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

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 2:09pm

This is really interesting and pretty bold. Thoughts?

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

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 2:12pm

Exciting news ahead of tomorrow's opening night!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 2:21pm

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)

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 4:57pm

Paywall. But I'm curious if they can collect any demographic data to see if this is actually making theater more accessible. Though the tickets are still $59.

[ren598]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 6:53pm

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.  

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 7:02pm

I was excited by this announcement, but $59 is a “no” for me.  I have watched quite a few things on streaming since COVID and find it somewhat enjoyable. However, it really doesn’t compare to being personally in the theater.  
 

I know this is an experiment and I’m hoping there will be more of this, but for me the price point is too high.  I’d do this if I were under 30 and qualified for the $30 tickets. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 7:25pm

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! 

[adotburr]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 7:34pm

mlsheehan said: "I was excited by this announcement,but $59 is a “no” for me. I have watched quite a few things on streaming since COVID and find it somewhat enjoyable. However, itreally doesn’t compare to being personally in the theater.


I know this is an experiment and I’m hoping there will be more of this, but for me the price point is too high. I’d do this if I were under 30 and qualified for the $30 tickets."

30UNDER30 will allow you to purchase a $30 ticket. Limited # available per show. 

https://2st.com/shows/clydes#simulcast

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 8:21pm

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

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/22/21 at 10:51pm

Nobody will ever be able to have their cake and eat it with livestreams. The price has to be high enough not to devalue the actual theatre tickets and dissuade people from seeing it live. It's also a canny business move that this is happening only at the end of the run, which is often the justification I've heard producers give when discussing filmed shows –– nobody wants a DIANA situation where people watch online and then refuse to pay full-price to see it in the theatre.

For me personally, $20 would be the absolute max price for me to watch a filmed stage performance at home. ($20 is also the usual cost to rent a movie PVOD - Premium Video On-Demand.) I guess you can justify that for one $59 'ticket,' multiple people could watch it at the same time and save money and not have to leave the house, but it's still a steep price for the House of Rothman.

[BJR]

Posted: 11/23/21 at 7:41am

This is fantastic. More of this!

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 11/23/21 at 8:30am

A pay-per view UFC fight cost almost $70. 

And accessible does not automatically equal cheaper.

I think it’s a smart experiment, and it will be interesting to see how to moves forward.

Will there be a future where we see more digital subscription theater services like the NTL does?

Streaming these shows with a live audience is also a selling point, they always pop more with a live audience.
 

 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 11/23/21 at 6:49pm

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.

 

[Rainah]

Posted: 11/23/21 at 10:11pm

If they don't want to be a Diana, then just... don't suck like Diana does. Filming lowers the bar to entry, people check it out and see if it's good and buy a ticket if they like it. Hamilton's still selling like hotcakes. 

 

The biggest issue broadway shows face is visibility. Few want to risk hundreds of dollars and three hours on something that might be awful. So we do our research, in various ways, but nothing beats actual footage from the show.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/16/22 at 3:09pm

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

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 1/16/22 at 3:10pm

I am!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/16/22 at 3:33pm

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.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/16/22 at 4:29pm

^ “Take Me Out” is doing it, too. 

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 1/16/22 at 5:01pm

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.

[ren598]

Posted: 1/16/22 at 5:55pm

I got a rush ticket to a Saturday matinee and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Unfortunately, 2 out of the 5 actors were out so I wanted to catch the livestream of the final performance where there’s a good chance everyone will be on.  The livestream doesn’t compare to actually sitting there in the theatre, but it’s a nice alternative for those of us who are out of state.  As it turned out, I actually paid more for the livestream than for my rush ticket.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/16/22 at 6:12pm

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. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/16/22 at 6:23pm

Also, while Uzo Aduba was probably the biggest name here, this is a great ensemble piece. Everyone was great. I was impressed that this was Kara Young’s (Letetia) Broadway debut. I believe this is both Reza Salazar’s (Rafael) second Broadway show (following Nottage’s 2017 play Sweat) and Edmund Donovan‘s (Jason) second Broadway show (following 2013’s The Snow Geese). 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/16/22 at 6:36pm

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.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 1/17/22 at 10:54am

The standouts for me were Kara Young and Edmund Donovan, although it was a really strong ensemble. I was surprised that Uzo had the least stage time out of everyone. So glad I caught the simulcast. An enjoyable show with a lot of heart and optimism.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/17/22 at 11:55am

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.