Lover Never Dies Tour

[Moonlightmoonshiner]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 10:19am

This is a little off topic, but why are the tickets to Love Never Dies so expensive? They are mostly gone and to sit 20 or so rows back are $173 or $200ish for front orchestra. I have never been asked to shell out so much for an off Broadway show. This show isn't Dear Even Hanson and Hamilton quality and we were going to see  the show ironically and to see what they changed. Why so much for such a mediocre show?

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 10:59am

Because ALW is trying to see just how much embarrassment he can get out of this. At those prices it won't sell well. 

If you want to see it and you are willing to fork out big bucks, why not opt for further back seats and buy a cheap season package. At least you get to see everything else as well for about the same price.

[MovieInMyMind2]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 11:10am

If the US tour is based remotely on the Australian production, then it'll definitely be worth it, for me. I don't know if it is or if it's not, but, it looks like it's based off of the Australian production based on the promo photos of the upcoming US tour. So I'm guessing that it is. That is a spectacular re-imagining of the original London one. A lot was improved and regardless of whether you like the story or not, one can not deny that the staging and sets were top notch in the Australian version. That being said, it's a lavish production (assuming it does stay relatively true to the Australian staging) and I actually do plan on seeing it in Nashville regardless of the price. That's just me, though. I've seen the taped Australian production and I fell in love with it. Opinions differ on what's mediocre or not. However, are you sure that your venue isn't also the problem?

I saw the current new US Phantom tour in two venues only a few months apart. I sat in the front row both times and the cost was $99 per ticket in one venue and then nearly $200 in the other for front row, almost doubling the cost. 

Everytime I go back to the venue where the POTO tour was $99 for front row, shows there seem to be MUCH cheaper than when I go to the venue where the POTO tickets were nearly $200 for front orchestra. Could it be that?

Updated On: 9/4/17 at 11:10 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 12:21pm

This is a little off topic, but why are the tickets to Love Never Dies so expensive? They are mostly gone and to sit 20 or so rows back are $173 or $200ish for front orchestra. I have never been asked to shell out so much for an off Broadway show. This show isn't Dear Even Hanson and Hamilton quality and we were going to see  the show ironically and to see what they changed. Why so much for such a mediocre show?

Well, there are several things to address.  First, it's a US national tour not an Off-Broadway show.  An Off-Broadway show is a show that plays in a professional New York City venue with seating capacity between 100 and 499.  Second, as MovieInMyMind2 pointed out, pricing depends on the tour venue and the dates. Where and when are you trying to see it?  Front Orchestra in Utica is $69.25. IN Durham, it's $163.50 for Premium.  Most cities have a huge subscriber base, so the majority of the tickets are pre-sold in subscription packages at a substantial discount from the single ticket pricing, which is a standard pricing model for Equity tours.  Third, why on earth would pricing be based on your subjective opinion?  The producers don't budget a show based on whether you're "seeing the show ironically" or not.  If it's mediocre and you're "seeing the show ironically", why do you care what has changed?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 1:05pm

Mister Matt said: "Third, why on earth would pricing be based on your subjective opinion? The producers don't budget a show based on whether you're "seeing the show ironically" or not. If it's mediocre and you're "seeing the show ironically", why do you care what has changed?"

 

I'm looking forward to the day when I can walk up to the box office with the "seeing the show ironically" discount code.

[MovieInMyMind2]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 1:21pm

I just checked the tour dates for the LND tour and their prices vary significantly. This is of no surprise to me. I am in an area where there are three major cities within driving distance from me, so, I frequent 3 venues regularly. The venue where I live ALWAYS has Broadway shows for about $70-80 for front orchestra which is where I like to sit. Since I'm so close to two other venues, if I ever love a show so much that I just HAVE to see it again, I check to see if it stops to the other venues close by. Shows on tour often do that, and, I often see the same show twice in two different venues if I like it enough to go again. That being said, there was once a time when I saw a show for $80 at my local venue in the front orchestra and I loved it enough to see it a second time, so, I drove 2 hours to go see it again at another venue I frequent, but, the price jumped from $80 to $170 for front orchestra. You'd be amazed at how much price differs city by city and venue by venue. I feel so blessed to live in a city that offers $70-80 Broadway shows. I've been frequenting my local venue for about 15 years and it's never over-priced. But if I go 1.5 hours south to the other venue I frequent, prices there jump up to $200 for the same seats, if not more, depending on the show. It's not uncommon and those of us who frequent different local venues to see Broadway tours will all tell you that no two venues charge the same price. 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 2:08pm

I'm looking forward to the day when I can walk up to the box office with the "seeing the show ironically" discount code.

It's a good thing I have an ironic photo ID.

Updated On: 9/4/17 at 02:08 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 3:13pm

Moonlight, you may want to correct the thread title and take the "r" off of Lover.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 4:14pm

Ticket prices are determined by the local presenter, not the producer.

