#1
Posted: 10/27/15 at 10:38am
I'm sorry if this is already being discussed, but it makes me tear up.
20,000 NYC High Schoolers will see HAMILTON
#2
Posted: 10/27/15 at 11:21am
I love this: for-profit industry working with foundations to extend their benefit to society to those who truly need it. The mention of Seller hoping to both continue the program and take it on the tour is extremely exciting.
#3
Posted: 10/27/15 at 11:27am
And this is how you sweep the Tonys....
Now I am not saying Hamilton will sweep the Tony's but it is an ingenious political move for awards season, although I do not think it was intended as such. Hamilton's producers upset several Tony voters when it pulled comps for this fall, and this shows the productions producers are not money hungry pigs. The only reason I bring this up is because Hamilton's producer's clearly don't want to end up like Matilda's who refused to put their tail between their legs, and so they lost to Kinky Boots. This is especially true considering that it seems like we are going to have a very strong season for musicals and revivals on both the creative and technical side. Hamilton will need the sweep for the press to keep its momentum going so that it can become a Book of Mormon and not a Newsies or Matilda, that have strong reviews and audience sales initially, or Addams Family and Finding Neverland, even though they don't have the reviews they all were playing to SRO pre-Tony's and then dipped after that summer of initial buzz after coming up empty handed.
I am not saying this is a politically motivated decision, and I applaud the producers for creating such an arrangement. This is how you keep theater accessible to all, and hope more productions follow suit.
#4
Posted: 10/27/15 at 11:48am
It just works for absolutely everyone.
#5
Posted: 10/27/15 at 12:12pm
Scarywarhol said: "I'm sorry if this is already being discussed, but it makes me tear up.
This absolutely thrilled me today. What a wonderful, wonderful thing. I know how my own teen's curiosity was sparked by this show. How fantastic it is that many teens who otherwise wouldn't have access now will!
"
#6
Posted: 10/27/15 at 1:26pm
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
Updated On: 10/27/15 at 01:26 PM
#7
Posted: 10/27/15 at 1:27pm
They're not just rear mezzanine seats. They're specifically student matinees. The students will fill the theater.
Did you even read the article?
"Mr. Seller, who announced the student program at a news conference Tuesday, has agreed to sell tickets to the foundation for $70 each — about half the $139 current average ticket price for the show. The foundation, in turn, will make tickets available to students for $10 each — the denomination that has Hamilton’s face on it — because school officials have advised that paying a nominal admissions fee encourages students to take such activities more seriously.
Mr. Seller said that about 17,000 students would attend student-only Wednesday matinees, supplemented by educational programming at the theater the same morning. Another 3,000 would join regular ticket-buyers at other Wednesday matinees, with the educational component presented in their classrooms. He said the student performances would earn back their cost, but would not make a profit."
Did you even read the article?
"Mr. Seller, who announced the student program at a news conference Tuesday, has agreed to sell tickets to the foundation for $70 each — about half the $139 current average ticket price for the show. The foundation, in turn, will make tickets available to students for $10 each — the denomination that has Hamilton’s face on it — because school officials have advised that paying a nominal admissions fee encourages students to take such activities more seriously.
Mr. Seller said that about 17,000 students would attend student-only Wednesday matinees, supplemented by educational programming at the theater the same morning. Another 3,000 would join regular ticket-buyers at other Wednesday matinees, with the educational component presented in their classrooms. He said the student performances would earn back their cost, but would not make a profit."
Updated On: 10/27/15 at 01:27 PM
#8
Posted: 10/27/15 at 1:30pm
I take back everything I just wrote. Only half the article loaded for me. I just read the second half.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#9
Posted: 10/27/15 at 1:31pm
CapnHook, you did not did not uncover a nefarious producer's scheme. The NY Times article clearly states they are selling the tickets to the foundation for $70 each. It also goes on to say that these prices will cover their cost, but they are not making a profit.
EDIT: You have concluded reading the piece. 
Updated On: 10/27/15 at 01:31 PM
#10
Posted: 10/27/15 at 1:44pm
This is the most wonderful thing that could happen in the theater.
It's like a miracle.
