AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO BROADWAY THEATRES FROM MATT_G...- Page 5

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 3:46am

etoile brings up an extremely valid point: theatre does not mean Broadway. There is Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway. And regional and community theatre.

[etoile]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 3:51am

Thanks dear, and you know I'd follow you anywhere to see you in a production. Well...maybe not some of those late, late night East Village places, but you know what I mean.

[Nina]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 8:05am

"felt questioning Craig's commitment to this site, to theatre, was uncalled for. I found that disappointing. For Princeton to post, " But I know that I am 'entitled' to Broadway theatre, as is anyone who wants to experience it. Really ashamed of that last comment Craig."

You're absolutely right, Etoile. I would also agree with some of the comments made by Joe and Rath. There is a sense of entitlment among some theater goers. I admit that the price of tickets for many shows have reached a level taht makes it impossible for many to attend on a regular basis and that is unfortunate. Broadway is a business, like any other and the product is priced according to demand and the ability to get that price.

Not everyone can afford to go into a designer store on Fifth Ave and purchase clothing that is priced at thousands of dollars. Yet, we don't storm in demanding that the price be lowered to meet our own financial means. We simply go elsewhere for a product that costs less and is just as good.

There is reasonably priced theater available. If you're a true theater lover, you will avail yourself of it and appreciate it even if it isn't the big blockbuster Broadway show.

Broadway is expensive and that leaves many people out in the cold when it comes to being able to afford tickets. Like I said, that is unforturnate but when you look at the payroll and expenses that accompany any show, you can see why the average ticket price has risen. Some of the blame needs to be on the thetaer going public who have demanded, through their ticket purchases, that shows be cast with well known, highly paid, tv and movie stars. That alone makes up a huge part of the inflated production budget and the need to keep prices high in order to recoup backers investments.

As far as the complaints about letting student rush tickets go or having the seats remain empty, what do you propose they do when every shows up at the box office expecting to purcahse these tickets. Leaving the seats empty is a smarter move. If you are not someone eligible for any of the various discounts such as student, senior, etc why should they give you a lower priced ticket based on your claim that you can't afford it? Should BW theaters start asking for financial statements at the box office?

Get out there and see some of the lower priced OffBW and Off-Off BW Shows that are struggling to get an audience.

Lastly, Princeton, where the hell do you coem off questioning Craigs committment to this site? I'll repeat what a few others have already said, Nobody is entitled to a ticket to a BW show. Like many other things in life, some people can have it and some cannot. I would love a 30 room villa in Mote Carlo. Unfortunately, it is not something I can have. That's life. Updated On: 1/6/05 at 08:05 AM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 9:04am

Bravo, Nina, Margo, and etoile!

Updated On: 1/6/05 at 09:04 AM

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 9:07am

I think everyone on this thread has made valid points, excluding Princeton who is so busy trying to keep other egos in check that he forgets that with his massive head he can barely fit through the doors to a theatre.

Nobody is entitled to see theatre. Certainly there are some people who don't live in NYC, some teenagers desperate to see a REAL BROADWAY SHOW, who just don't have the means to go to NYC. I don't think they are more deserving. I think that New Yorkers take it for granted. New Yorkers have a tremendous gift at their doorsteps.

Princeton, you should avoid posting on this board for a while after that rude, foolish and just plain stupid comment towards Craig. If there is anyone who believes in theatre, it is the loyal group of people running this board. Yes I mean Jose' to, although I don't like him I respect his genuine love of theatre. To bite the hand that feeds you is not a wise thing to do.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 9:22am

Without getting into the topic at hand I would just like to say that NOBODY has the right to tell someone to stop posting on BWW.

Except the moderators.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 9:24am

Good thing nobody did. It was merely suggested.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 10:16am

...this is one of the reasons I support Off Bd'w and quality regional productions and tours. If you live within a 2 hour radius of NYC you have access to many stages filled with Equity and heaven forbid even non-Equity talent. For the price of a regular Bd'w ticket, you can drive or hop a bus or train and see great theater. AND isn't that what most theater lovers want to see?

While I love Broadway, well, most of it, I always plan ahead and take advantage of discounts.

Several valid comments from Margo, Nina,Rath & Craig...in my opinion. I also empathize with Matt's view, but it won't change the business. Just cool down with all the nastiness, it's not necessary. Make it a good day folks!

Updated On: 1/6/05 at 10:16 AM

[Matt_G]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 10:57am

All this argument over my suggestion that one row of seats be designated for us poor folk.

Seriously guys, get over yourselves! These 20 paragraph posts saying how I'm "entitled" to go see shows are just a waste of your time and mine. I happen to know that most of you have money to burn, so when your ban account shows a negative balance one day than you can get back to me.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 10:59am

Matt in all fairness I don't really think anyone who lives on or near Manhattan has money to burn.

Updated On: 1/6/05 at 10:59 AM

[Matt_G]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:01am

Sum, you'd be surprised.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:04am

Matt_G, I've lived and worked in NYC for 17 years. I do not now nor have I ever had money to burn. That's why I take advantage of discounts when I can. Seeing theater is a privilege for me and I forgo other things in order to do it even at discounted prices.

Updated On: 1/6/05 at 11:04 AM

[Matt_G]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:07am

Well than it's a good thing I wasn't referring to you. And I know all about your discounts because you've told me over and over about them. I'm about done hearing about how it's a "privilege" for you to go. I never said it wasn't, now did I?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:09am

Sorry I'm so boring. I thought this was a thread for discussion, but once again I'm wrong.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:10am

I am a day late to this party, it seems, but feel the need to weigh in an opinion, none-the-less.

