The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[gometros]

The $65 was for the fourth time I saw the show. I remember it because I took my best friend. She had never seen a Broadway show before and thought that price was a lot.

Those were the days when you could see a show four times and the total amount is equivalent to ONE ticket now. In a way, Broadway theatre has become for the elite & rich. I hate that.

As the PP said, why IS Phantom almost the same price as a new show out? The only new technology they might have is a new radio control for the boat. But, other than that, the rent for the theatre and for the pay for stagehands hasn't gone up to the level to charge that much.




Exactly!

Unless you're trying to get tickets to one of the hot shows like Wicked, you can pretty much get orchestra seats in the back rows for $89. Broadway is not doing as well as it would like. In smaller theaters, like the Netherlander, where we saw Newsies, the back rows of Orchestra are still darn good seats.

 

[JenM]

Unless you're trying to get tickets to one of the hot shows like Wicked, you can pretty much get orchestra seats in the back rows for $89. Broadway is not doing as well as it would like. In smaller theaters, like the Netherlander, where we saw Newsies, the back rows of Orchestra are still darn good seats.

I remember when we could get those back seats at the Nederlander for $35.

 

[Imzadi]

Unless you're trying to get tickets to one of the hot shows like Wicked, you can pretty much get orchestra seats in the back rows for $89. Broadway is not doing as well as it would like. In smaller theaters, like the Netherlander, where we saw Newsies, the back rows of Orchestra are still darn good seats.

Yes, the BACK rows of JC Superstar, for the previews, were $90. I'm not interested in getting a nose bleed for that price, especially when I've seen it 4 times, usually about 10th row center.

 

[minijeanie]

I usually end up with 1st or 2nd row mezzanine. Those seats are sometimes better than orchestra,

Sorry to say but I stopped doing Broadway last year. They priced me out of the market. I have gone every year 1-2 times a year but the prices are out of control. Even at tkts the pricing is not so great.

I remember getting a CD in the mail for "Hairspray" 10 yrs ago. It had on it "good morning Baltimore".. I immediately got tickets based on that one song. I paid $55 for 2nd row center mezzanine. Now that same ticket would cost me $130. I always went with my daughter so now that would be $260 plus fees with ticketmaster. I have to factor in tolls from NJ to NY, parking and eating out. I am looking at a $400 day.. No can do anymore!!!

I do miss it though

 

[Deb in IA]

There are - "Heaven on Their Minds" and "Everything's All Right" are good ones, and "Gethsemane" (which Jesus sings) is amazing. I guess they just went with the most recognizable one.



Now that's what you'll pay for half-price tickets at TKTS. If you're lucky.



It drives me insane. I miss so many shows because the tickets are so expensive now. It's the premium seats. Ever since those came into play, it drove up the prices of the rest of the decent seats.

And people are dumb enough to pay it. What's funny is that the theaters are usually fairly small, so having those upper mezzanine seats aren't too bad. I was in the $70 seats for Book of Mormon last summer - which were fine - and we were looking down at the people who paid upwards of $400 in the front few rows thinking, "Suckers."



Again, people are dumb enough to pay some of those prices. I was at the Marriott watching a group of tourists paying $235 apiece for Phantom tickets...when they could have just walked across the street to TKTS and gotten them for under $100.

I get that they have weekly operating costs, and if the other shows are going to charge $140 for orchestra seats, they're not going to be left out of that party...but it still stinks.

I heard the premium seats for Annie on the AMEX presale that just started are going for $243 each. For Annie?!?! I'll save the money and wait for Matitlda to get here next year from London (heard that was amazing).

I've also heard that the lottery seats for Newsies are terrible. Apparently the tickets are nearly all partial-view. That drives me nuts too. First of all, when Rent played at that theater the lottery seats were in the front two rows - which are great seats at that theater. It meant that the people who couldn't afford to get in, who were mostly kids, got to sit in the best seats in the house.

Newsies made it to Broadway because of these kids who obsessed over this movie for 20 years - a movie that tanked when it first opened. Disney certainly could have broken down and let them have better lottery seats than the ones they're giving them.

Blame it on "The Producers".
They were the first to start this, and brought on the astromonical ticket prices.

http://www.ticketnews.com/news/Broadway-premium-ticket-prices-continue-rising101103726

Broadway premium ticket prices continue rising
By Jean Henegan
Mon, Oct 3rd 2011 12:30 pm EDT
A premium seat to see Broadway megahit "The Book of Mormon" costs $352 at face value, while a premium seat to "Jersey Boys" can cost as much as $297. For a night at "Wicked," a premium seat will cost $276, and it was recently announced that Roundabout Theatre Company's hit revival of "Anything Goes" will offer premium seats for $252, the most for the tax-exempt theatre.