[tourboi]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 4:43pm

Trpguyy is absolutely correct. Pricing is set by the presenter, and often it has to do with local costs of putting the show in/out of the space, along with costs for advertising, etc. For instance, the union costs in Utica would be lower than say, Boston. So you'd expect higher ticket prices in Boston.  

[trpguyy]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 4:45pm

tourboi said: "Trpguyy is absolutely correct. Pricing is set by the presenter, and often it has to do with local costs of putting the show in/out of the space, along with costs foradvertising, etc. For instance, the union costs in Utica would be lower than say, Boston. So you'd expect higher ticket prices in Boston."

Which is surprising, because you'd think Utica's "Local 1" labor costs would be higher than in Boston

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 5:23pm

trpguyy said: "Which is surprising, because you'd think Utica's"Local 1" labor costs would be higher than in Boston "

 

Considering Utica is part of Local 9 I'm not sure what Local 1 has to do with determining their labor costs/rates.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 6:28pm

AEA AGMA SM said: "trpguyy said: "Which is surprising, because you'd think Utica's"Local 1" labor costs would be higher than in Boston "



Considering Utica is part of Local 9 I'm not sure what Local 1 has to do with determining their labor costs/rates."

It was a joke (hence the quotes and wink). IATSE Local 9 and the Stanley had a falling out, and the crew created their own union, ITEA Local 1

Updated On: 9/4/17 at 06:28 PM

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 6:43pm

MovieInMyMind2 said: "I just checked the tour dates for the LND tour and their prices vary significantly. This is of no surprise to me. I am in an area where there are three major cities within driving distance from me, so, I frequent 3 venues regularly. The venue where I live ALWAYS has Broadway shows for about $70-80 for front orchestra which is where I like to sit. Since I'm so close to two other venues, if I ever love a show so much that I just HAVE to see it again, I check to see if it stops to the other venues close by. Shows on tour often do that, and, I often see the same show twice in two different venues if I like it enough to go again. That being said, there was once a time when I saw a show for $80 at my local venue in the front orchestra and I loved it enough to see it a second time, so, I drove 2 hours to go see it again at another venue I frequent, but, the price jumped from $80 to $170 for front orchestra. You'd be amazed at how much price differs city by city and venue by venue. I feel so blessed to live in a city that offers $70-80 Broadway shows. I've been frequenting my local venue for about 15 years and it's never over-priced. But if I go 1.5 hours south to the other venue I frequent, prices there jump up to $200 for the same seats, if not more, depending on the show. It's not uncommon and those of us who frequent different local venues to see Broadway tours will all tell you that no two venues charge the same price."

Why don't you make it easier and just say the city where you live?

[singerunlimited]

Posted: 9/23/17 at 4:39pm

Anyone seeing the first performances this weekend?

[Lot666]

Posted: 9/28/17 at 1:27pm

Moonlightmoonshiner said: "This is a little off topic, but why are the tickets to Love Never Dies so expensive? They are mostly gone and to sit 20 or so rows back are $173 or $200ish for front orchestra. I have never been asked to shell out so much for an off Broadway show."

Those are typical prices for touring productions in my city these days. It has gotten to the point where it's cheaper for me to see a resident production on Broadway than a touring production in my home town.

[MovieInMyMind2]

Posted: 9/28/17 at 1:38pm

Phantom of London said: "MovieInMyMind2 said: "I just checked the tour dates for the LND tour and their prices vary significantly. This is of no surprise to me. I am in an area where there are three major cities within driving distance from me, so, I frequent 3 venues regularly. The venue where I live ALWAYS has Broadway shows for about $70-80 for front orchestra which is where I like to sit. Since I'm so close to two other venues, if I ever love a show so much that I just HAVE to see it again, I check to see if it stops to the other venues close by. Shows on tour often do that, and, I often see the same show twice in two different venues if I like it enough to go again. That being said, there was once a time when I saw a show for $80 at my local venue in the front orchestra and I loved it enough to see it a second time, so, I drove 2 hours to go see it again at another venue I frequent, but, the price jumped from $80 to $170 for front orchestra. You'd be amazed at how much price differs city by city and venue by venue. I feel so blessed to live in a city that offers $70-80 Broadway shows. I've been frequenting my local venue for about 15 years and it's never over-priced. But if I go 1.5 hours south to the other venue I frequent, prices there jump up to $200 for the same seats, if not more, depending on the show. It's not uncommon and those of us who frequent different local venues to see Broadway tours will all tell you that no two venues charge the same price."

Why don't you make it easier and just say the city where you live?"

Okay, not that the location is super relevant, but, Huntsville AL's Von Braun Center usually has $80 Broadway shows for front orchestra.

Saw the Phantom tour in Birmingham, AL and Nashville, TN. They were $100 for front orchestra in Nashville, nearly $200 in Birmingham, AL.

Birmingham, AL is usually way more expensive than the Nashville's TPAC and my small local venue in Huntsville is usually the cheapest of the three.

Just saying, after 15 years of theatre-going, this is what I've noticed where I live.

TL;DR - it varies city by city drastically. 

