In 2013 The Tony Awards announced it would be holding a Student Lottery for its 67th Annual Awards Show. The lottery took place outside Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues), then home to Rock of Ages. I was there on Thursday, June 6th at 12 noon, along with hundreds of other people. It was so crowded the line stretched both ways along the whole street block! Justin Matthew Sargent, who played Drew in Rock of Ages, picked the names in typical lottery fashion. The difference being the size and noise of the crowd; the cheering for winners was INSANE.
And guess what?
HE PICKED MY NAME!!!
I was able to purchase two tickets for $40 each, cash only. This is an unbelievable price and by far the coolest Broadway lottery I have ever won. I can’t wait to hear if they’ll be running a student lottery this year!
The lottery had such an unexpectedly large turnout, that when they inevitably ran out of lottery tickets, the committee allowed them to begin selling discounted tickets for those who hadn’t won. Obviously not at the same price but still much, much less than the going rate.
Once I won the tickets, I could not stop smiling and telling everyone I won. The hardest part was picking whom to go with! I was eagerly awaiting June 9th. It was only three days away but it felt like forever.
When Sunday June 9th finally arrived I followed the directions on the ticket (Black Tie ONLY) and got all dressed like up as if I was going to an expensive wedding,. The tickets stated that doors would open at 5:45 and latecomers weren’t to be admitted. We were at the theater right on time and got the chance to walk on a red carpet AND take a photo in front of a sponsor wall!
As I sat in my seat waiting for the ceremony to start I could not wait to see glimpses from some of the greatest shows of the current season. Neil Patrick Harris was the host and he was amazing. He played to the camera, crowd and audience like a pro. His opening number blew me away!
Some of my favorite performances from that night can be viewed here:
A student lottery date and location has not yet been announced, but here’s to hoping that there will definitely be one! It was a truly magical, exciting, once in a lifetime (hopefully twice!) experience. I am so happy I was able to go and I can’t wait to try to win again! I hope that one day you will be able to experience it too.
Thank you the Broadway League and the Tony awards for creating a student lottery and giving me the opportunity to attend the Tony Awards!