Big crowd lines up for 'Hamilton' tickets at Proctors
June 25, 2019 05:39 AM
SCHENECTADY – The first man lined up in Stratton Plaza behind Proctors Theatre at 3:25 a.m. Four and a half hours later he was handed voucher 73 for the privilege to buy tickets to "Hamilton." The man with voucher #1 got in line at 7:30 a.m.
So went the system to sell tickets to the 16-show, 12-day run of "Hamilton," the smash hit musical that made its Broadway debut in the summer of 2015. It began touring nationally in 2017 and comes to Schenectady August 13-25.
"This is my Black Friday," said Danielle Sanzone, a digital marketer for a Hamilton documentary at WMHT. She was third in line Monday morning. "As a liberal arts student, I appreciate that people everywhere are now appreciating learning about this history."
The line of more than 1,000 fans wrapped around the block from the back door of Proctors to nearly the front marquee on State Street. When the doors opened at 8 a.m., people were ushered into the Main Theatre to wait and were entertained with music, trivia and prizes. Some sat with a book, others with electronic devices or a good, old-fashioned crossword puzzle.
They were all waiting for the musical about Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and based on the 2004 biography by historian Ron Chernow.
"Part of why we're coming," said Terri Cole (Averill Park) with her sister Kathy (Williamstown, MA) after securing seven tickets, "she has teenage daughters who are super into it. So my excitement is about their excitement, they're going to lose it so we've been obsessively listening to the music for years now."
Proctors' CEO Philip Morris worked the crowd long before the tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. He says when he first saw the show on Broadway, he wasn't blown away. He is not a hip-hop fan but he sees the appeal.
"I think when people go they walk out with that sense of this is how my country started with a slight spin and it's really neat," Morris said.
People were limited to four tickets each whether at the box office, on the phone or online. The Proctors online sales stalled late morning.
We understand patrons are having problems buying tickets online. We have turned off the queue and patrons are now able to purchase regularly. Please log back in. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please message us if you are still having trouble buying tickets. pic.twitter.com/Pf35c8QAVp
— Proctors (@atProctors) June 24, 2019
Some skipped school, others went in late or took a long lunch to get tickets for @HamiltonMusical @atProctors. @WNYT pic.twitter.com/gy8erWGFmF
— John Craig (@JohnCraigWNYT) June 24, 2019
Outside @atProctors #Schenectady this morning as fans get set for @HamiltonMusical tour. @WNYT pic.twitter.com/DNKp5gAniX
— John Craig (@JohnCraigWNYT) June 24, 2019
Lining up this morning from #Scotia to #Rensselaer to #Rotterdam outside @atProctors for @HamiltonMusical tickets. @WNYT pic.twitter.com/wo0pGEVUFR
— John Craig (@JohnCraigWNYT) June 24, 2019
Lined up around the corner at #StrattonPlaza @atProctors for tickets @HamiltonMusical this morning. @WNYT pic.twitter.com/nxOBCzzbzO
— John Craig (@JohnCraigWNYT) June 24, 2019
The @atProctors doors for @HamiltonMusical tickets are open. @WNYT pic.twitter.com/Y5oHzL9EPz
— John Craig (@JohnCraigWNYT) June 24, 2019
Filling out forms ahead of @HamiltonMusical tickets @atProctors #Schenectady. Countdown is on. DJ playing #CultureClub. @WNYT pic.twitter.com/DDeXq36pyY
— John Craig (@JohnCraigWNYT) June 24, 2019
Waiting for the chance to buy @HamiltonMusical tickets @atProctors includes winning a water bottle, playing games on device or an old fashioned #crosswordpuzzle. @WNYT pic.twitter.com/4rjTEh1p5x
— John Craig (@JohnCraigWNYT) June 24, 2019
Credits
WNYT Staff
Updated: June 25, 2019 05:39 AM
Created: June 24, 2019 10:36 AM
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