CNBC Article: Nobody wants to see a Broadway show- Page 3

[bway0]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 9:12am

JennH said: "joevitus said: "JennH said: "bway0 said: "Amtrak is awful. I have many horror stories. But the worst was when the train’s engine died and we were stranded in NJ, got in NYC at 2:30 (arrival should have been 12:49), and missed half of Hadestown. On the train home, I find out Rob McClure was in the quiet car with me and experienced the wonderful Amtrak experience of that afternoon and he had to miss the Beetlejuice matinee."

I can fully agree that Amtrak is ridiculous mostly from thestoriesI hear, even though I've been lucky as hell to never have experienced one of them myself. Too many horror stories to not believe that Amtrak is terrible. ButI have to wonder why he uses/used Amtrak when there's NJT that's cheaper and ggeeennnerally more reliable...note that I say generally.

That said...yeahthat article is somewhat ridiculous, but I imagine there'll be many day of,last minute purchases fromthose who feel comfortable. I DO agree with theassessment that tickets are just as expensive as ever and just like the industry itself, it's like no one used this long pause to rethink how to make pricing more accessible."

I'm baffled that orchestra seats for The Music Man are going for $500 a pop (according to comments on othr threads here). I mean, how many people go to the theater alone? So it's $1,000 for just two people, and presumably they are going out to eat before or afterwards. I'm not knocking the material, the stars or this production. I just don't know who can afford this, no matter how good it is."

Exactly. Now the answer you're lookingfor is...richpeople. That's who can afford it. I go to shows alone most of the time actually.I can only think of twotimes in thepast 5-ish years I went to a show of anykind with someone. In a city that seems to be as busy as ever now that we're not a pandemic hot spot anymore, it's just as much of effort to get someone to go to show with you as it isto get someone to come see YOU in a show. But I digress. I get needing to make a profit and pay off a shows' investment, but even rear mezzanine seats are ridiculous. I dropped a bit over 100$ to see Waitress the second night back. I did try reopening night itself, but thosetickets were generally significantly higher and I just shook my head and gave up hope to see any shows' reopening night. I would have loved to certainly, but not as those prices."

I believe Rob McClure lives in or around Philly so it was probably easier to grab a train at 30th St Station and ride up with Amtrak. I’m not too familiar with NJT but I’m assuming if he were to take it to NYC, he would have to transfer at some point- Camden or Trenton? - to get on a line that goes direct to NYP (again, not familiar so it’s my best guess!)

I had planned a few day trips to NYC this fall but had to cancel for various reasons. But looking at costs of everything, I have no desire to go to NYC right now anyway. Transportation is more expensive- train is now $100 round trip to NYP and the bus is $62 (increase of $12 pre covid). Between transportation, food, and show ticket, I’m easily spending up to $300 per day trip and only in the city for over 5hrs. I go alone to almost every show and knowing how expensive it is, it’s a crime to ask someone else to drop $300+ for a very short day trip. So rightt now that’s not worth it to me. I’ll come back but not until prices are more affordable again. So I’m going to check out tour stops near me and save some money doing it. 

[JennH]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 12:40pm

^^^Oh WOWZA....and he makes that commute 6 days a week?? That's 3 hours round trip, I mean what ever works for you I suppose, but that's literal craziness! 

Updated On: 8/16/21 at 12:40 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 12:55pm

Nope, it's not "literal craziness". 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 1:29pm

1. Did ANYONE think (even without Delta) that things were going to snap back into place?

2. I have 2 trips planned...a weekend in Oct. Paid reasonable full price for both Hadestown and Six. A few days in Feb...full price (cheap seats) for MM, Audience Rewards tix for Company, and hoping a discount will show up for The Girl from North Country to complete our trip.

Assuming all works out well thru those 2 trips and covid, I'm sure I'll goo back to my miserly/discounted ways full time.

As an educator, I wore a mask most of the year for nearly 6 hours a day......I have no issue with wearing one for a show. (Heck, my actors had go perform wearing them.)

[brdway411]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 1:49pm

We are waiting to see what shows up on TDF. Have been helping a friend book stuff for his visit in Jan. based on our searches for seats, lots of empty seats for weekday shows, not so much on the weekends.

 

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 2:13pm

Sutton Ross said: "Nope, it's not "literal craziness"."

Agree,Sutton. Patti LuPone has been commuting from Connecticut to NYC for quite a while,if I'm not mistaken. Although,I think she has a driver.

 

Updated On: 8/16/21 at 02:13 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 3:35pm

No, I hate when people use literal wrong. Like when people say "omg I'm literally dying". No, because then you would be dead in front of me.

How stupid can people actually be?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 6:07pm

I just don't know who can afford this, no matter how good it is.

That is the funniest thing Ive read all day. Can you imagine not understanding how many Americans have high paying professional jobs? And work hard in college and at work so they can afford luxury items?

Jesus Christ. 