#11
Posted: 10/27/15 at 1:44pm
This will upset a lot of people on here, who continually like to say Hamilton keeps saying they want to expose more young people to theater, but no young people can afford it. Time to start building a new straw man...
#12
Posted: 10/27/15 at 2:48pm
Well, I'm sure they'll back on the old reliable "UGH THE HYPE I'M SICK OF THE HYPE."
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#13
Posted: 10/27/15 at 3:04pm
Regardless of anyone's feelings on Hamilton, there is no way that 20,000 kids getting exposed to a show like this is a bad thing. Good on the Hamilton producers for undertaking this- it would be wonderful to see more shows try something like it in the future.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
#14
Posted: 10/27/15 at 3:06pm
Part of the reason that Lin, Seller & co are able to do this amazing thing, is because they know they have a hit. They don't have to worry about making sure their show runs through the Tonys, so they can focus their attention elsewhere.
#15
Posted: 10/27/15 at 3:11pm
Well, not to mention they have a show that so directly ties in to high school curriculum. It is a natural fit. A lot of shows could have good intentions, but there's less of an angle where it reinforces their education and isn't just a random field trip.
#16
Posted: 10/27/15 at 3:32pm
Updated On: 10/27/15 at 03:32 PM
#17
Posted: 10/28/15 at 12:47am
Lin is such a great guy. :)
Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#18
Posted: 10/28/15 at 12:56am
I'm going to avoid buying tickets to a Wednesday matinee like the plague. I don't want to be in a theater with hundreds of rowdy kids. Its a good cause, sure, but i'd rather not have to deal with 100s of kids who will probably be disruptive. Just speaking my mind. I don't care if you disagree with me, just saying.
#19
Posted: 10/28/15 at 1:04am
BOM said: "I'm going to avoid buying tickets to a Wednesday matinee like the plague. I don't want to be in a theater with hundreds of rowdy kids. Its a good cause, sure, but i'd rather not have to deal with 100s of kids who will probably be disruptive. Just speaking my mind. I don't care if you disagree with me, just saying."
Luckily, they have solved this problem for you since you would not be eligible to buy tickets to a student matinee. Unless of course you are an 11th grader from a school meeting the criteria...
#20
Posted: 10/28/15 at 1:07am
It is just a wonderful thing to do. I agree that there are no negatives.
#21
Posted: 10/28/15 at 1:26am
Honestly, even after performing for big houses of rowdy kids from all buroughs, I would LOVE to be in the room for a student matinee of Hamilton. Those are the most joyfully honest, big responses you can get. I really enjoy that.
Updated On: 10/28/15 at 01:26 AM
#22
Posted: 10/28/15 at 1:40am
^ That is such a great reply. I would love that as well, especially since for many, it will probably be their first Broadway musical. Sure, some might grumble at going (the "disruptive ones," as Bom put it), but it would be worth it to feel the energy of those who are genuinely excited (and grateful) to be there.
Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#23
Posted: 10/28/15 at 3:41am
so happy that these students will get to experience a brilliant show like this, and hopefully it will spark the passion and fire in them and produce the LMMs and Sondheims and Guettels and Tesoris of the next generation.
The thing is, besides being an utter toad of a human being, Riedel usually has the least knowledge of the topic in the room. He doesn't usually understand the content or approach of a show, and is always completely and unfailingly socially ignorant, which makes it really infuriating when Susan can't get a word in edgewise. A definitive mansplainer; it's always painful when he has female guests. I watch the show sporadically when I really want to see a guest, because it's the only theatre talkshow we have, but it would be so much better without this hateful clown in a dadcoat. (thanks ScaryWarhol)
#24
Posted: 10/28/15 at 6:14am
Scarywarhol said: "Honestly, even after performing for big houses of rowdy kids from all buroughs, I would LOVE to be in the room for a student matinee of Hamilton. Those are the most joyfully honest, big responses you can get. I really enjoy that.
Thank you for this. Teenagers have their issues, to be sure. But YES to all you've written. The energy in that room will be wonderful!
"
#25
Posted: 10/28/15 at 7:31am
I'm glad this finally came to fruition. It's a great initiative.
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