#1
Posted: 8/15/16 at 5:06pm
Did anyone else get the e-mail about the price increase for Gold and the implementation of Platinum? Mulling it over...
#2
Posted: 8/15/16 at 5:23pm
I didn't get the email yet, but the differences are explained here:
http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Support/Become-a-Member/HipTix-Gold-and-Platinum.aspx
From what I can tell the new Platinum is basically the current Gold in terms of seating availability plus a signed playbill and Gold is becoming $25 more expensive and has a lower level of seating options than currently available. The only thing that may make the Platinum worth it to me would be if the orchestra seating includes center orchestra as opposed to the side orchestra that is currently offered under Gold.
#3
Posted: 8/16/16 at 12:57am
This is terrible! 
I saw the email but didn't read closely, thought they were raising Gold +$25 but same benefits. This is much worse.
So basically Platinum is current Gold benefits, plus some negligible things, but $125 more expensive.
And the new Gold is $25 more expensive but actually a downgrade, more like a Silver level of benefits.
Really really sucks, I only discovered Hiptix / Hiptix Gold this past fall......
#4
Posted: 8/16/16 at 10:12am
When did they announce this information? I renewed my hiptix gold membership in the first week of August over the phone and wasn't told about any changes. I wonder if they will honor it for the year.
#5
Posted: 8/16/16 at 10:17am
Broadway Joe said: "When did they announce this information? I renewed my hiptix gold membership in the first week of August over the phone and wasn't told about any changes. I wonder if they will honor it for the year. "
Since the membership is for a year, you shouldn't have to pay again for your membership until you need to renew. However, you should contact RTC to double-check/confirm.
#6
Posted: 8/16/16 at 10:24am
I got an email from Roundabout. You can pay the $75 through the end of the month. After that, it's $100 for Gold. I'm on the fence about renewing. I mostly did it this past year because of Noises Off and She Loves Me. I also got tickets to Holiday Inn. I'm not insanely picky about where I sit, so if the Gold offerings end up what the free program is, it may not be worth it anymore.
"I don't want the pretty lights to come and get me."-Homecoming 2005
"You can't pray away the gay."-Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy.
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#7
Posted: 8/16/16 at 10:48am
I called Roundabout about the changes and it seems to me the only major change to Gold is the $25 increase. The seats are basically going to be in the same areas as before.
#8
Posted: 8/16/16 at 11:02am
I've been a Hiptix Gold member since 2010 and I love it. I don't mind the $25 increase (and the front mezz/side orch seats) since it helps sending more students to their productions and inviting a new generation of playwrights to pursue a career in theatre.
One thing though, I really hope their programming/casting becomes more diverse. They sent a mailer last week and the cover was primarily all white actors. Then I'll be more inclined to support at the Platinum level.
"When the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you've written." -Stephen Sondheim
#9
Posted: 8/16/16 at 11:11am
djoko84 said: "I called Roundabout about the changes and it seems to me the only major change to Gold is the $25 increase. The seats are basically going to be in the same areas as before.
Based on the description of the available seating under the new Platinum and Gold, I don't believe this to be the case. Platinum is specifically "orchestra or front mezzanine" and the new Gold is "rear orchestra and mezzanine." As I understand Gold now, it's any seat in the side orchestra and all mezzanine seats. I was able to get Orchestra Row G 2-4 with Gold just recently for NOISES OFF. Under the new classification that wouldn't be available with Gold.
#10
Posted: 8/16/16 at 11:17am
The performance you attended probably had more open seats closer to the date. G 2 and 4 would normally not be available through Gold... 6 and 8 most often but rarely front aisle seats.
Just from past experience.
"When the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you've written." -Stephen Sondheim
#11
Posted: 8/16/16 at 11:41am
That's irrelevant to my point. Those seats (if available) are eligible to purchased under Gold currently. In the new classification, Gold is relegated to rear orchestra, so even something like G 6/8 that you're suggesting would only be available for purchase under the new Platinum. The new Gold is clearly a downgrade in seating locations from what is currently in place.
#12
Posted: 8/16/16 at 1:32pm
@WayTooBroadway that is incorrect. All side orch and the entire mezz are eligible for Gold pricing with the old rules. I always bought the first or second row mezz with my gold membership. Does anyone know if you purchase seats now, are those seating locations still valid? Will they change on sept 1st or have we been relegated to the back of the house despite the price increase.
If anyone from Roundabout is reading this: this is a horrible decision. I don't understand the thought process behind increasing spending (via a donation no less) while downgrading the experience. And while I was happy to give the donation for the past 2 stellar seasons, there honestly isn't as much this season that interests me. If it wasn't for the cast of Holiday Inn (which they strangely haven't been advertising) I would skip it altogether. It doesn't seem like a smart strategy to court younger theatregoers. I guess theyll continue to be an old white folk home if they continue this path.
#13
Posted: 8/16/16 at 1:33pm
frogs_fan85 said: "That's irrelevant to my point. Those seats (if available) are eligible to purchased under Gold currently. In the new classification, Gold is relegated to rear orchestra, so even something like G 6/8 that you're suggesting would only be available for purchase under the new Platinum. The new Gold is clearly a downgrade in seating locations from what is currently in place."
Exactly. Other people need to read a little more closely. The new Gold benefits are not one-for-one with current Gold benefits, they are slightly worse. They don't take effect until Sept 1, 2016.
Updated On: 8/16/16 at 01:33 PM
#14
Posted: 8/16/16 at 2:15pm
This is somewhat random, but does anyone have any idea what Roundabouts spring musical is going to be?
#15
Posted: 8/17/16 at 7:22am
Regular Hiptix is rear mezzanine so obviously Gold will still be better than that. The Gold seats I have gotten in the past have mostly all been rear orchestra or front mezzanine anyway. I still think even with the current "downgrade" the Gold option is a great deal.
#16
Posted: 8/17/16 at 8:51am
Not for nothing, but I just gave my $100 to the young subscribers at CSC... With the exception of The Cherry Orchard, the RTC season dosen't sound verry appealing
#17
Posted: 8/17/16 at 9:14am
I see the same point, djoko84.
"When the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you've written." -Stephen Sondheim
#18
Posted: 8/17/16 at 11:52pm
I would also like to say that since we're afforded two tickets per subscription, I split it with a friend of mine so it was never full price for me - I paid $37.50 so now it will only be $12.50 more. I recommend that others do the same because it's really worth it. I just wish they would extend it past 35 years old.
#19
Posted: 11/11/16 at 1:44pm
I just got the e-mail to purchase tickets for Marvin's Room, and I'm a Hiptix Gold member. The seats available are the last two rows in the mezzanine. Seriously? Where are the regular Hiptix seats? Can't imagine they're much worse.
Updated On: 11/11/16 at 01:44 PM
#20
Posted: 11/12/16 at 11:58am
DramaTeach said: "I just got the e-mail to purchase tickets for Marvin's Room, and I'm a Hiptix Gold member. The seats available are the last two rows in the mezzanine. Seriously? Where are the regular Hiptix seats? Can't imagine they're much worse
"
I'm a Hiptix gold member and they had seats in the side orchestra beginning in row H and then going towards back of orchestra on the sides.
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