After running some errands and having breakfast with my friend, Brendan, I headed back up to the Atrium to get in line for the ticket distribution.
The Lincoln Center staff did a great job of trying to make sure that everything ran as smoothly as possible. Extra security guards were directing people where to go. Staff from the Executive Offices were greeting the First Day ticket buyers, myself included. And they even had a brass trio providing some fun jazz and Dixieland selections to keep our toes tapping while we waited in line.
Of course, since it
is New York City, there were a few complainers and out-and-out crazies in the line. I got into an interesting "discussion" with one woman who kept bitching about people cutting in front of her.
-Well, if you're number 42, and she's number 35, she should be in front of you.
"But she wasn't here when they called the group."
-It doesn't matter. That's why Lincoln Center numbered the bracelets.
"Well, it's just not fair. I got here first."
-Actually, no you didn't. She arrived before you earlier this morning if she has a lower number than you.
"Was I talking to you? I mean, this really isn't how this should be done. And my friend here (point), and this gentleman here (point) also think that people should not be cutting in line of front of us."
-There are plenty of tickets available. You're far enough at the front of the line that you're bound to get a ticket, so just be thankful that Lincoln Center started this program.
"It's just not fair. I mean I'm not even getting these tickets for myself. I'm getting them for some friends who are coming in from out of town later."
-Well, that's very nice of you to...
"Don't talk to me like that! Don't patronize me!"
Bitch, bitch, bitch. Yadda, yadda, yadda.The gentleman in front of me asked me why I kept trying to explain things to her, to calm her down. I told him I was just trying to make sure that things were being done the way that Lincoln Center meant them to be run. We ended up having a good laugh about it all.
The box office window opened at Noon, and at around 12:15, I walked away with a decent rear orchestra seat for tonight's performance of
A Midsummer Night's Dream. -I believe this will be the first Balanchine ballet I've seen live, in person!
