Anyone willing to wake up and get to the box office early, spend some time in a line, or stand during the show, can get greatly discounted tickets to the majority of shows on Broadway.

It all started with Rent, which, at the peak of its popularity, sold all seats in the first two rows of the orchestra for $20 to whomever would get to the box office in time on the day of the performance. Naturally, students embraced the opportunity and lines formed at dawn. Since then, Broadway has offered rush and SRO tickets to encourage an enthusiastic theatre community.

Rush and SRO tickets are sold on the day of the performance, usually as soon as the box office opens, unless otherwise specified. Many policies are restricted to students and require valid student IDs. Seat location varies with different shows, from front row to rear mezzanine. A wait in line is usually inevitable. For more popular shows, it's reasonable to anticipate a wait spanning a couple of hours. Also note that many box offices only accept cash for rush and SRO tickets.

Standing-room patrons must stand in numbered spaces that are the width of a regular seat. They are usually located at the back of the orchestra. SRO tickets are trickier to get because they are generally only available if the show is sold out. There's no definite way to predict in advance whether a performance will sell out, although shows that sell out often include Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Pippin, Matilda, Kinky Boots, The Lion King and Jersey Boys. Unless otherwise specified, one SRO ticket is sold per person.

Here are the rush and SRO policies of different Broadway shows. Also included are shows offering low-priced regular tickets.

All Student Rush ticket purchases require a valid and current student ID. All Lottery Rush ticket purchases require a photo ID.  Broadway box offices typically open at 10 AM (12 noon on Sundays) and close between 8:15 and 8:30 PM.

Note: This feature is updated frequently, but policies are subject to change without notice. Please email mblank@playbill.com regarding any information that is no longer accurate.

After Midnight
General Rush: $37 - cash only. Available when the box office opens, subject to availability. 2 tickets per person.

Aladdin
Lottery Rush: $30 - a limited number of tickets via lottery at the box office at 214 W. 42nd Street (open Monday-Friday from 9 AM-8 PM, Saturday from 10 AM-8 PM and Sunday from 10 AM-6:30 PM).

Beginning two-and-a-half hours before the performance, theatregoers are invited to enter the lottery, and winners will be drawn two hours before each performance. Winners may purchase up to two $30 tickets with cash only to that day's performance. Locations will be at the theatre's discretion and may not be offered at all performances.

All the Way
Student Rush: $37 - cash or credit card accepted. Open only to current students. Available when the box office opens, subject to availability. Limit 1 ticket per ID.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
General Rush: $40 - A number of $40 tickets will be made available for each performance, for purchase day-of at the box office of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Tickets are subject to availability, and patrons are limited to two rush tickets per person.

The Book of Mormon
Lottery Rush: $32 - a limited number of tickets for each performance will be sold through the lottery. Entries will be accepted at the box office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance; each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $32 each. Only one entry is allowed per person. Cards are checked for duplication prior to drawing. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Tickets may be purchased in cash or with a valid credit card. Tickets are subject to availability.

Standing Room: $27 - available at the box office directly after the lottery.

The Bridges of Madison County
General Rush: $35 - A limited number of rush tickets, which are subject to availability, can be purchased at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) when the box office opens each day, on a first come first served basis. Tickets are $35 each (plus $2 facility fee) and limit two (2) tickets per customer. Additional rush tickets may be made available daily starting at 5:00pm.

Bullets Over Broadway
Preview General Rush: $37 - for each preview, a limited number of orchestra rush tickets will be available each morning when the box office opens at 10 AM. Rush tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis for $37 each, with a limit of two tickets per person. Cash only.

Cabaret
Student Rush: A limited number of half-price seats sold a half hour before curtain. They are subject to availability and limited to 1 per person with a valid student ID.

General Rush: $47 - A limited number of tickets sold when the box office opens on the day of the performance. Tickets are subject to availability and limited to 2 per person. Tickets located in the rear sides of the mezzanine. Cash or credit card.

