Broadway Ticketing=Airline Ticketing

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:09pm

As I have been shopping for my tickets for shows next week, I have been baffled not only by telecharge.com but by the pricing and organization of pricing structure. It seems like luck of the draw in terms of how much you pay and where you sit, much like buying an airline ticket.

For instance, I was really wanting to see Grey Gardens and A Chorus Line and wanted great seats. I actually considered paying premium as I only get to NYC a few times a year and thought I would splurge.

However, when I did a check for premium seats, I was disappointed to find them mid-orchestra. Therefore, I just decided to go top price and see what I got. Well, I got first row center for A Chorus Line and third row center for Grey Gardens. I was amazed. For ACL, I rejected the first two tickets offered and kept searching and it offered me front row.

Then when looking for Little Dog tickets at a discount, I kept being offered back seats. I kept hitting show me next set of seats and was eventually offered second row.

The moral of the story is there is no rhyme or reason to premium pricing, online ticketing and I am unsure if the computer programs even know the difference. So keep hitting "next" if you don't like what is being offered and eventually you will get what you want with out paying the premium price.

It takes some patience but is well worth the extra time.

[mirramar]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:12pm

I would never buy my tickets through Telecharge. You'll find much better tickets by calling the box office, or going to the box office in person.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:14pm

I don't live in NYC, so going day of show would be too much of a gamble and the theatre box offices do not take orders over the phone they refer you to Telecharge. I have to buy in advance. I don't always have to time to hit the box office when I arrive.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:24pm

Well, closer is not always better for many shows and IMO first row is WAY too close to appreciate the staging and choreography of ACL and you'd be much better off mid orchestra or in the mezz. And while you might consider premium seating for ACL considering how well it has been selling (and how scarce good seats for the regular price often are), there are tons of good seats for Grey Gardens at non-premium prices (and even moreso, with Little Dog, which typically plays to less than half full houses -- you should be able to score a great seat for it at half price).

Telecharge is often a necessary evil if you're coming in from out of town and don't have ready access to the box office (ordering tickets directly from the box office by phone is not an option and even if you can get that number -- which is private and unlisted -- if you are merely calling to place an order, the box office personnel will simply direct you right back to Telecharge which is equipped for phone orders..... and, of course charges an exorbitant fee for that service).

Updated On: 1/24/07 at 01:24 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:32pm

I hear you Margo. I debated with being too close for ACL, but it came back to the fact that I've seen the show on tour many times from farther away and would prefer to be closer to see the acting more than the choreography. At this viewing, I am more interested in nuance than the big picture. Also, I'd like to see Charlotte do her number up close since folks have been so split on her performance.

As always, Margo, I appreciate your insight. :)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 1:42pm

That's cool. I hope you enjoy it!

[avab802]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 4:46pm

I've found with both Telecharge and Ticketmaster that what the computer considers to be the "best seats available" are not what I would consider to be the best seats. I live in NYC so I can go to the box office, but if I have to order from Telecharge or Ticketmaster I try to do so over the phone. Easier to get multiple good options from a person than from a computer.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 1/24/07 at 4:48pm

I hate Telecharge and Ticketmaster but its the only way to get seats over the phone. Damn service fees make a cheap ticket expensive.

Anyways, I was looking at DRS tickets once, and it said 4th row left mezz was better than front row right mezz (both set of seats were on the aisle too).
Point proven, hit next, you can always go back if you liked the previous tickets better.