Lack of variety in show's schedules. — Page 3

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "defenses said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Some shows are now seeing problems with weeknights, with more people working from home and not coming into the city every day."

I’m curious if to see if this will have an impact. I could see starting shows on Monday and Tuesday shows a bit earlier (6 pm?) so people don’t have to wait around too long after work. Also, I wonder if the Thursday matinee would fare better now since a lot of hybrid companies have Tuesday and Wednesday as in-office days."

No, I do not think that would help. If anything, moving curtain times to 8pm helps those traveling into the city (which we get on Wednesdays when there's a matinee)."

That makes sense. I was thinking about them catching the people who do have to commute into the city. Instead of going home right after work, they can see a show. If I worked in the city, I wouldn’t sit around and wait until 7 or 8 pm for a show. Sure, I could go out to eat, but that’s another added cost. Then like RWPrincess pointed out, the trains are less frequent at night. I am very lucky to live in an area that’s easily accessible to three LIRR lines. If I lived in Suffolk County, I would never see a weekday show because my commute would be almost as long as the show.

Updated On: 1/23/23 at 06:56 PM

I would love to see more variety in the schedule. I only make it to NYC 1-2 times a year and try to pack in as many shows as I can. If there were more variety, I would see more shows. I'm sure productions have done some research on this and habits are hard to break plus I do understand the "long weekend" aspect too. Just from my personal perspective, I would love it. The only reason I saw Beetlejuice was it was the only show with a Sunday night performance that I hadn't seen so I did it on a whim and ended up loving it.

Remember though: the average theater goer doesn't need more variety....they are likely only seeing one or two shows in a visit. Locals can go "whenever". We, the Broadway "wh*res", are the only ones that are looking to jam more shows into our visit. (I'll admit it, I am seldom in the city without seeing at least one show each day!)

Again- I highly disagree, and do not believe any changes need to be made to the current schedules. But sometimes shows sporadically announce show changes. Not radical, and not all at once, but sometimes changes do happen. People just tend to be very demanding and "but this is convenient for ME so why can't you do it???". Like chill. You still get to see shows. You're in NYC there's so much more to do. Chill.

JasonC3 said: "Your apparent desire or need to dismiss others' ideas as merely self-serving and demanding is what needs to chill.

Just because others have ideas or interests that align more with their preferences or beliefs than yours doesn't automatically correlate to making outlandish demands.

"

Good point. But remember it goes both ways. I am allowed to have my stance as well and it doesn't mean I'm attacking anyone (because yes people have accused me of that).

We had have different schedules if there was demand for it. Producers have tried, showed it wasn’t really working. We can say all we want that “it is good for business” but the producers are the one seeing what is bringing in the money.


Do you think it is good for business, or is it merely better for your schedule?

hearthemsing22 said: "dramamama611 said: "Remember though: the average theater goer doesn't need more variety....they are likely only seeing one or two shows in a visit. Locals can go "whenever". We, the Broadway "wh*res", are the only ones that are looking to jam more shows into our visit. (I'll admit it, I am seldom in the city without seeing at least one show each day!)"

I think that's a very common misconception. The only advantage locals have is location. Don't forget that doesn't mean they have the money to see shows whenever they want. Location is the only advantage."

Good lord - no one was talking about the financial part of this. Where are you even coming up with this. If locals are going to see a show, they don't need more variety in scheduling, but they can plan for it whenever - because the average theater goer isn't going every week or even every month. FINANCES have nothing to do with what we are talking about.

And, again, TALKING about it, is not the same as demanding it or thinking it's our privilege to GET it.

The only people who really want more scheduling variety are people like me, who are trying to tentatively plan a New York City trip from across the country in mid-March. I am trying to decide whether to try to see a Monday night show. Most shows are either too pricey or are musicals I've seen or something my wife and I aren't interested in or have gotten meh reviews. Which is fine. We can do something else that evening and not race around.

Of course, if there is something I'm overlooking that I shouldn't miss, please let me know.

I was thinking of Monday nights. But Sweeney Todd is definitely on my list if we go (in my Sondheimfest, I am seeing a local production of Assassins on Thursday), as is Leopoldstadt and Kimberly Akimbo. I have seen The Play That Goes Wrong. As we will probably only be around long enough for three shows, that may be it.

Aside from Sweeney Todd and Funny Girl and Phantom (which I've seen recently enough that I don't feel compelled to see it again), what do we need to buy tickets for in advance?

A bit late to the party here.

Once again, hearthemsing22 is getting their panties in a wad over absolutely nothing. No one here has hinted that they don't care about the front of house staff, crew, performers, or anyone. They were merely suggesting (reasonably, in my opinion) that some shows could perhaps have different schedules that still yield eight shows a week, and still adhere to AEA off-day standards.

And you know what, hearthemsing? I think you totally knew that, and wanted to get uppity, just for the sake of getting uppity. Because you do that sometimes.