Are musicals expensive for you?

#1

Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 10:27am

Are the highest prices of tickets for musicals on Broadway or on tour expensive for you?? In czech musical message board is this sentence to see very often: "But in foreign countries they have much higher salaries..." So some people think, musicals are not expensive for you. But I think, it is the same.

So, are you buying the most expensive seats, or are you using student rush or lottos?

For example: The most expensive musical tickets are about 40 - 45 US dollars in Prague (very often for original czech musicals!), and for 35 US dollars in Brno (where famous Broadway and West End musicals are playing )

Updated On: 11/8/07 at 10:27 AM

#2

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 10:40am

Full price tickets for Orchestra seats are very expensive here, more than $100 each. A lot of the time there are discounts which bring the prices down a bit, but they're still in the range of $50-75. I am very grateful that most shows here have some form of rush/lotto seats ($20-35), which is the only way I've been able to see so many shows.

---

"It's Phantom meets Hamlet... Phamlet!"

#3

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 10:47am

I make fairly good money .... but i find them expensive still.

I dont do lotteries or student rushes, but thats because I come from Ohio to see the shows. And if i am gonna spend the money on airline tickets, hotel, etc ... i want to guarantee i will see the shows i want.

Only exception was on a week long business trip. I had all but 2 shows planned before hand.

#4

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 2:46pm

Shows on tour tend to be cheaper than on Broadway. I don't mind paying top price (though I am hardly comfortable financially) either in NYC or on tour if I can't get discounted tickets and really want to see a show. Honestly, $110 (or whatever) for a real Broadway cast in HAIRSPRAY (meaning no stunt-casting) is still a great deal to me. I just wouldn't pay it because there are discounts out there.
Broadway Blog: Seussical Revisited

#5

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 2:48pm

Yea, touring shows are a bit cheaper, though not by much. With all the convenience fees now, the ticket price comes up to about the same price as a standard Broadway ticket. Though, I will shell out the money to see something I want to see and I usually find some sort of discount.

#6

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 2:55pm

Yes, they are very expensive for me at full price. I can't honestly remember the last time I saw a show for more than the $41.25 for the on stage seats at Xanadu.

There are very few shows that I would want to see so badly that I'd pay $100+ for...one would be the SITPWG revival, but since its at roundabout, I wont have to. The next time I do it will be for Billy Elliot.

I wish more shows had deals for young people who are no longer students (like Roundabout does), as I have even less money now than I did in college, but I seem to make it work anyways.

#7

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 3:00pm

Yes they are, both on Broadway and on tour. I haven't paid full price in a while, but even the TKTS booth and discount codes can still run from $50-70. The top ticket for touring companies that come to the "big" theatre around here are $60, so I even have to pick and choose with them. Very willing to pay it for something like "Hairspray," not so likely for "Drowsy Chaperone" (which I liked but won the lottery for on Broadway) or "Movin' Out."

#8

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 4:14pm

i happy shows offer student rush, lottery, and standing room
the only show were i paid full price for and will do again since its been confirmed its going to broadway is Gypsy with Patti Lupone. The ticket prices are outrageous to tell you all the truth.

#9

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 4:22pm

To me, over $100 for a broadway show is a bit absurd, but I do understand why it is that expensive.

Let's face it, live entertainment is a huge comodity these days and it is a huge liability and expense for investors. My only question is why these shows have to spend so much money on spectacle to be good.

#10

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 4:28pm

It's expensive but worth every penny!

#11

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 5:29pm

It is over-priced, absolutely. I do refuse to pay $300 or more for one seat (i.e. Young Frankenstein); it is absurd. I have paid full-orchestra price for "Wicked" three times, though, as I love it!

Yet, I am grateful for the lottery and TKTS and other incentives for discounts. Maybe we American's make more money at our jobs; yet, many of us are also unemployed and/or do not have those high-paying jobs you "hear" about over there. I have friends who only make $6.50 an hour, still. They are adults, high school graduates and even some with college credits!

