Group Says Costumed Panhandlers are to Blame for Low Broadway Sales

[finebydesign]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 12:17pm

This is really hard to believe. I understand they are nuisance but as someone who lives in NYC and seen the proliferation of them they don't harass. The new park space has actually made it easier for promoters to get out.

I also wasn't aware there was a drop. Quite frankly people coming to the city expecting to get a ticket(s) to a "good show" at a reasonable rate day of, aren't going to find one anyway.




The article Updated On: 7/10/14 at 12:17 PM

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 12:21pm

No no no!! Those are "Street Counselors", and they have every right to recommend that you give them money instead of going to B'way shows.

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 12:26pm

Well, I'm a "local theatergoer" who lives in Hell's Kitchen and usually sees shows multiple times a week. And while I'm aware of the presence of these mascots, I've certainly never been "accosted" by one, and it's never stopped me from going to the theatre. The Broadway League should look in its own backyard if they want to know why attendance is down--it probably has more to do with sky-high prices and premiums than Dora the Explorer waving at passing tourists.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 12:29pm

If the costumes weren't so I-don't-know off-model, I think they are kinda cool. There is pretty much NOTHING to do in Time Square as it is. It's a really big missed opportunity for Disney.

Has anyone seen Elsa and Ana out there yet? I feel like someone could make bank right now. The lines at Disney are up to 5 hours.

[jkstheatrescene]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 12:39pm

I think "accosted" is a pretty harsh word. I am frequently in the area where these characters are, and any that have approached me move quickly away when I say, "No thank you."

Where they ARE a problem is when they get bunched up in place, essentially blocking the flow of foot traffic. And on two most recent visits to Times Square, I've noticed that they have inched closer to street corners, making the crossing more difficult. It is especially a problem when it is raining.

All of that said, they have not once kept me from seeing a show on Broadway, including shows actually ON Broadway, where they could potentially cause the most disruption to ticket sales - The Palace (Holler has much bigger problems than Elmo) and the Winter Garden. I'd say that the biggest problem of all is the very messy and ever expanding Marriott renovation.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 12:41pm

I will say those Tour Bus pushers are starting to get out of hand. They are pretty aggressive.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 12:42pm

While I think that some people might be put off by those costumed panhandlers, I don't believe that they are the sole reason for low Broadway sales. As someone already mentioned, some people are bothered by high ticket prices. Also, low sales can also depend on specific shows. If certain shows are not doing so well, it could be for a variety of reasons...not because someone is dressed as Elmo. I wouldn't be upset if those costumed panhandlers were kicked out of Times Square.

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 1:47pm

"We are actually seeing a decline in local theatergoers and they tell us that it's because they are accosted, they are overwhelmed,"

If simply walking by one of those characters "overwhelms" them, then attending a live show may be too much sensory overload for them anyway.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 1:48pm

I accidentally gave hundreds of my premium Broadway seat dollars to Cookie Monster!

[TigerBait88]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 2:02pm

Wait, are sales really that far down? Perhaps in terms of total tickets sold? I swear that around Tonys time there were articles everywhere saying ticket revenue was outstanding. Perhaps it's like concert tickets nowadays where less people are going but revenues are up due to high prices?

I'm confused to say the least ha

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 2:04pm

"I accidentally gave hundreds of my premium Broadway seat dollars to Cookie Monster!"

That was Mrs. Roxy. That's how they get money to go to the theater and then complain about it.

[candydog2]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 2:36pm

When I lived in New York I was never "accosted" by any of these guys. I know that the midtown pan-handlers can have a very "in-your-face" approach, but I just kept walking.

I can see how tourists can be distracted by them, but I don't think any tourists are actually prevented from buying theatre tickets by their presence.

What always amazes me is that there are Disney characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Woody, Buzz Lightyear etc, all casually wandering around right outside the Disney store! These guys SURELY can't have permission from Disney to do this, so how do they get away with it? Disney does have something of a reputation for shooting down unlicensed appearances by their own characters, you'd think they'd never allow it to happen on their own doorstep!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 2:42pm

Those costumes are all so gross and they definitely target children. I don't know how they operate, if they demand payment before or after a photo, but I saw lots of parents who were having to deal with an awkward situation because their child spotted the characters and flipped out. They make me uncomfortable, but the tour bus people are a huge nuisance, especially if you're staying at Row NYC.