Premium seats are certainly not a new invention in the world of Broadway ticket sales. The idea to sell the best seats in the orchestra for staggering premium prices can be traced most recently to 2001 with "The Producers," when the popular show hiked prices which helped it generate even greater revenues.While the tactic does not always pan out for productions (2007's "Young Frankenstein" made headlines with their premium price of $450, and the show was largely unable to translate such high prices into strong sales), for shows that are already selling strong it serves as a great means of increasing revenue and placating producers.

However, with Broadway ticket prices for orchestra seats already topping $100-per-seat on average, paying for premium seats does not seem financially feasible for many brokers.

"The money on Broadway is in the occasional hot show like 'The Book of Mormon' and, of course, workhorses like 'Wicked' and 'Jersey Boys.' Those shows can charge higher ticket prices and of course, brokers will still see unmet demand and can make money serving those needs," FanSnap.com CEO and co-founder Mike Janes told TicketNews.

If a show is not selling at the caliber of a "The Book of Mormon" or "Wicked," where the house is almost always sold out, the buying of premium seats is not necessarily a priority for brokers. After all, if cheaper tickets are available with similar seating to that of premium seats, it makes more financial sense to buy the less expensive seats to resell.

For example, while premium tickets to the "The Book of Mormon" are currently listed on ticket resale sites for as much as $700 each, that can be a difficult leap for many fans. But, tickets to the less popular "Sister Act" are listing for resale at $242 for a premium seat, only $40 above the ticket's face value; while the margin for a broker might be lower, they may stand a better chance of moving more tickets.

Premium seats are certainly not going away, but without a genuine hit to back up the prices, it can sometimes be more conducive for brokers to concentrate on carrying tickets that can generate more volume sales than spending money on premium seats that they may end up sitting on longer and discounting down the road.

 

[JenM]

Yes, the BACK rows of JC Superstar, for the previews, were $90. I'm not interested in getting a nose bleed for that price, especially when I've seen it 4 times, usually about 10th row center.

Just an FYI...if you're going to see JCS, you better hurry! Looks like it's closing July 1st.

http://playbill.com/news/article/16...ll-Close-on-Broadway-Unless-Business-Improves

And I just got tickets tonight for the matinee next Wednesday! Glad I didn't go for the mid-July tickets.

In lighter news, Newsies (the movie) came out on blu-ray today. As infinitely better as the show is, I still love this movie.

 

[Imzadi]

Just an FYI...if you're going to see JCS, you better hurry! Looks like it's closing July 1st.

http://playbill.com/news/article/16...ll-Close-on-Broadway-Unless-Business-Improves

Nooo! They just got the Tony nominations. I figured after everyone saw them on the Tonys, that they'd start selling out & it would be a PITA to get a decent seat now.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Kitzka]

I wish producers would put 2 and 2 together. People can't afford these prices and all of these shows are closing

By July 2 5 shows will have closed(JCS, godspell, Priscilla queen, Venus in fur and street car). You would think would tell producers that maybe is too much. You can still have premium seats but how about the standard seat in orchestra not be $175+? Maybe then you don't have to discount right away and people will come to see yor shows and they can be open longer.

Lara

 

[JenM]

Nooo! They just got the Tony nominations. I figured after everyone saw them on the Tonys, that they'd start selling out & it would be a PITA to get a decent seat now.

Thanks for the heads up.

No prob. I don't think it helped that they didn't win any of those Tonys.

When I was looking on Ticketmaster to see what seats were open, it looked like most of the theater was open, so that wasn't a good sign.

I wish producers would put 2 and 2 together. People can't afford these prices and all of these shows are closing

By July 2 5 shows will have closed(JCS, godspell, Priscilla queen, Venus in fur and street car). You would think would tell producers that maybe is too much. You can still have premium seats but how about the standard seat in orchestra not be $175+? Maybe then you don't have to discount right away and people will come to see yor shows and they can be open longer.

Lara

Agreed. I've picked up tickets to 3 Broadway shows in the last week (Once, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Jesus Christ Superstar) and went for the cheapest seats for all 3 shows. At all 3 box offices all I heard were other people also asking for the back row seats.

It's awful, it's like we can't even dare to hope for good seats to anything anymore, unless we're super-rich.

 

[Nancy F]

Just Got my tickets for Porgy and Bess for Sept. 2nd. We were going to see Godspell the same day at 7:30. We like to do two shows on that Sunday. But after I ordered them from Broadway.com we were told that the show was closing. I'm glad we went to see JCS Memorial weekend. It was really great!! I hope it makes it's way to Philly soon. We also have tickets to see The Phantom again Sept. 4TH.
Nancy

 

[minijeanie]

my local ymca is running trip for Rock of Ages in October.. $130 for orchestra seat and includes the bus, I am about 40 min. from nyc and trying to figure out if this is a good deal. I can make installment payments each month.

If I drive in I have to factor in tolls and parking (around $50) but would go with people so we can share cost.
Has anyone seen this show?

