Hamilton Ticket Sale Now 2/2- Page 4

[jdanaher]

Posted: 2/2/16 at 11:04pm

Updated On: 2/3/16 at 11:04 PM

[Tandrews]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 1:26am

What a complete shill for a scalper's website. Mods, please remove the above post. There are still tickets available from sources for far less than $350! 

[PastramiOnRye]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 4:18am

dmollen111 said: "was the ENTIRE mezzanine for presale?"

 

I managed to get rear orchestra tickets for Thanksgiving week during the pre-sale and for about a minute after the sale started I was able to use the interactive seating chart, from which I could see all available seats. Granted some seats might have already been taken (it's hard to tell, like I said it was only up for a minute and I never saw it update), but for that show I would say no more than a tenth of the seats in the house were marked for choosing.

[JM226]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 9:39am

_IrisTInkerbell said: "Exactly. Legal or not, people have every right to be outraged, and they should say so and make themselves heard. Of course, technically, saying it here will have no influence whatsoever, but people taking about it is the first step. The next is things like the Attorney Generals move against exactly those scalpers and TM fees.

 

In the capitalistic world especially we NEED to speak up and let those rich people on top know that they can't do whatever the hell they want. These ticket prices are ridiculous, and the producers should be told. And I think the press should talk about this side of Hamilton as well, next to all the love letters the show is getting.

 

I won't say any more because this would end in a philosophical and/or political argument. We will probably just have to agree to disagree. But I for my part won't not talk about things that are wrong just because they are legal or a consequence of the political environment we live in.

 

"

 

just so we have it officially in writing from you... are you suggesting the government step in to regulate the maximum ticket price on an event presented by a private, for-profit entity???  i have no opinion but I am asking for yours. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 10:47am

As long as people freely make the decision to pay these prices, nothing can or should be done. If and when people decide not to than things will change.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 10:50am

^ Thank you, Roxy. Yes, these prices are absurd—but there is clearly a demand for it. You cannot condemn the producers of a commercial theatre venture for capitalizing on wildly high demand. When demand goes down, so will prices. This is not a situation of producers trying to siphon cash out of their audiences. Currently, people are freely and voluntarily paying for these tickets—so they certainly needn't change their pricing structures (for now, at least).

[JM226]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 10:55am

i agree with you one hundred percent concierge, but i actually think the argument being had now is about the scalpers and the TM resale option. that is not as straightforward as the ticket prices producers are setting for their shows although i do believe scalping, while morally and ethically questionable, is a legal byproduct of free market capitalism. and whether it's "right or wrong" is based on personal opinion and your own moral values. nothing more. 

[mariel9]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 10:58am

The government can regulate scalping and other states do so. The fact that NYS doesn't may be politically hard to change, but people have every right to complain about it without being met with a patronizing speech about the free market every time.

In addition, pressure can be brought to bear in the form of bad press, bad publicity, and moral shaming. It may be unlikely to work, but again, it's really not necessary to come in with a "well move to another country if you don't like it" response. People can be entirely aware of the nature of free market capitalism, yet still complain about it and try to change it.

Personally, I don't blame the producers setting the prices where they are, given the insane prices being charged by scalpers. The people who made the show should get as large a share as they can of the ticket prices. BUT, if scalping were illegal and the prices were as high as they are, I think there is room for valid criticism of the pricing structure, even though it's commercial theater in a free market capitalist society.

[JM226]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:12am

...BUT, if scalping were illegal and the prices were as high as they are, I think there is room for valid criticism of the pricing structure, even though it's commercial theater in a free market capitalist society.

 

the scalping issue aside, because i actually don't care either way and have no problem with it being legal OR illegal, this last part of your post concerns me the most. how would a government regulation fairly determine the pricing for an entertainment attraction/event produced by a private, for-profit entity? just wondering where it begins and ends with price restrictions on ticketed events. do you want a governmental agency in d.c. dictating the price of broadway

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:12am

Do not think the government can regulate people waiting 10 hours in line or stopping fistfight over tickets. The government has better things to do than get involved in this. 

[SingMeToSleep]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:15am

I agree with those frustrated by the way scalpers are driving up the cost of tickets to levels that are simply unfeasible for many. 

However, there's a part of me that believes Alexander Hamilton, the creator of American capitalism himself, would say that what is going on with the ticket pricing is a direct result of the economic system he envisioned, put in place, and championed. He would probably take enormous pride in the fact that the biggest current hit on Broadway, based on proclaiming his legacy, is a textbook case of how capitalism works.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:21am

Doubt Hamilton ever took this type of behavior into consideration. Capitalism only plays a small part here. It is mass hysteria the likes of which most of us have never or ever will see again. To each his own .

[mariel9]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:23am

how would a government regulation fairly determine the pricing for an entertainment attraction/event produced by a private, for-profit entity?

Where did I say that the government would set Broadway prices? The government can subsidize the arts and can subsidize low cost tickets. The producers can voluntarily choose not to pursue the biggest profits. You are obviously a big big fan of free market capitalism to the point that the content of your posts is becoming as predictable as After Eight. But that's not the only way to look at the world, and I wanted to speak up because your repetitious scolding of people for not understanding the free market was getting tedious.

[JM226]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:24am

Mr Roxy said: "Doubt Hamilton ever took this type of behavior into consideration. Capitalism only plays a small part here. It is mass hysteria the likes of which most of us have never or ever will see again. To each his own .

 

"

 

your viewpoints appear to contradict each other. you clearly support the principles of free market capitalism but then criticize the results of it when associated with this particular musical. not sure that is how real world works... 

 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:33am

No. I said to each his own. If people want to get involved with it and all it entails fine. If not, equally fine. I think we all agree no one ever saw anything like it nor will they ever see anything else like it again. Many more are now coming on the board condemning the hype. I no longer do it. I no longer care one way or the other. It is what it is and I deal with it. I accept it is there and move on to something else .