[jo]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 9:41pm

gracie61 said: "Well I'm coming back. Bringing my daughter and 9 yr old granddaughter to NYC in June. So not right awayI guess. But we have tickets to Music Man, and had conflicts in the spring, so summer it was for the best seats! Waiting yo see what else will be playing that will be family friendly to add one more show. While I've taken my granddaughter to regional and touring shows, it will be her first trip to Broadway. I'm a subscriber to the local theater here in Austin that hosts the touring companies, so we will see Lion King and Willie Wonka that way, it's in the tour package starting in Dec.
Was thinking about Aladdin since we had tickets for the touring show that got canceled, but we will see.
Hopefully they will have the vaccine for her age group by then. My daughter is a huge Huge Jackman fan, so this is her bday present."

Will be there,too, in June 2022, hoping to catch Tony time. Tickets for The Music Man for 2 tuesdays after first 2 Sundays set  - I usually get tickets for 2 dates a week apart in case of absences. Intend to see other shows but will book when closer to spring 2022. Also looking forward to see NYC fully re- open! Will be flying from halfway across the world. Surprisingly, airline tickets seem to be moving fast!

[joevitus]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 11:14pm

Sutton Ross said: "No, I hate when people use literal wrong. Like when people say "omg I'm literally dying". No, because then you would be dead in front of me.

How stupid can people actually be?"

Pretty stupid if they don't know how language works and that hyperbole is part of the process, and a long tradition in the use of the language. Here's a nice article on the phenomenon:https://stancarey.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/literally-centuries-of-non-literal-literally/''

A quote from the Random House Dictionary within the article:

Since the early 20th century, literally has been widely used as an intensifier meaning “in effect, virtually,” a sense that contradicts the earlier meaning “actually, without exaggeration” . . . The use is often criticized; nevertheless, it appears in all but the most carefully edited writing. Although this use of literally irritates some, it probably neither distorts nor enhances the intended meaning of the sentences in which it occurs.

 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 11:23pm

While using “literally” incorrectly, the far worse faux pas is correcting someone else’s word usage. Go be and English teacher or mind your business

[joevitus]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 11:26pm

Phantom4ever said: "While using “literally” incorrectly, the far worse faux pas is correcting someone else’s word usage. Go be and English teacher or mind your business"

Agreed. And for the record, I taught college English for 14 years. Still an English tutor now. 

[veronicamae]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 11:34pm

I don't know about y'all, but I literally can't wait to see a Broadway show. I have tickets to three shows for the week of September 14 already and I'm going to literally lose my mind.

[joevitus]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 11:41pm

veronicamae said: "I don't know about y'all, but I literally can't wait to see a Broadway show. I have tickets to three shows for the week of September 14 already and I'm going to literally lose my mind."

LOL Being a Texan, l Iove a good "y'all."

There's no room in my budget to fly to New York and take in a Broadway show. Which is frustrating as hell. My cousin (who prior to COVID spent all her money on trips to New York seeing all the shows) and I were planning on going up together once the pandemic passed. It will have to wait.

Will try my best to avoid Sally Plummer-esqe mind loss. 

Updated On: 8/16/21 at 11:41 PM

[veronicamae]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 11:46pm

joevitus said: "veronicamae said: "I don't know about y'all, but I literally can't wait to see a Broadway show. I have tickets to three shows for the week of September 14 already and I'm going to literally lose my mind."

LOL Being a Texan, I love a good "y'all."

There's no room in my budget to fly to New York and afford decent lodging, let alone take in a Broadway show. Which is frustrating as hell. My cousin (who prior to COVID spent all her money on trips to New York seeing all the shows) and I were planning on going up together once the pandemic passed. It will have to wait.

Will try my best to avoid Sally Plummer-esqe mind loss."

I spent a decade in Texas before moving to NYC; "y'all" is vital to communication.

I'm sorry that it's outside your current means. Not knowing how far off you are from affording such a trip, you could take a look at Airbnb rather than hotels, as they may be more affordable. I also wonder what hotels will do in general with their prices in the coming months; so many of them in Midtown temporarily closed due to zero tourism. We're certainly not at pre-COVID tourism traffic. Maybe prices are or will be more forgiving? If not, it will be worth the wait (as you well know)! 

Updated On: 8/16/21 at 11:46 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 11:54pm

binau said: "It kind of makes me wonder whether shows like Flying Over Sunset, Company or Assassins at CSC off B will be surprise hits of the season since they probably rely more on local audiences than the tourist shows…"

Local audiences usually cannot sustain a long run of a show. (Ignoring ASSASSINS because it's a limited run in a tiny theatre with subscribers.)

Remember Tootsie, War Paint, Carousel, Pretty Woman, Fiddler on the Roof, Evita, Follies, Porgy and Bess, Miss Saigon, Charlie Chocolate, Nice Work if You Can Get It, etc...all started with grosses close to $1mil per week. All closed early before recouping.

Group Sales were the bread and butter of those titles. This year, we'll have significantly fewer bus trips and school groups. Historically, the audience for new Broadway shows is predominantly New Yorkers for the first months of the run, but then tourists have to step in and pick up the torch or else a show closes. If there is not demand for a show, then a show will discount; if a show discounts too heavily, people stop paying full price, it stops breaking even, it won't recoup, and then it closes.

