Hurricane Irene and Broadway- Page 3

[Evita@theBroadway]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 9:19am

For the record, I contacted Ticketmaster(I bought my Follies ticket from them) and they said that there will be no exchanges or refunds unless the show is cancelled. I told them the whole story about Hurricane Irene and was told that again, unless the show is cancelled there will be no exchanges/refunds.

I hope some influential person is reading this and understands that people are cancelling for a good reason.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 9:41am

I'm sure they understand that it is for 'good reason'. The policy has ALWAYS been: no refunds unless there is a cancelation. It is not their responsibiilty to figure out if you can get there. I know it sounds cruel, but it's business and if they can put on the show, they have fulfilled their responsibility. Will some/many of them allow you to post date? Possibly, but that won't be determined until after the fact.

The producers will not get a cut in the rent. The employees still need to be paid. Etc., etc. They, too, have bills to pay.

Lastly to QuizKing -- yes he can stop busses from entering NYC. He can't tell them what to do in NJ, but he can turn them away at the border. (I don't know that he will, however.)

But if its really that bad, do you want to risk your safety? REALLY?

[tapfrog]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 9:44am

Do shows have to cancel if the Mayor declares a state of emergency? I have Sat mat tix for Follies, but have to travel from Boston. Woe is me!

[tapfrog]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 9:44am

Do shows have to cancel if the Mayor declares a state of emergency? I have Sat mat tix for Follies, but have to travel from Boston. Woe is me!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 9:49am

I've received exchanges from Telecharge a few times and it's always been pretty easy. I've never had to with Ticketmaster but I've always found Telecharge's customer service to be top notch. I remember during the strike Telecharge was refunding the entire ticket price while Ticketmaster was keeping their fees.

I recall a story with a poster who was going to see James Barbour in concert and the tickets were bought through one of the two companies. We had a blizzard and he couldn't get into the city. Telecharge or ticketmaster (I forget which) said they would call the venue to ask if refunds would be given. James himself the company and said to refund their money.

Maybe, skipping the middle man might be the way to go here. Mainby you could call the box office and ask about post-dating.

[winston89]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 10:15am

Ticketmaster is the worst to deal with when it comes to the topic of past dating tickets or anything like that. They act as if they are always reading from a script etc rather then figuring out problems.

I do know for a fact that when it comes to past dating tickets telecharge actually works with you and is rather accommodating. They will put you on hold and call the theatre in question on your behalf. Should you past date via Ticketmaster, you would have to ditch them and call the theatre directly.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 10:33am

Like other people here, I've never had a problem past dating through Telecharge. Their customer service in general is much better than Ticketmaster.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 10:50am

Remember, Ticketmaster is not primarily a theatre ticketing website, they deal with major sporting events and concerts and don't care about the few Broadway shows they have.

Telecharge deals primarily with theatre and it shows when you speak to them about certain circumstances like this.

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 10:51am

FringeNYC Events for August 28 Cancelled Due to Hurricane Irene

[silversurfer2]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 10:58am

I think it is highly Irresponsble of the producers of shows, NOT to cancel Sunday's peformances. Firstly, the Gov called a State of Emergency. 2ndly, the Mayor advised that the Subway and bus system may be shut down as early as 8pm on Sat. I laughed when i saw, "Broadway to Brave Irene", how idiotic is that? What does it really take for Broadway to cancel shows! I feel for people who have tickets and cannot get in or out of the city, and have to 'eat' the cost of the ticket. At least this time, you didn't hear the Mayor say, "Go see a broadway show."! Stay safe everyone!

[Kad]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 11:00am

The current predictions for NYC indicate rainfall of 8-12", sustained winds of 40-50mph with possible gusts of 60-80 mph. Although the sustained winds are sub-hurricane level, they are still rather high and can be destructive. Considering there's all sorts of scaffolding and construction and random trees to be blown about in the city, there is the potential for quite a bit of damage.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 11:14am

Checking with multiple sources, the consensus is that the hurricane's path will not even reach Southern NJ until 8AM Sunday.

For Saturday, I probably expect heavy rain, but nothing of a destructive nature. Although, it would behoove producers to cancel Sunday shows, as the projected path shows it will be it's closest to NY around matinee time on Sunday.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 11:17am

The Book of Mormon is postponing its Sunday evening (Actors Fund) performance. http://www.actorsfund.org/performances-and-events/book-mormon

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 11:22am

For Saturday, I probably expect heavy rain, but nothing of a destructive nature.