Many people do not see Broadway for this very reason.

---

Love and Stage Lights, Angela Theresa

#12

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 5:31pm

Very much so. I'm another who falls into the "if I can't rush/SRO/get a discount/buy a cheap seat in the balcony, I can't go" category. I just can't justify spending over $100 on a ticket. And I find the high prices make me pick and choose what I want to see more carefully. If I'm ambivalent on a show, I will usually opt not to see it.

#13

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 6:06pm

Thanks for the replies, I knew it! It is the same situation in Czech, and of course in Broadway. So I am not suprised. So continue in topic.

But I love a lotto idea, I think it would be succesful in Prague. But we don't have it, only some ticket discount sometimes, discount for people on wheelchair etc...

#14

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 6:46pm

A question for Anddou. Is the theatre in Prague a commercial venture or is it government subsidized? This will have a large impact on ticket prices. Theatre is somewhat cheaper in London because of subsidies. In New York, the majority of the ticket price goes back to the theatre owner in the form of rental.The rest goes back to the Producers and Investors.

#15

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 7:39pm

Most of musical theatres in Prague are commercial ventures, only Karlin Music Theatre and Brno City Theatre are endowed.

#16

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/8/07 at 11:29pm

If try to keep the price I pay for under $100. Usually go to NYC one time a year and see two to three shows. Saw five in June, but my parents payed for three of them for a graduation gift.

I don't mind the price, it's worth it.

---

Broadway Shows I've Seen: Hairspray, Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors (2003), The Wedding Singer, Spamalot, Riverdance, Rent, Beauty and the Beast, Spring Awakening, Wicked, Legally Blonde, Phantom of the Opera, Sweet Charity (revival), Drowsy Chaperone, The Lion King, Dreamgirls(2010 Tour).

#17

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/9/07 at 4:30pm

If it were not for student rush/TKTS/lotto and my job at the New Am I would never ever have been able to seen a good chunk of the shows i've been to in NYC.

Going to a show when your out of town and dropping money there is one thing. When you're living there and seeing shows, its a completely different ball game.

---

"We need people not to come to Broadway shows wearing shorts and flip-flops. We are working hard up here folks. Find a pair of socks."-Joanna Gleason "I hear L. Ron Hubbard is gonna blow the ladies...and all that jazz! C'mon babe! We're gonna unicorn hug, I bought some NyQuil down....at Wal-Mart?!"-Bebe Neuwirth singing ATJ to Musical Mad Libs at DQYNJ :)

#18

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/9/07 at 4:47pm

Yes.

---

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#19

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:26am

I can only recall paying full price for a ticket once in my life, and that was to see Andy Karl go on as Emmett in LB for the first time. In general, I thank the powers that be for rush & lotto.

#20

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:31am

No!

---

A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!'' Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'

#21

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:34am

well arent you just so lucky wickedboy. If only we were all so fortunate that 120 dollar theatre tickets weren't expensive for us.

#22

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:39am

Who's problem is it if you have chosen an expensive hobbie?

---

A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!'' Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'

#23

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:40am

Theatregoing has never been cheap, never

---

A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!'' Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'

#24

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:43am

Hobby?? honey, theatre is my life. I've been acting since i was 4. I've been involved with live theatre since i 7. This isn't a hobby, its what i live. That's like telling the girl (and her family making great sacrifices) trying to make the olympic gymnastic team that its jsut too bad she chose such an expensive hobby.

Hell its like telling someone struggling to pay for an education, sorry you chose such an expensive hobby.


you really are spoiled child. No one has ever told you no have they? You've never struggled for anything.


Damn you really are an arrogant piece of **** arent you. The condescension in your post is disgusting. good lord you're a self righteous prick.

#25

re: Are musicals expensive for you?

Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:45am

Honey! Ive been on stage since i was 5! Ive been in the theatre for over 40 years!!! You dont hear me ripping intio what is my life the way people do on here! And........ your point is.

---

A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!'' Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'