walk in the heat had paid off and I'd achieved my ambition - to see  'That Show' on Broadway. Whoopee!!

It's coming to London next Spring - Don't miss it!

Next edition snippet

[Ron Drew's Home Page] [Music Page][SSAOS Index]
[History] [Shows] [Highlights] [Personalities] [Chorus Lines]

Copyright (c) 1999-2001 Ron Drew.
Last revised: August 11, 2003.