Hiptix: $25 - Roundabout's Hiptix program allows registered patrons between ages 18 and 35 to purchase 1 pair of tickets per production at this price. Free registration is required. Ticket may be purchased in advance as availability dictates. Info at: http://hiptix.com/

Casa Valentina
Student Rush: $27.00 - offered day of show when the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre box office opens. Must show photo ID verifying current enrollment in degree / diploma program. Limit 2 tickets per valid ID. Subject to availability.

Chicago 
General Rush: $37 - tickets available at the box office only, when the box office opens. Limit 2 per customer. Not available for Saturday evenings. Subject to availability.

Standing Room: $27 - available at the box office, day of performance, only when the performance is sold out.

Cinderella
Student Rush: $32 - for Monday through Thursday performances, producers are making $32 tickets available to college students with a valid ID. Student rush seating locations are at the discretion of the box office. Subject to availability.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Under 35 Rush: $35 - a number of $35 tickets will be made available for each performance for patrons aged thirty-five and younger. These tickets must be purchased day-of, in-person at the box office and are subject to availability. Valid photo I.D. will be required, and patrons are limited to two rush tickets per performance.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Lottery Rush: $37 - A minimum of 20 tickets will be sold via lottery for each performance. Beginning two-and-a-half hours before every performance, patrons are invited to enter the lottery at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street). Winners will be drawn two hours before each performance. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Entries will be collected and names will be drawn at random. Winners will then be able to purchase tickets at $37 each. All cards are checked for duplication prior to drawing. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Tickets may be purchased in cash or with a valid credit card. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Subject to availability. Seat locations may be partial view.

Standing Room: $29 - standing room tickets will be available for purchase at the Belasco Theatre box office beginning 45 minutes prior to curtain on the day of the performance only, but only if the performance is otherwise sold out. Limit 2 tickets per person.

If/Then
Lottery Rush: $25 - a same-day ticket lottery will be held at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre. Entry to the lottery will begin two hours prior to each performance and the winners will be announced 90 mins prior to curtain. Limit two tickets per person. Winners must be present at the time of drawing and valid ID must be shown to purchase tickets. Cash only. All tickets are subject to availability.

Jersey Boys 
Student Rush: $27 - a limited number of student tickets per performance available at the box office on the day of the performance beginning at 10 AM. Two kinds of photo ID must be shown: a non-expired full time student ID, as well as a government issued photo ID, drivers license or passport. Limit 2 tickets per person per 30 day period. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Locations may be partial view. Cash only.

Kinky Boots
Lottery Rush: $37 - lottery entries will be accepted outside the Al Hirschfeld Theatre box office beginning two-and-a-half hours prior to each performance. Names will be drawn at random two hours prior to curtain time. A limited amount of $37 tickets will be available for each performance.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
General Rush: $40 - a limited number of rush tickets, priced $40 and limited to two per customer, will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis when the Circle in the Square box office opens each day. Rush tickets are subject to availability.

Les Misérables
General Rush: $37 - rush tickets will be available beginning 10 AM daily (and noon on Sundays as of March 30) at the Imperial Theatre box office only (249 West 45th Street).

Mamma Mia!
Rush Seats: $32.00 (incl $2.00 fac fee) may be available on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. May not be offered for all performances. Limit is 2 tickets per customer.

Standing Room: $27.00 (incl $2.00 fac fee) available at the box office only on the day of the performance if the performance is sold out. Goes on sale two hours prior to curtain. Limit is 2 per customer.

Matilda
Lottery Rush: $27 - a minimum of 20 tickets will be sold via lottery for each performance. Beginning two-and-a-half hours before every performance, patrons are invited to enter the lottery; winners will then be drawn two hours before each performance. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (a two ticket limit) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Entries will be collected and names will be drawn at random. Winners will then be able to purchase tickets at $27 each. (Cards are checked for duplication prior to drawing.) Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Do appreciate that lottery tickets are absolutely non-transferable: the person entering the lottery must also be the person attending the show. Tickets are subject to availability. Depending on the performance, some seat locations may be partial view. Note that there is limit of two lottery tickets per winner within a 30-day period.

Standing Room: $27 - Available on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Only available when the performance is sold out. Limit 2 tickets per person.

