#26
Posted: 10/2/09 at 2:39am
Clearly TKTS is strictly for out-of-towners as locals know you can usually get the same or better deals online and in advance or thru TDF membership. Also you can choose your seat and avoid the fee-per-ticket - sure, a few locals still go there, but they are def in the minority.
I know this sounds a bit crazy, but why not convert the TKTS stand to full price tickets only? Sure it sells a lot of half-price tickets - but mostly to visitors who would have paid close-to-full price anyway - this is the internet age, there are enough ways to distribute offers now that a physical location should only be a ticket distribution point and not a discount sales point - If Joe LeBlang was alive today, I think he would agree (the original Discount Broadway Ticket Pioneer over 100 years ago)
How do I know its mostly visitors down at the TKTS - well, we often find that we have a few extra tickets to Broadway shows that we cannot use, so we head down there to give them away for free (We cant sell em as we are not ticket brokers) You wouldnt believe how hard it is to give away free tickets. Usually the person has never heard of the show EG. 39 steps, WSS or BTF or is just completely clueless about the Broadway scene and are like sheep at the booth.
My interns spend 30 mins trying to give away 10pr tickets and come back to the office with 8pr, its quite ridiculous - so we have given up now and instead give our spares to Ronald mcDonald house instead, there is always someone there who can go - but the point is, I believe that the TKTS ticket stand is no longer of value in its current form as it actually hurts a show, instead of helping it.
So the argument boils down to: if the TKTS ticket stand is primarily giving discount to out-of-towners who are flush with money, arent they the very same people who would be inclined to pay more for a ticket ?
Isn't it the regular theatregoer that needs more financial motivation to see a show, those TKTS sheep will go to any show that Ben Brantley tells them to - and, within reason, pay whatever they are charging.
Counter thoughts anyone ?
I know this sounds a bit crazy, but why not convert the TKTS stand to full price tickets only? Sure it sells a lot of half-price tickets - but mostly to visitors who would have paid close-to-full price anyway - this is the internet age, there are enough ways to distribute offers now that a physical location should only be a ticket distribution point and not a discount sales point - If Joe LeBlang was alive today, I think he would agree (the original Discount Broadway Ticket Pioneer over 100 years ago)
How do I know its mostly visitors down at the TKTS - well, we often find that we have a few extra tickets to Broadway shows that we cannot use, so we head down there to give them away for free (We cant sell em as we are not ticket brokers) You wouldnt believe how hard it is to give away free tickets. Usually the person has never heard of the show EG. 39 steps, WSS or BTF or is just completely clueless about the Broadway scene and are like sheep at the booth.
My interns spend 30 mins trying to give away 10pr tickets and come back to the office with 8pr, its quite ridiculous - so we have given up now and instead give our spares to Ronald mcDonald house instead, there is always someone there who can go - but the point is, I believe that the TKTS ticket stand is no longer of value in its current form as it actually hurts a show, instead of helping it.
So the argument boils down to: if the TKTS ticket stand is primarily giving discount to out-of-towners who are flush with money, arent they the very same people who would be inclined to pay more for a ticket ?
Isn't it the regular theatregoer that needs more financial motivation to see a show, those TKTS sheep will go to any show that Ben Brantley tells them to - and, within reason, pay whatever they are charging.
Counter thoughts anyone ?
Updated On: 10/2/09 at 02:39 AM
