"13" Desperate to get some money in the bank

[JohnMs2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:17pm

Tickets are not selling, and "13" now has a separate price list for the following:

*Have your child’s name mentioned in the show
*Have the cast sing “Happy Birthday” to your child at Curtain
*Have a walk-on appearance in the show!

All you have to do is call 1-877-SEE-13-TDY.
From their official website..

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:20pm

Wow, that's very pathetic.

[bryanw3535]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:20pm

I had to go look for myself, and JohnMs2 is right... Wow.

"In addition to the Birthday package, we have many other premium add-ons available if you’d like to customize your party and give your child an experience they will never forget. You can have your child’s name mentioned in the show, have the cast sing “Happy Birthday” to him or her, get personalized merchandise and even give your child his or her Broadway debut with a walk-on appearance in the show!"

Link: http://www.13themusical.com/birthday/

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:23pm

Maybe you didn't see that the package is FREE.

[NGD2225]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:24pm

O_o............ Seriously? That is hilarious.

[bryanw3535]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:24pm

"Maybe you didn't see that the package is FREE."

Wrong. It's a "premium add-on" to get the things that JohnMs mentioned. That ain't free.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:30pm

Plus...you have to buy at least 13 tickets to the show to be eligible for it.

Still, whatever the terms, this is FUNNY!

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:32pm

And, clearly, they can't be discount tickets.

[SillySara]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:41pm

let's say your kid loved the show. and now you can give him or her a one of a kind experience? regardless of whether or not you view that as a desperate way to put some money in the bank, it's still a pretty cool opportunity to have. i know if i was 13 years old and saw the show and loved it, i would beg my (hopefully rich) parents for the opportunity.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:51pm

If there charging for it, it's not that bad. The fact that there offering it can be viewed two ways...
1) There completely desperate.
2) Since they're charging for it there not as desperate as John makes them out to be and are just trying to get more business. Notice you need to buy 13 regular priced tickets to get this. It adds up.



This really is not that different from "behind the emerald curtain" or "Elle's lounge". JohnMS2 didn't like the show from the beginning, it's obvious he would take something like this and re-word to make it seem like the producers are desperate.

[ythcbroadway]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:08pm

It doesnt look like this show is going to last that long

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:09pm

So much for a Broadway debut being something that is achieved. I guess anything can be bought nowadays.

This is really disgusting.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:13pm

How on earth will they mention the kid's name in the show? Is it going to be before the show or will it be worked into the script? Because the latter would be pretty darn hilarious.

[NGD2225]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:13pm

Emerald Curtain was created by 2 cast members, not greedy producers who just want money.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:16pm

Not so greedy if there not charging for the perks, there just charging for the tickets.

Again, it's like Elle's lounge. It's also like "Behind the Emerald Curtain" but unlike "13" you have to pay extra for that. It doesn't matter who it was created by, same general idea.

[NGD2225]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:21pm

Curtain was not thought up for the sole reason to make more money.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:32pm

Neither was this, it's not charging more! It's something included if you get more than 13 tickets, which if you have a birthday part and/or bar/bat mitzvah you most likely will.

[NGD2225]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:34pm

Yes it is. They ticket sales are ****ty, THEY NEED MONEY!! "The Emerald Curtain" money I don't think even gets averaged into the gross.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:37pm

What money would they be getting if it's free with the purchase of tickets?

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:41pm

Uhh, if they need to purchase tickets it's not free...am I missing something here?!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:56pm

To all who have posted about this; I actually just called the 877 number for more info. Spoke to a group sales agent, who initially didn't know too much about this, and had to probably ck/w the supervisor or their computer screen several times to get me the info.
Anyway, I tend to agree with those who see this as "creative marketing" in hard times.....those who have $$$ will spend their $$$ on the kids. The "pkg" deal really doesn't cost them (the producers). anything. What they're throwing in is some xtra time with the cast, a photo op, a discussion, etc. I think it's actually kind of smart.
$ 988.00 = 1,443.00 (13 people)
So,
You need to buy at least 13 tix.
They can be in ANY price 5ange, 76.50 - 111.00.
NO restrictions on dates, performances, etc.
Everything is included (see below).

HERE'S WHAT IT INCLUDES!

1. Meet and Greet and Q&A Session with a Cast Member after the show!
2. A 13 T-Shirt for The Guest of Honor
3. A personalized autographed picture of the cast for
The Guest of Honor
4. A Cast Recording for The Guest of Honor
5. A 13 Bracelet for all guests
6. A Party Host to facilitate your ticket pick-up, seating, etc.

And the best part about our package? It’s FREE!


Updated On: 10/9/08 at 05:56 PM

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:59pm

Yes you are blaxx, they need to buy tickets to the show, like anyone else but get the other stuff for free!

[temms]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 6:05pm

Well, free with at least a $994.50 purchase, plus fees. With decent seats you'll be paying at least $1443 for the free stuff.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 6:10pm

Rich parents... child's birthday.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 6:12pm

It's just a Group Sales pitch...but different than the usual 15% discount, and that's usually for groups of 20 or more. There is essentially no discount, but the "add-ons" and the smaller "group" (13 people) requirement may make it palatable for those people during the upcoming holiday season , for a more "special" night at the theater.

So they need money? So what? So do a lot of other shows. Why the bad vibe here? Because a mktg. dept. actually is working on upping sales? Basically they must read BWW and know that stagedooring, actor worship is "de rigeur". So, they're adding at a VERY minimal cost to them, what people evidently want.
That's the crux of show business.
Make $$$.

Updated On: 10/9/08 at 06:12 PM