dwwst12 said: "Can't afford a luxury item? Youcan't go! Boo hoo! Welcome to REAL LIFE."
I think the underlying frustration here may be the feeling that the theater overall -- like many other things in this country -- is becoming increasingly out of reach, available to the "haves" but not the "have nots." And unlike an $80,000 car or a piece of jewelry, I'd assume most people here would agree that many artistic endeavors provide *actual value* to both individuals and society as a whole. Beyond the Wikipedia definition of what a buyer and seller will pay.
So yeah, ha ha, you can't afford a "luxury item." I guess maybe that's what theater is now, and I should just deal with it. And I know there is a valid distinction to be made between The Hottest Show on Broadway and Perfectly Good Regular Theater. But I'd point you to the prices everywhere, from the theaters hosting national touring productions to regional theaters.
I get that money is required to keep all this going, and I'm happy to pay it. But in case you hadn't noticed, much of the money keeping capital-T Theater alive is NOT the result of unfettered capitalism. Hadestown may have existed either way, but the vast majority of theaters continue to function in large part because of grants, tax money, and private benefactors.
But....maybe I'm the one who's out of touch and/or value theater too highly, and people should just see a sh***ty high school production of Grease and be satisfied."
There are so many ways to obtain discounted theater tickets (secondary market, rush, lottery, TKTS, TDF). Flexibility and patience will allow the majority of people to experience it. On the secondary market, everything but TKAM could be had for as low as $55 + fees for orchestra level tickets.
If you are patient and play the lotteries, that drives the price down further. Moulin Rouge and DEH are the only online lotteries I haven't won in the past 6 months. I see shows here in NYC decidedely cheaper than when I lived in the midwest and probably on average have paid just under $40/ticket.
If you are someone who feels they have to plan ahead, or must see a certain show when they come to NY, you may have to pay a premium for the assurance of getting the ticket and the seating location that you want. But I find theater to be decidedly cheaper than going to a rock concert or a sporting event both of which offer roughly the same length of entertainment.
If one has to think about dropping $100 for anything the reality is you shouldnt be doing it as that money would be better used elsewhere. But if thats within a persons means, there are plenty of ways to obtain tickets at affordable prices.