[evic]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 2:52pm

Maybe if that fat cartoon character Charlotte St. Martin weren't such a greedy pig in a bad wig with lots of jewelry, and lowered ticket prices, then more people would go to the theater. Didn't they break records for attendance and grosses last year meaning more profits? What a stupid excuse. Charlotte honey- locals would not be caught dead in Times Square unless they work there or go to the TKTS booth. This evil woman justs wants to take away these people's jobs. But she wants to keep the obnoxious marketing hawkers there.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 3:22pm

This article was ridiculous! What a bizarre scapegoat to choose for the reason that there are less New Yorkers going to the theater.

The real reason is that the high ticket prices are making it more difficult for New Yorkers to be regular theatergoers. Seeing a Broadway show has solely become a tourist destination- just like seeing a show in Las Vegas. I don't know why they are surprised to find fewer New Yorkers are filling the seats.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 3:47pm

Are they getting confused? With those pimps who stand in the TKT's line, pushing their shows with clipboards and leaflets?

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 4:15pm

What a stupid article. Nowhere in the article does it even say that the number of attendees from the NY suburbs is down - only that the *proportion* has slightly dropped, with the proportion of tourists from outside the area increasing. That change is consistent with a scenario in which all of the numbers are up, but the tourist numbers went up more than the suburban numbers - they simply don't say what the actual numbers are doing. To then blame the panhandlers for the change in proportions is bizarre, because it suggests that suburnanites are more annoyed by panhandlers than tourists or New Yorkers, without suggesting any reasons why that might be so.

I have to agree with the two posters who have said that the bus hawkers are far more obnoxious and annoying than the characters. I see a lot more characters when i come to town and none has ever accosted me or blocked my path. The bus hawkers, on the other hand, are constantly accosting every time i walk by them, and constantly standing in the middle of a fairly narrow sidewalk (8th ave being more narrow than the larger pedestrian zones of times square) and blocking the flow of foot traffic while being obnoxious. If anyone was to be regulated, I would be much more in favor of regulating the bus hawkers than the characters.

[James885]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 4:33pm

Wow, that's absolutely ridiculous. I've never been accosted by any of the costumed characters in Times Square either. I agree that the hawkers are much more annoying, especially the ones who plant themselves in the middle of the sidewalk.

The Broadway League should point the finger at their own high ticket prices as the reason from driving local theatergoers away from shows.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 5:05pm

I actually find the comedy show scam artists to be the most annoying. They always have some line that isn't funny to say to people when they say no.

I'm even more amazed that people actually buy tickets from them. Even if they are tourists they should know better.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 5:16pm

I truly hate the costumed characters because they are too bizarre, but I am way more accosted by the Cheetahs, Tour Bus and Comedy show people than them. I work in Times Square....I know the struggle.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 5:30pm

No matter how you dress these people or call them fancy names like 'panhandlers'-they are all just beggars with a gimmick-yes, 'you've gotta have a gimmick'.
Go to any Asian country and after 10mins of constant street harrassement the words 'fcuk off' spring readily to your lips-but smile as you say it.

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 5:46pm

Not beggars, buskers.

A beggar says "I deserve your money, please give with no strings attached." A busker says "I'm gonna do something, so see if you're obligated to give to me now."

Good buskers are performers with talent or a good gimmick. Bad buskers are those squeegee ninjas who swoop in and catch you unawares. In between are the costumed characters.

[rjm516]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 5:49pm

Lolol Wee Thomas, 'street counselors'.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 6:03pm

"With those pimps who stand in the TKT's line, pushing their shows with clipboards and leaflets?" It is highly insulting to call those hardworking people by using such a derogatory term. You may not like what they do, but they are doing their job. This is "A true new low" from you, Phantom of London (which is a term you used not too long ago). Back at you.

Updated On: 7/10/14 at 06:03 PM

[JMPlayer6]

Posted: 7/10/14 at 6:12pm

I don't believe this is the reason. OK, maybe---just maybe--- it's a small factor in the decline, but not a significant factor, which I imagine is due to such things as (1) the shows that are in the theaters now and/or (2) economics and/or (3) shifting demographics.