MINNEAPOLIS - Thousands of fans scrambled to get their hands on subscriptions to the Hennepin Theatre Trust's 2018-2019 season in order to secure a seat to "Hamilton" this fall.
However, theater officials say "an unprecedented" amount of people both in person, on the phone and attempting to log on to the website seemingly crashed the system.
Messages were posted to the Hennepin Theatre Trust's twitter page, apologizing for the "technical difficulties" and asking those searching for tickets to keep trying.
Dear Evan Hansen, plus a number of fan favorites, were announced on Monday as part of Hennepin Theatre Trust's 2018-2019 Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin season. In addition, the dates for the highly anticipated Hamilton tour were set.
As of 11:30 a.m., the theater said the website was back up and running but still experiencing high traffic volumes online and over the phone. "Please be patient and keep refreshing!" the tweet said.
The theater said at that time, the best way to ensure fans score tickets to these big Broadway hits is to become a season subscriber. Subscription packages were made available starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday at this link.
Long lines at the State Theatre box office were also seen Wednesday morning, as some fans attempted an in-person attempt for tickets.
"We didn't expect quite this many for a season launch," said Jim Sheeley, President of the Historic Theatre Group.
Sheeley runs the Orpheum. He says the line Wednesday morning for season tickets was unprecedented.
"We know there's a lot of excitement out there about the season we just announced and we know Hamilton is a big factor in that," said Sheeley.
This season's lineup includes eight Minnesota premieres and four returning favorites.
Here's the full schedule:
(Eight-show season subscription package)
Hamilton, Aug. 29-Oct. 7, 2018
A Bronx Tale – The New Musical, Feb. 19-24, 2019
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, March 6-17, 2019
Hello, Dolly!, April 16-28, 2019
On Your Feet!, Jan. 22-27, 2019
That Play That Goes Wrong, May 7-12, 2019
Dear Evan Hansen, May 28-June 9, 2019
Fiddler on the Roof, July 30-Aug. 4, 2019
(Season options)
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Oct. 22-27, 2018
The Book of Mormon, Nov. 6-18, 2018
Les Miserables, Dec. 18-30, 2018
Rock of Ages, Feb. 8-10, 2019