Mothers and Sons
Student Rush: $35 - Limit 1 ticket per ID. Available for $35 on the day of the show when the box office opens. Subject to availability.

Motown
Standing Room: $30 - cash only. Available 1 hour prior to curtain, only when the show is sold out. Limit 2 tickets per person.

Newsies
General Rush: $30 - Newsies, now in its third year, will offer a limited number of general rush seats for $30 each on the day of the show when the box office opens. Rush tickets can be purchased by cash or charge at the Nederlander Theatre box office at 208 W. 41st Street (open Monday-Saturday from 10 AM-8 PM and Sunday from 11:30 AM-6 PM). Locations will be at the theatre's discretion and may not be offered at all performances. Each guest in line may purchase a maximum of two tickets.

Standing Room: Available when the performance is completely sold out. Tickets are limited to two per person, and they are $30 each. There are 22 Standing Room locations available, though sales may be limited at any time.

Of Mice and Men
Student Rush: $35 - a limited number of $35 student tickets (inclusive of a $2 facility fee) will be available for each performance when the box office opens for that day's performance(s) with student identification. Patrons are limited to one ticket per person.

Once
General Rush: $35 (Tuesday-Thursday) and $40 (Friday-Sunday) - a limited number of general rush seats will be sold for each performance, on the day of the show only, when the box office opens. Rush tickets can be purchased by cash or charge at the box office. On 2-show days, rush tickets for both shows will be sold when the box office opens. Locations will be at the theatre's discretion. Each patron in line may purchase a maximum of two (2) tickets.

The Phantom of the Opera
Standing Room: There are $26.25 tickets available at the box office only, only when the performance is sold out. There are only 28 standing room positions.

Tickets in the last two rows of the Rear Mezzanine are priced at $26.25 for Monday through Thursday performances. These tickets may be purchased through Telecharge or at the box office.  

Pippin
General Rush: $37 - a limited number of $37 rush tickets will be available for purchase in person at the Music Theatre box office (239 West 45th Street) when it opens at 10 AM (noon on Sundays) for that day’s performance only. There is a limit of one ticket per person. Tickets are subject to availability and may not be offered at all performances. Cash or credit is accepted.

The Realistic Joneses
General Rush: $35 - a limited number of rush tickets, which are subject to availability, can be purchased at the box office of the Lyceum Theatre when the box office opens (10 AM Monday-Saturday, Sunday at noon) for the day of the performance on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit 2 tickets per customer.

Rock of Ages
Student Rush: $37 - available day of show when box office opens, subject to availability. Must show student ID. Only two tickets per student ID. Cash only.

Rocky
General Rush: A limited number of day-of-show rush tickets will be available for purchase at the box office on a first-come, first-served basis. Rush tickets become available at 10 AM Tuesday through Saturday, and 12 PM on Sunday for that day’s performance(s) and are $35 (Tuesday through Friday) and $45 (Saturday and Sunday). Rush tickets are subject to availability and limited to two per person.

The Velocity of Autumn
General Rush: $29 - a limited number of rush tickets will be available for each performance when the Booth Theatre box office opens for that day's performance(s). Patrons are limited to two tickets per person.

Violet
Student Rush: A limited number of half-price seats sold a half hour before curtain. They are subject to availability and limited to 1 per person with a valid student ID.

General Rush: $37 - A limited number of tickets sold when the box office opens on the day of the performance. Tickets are subject to availability and limited to 2 per person. Tickets located in the rear sides of the mezzanine. Cash or credit card.

Hiptix: $25 - Roundabout's Hiptix program allows registered patrons between ages 18 and 35 to purchase 1 pair of tickets per production at this price. Free registration is required. Ticket may be purchased in advance as availability dictates. Info at: http://hiptix.com/

Wicked
Lottery Rush: $30 - 26 front row seats available for each performance via a lottery drawing held two hours before curtain. Entries are accepted starting two and a half hours prior to each performance (or 30 minutes before the drawing itself). Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per winner. Winners must be present at time of drawing and valid identification must be shown to purchase tickets. Cash only.