CHORUS LINE Tickets - $301.25. DISGUSTING!- Page 6

[keen on kean]

Posted: 12/21/06 at 9:11pm

Isn't it also possible that premium seats may be helping maintain cheaper seats - like a subsidy of sorts? If wealthy and corporate buyers can pay that much, and the theater benefits, it isn't a matter of fairness.
I love Broadway theater but it is a business and all the most heavenly art in the world is not going to keep a play open if the bills aren't paid.

[D2]

Posted: 12/21/06 at 9:25pm

Off the ACL topic but still along these lines: opinions on the $25 "lap seat" being charged by Disney?

[keen on kean]

Posted: 12/21/06 at 10:25pm

Given the Disney target audience, it makes sense - but is there a weight/height/age limit, like airline seats? ("I am sorry, madam, but your husband will have to get out of your lap...")

[mikem]

Posted: 12/22/06 at 12:16am

I also can't believe that seat 12 in any row is considered to be a Premium seat. I also am surprised that Row B of the Left Mezzanine is Premium as well.

[WellIfYouInsist]

Posted: 12/22/06 at 12:54am

I almost payed full price for Seussical once.

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 12/22/06 at 8:52am

"I almost payed full price for Seussical once."

Want a cookie?

[once a month]

Posted: 12/22/06 at 1:21pm

Predating Miss Saigons $100 ticket...The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby was $100 per ticket. That was worth every cent...and by todays standards...what a bargain! It was also 9 hours long...like the current hit playing Lincoln Center, except the cast was much bigger...the RSC.

[kelleymd]

Posted: 12/22/06 at 10:23pm

I can see the point about theater being an "art" and not a "business" (which certainly is not entirely true), but please know that tourists who choose to pay top dollar are not necessarily being bilked and might be making informed decisions.
Think of it this way...people routinely pay thousands for top seats to see elite athletes, top performers, etc. Aren't the ultra-talented and hard-working people of Broadway worth the expense?
I paid $250 each for a pair of A Chorus Line tickets last night and it was well worth it. I had great seats and I hope my money goes towards helping this show make it. It was a great experience and I would do it again.
In the past, I could not afford to do this, so I did not. It is a sad but true fact of living in a supply and demand world.
Bottom line- why are these performers worth a fraction of the cost of courtside Lakers tickets or front-row (insert pop star here) tickets. They're not!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 1:28pm

Please keep in mind that when I started this thread, the producers of "A Chorus Line" were offering no standing room and no lottery and also charging $111 for obstructed view seats. While I'm very happy they have now given those not lucky enough to work for big coorporations that buy them tickets or be wealthy enough to spend that kind of cash on themselves, I still find this (in my own words) - disgusting, because more and more shows are just going to follow their lead and keep topping each other until those of us who can't or just refuse to spend that much are completely shut out.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 1:34pm

But Kelley, the performers don't make a fraction of the salary of these top tier athletes that people allegedly routinely spend thousands of dollars to see. So that's one place where that analogy falters.

[kelleymd]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 7:18pm

That's a good point, FindingNamo...I do understand that actors are not paid like athletes. (I yield that comparing professional sports markets and the Broadway market is obviously tantamount to comparing apples and oranges.) Nonetheless, my understanding is that most shows don't "make back" their initial investment anyway. I think by helping shows make back their investment, one is propogating future shows.
Perhaps my message came across a bit wrong- I am in no way touting that theater should be reserved for the wealthy or the corporate buyers. Rather, my point is simply that attending theater is worth large sums of money (not to mention that high ticket prices are often balanced out by lotteries/student rush tickets). My husband is standing over my shoulder and says "This is a debate over whether attending theater is a right or a privilege." I guess that is a good way to put it.

[Sylar2]

Posted: 12/24/06 at 3:17pm

Well as long as people with money keep BUYING overpriced tickets, producers will keep offering them. Yes, it is disgusting but people buy them. A friend calls those type of people "The Rich & Stupid".

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 12/24/06 at 10:23pm

im so excited; i just found out i will be seeing the production on january 8th 5 rows from the stage dead center.

i can't wait!

this is one of the few shows left on b-way i have yet to see.

ill be sure to post a review after i see the show!

[So what...I sing]

Posted: 12/25/06 at 1:59am

Thank GOD for TKTS!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/25/06 at 11:17am

Totally agree So What

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/25/06 at 11:29am

Well...as they say in Dubai: "...those who can, do".

I purchase quite a bit of Premium Seats for the tougher shows, then just write them off come tax time. Works for me and I end-up seeing the show for free, eventually.

Been doing this for several years now and we're all happy.