Thousands secure 'Hamilton' tickets in Charlotte after hourslong wait

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hundreds of people waited for hours outside the Blumenthal Theatre in uptown Charlotte to secure a seat to “Hamilton.”

Many formed in line as early as 3 a.m.

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Tickets went on sale Wednesday morning for the Oct. 10 through Nov. 4 performances.

Ticket prices range from $74.50 to $174.50, with a select number of $434.50 premium seats available for all performances (prices do not include tax and service fees).

"It has really sparked interest for young people, especially being hip-hop and rap,” fan Sally Jenkins said.

Fans waited in line to get wristbands that would let them get in line to buy a ticket to the musical.

"I think it's an amazing way to liven up an old story that nobody rekindles,” fan Brett Chrisley said.

Hamilton opened on Broadway three years ago.

Since then, the immensely popular musical has swept much of the country, and now Charlotte, into a craze.

But while thousands waited both outside and in a virtual waiting room, they took to Twitter to vent their frustrations.

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"Hamilton" is the story of America's founding father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first treasury secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway, "Hamilton" is the story of America then, as told by America now.

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, "Hamilton" is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Hamilton.

The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater.

"It's been interesting for me to see kids as young as 4 and 5, who have the scores memorized from listening to the CD, and I've come across people in their 70s and 80s who are obsessed with it,” said Tom Gabbard, CEO of Blumenthal Performing Arts.

While hundreds waited outside the theater, even more waited online for tickets.

For hours, tens of thousands of fans got messages saying online sales were paused.

Those sales were shut down for 2/ 1/2 hours because the theater discovered more than 8,000 bots were trying to trick their way in.

Ultimately, the theatre stopped the scalpers from getting the tickets.

Fans said all the online drama and the insane wait times are to be expected ahead of a show that's unlike any other.

"I am very much looking forward to it,” fan Deja Byrd said.

On show days, there will be 40 seats available at the box office at $10 a person.

For information on Hamilton, visit:

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