Neil Simon box office

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 11:39am

Has the Neil Simon Theatre box office opened for Ragtime ticket sales yet?

Now that the discount code is out, I would love to go directly to the box office to save on fees, which now literally add another $11 to the cost of the ticket when you have to use ticketdisaster. Updated On: 9/18/09 at 11:39 AM

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 12:36pm

I had the same idea since I'll be in NY on business next week, but I can't find any news on the NST boxoffice. Online I just get "boxoffice information TBA". Hope it's soon.

[trombonist]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 12:44pm

There's a discount code? Where?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 12:45pm

http://www.broadwaybox.com/shows/ragtime_nyc_tickets.aspx

[tking001]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 12:47pm

I know that when Hairspray was at the Neil Simon they had the lottery and Student rush
(For Tuesday-Thursday shows) in the last 4 rows of the mezz. Do you think they'll do that for Ragtime?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 12:54pm

The last few rows of the mezz are available for $45, so if they're doing any kind of rush/lotto, it won't be there, unless they've set aside a section of it.

I love Ragtime to death, it being the first musical that I ever wanted to see again and again, when I was a teenager, so I'm really excited for this production. I want to go to the first performance, and will probably use the discount code, so I can get good seats for at least that show. After that, I'm sure it will be available via TDF. But for the first time, I want good seats.

[trombonist]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 12:58pm

Thanks Millie. I don't feel so bad now, the discount is only $10 off the tickets I bought the other day (rear mezz). How's row P there?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 1:29pm

Orchestra/Front Mezzanine/Boxes: $87.50 + $1.50 Theatre Restoration Charge
Mid Mezzanine (K-O): $59.50 + $1.50 Theatre Restoration Charge
Rear Mezzanine (P-U): $45.00 + $1.50 Theatre Restoration Charge

Wow. This is quite possibly the worst discount code I've ever seen in all my years of theatergoing. Typically, discounts in previews are between $55 and $70. Why do the producers of RAGTIME think they can get away with making the discount $89? I don't understand it at all...

I will be waiting for tdf for this one.

[trombonist]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 1:38pm

iirc, South Pacific didn't have a discount code at all for the longest time, so it's not like this is unheard of. This was a highly acclaimed production from a sold out run at the Kennedy Center that has a lot of buzz, not a new show that's just coming in that no one knows anything about. Obviously the pre-sale on it has gone well if those are the discounts they're offering.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 1:40pm

Why do the producers of RAGTIME think they can get away with making the discount $89?

They're not "getting away with" anything. Discounts aren't required, and they can offer them in any denomination they want to. They could just not offer them at all. Would that make you happy?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 2:15pm

...and they won't get away with anything because very few people will buy tickets at this high a price...it is really insane.

Current discounts for new shows this season:
After Miss Julie: $66.33
Brighton Beach Memoirs: $50
Burn the Floor: $66.50
Bye Bye Birdie: $67.50
Fela!: $52
Finian's Rainbow: $55
Memphis: $62.50
Oleanna: $59
Superior Donuts: $59.50
The Royal Family: $58

The only two shows that don't have discounts are A Steady Rain and Hamlet, since both runs are nearly sold out already (and I saw those shows for $71.50 and $26.50, respectively).

Unless Ragtime has a multi-million dollar advance right now (which I highly doubt it does) then the producers should follow suit and charge between $55 and $70 for preview performances. Otherwise, the general public will choose cheaper options and it will flop even faster than I think it will.

Please Note: The original run of Ragtime still stands as the single best show I've ever seen on Broadway. I think it is one of the best written pieces ever for the theater. But I think it will be a hard sell - and an even harder sell at $89 a ticket.
Updated On: 9/18/09 at 02:15 PM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 2:45pm

I'm almost positive that South Pacific had a discount code in previews when I originally saw it.

It's fine to have a scant discount or no discount at all if the show has opened and is a hit. Once In the Heights won the Tony it revoked the discount code and did well. The point, I believe, WAT is trying to make is that during previews a perhaps unfinished product should have a decent discount to entice audiences and build word of mouth. A $90 "discount" is hardly a lure when most other shows are offering their best seats for $50-$60.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:07pm

With a top ticket price of $126, a 33% discount (one third off) is very close to the $87.00 discount. Getting a third off the top price is not all that unreasonable. The discount just sounds low based on the top ticket price.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:19pm

Almost all shows have a top ticket price between $116 and $126 dollars though. No one else seems to have a problem offering half or more off during the preview period. We are just wondering why Ragtime is not following suit. Is the advance for this show really that wonderful?

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 3:44pm

I do think this is a bit ridiculous.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 10:46am

Bumping this thread to say that the box office is open, and they've finally taken down the Robin Williams marquee.

I was able to get very good seats for the first preview yesterday with the discount code.

[ActualReality2]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 6:17pm

Hi, I was just wondering what rear mezz seats are like at the neil simon? And if they're worth the $45! Thanks!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 6:36pm

If producers have the nerve to charge what they charge as full proce for a show, there should be no surprise if they offer a crappy discount.

We saw the original so we have no intention of seeing this no matter what the disount is.

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 6:43pm

Hi, I was just wondering what rear mezz seats are like at the neil simon? And if they're worth the $45! Thanks!

Worth it. I'd say it has a very good view. I've been up there a few times and I thought the view was great.

[best we know x]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 8:52pm

^Glad to hear that, I bought $45 seats for the first preview.

[trombonist]

Posted: 9/20/09 at 11:51pm

Thanks blaxx! I'd bought rear mezz tickets and was hoping they'd be decent. :)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 12:20am

The only thing I dislike about the mezz there is that, like the American Airlines, there is no center aisle. So, before the show, you are CONSTANTLY getting up to let people pass. If you're in the middle of the row, and need the bathroom at intermission, you're never getting out.

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 12:30am

I never had that problem. Maybe because I've gotten one of the left or right side sections that are closer to the aisle. Still, I love the view here.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 4:20am

Can you REALLY blame them for trying to get the best price they can? They are, after all, TRYING to make money. If they can't sell enough tix that way, I'm sure they will indeed offer a bigger discount.

I don't think they have any "nerve" to try. As was already stated: they don't HAVE to offer any discount at all. Getting discounts is a bonus....not a right.

No one wants to undersell their show. If the going rate goes up (and it always does) then practically everyone will use that pricing. If their base price is lower, many people will actually assume they don't believe in their product and that something must be "wrong" with the production.

If no one was selling full price tickets at 120 a pop, then NO ONE would use that as their price. But they do, and plenty of them. (I am not speaking as to whether or not Ragtime has a good advance, but just in generalities.)

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/21/09 at 7:14am

I agree with dramamama611. I understand that the price is steep for a preview, but producers don't have to do anything and aren't entitled to set a certain discount rate.

I think they will adjust prices accordingly if they are not selling well. Maybe they want to see how well they sell at the current discount rate. If they can get that amount per ticket, why not? Just because people on here refuse to buy them at that price doesn't mean other people won't.