Updated On: 9/28/17 at 01:38 PM

[Theatricality]

Posted: 9/28/17 at 1:56pm

I got to see the (technically) first performance last weekend when Love Never Dies opened with performances in Utica, NY. I’ve loved this show since the beginning in London and I fell in love even more with this tour. It’s almost identical to the Australian production with a couple minor changes to the set and some changes to “The Beauty Underneath” and the scene where everyone is chasing after Gustave. The first night had a lot of technical difficulties. Immediately after “Coney Island Waltz” the show stopped for a brief five minutes because the set was not coming together. The show’s curtain kept getting caught on the set a few times throughout the first act. Christine’s dress got caught under the globe and she had to tug at it right before she sees the Phantom for the first time in 10 years. Meg’s second to last bathing suit she wears in “Bathing Beauty” got undone in the back and she tried her best to keep it on. Other than that, it was honestly an extremely well done production and I hope everyone gives this a chance. The talented cast and everyone involved made it a great night, aside from the technical difficulties which are almost bound to happen with the very first performance with an audience.

Updated On: 9/28/17 at 01:56 PM

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 9/28/17 at 2:00pm

Did they change the ending like Andrew said he was considering? Where Christine lives?

[Lot666]

Posted: 9/28/17 at 2:46pm

Theatricality said: "It’s almost identical to the Australian production with a couple minor changes to the set and some changes to 'The Beauty Underneath' and the scene where everyone is chasing after Gustave."

When Gustave plays his own melody on the piano, does the Phantom now entreat him to sing like he does with Christine near the end of the title song in the original ("Sing for me!")? I saw a clip of Gardar Thor Cortes doing this in the German production and LOVED it!

[johannabarker]

Posted: 9/28/17 at 3:42pm

ALW is NOT producing this, Troika is. I don't think he really has anything to do with this, I don't think he's even there for the previews. Christine still dies for no reason. It's basically the Australian production with the changed creepy title song-esque Beauty Underneath (which was done in Germany). All productions of this (London, Australia, Denmark, Japan, Germany) were all failures. This has a built in subscriber base so it should do okay, however there's a reason no Broadway producer will touch this. This is honestly causing Steve Barton, Mary Millar, Maria Bjornson to roll in their graves. It's disgrace to the name of Phantom, which isn't really esteemed currently with the terrible tour and the currently Broadway production in terrible shape. Don't waste your money, just watch the DVD of the Australian production on Youtube. There's a reason the only original creative team members it has in common are Mick Potter and ALW.

[Theatricality]

Posted: 9/28/17 at 3:56pm

broadwayboy223 said: "Did they change the ending like Andrew said he was considering? Where Christine lives?"

No, the original ending hasn’t changed. Christine still (spoiler alert— is this even a spoiler anymore?) dies at the gunshot from Meg. Actually the way it was staged, it almost seemed as if Meg was unapologetic about it. The original cast recording has Meg yelling “I didn’t mean to!” and I don’t think she said that when the gun went off, or at least I didn’t hear her say it if she did. 

 

Lot666 said: "Theatricality said: "It’s almost identical to the Australian production with a couple minor changes to the set and some changes to 'The Beauty Underneath' and the scene where everyone is chasing after Gustave."

When Gustave plays his own melody on the piano, does the Phantom now entreat him to sing like he does with Christine near the end of the title song in the original("Sing for me!")? I saw a clip of Gardar Thor Cortes doing this in the German production and LOVED it!"

Yes!! I didn’t expect this change when I was watching that number and it was amazing! Gustave even hit the high note at the end, granted I think the key is different from the original.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 9/28/17 at 5:08pm

johannabarker said: "ALW is NOT producing this, Troika is. I don't think he really has anything to do with this, I don't think he's even there for the previews. "

Andrew Lloyd Webber is billed as a producer, along with Troika who is GM-ing the tour. Whether or not he is present for rehearsals and/or previews, he is still a producer.

[johannabarker]

Posted: 9/28/17 at 6:42pm

Andrew Lloyd Webber is billed as a producer, along with Troika who is GM-ing the tour. Whether or not he is present for rehearsals and/or previews, he is still a producer.
 

Well I didn't know that, didn't see him listed. Anyway, if he had any sense he'd let this show die, truly a dreadful musical, it's everything Phantom haters purport the show to be, bad story and beautiful visuals.

[Lot666]

Posted: 9/29/17 at 12:19pm

Theatricality said: Lot666 said: "When Gustave plays his own melody on the piano, does the Phantom now entreat him to sing like he does with Christine near the end of the title song in the original ("Sing for me!")? I saw a clip of Gardar Thor Cortes doing this in the German production and LOVED it!"

Yes!! I didn’t expect this change when I was watching that number and it was amazing! Gustave even hit the high note at the end, granted I think the key is different from the original."

Awesome! I saw the original London production three times and I have the DVD from Australia, and this is a change from both of them that was apparently only done (so far) in the German version. I think it's brilliant and I'm delighted that they're doing it for the U.S tour!

Updated On: 9/29/17 at 12:19 PM