(And to anyone who disagrees that the New York theatergoing audience hasn't changed, just look at Encores: they haven't had a sellout in years and have practically had to abandon their mission to survive. The NYC middle-class musicalgoer has been replaced by an upper-middle-class playgoer that is willing to pay premium prices if they hear a show is brilliant.)

In a few months' time unless Covid and its restrictions magically disappear, there will be a bloodbath, for shows new and old.

All this makes me kind of sick to my stomach for the future of Broadway.

Updated On: 8/17/21 at 11:54 PM

[joevitus]

Posted: 8/16/21 at 11:57pm

veronicamae said: "joevitus said: "veronicamae said: "I don't know about y'all, but I literally can't wait to see a Broadway show. I have tickets to three shows for the week of September 14 already and I'm going to literally lose my mind."

LOL Being a Texan, I love a good "y'all."

There's no room in my budget to fly to New York and afford decent lodging, let alone take in a Broadway show. Which is frustrating as hell. My cousin (who prior to COVID spent all her money on trips to New York seeing all the shows) and I were planning on going up together once the pandemic passed. It will have to wait.

Will try my best to avoid Sally Plummer-esqe mind loss."

I spent a decade in Texas before moving to NYC; "y'all" is vital to communication.

I'm sorry that it's outside your current means. Not knowing how far off you are from affording such a trip, you could take a look at Airbnb rather than hotels, as they may be more affordable. I also wonder what hotels will do in general with their prices in the coming months; so many of them in Midtown temporarily closed due to zero tourism. We're certainly not at pre-COVID tourism traffic. Maybe prices are or will be more forgiving? If not, it will be worth the wait (as you well know)!"

The Airbnb is a good suggestion, thanks. Yeah, my years as an adjunct prof were not remunerative, surprise surprise. But I had great students, and that was its own kind of payment. 

Now to scrape the money together for a New York trip...

 

[veronicamae]

Posted: 8/17/21 at 12:18am

Sutton Ross said: "Such rudeness is really uncalled for over something so trivial, when you clearly knew exactly what the person meant because, as is posted above, the use of "literal" has evolved over time to have more than one meaning and you are presumably not stupid and as such, were able to understand what was said. Try unclenching for a day for once. You're constantly aggressive toward the majority of this board and it's [usually] uncalled for."





Ha. You don't know me and people see what they want to see. I compliment and support people on this board on a daily basis. Off topic board as well. Pms as well. But, considering you have the most tight assed actress as your profile pic, it makes sense you would only see the negative.

But, good job trying to control people on the internet, let me know how that works out, bb!

Kiss Kiss!"

I've been on this board years longer than you; just because I don't post 20 times per thread as you do doesn't mean I don't see what you post and where, and how.

But I literally appreciate you reinforcing my opinion with further documented facts as to the way you treat people, including but not limited to being a hypocrite given you were literally trying to control how someone uses a word on a message board. :)

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/17/21 at 12:24am

Aw sweetie, I don't care what you think about literally anything. That's how you use it correctly BTW. I know what I say, I know that I make people laugh and actually help. Just ask Mike Barrett on the off topic board.

He's worthy of my time and grace. You are not. And this is the last time I will ever acknowledge you because people who don't get me, my sense of humor or appreciate my contributions aren't worth my time. Be Best!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/17/21 at 12:25am

Literally.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 8/17/21 at 12:28am

Who'd have thought telling someone that their behavior is bothersome could be considered unwanted, unwelcome, or possibly even hurtful? My stars.

Anyway, back to the topic:

I think the industry as a whole, and that includes the casual consumer and the "superfans" as we are here will need to adjust to what the new normal of Broadway is, whether it's atypical pricing, fewer shows running, or something we can't yet predict. I'm definitely interested to see how it plays out in the next few months.

[jo]

Posted: 8/17/21 at 11:03pm

In one of his interviews promoting his latest film REMINISCENCE, Hugh Jackman said that he will be starting rehearsals for THE MUSIC MAN on October 25,  2021!

He is expected to finish his current movie project now filming in London ( Florian Zeller’s THE SON…2nd from his drama trilogy whose 1st film adaptation was The Father which won him an Oscar for screenplay) by end- September.

When does Sutton’s run in Anything Goes in London end?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/17/21 at 11:11pm

I believe Sutton’s final “Anything Goes” performance is 10/10, although the wording is very vague if she’s staying on for the remaining two weeks of the run or if someone else is replacing her.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/17/21 at 11:35pm

THE SON needs to announce casting for its title character (a pivotal role based on the UK production)!

[joevitus]

Posted: 8/17/21 at 11:40pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "And to anyone who disagrees that the New York theatergoing audience hasn't changed, just look at Encores: they haven't had a sellout in years and have practically had to abandon their mission to survive."

I missed this when you posted last night. Could you elaborate on this? I've noticed that they aren't preserving old/potentially forgotten shows anymore, but more reviving scores that are already very well known and have been recorded/produced time and again. How does the change in the face of the New York audience play into this?