 

[4my2girlz]

We will be visiting NYC as a family for the first time March 29 - April 3, 2013. (My husband & I have been on several day bus trips but have never taken our girls)

At the time of travel, my daughters will be 7 & 8 1/2 and I really want to take them to a Broadway show...Mary Poppins, Lion King, or Wicked - Which do you recommend?

Best seats?

Is there a particular day of the week/time that is best?

How soon will show dates be released?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated?

 

[JenM]

We will be visiting NYC as a family for the first time March 29 - April 3, 2013. (My husband & I have been on several day bus trips but have never taken our girls)

At the time of travel, my daughters will be 7 & 8 1/2 and I really want to take them to a Broadway show...Mary Poppins, Lion King, or Wicked - Which do you recommend?

Best seats?

Is there a particular day of the week/time that is best?

How soon will show dates be released?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated?

Awesome, they'll have a blast! All three of those shows are really good. If you see Wicked, make sure they've seen The Wizard of Oz first.

Also, Annie is coming back to Broadway, so that's another option. My friends and I loved that musical when we were that age.

Since that's Easter weekend, the city will be crazy busy, so make sure you have tickets in advance. I'm not sure how early Ticketmaster and Telecharge open new seating blocks for next year, but just keep checking their show's websites for ticket availability.

You can usually find discounts to Mary Poppins on Broadwaybox.com. Just avoid the rear balcony seats. We sat up there and the view wasn't very good.

Wicked and Lion King are still sellouts, so they don't often have discounts (Lion King does more often than Wicked). Front mezzanine seats are usually the best view of the stage.

Have fun!

 

[auntie]

Anyone hear anything about A Christmas Story coming to Broadway this winter?
The movie is a Christmas tradition in our house. (we even have a leg lamp!), so goes without saying we'd love to see the musical when it comes to town.

 

[minijeanie]

Awesome, they'll have a blast! All three of those shows are really good. If you see Wicked, make sure they've seen The Wizard of Oz first.

Also, Annie is coming back to Broadway, so that's another option. My friends and I loved that musical when we were that age.

Since that's Easter weekend, the city will be crazy busy, so make sure you have tickets in advance. I'm not sure how early Ticketmaster and Telecharge open new seating blocks for next year, but just keep checking their show's websites for ticket availability.

You can usually find discounts to Mary Poppins on Broadwaybox.com. Just avoid the rear balcony seats. We sat up there and the view wasn't very good.

Wicked and Lion King are still sellouts, so they don't often have discounts (Lion King does more often than Wicked). Front mezzanine seats are usually the best view of the stage.

Have fun!

I may be in the minority but I found wicked very dark.I know it is big hit with all, but for me it was just alright, I would totally recommend Lion King.. It was the BEST. Get orchestra seats. Mary Poppins was fun too but if you only had to pick one, pick Lion King.. Have Fabulous time in the city.. Have you picked your hotel yet?

 

[LBIJim]

my local ymca is running trip for Rock of Ages in October.. $130 for orchestra seat and includes the bus, I am about 40 min. from nyc and trying to figure out if this is a good deal. I can make installment payments each month.

If I drive in I have to factor in tolls and parking (around $50) but would go with people so we can share cost.
Has anyone seen this show?

Yes, I saw Rock of Ages a few months ago and enjoyed it very much.

I got a single ticket at the TKTS booth in Times Square for about $70, so I guessing the standard cost is about $130 or so. Plus you're getting transportation. Sounds like a good deal to me. Enjoy the show.

Jim

 

[Kimberle]

We will be visiting NYC as a family for the first time March 29 - April 3, 2013. (My husband & I have been on several day bus trips but have never taken our girls)

At the time of travel, my daughters will be 7 & 8 1/2 and I really want to take them to a Broadway show...Mary Poppins, Lion King, or Wicked - Which do you recommend?

Best seats?

Is there a particular day of the week/time that is best?

How soon will show dates be released?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated?

I wouldn't take them to Wicked at their ages. It's a bit dark and could frighten younger kids. MP & LP are wonderful. MP always has discounted seats. LK never does. A weeknight is always the easiest for getting seats. Many shows now start at 7pm week nights. MP is NOT the movie. Disney went back to the BOOK when writting this show. I loved it, but some are disapointed because it's not the movie. Newsies is also a wonderful show. Your girls would love it. The dancing is amazing. You can see clips here: http://newsiesbanner.com/

 

[Kitzka]

I just saw newsies last night. We did see it at the papermill in the fall but it was so good! The singing, dancing were all incredible. And th boys! WOW. They are all so cute!

Dd and her 2 friends also loved it.

Lara

 

[Buckalew11]

Going to see TLK in Greenville SC this week!! So excited!!

 

[MissDisney121]

I saw Idina Menzel last night. In case you don't know (and who wouldn't on here) she was in Rent, Chess, Wicked and more. She was AMAZING!!! I don't know if I have ever been to a better concert. She made me cry no less than 4 times and her voice is just as amazing in person as you would think it would be. I hope I get to see her again.