While I am sympathetic to not being able to afford to see Broadway shows...and jump through hoops myself to be able to see the ones that I do get to go to... I find the sense of entitlement here (yes, there’s that word again...but it really is what comes screaming off the screen in many of the posts in this thread...and not just from Matt) totally off-putting. I also believe that some people wear their financial woes on their sleeve, while others, who may have profound financial worries keep it to themselves.

Crying poverty because one can’t afford a Broadway show demeans all those truly poor folks who are working two crappy jobs just to put food on the table. And taking one’s frustration out on box office staff, who I am guessing aren’t making the big bucks for working there, AND criticizing them for not risking THEIR job by “looking the other way” is pretty much the pinnacle of self-absorbed narcissism. I believe that people have a basic right to have food and shelter. In a civilized society, I believe everyone is entitled to an education and to participate in choosing their leaders. I think everyone has the right to their opinions. But is everyone entitled to a cheap Broadway ticket? I don’t think so.

And finally, the nasty comments aimed at calling Craig’s interest or commitment to Broadway into question was incredibly sleazy. I don’t even recall who posted said comments, but that was pretty unwarranted.

Updated On: 1/6/05 at 11:10 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:12am

Also, why complain that you started a thread that grew this long and inspired people to discuss an issue, to really chew it up? It's just weird.

ANYBODY could have said MattG, with your "how dare you?" Get over yourself!

Instead people talked about ways in which they see theater, people had great ideas about getting over this Broadway obsession. Some of the greatest theater I've seen had nothing to do with Broadway. I saw a high school Shakespeare competition performance of The Tempest that was simply great and had me in tears because this multicultural collection of young people (who were most likely the oddballs in their schools) were up there living Shakespeare's language, understanding it and conveying it to us.

But not around here. We have people thinking that for some reason, The Normal Heart revival NEEDED to be on Broadway (why?). That Forbidden Broadway should be on Broadway (WHY?). And that producers SHOULD have a row of tickets available for people who can't afford tickets.

Well, of course they should. But. I agree with the person who thought maybe we should get health care for people, or food or housing. And you know Matt, from the tone of your original post, I have a feeling if you found out that the row of 20 dollar last minute rush tickets sold out before you got to the box office of a show whose regular seats were not sold out, you'd go ON about how they should STILL give you the discount seat rather than let it sit empty.

If you really love theater, you find theater. Free theater. Dirt cheap theater. Bring a can of food for a complimentary seat theater. I saw a 15 dollar production of Tony Kushner's Slavs! in a storefront theater with two rows of folding chairs for the audience and it was one of the most transplendant evenings of theater I have ever enjoyed.

I love that stuff so much I don't really give a crap about what most people care about on here. Which alternate in Wicked was amazing the fourth time somebody saw them but not so good the fifth. Who cares?

There's REAL theater out there. Think of somebody like the late Susan Sontag, bringing theater to war torn cities and villages. Because theater (not Broadway) is healing and transformative. Maybe if you gave that a try, you'd feel yourself cooling down a little.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:13am

Where the HELL did I ever say people were entitled to it? ONE person (Who I frankly can't stand and who doesn't like me) said that and everyone started using that as my point. I've made my point over and over and over again and nobody is listening to me. I listed around 15 Broadway shows that already have the policy that I suggested all shows should have, and I'm still told that shows would fail. Enough already! And I'm not talking about food and shelter. This is a BROADWAY MESSAGE BOARD. If my problem was with grocery stores charging too much, I would go to a grocery store message board.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:19am

Namo I am copying that and printing it.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:22am

Namo, you couldn't be more wrong in that post. People who know me, actually KNOW me know how wrong you are. I go to see anything and everything. Yesterday there just happened to be a few things that I would have liked to have seen. Again, please don't assume to make judgements about me unless you can back them up with facts.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:24am

I don't want to put words in Namos mouth but I don't think that the majority of that was directed towards you.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:32am

But really Matt, you just made a blanket assumption about people's bank balances.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:39am

I will support Matt here. I had a horrible stomach ache last week and decided to go to the doctor. The place was empty, I could see the assistants playing solitaire on their computers and heard the doctor on the phone discussing his son's birthday party. When I asked to see the doctor the woman asked if I had insurance. When I told her "no" she said that they need payment in full upon treatment. I told her I didn't have any money for that and since the doctor was not busy could he just check me out and tell me what he thought was wrong? Maybe get me a prescription or something? She said it did not work that way. So after I threw up on her desk she had me removed. I hope it's not cancer or something serious.

By the way Matt, what are some of the shows you have seen lately? We would love to hear reviews of some of the smaller shows in NYC and since you go see "everything and anything in New York" how about filling us in.

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:40am

I'd also like to point out that student discounts are also a smart business decision, not some altruistic gesture by producers.

By offering discounts to younger people who cannot really afford going to Broadway (I guess it's assumed that students aren't making much money cause they are in school), producers will be investing in a new generation of theatregoers who, when they are out of school and gainfully employed, will remember their wonderful times in the theatre and spring for full-priced tickets.

I'm lucky in that I'm in the business and can see a lot of stuff for free through connections. But when I don't know someone connected to a show, and I really want to see the show, I'll put in two hours of overtime and then spring for the ticket.

[Nina]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:44am

"Again, please don't assume to make judgements about me unless you can back them up with facts."

Isn't that what you did in stating that people here have money to burn?

You seem to have such a chip on your shoulder about so many things.

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:47am

I'm also willing to point out that I've traded 'favors' to see shows.

If the person is hot, it can be fun...and profitable!