CLYDE'S on Broadway Will Sell Limited, Real-Time Tickets to Virtual/Streamed Performances in January

This is really interesting and pretty bold. Thoughts?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/22/theater/broadway-streaming-nottage-clydes.html

This is the most interesting point for me, and it might be the key to a way forward for streaming future stage productions:

"The virtual tickets will be limited in number — probably to around 200 to 300 a performance — because as part of an agreement with labor unions, the theater will cap the number of streaming tickets sold so as not to exceed the total capacity of the theater over the course of the play’s run."

By doing this, Second Stage is able to justify to the unions that the play isn't being seen by more people during it's run than would have been able to see it in the theatre, just a different assortment of people; the total number of virtual tickets will depend on how many seats go unsold during its run. (though we should assume everyone's getting additional money for the streaming)

I would gladly pay to watch this virtually. I’m out of state so it’s not always easy for me to make a special trip see shows like this. If this is successful, maybe Second Stage will also make Take Me Out available for streaming.

I’ll happily pay $59 to support theater. And I really want to see this show just can’t get to nyc in time to see it so I think this is really cool!

I agree that $59 is too much. I get the economics on their side, but if this is actually about making Broadway more “accessible” it should be half that price.

Updated On: 11/22/21 at 08:21 PM

This is fantastic. More of this!

Lavieboheme3090 said: "And accessible does not automatically equal cheaper."

No, of course. When I said demographic data I meant age, race, disability, etc. And also whether it could attract people who aren't normally theatergoers. That last part is why I brought up the price. I don't know if I'd casually pay $59 for something I had no prior interest in... like a $70 UFC fight.

Anyone else watching the final performance via livestream today? Waiting for it to start.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "This is the most interesting point for me, and it might be the key to a way forward for streaming future stage productions:

"The virtual tickets will be limited in number — probably to around 200 to 300 a performance — because as part of an agreement with labor unions, the theater will cap the number of streaming tickets sold so as not to exceed the total capacity of the theater over the course of the play’s run."

By doing this, Second Stage is able to justify to the unions that the play isn't being seen by morepeople during it's run than would have been able to see it in the theatre, just a differentassortment of people; the total number of virtual tickets will depend on how many seats go unsold during its run.(though we should assume everyone's getting additional money for the streaming)"


This remains an interesting experiment, and I'm glad 2nd Stage was able to do it. It's a terrific play. Perhaps we'll see more theatres structuring livestreams similarly in the future.

Good. Glad I'm not the only one thinking of a "new deal for Broadway." Structure it right, and it can pay back big-time.

I really enjoyed it. It certainly has a lot of comedic elements, but also has some serious themes that relate to my career.

I had to ask a friend who saw it in person if the dropped sandwich towards the end was intentional or a flub. He said he didn’t recall it from when he saw it. So if a mistake, I thought Uzo handled it well and it actually added to the comedy of the moment.

I had some trouble with the streaming a few times due to what I assume was my internet connectivity. I ended up watching part of it on my phone until my laptop started streaming consistently again.

yes it's a great ensemble piece, and I would HOPE come Tony time they are all deemed Supporting. Uzo has large stretches of time offstage and though the final moment focused on her, it was just as much about everyone else. The others might even have more onstage time than her.She probably stands a better chance at a nomination (maybe even a win??) in the Featured category.

I streamed this and really enjoyed it. Uzo was deliciously evil, and her costumes were everything. I will say, though, that I found the play very slice of life. I was expecting a big twist at the end, and it just never came. The whole time I was watching I felt like I was waiting for some huge moment of catharsis, and it just never happened.


I love that Second Stage is doing these streamings.