Updated On: 2/3/16 at 11:33 AM

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:41am

SingMeToSleep said: "I agree with those frustrated by the way scalpers are driving up the cost of tickets to levels that are simply unfeasible for many. "

 

It's not the scalpers who are driving up the cost of the tickets.  It's the people who are BUYING from the scalpers who drive up the cost of the tickets.  The scalpers are just providing a service that you and I can chose to take advantage of or not.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:49am

Exactly

 

Same thing happens with concerts and sporting events. It is what it is. You pay it or you don't. It is really a very simple process. It ain't gonna change so do not waste time or get angry over it. Deal with it or move on. We have done the latter. If you opt for the first option that is your affair 

[Hellob]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 11:50am

If the SH and TM options were eliminated, you're still never going to eliminate the individual scalpers. At least you have protection with the companies. 

[JM226]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 12:44pm

The government can subsidize the arts and can subsidize low cost tickets. The producers can voluntarily choose not to pursue the biggest profits.

 

if you read the full thread you would know i already suggested that the only way it works is if the government subsidizes theatre (which it already does, by the way). that being said, it is not the actual solution since we are talking about ONE SHOW. that is it. not musical theatre or broadway as a whole. nope. just Hamilton. so... creating some sort of national arts model like the United Kingdom has won't really solve this particular problem.

 

if i sound repetitive and redundant, it is because those coming on here to constantly complain seem unable to accept the fact that entertainment and broadway is a luxury. but beyond Hamilton there is PLENTY of free and affordable theatre. that is my problem with this entire issue. you are not complaning about the model as a whole. just this particular show, which is ridiculous. here is an analogy: you are suggesting that someone who only has the budget to buy a honda cr-v should be allowed the opportunity to purchase a bmw convertible instead because it's the "hotter" vehicle. it's the more desirable option. but that's not really how the world works. you live within your means. if you can afford a high-priced ticket to Hamilton, great. go for it. if you can't? either start saving up, try the lottery, try the cancellation line, do standing room, do rush, or make a financial sacrifice in another area of your life to afford the ticket.

 

the men and women who put up millions of dollars in capital to invest in a risky business that, in turn, provides you and society with the art form of musical theatre should not be chastised for seeking to gain a larger return on their investment. that is absolutely ludicrous and removes their incentive for investing in commercial theatre. 

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 12:59pm

It's clear that having "seen Hamilton" is becoming a status symbol in the greater NYC area as well. That's a big factor in the resale market because it's not just people who love Broadway or theatre trying to get tickets. It's people who want to say they got in on it and don't care what it costs. 

 

I have seen several friends/acquaintances' social media posts about seeing it and these are people who never or rarely ever have mentioned going to the theatre before. 

 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 1:13pm

Wow, I am so thrilled my family and I saw it Labor Day weekend and paid under $100 per ticket.

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 1:34pm

JM226 said: "just so we have it officially in writing from you... are you suggesting the government step in to regulate the maximum ticket price on an event presented by a private, for-profit entity???  i have no opinion but I am asking for yours. "

No, not what I said. Government should should regulate scalping, not face value prices.

What I said was that people should protest against those ridiculous face value prices, so that the producers realize that they are ridiculous (and yes, also not buy them for that price. I never have and never will).

But again, we will never be on the same page about this, and by all means, we don't have to be. Not trying to convince anyone here, just stating MY opinion. That was shared but many others... but certainly not all. And that's okay, too.

[JM226]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 1:37pm

thank you, iris. i agree with you on that last point. we will definitely agree to disagree as i do not see the merit behind boycotting a show for its ticket prices. just doesnt make sense and removes the incentive for those same producers to go mount other broadway productions that you could hopefully and potentially afford.  cheers 

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 1:41pm

mariel9 said: "People can be entirely aware of the nature of free market capitalism, yet still complain about it and try to change it."

 

The breakdown online is about 99.7% of the former, and 0.3% of the latter, though.

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 2/3/16 at 2:03pm

There are two different issues here, but are a bit hard to separate.

1) the scalping, making it almost impossible for people to buy tickets at face value, and driving the price through the roof

2) the upscaling of the face value price due to the high demand (in partial, I'm sure, because of the amount of tickets bought by scalpers)

Producers are claiming the reason for the high ticket prices, especially premiums, are the scalpers, as the argue the money better go to the producers than to scalpers. That's fair enough. But I think the government should really resolve the problem of scalping to begin with. It should simply be illegal to re-sell tickets for a multitude of the face value. The money should go to the show, and only the show (or concert or sporting event or whatever). Reselling single tickets or pairs for face-value if you can't make it is a different story.

In a world without (large-scale) scalpers the prices might look different already.

The issue of face value the comes down to demand of course, and I have no problem with a popular show being a bit more expensive than a less popular show. But I also think that it should be in the interest of the producers to not make a show an elite-club for the privileged. Yes, this is entirely a moral argument. But for example, what I've seen some shows do, is just raise the price of orchestra and front mezz tickets, while still selling the rear mezz/balcony or sides for under $50. Fiddler and Curious Incident are two shows that come to mind that do this. Cursed Child in London is another one. The cheapest seats are 35 pounds. They'll still make a ton of money and make a ton of money for all their investors, while making sure that even people on a budget can see it. The only incentive being that they want to give everyone the opportunity to see it. Because they can afford to do so.

So what I'm saying is that what saddens me is that Hamilton seems to not care very much about anything but making the most possible amount of money at this point. There isn't much that I can do about is besides not buying a tickets for those prices, and expressing my feelings on the matter, in the hopes that, if enough people do the same, they will listen.

Over and out, have to go back to work to earn the money to see all the others this season!