Heavy rain can still disrupt NJ Transit. In all honesty I wouldn't risk it no matter what the path is. Being stranded in NYC is no fun and ends up costing a fortune because the hotels can gouge you. And I speak from experience on this.

Call the box office or ask a friend who lives in the city to stop by for you. Stay home this weekend - seriously.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 11:27am

No kidding. You guys do realize that the Sunday morning thing refers to the center of the storm, but the storm itself is almost 500 miles in diameter? NJ Transit probably will not run Saturday at all and certainly will not be running late Saturday night. If you're hell-bent on seeing the show, I'd suggest reserving a hotel now and plan on staying through Monday. (there actually are some fairly cheap deals if you reserve now, but they'll jack things up if you're stranded)

I have tickets for a show Saturday night myself and am debating whether I should just reserve a car service to get there and back. I live in Manhattan but not within walking distance of the theatre.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 11:43am

And, add the fact that it will be IMPOSSIBLE to get a taxi - especially if they shut down the subway. I once had to walk from Lincoln Center to Broadway & 50th w/ my mother, aunt, and sister because we could not get a taxi in a rain storm (the same storm that later stranded us in the city).

The night I got stranded in the city it was four of us so any hotel told us we have to get two rooms. We ended up at a DUMP that was charging $500 per room.

Trust me, this is an experiece you do not want.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 11:45am

"It would behoove producers to cancel Sunday shows"

It never behooves a producer to cancel any shows.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 11:52am

It would if a cast or crew member was injured or killed trying to get to the show, resulting in a lawsuit.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 11:57am

Hurricane Irene Causes Weekend Cancellations

Updated On: 8/26/11 at 11:57 AM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 12:34pm

If this storm is indeed coming anywhere near NYC, there will not be shows on Sunday, poss Monday & Tuesday. It won't be as pleasant as a blizzard. The flooding alone will halt NYC. Let's hope for the best--and if not the best--the least of the worst.

Also possible that Sat eve shows (and maybe mats) will be canceled. We'll know tomorrow morning.

Updated On: 8/26/11 at 12:34 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 12:45pm

I would think it's a pretty safe bet, unless the storm dramatically changes course, that at the very least, Sunday performances will end up being canceled.

Saturday seems like more of a crapshoot at this point.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 12:49pm

If NY transit shuts down and NJ doesn't, it doesn't mean everything is fine and dandy here. I actually was delayed once just during a normal rain because the train couldn't make it up the hill going into the Summit station. You also should be cautious if you live near rivers such as the Passaic. Where I sometimes catch the bus, I couldn't one day because the area the terminal is in was under water because of a smaller river that runs next to it.

Basically, everyone should just use their heads. Some things are just not worth risking your life over, despite transportation running.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 12:56pm

Billy Elliot has put a discount code on their facebook page for the weather that can be used through ticketmaster.com.

[roadmixer]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 1:00pm

From the Disney website...

Hurricane Irene Update: Unless otherwise directed by the City of New York, all performances of The Lion King will take place as scheduled this weekend. For information about ticket exchanges, click here.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 8/26/11 at 1:04pm

Follies posted this on Facebook:

Follies on Broadway
From the Broadway League: "All Broadway shows in New York City for the coming weekend are playing as scheduled. For questions about exchange or refund policies, please contact your point of purchase." You can go to www.broadwayleague.com to stay on top of breaking news.

From the Broadway League:

Weather alert

All Broadway shows in NYC for the coming weekend are playing as scheduled. For questions about exchange or refund policies, please contact your point of purchase. We will update this page with any additional information we receive. For tickets, information, and curtain times for Broadway in NYC this weekend and beyond, visit ilovenytheater.com.

Fringe cancelled Sundays shows and is issuing refunds, tickets bought online will automatically be refunded to credit card used. If you bought hard tickets at FringeCentral they will mail the refund, you need to send the tickets with a self addressed stamped envelope to:

Refund request c/o The Present Company, 520 Eighth Avenue, Ste. #311, New York, NY 10018 so that we may provide a refund.
Updated On: 8/26/11 at 01:04 PM